This video starts with the Holiday season in 2007 and moves in time through 2008. It takes you through primary season, Easter, to Upstate NY, Lake City CO, Scotland, Atlanta, DC, NYC, back to Upstate NY and ends at home in Colorado with Thanksgiving and Christmas 2008. We had visitors from Denmark and Germany. We had an uncle show up three times in Denver and once in Scotland! We added a new baby to our extended family. Michael and Phoebe are learning Chinese at their school, Maddie has been in 3 plays- one in Scotland at the Fringe festival. Cal has played Soccer and started his film making program in middle school. Yabsera continues to make us laugh and shower us with his affection. Emily had a big surprise birthday party and friends and relatives came from far away to be with her. We feel very blessed by all of our friends and family.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Friday, September 05, 2008
Peace Train!
This is the DNC as seen through the eyes of the Barr family. We marched with Iraqi War Veterans, we participated in the Interfaith Service, Visited a replica of a Guantanamo Bay Prison cell with Amnesty International, listened to music at the Green convention, watched Hillary at the MSNBC Live outdoor studios at Union Station where Mark was interviewed by Chris Matthews, Participated in Tent State University and finally we were eye witnesses to Barack Obama's Acceptance as the Nominee for President of the United States of America. It was an amazing ride on the peace train for the whole family!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Drought In Wolaitta
Wolaitta is where M and Y are from. My friend just came back from there and it looked very bleak.
http://www.ifrc.org/Docs/News/pr08/5308.asp
International Red Cross, Switzerland
Ethiopia: drought victims increase as situation worsens
20 August 2008
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is launching a revised emergency appeal for 8.1 million Swiss francs (US$ 7.9 million / € 5 million) to support the Ethiopian Red Cross Society in assisting more than 76,000 people severely affected by drought in the southern Wolaiyta region.
Over the next six months, the Red Cross will provide emergency food and relief assistance, early recovery activities including improvement of access to safe water, and hygiene promotion.
The operation, which was launched in May to help some 40,000 people in Damot Pulasa, has now been extended to respond to the needs of an additional 36,000 villagers in neighbouring Damot Gale.
“Over the past two months the situation has worsened and living conditions have deteriorated. People have exhausted all their resources and are unable to feed themselves. We must step up our response,” says Lorenzo Violante, IFRC’s drought operations manager in Addis Ababa.
Food prices have risen by 330 per cent after a year of adverse climatic events. Floods in 2007 and water logging caused by the Meher rains destroyed most of the maize, millet, wheat, haricot and teff root crops. Failure of the Sapian, an extension of the Meher rains, has accentuated the crisis, and the 2008 failure of the Belg rains has resulted in catastrophic food insecurity and water shortages.
In Damota Pulasa, nearly half of the 54 hand-dug wells and 13 of the 39 shallow wells are out of operation. As a result, people must walk long distances to fetch water and the health of the population - particularly that of children aged under five years and of pregnant women and lactating mothers - is at risk.
“There are more than 16,000 acutely malnourished children in Damot Gale and Damot Pulasa, of whom 1,614 receive intensive care in therapeutic centres across the two regions. The situation can only deteriorate if we are not able to intervene efficiently,” warns Fasika Kebede, Secretary General of the Ethiopian Red Cross.
The Ethiopian Red Cross operation is designed to complement support from the government and other humanitarian organizations helping the families of children being treated in the therapeutic centres.
Food and seed distributions are underway in the two regions but more help is needed. The revised appeal will allow the procurement and distribution of 10,000 sheep as well as agricultural tools to prevent further damage to people’s livelihoods.
Longer term needs will be addressed through the IFRC’s Africa Food Security Initiative, a five-year plan covering 15 countries – including Ethiopia – which will develop food security programmes.
____________________
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/rosemary_righter/article4568457.ece
The Times, UK
http://www.ifrc.org/Docs/News/
International Red Cross, Switzerland
Ethiopia: drought victims increase as situation worsens
20 August 2008
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is launching a revised emergency appeal for 8.1 million Swiss francs (US$ 7.9 million / € 5 million) to support the Ethiopian Red Cross Society in assisting more than 76,000 people severely affected by drought in the southern Wolaiyta region.
Over the next six months, the Red Cross will provide emergency food and relief assistance, early recovery activities including improvement of access to safe water, and hygiene promotion.
The operation, which was launched in May to help some 40,000 people in Damot Pulasa, has now been extended to respond to the needs of an additional 36,000 villagers in neighbouring Damot Gale.
“Over the past two months the situation has worsened and living conditions have deteriorated. People have exhausted all their resources and are unable to feed themselves. We must step up our response,” says Lorenzo Violante, IFRC’s drought operations manager in Addis Ababa.
Food prices have risen by 330 per cent after a year of adverse climatic events. Floods in 2007 and water logging caused by the Meher rains destroyed most of the maize, millet, wheat, haricot and teff root crops. Failure of the Sapian, an extension of the Meher rains, has accentuated the crisis, and the 2008 failure of the Belg rains has resulted in catastrophic food insecurity and water shortages.
In Damota Pulasa, nearly half of the 54 hand-dug wells and 13 of the 39 shallow wells are out of operation. As a result, people must walk long distances to fetch water and the health of the population - particularly that of children aged under five years and of pregnant women and lactating mothers - is at risk.
“There are more than 16,000 acutely malnourished children in Damot Gale and Damot Pulasa, of whom 1,614 receive intensive care in therapeutic centres across the two regions. The situation can only deteriorate if we are not able to intervene efficiently,” warns Fasika Kebede, Secretary General of the Ethiopian Red Cross.
The Ethiopian Red Cross operation is designed to complement support from the government and other humanitarian organizations helping the families of children being treated in the therapeutic centres.
Food and seed distributions are underway in the two regions but more help is needed. The revised appeal will allow the procurement and distribution of 10,000 sheep as well as agricultural tools to prevent further damage to people’s livelihoods.
Longer term needs will be addressed through the IFRC’s Africa Food Security Initiative, a five-year plan covering 15 countries – including Ethiopia – which will develop food security programmes.
