Shout Out to Allison

Way to Go, Allison!

Even though she is brand new at Westview Middle School, Allison won the Student of the Month Award today. We are so proud of her!

Just a few kids win this award each month. Allison's teachers nominated her because she is an excellent and conscientious student, because she works hard, she's kind to everyone and she showed herself to be a real leader on the volleyball court.

The school celebrated these great students this morning with a fancy breakfast. The principals brought the students to the front of the room and shared a bit about each of the kids. Allison's photo and the information about her will be on display in the school entry for the next month.

After the not-so-great year at a different school last year, it is so wonderful to see Allison's confidence returning. And isn't it just like God: but for the tough time last year, the positive and fantastic experience she is enjoying now wouldn't be so sweet. He is a redeemer! And He teaches His lessons to all of us....even our kids.

Game Changers

Check out this link to an organization called GameChangers. It is a cool partnership between Architects for Humanity and Nike.

With Hanna Fanta's permission, we submitted a proposal to Children's Heaven to GameChangers. If it wins, Architects for Humanity will design and build a permanent structure for Children's Heaven! Let's hope and pray the judging team sees the need for a real, useful, facility for Hanna and her girls!

While you're at it, check out this link for the Frehiwot Wondye Memorial Run. Frehiwot was a "sister" at Children's Heaven who took her own life this summer. Sixty-five of Frehiwot's "sisters" at Children's Heaven are running the 10K Great Ethiopian Run, a road race in Addis Ababa that attracts over thirty thousand runners. These girls are running in memory of Frehiwot, and as a way to raise some much-needed funds for Children's Heaven. These girls are overlooked. There is little help or hope for them in Ethiopia. Will you donate today?

A Castrophe is Looming

The Economist has more this week on the impending drought in east Africa. This one will most likely surpass the drought of 2000 and could be the worst since the great drought of 1991. This is not only bad because more people go hungry, but as the article points out it often heightens the level of violence between already warring factions. In addition, droughts have all kinds of unintended consequences. Did you know that 95% of Ethiopia's power is hydroelectric, which is water dependent? And, if the needed rains do come, then the region is plagued with mudslides and malaria and cholera increase.

It's a no-win situation. However, besides prayer, it appears part of the answer is helping these countries to build stockpiles of non-perishables and livestock in anticipation of these droughts which appear to emerge on a regular basis. Also, this is also why initiatives like those the Jonas family is undertaking are so important.

Another friend is going to Ethiopia in December with Ethiopian Orphan Relief to help build a well in a remote region.

You can check out the Economist article here.

P.S. - If you want to keep up with what's happening in Africa...and the rest of the world for that matter, I highly recommend investing in a subscription to The Economist.

A Picture of Little Boy B!!

Sorry, can't share any more. But isn't it cute and sweet? Those old adoption feelings have started bubbling up again. We can't wait to get to Ethiopia!

She Loves to Read + Home Study

Meelsie loves-loves-loves to read books!

Given how she likes to spread out, I wonder how her bedside table will look someday? (For a hint, you might want to look at her Dad's and Mom's bedside tables....)

***************************************************************

Our big, long homestudy visit is today! We needed just one--ONE!--decent photo of our whole family together. It was a monumental effort to get us all:

• in the house at the same time;
• awake at the same time (although it's pretty obvious Amelia is ready for bed);
• fully dressed at the same time;
• ...we gave up on getting everyone to smile at the same time!

Here are the results of our efforts...not aided, I'm sure, by the fact that our real camera is being repaired, so these are phone camera pics.

Aughghgh!! Given our difficulties in taking a simple family photo, can you believe "they're" going to let us adopt again?

The Federal Government: An Object Lesson

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing about the above-referenced account for tax period 12-31-2008, form 1040.

We figured our 2008 taxes using Turbo Tax. According to Turbo Tax, our total tax liability for 2008 was $xxxxx. Between withholdings and a check we mailed with our return, we met our tax obligation by the April 15, 2008 deadline.

