The most wonderful Surprise

I received a Christmas present from Ethiopia yesterday. I was so excited to receive the box-that it didn't matter what was inside of it. With eyes brimming with Tears I opened it- inside contained the most precious item!!! A silk piece of material with embroidered and beaded edges. On the material are the hand prints of the first few children to be sponsored by Hayel (the small non-profit I'm in the paperwork phase of opening). I was in tears!!!! Please enjoy the picture!!!

But that's not all- included also was the Berbere that my family makes so we can make Ethiopian food that tastes like what I had for the many months of living with them- and a hand made card (and photo) of a little girl named Kalkidan that I fell in love with while in country. The package flooded my mind and heart with memories as it even smelled like their home.

With joy bursting out of me- I close this post!
Hugs,
Kim

Happy Chinese New Year- the year of the OX

In all of the excitement of Den's birthday and getting ready for kiddos I almost missed that today is Chinese New Year. So- happy new year to you all!!

I have been celebrating Chinese New Year for most of my adult years- and can't believe I almost missed it! There are so many reasons to celebrate in our lives right at the moment- that it holiday snuck up on me-laugh. Den's a year older, the kiddos are coming sooner than later and wow- it's the year of the OX.

Being an Ox- I have been very excited about 2009 coming-not realizing of course at the time that it's also the year I'll become a parent. Hopefully this means that patience and good karma will be on my side-grin.

The Ox, is an animal that symbolizes calm, hard work, resolve and tenacity. It looks like we've got honest, candid year ahead. Obama being a great start to see through this prediction.

The Ox is the sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work. With the recession at hand I can't think of a better way then hard work- to see us through and back to plenty-although hopefully when we return there we will be a more environmentally aware government and people in support of plenty-grin..

As one might guess, such people are dependable, calm and modest. Like his animal namesake, the Ox is unswervingly patient, tireless in his work, and capable of enduring any amount of hardship without complaint.

The ox person needs peace and quiet to work through his/her ideas, and when he/she has set his/her mind on something it is hard for him/her to be convinced otherwise. The ox person has a very logical mind and is extremely systematic in whatever he/she does, in spite of a total lack of imagination. He/she can be very stubborn, and difficult to dissuade once he/she decides on something. These people speak little, but are intelligent, and when necessary, they are both articulate and eloquent.

The ox person is not extravagant, and the thought of living off credit cards or being in debt makes him/her nervous. The possibility of taking a serious risk could cause the ox person many sleepless nights. These people are truthful and sincere, and the idea of wheeling and dealing in a competitive world is distasteful to them. It would be right to mention that people born in the ox years are rarely driven by the prospect of financial gain. These people are always welcome because of their honesty and patience. They have many friends, who appreciate the fact that the ox people are rather introverted and wary of new trends, although every now and then they can be encouraged to try something new. It is important to remember that the ox people are sociable and relaxed when they feel secure, but occasionally a dark cloud looms over such person and he/she takes on the worries of the world and tries to find solutions.

Sounds like a perfect character to symbolize this year and move our world and economy in the direction it needs!

Happy Lunar New Year to you all!!
Hugs- KC

First Parenting lesson: Learning to Steal, Beg, Plead and rely on relatives

Okay-so everyone knows we got this call that said- hey, meet your kids.
But what people don't realize is that you really learn so little about them on this call.

So, as the "new and expecting" mom of 2 toddlers..... I start to wonder about clothing them??? I'm certain the neighbors have already had images of my two little ones running up and down the streets in diapers... "yup-that's the Calderone's kids" -ha ha.

So- I went into Babies r us- (please see other post)- and staggered around the clothing a little bit- first ohhing and ahhhing over the cute little outfits-then - pondered the sizes.. having no Idea what to buy. Then I picked up an outfit-and this white tag was like diamonds- sparkling- I swear I heard it say "take me"... so, I did-I ripped the little sizing chart right off the outfit- yes everyone- I stole - my heart pounding. It was exhilarating! I was finally going to know what sizes to buy our children...Feeling dark and menacing (carrying an innocent grin).. I had officially crossed over to the other side- I'm a thief. So, I looked both ways- Sweating a little bit-I made for the exit with "my" beautiful little chart .

I justified it by saying to myself- the person who buys this isn't going to need this little tag-After-all don't most people know what size clothes their kids wear????

So- I rush home with much excitement -proudly showing Denis over and over again, along with dancing around the room with my little "lifted" sizing sheet. I explained to Denis the rush I got out of leaving the store with it. We hurried into the referral paperwork and wow- it indicates that Debritu is in Size 12 months- WHAT- 12 months- are you serious... wow-she's little. Then Habtamu is wearing 2T wait- he's like 3.2 years old. OMG- we sit back and ponder -reality sits in a bit....

Then we ohh and ahh over the fact that we know what sizes they might be. I run upstairs to see what we have in that size in the closets -hmmm- the barren and empty closet-we have nothing-so we rush out to Target- giddy like- saying- look this is about how tall Habtamu is and how small Debritu is.... but how big will they be when we get them? How fast will they grow??

We come to the realization- that we need to have in Boys- 2T (a few), 3T and 4T's. and in Girls- 12Mo (a few), 18mo , and 24mo ... you look at the price tags and your heart starts pounding- we can't do this- they really are going to be running up and down the street in their diapers....

Solution-I've discovered relatives (god send-Thank you B!!!), the Children's Orchard , and yes folks: FreeCycle. All of which work very well and I highly recommend both stealing a little sizing chart (Sheepish grin) and trying out all of the above avenues.




Of course, that then allows you to ohh, ahh and actually purchase those few precious items- you just can't live with out (BIG TOOTH EATING GRIN)....

My first precious little purchase for Debritu:
signed- your little thief