____________________
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/
The Times, UK
Friday, July 04, 2008
As We Celebrate our Freedom
One of the many things that freedom for centuries affords is access to state of the art health care, education, good public transportation, jobs, housing, and did I say education? and the right to worship the God you choose to worship wherever and with whomever. As the saying goes "it is our God given right to choose.." But so many of the worlds population who suffer from living
with HIV, either in their own bodies or in the bodies of their loved ones, did not choose that. And even though there are many many organizations and hospitals and wonderful people working hard in the trenches of arguably this Earth's greatest battle, they continue to meet major road blocks, like what is discussed in the article below. I am currently reading Red Letters: Living a Faith that Bleeds which was given to me by my freind who founded the organization From HIV to Home. (Which I cannot say enough good things about.) (And I will...in another post.) If you ever thought that doing something about the HIV/AIDS Pandemic was just not your thing, or if you wondered what you could do to make a difference, I suggest you read this book.
Here is the article I woke up to on this Independence Day...which by the way- is a glorious day for these hostages freed in Columbia after 5 years...after you read this article I leave you with the video of the freed hostages...lest we forget some of the amazing things we should be thankful for this 4th of July.
Quarter of Ethiopia AIDS patients have stopped drugs
Tue 24 Jun 2008
ADDIS ABABA - Over a quarter of Ethiopia's HIV/AIDS patients on drugs are not taking their medicine because of logistical problems but also due to religious beliefs, the head of a treatment body said on Tuesday.
Over 40,000 of Ethiopia's 156,360 HIV/AIDS patients on the life-prolonging medication have discontinued treatment "due to problems of transportation to hospitals," said Dr Ygeremu Abebe, the director of the Clinton Foundation in Ethiopia.
Some however stopped taking the anti-retroviral medicine on the prompting of religious leaders who encouraged them to take "holy water" instead, he said.
"Lack of awareness of serious health problem for patients who discontinue treatment could also be considered a reason," Ygeremu told a workshop on the disease.
Some 20 percent of 7,000 children with the illness have also stopped medication, he said.
Last year, the head of Ethiopia's Orthodox Church told about 5,000 faithful, most of who were infected, that they should combine the free drugs -- provided under U.S. President George W. Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief -- with the holy water.
With more than 1.7 million people living with HIV/AIDS, Ethiopia is one of the countries in the world most affected by the epidemic, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Infections in the country are predominantly in urban areas but have in the last several years spread to rural centres all over the country, where 85 percent of Ethiopia's 81 million people live, according to WHO.
And here is something to rejoice about..
with HIV, either in their own bodies or in the bodies of their loved ones, did not choose that. And even though there are many many organizations and hospitals and wonderful people working hard in the trenches of arguably this Earth's greatest battle, they continue to meet major road blocks, like what is discussed in the article below. I am currently reading Red Letters: Living a Faith that Bleeds which was given to me by my freind who founded the organization From HIV to Home. (Which I cannot say enough good things about.) (And I will...in another post.) If you ever thought that doing something about the HIV/AIDS Pandemic was just not your thing, or if you wondered what you could do to make a difference, I suggest you read this book.Here is the article I woke up to on this Independence Day...which by the way- is a glorious day for these hostages freed in Columbia after 5 years...after you read this article I leave you with the video of the freed hostages...lest we forget some of the amazing things we should be thankful for this 4th of July.
Quarter of Ethiopia AIDS patients have stopped drugs
Tue 24 Jun 2008
ADDIS ABABA - Over a quarter of Ethiopia's HIV/AIDS patients on drugs are not taking their medicine because of logistical problems but also due to religious beliefs, the head of a treatment body said on Tuesday.
Over 40,000 of Ethiopia's 156,360 HIV/AIDS patients on the life-prolonging medication have discontinued treatment "due to problems of transportation to hospitals," said Dr Ygeremu Abebe, the director of the Clinton Foundation in Ethiopia.
Some however stopped taking the anti-retroviral medicine on the prompting of religious leaders who encouraged them to take "holy water" instead, he said.
"Lack of awareness of serious health problem for patients who discontinue treatment could also be considered a reason," Ygeremu told a workshop on the disease.
Some 20 percent of 7,000 children with the illness have also stopped medication, he said.
Last year, the head of Ethiopia's Orthodox Church told about 5,000 faithful, most of who were infected, that they should combine the free drugs -- provided under U.S. President George W. Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief -- with the holy water.
With more than 1.7 million people living with HIV/AIDS, Ethiopia is one of the countries in the world most affected by the epidemic, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Over a million adults and children have died in Ethiopia in the last two decades from AIDS.
Infections in the country are predominantly in urban areas but have in the last several years spread to rural centres all over the country, where 85 percent of Ethiopia's 81 million people live, according to WHO.
And here is something to rejoice about..
Monday, June 30, 2008
Goodbye Mr. Kline
My sweet friend Heidi Wilson lost her dad last night. He was diagnosed on June 1st with small cell lung cancer. At first they had some hope that he might live a couple of years. Later they were told 6 months to a year. He died last night just hours before he was to have his first dose of chemotherapy. He was an amazing father and a generous and spirited grandpa- and today many of us who have grown to love Heidi like our own sister weep with her. Her Dad left her before they all had a chance to say goodbye- they all thought they had more time. The only consolation is that he is free from his bodily pain and suffering, but the Wilson's are sad and confused as they try and sleep tonight. Say a prayer for my dear friend and call your dads and moms to say you love them if you are blessed to have them still with you.
Here is Heidi's blog where you can take a walk through their life for a few minutes if you like.
Heidi used CWA like me and her daughter arrived in Addis at the Care center just one day before I arrived and she was the talk of all the staff- the loved her and kept saying how unique and special and fun she was. I wished I could have met her when we traveled- that would have been really special as Heidi and I have become such good friends over the last two years.
Here is Heidi's blog where you can take a walk through their life for a few minutes if you like.
