Not under our roof but in our hearts.

Trevor 1981 - 2002

Caleb Aug. 2009

Caleb 2005

Caleb 2008

Carrie and Andre - 2003

This week we will meet the family members that don't live in our house but are often under our roof. The eldest of the daughters - (Melissa) Andre, she lives in Austin with her partner Chris. Chris is a chef at a hotel in Austin and Andre works part-time at the same place. They live in a small cozy little house just a few minutes east of downtown Austin. Several cats share the home with them. The are crazy happy and share the same life goals. Andre loves to travel and will go whenever she has the time and money. Just some of the places she has been - Czechoslovakia, France, Spain, England, Ireland, Hawaii, New York Boston and she is currently spending the holidays in New Mexico (LUCKY)! She has so much confidence yet often seems quiet and shy. She is a very unique individual and I'm proud that she is my daughter.

Carrie is the middle daughter (she can't get used to that after being the youngest for so long). She lives here in Gatesville just a short distance away. She is mother to Caleb (our crazy grandson). Carrie works at Leon River (western clothing and gift store). She has a passion for gardening and has a great green thumb. She's loud and funny and has a great time with Abate and Fantu - and they do with her too! She has a lovely Black Lab - Lily and several cats, some fish and several chickens. She came to Gatesville never intending to stay very long - yet here she is 5 years later and knows practically everyone in town. She is a terrific mother and a sweet loving daughter, I'm so blessed to have her nearby.

Caleb - our crazy, funny, energetic, loving 4 year old grandson. Every Wednesday for the past 3 years we go to story time at the local library. He's a fixture there that they all just adore! He patiently will go where ever I have errands to run, and has the patience of Job while waiting in Doctors offices. He loves to play games on the computer and is quite the little whiz! He also loves to play hide and seek but has a habit of telling you where he is hiding. Caleb is FUNNY! HE just says the funniest things and often has us laughing. He can dress pretty strange sometimes - so he fits right in with the rest of us. He used to have a passion for wearing either his alligator rainboots or Thomas the Tank Engine slippers - no matter what the weather. Caleb most of all is loving and will tell each of us several times a day that he loves us - sometimes just shouting it out while playing a computer game. He adores his Uncle Abate and his Aunt Fantu. The 3 of them have such a great time together. Wow grandkids are great! They make getting old worth it!

I also have to mention Trevor. My crazy wild son that kept everyone in constant laughter. His life though cut short just days shy of his 21st birthday was lived to the max. Such a passion for living and having the most fun he could while he lived. I don't think there will ever be anyone quite like him. We miss you.

It's not a Dream, White Christmas 2009

We didn't have to dream of a White Christmas this year - we had one! What a surprise when on the 24th it began to snow. It wasn't even forecast. It started snowing around 11:00 am while we were out picking up a few last minute dinner items. It wasn't sticking very well and when it stopped a hour or so later most of it melted very quickly. It did the same thing again a short while later. Finally around 3:30 the temperature dropped below 32 and it came a good heavy snowfall (1+ in.) and it covered things nicely and stayed around til late Christmas Morning. I never thought I'd live to see a White Christmas in Central Texas! Abate swears God sent it just for him and Fantu!
I was awake by 7:00am. but I had to get the kids up just before 8:00. They were half asleep when they started opening gifts. Wasn't much excitement, but this was a completely new experience for them and they still tend to put up a protective shield on their emotions when facing something new. But as the day went on the excitement grew, and they proudly showed off some of their gifts to friends and family. New bicycles were the big hit, and they were both determined to learn to ride. By the end of the day they were coasting down the hill and had the balancing mastered. In just another day they would be riding all up and down the street.
We had a lovely dinner - Ham, Au gratin Potatoes (kids loved them) Baby carrots in a honey orange glaze and sauteed spinach with garlic. I also made a Baileys Chocolate Cheesecake- oh yummy!!!
Alan was on the road (stupid UPS) and returned home about 8:40 pm. Both Abate and Fantu were at Carrie's house seeing what Santa had brought Caleb. They arrived home a few minutes later and I don't think I've ever seen such a greeting for their Dad. Abate ran down the hall and leaped onto Alan hugging him around his neck and wrapping his legs around his waist. What a sight! We had saved quite a few of the presents to open that evening so it was more excitement and surprises before ending the day.
I think Abate and Fantu enjoyed their first "Texas" Christmas. As with previous holidays and Birthdays we tried to keep it low-key so as not to overwhelm them. Did they get everything they wanted - well probably not, but what child does. But they were excited with the presents they received and had a very enjoyable day.
Well I've been trying repeatedly to upload the video from Christmas day and I am not having any luck. So I'll post it to Youtube and you can click the link and view it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KMplBgOoG4

Here too is a short video of our Christmas Eve Snow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW1ssqpK3S4


Hope that everyone had a lovely Christmas and will have a most blessed New Year.

