tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87202009160212716212024-03-05T03:05:21.687-05:00What's up with the Scholtens?Scholtens Five + 1http://www.blogger.com/profile/14068252592859352944noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720200916021271621.post-2525401548178261312013-12-19T00:17:00.001-05:002013-12-19T00:17:09.257-05:002013 Highlights<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<img class="goog-icon-list-icon-img" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNmytE05kAGrf9RZ_azR1Ku2YKb47v-TZGhKGvUcwlbtDlLiQnccXmFOgN3kIyZcHNwQUNxF2afkOCqM2Rh0inPvmmO7_jEhuEaxIHgPzyErLwN76crKj4ZzhBVJ9GGtRttxwvC4KTmqr/s400/P1060367.JPG" width="300" /> </div>
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We are a circus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
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a small city with the energy we expend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We make lots of mistakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">We are the Scholtens:
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2013</b></div>
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The Circus: A
circus has three rings…we have three boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes it’s hard to watch all that is going on, but if you focus on
each ring individually, it is really amazing and always entertaining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The three boys have three very unique and
sweet personalities. </div>
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The Noise:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s interesting how it builds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We shout everything because, well, that’s the
only way we can hear each other over the blasting music, outlandish laughter,
inevitable wrestling, and eventual crying. We are
learning to confidently go where we have not gone before…like across the
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCZVgpJhSZkJRsFawo64EW4apvuj6LHSViaTddW9LdPc1m0qfw0Z9exu34tvnDaAseJx81uADS8ngLQnMZLu6XXpTOByrg8k9IxKsrvnJv3ZdZSGMFi4rFz7L73kz7fYOGih3L4u_Ykzq/s1600/P1050299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61cW6-BG8Aebfv3P9vM6MszOwYYvnFr1nr6VnnyHmT0XmdUn6dyWWdn7iDf9orYrGeNP8hZ1MXtGJBxkOhdwRSd453IwEZbyNp2Zs-7UNwSDDwD8rTt9_vPb-rdWLYjgq_x0LrLr72o3e/s1600/P1050592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="goog-icon-list-icon-img" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61cW6-BG8Aebfv3P9vM6MszOwYYvnFr1nr6VnnyHmT0XmdUn6dyWWdn7iDf9orYrGeNP8hZ1MXtGJBxkOhdwRSd453IwEZbyNp2Zs-7UNwSDDwD8rTt9_vPb-rdWLYjgq_x0LrLr72o3e/s200/P1050592.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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The Energy:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hambisa has two speeds – <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Super busy<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>& Asleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just picture what it would be like to have a
goat loose in your house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now try to go
grocery shopping with your goat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yup, it’s
all we can do to keep him inside the house, out of the cupboards, away from the
toothpaste, off the light fixtures, and well…fed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The boy is supremely curious, will keep you
laughing and knows how to enjoy every ounce of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://bay178.mail.live.com/att/GetAttachment.aspx?tnail=0&messageId=8b0ef3d0-6869-11e3-b846-002264c2c0a8&Aux=4%7C0%7C8D0CA8D73F55F60%7C%7C0%7C0%7C0%7C0%7C%7C&cid=c02dbae837529d7a&maxwidth=220&maxheight=160&size=Att&blob=MHxJTUFHMDQ1Ni5qcGd8aW1hZ2UvanBlZw_3d_3d" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="View IMAG0456.jpg in slide show" border="0" class="Thumb" height="320" src="https://bay178.mail.live.com/att/GetAttachment.aspx?tnail=0&messageId=8b0ef3d0-6869-11e3-b846-002264c2c0a8&Aux=4%7C0%7C8D0CA8D73F55F60%7C%7C0%7C0%7C0%7C0%7C%7C&cid=c02dbae837529d7a&maxwidth=220&maxheight=160&size=Att&blob=MHxJTUFHMDQ1Ni5qcGd8aW1hZ2UvanBlZw_3d_3d" title="View IMAG0456.jpg in slide show" width="240" /></a><a href="https://bay178.mail.live.com/att/GetAttachment.aspx?tnail=0&messageId=076e2df5-686a-11e3-93d4-00215ad8c1d0&Aux=4%7C0%7C8D0CA8DF12D7E90%7C%7C0%7C0%7C0%7C0%7C%7C&cid=c02dbae837529d7a&maxwidth=220&maxheight=160&size=Att&blob=MHxJTUFHMDQwOC5qcGd8aW1hZ2UvanBlZw_3d_3d" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="View IMAG0408.jpg in slide show" border="0" class="Thumb" height="320" src="https://bay178.mail.live.com/att/GetAttachment.aspx?tnail=0&messageId=076e2df5-686a-11e3-93d4-00215ad8c1d0&Aux=4%7C0%7C8D0CA8DF12D7E90%7C%7C0%7C0%7C0%7C0%7C%7C&cid=c02dbae837529d7a&maxwidth=220&maxheight=160&size=Att&blob=MHxJTUFHMDQwOC5qcGd8aW1hZ2UvanBlZw_3d_3d" title="View IMAG0408.jpg in slide show" width="240" /> </a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The
Mistakes:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Telling Bennett he doesn’t
always have to win, only makes him try harder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We told him we loved him even if
he didn’t win the “Turkey Trot” for his age group, after all there were a lot
of kids running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, “I’ll love you
too, but you know I’m going to win.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After the race he raised the 16 lb frozen turkey and declared his
victory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since we don’t need to
encourage his competitive spirit, we’ll start working on humility.</div>
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The
Laughter:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After leaving a store
together, Macabe asked, “What’s the name of that store again?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bennett promptly replied, “Macabe, just
remember it’s like Nana…Old Lady.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(a.k.a. Old Navy). Mac has developed the ability to read this year. It is no longer feasible to keep a secret by spelling it. </div>
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The
Blessings:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We seek opportunities to
illustrate God’s desire for us to act justly, walk humbly, and love our
neighbors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year has provided many
opportunities and discussions with the boys regarding family, orphans, neighbors,
and strangers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We continue to be blessed
by others in caring for our family and in turn try to do the same.</div>
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Scholtens Five + 1http://www.blogger.com/profile/14068252592859352944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720200916021271621.post-14051219878907229472013-03-06T09:48:00.003-05:002013-03-06T09:48:48.681-05:00Ski Bums...3 of them off and running<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1wNPJi__wKEaLlORMZqqHl4O6u6MVRzHUOzwKGBfOvdKfmQWvSoed14DhqcDjHyDQzExCAoFlnHkQHRDDXfPhPwTm0Sm4_VbaeKx0lm-APFBsq5mOukrU0CLjHMeyuYI-HJzOIFKeKEY/s1600/P1040998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1wNPJi__wKEaLlORMZqqHl4O6u6MVRzHUOzwKGBfOvdKfmQWvSoed14DhqcDjHyDQzExCAoFlnHkQHRDDXfPhPwTm0Sm4_VbaeKx0lm-APFBsq5mOukrU0CLjHMeyuYI-HJzOIFKeKEY/s320/P1040998.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Macabe</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYbG9Qk7C_7MDYGGP_gGW9a0u3cABVr25Qz-WS9ubHlATtgeCv2rshQlGNYvvgRk9AXKvxtXt8TIPptt3-q4hvEnXxHSrMOVbhXalo4ebAZoGchCqRVUhPmMCPHZ9ZalnGbQ0VU3hLmp3w/s1600/P1050003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYbG9Qk7C_7MDYGGP_gGW9a0u3cABVr25Qz-WS9ubHlATtgeCv2rshQlGNYvvgRk9AXKvxtXt8TIPptt3-q4hvEnXxHSrMOVbhXalo4ebAZoGchCqRVUhPmMCPHZ9ZalnGbQ0VU3hLmp3w/s320/P1050003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bennett</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDy0hK-s0RraBP9gT9olEgdw8lThAZ11pZqeVSn1gqNX2NBz6FD1PFa4zszs1qBg9w3sLDZ6J_alUbki0a6oVAYuKBfV8CUZDlIXu2QkIu3JUXNSNF6b9A8WKexyIuoWHn0Y9MYjSpQ9NL/s1600/P1050008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDy0hK-s0RraBP9gT9olEgdw8lThAZ11pZqeVSn1gqNX2NBz6FD1PFa4zszs1qBg9w3sLDZ6J_alUbki0a6oVAYuKBfV8CUZDlIXu2QkIu3JUXNSNF6b9A8WKexyIuoWHn0Y9MYjSpQ9NL/s320/P1050008.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hambisa</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>MANY thanks to Uncle Craig who is the bestest ski teacher ever! <span style="color: black;">(much better than Mom who keeps stepping on little skis...much less helpful)</span></b></span> <span style="color: blue;">You made it a successful first adventure for us, Uncle Craig.</span>Scholtens Five + 1http://www.blogger.com/profile/14068252592859352944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720200916021271621.post-75282220094657853502012-12-11T15:26:00.000-05:002012-12-11T15:26:13.982-05:00Merry Christmas!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcF0Wgz4I-cO5cPmmAPUvWNzyOfd7pa8dQQtHchPliaIhwiVLDRLW-LvmU4jkX2ZUztSro0N-v0-hQqdxZZ7bBQVpw6Z241_R969rx8qrX3ME9S4U4QdnDak2ah40yQ8r8B-Zcaza-nMV/s1600/P1040499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGcF0Wgz4I-cO5cPmmAPUvWNzyOfd7pa8dQQtHchPliaIhwiVLDRLW-LvmU4jkX2ZUztSro0N-v0-hQqdxZZ7bBQVpw6Z241_R969rx8qrX3ME9S4U4QdnDak2ah40yQ8r8B-Zcaza-nMV/s320/P1040499.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two little elves helping Hambisa find his first Christmas tree...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnpZ0Egia_S_gF8LWqbpAt9mQ7mt_K7oWdhZBorS8qN3uoBhUoPSvNhVl_NiWePG_5IP2mGAxoqen1OX6BzmGc4hRkFrix7dblfn9LH1Q2gNdsVN7DaeXhWQquQ5FLvuc3nKUQa_MZzIu5/s1600/P1040497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnpZ0Egia_S_gF8LWqbpAt9mQ7mt_K7oWdhZBorS8qN3uoBhUoPSvNhVl_NiWePG_5IP2mGAxoqen1OX6BzmGc4hRkFrix7dblfn9LH1Q2gNdsVN7DaeXhWQquQ5FLvuc3nKUQa_MZzIu5/s320/P1040497.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one looks like a keeper. Let's load her up, boys!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQYiYWyWA-bx2D6GisqXEelcKDY96JQVmv1GBHuOtx_6m5se37o1HU5-2oG4wKPQSybs5_2979RyVyYarkHTfqrTkpbhqT7nNzGQmq1k38AoOr-5A7hPxcdDetaJ_0oBw-ao8jeWgNG9y/s1600/P1040491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQYiYWyWA-bx2D6GisqXEelcKDY96JQVmv1GBHuOtx_6m5se37o1HU5-2oG4wKPQSybs5_2979RyVyYarkHTfqrTkpbhqT7nNzGQmq1k38AoOr-5A7hPxcdDetaJ_0oBw-ao8jeWgNG9y/s320/P1040491.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Think I should stick to the back roads home in my Cozy Coupe?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Merry Christmas to all our friends and family, near and very far! It has been an adventurous year for this Scholtens crew. Many of you have had your own grand adventures or even great losses. For you all, we pray for a blessed and happy 2013! Keep in touch.<br />
With Love & Joy,<br />
Kurt, Whitney, Macabe, Bennett & Hambisa<br />
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<br />Scholtens Five + 1http://www.blogger.com/profile/14068252592859352944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720200916021271621.post-28866779511979962532012-12-11T15:08:00.002-05:002012-12-11T15:08:43.845-05:00Busy Boys, Broken Bones & Baby Cakes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We always knew that with three boys there would eventually be broken bones. It was no surprise to us that the first boy was Bennett, who also has been missing a front tooth since he knocked it out over a year ago. The poor kiddo had surgery and an overnight hospital stay, along with his new Frogger who also got a matching cast from armpit to knockles. Big brother, Mac, came up to visit and do what he does best...nurture those in need.<br />
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Off with cast #1, out with the pins, and on with a new and improved water-proof.<br />
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Broken bones aren't all bad when you get some TLC at DeVos Children's Hospital...an amazing place with great staff! We love you Aunt Sarah and crew!<br />
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Nope, Bisa hasn't broken bones yet, but his time will come. I found him here using the high chair as a bridge to get from the bench to the fruit on the table. I thought I had finally outsmarted him by removing the ability to climb on the table chairs....yeah, right, Mom!<br />
