Days since Gabrielle & Moses home from Ethiopia
Days since Sophie, Joseph, Isaiah, and Caleb came from Ethiopia!
Grandbaby Jaxon Arrived November 25,2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Update November 7,2009
Joseph tried to bring his OWN potty chair to "Babyschool". He was so disappointed that he had to leave his at home.
Moses asked when he is older he will get married...then he said about 16 in ethiopia. Is this the same here???Both Louie and I looked at each other and after choking explained that it is our hope for him to finish college THEN get married.
Moses and Isaiah were talking about their favorite meal in Ethiopia was when on Special occasions they had Lamb. They described in great DETAIL how to prepare the lamb, how they kill it, drain the blood into a bucket and cook it til it gels then eat it...they said yummy...tastes like sega (steak). Then they talked about how to butcher it...
Isaiah and Caleb do not like the dark. They still ask about the hyenas and the lions sneaking around. Not in America.
October 1st it was cold and windy the kiddos came home from school and said it was TOO cold. We explained to them that it was not cold yet...All 6 little voices said that it was SOOOO cold. They wanted to wear FULL winter gear. Wait until the temperature REALLY gets cold witht he snow and ice.
We all attended a wedding October 3rd. The kids first American Wedding. They had a great time and actually danced. The girls tried to catch the bouquet and the boys tried to catch the garter. Although they had their eyes covered when the groom took it off the bride. Sophie can REALLY dance. If it has a beat she can dance to it.
Moses has worked very hard with Louie getting the cabin ready for winter. All the kiddos had fun raking the leaves but keep asking WHY the leaves fall off the tree? We tried to explain the change of seasons to them.
Our neighbor at the cabin puts corn on his beach for the ducks. The kids just noticed today. They asked why is that corn there? Our good friend Judy said "to feed the ducks". Moses replied to "EAT?" Judy said no..no...just to feed them? Later the kids were stalking that area to see if the ducks would come. Lucky for the ducks they did not show up while the kiddos were there. LUCKY DUCKS...our kiddos said they would like to EAT them and would catch them for papa and mama.
Joseph, Isaiah, Moses, Gabrielle, and Sophie all had to get glasses. Caleb sees like a cat and didn't need them. He was jealous at first but now "sees" that it is not very much fun...
All had their 3rd "catch up" sets of immunizations. So that was 4 shots a piece times 6 kids, then on Monday H1N1 vaccine, and today for fun and extra kicks they all got their flu vaccine. Moses was asking if in America why so many shots over and over and over. The poor kiddo thinks this is his life....shot....shot....shot. He said Ethiopia NO SHOTS...America LOVE shots!
Julie is finally up out of her chair walking short distances and can even drive short distances. NO stairs or inclines. Feels great to have a set of wheels that are not attached to my rear-end!
Moses asked when he is older he will get married...then he said about 16 in ethiopia. Is this the same here???Both Louie and I looked at each other and after choking explained that it is our hope for him to finish college THEN get married.
Moses and Isaiah were talking about their favorite meal in Ethiopia was when on Special occasions they had Lamb. They described in great DETAIL how to prepare the lamb, how they kill it, drain the blood into a bucket and cook it til it gels then eat it...they said yummy...tastes like sega (steak). Then they talked about how to butcher it...
Isaiah and Caleb do not like the dark. They still ask about the hyenas and the lions sneaking around. Not in America.
October 1st it was cold and windy the kiddos came home from school and said it was TOO cold. We explained to them that it was not cold yet...All 6 little voices said that it was SOOOO cold. They wanted to wear FULL winter gear. Wait until the temperature REALLY gets cold witht he snow and ice.
We all attended a wedding October 3rd. The kids first American Wedding. They had a great time and actually danced. The girls tried to catch the bouquet and the boys tried to catch the garter. Although they had their eyes covered when the groom took it off the bride. Sophie can REALLY dance. If it has a beat she can dance to it.
Moses has worked very hard with Louie getting the cabin ready for winter. All the kiddos had fun raking the leaves but keep asking WHY the leaves fall off the tree? We tried to explain the change of seasons to them.
Our neighbor at the cabin puts corn on his beach for the ducks. The kids just noticed today. They asked why is that corn there? Our good friend Judy said "to feed the ducks". Moses replied to "EAT?" Judy said no..no...just to feed them? Later the kids were stalking that area to see if the ducks would come. Lucky for the ducks they did not show up while the kiddos were there. LUCKY DUCKS...our kiddos said they would like to EAT them and would catch them for papa and mama.
Joseph, Isaiah, Moses, Gabrielle, and Sophie all had to get glasses. Caleb sees like a cat and didn't need them. He was jealous at first but now "sees" that it is not very much fun...
All had their 3rd "catch up" sets of immunizations. So that was 4 shots a piece times 6 kids, then on Monday H1N1 vaccine, and today for fun and extra kicks they all got their flu vaccine. Moses was asking if in America why so many shots over and over and over. The poor kiddo thinks this is his life....shot....shot....shot. He said Ethiopia NO SHOTS...America LOVE shots!
Julie is finally up out of her chair walking short distances and can even drive short distances. NO stairs or inclines. Feels great to have a set of wheels that are not attached to my rear-end!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Joseph tries to bring his OWN potty to Baby School!
No Joseph, you do not need to bring your OWN potty to Baby School. They have potties there for you!
