Maya's Birthday Party

We celebrated Maya's 2 year birthday at our local YMCA with lots of friends.  Everyone appeared to have had a great time especially the kids.  I don't think Maya realized this party was for her but that's okay.  Thank you to everyone who came to help us celebrate!

My co-worker made this fabulous cake!  The bottom layer was chocolate chocolate chip and the top layer was white.  YUMMY!

1, Almost 2, 2...Happy Birthday Maya!

Maya will answer 1 then almost 2 then 2 when asked how old she is.  We are still working on getting her to understand that today marks her 2nd birthday!  We can not believe that our little girl is now 2.  I guess that means the terrible 2's are officially here as well.  Actually, they have been here for awhile :) 

Today Maya had a birthday celebration at daycare.  Daddy delivered a Winnie the Pooh decorated chocolate chip cookie to class.  What a hit! 
 
The kids all sang to her and she got to wear a princess crown!  What a very lucky little girl.  On Friday we are having a kids celebration party at the local YMCA.  Should be a lot of fun!  Can't wait to share photos.

A Cute Story...

Teacher Debbie Moon's first graders were discussing a picture of  a family. One little boy in the picture had a different hair color than the other members. One of her students suggested that he was adopted.

A little girl said, "I know all about adoption, I was adopted."

"What does it mean to be adopted?", asked another child

"It means", said the girl, "that you grew in your mommy's heart instead of her tummy!"

Thanks Pastor Kris for sharing this with me today. Hope you all enjoy this story as much as I did.

Changing a Life, Changing a Community - Connecting a Church with an Orphanage in Ethiopia

Wow, what an amazing day. This morning the president of Children’s HopeChest and a team of volunteers at Olivet Lutheran Church kicked off a long-terms relationship with an orphanage of boys in Ethiopia. 

Kolfe Boys Orphanage in Ethiopia is made up all boys aging from as young as 10 to over 20. This is a very special group of boys that defies the stereotypes that you would think would be the case when you group 100+ teenage boys together in a situation such as theirs. But these are a unique bunch and I am looking forward to making the connection as a congregation to this orphanage - having an immediate and life changing impact on their life, as well as being able to learn from them - to have a transformation of our own.

Thank you to all of the volunteers over the past few months for your hard work and dedication, and thank you in advance for the hard work to come :)

Below is a picture of Tom Davis, President Children's HopeChest, and a picture of Nicole and Betty who have been instrumental in this project.

Below the photos is an article from today's local newspaper!

God Bless. David

Church launching effort to help boys in Ethiopian orphanage

Theresa and David Held returned from Ethiopia with a beautiful baby girl, an admiration for her countrymen’s scrappy spirit and awareness that Western adoptions help only a tiny fraction of the country’s 6 million orphans.

By: Mila Koumpilova

Olivet Lutheran Church pastor Kris Gorden, clockwise from left, Nicole and Abram Anderson, Maya, David and Theresa Held, Bethlehm Gronneberg and Solomon Anderson are involved in an initiative to help orphans from Ethiopia. The Andersons and Helds both adopted their children from Ethiopia.
Jay Pickthorn / The Forum

Theresa and David Held returned from Ethiopia with a beautiful baby girl, an admiration for her countrymen’s scrappy spirit and awareness that Western adoptions help only a tiny fraction of the country’s

6 million orphans.

It was summer 2007, and the Fargo couple resolved to do more.

They soon found out two other families at their church, Fargo’s Olivet Lutheran, had recently adopted infants from Ethiopia. Earlier this year, the three couples spearheaded a project to help an entire orphanage in the east African nation. The ramshackle all-boys facility is a very different place from the inviting, Western-funded care center where the Helds picked up their daughter, Maya.

Today, the church is launching its long-distance “adoption” of 130 boys and young men at Kolfe Youth Orphanage. Church members are calling it Connection Day.

“Sponsorship just sounded so sterile,” said the rev. Kris Gorden. “Connection holds more of what we want to be about.”

Just as the Helds, Nicole Anderson and her husband, Jared, traveled to Africa to start a family. They found themselves profoundly transformed by its residents’ warmth and hopefulness in the face of abject poverty.

“Life as we knew it was over,” said Nicole, who has two sons from Ethiopia and one from South Africa.

For some time, David Held followed the work of a Christian-based nonprofit named Children’s HopeChest. Since the early 1990s, the group has worked with orphans in Russia, where studies say 70 percent of those from orphanages resort to crime or prostitution to survive.

The group enlisted some 100 churches across the United States to sponsor orphanages there and in Swaziland. When the organization expanded its work into Ethiopia last fall, the Helds had to get involved. Gorden and the other adoptive families promptly got on board.

