Hand-Powered Trike

It's been just way too long since we've posted anything. What can I say? We're busy, busy, enjoying summer to its fullest!

Elias has a great new toy! A few months ago, we found out about the Marine Corps League in Troy, NY giving away hand-powered tricycles to children. Apparently they raise funds and give these trikes to 3 lucky children each year. I contacted them right away and after lots of paperwork and phone calls back and forth, they picked Elias to receive the trike! This past weekend, the Marine Corps League was having a state-wide convention and they thought it'd be a good time for us to come and pick up the tricycle. So Elias and I drove to Syracuse (about 1.5 hours drive). I didn't really know what to expect and was surprised at what a big deal they made out of it. Two marines met us out front and showed me where to park then ushered me into the conference area. They called out for everyone to make room for us as we walked down the crowded hallway. The next thing I know, double doors swing open, our names are being announced, and 200 people give a standing ovation!

Now, this is TOTALLY Elias' kind of thing and he just ate it up. He took the hands of the marine and walked down the center aisle, just beaming at everyone. His red, shiny trike was at the end of the aisle and he kept saying, "It's my new bike! It's my new bike!" They put him in the seat and got him all buckled in then stepped back. And he started to pedal! He went up and down the center aisle a few times, just giddy with excitement. Because his leg doesn't have a knee, he isn't able to bend his leg and pedal any riding toys. His other friends are just now getting into these toys, and so now Elias has one of his own!

They asked me to speak so I got behind the podium and I almost got choked up. I mean, it's just a tricycle... but this is no ordinary tricycle! And just looking at all these retired marines and how proud they were to give this to Elias meant so much to me. I also couldn't help but think that not too long ago, his Ethiopian family would have never dreamed that Elias would have opportunities like this.

Elias drove his trike all the way out of the hotel, down a ramp and right to the back of the car. He didn't want to get off! On the way home I put down the passenger side visor and adjusted the mirror so that he could see the trike behind him. He kept an eye on it the whole way home!

Here are a few pictures of when he received the trike and then a short video of him learning how to ride it at home (in our neighbor's driveway).

Elias' Dedication

Elias was dedicated at church a few weeks ago. Since we don't have any family living here, we invited our closest Ethiopian and Eritrean friends. We were so honored to have them join us that day. Not everyone was around for the picture, but at least we got most of them. The women standing to my right and slightly behind me is Elias' babysitter. We are so blessed to have her come each week. Her presence in our lives, and especially Elias' life, has been a huge answer to prayer. We love you Tadi!

Camping Pictures

The camping trip was a ton of fun. We're already making plans to go back in just a few weeks. We didn't get much sleep that first night and all the adults were very weary and groggy that next morning. But we were so exhausted by the end of that second day that we all slept really soundly. Unfortunately Elias HATED the boat and cried the whole time we were out on the lake. Chase's dreams of him becoming an expert wake boarder at age 2 came crashing down. Oh well, there's always next year. :-)

Elias tries out his new sleeping bag. It is a mini air mattress and he was SO excited about it! Of course in the middle of the night in the tent he wasn't so excited about it (b/c my sleeping bag looked much more inviting to him).

He was even more excited when I showed him how he could fold it in half and use it as a chair.

First time to roast marshmallows. Chase showed Elias all his tricks.



Oh yum!
Fishing with Daddy.

Teenage affluenza

I saw this video on another blog . The video is well done and really gives a good perspective. We have so much to be thankful for.

Nothing new here

We haven't posted in a while b/c frankly life seems rather uninteresting lately. Of course we're busy from the moment my eyes open until they close late at night. And why is it that both take forever? My eyelids are heavier than cinder blocks when I want to wake up and lighter than a feather at night when I try to sleep. Argh!

The weather has been terrific here in Western NY which makes Elias thrilled about getting to wear poppy pants everyday. Even more thrilling is when everyone in the family is wearing poppy pants. He waves his arms and throws a little poppy pants party. This kid is a hoot.

