I know wordless wednesday but. . . .

I've been thinking about the blog. . . and I've been feeling icky since last week and haven't been feeling like posting, thinking and sometimes want to stay in bed. . . I feel like it should be winter time and I should be wrapped up in a blanket with a fire in the fireplace, but that's not the case. Instead my hubby is sitting on the couch eating chocolate cheerios and watching Battlestar Galactica (sp?) and I'm attempting to write something. . . Have a great night all~

feel like a poll

but don't know what to do a poll on? share some of your ideas . . .

To Blog or not to Blog?

That is the question?

Why Blog?
Blog is defined as:
(a blend of the term web log) is a type of website or part of a website. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order. Blog can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.

Most blogs are interactive, allowing visitors to leave comments and even message each other via widgets on the blogs and it is this interactivity that distinguishes them from other static websites.

Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, Web pages, and other media related to its topic. The ability of readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs. Most blogs are primarily textual, although some focus on art (art blog), photographs (photoblog), videos (video blogging), music (MP3 blog), and audio (podcasting). Microblogging is another type of blogging, featuring very short posts.

As of 16 February 2011, there were over 156 million public blogs in existence. Citation is most reliable: Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog, Retrieved on April 12, 2010.

In the beginning I had a blog because I wanted to share our adoption journey with our family and well. . . our family was farther away than we cared for, so this was a way to share the story. It was private, only invited people could access it. My girls and our process was private way back then. Then the girls came home and well. . . it became public. I thought the girls are home, everything is legal and well, why not let others view "the blog". I'm not really a political blogger, I don't have a particular style to blogging. I pretty much use the blog as an online diary of some sort. To share snapshots of our family with others that know us and that well. . . we don't know, since IT IS public. I hope that some people reading feel as though they could adopt children from another country and that it's not a far away, non achievable goal. I hope that for some, the blog is just funny at times. I hope for some it's taken serious as some of the posts are, serious that is. . . .

I find it interesting that somedays I really want to share the random thoughts that float throughout my dura matter and other days I want to be quiet and not share. Before I post, I always ask myself is this something I will regret sometime in the future or even after I hit the "Publish Post" button.

I wish I knew more of my visitors. I know some of them by their locations and others by their email or FB posts. . . I know my husband claims to be a contributor of the blog, but rarely posts although does read often :-). Sometimes this is how he knows what's on my mind!

So I guess I blog to remember certain specific things, other times I blog because I have to put something together like a PPT or a short video clip and I know I'll keep those as keepsakes. I hope that someday my girls will publish a post about something random. That would be cool . . . For now, I'll just keep rambling and hopefully someone will find some meaning in it. For now, I say good-bye!

Signs of Spring

Many signs of spring were here today! First it was 65 degrees and we were outside for most of the day. DH cleaning the garage and me and Ms. B the van, vacuuming, armor-alling, and a car wash. It was a lovely day. We have some purple flowers peeking from the dirt and the grass is getting greener, not so brown. I'm liking the newness of the spring season. It's refreshing. Even Fenric got to be outside with his people for a while this afternoon. Can't wait until we take down the storms and put in the screens. Perhaps tomorrow as the weather forcast is teasing us with the temperatures in the 80's. We'll see :-)

My political rantings. . .

It's early and before work, but I thought I would try to write now instead of later when my brain seems to be really tired. So the Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice election is over and it seems that Kloppenburg has claimed victory. I must say that I am happy about this as I don't want to see everyone's collective bargaining rights taken away. It's scary enough that the budget repair bill has eliminated tooooo many jobs and is forcing people to pay thousands of dollars each year for their pension and healthcare when they haven't planned for it. There has to be a better or different way. I'm a public employee, work for a school district, serving little kids who have disabilities, and I'll tell you it's not just 5 days a week for about 36 weeks. I bring my work home. . . .ok, see I can feel my blood boil a bit . . . . calm calm. . . .what I am afraid of is the millions of people old, young, middle class whose lifestyles will change drastically. . . perhaps losing their home, losing their job, losing their insurance. . . the list goes on and on. It really feels like the rich will be getting richer and the poor? Well, really who cares about them? (That's total sarcasm!) I've had people tell me that this whole budget thing isn't going to affect them!! REALLY!! How can it not affect you? I don't care who you are, it'll affect you. The school district I work in has a 97% poverty rate, the city I live in has a 57% poverty rate. It's going to affect us. . . .the students, the teachers, the custodians. . . . This morning's headlines said that the school board has approved 130 job cuts from our school district. That's disastrous!! Public education is the last place that children can raise themselves out of poverty and become productive citizens in society! And now that is disappearing. . . I'm afraid for Wisconsin and afraid for what will happen in other states as a result. . . Lot's on my mind. . . .