Olivet picked Kolfe – a government-run orphanage and a one-time dumping ground – because its residents seemed to need help the most desperately. The boys there are older, so their chances of getting adopted are miniscule. There are no beds, no meat in their meager diet and no money for school.

But HopeChest President Tom Davis said the boys were nothing like he expected: “They were the most well-mannered, kind, gentle young men I met in my life. The thing I kept hearing over and over was how much they wanted to go to school.”

The Olivet group hopes help from their church will give the boys a better shot at an independent life as adults. On Connection Day, the church’s roughly 1,500 families will be able to “adopt” one of the boys. Their $34 monthly checks will go toward food, medicine, school, and college fees and supplies.

A group from Olivet will make an annual trip to the orphanage. Until then, sponsors commit to write to the boys monthly. Says David Helm, “You let this child know, ‘We’re here for you. We support you and believe in you. We’re the family you never had.’ ”

How to help:

- Nonmembers of Fargo’s Olivet Lutheran Church are welcome to help with sponsoring Kolfe Youth Orphanage. Call David Held at (701) 330-2478 or the Rev. Kris Gorden at (701) 235-6603.

An Award for Me?

                          
Nicole gave me an award a couple of days ago.  I am honored that she thought of me and gave me this prestige award.  Nicole is a mom to 3 wonderful boys, Owen, Abram, and Solomon, and a wife to her dear husband Jared.  We met them through adoption and have become good friends.  Our children love each other and enjoy spending time together. 

The rules of the "Your Blog is Fabulous" is to write 5 addictions and then give the award to 5 people. So here are my 5 things.

1. I am addicted to blogging.  I would much rather spend time updating my blog and reading other blogs than do anything else.  I feel lost if I miss just one day.  Check out my list of blogs on the left and you will soon be addicted too.
2. Candy - just love it.  I mostly love sugar candy over chocolate but I eat whatever as long as there isn't any coconut or peanut butter (not a big fan of either).  I usually eat candy each and every day.  The only thing that varies is the quantity. 
3. Movies - if time and money would allow, I would see a movie each and every weekend if not two a weekend.  Actually a couple of weeks ago I did see two movies in one night and watched 4 movies that weekend.  This is abnormal as I am lucky to get one movie in a week.
4. Not being alone - I hate it.  I am a person who loves to be surrounded by others.  I am okay if that person is in another room or occupied doing something just as long as I'm not alone.  I especially dislike it when Dave travels for work as I become extremely lonely and sad.
5. Shutterfly and taking pictures - love taking pictures, cropping pictures, and creating digital photo books online.  I love making cards, calendars, magnets, and anything else fun to make.  I even made a notepad with a picture of Maya.  I have a group of friends at work that also love it which makes it even more fun for me.  I am actually thinking of making a new book this weekend of all of Maya's artwork from school. 

Now I need to pass this award on to 5 friends:
Suzi - Suzie and Ronnie are friends we met through adoption.  They are two wonderful people who we are blessed to know.  They are currently in the process of adopting their domestic son Joseph. 

Kerry - Kerry and Tom we met at an adoption training long before we brought Maya home.  They adopted two beautiful twin boys and actually traveled one week after us.  We just love keeping up with them and their boys.

Jodi - I am fairly new to reading her blog but love it.  I especially love that she and her family live so close to us.  Their family is beautiful and it appears we have so much in common.

Danae - We were honored to have met Danae and her husband Steve in Ethiopia as we were in the same traveling group.  They adopted Eva who is going to break many hearts when she is older. 

Dave - My dear husband and best dad ever :)  He is so amazing and I am honored to be his wife.  I wouldn't be me if it wasn't for him.  I love that he has so much compassion and desire to help others and is launching a sponsorship to an orphanage in Ethiopia with our church. 

My Little Stinker Butt

Took some mommy and daughter pictures tonight.  Maya thought it was a good idea and smiled for the camera.  She is my little stinker butt :)
 
 

Why Facebook Is for Old Fogies - Very funny!

By Lev Grossman Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009

Illustration by John Cuneo for TIME
ENLARGE +

Facebook is five. Maybe you didn't get it in your news feed, but it was in February 2004 that Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg, along with some classmates, launched the social network that ate the world. Did he realize back then in his dorm that he was witnessing merely the larval stage of his creation? For what began with college students has found its fullest, richest expression with us, the middle-aged. Here are 10 reasons Facebook is for old fogies:

1. Facebook is about finding people you've lost track of. And, son, we've lost track of more people than you've ever met. Remember who you went to prom with junior year? See, we don't. We've gone through multiple schools, jobs and marriages. Each one of those came with a complete cast of characters, most of whom we have forgotten existed. But Facebook never forgets. (See the best social networking applications.)

