Mitike's Quilt

I've actually had this done for quite a while. I ran into issues finding batting. It's really pricey and all cotton or wool. (Where's Wal-Mart when you need it?) Once I bit the bullet, I got it put together and found it really hard to quilt. The batting is quite thick. It's going to be a LONG process, but worth it!
I also ran out of the main pink material. I knew I'd never be able to find more (it was bought in the States), so I improvised. On one side I put on an Ethiopian map to which I will add the date when we finally complete this arduous process! On the other side I put a flower with her name. I love how it turned out--it's really bright and cheerful, but also very pretty!

Adoption Update

Our case was submitted to court 7 weeks ago. The agency said they did have some news on their Friday, but wanted to clarify something and won't tell us anything. They said we should know something on Monday--makes for a LONG weekend! Thankfully it's Matt's birthday which helps!!

Splash!

Yesterday we went to the Nex mall, enjoyed some awesome Taiwanese food at Din Tai Fung, and then let the kids play in the water area. It was really hot and sunny, but there were nice covered places to sit.
My favorite part was playing with the baby! She NEVER lets me hold her, but today she was happy to do so! (She's LAUGHING--not crying!!) CUTE!

Ana enjoyed getting really wet. Thanks for the swimsuit grandma! The first thing she said was, "Mom it will cover my tummy!" She was very happy with it!

Easter!

Rez. rolls. I had never made these before. The kids liked doing it, but it's key to get the marshmallow sealed inside or it doesn't disappear completely. A couple of them worked! On a funny note Joshua asked his mom where Jesus was. "Is He still in the oven?"

Ana's Easter dress. Finished on Saturday afternoon! I did the pin lines and french knots too. I liked how it turned out except I would have added a belt.

Easter egg hunt. Can you tell we live in the tropics???

They had great fun hiding and hunting for each other (we separated the girls and the boys!) I'm glad we can make these memories!

First Pet

When my good friend Claudia visited she bought her son two small turtles. When she left, she gave the turtles to Ana. We were in India--so we met up with Claudia's mom today to get the two little guys. It would be an understatement to say that Ana is in love with them. She wants to feed them, change their water, let them run around on the floor, etc. We'll see how long it lasts!

Flowers

Shalom has done a fantastic job of planting flowers and flowering trees everywhere. The first view you have coming in is of a row of trees that bloom in white, light and dark purple. It's truly beautiful!
This is the bouquet that they gave Ana after she cut the tape to the new Banana garden. (I have to say that it was pretty funny to see guys walking around picking the flowers for it!) It was lovely!

Ana's favorite purple!

Couldn't resist a perfect bloom all by itself!

Favorite Animals in India

We visited a local home and Ana loved holding the puppies!

Of course, there were tons of cows everywhere!

Here's Ana trying to feed the sheep!

Perhaps the cutest inhabitant at Shalom!