Summer Fun

This summer has started off with a swirl of activity! We are spending this summer busy as usual, but also taking time to relax and just catch up a bit! This summer we are learning new chores and passing down chores to younger siblings. (For example, Luke, Ben, and Grace are getting more practice at caring for Bella and cleaning bathrooms. Jacob, Caleb, and Isaac have taken over trash chores and some of the sweeping!) Each day of the week I have set aside the day for one of our children to help me with laundry and cooking. They love this one on one time with me!

Bella also has enjoyed spending more time indoors to get out of the heat during the summer.

At the beginning of June, Gracie took part in her third ballet recital. This year her studio put on The Beauty and the Beast, and Gracie's class were feather dusters!

We are so proud of our baby girl! Caleb and Isaac stayed home with a babysitter but are still proud of their big sister too!

The next week in June was our second year to participate in a local track and field "Runners Camp." It was Jacob's first year to be old enough to participate with the big kids!

While the older four were at camp, Caleb and Isaac had some special time alone with Mommy! We played at a jump house, the pool, and just spent time together reading books and enjoying each others company!

Friday during camp is the "field" portion of their track and field meet. They get to participate in long jump, shot put, discus,  or javelin.

Gracie got 1st place in shot put!

On Saturday AM we cheered them on during the track portion of the meet!

We are so proud of how hard all four of them worked all week long. It was incredibly hot, and a long week, but they did awesome! Jacob is all heart and so much fun to watch!

Gracie, our "gazelle" won 2nd place in the 100m dash and 5th place in the 100 hurdles!

Ben got 4th place in 100m dash, and 2nd in the 400m!

Luke got 6th for hurdles and 5th for 100m dash!

Caleb and Isaac participated in the sibling run too!

Caleb ran with Ben and Isaac decided he was big enough to run on his own!

It was a long hot week, but they all did such a great job!

This summer Aunt Kam introduced us to STEM reads. This is a monthly subscription box that arrives with several books and an activity centered around a STEM theme. This month was Fairground Fysics and we had a blast! We read books about the inventor of the Ferris Wheel and about the science behind amusement park rides and food! Then we got to put into action what we leaned about Newton's laws of motion by creating our own mini roller coaster! So much fun, and hours of entertaining learning at its best! At one point there was a quote from a book about Isaac Newton being a very smart man. Ben leaned over and asked our Isaac if he was a very smart man? Isaac grinned, put one finger in the air and replied, "No, I'm a genius!" LOL!

It has already been a very busy summer!

Nine Years

Nine years ago today, the Lord blessed our family with two sons! The God who knows every hair on our head, and every thought before we think it, had a plan for two precious little boys thousands of miles away. Before we even saw their first pictures, or knew their names, our hearts were already inexplicably interwoven with theirs. Then, when we first saw these initial pictures of a sweet dimpled grin and rosy soft cheeks, we knew we would never be the same.

Several months later, and thousands of prayers later, we held these precious treasures in our arms for the first time. The enormous weight of first time parenting combined with all the uncertainties of attachment and language barriers brought us to our knees even more than before. 

Today we were able to celebrate this special anniversary with our boys by taking them out to eat dinner at a local Ethiopian restaurant. It is their favorite place to eat. The owners are beyond kind, and although it has been two years since we have visited that particular restaurant, the owners remembered us and all came over to welcome us back and treat the boys like celebrities! :) They love that the boys still adore the foods of their cultural heritage.

Luke and Ben even got to enjoy some traditional Ethiopian coffee! I don't know if they loved the coffee....or just the idea that they were allowed to drink such strong coffee so late in the evening!

Still, now nine years later, we are still learning what it means to parent and nurture these gifts, Luke and Ben. We are far from perfect. We rely on God's grace and model of how He loves us as his children, adopted into His family. Thank you Lord for the gift of our sons Luke Mirtus and Benjamin Mihereteb nine years ago today!

A February wrap up

Here is a wrap up of non-school related Morgan happenings for February!

The first weekend in February Gracie and Daddy went to the Father Daughter Promise Ball at church. Gracie looks forward to this date with Daddy all year long.

Ben had a football themed birthday party for his 10th birthday!

On the actual day of his birthday we took all the kids for the first time to a movie theater to see the Lego Batman movie!

Ben got a Pogo-ball from Grandma and Grandpa! Perfect for this active kid, and boy does it bring back memories of my childhood!

 In other news.....Gracie broke the top of her foot near her toes while playing with her brothers. She did not want to wear the protective boot until I convinced her that she would never be able to do pointe ballet on her toes if her foot did not heal properly! She was convinced after that, although it has not slowed her down a bit!