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My big boys were SUPER bummed to get rained out (with lightning) of the much anticipated Turkey Trot race. Mac did make sure he got a chance to drive around the parking area to see if he could point out all his teachers he had hoped to see there. He is loving school, and we are thankful. It began as an exhausting transition for everyone to the all day, everyday event, but at least he is having fun!<br />
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Not to be left behind, Hambisa also had minor outpatient procedure at the Children's Hospital. We weren't there long, but we seemed to keep the surgical area hopping. They learned what "Busy Bisa" means and had the female nursing and doctor staff swooning over him. He had all sorts of ladies popping into his room to sneak a smile from him or see those flirty blinks he likes to give....oh boy, we have more trouble headed our way! Wa-hoo!Scholtens Five + 1http://www.blogger.com/profile/14068252592859352944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720200916021271621.post-26499915953975055252012-11-06T23:18:00.001-05:002012-11-06T23:18:35.878-05:00Busy Bisa: A typical 20 min chronicle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Si_Gam2mSaKN6UfQ2AFTXvYMMBDaxDV2zh3CotVcmasgr6bQMvfj2A6AJhHlhg1-_I5M8eUBvAbKmdVXNan88rYArujM7_zYlbBKYLRH-ShUepWBIhN4Yxqg3edYYqH0nTEIEVZidDea/s1600/P1040288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Si_Gam2mSaKN6UfQ2AFTXvYMMBDaxDV2zh3CotVcmasgr6bQMvfj2A6AJhHlhg1-_I5M8eUBvAbKmdVXNan88rYArujM7_zYlbBKYLRH-ShUepWBIhN4Yxqg3edYYqH0nTEIEVZidDea/s320/P1040288.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">He loves to use the dishwasher for playing with and reaching things up on the counter.</span></span> <br />
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">He nabbed the trash can to ride when Dad took out the garbage.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZK8LtGVYOyuNST5FosKOXnPfkMzCwVQwei621THhaKGq_SOMdpWLywvhp4er7JnJSFWt_Gqqtgj87EE0dcsntXtXXIOipQF5iFJ6IlwkMLHVt57oCEdCe6rAhOWIqJ25ld_p5gdFuuac/s1600/P1040291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZK8LtGVYOyuNST5FosKOXnPfkMzCwVQwei621THhaKGq_SOMdpWLywvhp4er7JnJSFWt_Gqqtgj87EE0dcsntXtXXIOipQF5iFJ6IlwkMLHVt57oCEdCe6rAhOWIqJ25ld_p5gdFuuac/s320/P1040291.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">He explored the washing machine while I was doing laundry.</span></span> <br />
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">He found some big shoes to fill.</span></span> <br />
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">He found something else to fill....</span></span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirseJ-BQdnF_IK0IOLnYa4OjY9BzjvhS0fLber4T_WTQ65_5_1m-3ouL-krESdb1eHbNMhyphenhyphengjBLVZmZ5PpxHSMevginOLlEar9U40TiRhyphenhyphenKjIRnnuE9lwQNGsy9Rb8cDV3STGdJEyRHIvb/s1600/P1040295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirseJ-BQdnF_IK0IOLnYa4OjY9BzjvhS0fLber4T_WTQ65_5_1m-3ouL-krESdb1eHbNMhyphenhyphengjBLVZmZ5PpxHSMevginOLlEar9U40TiRhyphenhyphenKjIRnnuE9lwQNGsy9Rb8cDV3STGdJEyRHIvb/s320/P1040295.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">and water to play in.</span></span> <br />
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">He found a way to make curtains into a superhero cape.</span></span><br />
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Of course there is always furniture to climb.</span></span> <br />
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Oh, and tables to climb with food on top!</span></span> <br />
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">More shoes to fill.</span></span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRX4zPsIfmwOzfgPpFUng1D1FALm5_C_o4Wlsv3gwktj43pWbB3Z7Lb2dbaTCM2cKck9gfTMh1qicxq8J5ojLXuBnPvNKJE8rFaGC0YdcH0s-Rlhw-1hE9AvbAVUCj24rX7uuz93lDzF1/s1600/P1040305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRX4zPsIfmwOzfgPpFUng1D1FALm5_C_o4Wlsv3gwktj43pWbB3Z7Lb2dbaTCM2cKck9gfTMh1qicxq8J5ojLXuBnPvNKJE8rFaGC0YdcH0s-Rlhw-1hE9AvbAVUCj24rX7uuz93lDzF1/s320/P1040305.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Or just to empty and spread amidst the house.</span></span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReKsNEvLaL7BnoF7HRiZJ-y5ka_J-cC1OIxL5mJxQbLzwYSkdsTXFm6Gp6XcVY50L_4Q1zfc5rGAcL2AAnn7Fy7ZbuKqAhojWqGLFGjUFPmvvMzj7DbvKMz6CiTlXlOZ7jNWCjOQYEjqs/s1600/P1040308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReKsNEvLaL7BnoF7HRiZJ-y5ka_J-cC1OIxL5mJxQbLzwYSkdsTXFm6Gp6XcVY50L_4Q1zfc5rGAcL2AAnn7Fy7ZbuKqAhojWqGLFGjUFPmvvMzj7DbvKMz6CiTlXlOZ7jNWCjOQYEjqs/s320/P1040308.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Oh, and the mops are near the shoe coral...</span></span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLeXGRNpK7AnYOcd_ljSDq-6surZSoIHIg-KDr3I20DQv2VkK-ZIuFbsaK7X6XpPElB3hLdAPVxtQc7SBpu-mqtaaDE3xvp-XSHTGNCdyyd_lAB6pbbwPvYETmXkRjg6FPyj-yHDLEsxy/s1600/P1040309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLeXGRNpK7AnYOcd_ljSDq-6surZSoIHIg-KDr3I20DQv2VkK-ZIuFbsaK7X6XpPElB3hLdAPVxtQc7SBpu-mqtaaDE3xvp-XSHTGNCdyyd_lAB6pbbwPvYETmXkRjg6FPyj-yHDLEsxy/s320/P1040309.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">...along with the fly swatter.</span></span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNHl7DdHIKhKnWiE-AaqepaUvjmfvnlLkIa0IRy3YQfo6t7fsIqyVzcK2BFbMjFdminrSEo0rbosTQGsVCQsjvDlA4r_dvIXTqN2IHCx_aH2wrpwN9ZG23VzewuoI6f1JYJS8zO_fFODe/s1600/P1040311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNHl7DdHIKhKnWiE-AaqepaUvjmfvnlLkIa0IRy3YQfo6t7fsIqyVzcK2BFbMjFdminrSEo0rbosTQGsVCQsjvDlA4r_dvIXTqN2IHCx_aH2wrpwN9ZG23VzewuoI6f1JYJS8zO_fFODe/s320/P1040311.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Watch out!</span></span> <br />
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">And back to the dishwasher, which was now actually being loaded, despite the absconding plates.</span></span> <br />
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">We
put an end to the dishwasher. He couldn't play with cookie sheets, so
he found the bed sheets and returned to the laundry basket.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzDViV85Kx7IfmDPbLU5FHf-4l0ru0l9QW67alKroQi3AEiFUIqzSbObYvtNQVG4vAYOMdrc5lYMx2UTo8SBU7BavrpKqdaXeSAJBNS-prYFbo5rzoqHRldDJyAduGkvzFmUmldg8SD_R/s1600/P1040315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzDViV85Kx7IfmDPbLU5FHf-4l0ru0l9QW67alKroQi3AEiFUIqzSbObYvtNQVG4vAYOMdrc5lYMx2UTo8SBU7BavrpKqdaXeSAJBNS-prYFbo5rzoqHRldDJyAduGkvzFmUmldg8SD_R/s320/P1040315.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Yup, the laundry basket makes a good riding toy.</span></span> <br />
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">I love that he likes to play cooking, but I so wish he wasn't so interested in the oven.</span></span> <br />
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">And finally, we find a legitimate toy that we all approve! Whew!</span></span><br />
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We decided to follow him with the camera so we could document his activity level. Nothing was staged or encouraged. No one was harmed in the making of this documentary. We do not recommend trying this at home if you don't have to. He is always this active, unless he's asleep. And yes, he is stinkin' hilarious!Scholtens Five + 1http://www.blogger.com/profile/14068252592859352944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720200916021271621.post-55968508391453948222012-09-18T14:10:00.003-05:002012-09-18T14:10:22.519-05:00A big Week in the Scholtens' House <b>Happy Birthday to Bennett!</b><br />
He is now the big 4 year old in our house, and very proud of it. Several times, he was seen sitting at the table singing the birthday song to himself, or professing to his cousins that he was now big enough to do some things like them. (This only proved to be a problem when letting his 3 year old cousin know that she, however, was not as old yet.) For him the day was perfect, being able to celebrate at the cottage, going on fast boat rides, slow fishing boat rides, or just playing on the boat while anchored. And though he has never seen a Spider Man movie, he is quite enthralled with the character. He just leaned over and said, "There I am on the boat with my Spiderman shirt on." In fact, he even slept inthe shirt because he didn't want to take it off. <b> </b><br />
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<b>Two-Speed Bisa: </b>Crazy Busy and Asleep<br />
This little man has proven to be the perfect fit for the family, full of energy, curiosity, determination and silliness. He absolutely loves the outdoors, a good game of chase or peek, and becomes quite possessive about juice boxes. When he is not busy trying to eat rocks, ride his big brothers' bikes or pushing his trucks out to the road, he is often scavenging through the garage refrigerator for juice boxes. Yup, he wants to be just like the big boys and has recently been spotted holding his own territory with those big boys. With a sense of determination strong enough to save his own life since birth and hands as giant as his, we all better be prepared for this silly monster to mature in our family. I am interested myself to see what this story brings.<br />
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<b>First Day of Kindergarten!</b> <br />
Macabe couldn't have been more excited. He was dressed and jumping about the house by 7:10, wondering what time the bus would come. He is loving every minute of it and can hardly believe he gets TWO recesses...of course, the favorite part of each day. He was also excited that he was able to fit in the bus seat with two of his friends at the same time. It is a long day from start to finish. He comes home quiet, escalates through his exhaustion, then crashes in bed and chats about his day. His teacher is so silly with the things she says.<br />
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The first two days of school, Mom followed the bus to school making sure he had it all figured out. He's a quick learner. Poor Bennett didn't understand why he couldn't just ride the bus with him and then I'd pick him up at the school. The first day, I asked Bennett if he wanted to go to a park and play. He said he would wait for Mac to get home. After letting him know that would be awhile, he'd agreed to go play. On the ride home he asked, "Mom, does that mean that if I want to watch a movie sometime, that I can pick any one that I want?" Yes is does, Bennett! Though every morning I can see in his face the disappointment when all the kids he played with this summer hop on the bus and drive away. <br />
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It's a crazy house we live in...but we are still smiling over here!Scholtens Five + 1http://www.blogger.com/profile/14068252592859352944noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720200916021271621.post-13018993977060271172012-07-08T22:36:00.001-05:002012-07-08T22:54:54.367-05:00UpdateWe have had a few inquiries lately about how it's all going. I know, it's been 9 weeks since our last post. I can hardly believe that it was over two months ago we landed on the front steps of our house and burst into tears from such joy of having all five of us together. On the other hand, Hambisa just slides right into the family as he's always been a part of it. He is doing so great with his adjustment and he fits perfectly into my arms!<br />
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Thank you all for your many thoughts, prayers and well wishes. We have appreciated them, felt them and coveted them. While his emotional adjustment and attachment seems to be going very for him, that's not to say it's all been a breeze. He is a very busy boy! (and that's part of why he fits in so well).<br />
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That's the short story. If you want to the longer one, here goes some of it:<br />
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It began with 44 hours of no sleep on the journey home. Hambisa was getting up every 3 hours throughout the night. (Due to the cloth diapering, the orphanage awakened babies for a changing; and feeding was the easiest way to get multiple babies back to sleep.) We built forts in the basement for Macabe and Bennett so they could actually get some solid sleep themselves.<br />
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1 trip to urgent care for Hambisa (oozing ear infection)<br />
1 head split open worthy of four staples (Mom)...that was a wicked game of peekabo, I'll tell you,<br />
but worth all the laughs <br />
2 bouts with the flu (Bennett and Mom)<br />
2 digestive systems with an Ethipian parasite (Bisa and Mom)<br />
3 skin infections/cellulitis (Mom)<br />
1 brother who had to be watched he didn't smother his brother with hugs<br />