Heidi used CWA like me and her daughter arrived in Addis at the Care center just one day before I arrived and she was the talk of all the staff- the loved her and kept saying how unique and special and fun she was. I wished I could have met her when we traveled- that would have been really special as Heidi and I have become such good friends over the last two years.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Take a few minutes to watch
A good freind of mine sent me this link- these videos - though heart wrenching- will hopefully open your eyes to say "What can I do?" We have so much.
Make sure to watch the
"Orphans of Nkandla" and the "Yellow Dress"
"Orphans of Nkandla" and the "Yellow Dress"
Sunday, June 08, 2008
You had me at "Well..."
Here is the link to my mom's blogpost about Hillary's speech yesterday- which was an amazing and historic speech- if you missed it you should take some time to watch it- with your children...so they can say they remember the time when we had a woman and an African American man who were at one time this close to the top job in the country. My thoughts about the speech can be found on my mom's blog because I emailed her yesterday what I thought about it. Here is the speech. I would like to know your thoughts on this as well.
...and if you don't want to watch all of it- but want to read the last half- the best part- the part I will never forget watching alone on my family room couch...you can read it here:
...and if you don't want to watch all of it- but want to read the last half- the best part- the part I will never forget watching alone on my family room couch...you can read it here:
From HRC's speech June 7, 2008 Washington DC
"Now, on a personal note – when I was asked what it means to be a woman running for President, I always gave the same answer: that I was proud to be running as a woman but I was running because I thought I’d be the best President. But I am a woman, and like millions of women, I know there are still barriers and biases out there, often unconscious.
I want to build an America that respects and embraces the potential of every last one of us.
I ran as a daughter who benefited from opportunities my mother never dreamed of. I ran as a mother who worries about my daughter’s future and a mother who wants to lead all children to brighter tomorrows. To build that future I see, we must make sure that women and men alike understand the struggles of their grandmothers and mothers, and that women enjoy equal opportunities, equal pay, and equal respect. Let us resolve and work toward achieving some very simple propositions: There are no acceptable limits and there are no acceptable prejudices in the twenty-first century.
You can be so proud that, from now on, it will be unremarkable for a woman to win primary state victories, unremarkable to have a woman in a close race to be our nominee, unremarkable to think that a woman can be the President of the United States. And that is truly remarkable.
To those who are disappointed that we couldn’t go all the way – especially the young people who put so much into this campaign – it would break my heart if, in falling short of my goal, I in any way discouraged any of you from pursuing yours. Always aim high, work hard, and care deeply about what you believe in. When you stumble, keep faith. When you’re knocked down, get right back up. And never listen to anyone who says you can’t or shouldn’t go on.
As we gather here today in this historic magnificent building, the 50th woman to leave this Earth is orbiting overhead. If we can blast 50 women into space, we will someday launch a woman into the White House.
Although we weren’t able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, thanks to you, it’s got about 18 million cracks in it. And the light is shining through like never before, filling us all with the hope and the sure knowledge that the path will be a little easier next time. That has always been the history of progress in America.
Think of the suffragists who gathered at Seneca Falls in 1848 and those who kept fighting until women could cast their votes. Think of the abolitionists who struggled and died to see the end of slavery. Think of the civil rights heroes and foot-soldiers who marched, protested and risked their lives to bring about the end to segregation and Jim Crow.
Because of them, I grew up taking for granted that women could vote. Because of them, my daughter grew up taking for granted that children of all colors could go to school together. Because of them, Barack Obama and I could wage a hard fought campaign for the Democratic nomination. Because of them, and because of you, children today will grow up taking for granted that an African American or a woman can yes, become President of the United States.
When that day arrives and a woman takes the oath of office as our President, we will all stand taller, proud of the values of our nation, proud that every little girl can dream and that her dreams can come true in America. And all of you will know that because of your passion and hard work you helped pave the way for that day.
So I want to say to my supporters, when you hear people saying – or think to yourself – “if only” or “what if,” I say, “please don’t go there.” Every moment wasted looking back keeps us from moving forward.
Life is too short, time is too precious, and the stakes are too high to dwell on what might have been. We have to work together for what still can be. And that is why I will work my heart out to make sure that Senator Obama is our next President and I hope and pray that all of you will join me in that effort.
To my supporters and colleagues in Congress, to the governors and mayors, elected officials who stood with me, in good times and in bad, thank you for your strength and leadership. To my friends in our labor unions who stood strong every step of the way – I thank you and pledge my support to you. To my friends, from every stage of my life – your love and ongoing commitments sustain me every single day. To my family – especially Bill and Chelsea and my mother, you mean the world to me and I thank you for all you have done. And to my extraordinary staff, volunteers and supporters, thank you for working those long, hard hours. Thank you for dropping everything – leaving work or school – traveling to places you’d never been, sometimes for months on end. And thanks to your families as well because your sacrifice was theirs too.
All of you were there for me every step of the way. Being human, we are imperfect. That’s why we need each other. To catch each other when we falter. To encourage each other when we lose heart. Some may lead; others may follow; but none of us can go it alone. The changes we’re working for are changes that we can only accomplish together. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are rights that belong to each of us as individuals. But our lives, our freedom, our happiness, are best enjoyed, best protected, and best advanced when we do work together.
That is what we will do now as we join forces with Senator Obama and his campaign. We will make history together as we write the next chapter in America’s story. We will stand united for the values we hold dear, for the vision of progress we share, and for the country we love. There is nothing more American than that.
And looking out at you today, I have never felt so blessed. The challenges that I have faced in this campaign are nothing compared to those that millions of Americans face every day in their own lives. So today, I’m going to count my blessings and keep on going. I’m going to keep doing what I was doing long before the cameras ever showed up and what I’ll be doing long after they’re gone: Working to give every American the same opportunities I had, and working to ensure that every child has the chance to grow up and achieve his or her God-given potential.
I will do it with a heart filled with gratitude, with a deep and abiding love for our country– and with nothing but optimism and confidence for the days ahead. This is now our time to do all that we can to make sure that in this election we add another Democratic president to that very small list of the last 40 years and that we take back our country and once again move with progress and commitment to the future.
Thank you all and God bless you and God bless America."
