Marriage...It's a good thing.

This isn't the best quality picture. It was taken with a cell phone. But I love it so much! Hubby still thinks I'm the best thing since sliced bread and I feel the same about him. We were at a friends 25 year wedding anniversary and we had a blast! My kids swept and mopped the floor with their cool dance moves (stanky leg and all). Even me and the hubs caused a little friction dancing to reggae music. In a time when people marry and divorce just as casually as they meet, it is refreshing to see a husband and wife stay together through the good, the bad and the ugly. I pray that hubby and I will have a beautiful, long and properous life together. Ten blessed years and counting!

PS. do I look eight months pregnant to you? HA! gotcha.

New Beginings

I didn't even realize that yesterday marked the 8th month of waiting for that call from our case worker to tell us that they found the perfect little girl for us. I'm believing that October will be the blessed month ! Yesterday I baby sat my god son Maddox for a while. I love him so much. He's about 15 months and into everything.

So I try to make some turkey sausage but I get all caught in a jam session on the guitar with him. All of a sudden I smell this smokey burning odor AAAHHH! I realize, my breakfast is burning. Oh no, am I rusty already. It's been about six years since I had a baby in my home. Well It was good preparation, I'm sure it'll be old had when she finally comes. Here's the joke, I'm sitting talking to his mom when my phone rings. I usually don't answer unrecognizable numbers but it's 314...314,314? Oh St. Louise, could it be CHI? So I answer, "Hello" .... nope, not CHI, my cousin who recently moved to St. Louis. It was good to hear from her though. I guess it was a test run. Stay ready, right?

Blessed 2 B A Blessing

Some of you who may see this blog may know me and know my heart for orphans. Some may not know me but can relate to me because we're in a similar process. And some may be curious or just browsing info on adoption. It doesn't matter why your reading this, it only matters what you do after you've read it. My husband and I have answered the call to adopt an orphan from Ethiopia. We have been blessed to have three children and now God has challenged us to open our hearts and our home to another. We are so humbled and honor that He trust us with His heart.

As we get closer to bringing our child home, we are faced with certain expenses that are required to complete the process. We have already invested a great deal of time and money, but we realize that we are going to need your help. We understand that not everyone can adopt a child but the word of Go say "Let every man give as it purpose in his heart." We would be overjoyed if you would be a part of this blessing with us. You can support us by clicking the "Donate" button on the right hand side. We ask that you give at least $10, of course we won't reject more :-)

We thank you in advance and may peace and favor rest on you and yours!

-Rowland & Toni

Habakkuk 2:3

"But these things I plan won't happen right away, slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, be patient! For it will surely take place. It will not be late by a single day." Habakkuk 2:3

Oh how my Father in heaven loves me. He loves me enough to send comfort to me, or should I say instruction through His word. You know I have three children already, and when I was in labor with them I would envision a flower opening up in order for me to get through the labor experience. So for me to get through the adoption waiting experience I just remember Habakkuk 3:5 and envision a caterpillar waiting to become a beautiful butterfly. Butterflies often symbolize new beginnings, I am exciting about my new beginning! My new daughter, a new princess to join the royal court: Princess Neki, Prince Zion and Prince Noe`are all awaiting the announcement of their baby sister, In due season....Peace.

That's a NO NO!

Ok. by now any one breathing should know about the disrespect that Kanye WHACK showed Taylor Swift an upcoming country music singer who one her first VMA award. Well, Kanye went up during Taylor's acceptance of her award and took the mic and said that Beyonce's Single Ladies video was the best ever. That's a NO NO. Who gave him the authority to be sooo rude? After I called him a jerk multiple times, I thought to myelf, why, why would he do that? Was he not thinking? Why wasn't he thinking? So this was my revelation; We all know that he is genius at what he does. He is gifted by God, but if he is not living for God and giving God true glory for the gift...grace begins to run out, wisdom begins to fade. I know that it's alot for celebrities to deal with being public figures and on top of it all his mother passing away but Kanye must remember the Grace of God that saved him from an accident that could have killed him. We as humans tend to forget the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. It's a NO, NO to hurt another person, either physical (Chris Brown and Rhianna) or emotional (Kanye West and Taylor Swift). So I was compelled to pray for Kanye and Taylor. My prayer is that they both would be comforted by the Holy Spirit and that they would have true revelation of who they are to God. I pray that their identity would be in Christ and that they would live for Him and use the opportunity that they have to be celebrities with wisdom and discerntment. In Jesus name!

PS, I'm proud of the way Beyonce handled it. She apologized to Taylor and allowed Taylor to have her moment during Beyonce's acceptance of an award. Way to go Beyonce, you handled it with much grace.

Shea Butter

This is a pure unrefined African Shea Butter. I don't remember where I purchased mine but you can check out www.Sheabutterhut.com Shea butter has great healing properties and is great for all skin types,especially those with dry skin or excema. Also makes a great hairdressing.

Crafty Mama

I'm so proud of myself. today I made (2) 4 oz jars of natural shea body butter for my husband and kids. Ohh, I already have plans to make tons more...especially when the baby comes, I'd know exactly what's going on her skin. The fragrance for him is called "Boaz" it has a kind of musky sent and the one for the kids is called "Happy Day" it sorta smells like birthday cake (hence the name).

My next project besides the more body butter (excellent for dry skin and hair) I'm going to make some sachets. These will be geared towards infants and toddlers. Hang it by their crib or stick in their drawer to make there clothes smell good. I guess putting my mind, and hands to creating something helps me to be a little more patient while waiting for my preciouse one.

Melkam Addis Amet!

Happy New Year Ethiopia! I'm sure the people are celebrating and rejoicing to have made it another year. may God bless your land and people. Amen!

Last Year

Last year my youngest was in Kindergarten, now he's off to first grade! The boys didn't even want me to walk them to their classes. When they were babies at home with me I never thought that I would see the day when I wouldn't have to change stinky diapers on a regular. I'm actually looking forward to doing it all over again. I'm ready to add my baby girl to the threesome and make it even. Today was the first time since we started the adoption proccess that I felt disconnected. Maybe because my case worker resigned and it took three weeks to get a "weekly" report. Or could it be that I told God that I would not complain and he is testing me...giving me something that I would think is worthy of complaint. I'm dissapointed to say that I didn't pass this one. I sent an email to my new case worker COMPLAINING:-(...:-} Hey, I've been waiting since Jan.09 and have been in the proccess since Jan.08 and I can't get a program update? I just needed to know what the deal was. Needles to say it's Labor Day weekend, so I put myself in even more a FUNK be-cause everyone is out of office and won't respond until Tue. This...is my self inflicted punishment. When I made the "no complaint vow" a small voice inside said " you know I'm gonna prove you, right? At the time I was feeling on top of the world so I said "that's cool" HA! A few hours later, I complained to my girlfriend, who by the way is leaving for ET on the 12th yipee! I new she didn't need to hear it but I knew she would understand. Enty who...patience is a virtue that I will try to put into practice. PEACE