2. We're no longer bitter about high school. You're probably still hung up on any number of petty slights, but when that person who used to call us that thing we're not going to mention here, because it really stuck, asks us to be friends on Facebook, we happily friend that person. Because we're all grown up now. We're bigger than that. Or some of us are, anyway. We're in therapy, and it's going really well. These are just broad generalizations. Next reason.

3. We never get drunk at parties and get photographed holding beer bottles in suggestive positions. We wish we still did that. But we don't. (See pictures of Denver, Beer Country.)

4. Facebook isn't just a social network; it's a business network. And unlike, say, college students, we actually have jobs. What's the point of networking with people who can't hire you? Not that we'd want to work with anyone your age anyway. Given the recession--and the amount of time we spend on Facebook--a bunch of hungry, motivated young guns is the last thing we need around here.

5. We're lazy. We have jobs and children and houses and substance-abuse problems to deal with. At our age, we don't want to do anything. What we want is to hear about other people doing things and then judge them for it. Which is what news feeds are for.

6. We're old enough that pictures from grade school or summer camp look nothing like us. These days, the only way to identify us is with Facebook tags. (See pictures of a diverse group of American teens.)

7. We have children. There is very little that old people enjoy more than forcing others to pay attention to pictures of their children. Facebook is the most efficient engine ever devised for this.

8. We're too old to remember e-mail addresses. You have to understand: we have spent decades drinking diet soda out of aluminum cans. That stuff catches up with you. We can't remember friends' e-mail addresses. We can barely remember their names.

9. We don't understand Twitter. Literally. It makes no sense to us.

10. We're not cool, and we don't care. There was a time when it was cool to be on Facebook. That time has passed. Facebook now has 150 million members, and its fastest-growing demographic is 30 and up. At this point, it's way cooler not to be on Facebook. We've ruined it for good, just like we ruined Twilight and skateboarding. So git! And while you're at it, you damn kids better get off our lawn too.

Winnie the Pooh?

I think we created a monster who stands 3 feet tall and demands to watch one Winnie the Pooh show after another. The first thing out of Maya's mouth when we get home is "Watch Pooh Bear?" And you can not ignore her or she will shout "Mommy! Watch Pooh Bear?". She will also turn on the TV (which I promise we did not teach her) and grab the TV remote. Seriously, all I wanted to do is distract her so I could style her hair.


She even has the lounging down...what a stinker

Our Valentine's Day(s)

 

XOXO

From Ashes to Africa

Josh and Amy Bottomly wrote a book about adopting their son Silas from Ethiopia. Of course Dave and I just had to get a copy and we both read the book. I have to be honest here, the book is fabulous! For all of you that are experiencing adoption whether adopting yourself or you know someone who has or is in the process of adopting, PLEASE read this book! Josh and Amy did a great job explaining why they chose to adopt and why Ethiopia. Dave and I can relate very much to their personal story. Personally, I couldn't put the book down and I cried a few times. It is very moving and I hope you enjoy it.

Tweet. Meet. Give.

On 12 February 2009 175+ cities around the world will be hosting Twestivals which bring together Twitter communities for an evening of fun and to raise money and awareness for charity: water.

Join us at the FARGO TWESTIVAL
Ristreto, Fargo, ND
Thursday, February 12th from 6:30 to 8:30
Buy your tickets here.

The Twestival is organized 100% by volunteers in cities around the world and 100% of the money raised from these events will go directly to support charity: water projects.

By rallying together globally, under short timescales, for a single aim on the same day, the Twestival hopes to bring awareness to this global crisis.
charity: water is a non profit organization bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations by funding sustainable clean water solutions in areas of greatest need.
Right now 1.1 billion people on the planet don’t have access to safe, clean drinking water. That’s one in six of us.
Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of all sickness and disease, and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war.
Many communities in developing nations often have a plentiful supply of clean drinking water just below the ground, but no way to get to it.
This is where charity: water and their partner organizations come in. Drilling a well can cost from $4,000 - $12,000 USD and many living on less than $1 a day cannot afford one in their community, even if the money is combined.

Finally Organized!

The Things Kids Say...

On our way out of town, we stopped at a restaurant in a small town for some lunch. As we were about to leave, two older women came in and sat in the booth right behind us. Maya was her usually friendly self and said hello to both of them. Maya also gave each one a hug good-bye and said "Bye Grandmas". Maya seems to call any older lady "Grandma".