Thursday, June 05, 2008
I am "Lost" without Hillary
If you watch "Lost" and have followed the Democratic Primary season (as we have) - you will LOVE this from the daily show. I saw it tonight and it really made me laugh...
I just hope my Mom, both a "Lost" fan and "Hillary Super-fan"- finds it as funny as I did!
Gosh- do any of you remember back during our adoption how I would always sneak in "Lost" references on my blog? I did it for my good friends Lisa and Amy whom I worked with - and Lisa was the scribe who put all my emails from Addis onto my blog...I remember that I was secretly happy that CWA had made me wait an extra week (they had to do a lot of quick cover up before our arrival) to travel so I could watch the season 2 Season Finale...which I watched so late the night before I left- but Mark had NOT watched it and I was not allowed to talk about it for three plane flights and a day in London...not an easy task. Until we met the boys- then they were all I could think about- the boys and getting them ready to come to Colorado to meet their siblings!
I just hope my Mom, both a "Lost" fan and "Hillary Super-fan"- finds it as funny as I did!
Gosh- do any of you remember back during our adoption how I would always sneak in "Lost" references on my blog? I did it for my good friends Lisa and Amy whom I worked with - and Lisa was the scribe who put all my emails from Addis onto my blog...I remember that I was secretly happy that CWA had made me wait an extra week (they had to do a lot of quick cover up before our arrival) to travel so I could watch the season 2 Season Finale...which I watched so late the night before I left- but Mark had NOT watched it and I was not allowed to talk about it for three plane flights and a day in London...not an easy task. Until we met the boys- then they were all I could think about- the boys and getting them ready to come to Colorado to meet their siblings!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
AHOPE Update and our "Forever Day"
Today I was at a work retreat with our families from the HIV clinic at the hospital- it was a really nice day- I was sad to be spending it away from my two youngest because two years ago today was the day they came into our lives (physically) forever. We were in Addis at the Addis Kiddan Guest house and that day- they gave us the boys and they never went back to the CWA care center. Yes- our lives were forever changed. So today is our "Forever Day." But I was with my families from work. This is not always the easiest event for me- I don't even bother bringing my own children anymore- but today was really different and I just enjoyed sitting around talking with the families and hanging out- it was - in the afternoon at least- actually somewhat restful.
So- today I bring you an email update from the AHOPE supplies coordinator- this is the orphanage that I visited two years ago tomorrow and that visit- also changed many things for me- and for many families and for many children- so that is a special day in and of itself- so read on about the recent donations and needs. I see that they credit many recent donations to one of the big agencies which is so great- I hope the CWA families are still staying connected to AHOPE in the way the early CWA families who traveled were- because it truly is an amazing place. Have you ever been to a place and you feel like "This is a God place...no really- that is what this place is." That is the way I felt when I first met K. in her schoolroom and saw her smile.
From Cat Brainerd:
Hi Everyone!
This is Cat Brainerd, the Supply and Donation Coordinator for AHOPE. I wanted to write and thank everyone so much for your incredible support to AHOPE these past few months! In fact, lately we've had more supplies than travelers to carry them! So if you are traveling to Ethiopia any time in the next few months and have any space in your luggage to carry donations, please let me know! Every little bit helps!!! Any extra thanks to Beth and you CHSFS folks - you are really outdoing yourselves between donations and sponsorships. Keep it coming!
Also (here is my request!) AHOPE plans to start a music education program with the children. We are all very excited about this development and think it will be wonderful for the kids! But AHOPE needs instruments. If you have any instruments looking for a good home, consider donating to AHOPE!
Finally, I'll wrap this up by attaching a few photos of recent donations, including a much anticipated medical book, brand new shoes for all the children at AHOPE (yep, that's over 80 pairs of new Crocs!) as well as 100 toothbrushes!. I hope to have some other photos to share soon.
Again, thank you all for what you are doing for the children of AHOPE. We couldn't do this without your support. Thank you on behalf of all the wonderful children at AHOPE!!!
Best Regards,
Cat Brainerd
AHOPE Supplies Coordinator
ahopesupplies@gmail.com
AHOPE website: http://www.ahopeforchildren.org/
Listserv: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AHOPEforchildren/
family blog: ouradoptionlog.blogspot.com
and I leave you some pictures of my forever boys:
So- today I bring you an email update from the AHOPE supplies coordinator- this is the orphanage that I visited two years ago tomorrow and that visit- also changed many things for me- and for many families and for many children- so that is a special day in and of itself- so read on about the recent donations and needs. I see that they credit many recent donations to one of the big agencies which is so great- I hope the CWA families are still staying connected to AHOPE in the way the early CWA families who traveled were- because it truly is an amazing place. Have you ever been to a place and you feel like "This is a God place...no really- that is what this place is." That is the way I felt when I first met K. in her schoolroom and saw her smile.
From Cat Brainerd:
Hi Everyone!
This is Cat Brainerd, the Supply and Donation Coordinator for AHOPE. I wanted to write and thank everyone so much for your incredible support to AHOPE these past few months! In fact, lately we've had more supplies than travelers to carry them! So if you are traveling to Ethiopia any time in the next few months and have any space in your luggage to carry donations, please let me know! Every little bit helps!!! Any extra thanks to Beth and you CHSFS folks - you are really outdoing yourselves between donations and sponsorships. Keep it coming!
Also (here is my request!) AHOPE plans to start a music education program with the children. We are all very excited about this development and think it will be wonderful for the kids! But AHOPE needs instruments. If you have any instruments looking for a good home, consider donating to AHOPE!
Finally, I'll wrap this up by attaching a few photos of recent donations, including a much anticipated medical book, brand new shoes for all the children at AHOPE (yep, that's over 80 pairs of new Crocs!) as well as 100 toothbrushes!. I hope to have some other photos to share soon.
Again, thank you all for what you are doing for the children of AHOPE. We couldn't do this without your support. Thank you on behalf of all the wonderful children at AHOPE!!!
