I have so much to share about the past couple of weeks and just about life in general...it may take me a couple of weeks to wade through all my thoughts!:) So, for now, I am just going to try to keep up with what is going on right now and get back to our trip when I have some extra time!
We may have only been home for a couple of days but they have been busy ones!!!!
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In fact, in our first 24 hours of getting home we went from taking over the dining room and family room of my beloved brother and sister-in-laws house to sleep after getting back at almost midnight to driving home, cleaning up our car, windows, and forked lawn (our youth ministry had some serious fun while we were gone:)...we had the words Yankees "forked" in our lawn and Yankee symbol pictures and pictures of A-Rod as well as lots of fun writing all over our windows, van and driveway.
They did a great job of saran-wrapping our van...but, they did not get their pastor with the vaseline under his car door handle. Bryan has always been the "king of pranks" and he checked before he opened the door!:) Some of you may be thinking "how rude of them" but, truthfully, it's their way of saying they love us and it brought us great joy and giggles...they did a great job! And the clean-up goes fast with 6 kids helping!:)Bryan was off to work and we were off to unpacking and getting laundry going. The only casualty of our flight home was my foundation exploding in my toiletries bag. Most of the stuff, was easily replaceable and I just threw it away...but my retainer...well the picture says it all! :)
(Thanks, Bryan for scrubbing away!) By late afternoon, things were looking in order again...so, of course, I thought it was the perfect time to pull out the Christmas boxes. Bryan thought I was absolutely NUTS but I LOVE CHRISTMAS and I love having our Christmas decorations out as long as possible! Today, we are going to decorate the tree...so, more on that later!
Micah pulled out a tooth yesterday with the help of Samuel...Mom and Dad do NOT have the stomach for that sort of thing...and once the bleeding stopped they quickly headed outside to throw it on the roof!
Yep, you read that right...the roof. We are not exactly sure why, but that is what they do in Ethiopia and I think Samuel would have been literally crushed if we did not continue in the tradition. Micah graciously obliged...but we would all love to know exactly WHY they did this at the orphanage. 
We asked Samuel and he got a funny smile on his face and said that the birds would come and get it...when we asked what the birds do with it he started giggling and said, "I don't know...eat it?" (Bea, if you are reading this...do you have any thoughts?)The past few days caught up with me last night and I feel asleep hours before my normal bedtime! Felt good to sleep, though! I started out this morning so thankful that it's Jesus' Birthday month but recognizing that I had some gifts to purchase for the big celebration day!So, I thought I'd close this post with a great gift idea that I am taking advantage of! A gal who is adopting from India is making "Family Bracelets" as a fundraiser....and I think they are just beautiful!!! Not only to they make a great Christmas gift, but you are helping give another orphan a home!
Check out the bracelets and information HERE!
Comments
Yea strange about the tooth! I'd be interested to know why too! Loved all the pics and update! gad you made it home safely by God's mercy and grace!
I'm cracking up about the tooth! Taye hasn't ever said anything about doing something like that with the 2 teeth he's lost while with us. Maybe something from a different region?? Let me know if you find something out.
BTW... did you hear about Aki's sister? Be praying for him... he's just devistated.
You had to know your librarian friend would be reading your post.
Here's an excerpt from an article about a family who adopted from Ethiopia (http://www.abpnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4531&Itemid=9)
"One of the first few days after Minte came home, he lost a tooth. He immediately ran outside to throw it onto the roof as his family watched, stunned. It’s an Ethiopian tradition to throw a tooth where the birds fly so they can carry it away. If a bird picks it up, it means a new, strong white tooth will grow in its place."
Also, here's a book that might be in your library.
"Throw Your Tooth on the Roof: Tooth traditions from around the world" by Selby Beeler
It's been awhile since I read it, though, so I can't remember if they talk about African traditions. Still, might be worth a glance.
Much love ♥