Ethiopia...Part of Our World

Super hero batman elf!

2011-12-20T16:33:00.002-06:00

Buddy our elf has been hard at work this Christmas season- After reading the little boys Christmas list and being around our house - he has figured out one of their most favorite things in the world!! It doesn't get much better than this!!
Merry Christmas!!

Caden Day

2011-12-19T07:00:00.003-06:00

Five Years ago today we got "the call" that we have a son. What an amazing day that was. It was early in the morning and all 5 of us were on our bed fighting to see the laptop screen and then getting lost in the HUGE eyes that were starring back at us! This is the day we choose to celebrate- because from the first moment I looked at him- he was my child.
I love you sweet boy!!

Caden thought it was great to wake up to Buddy his elf holding a Happy Caden day sign and leaving a Caden Day gift!!

Autographed Baseball for Clean Water for Ethiopia

2011-12-11T21:23:00.006-06:00

Ok- I am not good at fundraising or asking for money but when it comes to raising money for clean water I will climb out of my comfort zone and do it! My sweet brother signed a baseball and asked Billy Beane from the movie "Money Ball" to sign it for me so I can raise money for Dig Deep. Half of the water wells are under construction right now and when I finish raising the remaining funds, the entire village (approx 10, 000 people) of Chuko will receive the gift of clean water!!
As we celebrate this Christmas season and reflect on 2011 we can be thankful for all that we have, but think of those that walk many miles a day for nasty, contaminated water to bring home to their families. Help them with the gift of LIFE!! Everyone deserves clean water.

This signed baseball is on ebay until 12/18/11, so go check it out and give it as a gift to the baseball fan in your family. Click HERE for the auction.

If you simply want to donate to the water well for Christmas gifts, then you can go to
www.aglimmerofhope.org/digdeep

I can send you a nice Dig Deep card letting that person know that a gift was given in their honor.

"C" showing his uncle, his new car!!

Baptism at K Kauai

2011-08-04T09:40:00.003-05:00

Baptism is very special all in itself, but when you get to do it at K Kauai family kamp with one of your favorite people in the the world, it is even sweeter.
Diana was R & J's small group leader (who they adore) until she moved. Diana still remains a very important spiritual leader for the girls and they wanted Diana to be the one to Baptize them. No one could have been more perfect to do the job! It was a beautiful ceremony with great friends around to show there support.
Sorry mom- it was spur of the moment!!
I am so thankful for great mentors in my kids lives.

- - - - - - FIVE!!!!! - - - - - -

2011-06-25T16:43:00.009-05:00

Five years ago today, a very special lady gave birth to the most amazing son! As we were busy preparing for a fun Batman birthday party, I couldn't help but stop and reflect on this very special gift that our family was given.

As he came barreling into our room EARLY this morning, he was so excited that today was finally here. After tearing off a Batman paper chain each morning for so many days, it has finally arrived! Watching him and his excitement was so fun and the anticipation of all of his friends coming to help him celebrate finally reached its culmination today.

Having been to Shebedino where he took his first breath, grieving for what his birth family who doesn't get to experience this with him, and being soooo grateful that I get to be his mom staying up late all week, making capes and masks and preparing for a fun birthday....my emotions are just so jumbled. I love being his mom, I love seeing the beautiful boy that he is turning into. I'm so grateful. . .I'm so honored, but I'm also so grieving for this special woman who gave birth to him, five years ago today. I pray she is looking down from Heaven right now, with her heart so full, seeing the boy he's becoming!

Happy Birthday to our sweet, sweet boy!!

2011-05-24T09:03:00.003-05:00

My best friend Kari (my crazy adoption) and I have dreamed of leading a trip together to Ethiopia! We have been friends for over 13 years and both have adopted children from Addis Ababa! We can’t wait to visit orphans all over this beautiful country with a Visiting Orphans team ready to man up 4 the fatherless!

You can apply now for this amazing trip!

Apply Now!