September 20 update:
We went to Valentino's for lunch. Lou paid the bill. All the kiddos went to the bathroom except Caleb and Joseph. Louie came back and asked where they all went? At that moment Caleb in his very animated ability acted out that Moses and Isaiah were "KAKA" and of course had to make the sounds and positioning that goes with this bodily function, this allowed ALL in the restaurant to be aware of what his brothers were doing. I politely told him that he needed to sit back down in his seat (in as straight of a face as I could without just rolling on the floor laughing). Of course half of the restaurant was chuckling. I am sure the boys would be happy to know that their 5 year old brother just told the entire eating establishment that they were pooping and gave the animation and sound effects to go with it.
Moses has vocabulary words for school. Six geography words which really means about 6 times 50 new words to describe each vocabulary word. We have a long year ahead of us but he is approaching it with a smile!
Moses: When the teacher writes 08-20-09 on your paper and has mommy sign it is is NOT a math problem to try to figure out. Try explaining to your child that it is the year 2009, not 2001 which is in Ethiopia! Then how do you tell them that theoretically...ethiopia has it right.....
Caleb: each day when you put on new socks...REMOVE THE OLD ONES...checked Caleb's feet because they looked so big, I thought he had swollen feets...NO...just 3 layers of SOCKS!
We play alot of 50's type of music for the kiddos to dance and sing to. The old song Carole..I've been such a fool....I would surely die". The kiddos were ROLLING with laughter. We thought what is sooo funny. Sophie said why sing to Carole that you "Fuuse" (which means pass gass? then you die? She said American music FUNNY hahahahaahehehe.
Joseph's now has his own set of toddler rules that seem to be working out for him and no one else. They are as follows:
If I like it it's mine,
If you have something I want, it's mine,
If it was in my hand it's mine,
If I can take if from you, it's mine,
If I had it a little while ago, it's mine
If its's mine it must never appear to be yours in any way,
If I'm doing or building something, all the pieces are mine,
If it looks just like mine, it's mine,
If I saw it first, it's mine,
If you are playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine,
If it's broken, it's yours...but all the pieces are mine.
Gabrielle is busy learning english and loves school. We went to Wal-mart and Gabrielle still wants to pick a fish in the pet department to EAT. Oh well, she just looks at us funny and can't believe that the funny americans would buy a fish to leave on your counter and not EAT it!
The kiddos started Awanas at the First Baptist Church this week. They loved it and even Joseph has his toddler class. One little boy in Joseph's class wouldn't say Jesus because he said he "can't say a cuss word???" His mother was really RED!
Caleb went to the pumpkin patch on his first field trip with school. He loved it but wants mom to cook the pumpkin up and not to wait.
Isaiah: Check marks on your spelling papers are not the same as STARS!
School lunches are an interesting experience. We are learning that if you don't eat you will be REALLY hungry when you get home..
Moses has vocabulary words for school. Six geography words which really means about 6 times 50 new words to describe each vocabulary word. We have a long year ahead of us but he is approaching it with a smile!
Moses: When the teacher writes 08-20-09 on your paper and has mommy sign it is is NOT a math problem to try to figure out. Try explaining to your child that it is the year 2009, not 2001 which is in Ethiopia! Then how do you tell them that theoretically...ethiopia has it right.....
Caleb: each day when you put on new socks...REMOVE THE OLD ONES...checked Caleb's feet because they looked so big, I thought he had swollen feets...NO...just 3 layers of SOCKS!
We play alot of 50's type of music for the kiddos to dance and sing to. The old song Carole..I've been such a fool....I would surely die". The kiddos were ROLLING with laughter. We thought what is sooo funny. Sophie said why sing to Carole that you "Fuuse" (which means pass gass? then you die? She said American music FUNNY hahahahaahehehe.
Joseph's now has his own set of toddler rules that seem to be working out for him and no one else. They are as follows:
If I like it it's mine,
If you have something I want, it's mine,
If it was in my hand it's mine,
If I can take if from you, it's mine,
If I had it a little while ago, it's mine
If its's mine it must never appear to be yours in any way,
If I'm doing or building something, all the pieces are mine,
If it looks just like mine, it's mine,
If I saw it first, it's mine,
If you are playing with something and you put it down, it automatically becomes mine,
If it's broken, it's yours...but all the pieces are mine.
Gabrielle is busy learning english and loves school. We went to Wal-mart and Gabrielle still wants to pick a fish in the pet department to EAT. Oh well, she just looks at us funny and can't believe that the funny americans would buy a fish to leave on your counter and not EAT it!
The kiddos started Awanas at the First Baptist Church this week. They loved it and even Joseph has his toddler class. One little boy in Joseph's class wouldn't say Jesus because he said he "can't say a cuss word???" His mother was really RED!
Caleb went to the pumpkin patch on his first field trip with school. He loved it but wants mom to cook the pumpkin up and not to wait.
Isaiah: Check marks on your spelling papers are not the same as STARS!
School lunches are an interesting experience. We are learning that if you don't eat you will be REALLY hungry when you get home..
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Update August 22, 2009
Welcome to America...all the kiddos chanted as Matt (our Son In Law) opened the van doors. Pretty cute!
Moses was talking about how they "got chicken". He made a motion over his throat and said "head done then give to dogs" . Of course we were eating chicken at the time...yummmmmm!
Went to Sophie's school for orientation night. A lady sat next to Sophie and started talking to her. She introduced her daughters. She was talking quite fast and Sophie did not understand some of what she said. I told the lady Sophie was new to the U.S. and this was her first time in an American School and she is just learning English. To this the nice lady talked more slowly in a LOUD VOICE....(I just smiled...Sophie was really confused at this time...she has GREAT hearing).