In mid-June, 2009, we received a check from the IRS in the amount of $4795.53. No explanation for this refund was included with the check. We made some efforts to contact the IRS about this check, however, the phone wait times were excessively long and we had a hard time reaching an actual person. So, we actually concluded that the IRS had detected an error in our favor and had been good enough to send a refund. (Yea! It’s great to be an American!)

At the end of August, 2009 we received two cryptic form letters from the IRS, stating we owe a total of $4852.71 on our 2008 taxes. Subtracting the penalty and interest included in this demand for payment, the amount due turns out to be the exact amount of the refund we received in June.

In trying to understand this situation, we spent two full days on hold, being transferred among various IRS departments, talking to various agents, faxing our tax information to the IRS (didn’t we already send it once, back in April?), calling back for status updates, etc. The many different agents we spoke to all claimed the IRS had sent two previous letters that included explanations about this request for repayment. (As God-fearing, hard-working, tax-paying Americans, I assure you, we NEVER received ANY previous communication from this IRS about this matter.)

Over the phone, two different agents indicated we "probably" would not owe the requested amount. Finally, however, we received a follow-up letter from a Ms. xxxxxxxxxx last week. She indicated we do owe $4795.53 (before penalty and interest) because it was an IRS error that resulted in the June payment by the IRS to us. With penalty and interest, the amount the IRS is requesting comes to $4852.71.

My first comment is this: My wife and I both have MBA’s from top schools. We work hard, we keep good records and we are honest people. It’s hard enough for us to figure our taxes (Read: it takes many, many hours and considerable effort to complete our return.).

That said, it’s incomprehensible to us that the IRS code is so complicated and tortuous that the IRS can’t even seem to figure it out. Why was a refund sent to us in June? Why was it so hard to make contact with a person who could provide an explanation? Why didn’t we receive an explanation for the refund, or an explanation for the demand of payment? Why did it take many individuals, several IRS departments, a fax, high anxiety and hours on the phone to get to the bottom of this IRS error? Given all of the varying information we have received, how can we truly know that we truly owe this money? There is something very wrong with this picture!

My second comment is this: Given the fact that this comedy of errors (which would, indeed, be funny if it wasn’t so sad) is due entirely to IRS error, poor communication and inability to administer its own tax code….doesn’t it seem over the top for the IRS to ask us to pay a penalty of $23.95 and interest of $33.23?

I am enclosing a check in the amount of $4795.53. This is the amount of the payment that the IRS sent to us in mid-June, 2009. This payment does not include the requested penalty and interest charges. It doesn’t seem reasonable to expect us to pay these charges.

We would appreciate a personal response to this matter. Unless your agency specifically explains that the penalty and interest are required, and how it is justifiable that these funds are required, we will assume the matter regarding the penalty and interest is resolved, and we are not expected to make payment.

Very truly yours,

David B. and Lora M. Howlett


cc: IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman
Congresswoman Betsy Markey
Senator Mark Udall
Senator Bill Bennett
Facebook

Another Update!

Here's what we received from a different traveling family:

I did get to meet Bereket and spend time with him. He is a little guy and a cutie. The first day, he was very shy and wasn't too excited about getting his picture taken. The kids were all singing and he was participating with them, but when they moved to the floor, he just wanted to play with his toys instead. However, once he warmed up to me he began smiling and interacting a lot. Later that day was when he was outside swinging on the swing and playing soccer. Those shoes made me laugh! He was giggling and running around with all the kids. The next time we saw him he ran right up and was happy and trying to look at the camera and see himself and his friends in the camera. The day of the party he was dressed in traditional Ethiopian clothes and posed for me like a champ. His sweet smile is going to melt your heart!

I can't imagine what we are in for when B. comes home. Joy. Fun. Perhaps anguish. Trusting God. Hope. Adjustments. Grief.

I saw a blog the other day that is titled, "Because faith is bigger than fear."

That is definitely our prayer,

that our faith will be bigger than our fear.

We are plowing through our paperwork. It looks like we have found a way to expedite some of the required fingerprints. And we'll meet with our social worker next week; she says we can complete our homestudy update with just one visit!

Update from Traveling Families

Four IAN families arrived at Sele Enat yesterday. Here's the little update one of the families already sent:

Little Boy B. was wearing pink crocs on the wrong feet and playing soccer like a champ.