“Simply Love Ethiopia” 12 Day Trip
Dates: June 7-18, 2012
Leaders: Kari Gibson & Julie Neal
Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Team Size: 30 persons max
Cost: $3200 – $3400 (trip total varies depending on flight and travel insurance costs)

Details:

Join My Crazy Adoption blogger, Kari Gibson and her best friend, Julie Neal on a 12 day missions adventure to Africa. Together, they are leading a team to minister in Ethiopia and will make sure your time is both powerful for the orphans and immeasurably life-changing for you!

The team will be working for several days in Addis Ababa with Project 61 for extreme needy children living in the Korah city dump… VBS, community BBQ, Home Makeovers, Leper Hospital, and more. We will have a special outreach at Baer Essentials (rural Dahley) outside the city, as well as an excursion to Negash Lodge to see the beauty of rural Ethiopia. We will have the incredible opportunity to hopefully celebrate the inauguration of the Dig Deep Well in Chucko Weyama (My Dig Deep Project) with A Glimmer of Hope. We will visit the community and share in their joy of living with clean water! The team will also minister at two Govt Orphanages [ages infants to teens] as well as visit Fistula Hospital for an exclusive tour of the center and the courageous women featured in the movie “A Walk To Beautiful.” Just for fun- donkey races and bowling!

We are looking for men, women, and teens who want to Man Up 4 orphans!
Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is LOVE. (1 Cor. 13:13)

Make A Difference today on World Water Day!!

2011-03-22T12:01:00.005-05:00

This sweet boy should be in school, instead he is making the long, grueling journey for unclean water. How can they break this cycle when the dirty water is making them sick.
Most of their day is spent gathering water for their families. Clean water would mean more hours to their day to focus on bringing in income for their families instead of dirty water.
Clean water will change their lives in so many great ways!! Everyone deserves CLEAN water.

I am so excited that there is a World Water Day! Water is something that I really, really took for granted until I walked for miles in the shoes of the Ethiopian people (who, ironically, had no shoes). Sometimes being back at home I find myself still taking the flip of a handle at the sink for granted!! Even if I had to walk miles for water, to find myself carrying 40lbs of nasty, filthy, muddy water that animals use the bathroom in and people bath in. How could we even find the strength to function? Survival?! They have no other choice. Water is the only thing that our body HAS to have to live! Eighty percent of their illnesses are due to water-borne diseases. Our littlest one still deals with a parasite and he has been here for two years , and we have great medical care. This is real life (and death) for these amazing people--we can make a difference!!!

$10 can make a difference!! Buy a foot of pipeline and help bring in clean water for Chuko. For more information about this project click here: www.ourglimmerofhope.org/digdeep.

We Hit Water!!!!!

2011-02-16T15:22:00.005-06:00

Well, I just got back from Ethiopia and while there, I experienced a week that will be very hard to top. After very little notice, I found myself on a plane heading back to one of my most favorite places in the world!! Immediately after landing in Addis (after many hours of travel) I hopped right into a car and went for another six hours of travel to Chuko Weyama, the site of our clean water project (not to mention our son, Cruz's home village). When I pulled up to the bore hole site, I got very emotional and had to take in the view for a few minutes before I could even get out of the SUV. We pulled up and there was this big water digging machine (no that is not the techie term for that!!) digging away and lots and lots of people from the village watching and waiting. To see that machine working and those beautiful people waiting with anticipation for their first sight of CLEAN water... it was a glimpse of this reality taking shape. These people became real to me on this trip- not just a concept that everyone needs clean water-which they do. But these people have faces and eyes that I got to look into. And they are real. They are stunning, both inside and out, but more than that, they need clean water. Period. So the question is: Will you be one to help them?

How can you help? Buy a foot of pipe for $10.00 each. Now that we have hit water we need many, many feet of pipeline to connect the water distribution points. Only $10 to make a difference; a difference that we take for granted each time we turn on our faucets!

Click on this link to make a difference in the lives of the people of Chuko, Weyama, Ethiopia!!

www.ourglimmerofhope.org/campaign/throw-lifeline-build-pipeline

Throw a Lifeline--Build a Pipeline

2011-02-09T21:25:00.004-06:00

For just $10 you can help save a life!!