Smiles in Heaven, Tears on Earth

I know this past week there are many happy faces in heaven. Stephanie has joined those we love that have passed on before. While we that are left here on earth will shed many tears because we had to part with her too quickly.
My beautiful niece Stephanie, heaven is now shining brighter while earth seems a bit more dim.

May everyone have a wonderful Christmas and I will post pictures of our holiday next weekend. I will hopefully conclude the Introduction Series shortly thereafter.

Snakes and Snails? Abate

Abate at the Waco Zoo

Abate and Surafel - his best friends at KM

Abate and Schindler

Cross Country Picture

Soccer Picture

Just received a letter from Mom and Dad while at KM

Our handsome boy!

Snakes and snails and puppy dog tails - well maybe not. Abate is all Soccer balls, basketballs, footballs, running and well just being competitive. He just loves soccer and will play whenever he gets the chance. If he could play in matches all day- well he would. He tried back in the autumn when he played in both the City and School leagues.

Abate swore when he first arrived in Texas he would never like American football "silly sport". Well guess what? He loves it - took all of 2 weeks after the start of the season. I didn't let him play it this year but he can't wait to play it next year. He is also on the basketball team but is on the "c" team this year. Coach has already said he will probably be on the A of B team next year.
Well anyone who has been reading this blog for the past 4 months knows what an incredible distance runner he is. Medals in every race and a 2nd place finish in the district cross country meet. I can't wait for track season to start in the spring.
Abate has some great stories to tell of his life in Ethiopia. He had a pet monkey, he found it when it was young and raised it. He tells stories of lions and crocodiles and how he and his friends would call out a warning if some were spotted. It is a life that we can only imagine.

Abate is a truly amazing boy. His life has seen so many changes and he has met them all head on with a fierce resiliency. Nothing stops this kid. While he may seem tough, he is a real sweetie. He has a soft side that he will sometimes let shine.

Abate is a 13 year old boy and he is most definitely that! Full of energy and spirit and attitude. Life sure is fun with him and oh so rewarding.

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice - Fantu!

Fantu and her best friend Kalkidan

Waiting for the first day of school

On the phone to Dad

Self- portrait - she does this alot

While still waiting at KM for adoption to be finalized.

After taking a break last week from re-introductions to our family I'm back this week with Fantu.

Fantu will be 11 (but in reality I think 12) on Jan 15th. She is sweet, loving, tough, talented and very funny! She is 110% a girlie girl! She loves pink! She loves perfume and nail polish, and can't wait to wear make-up. But - she hates dresses! OHHhhhhh that makes me sad :( I love them! I want to buy them for her! But they will just sit in her closet. So instead we buy jeans and funky t-shirts, pink petticoats and leggings.

Fantu loves to watch Disney channel - I think she dreams of being the next Hannah Montana - how cute would that be, Hannah Montana with a Ethiopian accent and singing Amharic songs. She loves to sing and she sings like an angel. She also loves to dance and her and Abate often get up and try to copy the dances while they watch So You Think You Can Dance. The results are usually quite funny.

Fantu loves to eat! She loves to eat ICE CREAM!!! She also loves spaghetti - well pasta of almost any kind. She loves stuffing. She loves Mexican food. She will eat 3 big meals a day and snacks in between. She is growing at a incredible rate, just look at the pictures and see how much she has changed over the past 6 months.

Fantu loves Ethiopia. She is proud to be Ethiopian. She misses it. But she loves her new family, her school, her home and we love her!

We Give Thanks

Last Thursday was Thanksgiving. The kids were off school for the whole week, they were very excited about that! On Thursday we had the traditional turkey dinner - stuffing, mushy peas, cauliflower au gratin, lots of potatoes both mash and roasties. Abate and Fantu seemed to enjoy the meal, but it's not going to be a favorite of theirs.