Ahhhh! That's our boy!

We are wading into the weeds of paperwork. We can re-use much of the information from Amelia's adoption (yea!), but there is still a fair amount to take care of.

Question: How Big is Africa?

Answer: BIG!

It's Official

We have decided to adopt Little Boy B. I wish I could share his picture here, it's really cute.

Fortunately, much of our paperwork from Amelia is re-useable. There's still plenty of "really urgent" stuff to do. Like...figuring out if we need to re-name the blog (The Howletts 6???)...determining what little boys like to play with...changing a room from pink to...a color that is not pink.

Since Little Boy B recently became a waiting child, our agency thinks the process will be pretty quick. As in, it's reasonable to expect to travel in December or January.

We are trusting God to provide the resources we need. We can only imagine how much pain and loss this little guy has already experienced. May God provide healing and may we provide much love and blessing to our new son.

It's a Boy? (Encouragement Welcomed!)

Hey Everyone,

Well, we received the medical and social reports on "Little Boy B." Everything looks fine...aside from the fact, of course, that the poor little guy is an orphan in Ethiopia.

The guesstimates on his age range from four to six years old. Our agency seems to think he is five or six. Hmmm...

Although we have bouts of fear and terror, we usually have peace about moving forward. We are very close to moving forward. Our agency says we would likely travel in December or January.

Dave, in particular, is freaking out and has asked for two or three days to pray before he makes the final commitment. (After all, the pressure will be on him to provide for four kiddos, plus me! Even though we know, ultimately, the pressure will be on God.)

By the way, it turns out Little Boy B.'s name means, "blessing."

Thank you for your prayers, support and encouragement, it means the world to us.

Africa's Changing Demography (by Dave)

This from The Economist (click here to see the whole article):

One African in two is a child. The numbers are such that traditional ways of caring for children in extended families and communities are breaking down. In southern Africa, as a result of HIV/AIDS, an increasing number of families are headed by children. A recent report by the African Child Policy Forum, an advocacy group, says there are now 50m orphaned or abandoned children in Africa. It thinks the number could rise to 100m, meaning misery for them and more violent crimes for others.

Millions of children already live rough in towns and cities. Prostitution and death await the poorest girls. The boys take to glue and crime. Africa has the highest rate of child disablement in the world. Some think 10-20% may be disabled, a staggering number, but since they are rarely seen in clinics and schools that is hard to verify. Paediatricians suspect some are killed in infancy—not Darwin’s natural selection but the dispensing of an extra mouth to feed. Physical stunting is probably rising.

Despite these overwhelming statistics, Africa is not the "dark continent" we often make it out to be. It is an incredible place filled with beautiful and industrious people who have so much potential. How can I ignore this plight currently taking place in Africa? How can I sit idly by? Lord, send me! Please, please, please...let us be a part of the solution!

Newest News

Darn! But I wish my new camera was working....I could share so many pictures of our great girls!

Allison is at a new school for eighth grade this year, Westview. Westview is our neighborhood middle school, and so far, we are really impressed! It looks like she will get to start some of the (proud mom alert) "gifted and talented" options in a few weeks. Between school and sports and babysitting and everything else, I'm glad she's organized.

Abby is in her final year of elementary school at Rocky Mountain Christian Academy. Our little (well, big) math-lete is looking forward to some challenging math. She has had her saxophone for two days now, and (proud mom alert) she's already taught herself how to play "Amazing Grace!" Abs wants to swim again this fall. We decided she can swim if she'll please-please-please play basketball this winter--let's make the most of her incredible tall-ness!

And Amelia. Where to start? She's a wild woman. We jokingly call her "our son Amelia" because she is so physical and so busy. She started the Mom's Day Out program at church--just a couple of days a week, so Mom can actually work--and she LOVES it. She's all over the place in that little classroom and (proud mom alert) her teacher says she is the most advanced student. That's our girl! She is a joy to all of us, in every way.