This part of my campaign is to fund the pipeline that will have five different water points throughout the region. There is 9,735 feet of pipeline that is needed. I am asking you to purchase one foot of pipeline for $10. Help save a life and bring clean water to these people in need! If you buy 10 feet of pipeline for $100 I am going to send you a t-shirt. You may choose one from heathered gray,heathered brown, heathered red, or heathered orange. Please click here for a slide show of the pictures. After being there in person and seeing the faces of these people after hitting water, we must move forward to bring this water to the people of Chuko. This pipeline is like the veins that carry the blood throughout our body. It will carry the water to the five distribution points throughout the region of Chuko so the people can have the life-saving water that is needed so badly. My overall campaign is to raise funds to develop water and sanitation for the village of Chuko Weyama through a general fund-raising campaign.

A Glimmer of Hope helps lifts women and children out of extreme poverty in rural Ethiopia. By using an entrepreneurial model it provides clean water, schools, health clinics and micro-finance loans, one village at a time. 100% of all donations go directly to funding these projects. Glimmer’s endowment covers all its operating expenses and even replaces credit card transaction fees. Every dollar donated through Glimmer reaches the people in need. Over the last 10 years, Glimmer has completed more than 5000 projects and changed 2.4 million lives.

Click here to learn more and to donate!

Thank you for joining with us as we move forward in changing people's lives.

Let the Digging Deep Begin!!!

2010-11-30T06:17:00.003-06:00

I am so excited that we have officially raised the funds to begin phase I of our water project!! What does this mean? The project is underway and out for the bidding process. This phase will entail all the labor and rigging necessary to drill the actual 500-meter shaft to where the water is! The shaft will be encased all the way down with steel. What an exciting moment it will be to experience clean water bursting forth out of ground that has been barren and dry for so long!!
So this Christmas season, we invite you to join with us as we "DIG DEEP" in order to change the lives of those who cannot enjoy something we take for granted every day. Clean Water...what a concept. It is amazing to know that we are able to play a part in reaching "the least of these."

For more information, see www.ourglimmerofhope.org/digdeep.

DIG DEEP... your one stop Christmas shop!!

2010-11-02T06:05:00.007-05:00

T-shirts have Dig Deep logo with Africa on front. Back has "my soul thirsts for You. . . in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1

T's come in sizes xs, s, m, l, xl, xxl in colors gray or brown. They are pre- shrunk, 65% polyester and 35% cotton. Light weight and feel great. They tend to run a little big. cost $ 25 each

Seriously... these sweatshirt jackets are so soft and cozy that you all are going to want one!! They come in small to 3 xl!! They are $40 and add $2 for 2-3 xl.
Hats: color choice brown or black. cost $ 25 each. The black hat is only in black with white writing. There is no green ink on the black hat!

Stainless Steel water bottle: 26 oz, metallic green, Dig Deep logo printed on both sides. cost $20 each.

Eco friendly travel mug: 18 oz, insulated double wall plastic BPA free, brown rubber grip, and Dig Deep logo printed on both sides. cost $20 each.

You can support DIG DEEP with your prayers, financial donations, and by purchasing DIG DEEP merchandise!!

All of your Christmas shopping can be done here, plus you are also giving the gift of clean water to the people of Chuko, Ethiopia.

What do you get someone who has everything or they are hard to buy for???? DIG DEEP has donation cards that we can send to someone of your choice, that states that a gift has been given in their honor. Wow, how great is this- a gift that keeps on giving!!

