Happy Easter!

Whistler

Tonight as we finished dinner, I was cleaning up and saw something large and fluffy running across our patio. I thought that is a huge dog that is loose and running for his life! It was a baby black bear, and it was so fun to see. After all our travels last year, we had never seen a bear. The neighbors had about 8 people in the hot tub, and he cruised on thru. Too fast for a picture!

We have had a great trip, and have spent alot of time swimming. Sami and Tsion are excited to go home and show off to their teacher. We have spent some time in the village, which is interesting with 4 kids. Most people here have 1 and MAYBE 2. We definitely stand out. :)

Hopefully we make it across the border home, with all of our documents to show!

Lotsa Lotsa

I have three pairs of earrings. A pair of $6 diamonds, silver hoops, and some from Norway from my gma. The other day Sami looked at my ears and he said "lotsa lotsa" earrings. I said no, I only have three. He said in America, everybody lotsa lotsa everything... Ethiopia (they pronounce it Etopia) No lotsa lotsa. Living in America for two months, I am surprised that it finally came out when he looked at my earrings. But when he said that I thought.....I am so tired of Lotsa Lotsa.

Your Name

I had mentioned that Tsion prays by song some nights. Her first and favorite song she learned in America is Your Name by Phillips, Craig and Dean. Here is the chorus that she sings and you can hear the song here.
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This has been her song of choice lately, and she has to "sing it to God" and that means staring at the ceiling. :)

Your Name is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name is a shelter like no other
Your Name, let the nations sing it louder
Cause nothing has the power to save But Your Name

*Proverbs 18:10 (New International Version) 10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
*Psalm 61:2-4 (New International Version) 2 From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. 4 I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.

Favorite Sayings

These are the latest favorite sayings from Sami and Tsion:

*Holy Cow!
*Awesome
*Oh my goodness
*"for" (poor!) mommy
*Yup
*So sully (silly)

Tsion started saying "kidding me" When she first said it I thought she was saying "cutie me" I was thinking oh boy, we have our work cut out!

Another thing we are working on is the stranger vs friends and family. They are still intrigued by the UPS trucks and the mailman. It is not unusual for her to stand on the porch and tell the person that delivers the packages bye and I love you. She did catch the Wal Mart clerk off guard the other day saying thank you, I Love You! :)

Whistler! Spring Break 07

Just when you think you will never get another invitation due to your 4 children......A committee member of Lance's (thanks Tom J.!) offered his condo at Whistler to us for the week. It is beautiful! We came to relax for the week, swim, hot tub and just be together. Today it snowed a bit, and the kids had a great time in the hot tub....Great Gpa, notice who has the ball!

This trip only took 10 hours. :) But we had a great lunch at Pan-Africa, on 1st and Pike in Seattle, and an extended border crossing due to the Ethiopian passports.......When we were being "asked" what they were going to do here, Tsion said she was going to the Eye Dr. to get glasses. I had to explain to her we would go to see Dr. Brase when we got home (all the boys went, and Sami is waiting for his glasses, she is jealous)!

Swimming Lessons

Sami and Tsion have begun to learn how to swim. In Ethiopia they swam for the first time at the Hilton one day, and they were very cautious! Even being immersed in the tub was an experience for them. Zach and Josh are great swimmers, and they are anxious to catch up. They love their first "teacher" in America, and practice her name on the way to lessons.

Ste-pha-nie. :)