And now for adoption news:

We--that's Dave, me and the big girls--have a decent peace about moving forward with an adoption. Unfortunately, sadly, I'm not sure we are the right family, in the right place, to take on two big boys.

We are currently talking and praying about just one biggish boy. If our current kids will be Amelia = two years old, Abby = eleven years old and Allison = fourteen years old....we like the idea of bringing a son into our family who will be just about in the middle of the two youngest girls.

That would put him at around six or seven when he comes home.

We believe it would be a challenge, and another big change for our family. But do-able, and not too much to ask of our oldest daughters. And yes, we are a family of girls. But our cul-de-sac is a cul-de-sac of boys-boys-boys. And then there's soccer and all those other things boys like to do, right?

Our agency currently has a waiting boy who they estimate to be six years old. So we are communicating with the coordinator and thinking, praying and talking about the possibilities.

(In a crazy turn of events, our coordinator told me today that there is another family that is serious about the two big boys. She's so amazed and thrilled, because apparently it is difficult to place older kids, boys, more than one at the same time. (Sigh.) But, she's also puzzled that no families have inquired about the little six year old yet. In her experience, it's not usually too difficult to find homes for young school-age boys. Maybe nobody has made this boy their son because he is to be our son? Time--and God--will tell...)

I praise God for His goodness to us. May we seek to live, not an easy life, but a called life that pleases Him!

Latest Time Magazine article about Ethiopia

Here is an August 15, 2009 article from Time Magazine about the current drought and hunger crisis in Ethiopia.

And here is a fourteen photo slideshow from the same article, called "Ethiopia's Harvest of Hunger."

Waiting and Wondering (still)

Our agency has its annual picnic tomorrow. We look forward to seeing some newly-home "big" kids....maybe it'll help us imagine our family with more big kids in it?

Also, several of the families there have spent time with these boys. So we'll chat with them. We know there so many people who think the world of these boys. Also, we have more detailed information about them. It's very sad, but there is nothing that should dissuade us from going forward, if we determine to do so.

One mom who spent time with these boys this spring related a conversation she had with one of them. He speaks English pretty well, but she misunderstood something he told her: She thought he said he had a family in America who would be coming for him. When she tried to clarify, he responded with, "No, no...no mom for me. Too old." Can you imagine feeling washed up at eight years old?

Dave and I alternate between thinking it's inevitable that we'll be adding two sons to our family ("How can we NOT do it?") and thinking there's no way we could pull it off ("How can we do it?").

Prayers for wisdom and peace, please!

A Little More Insight

So, we are praying and seeking wise counsel. We have received some great insights and encouragement from families who are more experienced in these matters than we are. Also some wise words of caution.

I have found TWO FAMILIES whose structure is similar to the one we are proposing: Older American-born kids, foreign-born baby girl, and middle-sized Ethiopian kids as the center of the sandwich. God is amazing (the internet helps, too!).

Here's what I figured out today:

We met these boys. We have pictures of them. They were at Sele Enat when we were there nearly 13 months ago. I have been looking, looking, looking at the pictures today. It's unbelievable.

We covet your prayers, information, resources....or your construction skills. Because if we move forward, we'll probably have to add on to our house.

Are we crazy?

We are considering going to Ethiopia for a couple of school age boys. Best friends. They are old enough to know what adoption is, and they know they're the only kids in the orphanage who don't yet have families coming for them.

Are we crazy?

The 7% Solution

There's a book out there called Crazy Love, by Francis Chan. Here is a bit of what he writes:

If one hundred people represented the world's population, fifty-three of those would live on less than $2 a day.

If you earn more thna $4000 per month, you earn ONE HUNDRED TIMES MORE than the average person on this planet.

Which is more messed up--that we have so much compared to everyone else, or that we don't think we are rich? That on any given day we might flippantly call ourselves "broke" or "poor"? We are neither of these things. We are rich, filthy rich.

There are around 145 million orphans in the world today...All with wonderful faces and hopefully most with names. Kids who have a heart, need to be loved, protected, and cared for.


IF ONLY 7% OF THE 2 BILLION CHRISTIANS IN THE WORLD WOULD CARE FOR A SINGLE ORPHAN IN DISTRESS THERE WOULD EFFECTIVELY BE NO MORE ORPHANS.