Dig Deep | Our Glimmer of Hope

2010-10-13T22:54:00.003-05:00

The time has come!!! After talking to Eric today things are taking shape for a deep bore hole project for Chuko Woyame Kebele. He has just returned from Ethiopia and has met with the Sidama Development Association and other stake holders at the kebele, district, and zonal level. Initial estimates are that the bore hole will be over 200 meters deep. The team has been working with the hydro-geological equipment necessary to determine the specifics of the projects . The fact that they have to dig down sooooooooo far is why I have named my project "Dig Deep"! This means not only digging deep in the ground, but digging deep in our pockets. If you were to put in a well-this type is not exactly the type you would want to have because of the expense. A church tried to put water in this area before, but had to stop at 100 meters because of the cost. I am so honored and humbled that God has called my family to spear head this project. I thank HIM often for calling my family to do this!! I am giddy like a kid the night before Christmas with the anticipation....how is God going to do this and who all will HE bring on to accomplish this project. What an honor to appeal for CLEAN water on behalf of this whole community. Click on this link if you want to donate to our "Dig Deep" water well!

Dig Deep | Our Glimmer of Hope

Signed Purse Raffle for Clean Water!!

2010-09-17T07:58:00.003-05:00

My sweet friend Michelle is having a purse auction to help raise money for a water well in Ethiopia. For those of you that do not live in the Cape Girardeau area- you can still be involved!! You have the chance to purchase raffle tickets for two brand new purses that are signed by the sweet, compassionate Angelina Jolie!! Only 100 raffle tickets will be sold so make sure you hurry up and get yours!! I am not the greatest on computers so I'm going to send you to her blog to check out the details!! www.outmansfrog.blogspot.com

Our Birth Family

2010-09-10T10:11:00.002-05:00

Early March I felt like God was wanting me to go to Ethiopia. I couldn't shake the feeling so I talk with my friend Emily she felt the same- so we booked a trip to Ethiopia. This shows what amazing husbands we have!! All I knew is that we were supposed to go. This was so out of Rob's comfort zone, but he supported me and held up the Neal fort with five kids while I was gone. I knew mine has something to do with our boys birth families, I thought maybe I would get to meet Caden's birth grandparents or have another piece to their past. We rented a car with a sweet driver and we were off to Awassa. We were meeting up with the Glimmer of Hope staff to tour the Dawaro zone projects, but we were staying the night in Awassa so I could meet with both birth families. After hooking up with a social worker he informs me that we will only have time to meet Caden's family and the other one would have to be in the morning. We couldn't be out at dark and the roads were muddy. After meeting with Caden's aunt, the grandparents were not there, and she is so sweet but very shy! This was my third time to meet with her and I am so proud of her that she walks the long walk to meet with me. I know this is hard for her, but she did it!! I left that meeting a little discouraged- I didn't get anything new for Caden and we are suppose to leave early in the morning for the Dawaro zone. I have to see Cruz's family, they were expecting me and I couldn't let them down! The Glimmer staff was so gracious to push our time back so I could leave early in the morning for Chuko. We drive as far as we can and then we have to walk the rest of the way. The roads are too muddy. The driver asks if I want to turn around and go back- Are you kidding me??? I booked a trip, left my family, traveled for days- I am not letting some mud stop me. So another friend of mine, also named Julie and I made the journey to my family. This pic above is me walking in the mud!

As we were walking we passed this gorgeous waterfall and stream. I was drinking in this amazing scenery-knowing that my son has been on this exact path! Will someone please pinch me!!! This is so beautiful, I didn't think it could be anymore spectacular until I enter an opening of lush greenery to a row of three mud huts! The last hut was the hut that my baby boy took is first breath in!! His sweet grandmother was dusting the dirt floor when we walked up!! This is it- this is what I came for!!
This is inside the hut looking out at what would have been my son's playmates!! They were so precious!
Look at the sheer joy on the grandmother and aunts faces as they look at Cruz's pictures. They couldn't believe how big he was!! I asked her if she would ever want to see him and she said "Yes, very much". At the time I hoped to make it a reality- I didn't know what I know now!!
This is us outside of their hut- I brought them things that will hopefully make life a little easier for them. I love this shirt of Cruz- they can wear him close to their hearts!!!
Julie and I having coffee from their coffee tree right outside the hut. It was truly the best cup of coffee that I have had!! This whole visit was very surreal for me. I had to keep telling myself that I was in Chuko Ethiopia in the hut where my son was born.
It had just rained an this beautiful lady was washing her clothes in the mud puddle.
As I'm walking back to our car-we had some followers go with us to get some fun stuff out of the car to take back for the friends that would have been Cruz's playmates.
I left this visit feeling so FULL and this is why I was supposed to come to Ethiopia. Anything after this would be frosting on the cake for me!! Boy was I wrong- God was only getting started!!
Stay tuned for the amazing adventure that God has called me to be apart of, maybe he is calling you too!!!

