Author Archives: admin 1. That after 2.5 years—Frank may finally need his first haircut. What do you think? AND YES–after my children turn 2…sippy cups are for the car and outings only. No reason why–they are just easier and they can do it! Another angle of the hair for you enjoyment… 2. That it was clown day on […]  In January he took his first steps…in February he was full on walking…and in March–he DANCES! I’ll have to post a video to make you guys smile:). If I sing, “Can ya boogie? Can ya boogie? Can ya dance? Can ya dance?” he startes spinning in circles while he raises his hands in the air–AND […] Oh my goodness, the cuteness!! what’s going on in ethiopia is being kept on the down low, so it’s so good you are getting the word out!!!! LOVE THIS- PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!!!!! He just makes my heart smile 🙂 Such cute pictures of your boy. 🙂 I’m always hesitant to believe what FOX news reports as they always seem to have a larger agenda. When I was in Ethiopia, I was so impressed by how people of different religions lived side by side eachother, in peace. Unfortunately, I have seen persecutions on every religion, from every religion, and it’s always sad that we can’t practice whatever religion we choose in peace.  If you HAD to pick 5 of the BEST years of your life–what would they be? I am standing amazed at how God works…so for the next couple of weeks when I have time–I want to share 5 different posts…this one being the FIRST…of what I like to call the 5 best years of my […] this post is very near and dear to my heart, of course. so fun to hear about that year. i can picture what a sensation you were rockin’ out on national television. can’t wait to read about the other best years! You haven’t changed a bit! Neither has Melissa. What a sweet memory. My grandparents have done a lot of ministry in that country as well and have some wonderful stories (my Grandpa is a six foot tall white man, so he kind of stuck out!) Love getting a peek into your life, Andrea, and love that you still found ways to sneek in that encouragement and challenge to us at the end! 🙂 This reminds me a lot of my time in the Philippines, though it was only one month. Lots of fun and lessons all together! 🙂 So sweet! What fun this post has been to read. And of course, I can’t help but look at the children and think…will our child look like that?! 😉 Much love, LOVE this one! 🙂 I loved reading about this year in your life, Andrea!!! Beautiful lessons learned. Thank you for sharing them and causing me to reflect on my time there as well. I don’t think I ever saw this picture! How cool that I was there to welcome you home…it took me a second to remember this. Wow! This symbolized a lot before we even knew it! Us welcoming one another home from adopting our babies. AMAZING! Love that you are remanicing these times. Can’t wait for more! […] ultimately He shined through and was glorified. And this post shines the most light after reading Post 1, Post 2, Post 3 and Post 4 […] […] I lived in China (Post 1), I felt in my heart (EXACTLY 10 years ago) that ONE day I would return to China…that one day […]  James 1:27 says, “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” Have you ever wondered why the word VISIT? Lord, why not ADOPT? Why not STAY? Why VISIT? Have you thought about it??? […] Heck girl… the more I become aware, and get my head out of the… sand 😉 the more uncomfortable I am. Thanks Andrea, I needed to hear this. I love what you said about how visiting orphans changes us and I just want to encourage people that it is not always necessary to leave our children at home while we go on these trips. We do medical missions in a very poor area of the Dominican Republic and have always taken our children. My 8-year-old son has been there five times and the lessons he has learned about living with fewer possessions but more joy are invaluable! Sometimes I don’t feel like I am “getting as much done” with my young children along, but if the goal is changed hearts, it is absolutely worth it. WONDERFUL advice Natalie!!! We can’t wait until our kids are old enough to take with us!!! I think our oldest is getting old enough! What an amazing gift to give them–and oh the connecting and bonding I’m sure this brings to a mom and her children as well! So so happy you are getting to go!! What a blessing! Great truths in this post… To go … to Wiphan Africa … would be … breathtaking … life changing … inspiring. One day, Andrea, I will join you. Praying for His guidance to show me the day and the way. I traveled to Ethiopia in October to bring my son home, and had to leave my 3 month daughter behind. Yes. It was SO hard. And of course it was greeted with mixed reactions, but I felt strongly about going and seeing my son’s birth country, and you know what, my entire family is better for it. 🙂 YES!! Just this morning I was praying, and the Lord told me, “Get ready. You’re going back to Rwanda.” I am SO excited. We’ve been involved with orphan care there with Africa New Life for 8 years. But going….that changes everything! We took our kids when they were 7 and 9 on our way to Ethiopia and it was life changing. They loved it. Ya, the flight was long and they were hungry sometimes, but in the big picture, who cares? They do not remember any of the tough stuff. This time, we will take Grace and she will only be 5, maybe 6. I would SO encourage anyone to take their kids when they’re young and while their hearts are still so moldable. Can’t wait to see how God uses you through Wiphan! Great, great stuff, Andrea!!! This was so encouraging! my wife and i have been going through the adoption process through dillon for a boy from ethiopia was hoping for a son between 2-5, so sad really had Gods blessing with numerous miracles and signs, but health reasons and timing of adoption process in ethiopia has changed our minds. Please pray for us I want to be in the center of Gods will but maybe he has other plans I just dont know thanks so much. i love your blog by the way i read weekly thanks Amen girl!!!! I agree that kids get alot out of seeing their parents sacrifice & do for others. We have to teach them compassion by example. I think God truly blesses us through bringing to light the imminent needs of others & calling us to act in some way. I almost feel like in the end the “giver/visitor/servant” is the one who receives the most. It’s truly amazing how in the end it causes everyone to draw closer to him. PS TO DENNIS NEAL: God sometimes changes our plans but it is all part of his divine plan. He will lead you in the direction he has laid out especially for you & heal your aching heart. Romans 8:28 in ALL THINGS God works for the GOOD of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. I will be praying for you & your family day & night!!!!!! What a sweet post! Where did you get those pics? So funny, I have never seen them until right now! 