There has been controversy over this piece of info, and while many of these 145 million children cannot for various reasons be adopted, they STILL need to be cared for. Bottom line, as people who have so much, we have no excuse not to stand for those who cannot stand for themselves. I do not budge on this issue. What can we do? How can we make a change?

These kids are counting on us....if just 7% of Christians stepped up....How crazy is that? Every child out there is someone's son or daughter. I think we should be disturbed.

Wanna see something funny?

I found this blog on another funny blog that I like to read. The girls and I laughed and laughed until we had to cross our legs!

The blog is called CakeWrecks (When Professional Cakes Go Horribly, Hilariously Wrong).

If you need a laugh, take a look!

Here's a July 4th CakeWreck, featuring "The Star of Irving, David's rarely-mentioned younger brother:"

There are so many to choose from! I'll close with this "graduation" cake:

Apparently it was supposed to say, "Woo-Hoo Tommy."

I don't even like to bake, but I'm feeling better and better about my skillset.

Cost of Freedom

Have you ever wondered what happened to the fifty-six men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.

Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.

Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured. Nine of the fifty-six fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners--men of means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown , Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests
and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.

What would these brave men think of they could see us now?

I'm afraid for my country, but in God I still trust.

Daddy Does Jammy Time

So, Meelsie has taken to uttering / hollering / crying the word "no" at every possible opportunity. As in, she has told me "no" more time than Allison and Abby, over the span of 13 years, combined.

I am reading parenting books like there's no tomorrow. I'm currently re-reading "Love and Logic," but Cline and Fay don't much address young toddler-age misbehavior. Anyone have any ideas?

Now, to the title of this post. Weary of being told "no" by a seventeen month-old, I asked Dad to jammy her up tonight.

I specifically told him there is a TUBE of LOTION from BATH & BODY WORKS that he should put on her little arms and legs and etc.

So, I came downstairs towards the end of the lotioning up. Dave was smearing a BOTTLE of HAIR PRODUCT from CAROL'S DAUGHTER all over her body!!! Aughghgh!

(He wants me to mention he thinks it gave her skin a really nice sheen.)

(And after this little episode, he might think I'll never ask him to help again. Wrong! I think the best motto is this: "Practice makes perfect!" Ha!)

Eighteenth

No, it's not my position in a twenty-person unicycle race!

Or Dave's place in a nineteen team dogsled trek!

It's how many years we have been married.

Yesterday was our eighteenth wedding anniversary.

Now I understand why "old people" (you know, those people who used to seem old when I was young...but who, looking back, were actually pretty young, because they were, back then, the age I am now!) always say the years fly by. Because it seems like just yesterday that Dave and I committed to one another for life.

*Marginal photo taken with phone because I didn't have my camera. Why ever would I have a camera if I wasn't with the kids?

We celebrated with a lovely meal at Colterra (if you haven't been there, and you live around here, you must go!), and a big new dining room table at home....we love making memories with family and friends around our dining room table.

Happy anniversary, Dave!

What I (Allison) learned at Kanakuk

Kanukuk was amazing! I had a great time! What I thought was perfect about this camp was that it was a good blend of fun and heart touching seriousness. At this camp, I grew very close to God and I know He will become my best friend! It felt like the counselors were custom-made for what they were teaching or who they were counseling. The kampers were all very kind and outgoing, they made many of the first-timers feel welcome. By the second day, everyone had made very close friends. The activities were perfect and extremely fun, my favorite activities included sailing, dancing, and blobbing.

At kamp, I remember the endless dance parties, the girls learned countless dances to songs such as, "Battle Field" and "Pump up the Party."

On the more serious side, we had Joe White come and talk to us about being "I'm Third," which means God is first, others are second, and I'm third. Joe White is an amazing person and his speech was life changing. My family and I are already applying it to our lives. We are already becoming happier and closer.