This mommy is starting to panic!!

2010-08-24T08:01:00.003-05:00

Where has the time gone!! Every year I take pics of the new backpacks hanging on their hooks the night before school starts! Then it hit me that as Caleb was starting his sophomore year of high school - that in two years his hook would be empty!! I kind of felt like I was punched in the gut with that thought!! My baby, where has the time gone??!!

Josie and Rylie are gearing up for the big middle school! 7th grade here they come!!!!

Pep talk from dad- lots of first today!! They can do it!!
Waiting with anticipation for the school bus!
Every year I make signs say that it is the first day of school with the grade and the date!! After my mini panic attack last night with the backpacks- I was telling Rob that I still needed pic of Caleb when he was at collage!! This morning Caleb did his usual "Do I have to take this picture" and I of course said "yes" and laid the ground work for the fact that he was still going to have to do this when he was at college!!
This is Mac- Caleb's best friend! The crazy thing about this is that Mac can now drive!

The boys hopped in Mac's jeep and went off to school!!! My baby drove off to school with his best friend driving!!! Wow it goes by sooooooo fast- This has also carried me through the day as Caden stuck his tooth brush down the central vac opening and I can't get it out. Cruz flooded the toilet with something and spilled my drink all over everything! It made me realize that soon the little boys will be driving off to school with their friends. So I will enjoy every day and stage with my kids! Time flies!!

They have changed us!

2010-08-20T08:43:00.000-05:00

Approximately Five years ago God began stirring in my heart that something big in our family is going to happen... As I began praying about this "change" I felt a peace and went on with my life. A few months later I got to meet my new niece from Ethiopia. So fun to have little ones around again. My girls loved playing with her. After hearing her story and playing with her I was moved and so thankful to be her aunt. On the drive home from my parents house my twins were quiet (which was not normal) and then one of them spoke up and said we need to help a baby over there!! WHAT!! So I instantly started shooting back comments as to why we would not be doing that. In this car ride home- my twins became parent like and I became the kid!! Wow- I did not see this coming!! At the end of this ten minute car ride- physically sitting in the drivers seat I felt God lay this in my lap and say "This is the big change I have for your family!!" I said "OK GOD, now you will have to bring Rob on board for this one!" Once I said "Yes" to God then he instantly gave me a heart for my new child and I couldn't get him here fast enough!! Rob was in prayer about this just to say that he was praying about it. While driving from a clients God got a hold of Rob's heart and our journey began in the world of adoption. At first I know that I was doing this to help a child, we could love, feed, cloth, house, and care for another one so why not. It is the passion of God after all. What I didn't know if how much this process and boys would change us. It is as if the blinds of my eyes have been opened and I will never be the same! The amazing thing is... I don't want to be the same as I was- I have never felt so alive and close to My Creator! After my latest trip to Ethiopia, God has called me to help the people of Ethiopia in the Southern region, Sidama zone, and the Chuko village. What an honor to be apart of God's heart! Soon I will be laying out more of what this project will be. Be thinking and praying if God would want you to be apart of this amazing adventure to bring clean water to Ethiopia.

The Drum

2010-08-11T20:05:00.003-05:00

Celebrating in Dawro from A Glimmer of Hope on Vimeo.