1 brother who had to be watched he didn't smother his brother with tackles<br />
several extra days off work for Kurt to nurse his family's health<br />
countless prescriptions<br />
1 new budding relationship with our pharmacist<br />
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As for now, we have hit our stride. They are busy days. I had forgotten how busy a one year old can be. Just the other day I was emptying the dishwasher when I turned around to find much of the laundry I just folded strewn about the living room. By the time the laundry was remedied, Hambisa had gotten into the garbage can. And let's just say we don't ever leave the bathroom door open anymore else we will have toilet paper everywhere and a one year old swimming in the toilet.<br />
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Macabe has been in love with Hambisa from the very start, loving the chance to have a job and someone to take care of. He recently has gotten quite anxious about needing some space to protect as his own, but overall is coping well with the adjustments. The honeymoon period for Bennett wore off after about a week and he struggled with his new role as middle child. To his defense, we didn't bring home a newborn baby who can be set down or who sleeps a lot. We brought home a toddler who immediately gets into his things, into his way, and requires a lot of attention from us. It was difficult to even play his usual games or toys without interruption or destruction. Bennett had to be watched closely with his new younger brother. I was having some of my own stress over this, worrying that I'd ruined my easy-going Bennett.<br />
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However, today has been a great example of how far we have all come. Nine weeks into it, Bennett has some very sweet big brother moments and learned he is one of the best people to make him laugh. He even took great care holding and 'babysitting' his baby cousin Mabel this morning. Macabe is learning to close his door to protect his space and certainly been thriving with the chance to have a job and be a big help. He is built to be a nurturing soul. Hambisa is comfortable to explore the room and play with others, returning to check in with Mom and Dad for affirmation. It took six weeks before he would lay his head down on our shoulders to sleep, but now will seek us out for hugs and kisses...and everyone sleeps through the night now!<br />
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We have some precious pictures and more fun stories to tell you, but for now, it's time for bed. I've got to get ready for more fun and crazy times in the Scholtens' household. Sweet dreams!Scholtens Five + 1http://www.blogger.com/profile/14068252592859352944noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720200916021271621.post-53139909210876829292012-05-04T07:02:00.002-05:002012-05-04T07:02:27.560-05:00Home ComingLots to share from the trip home but for now...this picture sits well with our souls!<br />
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Stay Tuned...<br />Scholtens Five + 1http://www.blogger.com/profile/14068252592859352944noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720200916021271621.post-15059856194745666002012-05-02T00:03:00.004-05:002012-05-02T00:03:58.989-05:00The good, the bad, and the ugly...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The good:<br />
1.) I think we have stabilized Hambisa's digestive system<br />
2.) Our friends arrived as expected and picked up their beautiful daughter. Hambisa had his first play date on our hotel floor.<br />
3.) We took two naps today...all of us...from 8:40 to 10:00 AM and again from 1:30 - 2:45PM. That likely won't ever happen again...ever!<br />
4.) We found some ticklish spots!<br />
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The bad:<br />
1.) We broke out and took a walk around the block, careful to keep Hambisa covered. Fresh air was nice. Who knew taking a walk could feel so bad ass!<br />
2.) As we get closer to departure, both our enthusiasm and anxiety grow. The thought of being home is wonderful, however the thought of 17 hours in flight time with stop overs in Sudan and Germany, not as exciting. We are positioned to take it one small step at a time, which we hope to start with a good night's sleep.<br />
3.) Yeah...didn't get that sleep we were hoping for.<br />
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The ugly:<br />
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On the way home we were reminded that we are strongly encouraged not to leave the hotel with Hambisa. So we have started our 60 hours of "house arrest". It was nice spending a large part of today with our Aunt Mary, Uncle John, and Cousin Heidi who are also in Ethiopia visiting a soon to be adoptive daughter and grand daughter. The company is therapeutic and quite honestly, more deliberate than our frenzied family gatherings back in the states. Who knew we'd have to travel half way around the globe to spend some quality time with relatives. They headed back to the states tonight and now, with Hambisa in hand, we were envious. 60 hours and we're gone as well.<br />
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I took a stroll to the market for the necessities...Pringles, Snickers, Ramen noodles, baby soap and a small box of laundry detergent for my laundering activities (note Hambisa does not have the same outfit on in any two pictures). Managed to let Hambisa soak in the sink and give him his first bath. Actually, as is evidenced by his love for the water, this is not his first bath, but the first one I've been priviledged to give him.<br />
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Bath time was perfectly timed as we were dressing him, we were able to enjoy an unexpected visit from Pastor James, the gentlemen who, along with his wife took Hambisa into their orphanage in Western Ethiopia. He was in Addis for one more day before heading back and we asked if we could see him. He came to the hotel, where we could properly thank him and trade one more round of stories about where Hambisa came from and the life he is heading towards. Pastor James really liked hearing about and picturing Hambisa with his two brothers. <br />
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Hambisa is tired of dragging his knees on the carpet, something that is new to him, so he's pretty much decided he should walk around the hotel room to spare his knees. He's gone from a shaky celebrated step when we got here yesterday, to 10 or so succesful steps. What's impressive is when he gets to his destination, he can easily bend down and pickup a water bottle or my shoe and maintain his balance. Not bad for an 11 month old.<br />
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We managed to get our hands on some pedialyte for Hambisa, so we stopped his formula and are instead going with a clear liquids diet. We are determined to get his tummy to feel better in the next 60 hours. Two wet diapers tonight before bed and the absence of diarrhea are leaving us feeling optimistic. We'll see what the night brings! We're looking forward to the arrival of some families tomorrow whom we met on our first trip to help us push through our "house arrest".<br />
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<br />Scholtens Five + 1http://www.blogger.com/profile/14068252592859352944noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720200916021271621.post-90893013465250593452012-04-29T14:39:00.002-05:002012-04-29T14:40:31.400-05:00Morning Walk, before picking up Hambisa<br />
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"Construction Zone" - this is the main street from Airport to City Center. They claim to be putting in a Tunnel. Not sure it's deep enough! <br />
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At least they were conscientious enough to build a pedestrian bridge. Hey a ladder would have been a lot easier. Can you imagine the litigation that would ensue in the US?<br />
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Our last meal as "2"...injera, lamb tibs, split pea shirew all washed down with a few beers. <br />
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<br />Scholtens Five + 1http://www.blogger.com/profile/14068252592859352944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720200916021271621.post-70319669683133302842012-04-29T14:28:00.000-05:002012-04-29T14:28:00.961-05:00Guess Who..Celebrates Christmas in April? This guy!<br />
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Guess who fell asleep 2 minutes after getting in the car? This Guy!</div>
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Guess who slept in his mommy's arms for an hour after getting back to the Lodge? This guy!</div>
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Guess who is bonding with his Mommy already and won't let her out of his sight? This Guy!</div>
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Guess who is still having tummy troubles and pooped through two diapers and two sets of clothes today? This Guy!</div>
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Guess who just finished doing laundry in the sink, has clothes hanging all over the hotel room to dry, is eating a dinner of protein bars and coke at 10PM while Mommy and Hambisa sleep and couldn't be happier? This Guy!</div>
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</div>Scholtens Five + 1http://www.blogger.com/profile/14068252592859352944noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720200916021271621.post-30586476264717890912012-04-29T06:03:00.001-05:002012-04-29T06:03:58.439-05:00Sadula LodgeGot to sleep until 8:45AM today. Latest I think I've slept in 10 years. Granted I had some help from the time change and a little pill. Woke up feel refreshed, excited, scared, and generally just kind of smug about the reality of what we are doing here. <br />
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We went on a walk this morning, taking in the air, and stares of the capital city. We stopped by a supermarket and picked up a large amount of bottled water and some diapers for the frenzy that will hit this afternoon.<br />
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At 2PM we are scheduled to return to the orphanage and following a coffee ceremony, emerge with Hambisa from the large steel gates. Sure he lives behind razor wire and steel gates, but Hambisa is a very safe young man. He has had the pleasure of having kind and protective caregivers feed him and keep him healthy. Though we come with the best of intentions, this transition will be scary for him. He will emerge into an unknown world, with unknown people who don't look or smell like him. He will be scared and for that...we are a bit anxious. <br />
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I love this country, but it's very different this time. I just want to be home with all our babies. This trip isn't about getting to know our surroundings, the culture, the life. It's about us getting to know each other.<br />
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I can hardly wait just to hold him close. We talked this morning about how it would be less anxiety inducing to be watching someone's child for two days in a hotel that we knew nothing of their routine. Why is it scarier when he's ours? It's also funny to have a child that we cannot even begin to predict what it will be like. We know Macabe and Bennett's every waking move and can usually come pretty close to knowing what to expect for them. We can at least guess what things might be a real wild card for them.<br />
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It's all a part of the adventure right?! Here we go!!! Ahh!!??!!???!!!Scholtens Five + 1http://www.blogger.com/profile/14068252592859352944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720200916021271621.post-11929919954720697612012-04-29T05:21:00.001-05:002012-04-29T05:49:25.446-05:00A Tale of Two AirplanesIt was the best of flights, it was the worst of flights....no, I've probably been on worse flights...<br />
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Two Airplanes converged (in Frankfurt), I preferred the one less traveled...I'll spare you the details, but anyone who has flown internationally, would probably agree that the soonest you can get off of a domestic US air carrier, the sooner you will likely start to observe comfort and service the way they all claim to provide in the commercials. In this case, Lufthansa gets a thumbs up from us. On our last trip, it was British Midland Airways.<br />
