A new guitar hero is born

Presenting Mr. and Mrs. Hunter

We had a lot of fun playing Guitar Hero yesterday with Alissa and Nathan. It took me several attempts to finally complete a song without being booed off the stage. I must have played Alice Cooper's "School's out for summer" a few hundred times. That song is now stuck in my head and keeps replaying itself. Nathan and Alissa are quite the expert guitar heroes. John fared better than I did making it through a song in less attempts than me. All of us felt like we would soon be having seizures from watching those crazy guitar notes on the screen! After the guitar heroing we went out to eat at their new favorite pizza place on the East side of Milwaukee. They were right as usual, the pizza was yummy. We then went over to a beer garden and enjoyed a few brews. Another fun place. We ran into Dan Uttech and his wife, Christine there and had a nice visit with them. Alissa and Dan had a good time reminiscing about Preschool memories and all the mischief they caused. It was fun to visit with Mr. and Mrs. Hunter and spend some time with them. While we were there we got an email from Courtney. They heard Tizzy laugh out loud for the first time and she cried when they left her at the Care Center which they took as a good sign. Today they travel south to meet any of Tizzy's relatives if they are still around. Courtney describes the trip as amazing!

Note to Tizzy: We heard they call you Tizzu at the Care Center and we heard you laughed out loud for the first time today with your mama and papa. We are so glad you are happy. Your mama said you cried when they had to leave you at the Care Center so that is a good sign that you are getting used to them although we don't want you to cry. So many big changes happening in your little life right now, but soon this part of your journey will be behind you. The best is yet to come! See you Friday. I will be the lady with the balloons!

Looking back one week and looking ahead one week

It is hard to believe that just one week ago today we were getting ready for Alissa and Nathan's wedding. It seems like ages ago and minutes ago all at the same time. Today we will be going in to see Mr. and Mrs. Hunter and play some Guitar Hero with them. I will update and post a picture or two later.
It is equally hard to believe that one week from yesterday we will be meeting our precious granddaughter, Tizita Desta Van Auken. That wait has seemed so long at times and yet at other times it seems like it went by quickly. I guess that is the way it is with life. You wait and wait and wait for things and before you know it, they are here and gone.
I hope that is the way it will be with John finding a job, too. It seems like it is a long hard wait right now for interviews and results, etc. but I hope when he gets his new job we will look back and think it went quickly, too.
Note to Tizzy: Less than one week and we will be able to give you a hug! We are counting the days. See you very soon, little one. Your mama said that you sat on her lap for a long time yesterday just checking her and your papa out. I bet you are confused and a bit scared right now, but believe me, they are great people and you have so many people back here waiting to love on you and welcome you home. Be patient with your mama and papa while they learn to do the things that are familiar to you and will make you feel happy. It will all be worth is in the long run. God hold the three of you in his hand until you are safely home.

Just heard from Courtney and Paul!!!!

While I was playing my loud clean up music at school my cell must have rung and I missed a call from Courtney. I never take my phone to school but today I kept it right out by the CD player. I did hear the beep for the message and there was Courtney as clear as if she were next door. She sounded so excited and happy, not a bit tired. They had just spent time with Tizita and it went well. She sat on Courtney's lap for a very long time just checking things out. Courtney described Tizita as reserved, very cute and sweet. They got her to smile three times while they visited. I guess she was still a bit leary of Paul, but so was Alissa when she first met him and look where that went! I feel so relieved to have heard from her. I wish I had been able to talk to her, but this is fine. Keep the prayers coming!

Where in the world are Courtney and Paul?

I think it is 2:00 in the afternoon in Ethiopia right now. (They are eight hours ahead of us as far as I know) That means that at this moment Courtney and Paul could be spending time with little Tizita however I haven't heard anything since the email from Frankfort. I know there are many power outages and that the only way to use a computer is with dial up, so it is rather difficult to make contact, but then again they said they would contact us when they got to the guest house which would have been yesterday sometime. I wasn't too concerned until Paul's mom emailed and she too was waiting to hear something. I am a world class worrier all on my own, but when people who normally do not worry start to show concern (like John or Paul's mom) then the thoughts really kick in for me. I am getting to that place right now. If you are reading this, I am asking for some extra prayers today both for Courtney, Paul, and Tizita and for all of us who are waiting on this end. Pray that God would give us peace of mind and take away any of these negative thoughts and send them far away. I would also love to hear some positive comments from you. If Gretchen reads this, please send me your email. Thanks in advance and hopefully by my next post I will have good news.

Flowers and first days

The first three days of school are behind me and already my kids are starting to get used to the routine and rules of my classroom. I had no criers on the first day, but a few yesterday and today. They stopped as soon as mom left so no big deal. John bought me those beautiful flowers for my first day of school. He bought them at our farmer's market for the price of $5.00. What a thoughtful husband I have!

I have also included a few pictures of my kids having fun in my classroom.

No word from Courtney and Paul yet. I think they are at the guest house now, but maybe they are lost in Ethiopia somewhere, not sure. I am hoping for a call or email tomorrow when they meet Tizita. Watch for details.

First Day of School

Today is the first day of school for me and my Preschoolers. It seems like just yesteday that I was cleaning up and shutting down my classroom for the summer. People used to tell me that the older we got the faster the time sped by and I know that is true. Now if only the next 10 days will go by quickly. At least school will give me a nice diversion and keep my mind off of worrisome thoughts. I expect a few criers in my morning class today, hopefully the tears will be shortlived and smiles will soon follow. I always have to instruct the parents on how to say a quick good bye and then get out. They are often more of a problem than the kids themselves!
Well time to put on a new outfit and go meet the kids.
Note to Tizzy: You will get to meet your mama and papa this coming Friday! (At least I think that is the right day) I think about this meeting all the time although today it will be in the back of my mind while I meet my Preschoolers. Stay healthy, safe, and happy, little one. See you on Sept. 12 when you come home!
I want to thank Courtney and Paul's friend, Badger Girl for reading my blog and sending comments my way. It makes me feel good to know people read this blog!

Ride 'em Cowboy

John and I were out taking a bike ride today when we spotted the same little Fisher Price horse that Courtney used to have as a toddler. Well, actually not the same horse but one just like it. We saw it on the curb where someone had put it as garbage. Since we couldn't pick it up and carry it on our bikes I sent John back to get it with the car. I hope no one recognized him. We always liked to watch our curbside junk get picked up by people and here we were doing the same thing. John is unemployed though so we have to stoop to new lows. Anyway the horse is in good condition and now that it is cleaned up, we think Tizita will really enjoy it.

I got an email from Courtney and they had arrived in Frankfort safely, next stop Sudan and then Ethiopia sometime this evening, I think.

Note to Tizita: Your mama and papa are on their way to you! It won't be long now until they get to meet you.