This is a video of me receiving a drum. OK so it is a drum- what is the big deal about a drum. Well here is the quick story.
I was in Awassa meeting Cruz's birth family when we were there to bring him home a year and a half ago. I found this drum in Awassa that I wanted to buy it REALLY badly!! I loved it. Rob talked me out of it- think we could find one back in Addis. This was my second trip and I hadn't seen a drum like that for sale. So I said "OK" and waited until we were back in Addis. Yup you guess it!!! They didn't have any drums like the one I left behind in Awassa. I got home and looked on the internet and when I was in LA went to Little Ethiopia to find one. No luck!! So now - a year and a half later I'm back in Awassa and find the store that had MY drum. Finally Rob was going to get out of the dog house and I was going to have my drum. That store did not have any and one around the corner had one, but it was bright hot pink and not what I wanted. I was about to buy the ugly pink one until Emily brought me back to my senses!!! I was bummed and when I got back to the states I was going to let Rob know that I should have bought that first drum. Not like he didn't already know that one!!

Well we are in the Darow zone where A Glimmer of Hope is inaugurating a new water well. This amazing choir is singing their lungs out to the Lord and they are playing my drum!!! Seeing hearing them play and sing was an experience that I will never forget. I just asked Timerau (who is with Glimmer)- where you get drums like the one they were playing. We go on with the festivities and I am in my glory loving on these sweet people. Next thing I know they are grouping around me and this amazing church wants to GIVE ME their drum!!!!! I was freaking out because I would never have asked for their drum... I just was going to buy one. This amazing church and people that materially do not have much was giving me this special gift. I was so honored and just praising GOD. He cares about the small details! What a beautiful way to get such a special gift. I felt so unworthy, but that is the depth of our GOD. Even though we are unworthy of his love and forgiveness he sent HIS only son to die on the cross for our sins!!

Plus He gave Rob relief from my occasional harping about the drum that got away. This was only a piece of my amazing trip. Soon I will start blogging about my partnership with Glimmer to put more water in other villages!

Walk for Water!!

2010-07-18T19:24:00.000-05:00

This new video from "A Glimmer of Hope" was filmed right after we left Ethiopia. It really hits home for me. I thought that I "got it"when I had been to Ethiopia the other times! This last visit, when I was able to see the projects that Glimmer has completed, I quickly realized to get to these projects we had to hike quite a bit. I was struck by how far people have to walk for water, and most of it is not clean. WOW!! Everyone deserves clean water. The hike that these amazing people have to take each day is unbelievable!! After being there Proverbs 24:12 has motivated me. It says " Once our eyes are opened we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls knows that we know and hold us responsible to act. Prov. 24:12
Emily and I along with our families are very excited to partner with Glimmer. We can't wait to share more as all the details are getting worked out. If you have questions-you can e-mail me at jujuneal@gmail.com.
Please take a few minutes to watch this fourteen year old tennis player walk for water.

Walk For Water from A Glimmer of Hope on Vimeo.

Happy Birthday - my sweet 4 year old!!

2010-07-08T18:43:00.000-05:00

I'm back from Ethiopia and I can't wait to start posting about my trip!! After I returned it was time to celebrate a big birthday. OK so his birthday is June 25th and it is now early July..... yes I am a little behind in posting! So much to process after this life changing trip! I can't believe Caden is already FOUR!!!!! It seems like we just brought him home, but yet so much has happened since his arrival! Our families lives have been greatly enriched, changed, turned upside down, and blessed!! For this we will be forever grateful!!
Stay tuned for further post abut some upcoming opportunities to change other lives in Ethiopia!!

Ethiopia Here I Come!!

2010-05-29T12:56:00.000-05:00

Soon I will be traveling back to Ethiopia, a country that has become such a part of me. My heart aches to be there and for the people of Ethiopia... esp the people you see in these pictures!! These people are our family that we have in Ethiopia. They have truly given my family the greatest gifts- our sons!! I have such a love for them. As I prepare for my trip the excitement to see our family is exploding!! I can't be there fast enough and am so blessed for one more chance to see them. I would love for all of my blog friends to help me pray for each birth family visit- and for what God has in store for me while I am in Ethiopia!! Oh yea and can you pray for Rob and my mom whom will share the child care duties of five kids while I'm away!!!