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Flights were good. We connected through Frankfurt, Germany and Khartoum, Sudan this time. We did not leave the plane in Sudan. This trip has definitely steared our attention towards Sudan through a series of unpredicted encounters. The first, is all the attention that the viral video Kony 2012 has generated, the second is an article in this weeks Newsweek magazine about Kony and the LRA. The third is a movie that happened to be showing on our flight from Chicago to Frankfurt, Germany titled "Machine Gun Preacher". It is a real life story, one continuing to this day that will likely leave you assessing where the line falls between moral right and wrong. It is a very mature movie, not intended for kids and I'd say the first 30 minutes is a little long, but be ready for some soul searching after that. I will likely be buying a few copies upon our return to Hudsonville to share with folks.<br />
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Now, before you start thinking this is a horrible place, I'd like to point out that this stuff happens in the good 'ole United States of America as well. It just takes a slightly different face and is a little more underground. Need an example, how about Saginaw, MI, as highlighted in Forbes magazine on 4/26/2012. The fact of the matter is, Ethiopia (and Sudan for that matter) is a beautiful place, with happy and hospitable people. There are simply a few not so nice people mixed in. <br />
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We were once again greeted by the driver for our lodge. Wth the excitement of a child he hugged us, grabbed our bags and said "Welcome Back!". This time I was ready and this little, old dude probably got one of the biggest american Bear hugs he's ever had. An observer might have even seen his feet leave the ground. We're glad to be back!<br />
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<br />Scholtens Five + 1http://www.blogger.com/profile/14068252592859352944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720200916021271621.post-42285001473297972282012-04-25T21:07:00.001-05:002012-04-26T07:20:14.712-05:00On April 19th, 2012, Hambisa's father had an appointment with the US Embassy to confirm his intent to give Hambisa for adoption. It was 1 month to the day from our court appointment in Ethiopia. We were fairly confident he would show up, despite the long arduous journey he was forced to take from his hometown, a mutliple day trip for him. We eagerly awaited the news from the Embassy, hearning nothing on the 19th. On the 20th we received an email at 4AM stating we were cleared to return to Ethiopia and bring Hambisa home!<br />
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Tickets are purchased, and bags are being packed. If all goes well, we will reunite with Hambisa on Sunday April 29 for good..forever.Scholtens Five + 1http://www.blogger.com/profile/14068252592859352944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720200916021271621.post-91295936436999225382012-03-25T05:29:00.003-05:002012-03-25T06:05:27.807-05:00Home...well sort ofIt is an 9 hr plane trip from Addis to London and an 8 hour plane trip from London to Chicago. After driving the final 3 hrs from Chicago to Hudsonville, we made it home on Saturday night at 5 PM. We were greeted by Mac and Bennett in the driveway. They were happy, healthy, and full of energy. We were happy, healthy, and a bit tired. None-the-less, we had a wonderful dinner and caught up briefly with Mom and Dad Lepard. They too were happy, healthy, and a bit tired. After dinner we played outside for a bit. It was an early night, I fell asleep with Bennett in his bed and Whitney with Macabe. It's good to be home...well sort off. If home is where the heart is...then I suppose we have two homes...for now.<br /><br />Now I sit here Sunday morning, awake after 10 hrs of sleep. A great 10 hrs of sleep! I'm compelled to think about how I prioritize. So quickly upon our return I was greeted by many of the things here that matter, that don't hardly exist in Ethiopia. <br /><br />As an example, when I turned on my phone in Chicago, I was greeted by 3 straight minutes of audible chimes notifying me of text messages and emails that had come in from the prior week. I was disconnected from most electronic communication for the better part of the week. So much of my job depends on this. It will be a tough week, catching up...<br /><br />As we pulled into the driveway, it was apparent that Michigan was the recipient of unseasonably warm weather and though we left in the winter, we have returned in the spring. The lawn is covered with clover and weeds. The planting beds are green with weeds. My first thought, "The lawn needs to be mowed, I need to do some seasonal maintenance on the lawnmower, I've missed the window to apply crabgrass preventer, it's going to take me hours to weed the planting beds, I have a lot of clover in my yard, I didn't get to trim the bushes and now they have budded, I was going to finish staining the deck before the grape vines leafed out and they have buds, I'm gone next weekend, when will all this get done?..." All of it...it's not that important...but it is...now my mental battles will begin.<br /><br />But how will my neighbors view me? Am I "rich" or "poor"? Why do I care? Because I am American, living in the United States and this is our culture. A culture of excess that quickly displaces joy and gratitude. A culture coveted by many of those who do not have it. A culture I am proud of and now embarassed by. <br /><br />For now...I will go see how much a goat costs. After all, I have plenty of water and greenery to feed and sustain.Scholtens Five + 1http://www.blogger.com/profile/14068252592859352944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720200916021271621.post-18732072851449179352012-03-24T14:04:00.000-05:002012-03-24T14:05:41.595-05:00The Road to Awasa:We volunteered to take three days out of the city to learn more about the country, its people and its culture.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was a bit of a confusing decision when we have travelling all this way to meet our son.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We have only been able to spend hours with him while here for a week.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After three days I was feeling that desperate need to get back to my kiddos, those in the US and in Addis. (a sign of the difficulty to come in leaving.) <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But let me tell you a few of the invaluable stories/lessons I have learned about my world, myself and my newest son through my three day journey on the road to Awasa. <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The country is different from the developing city.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And when I say developing, note that use the present action tense of the word.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is not a city in the sense that us Westerners understand.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The unemployment rate is<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>45%.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Those that have jobs, such as those working tireless hours in the sun to build the next ‘tall’ 10 story building (without use of steel, mid you), they make 35 Birr a day.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In US, that equates to $2 for a day’s wage.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeWHu5agxnxKnx2WJ-HA_AWxy2lwHwSowG08osB8hZZ_bxS_rq8CfWo6NYal6_DyEN0U64VF1FBolF4YhP218tafGayietkijFjFzP_jOT8328LlJcBdJW5-FHinEeLdJAYf6f0aeUBeh/s1600/P1020105.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeWHu5agxnxKnx2WJ-HA_AWxy2lwHwSowG08osB8hZZ_bxS_rq8CfWo6NYal6_DyEN0U64VF1FBolF4YhP218tafGayietkijFjFzP_jOT8328LlJcBdJW5-FHinEeLdJAYf6f0aeUBeh/s200/P1020105.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723532229266779458" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now, let’s return to the countryside, just 20 minutes out of the capital.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The land becomes very dry, very quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Rainy season is not until july/Aug, and they tell me it becomes very green.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For now, it is the desert.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The streets are lined along the edges as far as we can see with children carrying yellow jugs, cattle parading slowly, donkeys hauling a wooden cart, women with baskets of something I cannot identify.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The most striking part of this scene is that in any direction I look, I cannot see a home, not a mud hut or hay stack in sight.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And because it is desert, I can see a long distance.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>How far have they come?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Where are they going?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Everything they do has a purpose, nothing is without its goal.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That purpose is survival.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I see a boy, about age 7, who is walking alone with his cattle parade, giving the gentle reminders to the cows with his makeshift rope to keep moving, despite the heat.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Because he has cattle, he is considered to be one of the wealthier families.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This means that while others stay back to work the farm, the boy is responsible for watering their cattle.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He walks them for four or five hours each day to the nearest riverbed for a drink.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When they have had their share, they rest in the shade of a tree that itself looks like it has its own story to tell.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Then the return trip home begins back along the dried up road.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This daily journey is necessary to keep up their livelihood.</p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnB7_YQ0SNKS1G3VcurXjMkSupFSm5Hc0Y3lWleQ-V6oRSqFXo53H1Bvt4ufmqD-CwS02WcOERR3WrPCsHNnd94VcBp1vQc5ABLE1subFIP8Mz-inNx7NcViwAlbsZdkrQzqwejApsFBu/s1600/P1020015.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnB7_YQ0SNKS1G3VcurXjMkSupFSm5Hc0Y3lWleQ-V6oRSqFXo53H1Bvt4ufmqD-CwS02WcOERR3WrPCsHNnd94VcBp1vQc5ABLE1subFIP8Mz-inNx7NcViwAlbsZdkrQzqwejApsFBu/s200/P1020015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723532248706456354" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Others walk the same distance to the nearest well with drinkable water, carrying their sustenance on their donkeys or own backs.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I wondered why people didn’t move closer to the wells.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The answer I was given was that it was not possible.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Families are not allowed to sell their land, only pass it along in their families.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If you weren’t born near a well, you likely weren’t going to be living near a well anytime soon</p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal">.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxxIti-X5JUSQs4n9YPiPUgsgTVoN9SIZTvn7qO3bjqKGSMa3CPMr9HeGqlskgkwsfv4563_cXQHwTBF_fC1Tma4VrFmdcTds-iuvHd0IokVm4qrcuEaOFJep7F0biB2Nn4JDFkPYWzle/s1600/P1020238.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxxIti-X5JUSQs4n9YPiPUgsgTVoN9SIZTvn7qO3bjqKGSMa3CPMr9HeGqlskgkwsfv4563_cXQHwTBF_fC1Tma4VrFmdcTds-iuvHd0IokVm4qrcuEaOFJep7F0biB2Nn4JDFkPYWzle/s200/P1020238.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723532234380640002" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQRLVWfl1QfjNrnDUteXk28RjuvbBUxMU7vHkWiuYKBz3YtSdiLEE7mbU6o_ht74fw3ua8VZxWhRsWLdEQJpkjNM_BBWHpxDNNHhrHCXzNL6pjxnsMGpgmBjygMfIAM_mFcLFirVK79pg/s1600/P1020140.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQRLVWfl1QfjNrnDUteXk28RjuvbBUxMU7vHkWiuYKBz3YtSdiLEE7mbU6o_ht74fw3ua8VZxWhRsWLdEQJpkjNM_BBWHpxDNNHhrHCXzNL6pjxnsMGpgmBjygMfIAM_mFcLFirVK79pg/s200/P1020140.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723538207755659474" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Before I left home in the US, I took off my engagement ring, left behind jewelry, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I didn’t want to be flashy or inconsiderate in my excess.