The M.O.R.E. Project

You are probably wondering what this title means...well, first I'll give you a bit of background...If you know me, you know I love anything kids!! I also Love anything that has to do with helping someone.......
especially, yep, you've got it...KID'S!! So, really for quite some time now, I've been searching for a way I can make a difference in childrens lives...yes, we did adopt two precious little guys into our family...brought them home July 18th, 2010..to be exact...but I don't want to stop there...I want to do MORE!! Having seen the significant need while in Ethiopia...I simply cannot get them, their lives, their country off of my mind...And well, I consider that a good or I should say a "GOD" thing!! Anyhow, I've been praying for an outlet that God might use me & my love for children...and that's where the M.O.R.E. Project comes in....The MORE Project stands for"Monavie Operation Rescue!" Now some of you might recognize the word.."Monavie!" And you are probably thinking...oh,c'mon...that's another one of those network marketing scams...Stop right there....go to your computer & type in http://www.themoreproject.org/ What you are about to read & discover should make you want to do something!! For me & my family, this means that we will be sharing our lives with people, sharing the love of Christ, sharing the unlimited possibilities with the Monavie Company...better health & better wealth( yes, I would like my husband to not work soooo much, so that we could have more family time!!)So, if this an avenue where I can bring people health, weath, and the amazing More Project...why wouldn't I?? Their mission states:The MORE Project seeks to change lives & restore families living in poverty in Brazil.MORE adheres to a philosophy of love & compassion to support those whom society has left behind.We focus on providing individuals with skills,resources, and support so they can free themselves & their families FOREVER from the cycle of poverty & begin new lives filled with HOPE,HEALTH & DIGNITY!! Well, it doesn't end there...I DARE you to take a close peek...what you find will surprise you...and it doesnt end with that...you will find yourself getting healthier, wealthier (and not just monetarily speaking...) & helping people in need!! I've been reading the "shack", and I found a good quote...GROWTH is CHANGE & CHANGE CAN BE RISKY!! Lord, I want to continue to change, I don't want to be comfortable, I have seen first hand what these 3rd world countries endure, & Lord, Let me be your hands & feet...whether it be by educating people on The MORE PROJECT, Leading a mission trip, or by spreading your love...Thank you for loving me. Amen. xo kristen I'm hoping & believing that the MORE PROJECT will be developed in Ethiopia!!!  p.s. if you have any further questions about the MORE PROJECT or MONAVIE..please call me or leave me a msg under comments & I will get back to you!!  Also, I will be having a meeting at my house on Saturday, November 13th @ 1:00..so, for those of you that live in the Bismarck/Mandan area...Please come and here about how you can help the people of Brazil!!!    

orphan sunday...Nov. 7th,2010

As we were sitting at the counter this morning, I couldn't help but think that a year ago...We as a family were thinking & praying for our children & siblings across the world..fully aware that they were in fact orphans.... I am thankful that each & every night, Ageze & Tesfa are able to experience our good-night kisses, prayers, and overall..A FAMILY THAT LOVES THEM! Are YOU that family?? Quite a few months ago, I put this above link on my blog.. http://www.hopeisfading.org/ if you have never taken the time to watch this quick snip...please DO NOW!!(don't forget to mute my music on the right sidebar of my blog!) And then, as a family, pray how God might use YOU in bringing HOPE to an orphan!!!   Here's a quick peek at what LOVE can do for a child...
                                                             xo kristen

which would you choose?????

 injera, queen of sheba salad, & some yummy looking other dish?????...or.........

                       macaroni & cheese!!!!!!!

    once they saw injera, macaroni was toast!!!

Can you tell they enjoyed it!! Thanks Ashlie!!!!
                                 xo kristen

how are they doing???

Thought you all might be interested as to how Ageze & Tesfa are doing...let's see...They are both speaking very good english..like, I mean crazy good!! I can't believe how quickly they have learned this!! We still hear a few amharic words, here & there...which I love, but it has definitely become less, especially with Tesfa. One of the most commonly used words that we still hear in amharic is..."shinty" which means potty, or pee..They are both really starting to grasp that we don't always speak in 3rd person...Tesfa just came up to me & said..."Pleasie helpie me!!" See, it's coming!! Almost every word we hear ends in an -ie!! I am so impressed at how well they are doing...I never imagined that after being home for only 3 1/2 months, that we would be telling of so much progress...I mean, I knew they were smart & all, I just didn't expect their english to be going so well!! Can you tell I'm a proud momma!! They both sleep through the night, and about 6:30 in the a.m. we usually hear their little feet, walking to the bathroom..once finished, they walk back to their room and close the door...no more sleep, just a bit of chattering till 7:00!! Ageze loves taking showers in the a.m..that boy loves water!!! Tesfa, well, he's not as keen on the idea..but once Ageze is in..Tesfa jumps on in!! What are their fave foods, you ask??? Well, yesterday..Ageze said pasta!! Tesfa..he's up for anything!! The one thing they haven't been nuts about is ice cream...it must be too cold!!! They would much rather have food at room temp..or as Ageze says.."little coldie"...They both love playing with cars, dolls, coloring, watching cartoons, going to storytime at the library & anything else that involves momma watching them, or playing alongside!! It seems crazy that a year ago we weren't even on the waitlist yet...and here we are now, a family of 6!!! (soon to be 8, according to Kate!!) Yes, she's hoping & praying to even things out a bit!!
                                                  xo kristen...

say what????

This just makes me giggle...when someone asks me what our youngest two's names are..that's what i get....SAY WHAT???? and, don't think it offends me...it just makes me giggle a bit...then they will try and say it, and I've heard things as far off as..."did you say frank??" Ok, not that exact name,but you get the idea!!... They really arent that difficult...Ageze is pronounced..Ah.guh.zay,not to bad right?? And Tesfa is ...basically how it is spelled...Tes.fuh..that's it!! And  just in case you have wondered...we are planning on keeping their Ethiopian names...we have thought about giving them american middle names, but I'm even unsure about that....the first two weeks of being home, Ageze would call Tesfa..Toby!! I quickly realized they heard it off of "Alvin & the  chipmunks...Which made me then think, hmm....maybe they would prefer being called something a bit more "american"...but "Toby" came & went, and now we are back to Tesfa!! So, I feel confident sticking with their birth names...that's clearly who they are!!! Feel free to leave me your opinions,comments or suggestions on renaming older children!! Would love to hear your feedback!! xo kristen .....p.s. a funny from Tesfa (our 2 1/2 yr old) while in  wisconsin, we were starting a bonfire, and he said..."Nala(our dog) comie on!!!...puppy eat, mama..fire(pointing to the fire!!) So, he has obviously seen fried puppies!! Not our Nala though!!!

ThE bARn:)

This past weekend we drove up to northern Minnesota/Wisconsin, and enjoyed a weekend of fun with Kasey's side of the family!!! We rented a huge, beautiful barn...full of games, movies, food, wood-burning fireplace...and even a wood burning hot tub/sauna!! We truly had a very nice weekend, and can't wait to do it again!! Our days were spent, hiking, playing games, hot-tubbing, movie-watching, hiking some more, cooking, sitting by the fire...and enjoying family:) Thanks Gilliss Gang for all of the fun memories:)
 p.s. sorry about the excess of pix...hope to someday make this into a memory album:)   xo kristen