Best Regards,
Cat Brainerd
AHOPE Supplies Coordinator
ahopesupplies@gmail.com
AHOPE website: http://www.ahopeforchildren
Listserv: http://groups.yahoo.com/group
family blog: ouradoptionlog.blogspot.com
and I leave you some pictures of my forever boys:
Friday, May 30, 2008
Tell Two
This is a great post by a woman whom I have a great deal of respect. She has an amazing story and a blog with a lot of information about what is obviously very close to my heart, adopting children with HIV and navigating life as a family affected by HIV whether through adoption or not.
So do this...go here...and read this blogpost....Tell Two
And then please take a minute to go to this equally cool, short and sweet article about a little girl I met this week...and I can vouch for the validity of the "Eloise at the Hilton" comparison! (By the way- yet another amazing family...truly - I am humbled on a daily basis by the people who come in and out of my day!)
So do this...go here...and read this blogpost....Tell Two
And then please take a minute to go to this equally cool, short and sweet article about a little girl I met this week...and I can vouch for the validity of the "Eloise at the Hilton" comparison! (By the way- yet another amazing family...truly - I am humbled on a daily basis by the people who come in and out of my day!)
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Children's Heaven
A remarkable woman came to Denver recently, Hanna Fanta. She came to share with us what she does in Ethiopia to help young teen girls who are orphaned, impoverished, and sometimes ill. She is one of those poeple you meet in life and realize that we are all capable of so much more. She brought tears to our eyes when talking about her girls. She does everything she can to keep the girls at home with family. She does this by providing education in the form of tuition or uniforms, meals, health education, job training, life skills and most importantly love. She wants to make sure she can give each girl what they deserve and by doing that she has kept her numbers down- but this spring added about 40 new girls.
At our meeting, which was the last of several she had across the country, all of the girls had sponsors, but she said when she got home that she would take double sponsors on the girls to help off set rising food and gas prices. They have also recently lost the place they were living and are moving into a shipping crate. I will post her recent email here. But first, her website is finally up and here you can make donations or sponsor a child. This child will write to you and you can send her small gifts and letters with families who are traveling. I know several poeple who have visited Hanna's family and find that what she is doing is not only amazing- but is very real. These girls are truly being helped through our direct support. Here is the website for Children's Heaven.
Here are some pictures from Hanna's visit. My good friend, Luana Harris Scott, opened her home for this event.
My husband cooked Ethiopian food and we had both families connected to Ethiopian adoption as well as a bunch of caring families interested in hearing Hanna's story at the event.
She was so loving towards Maren and Yabsera. Maren took to her so fast it made me a bit jealous. He would just cuddle up to her...and he has not always been the biggest cuddler in the family...though he does like it more and more.
At the end of the evening, when Hanna was really tired and just waiting to leave, Maren brought her out into the patio and told her to sit in the rocking chair where he rocked her gently and then he would crawl into her lap and then get out and rock her again. 
It was one of the sweetest things I have ever seen and you got the sense that he really knew deep down inside that this was an Ethiopian woman who should be treated with great respect alternating with the warmth and love he probably has deep memories from his own Ethiopian mama.
At our meeting, which was the last of several she had across the country, all of the girls had sponsors, but she said when she got home that she would take double sponsors on the girls to help off set rising food and gas prices. They have also recently lost the place they were living and are moving into a shipping crate. I will post her recent email here. But first, her website is finally up and here you can make donations or sponsor a child. This child will write to you and you can send her small gifts and letters with families who are traveling. I know several poeple who have visited Hanna's family and find that what she is doing is not only amazing- but is very real. These girls are truly being helped through our direct support. Here is the website for Children's Heaven.Here are some pictures from Hanna's visit. My good friend, Luana Harris Scott, opened her home for this event.
My husband cooked Ethiopian food and we had both families connected to Ethiopian adoption as well as a bunch of caring families interested in hearing Hanna's story at the event.
She was so loving towards Maren and Yabsera. Maren took to her so fast it made me a bit jealous. He would just cuddle up to her...and he has not always been the biggest cuddler in the family...though he does like it more and more.
At the end of the evening, when Hanna was really tired and just waiting to leave, Maren brought her out into the patio and told her to sit in the rocking chair where he rocked her gently and then he would crawl into her lap and then get out and rock her again. 
It was one of the sweetest things I have ever seen and you got the sense that he really knew deep down inside that this was an Ethiopian woman who should be treated with great respect alternating with the warmth and love he probably has deep memories from his own Ethiopian mama.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Another Article on the Famine in Ethiopia
Once Again, Children are Starving in Ethiopia is the title of the article, which makes it sound like perhaps there was a brief window when the food was plentiful in one of the poorest countries on the globe. This photo is of a 3 year old suffering from Malnutrition- she weighs 10 pounds. When CWA first opened they sent home babies who looked much like this. It seems that they now have figured out that they can really feed these kids while in their care before their new moms and dads come to get them- because now we see referral pictures of chubby babies...but this child is the one that is more typical of many of the children you will see outside the protective walls of the typical US/UK/European/Australian run orphanages when you go. You will see many many children whose growth has been severely stunted for lack of food.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Children Dying in Drought-Stricken Ethiopia
It is when I read things like this- that I feel that strong tug tug tugging on that rope that was tied around my heart so many years ago. On one end there sits Emily...here in Colorado, going about her life of daily chaos, fatigue, eat, sleep, work, eat, kids homework and to bed, "Lost", type- tap tap tap- sleep again...and then she sees a picture, hears a song, reads an article, reads someone's blog and tug tug tug that rope is being gently pulled to some far away place where just the "eat and the sleep of life" are a very real challenge, where your whole life depends on a clean glass of water.
This reminds me of this incredible video...
This reminds me of this incredible video...