Julie and Lou went out on a date night courtesy of Katie and Matthew's babysitting service!!! We went to WHisky Creek for dinner. When I wheeled in in my wheelchair up to the host area (there were 4 girls there hosting). One said "table or booth" I looked up at her from my chair and said "I suppose a table would be easier for me to ROLL up to???" one of the hosts next to her just gave her that LOOK...you know the LOOK of I can't believe you said that... ok next question "Would you like to sit at the bar (on the barstools or there is a table in the back but it is kind of a LONG walk.?" OK, now I am about to giggle to no end...my answer as the host next to her throws her pencil in the air, looks at this little gal and just shakes her head, my answer "I suppose I can't get to the bar stools and since I am ROLLING in a WHEELCHAIR, it will be fine to ROLL back to the table in the back...???". Lou and I wanted to ask "WHERE"S YOUR SIGN???"
The kiddos went to a follow up clinic appointment. Look out HERE come the Roemhildts. They had 2 nurses ready for us. 5 and 6t shots a piece and 2 1/2 hours later...we emerge.
We went to Valentinos. There were ALOT of State Troopers and SWAT team members there. The kiddos about freaked out, they are scared of Police and Military. I asked the officers if they could come and say hello. They were so kind. They took the time to come and talk to the kiddos, take the kiddos out to meet the K9 dog and play with him, and they got to get into the police truck and turn on the lights. VERY COOL.
Caleb wanted to sleep with his new school shoes...he is very proud of them.
It is a good thing the tooth fairy doesn't come here. She would be BROKE!. We have teeth falling out all over the place. If they are even a little loose the kids yank them out of their mouth! We have told them to wiggle and wiggle and loosen it up but no... Good thing there is not any money involved or they would take all their teeth out. They do have a little chant they do when a tooth comes out and then in Ethiopia they throw it in the wind.
We say different prayers for meals but this one cracked Louie and I up...The kiddos started: COME ON JESUS..instead of Come Lord Jesus....
Moses was talking about how they "got chicken". He made a motion over his throat and said "head done then give to dogs" . Of course we were eating chicken at the time...yummmmmm!
Went to Sophie's school for orientation night. A lady sat next to Sophie and started talking to her. She introduced her daughters. She was talking quite fast and Sophie did not understand some of what she said. I told the lady Sophie was new to the U.S. and this was her first time in an American School and she is just learning English. To this the nice lady talked more slowly in a LOUD VOICE....(I just smiled...Sophie was really confused at this time...she has GREAT hearing).
Julie and Lou went out on a date night courtesy of Katie and Matthew's babysitting service!!! We went to WHisky Creek for dinner. When I wheeled in in my wheelchair up to the host area (there were 4 girls there hosting). One said "table or booth" I looked up at her from my chair and said "I suppose a table would be easier for me to ROLL up to???" one of the hosts next to her just gave her that LOOK...you know the LOOK of I can't believe you said that... ok next question "Would you like to sit at the bar (on the barstools or there is a table in the back but it is kind of a LONG walk.?" OK, now I am about to giggle to no end...my answer as the host next to her throws her pencil in the air, looks at this little gal and just shakes her head, my answer "I suppose I can't get to the bar stools and since I am ROLLING in a WHEELCHAIR, it will be fine to ROLL back to the table in the back...???". Lou and I wanted to ask "WHERE"S YOUR SIGN???"
The kiddos went to a follow up clinic appointment. Look out HERE come the Roemhildts. They had 2 nurses ready for us. 5 and 6t shots a piece and 2 1/2 hours later...we emerge.
We went to Valentinos. There were ALOT of State Troopers and SWAT team members there. The kiddos about freaked out, they are scared of Police and Military. I asked the officers if they could come and say hello. They were so kind. They took the time to come and talk to the kiddos, take the kiddos out to meet the K9 dog and play with him, and they got to get into the police truck and turn on the lights. VERY COOL.
Caleb wanted to sleep with his new school shoes...he is very proud of them.
It is a good thing the tooth fairy doesn't come here. She would be BROKE!. We have teeth falling out all over the place. If they are even a little loose the kids yank them out of their mouth! We have told them to wiggle and wiggle and loosen it up but no... Good thing there is not any money involved or they would take all their teeth out. They do have a little chant they do when a tooth comes out and then in Ethiopia they throw it in the wind.
We say different prayers for meals but this one cracked Louie and I up...The kiddos started: COME ON JESUS..instead of Come Lord Jesus....
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Update August 6
Finally got the insurance cards...after arguing with BCBS to add the new kiddos. Well after 3 weeks they FINALLY sent the new cards. We looked at the cards and noticed that all the names were on them except the new two kiddos...then we noticed that there was another card in the envelope. We have too many kiddos to fit all on one card so we are a two insurance card carrying family....oh well.
Put the girls to bed and turned around and Joseph was gone...he was in Moses' room asleep. He has decided to move into his big boy room with his big brother..we told Sophie that he could go back to her room if he did not want to sleep there...her reply...NO - go asleep moses room. So I guess our dear little Sophie is Finished mothering, time for Joseph to move on....works for both sides...
Saw a chicken at the petting farm, I told the kiddos to catch it and mama would cook it up for supper...OOOOPPPSSS...there went the Roemhildt kids trying to catch
the chicken, well, they just about had it when mom and dad gained composure from laughing and had to reign them in just in time, boy, was that chicken relieved...