2010-05-22T09:26:00.000-05:00

I'm back in the blogging action- but my heart is heavy with this post. I was talking to my friend Emily the other day and she was telling me about the Orphan Summit clip that she posted on her blog! Then she tells me what Pat Robertson has to say as a warning about adoption! Are you kidding me!! The frustrating part is he reads the same Bible as we do and has a large platform to advocate for the orphans! In my opinion he has failed the "fatherless"!! I was watching this in huge disbelief!!! What a great video clip about the heart of adoption and he finishes with that!!!! When I gave birth to my three biological children I had no guarantees on what I was going to get!! With any of my children that call me mom- God hand picked each one- and has blessed Rob and I beyond belief!!
Is it easy????? Nope!! Being a parent is the hardest job in the world, but the one with the rewards that are "priceless"!!!

Yesterday when Caden had to get his sleep deprived EEG- all I could think of was Pat Robertson's comments! I got a call that a parent never wants to get- the babysitter saying that she had to call 911 and they are taking my son to the hospital! What!!!!!! When I left him he was perfect!! The point is God so amazingly allowed me to be mom to these five children of mine and no matter what comes our way - we will handle it! I was holding this tired three year old as this was being done to him and I was thinking how comforted he was when his mommy was holding him!! This made me want to cry!! I can't imagine my life without him!! If I was thinking about adoption and heard what Mr Robertson had to say....... maybe I would have missed out on one of my life's greatest blessings!!

Thanks Silas!!!

2010-02-18T18:44:00.001-06:00

Thanks Silas!!! We LOVE our new pjs!! Wish you were still here with yours on!!! What do you think of our new haircuts? The barber didn't think my mom was doing a good job with our hair. Now she has a lesson and we are starting from scratch!!!
Miss you
Buzz and Woody

Some of our new Ethiopian friends

2010-02-15T09:06:00.000-06:00

Fun times with our new Ethiopian friendsOur new friend Ari is finally home!! This will be so much fun to have Ari in our lives now.

As you can tell Ari really likes to play with is new friends! We have walked through this process with our friends Rog and Abby and to see them as amazing parents- wow God is good!!
When we walked up to their door after Ari was home and when Roger opened the door and I heard Ari in the background I wanted to stand there and sob. Of course I didn't just stand there because I had to get my hands on him! Once again God has orchestrated a perfect family.

Ari and Cruz

The three friends!

Silas and Eva came for a visit from OK and IL to have a fun weekend with some fun Ethiopian friends!! Four Ethiopians under the age of three was so fun! These kids are cute!!

Not sure why they are on the kitchen counter but it looks like fun!! I'm sure Silas was in the basement playing the Wii.

What a fun way to start off the New Year!!

2010-01-03T12:29:00.000-06:00

Today is our last day of Christmas break and tomorrow starts life back to normal- whatever normal is for us!! What a fun way to end to end it!! Daddy is home to enjoy it with us!! This is Cruz's first time to play in the snow!! The kids have had a blast!!!
Happy New Year to everyone!!

Ending 2009 so Fulfilled!!

2009-12-31T00:51:00.000-06:00

What a crazy, fun time of the year!! We are ending 2009 so fulfilled!! We celebrated "Caden Day" and Caden deciding that he will be a big boy now and wear underwear like daddy. (no Rob does not really wear Elmo undies) We have had some great family time with both sides of our families- which makes the season so special! On Christmas Eve our little one turned Two and then on the 27th our biggest boy turned FIFTEEN!!! Between these two birthdays we had the honor of celebrating the birth of our KING. The best gift ever given!!

Airing my Dirty Laundry!!

2009-11-03T14:08:00.000-06:00

No wonder I never get much done - look at my last load coming out of the
washing machine!! These two undo things faster than I can even finish
them the first time. I know that is a lot of laundry, at least it is ALL clean
and just needs to be put away. It was a crazy week!!

When you have a child home for the last few days with the swine flu,
one tends to be more confined to the home. So now look at my laundry room!!
No, the boys are not still in the washing machine!!