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What I quickly learned is that it isn’t the diamond or the jewels that do that.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is my skin that wears the wealth.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Even the poorest of the people in our own country have things or clothes or access to something, anything, that these poor farmers have never seen.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There is something that the Ethiopians have that so many Americans to not have any longer.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They have a smile that shines through their hardship, especially the children.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I tried hard to look into the faces of many of the adults, to see if that spark was lost somewhere in their growing up.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For the most part, it was still there.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtM7VH-y6IF0nkh7adSdgPrl3KE8iGD6BV9rqbbtOJ27l3wIBbdTmzDrU3LHL9967UbFKiXT6OqtvvFR1X_pUZi20AaIEi_QV2p50EzJXJQlN5soQC78O0I9nFciHMdlHRfk3tY04cjMP/s1600/P1020252.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtM7VH-y6IF0nkh7adSdgPrl3KE8iGD6BV9rqbbtOJ27l3wIBbdTmzDrU3LHL9967UbFKiXT6OqtvvFR1X_pUZi20AaIEi_QV2p50EzJXJQlN5soQC78O0I9nFciHMdlHRfk3tY04cjMP/s200/P1020252.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723532243106389362" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After our arrival in Awasa (which was filled with countless stories and miniature journeys) our white minibus with two white Americans, and our two newest Ethiopian friends who were travelling with us stopped on the side of the road to visit a coffee farm.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This afternoon was one of those times we will continually ask ourselves, “Did we really do that?”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was a random roadside stop where the women agreed to show us their coffee crop and false banana plants.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The only thing that seemed to be missing was the National Geographic camera crew following us.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Just as we were fascinated with them and their work life, they were fascinated by us and our personal camera.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It made for a good exchange, but really only something that can be described with pictures and videos, though that doesn’t come close to fully encompassing all the experience.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They were kind enough to invite us into their home.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The cows, two women, six children and the unknown number of others who were out working in the field lived in a mud home the size of my living room.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was surprised to see a single bed I assumed they all shared.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That it until I saw the baby come crawling in the dusty dirt floor from around the half wall where the cows were.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He had been snuggling with his cattle friends, maybe even sneaking a luxury drink of milk.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZAHcj01IZfwF5bzIi1KQtmo_wO70nLE0ALfkgUqHz4j2Ex-c7v4tOMrw2lZyDKQzcX80F0tjhe9c_me_nk2GvF9pgYkN5cZEnefXeBQoYJyGGfxtRQp4XJzzArgOpYw6-n2jz9a-TsA8/s1600/P1020165.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZAHcj01IZfwF5bzIi1KQtmo_wO70nLE0ALfkgUqHz4j2Ex-c7v4tOMrw2lZyDKQzcX80F0tjhe9c_me_nk2GvF9pgYkN5cZEnefXeBQoYJyGGfxtRQp4XJzzArgOpYw6-n2jz9a-TsA8/s200/P1020165.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723538197495504162" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Vs7YPW8RqCQddE-IlILpOPBuT_nIwXajS_Zj2ZNIdB_A_9jYg9Y2Uu_am6W3A-H-c-6ucTQ6ZhLdLk3IZhK2maOhHC8e6caO5bIWJIRgMahxdEfySgFyo4Q2rU9_c57GOjJgEcTAJgJ6/s1600/P1020155.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Vs7YPW8RqCQddE-IlILpOPBuT_nIwXajS_Zj2ZNIdB_A_9jYg9Y2Uu_am6W3A-H-c-6ucTQ6ZhLdLk3IZhK2maOhHC8e6caO5bIWJIRgMahxdEfySgFyo4Q2rU9_c57GOjJgEcTAJgJ6/s200/P1020155.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723538189716207618" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What does all this mean?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I haven’t quite digested it all yet, but I do know it means I have a better understanding of the life and family from where Hambisa came.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We are told that his place of origin is more remote and dry than this blessed road to Awasa.</p>Scholtens Five + 1http://www.blogger.com/profile/14068252592859352944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720200916021271621.post-18009641276161877912012-03-24T13:34:00.004-05:002012-03-24T14:01:58.748-05:00Wednesday:Wednesday: backing up again (More time in Awasa)<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAYG0JGYEgJMnpI37fXNt_JozCPPcZIyFWunpb1O95bQuBURP2gW2wRGh77m47Dt0PPSF6O-03g51512GqhwjmCVUO-4hPfhcgyAigucSwq-INvi6aRUbUGtmapz2jlfMSyC-0G_KwZxt/s1600/P1020068.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAYG0JGYEgJMnpI37fXNt_JozCPPcZIyFWunpb1O95bQuBURP2gW2wRGh77m47Dt0PPSF6O-03g51512GqhwjmCVUO-4hPfhcgyAigucSwq-INvi6aRUbUGtmapz2jlfMSyC-0G_KwZxt/s200/P1020068.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723534893141700290" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOxhNHX55kT7Qr2oVP-FLUtjubFAkOcTtPbIUgJ9Ao8nocbN5kWpp1-nKxLC33_ZheEOhVHpLPFU1BQ9PuGyw23ZuvaLPiKJwIEAhiW_qX7S91TdUHMPmOUT5-kTrTgIVyw70RzMn2XpZ/s1600/P1020049.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOxhNHX55kT7Qr2oVP-FLUtjubFAkOcTtPbIUgJ9Ao8nocbN5kWpp1-nKxLC33_ZheEOhVHpLPFU1BQ9PuGyw23ZuvaLPiKJwIEAhiW_qX7S91TdUHMPmOUT5-kTrTgIVyw70RzMn2XpZ/s200/P1020049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723536565829746050" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Yup! Got to go out in a rickety old boat and see some hippos.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Boat was wood, assembled with nails, and painted in very bright colors.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>One of my favorite things was to see the fishermen on their rafts made out of reeds and long push sticks, waiting to sneak up on a fish…no gas power motor needed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The lake was beautiful with mountains right up to it. Though we commented on the fact that in such a dry and deserted country, we would have guessed that the capital city would be centered near a lake, but there was very little development.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>One very rich man owns the land around it, so the best way to access that water is to stay in his 5 star resort.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>That man’s name is Haile, and as we would later learn, he is a national treasure.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A prized runner.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He has one many marathons and is now a millionaire.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He owns multiple resorts, multiple buildings, and employees many in this country.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Once again we learn another interesting fact about “Charlie” as he claims, “He is a normal man, we are neighbors.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I talk to him and tell him his resort is nice, his rooms are nice, his pool is nice, his restaurant…not so nice.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But he doesn’t seem to care much about the restaurant.”</p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal">After hippos we were taken to do some shopping.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This is a humorous experience.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We laughed anytime we caught a glimpse of each other.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was apparent there were only specific shops we were being taken to by “Charlie” because he knew the families.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was one of those “no pressure” situations where no one pushed you to buy, but we were clearly paraded there for a purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>One shop specialized in weaving traditional fabrics.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In Ethiopia each region is known for a specific style of fabric, it is most similar to kilts in Scotland that are specific to a clan.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The store itself was a small 8 foot by 15 foot area with 5 or 6 people sitting inside.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Stacked from floor to ceiling were fabrics and garments representing the different areas.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As we showed more curiousity, they offered to walk us through a small door<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>to a room that was much larger, about the size of a two stall garage.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In this room there were 4 people on sewing machines, once boy crimping snaps, and two people ironing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In the back there was an older gentleman, working on home made looms actually weaving each of these tradition patterns. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As it turns out, this was a “one-stop shop”.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Kurt asked about hats and after trying one on, there were some laughs and it was decided that Kurt’s head was too big for any hat they had ever made before.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“That’s OK”, said Charlie, “they measure your head”.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As long as they were going to measure Kurt picked out a shirt as well.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Kurt kneeled down so his head was at an appropriate level. How do you not buy it when they specially make it for you, starting with the weaving of fabric? We walked out(the following morning) with a tailor made shirt and hat, a humorous memory and some laughs with new friends. Got to love it! Oh, and don't let us forget to tell you about our trip to the Merkato where the locals do their shopping.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRpHfx4D6CLmhyraI1U4pT3cV4AN-j4YJ0c_wFxJgM77-52FY31RuB3Y-6Ni7vknzHWILp6Bv6AghO5vYc57yRGFjROHQDpxkWDGZFigWUc84-dlDI0JpRBk661uI37muBH9yKOLZQCgN/s1600/P1020194.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRpHfx4D6CLmhyraI1U4pT3cV4AN-j4YJ0c_wFxJgM77-52FY31RuB3Y-6Ni7vknzHWILp6Bv6AghO5vYc57yRGFjROHQDpxkWDGZFigWUc84-dlDI0JpRBk661uI37muBH9yKOLZQCgN/s200/P1020194.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723534898032249490" border="0" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYl68GawowrDHRoKIfexN6LFM9yVKfJJwF2PGA3A-dNkd6X56lqyrKvJGoTGh6WuGYYVlSJi8UzbHqJ8kjwalDVFEMb5jVwGAlc0aKzTglyXlF89VPBWYbnOSsckHG4FnOXJ4VxGsIegmb/s1600/P1020190.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYl68GawowrDHRoKIfexN6LFM9yVKfJJwF2PGA3A-dNkd6X56lqyrKvJGoTGh6WuGYYVlSJi8UzbHqJ8kjwalDVFEMb5jVwGAlc0aKzTglyXlF89VPBWYbnOSsckHG4FnOXJ4VxGsIegmb/s200/P1020190.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723539726395863586" border="0" /></a></p>Scholtens Five + 1http://www.blogger.com/profile/14068252592859352944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720200916021271621.post-36598628068103400792012-03-23T14:29:00.002-05:002012-03-23T14:44:12.273-05:00Bittersweet<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6PvulXPa_ToOx0iWO9DImkPWHMFO2yeAMg9Z_SV6vjlSLAzc0I3AbzgquCMI6LWuyDXGlMNMDAs4peaWvom-jgPkSslZJQsPY-EtuGMCAanpG7j79rFSOpOrq4k51fu5G8r-0aBCFcr0/s1600/P1020309.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6PvulXPa_ToOx0iWO9DImkPWHMFO2yeAMg9Z_SV6vjlSLAzc0I3AbzgquCMI6LWuyDXGlMNMDAs4peaWvom-jgPkSslZJQsPY-EtuGMCAanpG7j79rFSOpOrq4k51fu5G8r-0aBCFcr0/s200/P1020309.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723178980223798450" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIzU8-5h0vwFRxSTDVm7SqDONvVcDTr2pnkAJ9tRvtRTcOkbRhaCz66p3Onwu-DScq3gDvYcUiXpiDxqld8fu7Yl0cOBc3uVwe3UEYm3DQUflB2YuPhl6jYqbqL3WZAYcMvcFwMGRF_tZ/s1600/P1020296.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIzU8-5h0vwFRxSTDVm7SqDONvVcDTr2pnkAJ9tRvtRTcOkbRhaCz66p3Onwu-DScq3gDvYcUiXpiDxqld8fu7Yl0cOBc3uVwe3UEYm3DQUflB2YuPhl6jYqbqL3WZAYcMvcFwMGRF_tZ/s200/P1020296.