Caleb: comes in from the beach to the cabin with a big grin and says "me coka". To which mama says NO, you may have a woha (water). 2 minutes later Caleb appears in the cabin again and says "Coka papa"... (you have to understand that the kids get milk, juice, or water). So I said to our grown daughter "THANK YOU CALEB, KATIE, GO SEE IF DAD WANTS A COLA???" At this point caleb replied with a big grin...no...wait...no and runs outside ...hahahahehehehe caught in the act....he thought he would get a soda under the guise of asking for one for papa....very ingenious...but being the OLD FOLKS we are...and thanks to John and Katie 25 years ago for breaking us in...been there...done that...
This is one you don't hear at the dinner table from a 5 year old..."now Caleb, don't fill up just on Jalepenos, save some room for your dinner..."
Caleb officially wore OUT his TIRES on his bike. Wore the tread right off through the tube. Dad moved him up to a bigger bike. The excitement and look on his face was priceless. Almost as good as mom and dad's look that he actually wore his tires OUT!
Joseph likes to play like he is driving the car...under his highchair...he sits and pushes the high chair around and makes car noises...priceless...
Joseph has decided it is his job to get mom's cell phone when it rings...(Julie carries it in her bra)...CUTE but will not be when he is 40...
Put the girls to bed and turned around and Joseph was gone...he was in Moses' room asleep. He has decided to move into his big boy room with his big brother..we told Sophie that he could go back to her room if he did not want to sleep there...her reply...NO - go asleep moses room. So I guess our dear little Sophie is Finished mothering, time for Joseph to move on....works for both sides...
Saw a chicken at the petting farm, I told the kiddos to catch it and mama would cook it up for supper...OOOOPPPSSS...there went the Roemhildt kids trying to catch
the chicken, well, they just about had it when mom and dad gained composure from laughing and had to reign them in just in time, boy, was that chicken relieved...
Caleb: comes in from the beach to the cabin with a big grin and says "me coka". To which mama says NO, you may have a woha (water). 2 minutes later Caleb appears in the cabin again and says "Coka papa"... (you have to understand that the kids get milk, juice, or water). So I said to our grown daughter "THANK YOU CALEB, KATIE, GO SEE IF DAD WANTS A COLA???" At this point caleb replied with a big grin...no...wait...no and runs outside ...hahahahehehehe caught in the act....he thought he would get a soda under the guise of asking for one for papa....very ingenious...but being the OLD FOLKS we are...and thanks to John and Katie 25 years ago for breaking us in...been there...done that...
This is one you don't hear at the dinner table from a 5 year old..."now Caleb, don't fill up just on Jalepenos, save some room for your dinner..."
Caleb officially wore OUT his TIRES on his bike. Wore the tread right off through the tube. Dad moved him up to a bigger bike. The excitement and look on his face was priceless. Almost as good as mom and dad's look that he actually wore his tires OUT!
Joseph likes to play like he is driving the car...under his highchair...he sits and pushes the high chair around and makes car noises...priceless...
Joseph has decided it is his job to get mom's cell phone when it rings...(Julie carries it in her bra)...CUTE but will not be when he is 40...
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
UPDATE 7/10/2009
Gabrielle asked if we should get the ants outside for "to eat"???, after I was done gagging, I tried to explain to her that we don't eat those here...well, mom doesn't anyway.
I made a pork roast for dinner, sophie asked"is this donkey sega (meat)???"
No, we don't let the toilet OVERFLOW, lock the bathroom door and try to bale water while dad is trying to get into the bathroom. And yes, when that happens, we ALL clean the poop and water off the floor and scrub the bathroom...eeeeeeeewwwwwwwww
Joseph, mushing bananas in your hair is not a new hair product and yes mama will wash your hair when you do this, like it or NOT!
Joseph: going downstairs on your butt after you have stripped yourself naked will hurt your bottom. No padding, NO fun.
99 degrees in the shade, run for an hour playing kickball with towels wrapped around you after swimming while everyone else is sweating...priceless
The glue sticks we have been practicing gluing paper with is not another CHAPSTICK product!!!
Took the big road trip through South Dakota with all 6
NEVER underestimate the equestrian skills of your adopted 5 year old. On the pony rides in South Dakota, Caleb took the reins and the leather and smacked the pony to giddy up, while rearing up in the round pony walker, Caleb was giving it the ol' yeeeee haaaa!!! The ranch worker was NOT impressed. We tried not to giggle as we were telling Caleb that was a NO. He grinned and said donkey yes.
Traveling every day in the car we were asked if this was 'America". The answer was yes every day, at Mount Rushmore, Yes Yes, Yes. We are still in America.
Every day, HUNDREDS of times a day driving we were asked "is this vacation?", Vacation?, Is this still vacation?. Who vacation?, Where is vacation?
The road trip was short but fun. THe kids were so well behaved. They are probably saving it up for mama when papa goes back to work. Their favorite vacation time was the hotel pool with the 2 story water slide. NO FEAR!
Getting school backpacks ready for 6 keeps life interesting. All names on all school supplies. All are SO excited about school. School is in 28 days but WHO's counting???
I made a pork roast for dinner, sophie asked"is this donkey sega (meat)???"
No, we don't let the toilet OVERFLOW, lock the bathroom door and try to bale water while dad is trying to get into the bathroom. And yes, when that happens, we ALL clean the poop and water off the floor and scrub the bathroom...eeeeeeeewwwwwwwww
Joseph, mushing bananas in your hair is not a new hair product and yes mama will wash your hair when you do this, like it or NOT!
