Dec. 27

I can hardly believe that we're already two days past Christmas! Isn't it still supposed to be September?!?

We have had a lovely week ~ no big outings or parties, except for the Christmas eve service at church. We quietly celebrated Christmas day at home, opening a few presents and the wonderful packages from family in Alberta.

Bereket was simply adorable... SO excited to have presents! His first gift from Alberta was a little photo album from Auntie Floria. He shut the world out as he looked carefully through it. He studied each page over and over while the rest of us continued with gifts. The photos were of the trip Berny and he had taken this past summer to Auntie Bev's wedding. Finally he re-emerged to open another gift, but he really treasures those pictures!

Miriam nearly wept with joy when she opened her gift from her Canadian cousin - THREE 'My Little Pet Shop ' boxes. What happiness!

Isaac is sporting 2 fancy cap guns and a spiffy sherrif badge from us. Funny... I didn't remember those things being quite that loud! [yes, I had one when I was little... but we'll save my tomboy childhood for another writing] Rules are: basement and outside only. He would have slept with the cap guns, except that Bern told him that real cowboys keep their guns hanging on the bedpost.
Ike did have a little trouble understanding the concept of a $15 gift limit ~ that some will get one big present worth about $15 (like the really cool magnetic dinosaur he got from his cousin), and others may get a few smaller gifts totalling about $15. Once we explained it thoroughly, it seemed to take care of his mild jealousy of his little brother's stack of loot.

Ellen set right to work with the craft supplies she was given, and we now have 2 pretty candles on the kitchen table. They provided the atmosphere for our Christmas dinner.

Anna was also excited about her art kit. She's watched Ellen receive similar things, and seemed quite happy that it was her turn for something so creatively inspiring.

Grace was just amazed to get a t-shirt imprinted with "Windriver" ... the mountain range she hiked in this summer with a group from church. She had amazing experiences including worship on the continental divide. The t-shirt will be a great reminder... how ever did that cousin know?...

We all miss our Canadian Slomps very much at this time of year, so the gift exchange with cousins and the extra goodies from Aunties/Uncles and Opa/Oma mean so much.

No word from Ethiopia yet. The agency is closed until Jan. 2, so I'm not expecting any word until after then. How long after, no one knows. We did get the chance to send out some letters with other travelling families with requests that they take photos of the girls. Hopefully the girls will send letters back to the states with the families as they return.
There was an 'incomplete' feeling this holiday. I often looked over the children and pictured three more among them.

The girl's bedroom is slowly coming together. All 7 will be in the same 'dorm room' with bunks. We're hoping to use cabinets instead of dressers to conserve floor space, and will be having a big clothing sort/pack away/give away to reduce the closet space needs of G, E, A, & M. We actually have a summer clothing list, called our "Practicality List" ~ each person is allowed just so many shirts, jeans, sweatshirts, etc. (the only person exempt is Dad) We need to sit down and make one for winter clothing this week.
I am anxious to see the bedroom all done, beds made and cabinets filled for Meron, Edelam, and Lideta. My Mom made new fleece blankets for them (which will travel with us if they fit) and found really cute teddy bears for their beds. Once the bunks are all assembled, I'll make the beds and take pictures to send out to the girls.