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
A Walk to Beautiful
If you have not seen this, A Walk to Beautiful, I would highly recommended it. What is amazing about the stories of these women is the perseverance and fortitude they exhibit...from a very early age. And the joy that comes from having the surgery needed to repair the damage done during long difficult labors which almost all ended in still birth. It is a great documentary and is so well done. It could easily leave you in despair but instead it inspires you. Please make a point of finding out when it will be playing in your neck of the woods. If you are adopting from Ethiopia- you should definitely see this movie- partly because you will have a window into the culture where your children came from. I am constantly amazed at the world we brought our boys into as I learn more and more about the life they once knew.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Birthday's Not Celebrated, Birthday's Celebrated
Traditionally birthdays are not celebrated in many parts of Ethiopia. They are not even remembered. When I was there I met Hanna at the Addis Kiddan Guest House and I was asking her about this and she said that in fact, what I had heard was true, they do not celebrate them. When I asked her how old she was she said she did not know- she just always says 28. And she was serious, not like here where we would like to forget. It would be easy to forget how old you were if you never really had to keep track of that.
We still have to think when people ask us how old Michael is- I mean I finally think I have it down now that he turned 6. I feel like I can say "Six." more and more without explaining that he if probably really 7. And its really bad when poeple ask what are the birthdays of our two youngest because we always have to think and remember what it says on the official paperwork and what we have decided on our own and what we have heard from the birth family. What is amazing- at least with the infants- if CWA (Christian World Adoption) would just ask the person who brought the child a simple list of intake questions- they would get a fairly exact birthday- these women remember when they birthed their babies, "It was the second Sunday after the Ethiopian New Year. I remember it was a Sunday because we had gone to Market the day before." They KNOW. Or "How old is the child?" the grandfather replies, "He was five when we brought him to CWA." If they KNOW this then why does the child suddenly become this child without a story- with no history, with an age being guessed after a 5 minute visit with a doctor? Even the nannies at CWA felt that Michael was older than 3...why not at least listen to them? He was very very small- wearing 18 month old clothes- clothes that no longer fit our 2 1/2 year old baby boy- so I can see why a child who was probably deathly silent at the doctors would be called 3...but once around him for 24 hours the staff at the Addis Kiddan Guest House KNEW he was older just by having conversations with him and watching him play. So here are some pictures from two years ago when we went and met Michael and Yabsera- I tried to pick ones that showed you how really small this kid was....
Here is Michael at the Addis Kiddan Guest House with a Soccer ball we bought from the guy down the street for a buck. We gave it to Ahope when we left. See how he compares with the size of a smallish soccer ball?
Here he is eating at the Ghion- it was amazing to watch this kid eat! He would put so much food away and then at the end he would tear the napkin into strips so he could share the one napkin with you- he would then mash up the food for you and try to get you to eat it- it was clearly what he saw the older people in his life do. Note that he is standing at one of those low ET tables.
Here he is at the lake...um...which lake guys? I can't remember- the one with the "resorts" at it...
Here he is playing with the sprinkler in the yard at the guest house...the shorts were 2T sized and he was swimming in them.
Here is Michael Maren's birth grandfather. A farmer from a remote village in South West Ethiopia- arguable one of the poorest areas of one of the worlds poorest countries. Why was Michael so darned small for his age? He had very little food. He could hardly walk when he came to CWA. They commented on this when they talked about him- that they let him go because he was "So smart" they knew he would be ok- and they mentioned that he was often "angry" because he stomach hurt...why did his stomach hurt? "He was hungry all the time." This is his house. He is proud of it- because its so big. They are holding his photo album- and they are proud of him for doing something so darn difficult.
These are the people who cared for Michael when he was sick, and hungry, and very very small- all waving to him and in the video clip they are singing to him. Its beautiful. But notice the child with the orange hair- indicating severe malnutrition. It breaks my heart to feel so far away from his roots and not be able to do much to help them directly. I just love the joy on their faces- can you see it? There is real joy here even in this difficult state.
So- fast forward to two years later- Michael is turning 6- in America time- in the Ethiopian world he is 7...on paper he is 5! (Are you starting to understand the confusion? We Americans really like dates and birthdays a whole lot...) So here is the Ethiopian born American little boy on his 6th birthday. "Michael what would you like to do its your birthday?" "I know! I have a GREAT idea! Lets put blankets on the porch and all eat outside!" "Ok, good idea- but what would you like to eat? Its your birthday meal?" "Macaroni and Cheese!" It was by far the easiest birthday ever. He would have been happy to get one small toy car quite honestly.
He set it all up himself and told us all where to sit. And it occurred to me that - back in the village somewhere in South West Ethiopia, this was how his birth family would be sharing a meal. Sitting on the ground together in song.
And notice how he sits in this photo and then look back at the one with the soccer ball from two years ago- same kid- sitting the exact same way...but that child was sacred and angry (he has told us that many times- how angry he was because he was so scared the whole time he was with CWA and when we came to bring him home) and this child- this 6 year old- has joy.
Many candles...one wish...to go back to Ethiopia and see everyone!
....and Yabsera...he just wants his cake....now....please??????
We still have to think when people ask us how old Michael is- I mean I finally think I have it down now that he turned 6. I feel like I can say "Six." more and more without explaining that he if probably really 7. And its really bad when poeple ask what are the birthdays of our two youngest because we always have to think and remember what it says on the official paperwork and what we have decided on our own and what we have heard from the birth family. What is amazing- at least with the infants- if CWA (Christian World Adoption) would just ask the person who brought the child a simple list of intake questions- they would get a fairly exact birthday- these women remember when they birthed their babies, "It was the second Sunday after the Ethiopian New Year. I remember it was a Sunday because we had gone to Market the day before." They KNOW. Or "How old is the child?" the grandfather replies, "He was five when we brought him to CWA." If they KNOW this then why does the child suddenly become this child without a story- with no history, with an age being guessed after a 5 minute visit with a doctor? Even the nannies at CWA felt that Michael was older than 3...why not at least listen to them? He was very very small- wearing 18 month old clothes- clothes that no longer fit our 2 1/2 year old baby boy- so I can see why a child who was probably deathly silent at the doctors would be called 3...but once around him for 24 hours the staff at the Addis Kiddan Guest House KNEW he was older just by having conversations with him and watching him play. So here are some pictures from two years ago when we went and met Michael and Yabsera- I tried to pick ones that showed you how really small this kid was....
Here is Michael at the Addis Kiddan Guest House with a Soccer ball we bought from the guy down the street for a buck. We gave it to Ahope when we left. See how he compares with the size of a smallish soccer ball?
