Scared (An absolute must read) by Tom Davis

I just got done reading this book. My friend Andrea talked about it on her blog. I knew it was coming out but thanks to her I was reminded to still buy it. I think I read the book in three days and I am a slow reader. I also don't read novels but I know its probably really not a novel but some made up stuff that Tom has seen by himself and also heard. I mean this book is just incredible and make sure you have a box of tissues at hand. It is the "real" stuff of what is happening in Africa from the HIV crisis, children raising children because their parents have died of Aids,to people starving, and living like we can't possibly imagine unless we have seen it. I have read his other two books, Red Letters and Fields of the Fatherless, but these were not novels. I just looked up the site and it said that Tom is working on his 2nd novel.

If you haven't had a chance to read the content here is what it says: Nonfiction author Davis (Fields of the Fatherless) makes his fiction debut with a story about two people worlds apart who help each other find redemption. An orphan girl in Swaziland endures her uncle's abuse through visions of "the illuminated man" who she believes will take her to her dead mother's side. When photographer Stuart Daniels discovers the girl near death, he enlists a pastor and a village chief to help her and her two siblings. Facing floods, confronting and aid agency's fraud, and absorbing a brutal attack by one of many desperate starving people may be the only path toward atonement for Stuart's past life. Davis shows insight into African cultures and his writing is vivid, but the novel is weakened by shifts in tense and point of view and lack of patience for character transformation. The novel is the first of three; the series could become popular if the quality of the writing can improve enough to do justice to the passion with which the author champions his cause. --Publishers Weekly

http://www.scaredthebook.com/

REACH picnic and other ramblings

Yesterday we got to go to our annual REACH picnic for the summer. It was at Magnolia Park in Seattle, such a beautiful location. We are blessed to have REACH located right here were we live so we get to do fun things with them throughout the year. I was trying to get better pics of the water view but it was all fenced in. We also get to go to the REACH summer camp this labor day weekend and it will be a blast this year to finally bring the kids. Last year we went without the kids. Each of them get their own counselor while Kevin and I just get to sit back and relax with our favorite adoption friends. Hopefully lots of them will be able to show up.

On other news, the kids finished their little pre-school program mid June and already did one week of summer camp which was a blast for them. Amira didn't eat the first day of camp and was very sad but she was okay the other four days. Biruk of course, my social butterfly didn't have any problems connecting. They get to go to camp 2 more weeks during this summer, that's all I could afford. I just want them to have the privilege of being around kids their age so they can learn more English and interact with kids their age. Hopefully by the time September rolls around they be ready for Kindergarten.

My Danica came home this Friday from her 2 week extended summer school at Blakeley Island to study the birds (she is earning 10 credits in 4 weeks, yeahh). So I finally have all my babies at home this summer. Danica has to leave and go back to Blakeley for another 2 weeks in July but than she will be done for the summer.

Amira just talking

Finally I got a little video of Amira. She usually gets so very nervous when I try to put her on video. Her doll story is kind of hilarious. She loves dolls but all of her dolls' names are Andrea with the nick names of Schatz and Baby in case if you wonder what she is trying to say.

Happy Father's Day

I just wanted to wish my dad in Germany, my wonderful husband, and all the other daddies out there a happy Father's Day.

Although I had a pretty tough childhood growing up with my dad I have forgiven him since I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. Bitterness is not a good thing to hang on to. Too bad that he still doesn't realize he did anything wrong raising all 5 of us and has never ask any of us children for forgiveness.

The sweetest thing that came out of this is that the Lord has blessed me with an incredible husband, a daddy for MY children that I have always dreamed of having. A daddy that would walk them down the isle when they get married. Nothing but fond memories for a little girl and growing up wanting a husband just like her daddy. That is the daddy my wonderful husband is to my children and the memories my children will have of him. Thank you Jesus for blessing me with Kevin.

I love you Kevin, with all my heart and soul. You are simply "irresistible":):)!!!

