Africa, here we come...again!

We are excited to tell you that we are going back to Addis in January! No, it's not to bring home another child...We are going to Addis on a missions trip with a small group. The vision for the trip: We are seeking to find the Christian Solution to the Orphan crisis.

We will be spending time with children at drop-in-centers, orphanages, on the streets, and in surrounding villages. As we ask the directors of these centers what they need most, the answer still surprises me. Consistently, they answer that they need others to come and spend time with the children. The message they have received so far in life is that someone does not love them. Although this is often not true (as often parents dying of HIV/AIDS surrender them to an orphanage because they do love them), when others come specifically to love them, it is utterly life changing…for everyone involved.

We will also be spending time with one of the ministries that works to get prostitutes off the street. Many times, they feel they have no choice but to be on the street. There is a ministry that is providing hope to them. They take them in for a certain amount of time and they are given a loom. They them teach them how to use the loom to weave things that they can sell. They provide childcare and food for them and their children while they are there. While they are in the program, the missionaries who run it help them sell their blankets to Americans who want to help over the internet and the women develop a little nest egg before leaving. After they leave they get to keep the loom so that they can continue to sell products to support their families. I am really excited about this ministry because it may keep more children with their parents and provide more of a long term solution.

This trip is also a means Rick and I asking, “What does God have for us?” Are we called to do more in Ethiopia? Whatever it may be, we are excited to go and be part of the solution…and to listen for what God may have for us. Bottom line, we want to show them the love of Jesus!

We are excited to be bringing the whole family on this trip also. We were not able to bring our 14 year old, Savannah, with us when we picked up Ayana and we are eager to take her this time. I think it will be life changing for her to work with us in these situations and to see where her sister came from. We will also take Ayana. We are afraid that being away from her for 10 days after having her for only 9 months may damage the attachment we are growing. We will stay at the Ethiopia Guest house with friends that will watch her during the day while we are ministering. This is financially a huge burden for 4 of us to be going but I know it’s God so He will provide and make a way.

Calling all Prayer Warriors: Please be praying for our group to raise the money we need and for God to move among the ministries we will be working with.

Also, if you have good fundraiser ideas, I am all ears…Please share.

Is it really November?

I can't believe I haven't posted in so long. We have been really busy and I have been sticking to my goal of not being on the computer much at night so I can spend time with family but that has limited my posts since I am at work all day or teaching.

Everyone is doing well. Here of some pic's from the last few weeks including A's first Trick or Treating experience.

Savvy's cheer photo's....

Boyd Update...

I haven't been able to post in a while. Lots going on as usual. This is the first time I have had my computer on at night all week. It is a deliberate effort to put family first over work and any other distractions. Rick and I have been working hard at making sure our priorities are God, each other and family. This is easier said than done and requires sacrifice of some of the things you normally have time for. It has been hard, I won't lie and a daily effort. I honestly don't think Balance exists. I think it is a daily effort of counterbalance. It is all worth it though! God blesses those who follow His word and we are BLESSED!

Family recap:

Rick and Amber: Work is still busy! Bottom line is that we both have stressful jobs that require a lot out of us. We are doing our best to manage the stress.
We changed churches a little while back and we are really enjoying it. We are also connected in a small group. The current topic is class called, Marriage on the Rock.This is a 10 week course of videos and a workbook that each couple goes through that asks some GREAT questions. It has been AWESOME! I think all married couples, no matter what stage in life, should take it.
We are attempting to have a weekly date night. So far, we are on week 3!
Also, our anniversary is on Tuesday. We have been married 8 years!


Savannah: Savvy has been busy with school and cheer. This coming week is homecoming week and the 8th grade cheerleaders will be featured on their own float in the High School Homecoming Parade and Pep Rally. They also have their first competition in competitive cheer on Nov 8th so they are in full swing.

She will be going to a church conference for teens at the end of October so she is trying to find ways to raise money for that.

Rick and I really aren't happy with the school that she is going to so we are praying hard about whether or not she should go to Christian school. This is a big decision that we will not make quickly and we are talking with Savvy about it a lot and value her input as well.

The cheer squad had team pictures and they were on location at an old Texas Barn. They had pictures in uniform and one in western wear. I do not have the professional ones back yet but I did manage to take a few shots on my camera between shots. They are below with a few other random shots of her with some friends....she looks so grown up. I hate that! I am so proud to have her as my daughter!

Ayana: A is doing really well. She has Exema on her face and her skin is very dry. The docotr suggested we use The Eucerin Calming creme has worked really well. She has bad allergies but medication seems to have it under control. She is very active and into everything! She is absolutely solid, like a linebacker. I can't believe how big she is getting. She is displaying her independence more each day and can be very stubborn. She has started getting up in the middle of the night wanting to play and thinks its cute. Ughhh, not so much.

We turned in our 6 month post placement report to our agency finally. (a little late since we have been home 7 months and 3 weeks)

"A" will be 17 months on the 16th.

She is such a joy to watch each day. Her personality is developing more and more. One of the most recent things she does is to notice anytime there is a camera in the room and she puts on the total cheese! She looks up and crinkles her nose and squints her eyes and smiles. What a HAM! See for yourself....

In closing, I miss my family really bad! None of them live in Texas and I am really feeling it this week. Love you guys! I know I have been busy but I think of you always.