We also had a purity talk which filled me with comfort and relief because I learned that God has a perfect love being prepared for me since before I was born and I should never worry about impressing a boy, how I look in front of a boy, or bothering with a boyfriend. God's greatest gift to humans on earth is a perfect love that is completely wonderful. The only way myself or any girl can have this perfect love is if we already have a perfect love with God. God is like a jealous guy and he will not let anyone step in between me and Him until he knows that no one could ever replace the love between us. That speech was a load off my shoulders because after this, I have no plans on being worried about guys. =)

The last and most important thing that happened at Kamp is this, my cabin and I were giving our testimonies and praying about them, every other girl had big problems and needed help and love badly. But I didn't. When it was my turn to talk I started explaining that I have a good, strong family, I go to chuch, I go to a good school, and me and God are cool. Then I realized that God put me in this wonderful position so that I can worry about someone else's problems, and now I am praying to God constantly to find out where I'm going, because I'll go where ever He sends me. =)

In Christ,
Allison

What I (Lory) learned from Kanakuk

Hi, it's Lory. I've enjoyed about 24 hours with Allison since her week at camp ended.

Allison is going to post here in a minute, but I can share what I have learned (so far) from camp:

Allison came back energized, confident, Holy Spirit-glowing, passionate and ready to go. She has shared so many amazing things--I can't believe how much Kanakuk packs into just one week! And all of it seems to have been so intentional on the part of the Father and the Kamp staff!

Allison has talked so much about the concept of "being third." Meaning, God first, others second, self third.

I used to know about being third. I think I used to do a better job of trying to be third. But I have to confess, I'm not so sure how I am doing these days.

I do good things. I do things for others. I do a fair amount of stuff for God. Heck, I'm on staff at church, where I wrangle our nearly 100 small groups... I love God, I love His people, I love my job. I love my family and my friends, and I spend a fair amount of time serving them.

But how much do I do that I don't necessarily want to do? How often do I intentionally humble myself for others? Am I in a rut where I'm "busy for God," but not walking moment-by-moment, hand-in-hand with Him? Because I see a spark and a glow in my daughter today that I'm not positive others would see in me today.

Some Firsts

So, we have been busy here in Misery, er, Missouri. Each of the girls has has had a different "first!" (Pictures to follow...someday!)

ABBY got twelve inches of hair cut off! Her new hair is cute and easier for her to manage. Her old hair is on its way to Locks of Love. This has been a goal for Abs for awhile, and she's really happy she tolerated her long, thick, blond (poor girl, huh?) hair long enough to let it grow long enough.

AMELIA went swimming for the first time ever today. We are at the snazzy Big Cedar Lodge here in the Ozarks, where she tried her hand (and feet, tummy, head, etc) in the kiddy pool and the lazy river. There are still lots more pools to explore here, but her current preference is the lazy river!

And finally, the reason we find ourselves in Misery, er, Missouri in general, and the Ozarks specifically: ALLISON is at Kanakuk Kamp! There are lots of different Kamps, and Allison is at K-West. She has been to summer camp before, but never Kanakuk...never with kids she doesn't know...never all the way in Missouri. It was sad (for both of us) when I left her there Sunday. But most of the kids don't know anyone else there, and "they" all say it's the best week of a kid's life. Her camp is geared specifically for middle school kids. Since her first year at a public middle school was filled with so many ups and downs for her, she is looking for some help and encouragement as she prepares for 8th grade next year. She is only at camp for a week, but I sure do miss her already!

Kissin' Cousins

Amelia met one her cousins yesterday. Baby Sara lives in Texas. She was adopted domestically by her parents, David and Pamela.

As you can see, Amelia and Sara look a bit alike! I don't think the girls noticed, however. They were more interested in making sure neither of them got ahold of any toys that the other wanted!

Sara is a month younger than Amelia, but she weighs in around ten pounds heavier. Isn't she pretty? Aren't they both beautiful?






Meelsie will have the opportunity to see some more cousins later this week...the Lady Howletts are packing up and heading to KC and other parts of Missouri. More to come!

Ethiopia is now on Google Maps!

Check it out! Google just added Ethiopia to Google Maps.

Here is Ethiopia from space! You can see that it's so-near-and-yet-so-far-from-the-ocean. Even though it is close to the Indian Ocean, the country is still land-locked. This is one of the reasons commerce is so difficult for Ethiopia.