Joseph: going downstairs on your butt after you have stripped yourself naked will hurt your bottom. No padding, NO fun.
99 degrees in the shade, run for an hour playing kickball with towels wrapped around you after swimming while everyone else is sweating...priceless
The glue sticks we have been practicing gluing paper with is not another CHAPSTICK product!!!
Took the big road trip through South Dakota with all 6
NEVER underestimate the equestrian skills of your adopted 5 year old. On the pony rides in South Dakota, Caleb took the reins and the leather and smacked the pony to giddy up, while rearing up in the round pony walker, Caleb was giving it the ol' yeeeee haaaa!!! The ranch worker was NOT impressed. We tried not to giggle as we were telling Caleb that was a NO. He grinned and said donkey yes.
Traveling every day in the car we were asked if this was 'America". The answer was yes every day, at Mount Rushmore, Yes Yes, Yes. We are still in America.
Every day, HUNDREDS of times a day driving we were asked "is this vacation?", Vacation?, Is this still vacation?. Who vacation?, Where is vacation?
The road trip was short but fun. THe kids were so well behaved. They are probably saving it up for mama when papa goes back to work. Their favorite vacation time was the hotel pool with the 2 story water slide. NO FEAR!
Getting school backpacks ready for 6 keeps life interesting. All names on all school supplies. All are SO excited about school. School is in 28 days but WHO's counting???
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
July 4 2009 Update
The new members of our family joined us this week. Gabrielle age 8 and Moses age 11. We are blessed that Louie had a safe trip and the new members of the family are settling in. Although, the hooting and hollering starts after this weeks honeymoon phase. Louie goes back to work next week...batton down the hatches...
The cart park area at Sam's store is NOT a place to shint a bet (pee pee)
Joseph says "I POOP" means I have pooped in my pants!
Joseph did POOP in the Potty for the first time, for his big sister Katie, she ran to get the camera and he had flushed it and was clapping his hands. Oh well, never mind that mommy has put him on the potty at least 100 times a day (NOT EXAGERATED. Leave the house and have big sister watching him and he poops for her!
Joseph peed on the toilet again (I really mean peed on the floor and mom and all OVER the toilet...hard to keep it tucked in when you are so fascinated by how you pee.
Going out to eat at a buffet with friends (who also brought 6 of their beautiful children) and hearing over the speaker...AFTER you have trusted them to go get their food by themselves.. ."JUST A REMINDER TO OUR DINING CUSTOMERS... DO NOT LET CHILDREN UNDER 12 GO UNACCOMPANIED TO THE BUFFET OR THE BATHROOM...Oh well, back to the drawing board...Lets just say we need to work on bathroom skills and not sampling the buffet.....
OOPS, even though you are new to the family we just learned you do not say no to mama. Just ask Joseph.
Ask Joseph where he comes from...he says..."ETOPA" we taught him this because that seems to be a familiar question he gets.
Homeschool started right away on Monday. Sophie, Isaiah, and Caleb finished summer school and LOVED IT. Now for homeschool with mommy for 6 weeks until regular school starts in August.
Moses really studies hard. Gabrielle loves her new dollies
Everyone loves yabahardarcha (the cabin and beach)
After swimming when mama says to change your clothes and don't get the floor wet, it doesn't mean to take off your wet clothes OUTSIDE and put on your dry clothes INSIDE
We are still learning please and thank you.
Fishing firsts for Gabrielle and Moses...NO WE DON"T COOK THE NIGHT CRAWLERS IN THE FIRE AND EAT THEM>>>>>>GAG>>>GAG>>>GAG ...that one really got mama going. Lou wonders what kind of spice they put on them.
The Berbere and jalapenos goes about a jar a day. The hotter and spicey the better.
Firecrackers noise are not GUNFIRE!
Bicycle is the favorite for the new kiddos and the old kiddos. They ask about bicycle riding EVERY DAY ALL DAY.
Julie went to the ortho doctor and is STILL in the chair. 4 months but who's counting, oh yea... I am. I did get a new brace though. Although it does not allow as me to take as many steps as the last one, it is supposed to bring back some muscle strength. Dr. says I can go without it at night as long as the kids are not around????? WHEN IS THAT???? I DON"T REMEMBER WHEN THERE WERE NOT KIDDOS AROUND???
That is it for now...everyday is a new adventure...
The cart park area at Sam's store is NOT a place to shint a bet (pee pee)
Joseph says "I POOP" means I have pooped in my pants!
Joseph did POOP in the Potty for the first time, for his big sister Katie, she ran to get the camera and he had flushed it and was clapping his hands. Oh well, never mind that mommy has put him on the potty at least 100 times a day (NOT EXAGERATED. Leave the house and have big sister watching him and he poops for her!
Joseph peed on the toilet again (I really mean peed on the floor and mom and all OVER the toilet...hard to keep it tucked in when you are so fascinated by how you pee.
Going out to eat at a buffet with friends (who also brought 6 of their beautiful children) and hearing over the speaker...AFTER you have trusted them to go get their food by themselves.. ."JUST A REMINDER TO OUR DINING CUSTOMERS... DO NOT LET CHILDREN UNDER 12 GO UNACCOMPANIED TO THE BUFFET OR THE BATHROOM...Oh well, back to the drawing board...Lets just say we need to work on bathroom skills and not sampling the buffet.....
OOPS, even though you are new to the family we just learned you do not say no to mama. Just ask Joseph.