Here he is eating at the Ghion- it was amazing to watch this kid eat! He would put so much food away and then at the end he would tear the napkin into strips so he could share the one napkin with you- he would then mash up the food for you and try to get you to eat it- it was clearly what he saw the older people in his life do. Note that he is standing at one of those low ET tables.
Here he is at the lake...um...which lake guys? I can't remember- the one with the "resorts" at it...
Here he is playing with the sprinkler in the yard at the guest house...the shorts were 2T sized and he was swimming in them.
Here is Michael Maren's birth grandfather. A farmer from a remote village in South West Ethiopia- arguable one of the poorest areas of one of the worlds poorest countries. Why was Michael so darned small for his age? He had very little food. He could hardly walk when he came to CWA. They commented on this when they talked about him- that they let him go because he was "So smart" they knew he would be ok- and they mentioned that he was often "angry" because he stomach hurt...why did his stomach hurt? "He was hungry all the time." This is his house. He is proud of it- because its so big. They are holding his photo album- and they are proud of him for doing something so darn difficult.
These are the people who cared for Michael when he was sick, and hungry, and very very small- all waving to him and in the video clip they are singing to him. Its beautiful. But notice the child with the orange hair- indicating severe malnutrition. It breaks my heart to feel so far away from his roots and not be able to do much to help them directly. I just love the joy on their faces- can you see it? There is real joy here even in this difficult state.
So- fast forward to two years later- Michael is turning 6- in America time- in the Ethiopian world he is 7...on paper he is 5! (Are you starting to understand the confusion? We Americans really like dates and birthdays a whole lot...) So here is the Ethiopian born American little boy on his 6th birthday. "Michael what would you like to do its your birthday?" "I know! I have a GREAT idea! Lets put blankets on the porch and all eat outside!" "Ok, good idea- but what would you like to eat? Its your birthday meal?" "Macaroni and Cheese!" It was by far the easiest birthday ever. He would have been happy to get one small toy car quite honestly.
He set it all up himself and told us all where to sit. And it occurred to me that - back in the village somewhere in South West Ethiopia, this was how his birth family would be sharing a meal. Sitting on the ground together in song.
And notice how he sits in this photo and then look back at the one with the soccer ball from two years ago- same kid- sitting the exact same way...but that child was sacred and angry (he has told us that many times- how angry he was because he was so scared the whole time he was with CWA and when we came to bring him home) and this child- this 6 year old- has joy.
Many candles...one wish...to go back to Ethiopia and see everyone!
....and Yabsera...he just wants his cake....now....please??????
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Family
My dear Aunt Renee (pronounced ree-nee) died this past month. She was my mother's sister and the mother of 3 of my favorite cousins. We gave Caelan his middle name "Joseph" after my Uncle Joe, Renee's sweet husband who had died before Cal was born. So now these cousins are "orphans". We all went home to upstate NY for the funeral and to see our cousins. Here are Aunt Renee, Uncle Joe and their first born son Kurt. My mother blogged about this here.
Fortunately we were all together last summer for my mother's birthday. It was a beautiful summer afternoon - and I think now we only wish it was longer. While at home for that very brief period I was able to spend a little bit of time with my own nieces and nephews...all who have grown so much since the last time I saw them- it was a bit disorienting!
Here is Phil at his computer- working on a paper- he graduated this year...
And Nick, who is a freshman in High School and was a 4 month olf baby at Madeline's birth!
I do not have picture of my Carolyn, the oldest grandchild, from this visit- so I am inserting one of her from 2 years ago- when we brought M and Y home. Here she is with baby Yabsera.
Now back to March 2008...
We have Alex who is one month younger than my Phoebe- in 3rd grade- but a whole head taller than Phoebe...and Andre...another tall young boy...he is 13.
About a week later I went into NYC to see the rest. It just so happened that my brother Gordy was in town the same weekend - so there we were all 4 "kids" together within 2 weeks. We were celebrating many things and it was good to be together again. Below is our little Lu... with her Elmo in the park.
Here is my sister Jill with Cooper...about to be a big brother again later this year...the oldest grandchild and the youngest will be 20 years apart.
My brother Gordy with my mom on the day we left.
Three of four "kids"...one last picture....
And I came home to my family...my 5 kids and incredible husband....
Fortunately we were all together last summer for my mother's birthday. It was a beautiful summer afternoon - and I think now we only wish it was longer. While at home for that very brief period I was able to spend a little bit of time with my own nieces and nephews...all who have grown so much since the last time I saw them- it was a bit disorienting!Here is Phil at his computer- working on a paper- he graduated this year...
And Nick, who is a freshman in High School and was a 4 month olf baby at Madeline's birth!
I do not have picture of my Carolyn, the oldest grandchild, from this visit- so I am inserting one of her from 2 years ago- when we brought M and Y home. Here she is with baby Yabsera.
Now back to March 2008...We have Alex who is one month younger than my Phoebe- in 3rd grade- but a whole head taller than Phoebe...and Andre...another tall young boy...he is 13.
About a week later I went into NYC to see the rest. It just so happened that my brother Gordy was in town the same weekend - so there we were all 4 "kids" together within 2 weeks. We were celebrating many things and it was good to be together again. Below is our little Lu... with her Elmo in the park.
Here is my sister Jill with Cooper...about to be a big brother again later this year...the oldest grandchild and the youngest will be 20 years apart.
My brother Gordy with my mom on the day we left.
Three of four "kids"...one last picture....
And I came home to my family...my 5 kids and incredible husband....
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Where I began
Early April will always conjure up a fair amount of grief in me. It was early April in 1991 when, within one week, I lost two people in my life. The first was my husband's father. An amazing man, whom I never got to really know in the way I would have liked, because I was so young myself when he was diagnosed with ALS and died. But I have these 5 kids who will never have a relationship with their grandfather, never know him, never be able to share their stores with him...and this makes me sad. And my Tina...I only knew her for less than a year- but her life and her death and her family forever changed me. I met her when I decided to "volunteer" for a year after college and ended up at Starcross Community.