🙂 GIRL!!!!!!!!!!! God used this post in the most major way for me!! John and I are going to Uganda this summer for two weeks to a place called restoration gateway..orphanage, school, training center. We were at decision time about whether to take or leave or kids for two weeks. This post was part of what God used to calm my heart and continue to confirm. Thanks, friend! Decision made…we’re taking our oldest and leaving the younger two. Gulp…here we go…our first trip to Africa! And this morning, God said he’ll make the time away from the little ones seem fast! He ‘s so kind!!  I know I’m not the only one that feels this way–I JUST LOVE MY MOMMY JOB! We have just had THE best Sunday together…saw Nana and Papa back off to Alabama (WAA!) before church…headed to church and Isaac went to Sunday School with Frank and made it the ENTIRE TIME without them needing to page […] What a beautiful song. Love that song. Also loving Natalie Grant’s “Your Great Name.” We sang it in church yesterday and among other lyrics, “the fatherless, they found their rest at the sound of Your great name” got me. HE will care for them. What an amazing God we have. |
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by admin
Crazy what you can find at Walmart! 😉 I like the book idea, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE books but we are bursting at the seams with children’s books so I think I’m going to go through them with your suggestions! 😉 Need to start making room for #3 – we put our paperwork in with an agency!!! 😉
I am also loving Goodwill right now. I can always find a goody or two in there on each trip. I adore dressing my children really CUTE and I find that between Target, Goodwill, and TJ Maxx… I do pretty well~
Also, love the clown get-up… so cute!!!
Thanks for your suggestion about the books!! Also, what a yummy menu!! Are these recipes from the Wiphan cookbook or another one you use a lot? Any suggestions?
Love keeping up with you and your family! Today’s update on Frank’s hair was hilarious. It’s just the splash of sunshine I needed on a dreary day like today.
I do meals the same way – shop on the weekend with NO kids so that I can actually concentrate and get the foods we really want, plan all my dinner menus in advance (notating the recipe book pg # if needed) according to the day’s schedule (we do crockpot meals on dance night), and we always sit down and eat at home. By planning out a whole week, I can make sure we have several meals with leftovers for the adults’ lunches which is nice too. It works so well, I just couldn’t do it any other way.
I like the book purging idea (kind of have a book buying obsession). Honestly there are a lot of “good” books that I still wouldn’t like reading, but just getting rid of those Strawberry Shortcake books would help (want to poke myself in the eye everytime I read “berry” where it should have said “very”).
you so crack me up….kj
Oh, how I cannot wait til next week (spring break!) to organize! Love the idea about getting rid of books (and I’m a librarian so you would think I would have thought to weed my own bookshelves :)! Lastly, would you be willing to sell any of your digital images of photos you took while in Ethiopia? I desperately want some “art” on our walls from our son’s birth country. Unfortunately, the majority of photographs my husband and mother took in country are blury. 🙁 You can email me. Thank you so much!
Love ya. Just sayin!
WOW! I am so impressed with not only your meal planning but the cute poster board display with different colored markers!!! I wish I was the crafty/creative type! Oh well… 🙂 I used to be a great meal planner but have not done so good with it over the last few years. But, we do eat at home as a family every week night…and I LOVE that! It may be one of those box meals that you “add chicken” but at least we’re all sitting down together at home! 🙂
oh frankie boy!! so cute! little toe-head blondie..adorable! I too love your menu idea…I need something cause what I am doing is not working:)
LOVE walmart finds for clothes! they are few and far between but make me ridiculously happy when i find one!!
what book are your recipes from?? i’d LOVE to know! thanks!
Andrea,
First I would like to say how much I enjoy following your blog. Our babies came home right around the same time and I often find in your words exactly what I need to hear at just the right time. I am blown away by the print in back of you in the last image! Did you take it? Do you sell prints of it or can I find it somewhere? Thanks!
Hey Andrea! I met you at the Strange’s in Ellaville. I’m in Ms. Careen’s Tues Morning Albany Bible Study. Anyhow, I noticed that Fri was movie night for y’all. I am very picky on what my children watch (oldest is 3…she is the only child who is old enough to watch TV actually). Can you do a blog post about y’all’s movie nights and list the family friendly movies that y’all watch. I would like to watch a movie with her sometimes but it seems there are so many that have rude kids and rude humor/behavior in them that I am having a hard time finding good ones. Thanks so much!
so much to comment on:
i’m lovin’frank’s comb-over. can you believe i STILL haven’t bought the wiphan cookbook yet. ugh!!! i’m on it. i think i need to check out the book simply organized. i need all the help i can get. and finally, i love it when i actually find cute stuff at walmart. i think, “walmart, who do you think you are???? target???”
I am also asking about the print in the last photograph. Where oh where can I get one!