Sprouting A Greater Fiscal Awareness

What to talk about in regard to sprout, sprouting, growing, to emerge and grow rapidly? I am current watching a documentary regarding the $$ crisis is the USA. It’s called I.O.U.S.A. and it’s quite an eye opener, especially about the Federal Government’s Deficit and how it came to be since the beginning of time, George Washington. In lieu of all the great political stuff going on here in the great state of Wisconsin, being fiscally aware is really really important right now. I’d be smart to take an economics class now, and I might actually pass it because it’ll make sense to me now. My knowledge of the current day economic concerns is causing my brain cells to come forth and grow (the noun use of the word sprout). Is capitalism the best thing for this world? Consume, consume, consume. . . How do we stop buying more than we can afford, and I’m not just talking individually, but collectively? The program I am watching is discussing the future of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, the three largest programs that will cost more than the monies coming in to the government offices. What do we do?? How can I be more responsible individually?

So yes, I live in Wisconsin and I work in public education. Our governor is trying to make life very difficult for many millions of people. A summary of Senate Bill 11 can be viewed here. (Note: Governor Walker’s plan will make no difference to the looming national debt crisis.)
The population in Wisconsin is approximately 5.7 million people as of today. I am personally struggling with the millions of people who will lose their health care, their homes, and many other things for the sake of a “balanced budget”. Private sector workers versus public sector workers, pitting one against the other, the fighting between the middle class “haves” and “have nots”.

Living beyond your means. Live within your means. Live well within your means and put some $$ away for your future!

I know I’m rambling, but this is the stuff that is on my great mind these days. . . Being responsible, socially, financially and a whole lotta other ways. . .

Ta Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

The book is here! The book is here!! It's so very cool! It's pretty amazing to see all of the work I've been doing for the past 16 months in print form! It's all coming together. 11 more days until graduation and then it's Dr. Lori ~ That actually sounds kind of funny!

Today's writing prompt

IS: Are you a competitive person or not? What helps you refocus and/or work harder when you find yourself slacking off?

I wouldn't say that I am competitive, I would say that I don't want to be left behind or in the dark. As I am finishing up my degree, I would like to think that I've had a collaborative relationship with my cohort peers, being supportive, supported and just being there. There is always the one that posts first, makes the argument first, and is the leader of the pack, but I wouldn't say it's me! I am the one who sits quietly among the crowd gleaning information and taking it all in and then will add my two cents.

So let me pose the question another way. Am I a competitive person when it comes to my hubby? YES!!! But I always lose :-) And know that I will lose, but still the competition is ON!

When the heat is on, I don't know that there is one thing that can help me to focus. That comes from the inside. Let's take running for example. I don't consider myself to be a "runner" perse, but like to keep active and well. . . it's good for me. It's definitely not easy for me and having someone to run with is most beneficial for compliance. I run with a co-worker who is 14 years younger than me and for the most part I can keep up. Now I would not say that it's competitive between us, but we do support each other. We just ran our first 5K together and she finished 2 minutes ahead of me! Good for her! Again, I'm just happy I'm running and doing well with it. We are talking about looking into some 10K runs for the spring and this will be good as we work toward supporting each other to increase our running distance and endurance. Not competitive. The thing that keeps me focused is that I know it's healthy for me to do, I feel better when I do it and I'm hopefully being a good example for my daughters. Fenric the dog gets his exercise too! So. . . competitive, I don't know if I fit that bill in my adult life.

Beautiful Day

Dear Lord,
I give you thanks for a beautiful day filled with sunshine and fresh breezes. I give you thanks for the time spent with family and friends. I give you thanks for the many blessings you give without us even knowing they are given. I give you thanks for the cross. I give you thanks for my loving husband and beautiful daughters. Thank you Lord.

COC - Certificate of Citizenship - Check

OMG - Oh My Goodness, what a bunch of paperwork. . . get ready for some rambling . . .

It was amazing that the girls SSN's came in record time, like a 4 day turn around time. Let's see if that can happen at the USCIS office in Milwaukee!!

So this has been a grueling process, just gathering paperwork! I tell you I feel like I should be traveling back to Ethiopia to pick up another child or two! But really, this is the piece that makes me the happiest. That the girls will have U.S. citizenship and can never be deported! (I'm smiling now!)