This year (1991) was arguably one of the toughest and most challenging times in my life, and also one of the most beautiful and precious. I can compare it to the early times with all of my children- a time where there is very real fatigue, intense emotions and the giving over to someone else's will. This giving over that happens as a parent is really, in my opinion, a process that seems to take a life time for some and a moment for others. But at the end of the day, it is what its all about.
11 “But the greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
Because of Tina, and Julie and Marti and Toby and David and Nicky and Michelle and Holly - I am who I am today. Because of all of them, there are children without parents, with a chronic disease, with HIV, which still carries such stigma, coming home to mamas and daddys who will adore them. How one small child can change the face of generations is beyond me. And I cannot take credit for what is well beyond me.
This is a thank you to the families who are following their hearts all over the world to bring home children with HIV. You are affecting generations upon generations with your love.
This year (1991) was arguably one of the toughest and most challenging times in my life, and also one of the most beautiful and precious. I can compare it to the early times with all of my children- a time where there is very real fatigue, intense emotions and the giving over to someone else's will. This giving over that happens as a parent is really, in my opinion, a process that seems to take a life time for some and a moment for others. But at the end of the day, it is what its all about.
11 “But the greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
Because of Tina, and Julie and Marti and Toby and David and Nicky and Michelle and Holly - I am who I am today. Because of all of them, there are children without parents, with a chronic disease, with HIV, which still carries such stigma, coming home to mamas and daddys who will adore them. How one small child can change the face of generations is beyond me. And I cannot take credit for what is well beyond me.
This is a thank you to the families who are following their hearts all over the world to bring home children with HIV. You are affecting generations upon generations with your love.
Friday, April 04, 2008
our eyes once watered....
"We cross our bridges when we come to them and burn them behind us, with nothing to show for our progress except a memory of the smell of smoke, and a presumption that once our eyes watered."
- Tom Stoppard
My friend and I were reading old emails written exactly two years ago. My life two years ago was in many ways not so different from my life now. I wrote to her that I felt like March had been one of the longest months in my life- how I had received my referral of two boys on March 1st and during that month had to have several painful discussions with family members, find the last payment due for the adoption, wait on 171h status, along with a slew of other stresses both job related and life related...what is not different? The amount of stress and fatigue I feel right now. It feels like more because its right now...but when I read those 2 year old emails- I certainly sound like I am not having an easy time of it.
Two years ago I found that quote and it felt so pertinent then and even more so now. And at that time I was arguing that you can't possibly burn every bridge in your life to a pulp- you must maintain those bridges that are not only worth maintaining, but your very life, your emotional well being, depends on it.
I love the quote. I especially love how when it talks about this thing in the past. How it refers to the pain as something that must have been so bad we presume that we were wrecked over it. On one hand it is sort of like we are saying, "Wow that was a really tough time, It must have been so hard...but I can't quite remember how difficult it really was." And on the other hand it says, "That time in your life must have been so very horrible that I can only presume that you must have been a real wreck." There is an assumption of very real grief.
...and as my friend pointed out today, "... It is so amazing to see how much we've come through, and how well we've weathered so much of what was total overload at the time we wrote all this! I agree, our eyes must have watered."
I replied, "I would presume so..."
- Tom Stoppard
My friend and I were reading old emails written exactly two years ago. My life two years ago was in many ways not so different from my life now. I wrote to her that I felt like March had been one of the longest months in my life- how I had received my referral of two boys on March 1st and during that month had to have several painful discussions with family members, find the last payment due for the adoption, wait on 171h status, along with a slew of other stresses both job related and life related...what is not different? The amount of stress and fatigue I feel right now. It feels like more because its right now...but when I read those 2 year old emails- I certainly sound like I am not having an easy time of it.
Two years ago I found that quote and it felt so pertinent then and even more so now. And at that time I was arguing that you can't possibly burn every bridge in your life to a pulp- you must maintain those bridges that are not only worth maintaining, but your very life, your emotional well being, depends on it.
I love the quote. I especially love how when it talks about this thing in the past. How it refers to the pain as something that must have been so bad we presume that we were wrecked over it. On one hand it is sort of like we are saying, "Wow that was a really tough time, It must have been so hard...but I can't quite remember how difficult it really was." And on the other hand it says, "That time in your life must have been so very horrible that I can only presume that you must have been a real wreck." There is an assumption of very real grief.
...and as my friend pointed out today, "... It is so amazing to see how much we've come through, and how well we've weathered so much of what was total overload at the time we wrote all this! I agree, our eyes must have watered."
I replied, "I would presume so..."
CWA Christians With Attitude
Today CWA (Christian World Adoption) sent an invite out to a picnic they are having. One of my CWA friends sent it to our group and said we should all go- and tell them that all our kids are 3 and under- since kids 3 and under were free. We decided that since CWA got away with lying to many of us as well as both the US and Ethiopian Government's about the ages of so many of our children for their own purposes- we should be able to "adjust" their ages for our purposes as well. We thought we might go wearing our CWA shirts...we have them with a wide variety of slogans...what does your shirt say?
Mine says, "CWA: Got Truth?"
Mine says, "CWA: Got Truth?"
Monday, March 17, 2008
Cal got in!
I have been bugged about my lack of blogging but never bugged about blogging like this bugging to find out if Cal was accepted to the Arts school...he was! He is so happy...here is a photo of him and about how tall he feels...
So thanks for all of the kind words about Cal's first film...I noticed he has made a few more...which could use some work! :)
These were taken on presidents day- when we met Mark in the park for lunch.
See how much my Maren has grown?
So thanks for all of the kind words about Cal's first film...I noticed he has made a few more...which could use some work! :)These were taken on presidents day- when we met Mark in the park for lunch.
See how much my Maren has grown?Sunday, January 06, 2008
The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats Adapted by Cal Barr
The Snowy Day - Cal's "2 minute movie" for his audition to Middle school
If you would like to see the blog by the photographer who took the photo of the "Melting Sun" please check it out. Cal needed a good photo for the dream sequence where Peter is dreaming that the sun has melted all the snow away and found this perfect photograph. here is how it looks in the book:
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