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723178990769868770" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsf0f-2DkUQIvNl0nuieYT2dK7imRaxSQHjrXDTiaez3QKZog69ZY1k-XfI7s_DUoAvVijlj4gCtZ8Vr-GSH2OSmjJZG3ps1al5FBGEb4o2GYHUc0PKxBM53D36EZ8dJnYcyd6s7mjHR8/s1600/P1020294.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsf0f-2DkUQIvNl0nuieYT2dK7imRaxSQHjrXDTiaez3QKZog69ZY1k-XfI7s_DUoAvVijlj4gCtZ8Vr-GSH2OSmjJZG3ps1al5FBGEb4o2GYHUc0PKxBM53D36EZ8dJnYcyd6s7mjHR8/s200/P1020294.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723178996681719698" border="0" /></a>Today was so much fun with Hambisa! We were able to have an extended 3 hour stay with him and his friends today. Everything about it was wonderful. Now to only have all our children together on the same continent! We miss Mac and Bennett, and we are now going to be missing sweet Hambisa too. Instead of posting our catch up days here on the blog, we have been sitting here with our extra time viewing videos and photos of our little man. We will catch you up soon, but now we are off to catch a plane.Scholtens Five + 1http://www.blogger.com/profile/14068252592859352944noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720200916021271621.post-4929692076926653902012-03-22T00:33:00.003-05:002012-03-22T00:53:05.671-05:00Haile<div><div><div>Let’s back up…now that we have had a second visit with Hambisa, I feel better able to share my first visit with Hambisa. As a mother, that first one was a tough one. My emotions were running strained as we hadn’t yet been to any African orphanages to know what to expect, we don’t<br />speak the same language, and my son was going to be there…in the flesh. We had the other American family with us to visit and take charge of our camera for photos and video opportunities. I loved that and I hated that. They allowed us to tend to the job we wanted<br />without having to worry about documenting it ourselves. Yet, it’s a little strange to be watched<br />having this moment.</div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722594506010474482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1gMlVfiSrZl0PCeDQYHe_B6o7CmtlKfqYKcu5FOb_HibNfqep8Og02OH66AF4P0Wi-i4aDjKY6GzCKVVJB158NqO9DqOyHobbswLnld45D0fRZjhE2WU6zDG4Rfmz0NuAlbUcHpMpOH1/s200/P1010873.JPG" /><br />It was 1pm here, prime naptime in the US and Ethiopia. Score<br />1 for something the same. We speak English, not Amharic. Score 1 for something<br />different. We are giants, about a foot taller than any of the other caregivers.<br />Difference: 2. Our skin is white, our touch unfamiliar. Differences: 3<br />& 4. Now, these differences are part of what Kurt and I know, love, and cherish. Now put yourself in the “shoes” (socks) of little Hambisa, awakened from a nap to meet these crazy, emotional creatures. He is 10 months old. He is fed. He is healthy. He is moving. He<br />is beautiful. I am crying…And he is not very happy to see us.</div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 112px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722594526580949378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bDgAMpf3wzpI2vG9YIo774SZifszQ9bSlZkYDq1grckNFo93UcNMNpsDdZ2mdoPVaFv2QzWuEOhHm9H08UF2kB3xmmDHzsB-R_rxUtZojMjhxNyqERnMx2dvAVrNXfcI7NcTjZ5hMiTE/s200/2012-03-18_07-38-51_608.jpg" /><br />I was hoping he would warm up, but it was quite the opposite. He sat for a few minutes on<br />our laps with little to no response, then he wanted nothing to do with us. He cried and squirmed. Who is supposed to console him? His caretakers (my angels) have familiarity<br />and relationship for him. I want to be the one to help him, but I am not. I<br />know it is best for him to be consoled by the nannies, because I have to leave<br />again. I have to return home without him one more time. What good can I do by<br />connecting with him and returning to the US? I hand him back to be consoled, even though I am his mother. The time will come, right? It is just not now. </div><div><br />The rest of our stay at the orphanage was spent with other children who had awaken from their naps. There is another baby girl at the same orphanage who will be Hambisa’s<br />(second) cousin. She too is a beauty. We had fun playing with her, holding her close, letting her know what a special Mama she had coming to get her asap. It is so good to know that<br />with all the unfamiliar that will be in the US with their new families, they will have each other to grow with. It comforts me. </div><div><br />And that is it for day one with Hambisa. Hour one. Not so glamorous. I sobbed the<br />rest of the way back to the hotel with that ‘after adrenaline’ let down. I love you little<br />man. I am choosing to be grateful for caretakers so special to you that you, too, have learned to love.<br /><br />Day Two with Hambisa:<br />Back to the orphanage we trod, following court where it has become official. We are a family of<br />five! Now, it seems as though an Ethiopian judge signing our paperwork was all we needed to turn the corner. OR maybe it was just that we decided to wait until after the naptime today before we returned. :)<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 200px; height: 150px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722594513877225522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjAI0S0XJTAtlvugp72TqFnBZL9F7jGqkfpHKmKf9F1HSY4SQBSwTOkzwsEMoramXuQFk_MIFvU3rfaJ4OPTu2LuNnVOeBSSbE625_7AV8dE1KuB9ygKcjmdGmQE34voJwfGS7Y2L-G0R/s200/P1010930.JPG" /></div><div><br />Today our words are still different. Our skin, our touch and our size are still different. But today, he is rested and less scared. Sleep, my friends. Never underestimate the beauty of sweet<br />sleep. Today he could see that we smile the same and like to make each other laugh, that we actually have more similarities than differences. My little Hambisa plays with others, likes to be near the action (which is good cuz with three boys, there’s gonna be a lot of action), crawls on the floor, pulls himself to standing, and as we know from Day 1, attaches appropriately to his<br />caregivers. Let us not forget…he is also a stud in my sunglasses! I am thankful<br />for Day 2…a happy reunion.</div></div></div>Scholtens Five + 1http://www.blogger.com/profile/14068252592859352944noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720200916021271621.post-600018631627785372012-03-21T12:52:00.003-05:002012-03-21T13:41:36.473-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEm8-b9U9PhPJZoNEyJzlFTNfqmGdtzuyYuzZuHaiRu3nCtTHfXTSZTJS4O-z5wOaR08v8mn72jWL8mrf1pKpCurco69WQRqV1uTeYlx4J-HlsrCoQr7D4cvqCR3kVInpbhz6-LxixnvZK/s1600/P1010770.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEm8-b9U9PhPJZoNEyJzlFTNfqmGdtzuyYuzZuHaiRu3nCtTHfXTSZTJS4O-z5wOaR08v8mn72jWL8mrf1pKpCurco69WQRqV1uTeYlx4J-HlsrCoQr7D4cvqCR3kVInpbhz6-LxixnvZK/s200/P1010770.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722419134287177730" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A view of our luxury hotel in Addis.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6hT8NKZVLUqZ8wcdKEB1zZHzeOI4CUgZvP6HxB5726wRZxEuYMyQsCRAKwtlItuAmKdtsOyE8rREWXv8ChpHnI5N18Wfk2h5urIKSpwJ3dQtgSi20woxz6m-V2SVZx6A3umRwZkSIbNx/s1600/P1010839.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6hT8NKZVLUqZ8wcdKEB1zZHzeOI4CUgZvP6HxB5726wRZxEuYMyQsCRAKwtlItuAmKdtsOyE8rREWXv8ChpHnI5N18Wfk2h5urIKSpwJ3dQtgSi20woxz6m-V2SVZx6A3umRwZkSIbNx/s200/P1010839.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722419165440113586" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A traditional Ethiopian meal with our friends. No forks allowed, and be sure to use just your right hand...sorry lefties!<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXaO2DEwEDgRo95Gg7nv0byDdBBevpqM7TYwyyQpc1mWYiM55YYviy_gU9zAR76Jj7Hmeb8F_jAA0t6dD7cEBgFSchY1pdgn1OIBSEAk0HSWwLY4l5teWGcJ1ht27NC1LczKdX8yyuA3T/s1600/P1010868.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXaO2DEwEDgRo95Gg7nv0byDdBBevpqM7TYwyyQpc1mWYiM55YYviy_gU9zAR76Jj7Hmeb8F_jAA0t6dD7cEBgFSchY1pdgn1OIBSEAk0HSWwLY4l5teWGcJ1ht27NC1LczKdX8yyuA3T/s200/P1010868.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722419175412090258" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The road to Hambisa's orphanage<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHBo2WR4gOlhT5jy7c4qn2OzOt3HZkgNQp-M0wOKIHGaLsyv62Rr0KVCR7_RIOYp51HFlU4i5_pW4ZTxp2OoDrcbAEkM2x5g3URI1334wpAFHPb3BDTQx1gnHsnRwOtorFlOPAUwy7BBT/s1600/P1010776.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHBo2WR4gOlhT5jy7c4qn2OzOt3HZkgNQp-M0wOKIHGaLsyv62Rr0KVCR7_RIOYp51HFlU4i5_pW4ZTxp2OoDrcbAEkM2x5g3URI1334wpAFHPb3BDTQx1gnHsnRwOtorFlOPAUwy7BBT/s200/P1010776.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722419142775487026" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Knocking on the gate awaiting entrance<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZApzMhRAHdbTR8Lie7V706bKJR6NnLeA7Loa4TLNSmZP6h0hR7-SlAJrfgp8LVKsogPsm3L50wE23TGHxq4dbODxS2S856PiLnRKIh7kTaFqcnQkXDWoyNZrp5WbHLxwuHyBNE2CALgbE/s1600/P1010789.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZApzMhRAHdbTR8Lie7V706bKJR6NnLeA7Loa4TLNSmZP6h0hR7-SlAJrfgp8LVKsogPsm3L50wE23TGHxq4dbODxS2S856PiLnRKIh7kTaFqcnQkXDWoyNZrp5WbHLxwuHyBNE2CALgbE/s200/P1010789.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722419156275631202" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We're together at last!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMThZqEthy0WYO3DAoPCd1w4CPIAKGjmZ8YcsAe4q6zG09sI-8riWC1ozUX1s8GbHZ03O1Zjv_aG6qJViUgVY6qwu6oYIRSLxg7YVieNwNFrBhSSSa8AFyFUHGdC4HRDVYQraRvFJgRxcG/s1600/P1010880.JPG"><img 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name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">Tuesday:</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Our directive for today was once again simple.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Meet “Charlie” in the lobby of the hotel at 7Am so we can depart for Hawassa, a 170 mile trip for some cultural immersion.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This we did and were pleased to find both “Charlie” and a driver we were familiar with, Jared.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This my friends was the most educational 170 mile drive I have ever been on.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m not yet fully capable of describing every observation, but to sum it up…national geographic and the nightly news can hardly describe the beauty, poverty, famine, and simplicity of this country!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There was only one moment in our 170 mile drive through the desert, where I could not see a person walking in one direction or the other along the road.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Yes, the rural Ethiopian people are constantly moving and do you know where they are going?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>To the water.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It consumes their day, every day.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Some are carrying yellow pails for water, others have them strapped on to a donkey, while others are simply driving their entire cow or goat herd to the water.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Young boys the age of Macabe with a switch and a donkey.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s beautiful, scary, convicting, sad.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You want to help…but where do you start?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Since we’ve been here I’ve seen UN, WorldVision, UsAID, Latter day Saints, japan, and other humanitarian vehicles and projects.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>All I can say is, this is real folks!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I mean real, real.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Along our trip we stopped at one of 27 underground orthodox churches.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>These date back to the 15<sup>th</sup> century (I think) and are amazing!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We also stopped at an Ethiopian Heritage site received a casual tour of an ancient Ethiopian warrior burial ground.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This dates back to 12<sup>th</sup> Century.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There are headstones of sort called Stella stones that tell the complete history of the warrior.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Many of these were just discovered (well probably not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">just discovered, </i>as the locals likely knew where they were) and excavated in 1988.