Happy birthday to my brother Josh and sister Autumn. Also Happy Anniversary to Autumn and Kyle who got married one day before Rick and I did.

A girl and her shoes...

You may recall me telling you about an awesome pair of shoes A got for her birthday...They are called Mooshu Trainers. She LOVES them! Don't let the picture fool you, they have a surprise about them...

This video is for Jess!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Cheer season is back...

Well, it's that time of year again...Cheer seaon is upon us. Savannah is in competitive cheer year round but she is also in School cheer during football season. We went to the opening game to see her get her cheer on. She is really talented at cheer and she loves it! Ayana loved cheering her sissy on and she couldn't get enough of Marty Mustang, the Mascot. She was obsessed with it. It's always great when we can be together doing stuff as a family and supporting each other in our interests. One game down...

Dancing Queen...

A loves music and she loves to dance. It cracks me up daily to see her moves!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Before and After...

In just a few days on the 19th of this month, we will have had Ayana for 7 months! It seems like we have had her forever and then again it seems like we just got her and the time is flying. It's hard to describe.

She was so little and fragile when we first picked her up. She is so different now. It is amazing what how much she has changed physically, mentally and emotionally.

I thought I would compare pictures of when we first got Ayana and now...

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Ayana had a check up last week and she has grown an INCREDIBLE amount, 4 inches! She is 31 inches and 25 pounds. She is in the 75 percentile in height and weight. WOW!

I will write more later if I can about some major changes that have taken place in the last few months with her. God is Good!

So funny....

So Ayana has started to copy her momma and she is carrying her toy pail around like I carry my purse. It is hilarious! We always say to her, Where is your purse, Ayana? and she goes looking for her pail. Look for yourself....

Today...

Today, I bring attention to:

9-11-It is still fresh in my head....I like this quote,

“Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children. ” by President George W. Bush.

and in happier news....Melkam Addis Amet!

Today is also the celebration of the Ethiopian New year (Enkutatash). Enkutatash means the "gift of jewels". When the famous Queen of Sheba returned from her expensive jaunt to visit King Solomon in Jerusalem, her chiefs welcomed her bolts by replenishing her treasury with inku or jewels. The spring festival has been celebrated since this early times and as the rains come to their abrupt end, dancing and singing can be heard at every village in the green countryside.

But Enkutatash is not exclusively a religious holiday. Today's Enkutatash is also the season for exchanging formal new year greetings and cards among the urban sophisticated - in lieu or the traditional bouquet of flowers.

Thinking of Ayana's mom and all the kids in the orphanage. I wish I could be there celebrating with them. I miss Ethiopia!

A's Hair and skin care...

So when we knew we were adopting an African American baby, I decided to do some research on how to do African American hair. I did not want my baby's hair to scream, "I have a white mom who clearly doesn't know how to do my hair!" So I did a lot of reading and tried to get familiar with what products and processes to use. I understand every one's hair is different but I figured research couldn't hurt!

So Once I got Ayana, I abandoned all that I had read. Ayana's hair was so soft and not at all what I thought it would be. I am not trying to stereo type people, I just read a lot of blogs of other children from Ethiopia and was expecting her to have more dry coarse hair. We washed A's hair every other time she took a bath with regular Johnson's baby all in one wash and didn't have to brush or put product on it after and it was soft and very manageable. The back was a little more dry than the front. (probably since it lays against the bed while sleeping)

Fast forward...I learned I need to go back to what I read. A's started scratching her scalp a lot. So much so it started bleeding. I felt so bad. The frequent washing was drying her hair and scalp out to bad. Not just washing it but too much water cab dry it out because it strips the oils that her scalps needs. Her hair is also getting thicker and longer so we did have to buy a wide tooth comb which we only use when it's wet. We only wash every 10-14 days now and it doesn't get greasy at all in between washes. Her hair and scalp are doing great now and she is back to having really soft and shiny hair.

Hair Products: I have a lot of friends who use "Carol's Daughter" products but I haven't tried that yet. We are using the "it's a curl" organic baby curl care and we love it. You can find it at this website.

We usually bathe A once a day which can dry her skin out if you don't moisturize daily. A loves baths!!! I told our nanny that A could not get her hair wet anymore and that I would wash her hair from now on. Sooo......One day I walked in from work and our nanny was giving A a bath so I could hear her giggling when I walked in the door. I went to the bathroom to see and what I walked into was HILARIOUS! A was sitting in the tub playing with her toys. The funny part is that she was completely naked of course except for a GIANT sunhat on her head that the nanny must have been using to keep A's head dry while A took a bath. LOL! I can;t get the visual out of my head. I wish i would have taken a picture. It was so funny!

~Sunhat she was wearing in the tub except she had the strap around her face to keep it on~

So this incident prompted me to go to the drugstore to get a shower cap for A so she doesn't have to wear her sun hat in the tub. She wore it today around the house. It was so cute and funny!

Skin Products: I love the smell of Johnson's baby lotion but A has really dry skin and I found she needs something a bit heavier for her skin so I have been trying Aveeno Baby Fragrance Free Daily Moisture Lotion and I like it but am open to comments if you have a product you like for babies skin. A does have a lot of bumps on her left cheek and it sometimes leaves white marks on her cheek where the skin pigment gets lighter. I'm not sure what it is. We will be going to the pediatrician on Wed to take a look.

I would love to hear feedback from other parents. What are you using for your babies skin and hair? How often do you wash? Any other tips?