Another time Maya and I were in the dressing room at Target. Maya said "Mommy's going potty" as I was undressing. I then said "No, Mommy's is not going potty but trying on some clothes". Maya replied "Mommy's not going potty". Of course Maya didn't say it quietly and I could hear the laughing outside the dressing room.

Yesterday Dave took Maya to the mall to run a few errands. Maya saw a black man and said "Obama, President". Hopefully the man was not in ear shot.

Save a Buck

If you are like us, the economy has affected you and your family in some fashion. For us, many companies are laying off employees, daycare's are closing, businesses are closing, and many people are scaling back. One can scale back but you still need to spend money. For us, we still have to buy groceries, gas, toilet paper, diapers, etc. If you are going to spend money, why not save at the same time? I have found several ways to save money and I hope this is useful to you. Please share your money savings ideas with me. I would love to hear them!

• Check with your local radio station about discount gift cards to restaurants, spas, etc. Our local stations sells them for 50% off!
• Check out portrait coupons for JcPenney's and Sear's. They take decent pictures and you can save a bundle by using the coupons. Just don't get suckered into buying more!
• Check out your spa/hair schools for discount on services. We have a great one in our town.
• Sign up on retailers' website for online coupons and you don't have to have the retail company credit card either! My favorites are GAP, Carter's, Children's Place, and New York & Company
• Some flower shops has discount flowers - mine has Friday flowers - fresh bundle of flowers for $5!
• See if your employer has any discounts such as wireless phone and sporting events
• Use coupons! Check out online Target coupons at http://www.afullcup.com/?vbseourl=cmps_index.php&page=coupon_generator and/or check your local newspapers. And trust me - you can find coupons for more than just groceries!
• If you buy Pampers diapers like we do, you can log the rewards points at http://www.pampers.com/ and turn those points into merchandise like books.
• Sign up for the Imagination Library to receive a free children's book each month http://www.imaginationlibrary.com/
• Trade coupons with friends and co-workers. It is amazing how many great coupons go to waste. If you are already planning on shopping at a particular store then you should at least have a coupon with you.

Again if you have any great ideas on how to save a buck, please let me know!

Tag

I was tagged by my fellow blogger friend Theresa. Obviously I have to play along :)

Here are the rules:

1. Go to the 4th folder where you keep your pictures on your computer.
2. Post the 4th picture in the folder.
3. Explain the photo.
4. Tag 4 fellow bloggers to join in the fun!

Here is a picture of our back door hallway and 1/2 bathroom before we remodeled. This area reminded me of a small town church basement that hasn't been remodeled in ages. One of our favorite things in this space is the retro water fountain. It actually functions too! The space got a 360 degree make over which we absolutely love.

Now, I am going to tag:
Nicole
Betty
Valerie
Amy

Random Updates

Let's see...this morning Maya didn't want to go into her classroom at daycare.  Instead she wanted to see her old teacher Katie.  According to Dave, Maya ran right into Katie's arms and hugged her.  Poor thing - chance can be hard.

This afternoon when Maya was picked up from daycare, we learned that another boy bit her in the arm.  I guess the two of them were arguing over a toy.  I guess you can say Maya didn't have the best day at daycare.

On a side note, I tried out a new hair-do on Maya the other day.  It turned out pretty cute but didn't hold as well as the other styles.  It has been fun trying new things and learning to braid.

Super Bowl PARRTY!

My friend Angela invited us over for a kid friendly Super Bowl party. We had awesome food, awesome company, and an awesome game to watch (so I am told as I don't watch football). The kids had a blast playing with each other as much as they are capable of at their age. Maya did great and played really well for the most part. She is 6-8 months older than the other 3 kids. I'm glad they all had a chance to play and the adults had a chance to visit. Hope you all had a great night too!

We attempted to take a picture of the 4 kids...

Maya helping Riley button her sweater :)

Seriously, how cute is Boston? I want to take him home with me.

Another little cutie (Kori) that I want to take home

Dave got to sit with Riley - she is so darn sweet and very cute

Busy Saturday

What a fun and busy day for us! In the morning Maya had gymnastics like usual and did great. She is really enjoying it. In the afternoon we went on a dog sled ride with friends. Maya did not care for the ride and refused to go on it again but she did love all the yummy treats. Who knew Maya loved popcorn so much?! Thanks Nicole for planning a fun afternoon.



Maya with her buddy Solomon


Give me popcorn!!! Her friend Noah loved it too.

During dinner, Maya discovered the back of the spoon. She loved that she could see herself in it. I have to say, it was very funny and very cute.

After dinner, we headed to an NDSU men's basketball game. Maya loves going and loves to cheer on the Bison.

Okay, she was tired too. We didn't make it through the entire game but close.