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s a little weird because you are in one of the most remote places ever, you park your van in a field of brush where you can see the hilly topography for miles, and out of nowhere emerges a gentleman who offers to give you an official tour for a small fee (he has a handsfree phone accessory dangling from his tattered and beaten shirt).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He was official, with an official gov’t receipt, but nothing about this seemed official.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>To our right was one of many traditional Ethiopian huts with a lady roasting coffee beans. “You guys are good luck!” “Charlie” exclaimed. She’s roasting coffee for us!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After our tour we sat outside the hut and shared a cup of coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Let’s see, oh yes, about 2:30PM we completed our 170 mile drive and arrived at our lodging for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A couple things I learned from experience.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There is Cellular phone service covering the entire route of the trip, as “Charlie” typed on his Iphone the whole way and it was not uncommon to see a local shepherd walking behind his flock of goats with homemade switch in one hand and a cell phone in the other.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Also, “Charlie” insisted I sit in the front seat of the van while he sat in the back.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I really wanted to sit in the back with Whitney so we could be together and so I could hear “Charlie” better, as windows were open.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So after one of our stops I moved to the back.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was then that “Charlie”’s intentions became apparent.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In small villages, officials can waive down passing by cars and force them to give rides.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, there is an exception to this and that is, that official tour companies who are carrying tourists are exempt from this rule.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>While officials may not be able to differentiate the tour companies without stopping them, if there is a 250 lb white dude sitting in the front of a van, they see you coming from a long ways and don’t stop you.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After I moved to the back, we were stopped at just about every town.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We joked, and for 20 birr, I agreed to move back to the front seat.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="font-family:Wingdings;mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-char-type:symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol;mso-symbol-font-family:Wingdings">J</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">So we made it to our hotel at 2:30 PM, had some time to freshen up and then left for a local orphanage in Awassa.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We spend some time with a wonderful Christian man who along with a small staff cares for 48 young children.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We stayed with this man and met every child in the orphanage.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We once again, delivered blanket, board books, and other fun stuff for the children.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Oh yes, did I mention that they like candy?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My pockets were stuffed with Smarties and all day we were giving them to children.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They need much more than smarties, but candy seems to draw a smile everytime.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We left the orphanage at 7PM.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Dinner in the city, where we were joined by the orphanage director again.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Great conversation until about 9PM when we decided to leave.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Curious thing about dinner, as we sat and ate, the restaurant lost power.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Guess what..it’s dark in Africa when the power goes out, but nobody flinches.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There was hardly a pause in conversation as we talked in the dark.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In about 10 minutes candles started to appear on the tables.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This would have been a serious show stopper at home.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was hardly a bump in the road here.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Back to the hotel, it is raining.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Again “Charlie” exclaims, “Rain in the dry season?!? You guys are good luck!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You can come back often!”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Is it seriously only Tuesday?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Tomorrow “Charlie” promises to let me ride hippos and sell me at the market.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Is this fun or scary? I’ll let you know tomorrow.</p>Scholtens Five + 1http://www.blogger.com/profile/14068252592859352944noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720200916021271621.post-75934678123274374502012-03-21T09:25:00.002-05:002012-03-21T09:27:48.436-05:00Neh!Monday<br /><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> 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mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">It’s court day!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Our appointment was first thing in the morning and we were told to meet our ride at 8:45 AM.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We wouldn’t need anything but our passports.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Luckily we were going to court at the same time as the other adoptive family in Ethiopia from our agency so we had a peer group to keep each other company.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We were picked up by 2 people whom we had not previously met that work for our agency in Ethiopia.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>One was the court advocate and the other a social worker.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When we inquired about what to expect the court advocate simply stated, ‘just follow me’.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The social worker said she wasn’t sure as she just started working for our agency a week prior and hadn’t been to court yet.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Sweet!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">enter your own sarcastic comment here</i>)</p> <p class="MsoNormal">After about 15 minutes of driving in what seemed like circles, our van pulled to the side of the road and we were told to hop out.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In between two street stands was a shiny (well sort of) chrome door with a <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>group of police officers sitting out front.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We were loosely frisked before entering and climbed 3 floors of a dark stairwell. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I found it odd, that we walked through a metal detector at the restaurant the night before, but the courthouse only had the resources to support a simple pat down. As we passed each of the lower floors the halls seemed to be lined with people.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We reached the third floor and walked to the end of hall way and entered a room that reminded me of the waiting area at the Secretary of State’s office.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was filled with an eclectic mix of people, about 40 of them.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Thank goodness for the European family sitting in the corner who looked like they just came from the Casino in Monte Carlo or I definitely would have felt overdressed in my khakis, white polo shirt with a tie (I had to keep cool) and blue sport coat.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There were signs in the room strongly suggesting silence and we were told that this is best advised. I quietly inquired with our advocate if all the people in the room were there for adoptions and he confirmed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There was only one other American contingent and the rest appeared to be from a mix of countries.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">So we sat waiting, with each pair of nervous eyes meeting the next, likely thinking the same thing I was…”I wonder what’s their story?’.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After getting tired of trying to find something to look at I remembered I had my phone in my pocket.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Thank you Angry Birds!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After about 25 minutes<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>a door in the side of the room opened and the first of the people seated in the room were beckoned into the judge’s chambers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As the door opened and closed it was preceded and followed by a loud clanking deadbolt lock.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The first couple emerged about 3 minutes later and appeared content.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Somebody rattled off some Amharic and our advocate collected our passports and disappeared into the judge’s chamber for about 10 seconds, then he peeked his head out and waived all of us into the chamber, both us and the other family.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The female judge asked us 5 or 6 basic questions about our intent, our preparation, and our understanding of the finality of the adoption.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The other family and ourselves, <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>answered as a whole, kind of like when the youth group takes profession of faith after finishing catechism.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Then she signed some papers and said, congratulations. At this moment we became a family of 5 in the eyes of Ethiopia. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now I have to admit, given my surroundings, I wasn’t really struck with emotion, but then again, I’m a guy and at that moment in time I was more focused on my exit plan and the emotion would likely come later.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So we returned to the van with a sigh of relief and were told we were now going to pick up a new family who had just gotten into town and we were going to go shopping, we’d visit the orphanage again to see our new son mid-afternoon after nap time.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What?!?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have a sport coat and tie on and have only brought my passport and enough cash to get out of an emergency, as advised by our agency in America.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Have I mentioned yet that this was going to be an adventure and that I would have some learning by way of being flexible?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>To make a long story short, we survived shopping. At this point in time, we put our heads together with the other families and told the driver that we want to have lunch back at our hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A few phone calls later and he received approval to take us back to the lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>You see, all of the shots are being called by our contact “Charlie” who was not with us and our only contact is through the drivers cellphone.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">We returned to the lodge, freshened up, walked down the street to a have a bite and get to know the “new’ family a bit and then packed up to go see our new son!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This time since all the kids would be done with naps, we packed the arsenal of toys from beachballs to jump ropes to bubbles.