Alan and I were up early on Friday to hit the sales. Can't say here what we bought - but we did well! By 9 am we were on the road to Houston. Caleb joined us for the overnight trip. Needless to say the car was packed full. Our first stop in Houston was to pick up Fr. Robert, we then headed on to Galveston for all 3 kids to get their first view of the ocean and beach. It was a little too chilly to swim, but just warm enough to get their feet wet and to have a good time running around on the beach. Abate loved gathering sea shells. We had then planned on going to the Railroad Museum there but it isn't scheduled to re-open until spring. they are still making repairs after last years hurricane that devastated the island. So instead we took a short stroll through the historic district then headed back to Houston. We made a short stop to get checked in to our hotel then headed out to dinner at Chuy's, I love the Mexican food at Chuy's especially the Chili Relenos. We all had a great time and the food was great! We all really enjoyed the time spent with Fr. Robert. After dinner we headed back to the hotel so the kids could go swimming. Our hotel had a indoor pool so the kids were able to have a great time in the pool.

Saturday we started the day with a big breakfast, and another swim for the kids before we headed out. First stop Maru Ethiopian Market. We were out of Injera at home and needed to stock up. The kids got a Ethiopian Music DVD/Video and some Sambosa's for their lunch (Ethiopian version of a Samosa only with lentils and some very hot peppers). The afternoon had stops at Galleria Mall, The Holocaust Museum, and The Houston Children's Museum. The kids loved the later, but oh the noise and crowds of kids - Earplugs would have come in handy. We then headed back over to Fr. Roberts church (St. Philip Neri) for evening Mass, and afterwards said our good-byes and headed home.

All 3 kids really enjoyed the trip. They are already asking when we can go back - really wanting to go back to Galveston. It was a good weekend but I was glad to get home, get the kids back in school and get back to a routine. And just think it's only 3 weeks until the Christmas Holidays!

The Cranky White Dog

Today we finish with the furry household members with Darby. Darby is old, hard of hearing, his eyesight is going, and well he is cranky. Darby has always been cranky. He was a cranky puppy, adolescent and well just a cranky old dog.

Darby joined our family in the spring of 1996. Alan and I were in the midst of our wedding preparations when he brought Darby home. He walked in one day and surprised me with him. I thought at first it was a little stuffed toy - he was just too cute to be real, but then he wiggled and blinked and I was in love. At the time Alan and I already had a cat, a black one named Shiner. Him and Darby were soon best of friends and had so much fun playing. The cat was twice his size at first, but Darby soon caught up. Darby had some wild times in Celbridge (Co. Kildare). I remember once him and Capone got out and ran away and were gone were 4 days. We'd get a phone call of a sighting but when we got there they'd be gone. Finally a good neighbour took them in and kept them until we could collect them. I think to this day there were probably a couple dozen little Darbys running around Celbridge after that.

Darby is an old man now. He sleeps most of the time - he used to never sleep during the day. His hearing is selective - funny how he can still hear the rattle of the biscuit jar lid but yet sleep through the loudest yells and screams. He has always been my shadow when I'm home and that is still true. I trip over him on a regular basis. He coughs like an old man, and yes he farts like one too, often doing both at the same time. He loves to moan and groan, growl and bark. But mostly he loves a good cuddle before bed.

This is the ancient Westhighland Terrier

This is Darby.

Bonnie the Bouncing Dog

This week it's all about Bonnie, but then again if Bonnie had her way it that s how it would always be! Bonnie joined us as a 3 month old Jack Russell Terrier puppy in January 2001. She was so cute and little. She wasn't even the size of Capone's (our late, great German Shepherd) head. She is our own little rescue. Alan got her from a farmer in County Cavan, Ireland (where we lived at that time). She was the runt of the litter and he hadn't been able to find a home for her so he was going to have to put her down. What that basically means up in that part of the country is they bag them with some rocks and toss into one of the many lakes. She was headed for her watery grave that very day and Alan couldn't let that happen so he brought her home. Now nearly 9 years later she's still a runt, but tough as nails, and sweet as sugar.

