P'od about the Oil leak!!!!

I am getting more and more upset about the continuous Oil leak in the gulf.  


Why is it that we have to hear for months about Edward's affair with some woman (when 4 out of 5 marriages don't make it- is that really news people) and Angelina and Brad's life (exciting-sure, but enough already)-but the pollution of our seas and the damage and clean up that comes with it-is simply highlighted with concerns over "toursim"... good god!  People think.. Eco-Clean up trips!!!! Calling-Clean Oceans, Calling all of the www.ecotourism.com companies.. hell calling anyone that will listen...please let's get started!!!!


Think solutions people... Please think solutions...The BP oil giant obviously needs help- not just finger pointing and criticism.. but really honest to goodness help. Together let's save the gulf for goodness sake and news anchors and gov't, fishermen, cruise companies...etc..etc... can persecute the crap out of them later!!!!  


GRRRRRRRR.......

Ethiopia has recognized - Haile Kids aid organization as an NGO

Ethiopia has recognized - Haile Kids aid organization as an NGO.  This is a very long process in Ethiopia ( go Eldana!)  It's been a couple of years now-but Haile is slowly happening!!!!!  Haile means power in Amharic.  We chose Haile as the name because there is no more important power in a child or adults life than the type of power that education can provide. 


Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.. one wish upon a star answered!  Now it's time to ramp up the US side of this project baby- hang in there!

LemLem School - has a new website!!

Many of you have seen pictures of my trips to Ethiopia. Those touching photos of the children smiling up at you, the ever enthusiastic teachers and of course the pictures from my trips with the daughter of the owner of the school.  It is Lem Lem and my months there that made me fall completely in love with Ethiopia.  


I'm so excited to announce that now I can share that love with you!!  One of the recent volunteers created a new website for the school!


Please Visit this website....pass it on to your friends and family..etc etc....


http://web.me.com/lemlemschool/Site/Tena_Yistiling!.html


If you are moved and or find yourself interested in volunteering,  or visiting the school while on another trip-and learning what a day in a school age child is like, if you would like to sponsor a student in need of subsidies or would just simply like to know more about the school itself- contact me at kbrus@yahoo.com and I'll put you in touch with the owner of the school. 

Catcher, Hitter, Out-Fielder and 3rd Basement...all in a days work

Pictures.. our month away with family..

Here are a bunch of pictures from our trip: There are a bunch of folders- all on the family 2010 webpage.

http://fendesha.shutterfly.com/family2010

It was an amazing journey.... there are so many pictures- it's difficult to choose...

3500 miles of Amazing moments

3500 miles from here to there and back again. This trip that was more difficult in ways I hadn't imagined (lost cell phone and connections) and easier in ways that I had thought would be difficult (puking in car-driving late into the night).

We met the most amazing and inspiring people (E), saw exciting things- like a giant T-Rex Dinosaur and Mommy got all excited over the Wright Brothers and Amelia Erhart's airplanes. We got upclose and personal with Florida's wildlife (no I don't mean my relatives but good guess- ha ha).

Mama was pushed to discover things she could do- like drive a boat and ride a huge bike in Disney pedestrian traffic- phew- thank goodness I was running again before we left. We went down water-slides both in-doors and outdoors, became expert PB and J sandwich makers-laugh. We broke little rules here and there- we laughed at our mistakes and enjoyed our triumphs. We tossed some of our goals in the air and were very thankful for some small but miraculous moments.

In my rediscovery of the USA I discovered something I hadn't expected to -I discovered that I really love my kids-and they love me too. Not that love at first site love that I once had for them and the people I thought they would be-but I mean after 1 seriously difficult year for all of us- I've fallen in love with who they are. Being a mom still doesn't come naturally to me and it may be something that never does-but I can now distinguish the difference between my concerns and insecurities about motherhood and my love for my children.