So after filling out an eight page application (one for each of the kids I remind you) I had to gather and make duplicate copies of the following:

~ permanent resident card (remember that one I talked about having an exp. date?)
~ readoption certificate and proof of legal name change
~ birth certificate and/or U.S. passport for mommy**
~ birth certificate and/or U.S. passport for daddy**
** we sent both just to cover ourselves
~ front page of both kids passports
~ visa - stating which kind, you know there are a few (IR3 or IR4)
~ marriage certificate
~ driver's license for both mommy and daddy
~ both kids foreign birth certificate with certified translations
~ both kids final adoption decree with certified translations
~ Wisconin certificate of birth facts - we sent this just as another form of ID, etc.

AND FINALLY that icky money order for WAY TOO MUCH MONEY ~ But like I said before, it's the one last thing that will make me the happiest!

So tomorrow I will take it to the post office and send it certified mail requesting a return receipt so that I KNOW they received it. Thanks be to God that one more long, time consuming and what I think is a crazy process is just about finished!!

Social Security - Check

Today's 'TO-DO' list contained going to visit our local social security office to get the girls their social security cards.

You see there is just a little bit more paperwork to do. I know, I know. . . You are thinking, "Didn't you have to do a TON of paperwork before they came home and to get them home?" The answer is "YES" but there is more.

This is the following list of stuff we had to do after returning home with our children:

~ Three visits with the social worker - to complete post placement agreements as well as post placement reports.

~ The readoption - This took place March 2, 2009 and the girls are now assured that they get to stay in America!

~ Social security cards
~ Passports
~ Certificate of Citizenship

The first two on the list were pretty easy and are done. The remaining governmental paperwork is . . . well, to say the least a pain in the butt. More paperwork, paperwork, paperwork. Our taxes are easier, probably because there is that program called TurboTax.

So today we went to the Social Security office. I have everything prepared and ready to go. I bring with me the following: girls Ethiopian birth certificates, U.S. certificate of birth facts, final adoption decree from Ethiopia, final decree from U.S., each of the girls permanent resident cards (let me also add that these little cards have expiration dates, go figure, I guess I assumed permanent = citizenship, get to stay forever, etc.), the girls Ethiopian passports, and finally some identification for myself. WHEW!! What a list of stuff to gather.

So we get there and of course there is a computer to sign in depending on what business you are wanting to complete at this office. I pick "NEW SS CARD" and the machine spits out a number. Great! We are now registered in line. We take a seat and Bayat is at the bubbler filling up on water when our number is called. (There were only two people ahead of us in line, WOOHOO). Then the fun begins.

Clerk: What can I do for you today?
ME: I'd like to apply for social security cards for my daughters. (And I hand over the two applications).
Clerk: Ok, let's see, I'll need their birth certificates.
ME: Check
Clerk: I'll need there final decree of adoption from the U.S.
ME: Check

Clerk: I'll need some proof of citizenship.
ME: Check (Side note: I gave her their permanent resident cards, you know the ones with the expiration dates? and she had to mark that they are not citizens, but legal aliens able to work!!! I just don't get it, call me crazy)

Clerk: I'll need some identification for you ma'am.
ME: Check

A bunch of typing later and two little antzy girls, the clerk asks for their passports because she needs to enter an "A" number.
ME: Check

Everything looks ok and the clerk is submitting everything electronically and there's a glitch. It won't go through. The clerk rechecks all the information she has entered and attempts to resubmit. It still won't go through. HUM. . . After a few minutes, her investigative abilities show that my maiden name is NOT linked with my married name! Go figure! So, mystery solved and finally it goes through. WOOHOO!!

Next is Bayat's paperwork and that was a breeze, since we figured everything else out on the first go! So I have received receipts showing that I should receive the girls social security cards in just a few weeks! HOORAY!! Then we can move on down the list.

Thrilling Thursday

Sorry, no real pictures to post about todays events!! So the "thrilling" event of the day is that I cleaned my 'study/office' area!! WOW, I know you are thinking, "So what, she cleaned her study/office area!! Whoopie!!!! Well, I have come to realize that there are lots of things that take a back seat when you have kids! And that is balancing the checkbook and being anal about other things in your life that you used to have time for!! So, I'm still adjusting!! And that's OK!! Yes, I'm talking to myself!! And there are days for that too!!

So I actually vacuumed my carpet and rearranged and you can see the bottom of my desk!! It's a really cool thing! REALLY!! REALLY COOL!!

So now, it's balancing the checkbook!! I'm just happy I'm not as behind as I was yesterday :-) HA!

Well, that's all for now folks!! Until Friday!!