This is the capitol city, Addis Ababa, from space! We spent all of our time in Addis Ababa.

Finally, this is our hotel, The Ghion, FROM SPACE! You can even see the bungalow where we stayed: it's the little row of ten squares just south and west of the big swimming pool (Ethiopia's only Olympic-size pool, I think. Of course, the fact that the pool is filled with "warm water from the bowels of the earth" gives one pause...)

Seeing these up-close pictures makes it hard to believe Ethiopia is a world away. It looks so close, and we long to be there again.

Is there anyone else out there who wants to go, too?

SNAKE!!!!

Being the Bible follower that I am (see Genesis 3:14-16), I HATE SNAKES!

With the weather getting warmer here in Colorado, I have begun my many-times-a-day surveying of the flower beds, yard-around-the-deck and the garden. I am ever-so-vigilant in my searches for snakes. Which doesn't actually make much sense, because when I see one, I am filled with misery and heeby-jeebies, I can hardly stand it. But I don't like to be surprised by a snake, so I always strive to find them first. The good news is, there haven't been any snakes in our yard yet this spring.

(Side story: I had Dave build me a really cool "water feature" near the back door a few years ago. It involved digging and shoveling and leveling and watering and all kinds of effort and carrying on. It was a big job! Unfortunately, given that Boulder County is considered high desert, snakes from near and far flocked to our darn water feature. I couldn't go outside without seeing a snake. Suffice it to say that the water feature was GONE before the last frost the following spring. It's like it was never even there!)

OK, back to today's drama:

As I was driving home this afternoon, Allison called to tell me that Tillie our Wonder Schnauzer had been barking and growling in the back yard. Allison went outside to check the situation, and a BIG goldenish SNAKE that was coiled up in the yard near Tillie our Wonder Schnauzer LUNGED out and BIT TILLIE OUR WONDER SCHNAUZER on the nose!!!!!!


Allison (who has always been a fan of people like Jeff Corwin and other reptile-loving types) calmly took Tillie in the house, then got a bucket and covered the snake with it.

Ryan, who is a neighborhood charmer, I mean a neighborhood snake charmer, came over, and they put the snake into the bucket and called me.

So as I drove home, my mind slithered everywhere: Is Tillie the Wonder Schnauzer breathing? Is she even alive? Is it a golden rattler? (Since we know there are golden eagles in the world, I'm pretty sure there are golden rattlers, too.) How many of its kind are still in the yard? What if Amelia had been the one to find it?

When I got home, Allison the Fearless and Ryan the Valiant unveiled the snake for my viewing displeasure. Since I was expecting to see a snake, and I wasn't surprised to see the snake, I didn't scream at all. (The lack of a scream, actually, brought a couple of neighbors over....they had been bracing themselves for the scream.)

Here are some action shots of the Snake Charmers and the hideousness heinousness that is the snake. (Note: the snake in the following shots is actually FAR BIGGER than it appears in the pictures!)

Yuck!!!

So sick!!!!

I'm gonna barf!!!!

The nightmares are already comin' on!!!

Why oh why, Eve, did you do it?

As I type, Allison and Ryan are fearlessly and valiantly delivering the snake to the nearby lake. Ewwwwww!!!!

I saw some "snake repellant" at Home Depot the other day. I think I'll be picking some up tomorrow.

YOURS

Check out this video of the fourth graders at Abby's school--Rocky Mountain Christian Academy. I'm crying a bit just watching it. So beautiful! It's definitely worth the watch. (And our friend/daughter/sister Morgan is one of the hands!)

She's walkin'! (action shots included)

As of today, Amelia is an official WALKER! She has toyed and flirted with the idea off and on for some time, but she has definitely made the move to the bi-ped mode.

These pictures are just so action-packed, and I'm such an amateur photographer, I know there are some occasional blurs. Just think of it as MOTION!

Now that Amelia is walking, life around here will never be the same, that's for sure!

(And yes, I was moving furniture today...hence the strange lack of stuff in places one would expect to see stuff.)