My daddy in Germany with my niece Charlize. He has suffered from Parkinson's Disease for the past 20 some years but refuses to take meds. He is doing incredible well for not using any meds.

An Incredible Weekend with Adoption Friends

We got home from visiting Signe and Lisa and had such an incredible time. I have met Lisa at camp last year and Signe and I know each other because our adopted boys were best friends at the orphanage. We spent Friday evening together and most of all Saturday. On Saturday it was Russ' Birthday. They both live in the same town and are about 6 hours away from us. The drive was so worth it. I have totally fallen in love with where they live and I just want to move there. I am serious. (Now I need to convince hubby). I miss them so much already. I haven't seen country living like that since I have left Germany. What I really liked is that everything you need is right there unless you are some person that so attached to the world and crave shopping malls. Everything is there within 5-10 min. of driving.

All of the kids played so well together. We probably had close to 20 kids playing? Of course I am probably now counting teenagers also. We all had so much catching up to do and it was so good talking about so much stuff and being with all of these amazing kids all at once.

I was also looking forward to meeting Marissa and her family but she couldn't make it. Hopefully next time.

I love this picture below. Look at Kevin, knocked out sleeping between all the kids. And his best buddy Soso sitting on him. For Kevin to say he doesn't think he want anymore kids that an understatement because kids are drawn to him. Hm, that okay, we will work on that.

Kevin has made a new friend. I think the feeling was mutual. They really like each other, really I wanted to put Soso in my suitcase and take him home.

Summer has Arrived

I love the summer so much. Well I love the summer in WA state because its just perfect for me. I think I'd rather take the rain most of the year and perfect temperatures between 70 and 80. It has been such a joy to watch the kids discover all these news foods. They didn't know strawberries, raspberries, mangoes, pretty much the only fruit they know is banana. I think their favorite fruit is strawberry. Also they just got introduced to ice cream for the first time (see picture below). The only thing that makes me sad is that I hardly see the kids because I am at work all day. I have so much guilt about that especially during the summer when they are out of school. We have planned a little ocean vacation in the month of August so this will be another first for the kids.

My girlies, from youngest to oldest

A Slap in the Face once Again from our Government

I just LOVE Ginger, she is one of the most outspoken ladies out there when it comes to politics (I know its a sore subject) and everything she believes in is truly what I believe. Every time she blogs on certain issues, I just sit there and be like wow, I wished I could have written that or found that somewhere. Voddie Baucham has become one of my favorite teachers/preachers ever since my friend Joy has introduced him to me. I have watched many of his sermons and read some of his books. At least he doesn't twist the bible like so many pastor and makes things look okay just to get thousands of people into their church. Don't even get me started on Joel Oesteen.. I stand like Voddie behind biblical truth and he backs it up 100% when he writes about something. Our government is going down fast. I know soon God will be taken out of everything and craziness will rule our country. Here is Voddie's, from the heart spoken article, with nothing but TRUTH behind this article. Ha, and one more thing, he is black too. That really does put the icing on the cake. Also I am a retired military wife and this "Don't ask, don't tell" policy and changing it??? .... Someone is gonna get their ass whopped. Excuse my improperness.

Singing Itsy Bitsy Spider, Ring Around the Rosy

Since the kids have been in preschool 3 times a week they have learned many songs and little of the alphabet and numbers. I guess I have to be thankful since it is free. They seem to enjoy these 2 songs a lot. Notice how Biruk gets irritated by Amira saying its wrong so he goes really fast.

I am getting a little worried because they don't seem to know this much for Kindergarten. Plus now that I found out Amira's birthday is in October, really she shouldn't start Kindergarten this year. We will see. Kevin and I have been practicing the ABC, number, colors and shapes with them relentlessly so hopefully it pays off comes September. They just have crazy expectations to start Kindergarten. Also I don't want them to go the an ESL class. I don't think its necessary but they might try.