Ask Joseph where he comes from...he says..."ETOPA" we taught him this because that seems to be a familiar question he gets.
Homeschool started right away on Monday. Sophie, Isaiah, and Caleb finished summer school and LOVED IT. Now for homeschool with mommy for 6 weeks until regular school starts in August.
Moses really studies hard. Gabrielle loves her new dollies
Everyone loves yabahardarcha (the cabin and beach)
After swimming when mama says to change your clothes and don't get the floor wet, it doesn't mean to take off your wet clothes OUTSIDE and put on your dry clothes INSIDE
We are still learning please and thank you.
Fishing firsts for Gabrielle and Moses...NO WE DON"T COOK THE NIGHT CRAWLERS IN THE FIRE AND EAT THEM>>>>>>GAG>>>GAG>>>GAG ...that one really got mama going. Lou wonders what kind of spice they put on them.
The Berbere and jalapenos goes about a jar a day. The hotter and spicey the better.
Firecrackers noise are not GUNFIRE!
Bicycle is the favorite for the new kiddos and the old kiddos. They ask about bicycle riding EVERY DAY ALL DAY.
Julie went to the ortho doctor and is STILL in the chair. 4 months but who's counting, oh yea... I am. I did get a new brace though. Although it does not allow as me to take as many steps as the last one, it is supposed to bring back some muscle strength. Dr. says I can go without it at night as long as the kids are not around????? WHEN IS THAT???? I DON"T REMEMBER WHEN THERE WERE NOT KIDDOS AROUND???
That is it for now...everyday is a new adventure...
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Update June 23, 2009
Sneaking into your sisters room does NOT scare her...it only brings her wrath down on you...just ask the boys!
Joseph when you see the kitty drinking out of the toilet it doesnt' mean to shut the lid and try to flush the cat. Gideon does NOT like the swishing motion of the toilet water.
Balloons pop when they get too close to the rose bushes and you get an oooffooo (amharic for owie) when you reach in to retrieve your balloon. This is after you are told MANY times to STAY OUT of the bushes.
Ate at a chinese restaurant. Fried rice, crab ragoon, and egg rolls are a yes. Hot tea (chai) is a YES ME! 3 of the 4 BEGGED the entire meal for the ASA (fish - actually it was the KOI in the large fish aquarium). The owner of the restaurant did not oblige and cook any of her pets. We did have our heads hanging because they wanted to eat them.
HOT TUB is FUN FUN FUN. Even funner when you figure out how to turn on the jets. WHEEEE! Mom's rule...DON'T shint a bet (PEE) or spit in the hot tub! UMMM....so many rules for EVERYTHING. But we had alot of fun!
Sitting infront of the front loader washer watching the laundry go round and round provides LOTS of entertainment.
School is still fun, we are learning to do our work and come when the teacher blows the whistle. WHAT...school has rules too???
Prayer supposed to be...God is good, God is great...Kiddos say...God is good, God has GRAPES???
Joseph asked to go on the potty and actually peed, well...really he peed on mom, the floor, ALL OVER the toilet, that little man needs to keep the hose where it goes and tuck it in. oh well, I know some other boys that need practice aiming too...
We went out to eat and Sophie said to a friend of ours...Me ferenge american, Joseph ferenge american, boys ethiopia. Ferenge means white. I don't think she passed for a white american but the kiddos are the cutest ferenge americans I have ever seen!
The Sound of Music was WONDERFUL. Actually put the kids in a transe like state. Took us 3 days to watch it at our rate.
Our favorite new song...My Jesus Stronger...but when the kids sing it, it gains an african beat and the shoulder and hip and head dancing.
90 plus degrees, 95 percent humidity, mom melting, kiddos running playing tag outside for 3 hours. Many water breaks, many times asking if they can to to the hippo NO, Alligator NO lake. The answer is still no we don't drink that water.
We had WONDERFUL visitors last Saturday. The Borchers came to visit. What a blessing to get the children together again. Picture this...2 men, 11 children, 2 wives in wheelchairs. You would think it is a movie...oh wait...Julie and Carey are both in wheel chairs from broken legs and ankles...NOT FUNNY...(well the picture is worth words....will post pic soon)
Louie leaves Friday.. Gone a week to bring our Gabrielle and Moses home. We are praying for health and safety during this trip.
Joseph when you see the kitty drinking out of the toilet it doesnt' mean to shut the lid and try to flush the cat. Gideon does NOT like the swishing motion of the toilet water.
Balloons pop when they get too close to the rose bushes and you get an oooffooo (amharic for owie) when you reach in to retrieve your balloon. This is after you are told MANY times to STAY OUT of the bushes.
Ate at a chinese restaurant. Fried rice, crab ragoon, and egg rolls are a yes. Hot tea (chai) is a YES ME! 3 of the 4 BEGGED the entire meal for the ASA (fish - actually it was the KOI in the large fish aquarium). The owner of the restaurant did not oblige and cook any of her pets. We did have our heads hanging because they wanted to eat them.
HOT TUB is FUN FUN FUN. Even funner when you figure out how to turn on the jets. WHEEEE! Mom's rule...DON'T shint a bet (PEE) or spit in the hot tub! UMMM....so many rules for EVERYTHING. But we had alot of fun!
Sitting infront of the front loader washer watching the laundry go round and round provides LOTS of entertainment.
School is still fun, we are learning to do our work and come when the teacher blows the whistle. WHAT...school has rules too???