Monster truck leg is thoroughly a part of Elias' self now. He wants it on immediately upon waking and doesn't want it off all day. He loves to walk! And stand. Dance. Jump. The other day he said his monster truck leg needed a bandaid. So we stuck one on there. He was so proud of that bandaid on his monster truck. But then we couldn't get it to peel off. It came off in tiny, tiny pieces that we're still finding all over the house. And no, I don't vacuum often.

Once I find my camera I'll post new pictures of recent going ons and some new video of Elias walking.

Oh, and this weekend we're going camping- with three 2-year-olds, one 3-year-old, and two 7-month-olds. Are we crazy? Absolutely!

One year ago- memories

Well, I was on a role there, posting a measly two days worth of pics and stories of our trip last year this time to Ethiopia. What happened? Life I guess. And a trip to NYC. Then Elias got sick. And Lulo is here. I actually spent quite a while describing our last several days in Ethiopia when I hit a wrong button and erased the entire thing. I was so frustrated about it that I just couldn't muster up the steam to write it all again. So... here are just the highlights of our trip, my strongest memories that linger in my mind today...

- We brought several toys with us to give to Elias. I really fretted over what he would most like to have. What was the winner? Bottle caps! We carried bottled water with us everywhere so we always had these great little magic toys on hand. He LOVED them and had at least 3-4 with him at all times in his fist and pockets.

- After that first day of crying, Elias woke up and smiled and then even laughed a little! It was the most wonderful feeling to finally see him happy and to think that maybe we hadn't just wrecked his whole little world. (Which obviously wasn't true but I was starting to think that way with how sad he was at first).
- Elias' first haircut was in Ethiopia at a hair salon, done by women (a team of 5) whom I suspect had never cut hair before. The scissors were duller than a plastic knife so they had to really hack at his hair. After it was all over (and we drew quite a crowd) we gathered around the grass strewn on top of the tiled floor and drank coffee together.
- Vomit. Lots of it, everytime Elias ate something.
- Diarrhea. Lots of it, all day long.
- Our day at AHOPE, an orphanage for children with HIV was life-changing, eye-opening. I'll never forget those sweet voices that gathered around us to sing their little hearts out. We had a great time at an amusement park with the youngest children, and we packed into a van with 22 of the kids and rode over an hour in a small van to get there, singing all the way.
- A trip to Sodere hot springs that I am SO glad we did. We saw a completely different way of life outside of the city. And best of all, Elias laughed and smiled for over an hour in the pool. He had gotten pretty weak by this point (lots of lingering illnesses, stress from this sudden new family and life, and he wasn't eating anything anymore). It was an exhausting and exhilirating trip.
- The old woman on her knees at the edge of the road in the middle of nowhere, dust blowing all around. Only after we drove by did I realize that she was begging for money. It took a long time to forgive myself for not asking the driver to stop and turn around.
- Raw meat hanging in the open windows of shops along the road. The Ethiopians eat it just like that- raw. Ugh.
- Meeting Elias' biological grandmother, uncle and aunt who cared for him for the first 11 months of his life. Their love for him was so tender and sweet. I honor the selfless, sacrificial love they have for him.

The memories of our experiences in Ethiopia have nestled into a special little spot in my mind. I love to visit there. Some days I make just a quick visit and smile warmly. Other days I stay a little longer and leave with tears in my eyes and an ache in my heart. Ethiopia is a place like no other. I have a constant feeling of unfinished business and pray often that God would show us what else He has for us there.

One year ago today:May 8, 2006 PICTURES

One year makes a HUGE difference! Here are some pictures comparing this day last year and today. And then a few of our pictures on our first day with Elias last year. (See the other post from today for the story).


First Family Picture 5/8/06















Family Self-Portrait today, 5/8/07

First time feeding Elias, 5/8/06

Eating with Elias today, 5/8/07 (We had injera to celebrate. Yum!)

Picture with caretaker who loved Elias
















Arrival home to the Guest House




















Walking with Dad, asleep in the carrier




















First bath