The Story...

On December 9th, Benjamin opened the next door and and saw a well.

The little bear trekked across a desert. The sand burned his feet and he was desperately thirsty. With his last ounce of strength he dragged himself to a well, but it was empty. Only mud and dirt lay at the bottom.

"I'll die of thirst," groaned the little bear. And he felt very alone. Then, in the distance, he heard a loud jumble of voices. He could see a magnificently decorated caravan moving across the dunes.

"Have pity! Take me with you!" the little bear called out and sank down, exhausted.

But no one heard him.

While the little bear slept in the hot sand, three men dressed like kings came and filled the well to the brim with water. Then they got back on their camels and moved on.

A small mouse had seen everything. She tugged the little bear's ear, "Wake up! There is water in the well again!"

It took all the little bear's strength to drag himself to the well. He drank and drank until he was no longer thirsty.

Meanwhile, a fox and snake had come over, curious to see what had happened. "A miracle took place in the desert!" they whispered in astonishment. "Look! Flowers are blooming all around the well!"

And the little bear, filled with renewed strength, continued on his way.

"I'm so glad the little bear didn't die of thirst," said Benjamin.

"So am I," said Mother Bear. "You see, Benjamin, God always hear our calls for help."

-Advent Storybook, By: Antonie Schneider

Advent Storybook

This year we started reading the Advent Storybook. Every night we read the appropriate page. The story is told by a little bear named Benjamin....who then relies on his mommy to explain the meaning.

Tonight's story really hit home. As most of you know by now, Ryan and I are in the process of adopting a child from Ethiopia. Ethiopia is desperate for clean water. Visit water.org to learn more...but just for your information...

In rural Ethiopia, women and children walk up to six hours to collect water. Most people collect water from shallow, unprotected ponds which they share with animals. Other people collect water from shallow wells. Both of these sources are subject to contamination as rain water washes waste from surrounding areas into the source. The jugs women use to carry water back to the village weigh up to 40 pounds! Often, young children are left at home while their mother and older siblings collect water and their fathers work.

In the last 20 years, Ethiopia has experienced recurring droughts followed by food shortages and famines. During times of drought, water-related diseases are rampant. Surface water sources such as springs and ponds dry up. Remaining water sources are heavily contaminated by environmental waste, such as human and animal excreta, which is washed in when it does rain. The stagnant water serves as a breeding place for mosquitoes.

In times of drought, there is often not enough water available for people to bathe regularly. As a result, community members, especially children, suffer from scabies and eye infections. During these times, in an effort to conserve water, hand-washing after defecation or before eating is rarely practiced. Diarrheal and water-related diseases are among the principle causes of death in young children.

The next time you wake up in the morning, before you brush your teeth, before you go to the bathroom, before you take a sip of water.... think about walking for 6 hours first , think about carrying 40+ plus of water on your back....think about Ethiopia.....think about my child, and think about their family, please!

Wipe Out.....

Wipe Out....

Today, Gigi wiped out at school! As Garyn and I were on our way to pick her up from school, Ryan called to warn me that the school had just called....Gianna fell and hit her lip on a chair. They told Ryan that the bleeding had stopped, but if I wasn't already on my way, I should get there to pick her up.

When I got there, her poor little lip was so swollen and bloody....I first hugged her, then immediately checked her teeth (Uncle Mark would be proud) and then hugged her again....I could tell she was scared and just wanted to come home. While I was collecting her things, Garyn, who was concerned about her the entire ride to school, gently rubbed her back (it was so sweet to watch.) We got home, Daddy loved on her, and she immediately went to bed. Trauma and 2 years of age= early nap!!!!!

She woke up great, still with a monstrous lip....but in a good mood. Uncle Mark said he wanted to check her teeth in a few weeks just to make sure they are all okay...but he reassured us that the lip heals very fast!

Never a dull moment in this house......

Snow balls.....

The first snow of the season....

12/05/10

Garyn LOVED playing in the snow. The cold and wet didn't seem to bother him. Which is kinda funny, because, if you know Garyn....you would think he would hate the snow... being wet and cold is not really his cup of tea. Gigi, on the otherhand, liked the snow for about 2 minutes. She repeatedly told Ryan she was still a baby and needed to come inside. This may have been prompted by the face plant in the snow after falling off the sled.

Yes, we live in Indiana, and Yes, there are NO hills...but Ryan did an awesome job pulling them around as fast as he could.....and trust me, that was better than any hill for them!!!!

Weekend Fun....

Weekend fun.....It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

Gigi and her cousin Ashlyn, don't they look so sweet!
"Sabor Tooth Tiger and Santa! Doesn't his face look awesome!
Decorating cookies....YUM so much fun!

Separated by Oceans.....

A father to the fatherless,

a defender of widows,

is God in his holy dwelling,

God sets the lonely in families....

- from an Ethiopian Orphanage

The Grinch.....

Last night was movie night.....I must say, movies and popcorn do make winter a whole lot better! Quite honestly, there is nothing better than looking in the 'TV' room, seeing the blanket on the floor, kids eating popcorn, watching movies....

Last night the movie was The Grinch who Stole Christmas. When we started the movie, I truly didn't think much of it. Garyn and Gianna have listened to the book several times, so I thought they both would love it. Well, a few minutes into the movie, Gianna decided, she thought the Grinch or Grunch (her pronunciation of "grinch") was too scary for her. So she resorted back to the kitchen to watch Max and Ruby on the computer. Garyn, on the other hand, was VERY interested in the movie, and the message....which TOTALLY took me by surprise.

At one point in the movie, he asked me to rewind it, over and over and over....it's the part where the Grinch is being made fun of at school. After watching the part about 4 times, he asked me to come into Ryan's office, he wanted to talk to me. With alligator tears in his eyes, he asked my why the kids in the class were laughing and being mean to the Grinch. Although, I hated seeing my little man, upset, my heart was filled with warmth at the same time. I am raising a caring and loving son!!!!! He gets it. We stress the feelings of others, other people's differences, and how important it is to make everyone feel included, even if they are not "like" us. And, tonight, I realized, the message is sinking in!!! So, after we hugged and talked about it a little more, back to the movie he went....

The ending was equally as emotional for Garyn (Gianna still at table, eating carrots, popcorn, apples; great cooking on my part, I know.) When the Grinch's heart started to grow, the message hit home for him, and again with tears in his eyes, looked at me and said, "He's happy, Mom." Needless to say, my tears fell quietly as he finished the ending of the movie!! I have such an awesome little man!!

Simple thinking, the movie is over, time to go to bed. Well, as Garyn and I laid in bed together, he asked me 2 or 3 times, why the Grinch was being made fun of.....so we talked about how important it is not to laugh at people, their feelings, his feelings....different color skin, school. He never ceases to amaze me....he is definitely a typically 4 year old, don't get me wrong.....but his heart is something special!!!! Not all 4 year olds have the heart and compassion he does, I know that for sure!!! We are so blessed to have him.....and of course, the carrot eating, Max and Ruby little princess too! Our life ROCKS!