Happy Independence Day!!!

We spent a wonderful day at the lake... fun, food and family. It was great. The kids had a blast and everyone got more then enough sun!

Let the 4th Begin!!!

Our first holiday with family in YEARS! The kids are having a BLAST with their cousins, life is good :-)

Ethiopian Gathering 2009!

We all had a WONDERFUL time! Meya was able to see a few girls from the childrens home for the first time in three years! This was an extra special suprise, I had no idea! The kids played, braided hair, ate, laughed, sang, jumped rope and compared stories of life in America. It was a great day!

Good 'ol Slip N Slide!

Bedtime Story....

What a beautiful sight :-)

Need or Greed?

Apparently Ive been going about this all wrong. We attend a church that does outreach to the 'homeless'. First thing we learned is that 'homeless' does not just mean sleeping on the streets. Here in the US it also includes those living with someone else, those in hotels, ect. The next thing I learned is that we have some pretty ungreatful and PICKY homeless in our city! I had a guy throw a bag of food down in the food pantry one week because it wasnt what he WANTED! Next I learned that whatever you give most of these US 'homeless' wont be good enough. The socks will be the wrong size or color, and the pants wont meet their expectations. Finally, I have been SHOCKED by being told the diapers arent the right size or brand, or could I get them more, it wasnt enough......
This of course doesnt represent every person I have been in contact with. Each week there will be one or two people who ARE needy and greatful. But the majority arent.
I sit back and wonder.... Is this the aftermath of the US welfare system? Overweight people unwilling to work, begging for money, get a goverment check the 1st of each month, living in a hotel and crying "Help me, Im homeless!"
Hmmm......
I would love to hear other thoughts on this.
And Im thinking my time and money would be better spent in India or Africa where there is Need, not just Greed!

Isnt My Baby Cute!

Yep, thats my baby! My 1st baby yellow pepper! Im SO proud! I go outside to look at it about 6 times a day... :-)