Prayer supposed to be...God is good, God is great...Kiddos say...God is good, God has GRAPES???
Joseph asked to go on the potty and actually peed, well...really he peed on mom, the floor, ALL OVER the toilet, that little man needs to keep the hose where it goes and tuck it in. oh well, I know some other boys that need practice aiming too...
We went out to eat and Sophie said to a friend of ours...Me ferenge american, Joseph ferenge american, boys ethiopia. Ferenge means white. I don't think she passed for a white american but the kiddos are the cutest ferenge americans I have ever seen!
The Sound of Music was WONDERFUL. Actually put the kids in a transe like state. Took us 3 days to watch it at our rate.
Our favorite new song...My Jesus Stronger...but when the kids sing it, it gains an african beat and the shoulder and hip and head dancing.
90 plus degrees, 95 percent humidity, mom melting, kiddos running playing tag outside for 3 hours. Many water breaks, many times asking if they can to to the hippo NO, Alligator NO lake. The answer is still no we don't drink that water.
We had WONDERFUL visitors last Saturday. The Borchers came to visit. What a blessing to get the children together again. Picture this...2 men, 11 children, 2 wives in wheelchairs. You would think it is a movie...oh wait...Julie and Carey are both in wheel chairs from broken legs and ankles...NOT FUNNY...(well the picture is worth words....will post pic soon)
Louie leaves Friday.. Gone a week to bring our Gabrielle and Moses home. We are praying for health and safety during this trip.
Friday, June 5, 2009
June 3 UPDATE
Playing outside is a YES. It is NOT ok to play outside NAKED...Oh...Look...those are Doc's kids...the naked ones...
Going outside to play does not mean go outside, take shoes, pants, shirts, etc OFF????
We DO bless our food, medicine, teachers, school, papa's working, mom broke it, fruza mama broke it...lets just say it takes quite a while to get through prayers for meals, snacks, medicine.
School started this week for 4 weeks, 3 hours a day, an ESL program. So far so good. Teachers say A OK....they are only 3 days into it!
The kiddos LOVE School.
Joseph interchangably uses amharic and english. His favorite is Hello and mama dabo. They call him the dabo monster(kind of like cookie monster except dabo is bread)...Seems like Katie used to be the bread monster...oh wait...she still is.
Mom still does not exist when PAPA is in sight for Joseph.
The kiddos use their amharic and english names interchangeably now.
Joseph still sits on the potty, the big one, now NOT the little one, and continues to run naked out of the bathroom. He does say diapa now and gets a diaper when he needs one. I wish he would sit on the potty and actually GO potty...OH WELL...
Joseph...just because you can't reach the sink when you want to wash do NOT wash your hands and face in the toilet...ewwww
Joseph...we do NOT flush the WHOLE roll of toilet paper.
We are learning to SLOW down on our bikes BEFORE we run over our sister. Stopping is a work in progress.
Remembering that zippers are not your friend does not mean to NOT wear underwear but turn your pants and wear them backwards???
Sloppy Joes are YUMMY. Pickles are NO ME.
Eggs and lamb tibs are YUMMY.
Planet Earth DVD is a ME YES! The kiddos get about 1/2 hour of TV a day and this has been a HIT!
Only 1 LARGE tantrum last week. There are minor ones that we just work through.
The Kiddos are learning we do NOT HIT each other when someone makes you mad. This is MUCH less than when we first came home. We are STRONGLY working on this one.
Mama is still the boss, even when we don't agree with her....(just ask dad...hahaha)
WHen you don't like the food on the table do NOT sneak it to the dog. Oh...the dog is perfectly happy with her place UNDER the table stalking each chair waiting for the food to drop. Her favorite place...under the baby!
Joseph now says "mama tank you" and blesses his plate 3 times when he is finished. This give mama exactly 3 seconds to retrieve the plate before it hits the floor!
Gideon the cat loves to play with the older kiddos, he will walk very soft and slow by them...then Joseph the 2 year old comes by and the cat RUNS for the hills. He still likes his FUR ATTACHED. Joseph likes to try to rip it off by the hand fulls as he is saying NICE KITTY KITTY.
Going to a MOVIE was FUN FUN FUN. We LOVE popcorn.
We are COUNTING DOWN until Gabrielle and Moses join the family!
Going outside to play does not mean go outside, take shoes, pants, shirts, etc OFF????
We DO bless our food, medicine, teachers, school, papa's working, mom broke it, fruza mama broke it...lets just say it takes quite a while to get through prayers for meals, snacks, medicine.
School started this week for 4 weeks, 3 hours a day, an ESL program. So far so good. Teachers say A OK....they are only 3 days into it!
The kiddos LOVE School.
Joseph interchangably uses amharic and english. His favorite is Hello and mama dabo. They call him the dabo monster(kind of like cookie monster except dabo is bread)...Seems like Katie used to be the bread monster...oh wait...she still is.
Mom still does not exist when PAPA is in sight for Joseph.
The kiddos use their amharic and english names interchangeably now.
Joseph still sits on the potty, the big one, now NOT the little one, and continues to run naked out of the bathroom. He does say diapa now and gets a diaper when he needs one. I wish he would sit on the potty and actually GO potty...OH WELL...
Joseph...just because you can't reach the sink when you want to wash do NOT wash your hands and face in the toilet...ewwww
Joseph...we do NOT flush the WHOLE roll of toilet paper.
We are learning to SLOW down on our bikes BEFORE we run over our sister. Stopping is a work in progress.