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When we arrived Hambisa was well rested and happy!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We had about 30 minutes alone with him and the nurse (yeah, sweet, there’s a bonafide nurse at his orphanage mon-fri who also speaks great English.)<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Guess what, he’s a legit 10 month old boy who likes to crawl, put things in his mouth, swing around in our arms and explore.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I took him outside while Whitney talked shop with the nurse, this lady and the other caregivers are truly God’s blessing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They care for these children like they are theirs and then have to turn them away to adoptive families.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Hambisa has been at this orphanage since October and is the longest standing child there to date.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The nurse admitted she will miss seeing him go, as she does all the kids, but then restated that this is how success is defined in this orphanage.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Anyway, back to my time with Hambisa.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It was important that I hug him and kiss him and begin to explain to him about how much he is loved by not only us but also all of our friends and family back home who will care for him in a fashion he can’t understand.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The truth be told, he didn’t understand a word I said because, well, his caregivers only know Amharic and while he is responsive to some Amharic dialogue, he doesn’t know English.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So I simply started singing him our “good night” songs that we sing every night with the boys and “johnny appleseed”.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Half way through the songs, the emotions finally caught me and all I could do was stand outside next to the razor wire and hug Hambisa and cry.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I was pretty much dried up by the time Whitney came out and at this time the other kids came out as well.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I handed her Hambisa and got to the other order of business, some serious playing with the other kiddos.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We blew up beach balls and blew bubbles.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We also brought some board books with pictures and simple English.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Surprisingly, it was the board books that captures all of their attention at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Beautiful kids folks, beautiful kids.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">So soon enough our driver emerged picked up one of the kids for a while and then said we have to leave.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We returned to the hotel at about 5 PM to capture our thoughts before walking to dinner with the other family, who had gone to visit their new child a different orphanage that afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Good night Sweet Hambisa Scholtens!</p>Scholtens Five + 1http://www.blogger.com/profile/14068252592859352944noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720200916021271621.post-79335942224579744562012-03-19T09:10:00.001-05:002012-03-21T09:24:55.364-05:00Ame-Segm-alehuSunday:<br /><br />Morning came early on day two and I suppose I wasn't surprised to find out that the alarm clock sounded a lot like a goat. Because it was a goat. Our windows were open and in the distance we could hear a monotone hum of foreign chant and singing being piped throughout the city. I later found out this was Orthodox Christian prayers.We headed to the fifth floor for breakfast. A gentlemen made us a scrambled egg with onion and pepper (the hot kind). We practiced casual amharic and true to form, we received smiles as if to say, "we don't understand you, but thanks for trying anyway"<br /><br />After breakfast we weren't sure of what to expect as we were told to get to the hotel and we would be contacted from there. It was kind of like Charlies' angels or Mission Impossible, in my mind anyway. Our phone did ring and it was "charlie", although he has a different name, he operates in an environment where we will protect his privacy and simply call him "Charlie". He said another couple in town asked to go to the protestant church service and he was going to pick them up at 8:45AM We could join or rest for the morning. Let me think about that one...we're going!<br /><br />We were early to church so we stopped at a coffee house and grabbed a tea/coffee/machiatto in the Ethiopian knock-off of Starbucks. It appears to be the universal urban drink. A good time to meet our peers, who were a fun bunch from Kentucky. A single mom and her 14 year old son were in ethiopia meeting their daughter/sister for the first time. Also with them were family friends, another mother and son combo. We compared notes and started to get to know each other.<br /><br />Back to Church. One of the boys traveling with us said, 'That was amazingly like our church at home". And it was! It is so wonderful to know and feel that God is God everywhere. This was a large church and extremely diverse, from Ethiopian to Asian to European and American influences. In singing the doxology, I was struck on how God is the same God yesterday, today, and tomorrow, and how he presents himself in lands foreign or familiar in the same. The pastor preached from the Book of James about why it's so easy to love people "over there", but not easy to love them "here". A great way to start the week.<br /><br />Then it was off to see Hambisa! We'll cover that in a different blog post.<br /><br />After our visit to the orphanage, we had found out that the director of the orphanage from remote Ethiopia where Hambisa was dropped of was in Addis! We asked if we could visit with him and he was amenable. We met at a coffeee shop and had a wonderful dialogue with this man for over an hour, discussing his history as an Ethiopian orphan who has since recivied his seminary degree and is now running an orphanage in remote Ethiopia. He is a jovial and fun man and was able to give us first person recollection of Hambisa's birth through 4 months of age. He said Hambisa truly is a gift from God and he knew in his heart that if he and his wife could nurse him back to health God would have a special plan for him. Hambisa has an awesome story, one we can't wait to share with him someday. We are so lucky to have an opportunity to meet Pastor James.<br /><br />After this meeting "Charlie" took us to a traditional Abysinnian restaurant where we had the pleasure of traditional food and dancing from the Eastern part of Aftrica. This area was formerly known as Abysinnia before being broken into what is now the multiple countries in the Horn of Africa. "Charlie" introduced us to a new drink called "teich?" it is fermented honey and yes it does contain alcohol, though nobody really knows how much. It will no doubt be the subject of multiple conversations between the two boys from kentucky, we were able to get a drink before they were cut off. My response..."Big deal! You're from Kentucky, isn't this just like moonshine?"<br /><br />By 10Pm jet lag kicked in and it was time to return to the hotel.Scholtens Five + 1http://www.blogger.com/profile/14068252592859352944noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8720200916021271621.post-22884348519337329092012-03-18T00:10:00.006-05:002012-03-19T00:18:47.882-05:00SelamOur first morning in Ethyo-pya and we are now tasked with breaking down barriers. Barriers in our own minds and hearts as well as barriers created by the experiences and assumption of others. I've made it a personal goal to smile all the time on this trip, as I can think of no greater non-verbal piece of communication (This is a stretch, as it is not always my forte)<br /><br />But first...our trip. We drove to Chicago to catch a plan to London. It was a little bit close, as Chicago traffic reared it's angry head. With constant motion we were able to check-in, move through security, hit the bathroom, and walk right onto the plane and into our seats with nary a moment to spare. This is big! You see, I'm a control freak. Not necessarily the kind of freak who has to control everybody else, but the kind who's brain is always scanning the environment, the background, the people around me so i can strategize on how to do things more safely, more efficiently, or more effectively. Moving through traffic and the airport are great fun, but pretty mentally exhausting for me. Once I planted my biscuits firmly in that seat, I knew that I was no longer in control and it's time to recharge my batteries. Ahhh.<br /><br />So we hit London and I was excited! My first time! I was worried about language barriers but this proved to be a non-issue :). I was on full out watch for the Queen and the crown princes but unfortunately, they weren't at Heathrow at 7Am in terminal 1. That said, I do think Mr. Bean was driving the passenger cart! Anyway, it became apparent that we were in London on St. paddy's day. I quickly assessed the situation and realized what had to be done. Regardless of the fact that it was 7AM in England and 3 Am in Michigan, Whitney and I headed straight for the Tin Goose pub, ordered an Egg and Pork Biscuit and a pint of Guiness. Check that one off the bucket list!<br /><br />Our next flight had an unexpected twist. One that was clearly in the plans for the airline, but news to Whitney and I. We had a small layover in Beirut! Sweet! We stopped, gazed out the windows, dropped 90% of our passengers and headed towards Ethyo-pya. An interesting observation with this stop...the plane was pretty mixed from a racial/cultural make-up heading to Beirut but what was interesting was when we stopped in Beirut all the caucasions (including us) were handed customs forms and most of them exited the plane. We did not, they assumed we'd be getting off in Beirut. What was left on the plane was 24 people for the last 4.5 hr leg of the trip. The only other caucasions on the plane were the lonely two people up in first class (there were about 30 seats in first class). Whitney and I made up the balance of caucasions. The salesman in me clicked and I thought, with such an empty flight, I could easily negotiate with the crew to sit in first class with Whitney. Then something started happening around us. The economy section began to wake up. Unlike typical plane rides where conversation is kept sterile and eye contact is minimized, our travel mates in economy, began getting out of their seats, sitting next to each other, passing kids between them and engaging in meaningful conversation. Whitney said, "They must all know each other". Yes...they did, they were all ethiopian. The community that developed over those 4 hrs was great to be a part of. It was like a family reunion among 20 people who had never met before. We participated where we could as most conversation was amharic, but most of them could speak english as well.<br /><br />Upon arriving to Addis we negotiated customs and were pleased to find a driver for our hotel holding a sign with our names on it. He was so happy to meet us and gave us both hugs. I have to tell you after 24 hrs in planes and airports, it was good to get a hug from this little man. He had a distinct manly odor about him that had indicated he'd been sweating in the recent past and likely hadn't showered for a few days. Funny, how I was no longer worried about my greasy hair or the salad dressing that dripped on my pants while eating on the plane.<br /><br />Our driver negotiated us past a throng of other drivers who were begging for our attention. Short though he was, one would have guessed he was 7 feet tall among his peers as he pushed our 100 lbs of luggage past his peers towards his van with a bright smile as if to say, "I have customers and i am happy help!"<br /><br />It was dark as we negotiated the one way road, now used two ways with ensuing construction. We arrived at our hotel, The Sadula Lodge and checked in to a room on the second floor. Room is a nice blend of furniture and craftsmanship installed in a do-it-yourself manner. It certainly was a good place to plant our head and end our first day.<br /><br />Selam - it means peace, or HelloScholtens Five + 1http://www.blogger.com/profile/14068252592859352944noreply@blogger.com4