Wild Wednesday

So I'm a little late!! So here is the picture of the day! Mommy with both Kidist and Bayat and of course our beloved dog, Fenric! Who just loves when my hair goes in a ponytail and the running shoes come out!!
Since the weather has been trying to be nice, Fenric and I try to run a few times a week. Well, the girls are wanting to go too! But they can't keep up with the dynamic duo (ha ha), so I've been taking Fenric first and then coming home, catching my breath and then running about 1 mile with the girls! At a much slower pace, but we get it done :-)

So Wednesday while getting ready, it was all about the fashion. Mind you, not for me but for the girls. As you can see, I don't really mind what I wear running as I take into consideration weather, wind, temperature, etc. But the girls have to find clothes that match my clothes, so it was finding brown pants and an orange shirt!! That was almost tricky, but we were successful in finding them the 'proper' running gear!! Brown pants with an orange shirt! So when summer comes, they will have to find different clothes.

So for the record, the girls ran approximately 1.2 miles with me yesterday!! Watch out for the Summer Olympics come 2020!! My girls will be ready!

Terrific Tuesday!

Good Morning ~

This week is our Spring Break week so the girls and I are home all week. So each day I thought we could post. . Actually I can get caught up. I downloaded pictures and everything.

SO. . . . . .
I've asked the girls what they want to say on the blog today and Kidist would like to tell everyone that it is almost Easter. Bayat wants to tell everyone to have fun with their family and to have a good day!

Good morning from SUPER MOM!!

Remember I said that one of the ole' standbys for New Year's resolutions was to be supermom!! (new one for me this year) Well, this morning I have achieved that goal: up early, showered first, did about 1 hour of work, girls up and dressed before breakfast and two lunches made before breakfast too!! So now it's after breakfast and the girls are packing their backpacks and readying for school. I even did their hair extra pretty today with petite little barretts! So for today I've met one of my resolutions!! I'm gonna guess tomorrow we all sleep in just a little later than today :-)

HAVE A GREAT MONDAY!!

New Year's Resolutions?? HUM

Are you thinking about your New Year's Resolutions?? Honestly, I have not, but there are always the old standbys: eat more healthy, exercise more, be more organized, be super mom (ok, this is a new on for me), eat out less, the list goes on and on.

So . . . . .having said all that, we (that would be Bond and I) are always talking about giving more outside the door, outside the church, outside ourselves. . . Don't get me wrong we give, but could we give MORE?? AHHHHHH, YEA!! So what are some of the basic human needs around the world?? WATER!! There are many people in the world that don't have clean drinking water. There are more people in Ethiopia without clean water than any other country in Africa. 75% of the country lacks access to clean, safe drinking water. For more amazing and jaw dropping statistics go here here. The organization Charity Water is currently working on providing 33 villages with clean water by providing them with wells. If you visit the Charity Water projects page you can other projects that they have in progress or have completed. See video below for some cool projects and three ways to help.



Think about what your New Year's Resolutions might be this year (should probably consider keeping the ole' standbys) and CONSIDER GIVING MORE. Consider thinking outside the box.

Congratulations to TOMS SHOES!!

Congratulations to Toms Shoes (and the people who bought shoes). . . . 37,000 pairs of shoes purchased exceeding their 30,000 pair goal - so . . . . . this means that 37,000 children in ETHIOPIA will receive a pair shoes. Great news!! And very COOL!!

Stuff, where does it go??

Speaking (or rambling) about stuff and the over abundance of spending that happens at this time of the year, a friend sent me a link to this website: the story of stuff. It's a 20 minute video explaining our cultural consumerism and how it came to be and offers an alternative (or provides a challenge) to live a different way. If you have a few minutes take a look. It's pretty interesting. Bond and I just watched it.

Isn't it our responsibility as parents to

teach our children about the REAL reason for Christmas?? And to not just rely on the culture, public schools, society and all of the other capitalistic consumerism ventures?? (insert your own words there if you will)

I want my children to love and care for other people, not get all that they can get. I want them to be thankful for the 'stuff' they have and to be good joyful givers. My youngest daughter had a 'not so good' experience caroling with her little school friends on a fieldtrip. There happen to be a santa claus at one of the caroling stops and instead of giving a little something to all the children (hum, what a concept) he threw 'stuff' out into the crowd and my little daughter said to me, "Mommy, I just wasn't fast enough." (grabby enough, mean enough, greedy enough) What do you say to that! If I would have known that santa was going to be there, I might have decided to keep her home for the day.

Anyway, it's Jesus' birthday and my girls know that from their Ethiopian traditions. We are thankful for that, but there is the concern of the big fat man who wears the red suit. They've never heard of the gent before. We've had a few conversations about reality versus fantasy, (i.e. you know that deer, even reindeer don't fly, don't you?) So we are trying to be gentle, but yet instill the REAL reason for Christmas!! Today I asked the girls who they liked better, Jesus or Santa and I must say Jesus won hands down!! Go Jesus!!

Gotta Buy Something, BUY THIS, I did. . . . . . .