Remembering that zippers are not your friend does not mean to NOT wear underwear but turn your pants and wear them backwards???
Sloppy Joes are YUMMY. Pickles are NO ME.
Eggs and lamb tibs are YUMMY.
Planet Earth DVD is a ME YES! The kiddos get about 1/2 hour of TV a day and this has been a HIT!
Only 1 LARGE tantrum last week. There are minor ones that we just work through.
The Kiddos are learning we do NOT HIT each other when someone makes you mad. This is MUCH less than when we first came home. We are STRONGLY working on this one.
Mama is still the boss, even when we don't agree with her....(just ask dad...hahaha)
WHen you don't like the food on the table do NOT sneak it to the dog. Oh...the dog is perfectly happy with her place UNDER the table stalking each chair waiting for the food to drop. Her favorite place...under the baby!
Joseph now says "mama tank you" and blesses his plate 3 times when he is finished. This give mama exactly 3 seconds to retrieve the plate before it hits the floor!
Gideon the cat loves to play with the older kiddos, he will walk very soft and slow by them...then Joseph the 2 year old comes by and the cat RUNS for the hills. He still likes his FUR ATTACHED. Joseph likes to try to rip it off by the hand fulls as he is saying NICE KITTY KITTY.
Going to a MOVIE was FUN FUN FUN. We LOVE popcorn.
We are COUNTING DOWN until Gabrielle and Moses join the family!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
5/21/09 Update for the week
Update for the week:
We found out that Louie will be traveling June 20th to get our other two children YEAH YEAH YEAH...Julie will be staying home with the kiddos. Louie will return in a week with Moses and Gabrielle. Ages 8 and 10. That fills the house up with ages 2,5,6,7,8,10, and the grandbaby arriving in December.
Gideon the cat is a boy...Sophie insists that he is a girl...SHE CHECKED and says, NO GIRL IS HE!!! (Well, maybe he is a girl, he was neutered...so to her he looks more like a girl than a boy)
Mom does wear her hair after Sophie fixes it outside the house and shows off Sophie's creativity! So do NOT point and laugh when you see it...she works very hard to put mom's hair up...although she reminds me that mom's white hair no stay like ethiopian hair...I wish I had her curls.
Jet skiing with papa is FUN FUN FUN.
We do NOT drink the lake water .
We DO like to play in the sand.
We love LOTS and LOTS of suntan lotion.
We do NOT like the smell of mosquito spray.
We do not need to KISS the fish when we throw them back into the lake.
We do NOT take our Manhood out at the lake in front of EVERYONE and PEE in the lake.
Fishing is Fun.
We DO NOT eat the fish we catch without cooking them.
Taking the tires OFF the toy tractor does not make it GO better.
We DO share the computer when mom's timer rings...
Sophie is learning cursive writing. Boys are still working on printing ABC's.
Joseph: Sitting on the potty is only convenient AFTER we have gone in our pants!
Joseph: Learning the word DIAPA and pointing to your potty means you will be sitting on the potty MORE often!
We still do NOT run in the house...
We now write sentences and stand in the corner when we do not follow directions or do not respect each other and each others things.
We will write sentences mom gives us in ENGLISH not amharic or tigrayin.
We do NOT jump between the beds and yell in Amharic.
We do NOT toss the 2 year old between the beds (although all were GIGGLING when mom caught them)
We will at least taste a spoonfull of EVERYTHING on our plate before we say NO ME! After tasting, NO ME is acceptable but this still is NOT a restaurant.
We found out that Louie will be traveling June 20th to get our other two children YEAH YEAH YEAH...Julie will be staying home with the kiddos. Louie will return in a week with Moses and Gabrielle. Ages 8 and 10. That fills the house up with ages 2,5,6,7,8,10, and the grandbaby arriving in December.
Gideon the cat is a boy...Sophie insists that he is a girl...SHE CHECKED and says, NO GIRL IS HE!!! (Well, maybe he is a girl, he was neutered...so to her he looks more like a girl than a boy)
Mom does wear her hair after Sophie fixes it outside the house and shows off Sophie's creativity! So do NOT point and laugh when you see it...she works very hard to put mom's hair up...although she reminds me that mom's white hair no stay like ethiopian hair...I wish I had her curls.
Jet skiing with papa is FUN FUN FUN.
We do NOT drink the lake water .
We DO like to play in the sand.
We love LOTS and LOTS of suntan lotion.
We do NOT like the smell of mosquito spray.
We do not need to KISS the fish when we throw them back into the lake.
We do NOT take our Manhood out at the lake in front of EVERYONE and PEE in the lake.
Fishing is Fun.
We DO NOT eat the fish we catch without cooking them.
Taking the tires OFF the toy tractor does not make it GO better.
We DO share the computer when mom's timer rings...
Sophie is learning cursive writing. Boys are still working on printing ABC's.
Joseph: Sitting on the potty is only convenient AFTER we have gone in our pants!
Joseph: Learning the word DIAPA and pointing to your potty means you will be sitting on the potty MORE often!
We still do NOT run in the house...
We now write sentences and stand in the corner when we do not follow directions or do not respect each other and each others things.
We will write sentences mom gives us in ENGLISH not amharic or tigrayin.
We do NOT jump between the beds and yell in Amharic.
We do NOT toss the 2 year old between the beds (although all were GIGGLING when mom caught them)
We will at least taste a spoonfull of EVERYTHING on our plate before we say NO ME! After tasting, NO ME is acceptable but this still is NOT a restaurant.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