Bonnie's favorite thing is to get under a blanket. If there is one to get under that's where she will be - daytime, nighttime, winter, spring, summer and autumn. She loves to cuddle and snuggle and will wedge her head right up under your chin as if to give a big hug. She loves toys that squeak and dog biscuits. She has also been such a sport at letting Fantu fuss over her and dress her up. She lets Caleb pick her up and has been known to sleep with him - I think because she was able to get under his blankie with him. She's a very spoiled little girl.

When Bonnie is excited she seems to bounce! Dinner time, biscuit, squeaky toy - she's bouncing. She just jumps up like she has springs on her back legs - jumping several feet straight up. She can jump up and smack me in the bum with her paws. Something she does if I'm a bit slow getting her dinner to her. It's very difficult yo get pictures of her unless she's sleeping, she just doesn't stay still when she's awake. Luckily she sleeps alot! The pictures are taken from when she was a little pup up to just today.

This is Bonnie!

He's Skinney and Gray - goofy ol' Schindler

I thought I'd start writing about all the inhabitants of this house. For the past year the postings have focused on the adoption process, getting the house ready and then the kids accomplishments since they arrived. We are going to start off the series with the dogs - Schindler, then Bonnie and then Darby.

Schindler joined the household in Feb. 2005. He was a rescue dog from Second Chance Animal Rescue in Killeen ( they just had a major fire there last week that killed half of the animals in residence. They need donations !) When we went to the shelter to see about adopting a big dog - he just immediately grabbed our attention. I swear he looked at me and smiled! I knew he was the dog for us. He is a beautiful blue weimaraner, everyone just stops and stares when they see him - he is just so striking. But the first year he was with us, well we just weren't sure. He had no social skills. Did not even know how to play. He had low self esteem, really sad as you just knew that he had probably been kept outside on a chain and ignored the first 4 years of his life. But now nearly 5 years later he is just an incredible member of this family. So sweet and loving. Loyal, devoted and well mannered. I just can't imagine him not being here. I love this dog! He cuddles up to us on the sofa and in bed. He has great manners and is well trained. He is so beautiful! He has the glossiest blue/gray coat - white around his nose now as he grows older. He's just a big sweetie! He knows that once the sun goes down he is not allowed to bark unless he senses a threat. If he goes outside and barks more than 2 woofs I know to get up and turn on a few lights. I love how when I go to bed he will lie next to me to cuddle for awhile - then get down and go sleep on his own bed for the remainder of the night. He's funny in a goofy sort of way, I think that is common of the breed. He can fall asleep standing up, sitting, or really in any position you can imagine. I've posted a few of my favorite pictures of him taken over the past few years.

This is Schindler.

The Week in Pictures

Trick or treat at the Oaks Retirement Home

The Boozar on the Square. Good friends Allison and Grace were Cupcakes and won the costume contest for their age!

Always a fun sibling arguement!

It was a great First Halloween for Abate and Fantu!

1. Abate and Mitchell (his good friend) after Abate's 2nd place finish in the district cross Country Meet and Mitchell finished 12th.

2. At the Cross Country Meet at Lake Whitney State Park

3. Caleb dressed as Spiderman at Storytime on Wednesday

Abate at his Soccer Match - School League

Fantu with her friends while Abate was playing soccer.

Fantu again with her friends - Jackie and Allysia.

Abate at his City League match - won 7-0, Abate scored 3 goals.

Another busy week! Things should quiet down for a few weeks anyway. Abate had his final Cross country meet on Wednesday. He placed 2nd! The 7th grade boys also won their division! Saturday was of course Halloween, but before all the fun we had soccer. 2 games and it was the final day of the school league. 3 more weeks of City League play. That team is undefeated!

Halloween had the kids excited yet nervous as this was their very first one. I don't think they quite knew what to expect, but it was way above their expectations.

Gatesville has a Boozar - Downtown businesses sponsor a trick or treat, games, and just a really fun time downtown on the square. The whole town turns out for it. It's quite the social event. They had so much fun. All their friends were there and they had a great time showing off in their costumes. as you can see by the pictures they are quite dramatic in them! We then went to the Oaks Retirement Home as quite a few of the residents sit out in the hallway with candy to give the kids that call around. They really appreciate seeing the kids in their costumes and the kids of course love getting candy. This is also much safer than going out into a dark neighbourhood calling door to door. Caleb was of course part of the evening. Him and Abate got loads of candy! It's late now and time to close this week.