Now that I have aired my dirty or clean laundry I might as well keep going!! You might have noticed lately that my blog was private and my cute new header is gone; plus the fact that I have not been posting much. I happen to have a famous sibling and my blog has gotten into the hands of people that have posted it on other sites, and then feel the need to have a forum about me.

Several people e-mailed me (whom I do not know) and gave me all the links. Well I should not have read them. . .but I did. Most of the pages of discussions were about me and these people felt the need to critique me and analyze why I did or did not do things. Most of it couldn't be further from the truth. They do not even know me, my family, or my heart! It has really hurt me. I did not sign on for this and nowhere have I ever posted about my extended family.

I am passionate about adoption and I felt robbed of just being me. My sister-in-law, Aimee, and my friends, Emily and Kari, have walked through this with me and I have decided that I am going to keep blogging and doing what I feel led to do. If one orphan gets a family to tuck them in at night, to feed, clothe and love them through reading my blog, then it will be worth all of this junk. It is not that I am coming out of the closet of who I really am - I am not defined by or want to be defined for being a sister of someone famous. I love all of my family and am so proud to be a part of them! But I want to be known as a child of God, who is passionate about adoption, orphans, Africa, etc. and a godly wife and mother who absolutely adores her family.

Happy CRUZ Day!!!!

2009-10-27T12:53:00.000-05:00

This is the cute face that we got to look at and pray for on our referral day!!

A year ago today our family became complete with the referral of Cruz Fikre!! I remember getting "the call" and the excitement t hat followed it. The waiting to bring him home- as we missed being with him on his first birthday and Christmas was excruciating- but worth every heart ache and mental breakdown!! For those of you that are still in the "waiting process"- hang in there- it is worth all the pain. When you hold them for the first time- it all melts away!!

Happy Birthday to my twin miracles!!!

2009-10-24T21:47:00.000-05:00

Twelve years ago today I gave birth to twin miracles!! I can not believe how fast their years have flown by!! It seems like just yesterday I was dressing them in cute matching outfits. Now I am watching them grow into Godly young ladies.
Happy 12th Birthday R & J- I love you!!

HAITI MISSION TRIP

2009-09-12T07:00:00.001-05:00

Beautiful Faces of Haiti

2009-09-11T14:03:00.001-05:00

JRA HAITI MISSION TRIP PHOTO VIDEO from Kari Gibson on Vimeo.

Marathon for Clean Water

2009-08-18T07:40:00.000-05:00

My sweet husband is finally going to fulfill his dream of running a marathon!! After years of leg issues and a surgery, he is going to complete the Chicago marathon in mid- October. One of the many things that I love about him is, not only is he working so hard training for this, but he is working just as hard to support a cause that is dear to our hearts!! He is on the World Vision team and they are raising money for clean water in Africa. I love to watch him be so passionate about the race, but even more, raising money for clean water. He has a personal goal of raising $2,000.00 towards this project. He even worked at a World Vision garage sale and for my husband that is BIG, because he HATES to do garage sales!! If you want to be a part of this, we welcome you to donate. No gift is too small and every gift counts. On the right side of my blog is a button where you can click to learn more and donate to the project!!

The Winner of Lulu iTouch!!!!!!!

2009-08-06T08:34:00.000-05:00

Ok Now I have to reveal not only the Winner-but the fact that I am somewhat challenged in the video camera meets computer world. My husband says it is easy and then walks out the door for work!! Great!!
I videoed Josie and Rylie drawing the winner for LuLu and her new home is going to be with...........

Connie Faria!!!

Thank you so much to everyone who helped change the life of children in Haiti!!! It really warms my heart!!!!

Miss Lulu iPod Touch's Spa Getaway... day 10 (last day!)

2009-08-05T08:34:00.001-05:00

This is the last day Miss Lulu Touch will be in the Ozarks with the Neal Family!!

Bless the children in Haiti by purchasing raffle tickets for Lulu! 100% of the sales of the tickets will go to help the lives of orphans! Maybe we can make a small difference!!!
Check my blog tomorrow to see who is the new home for LULU!

Lulu's 24 hours of Spa Treatment- Day 9

2009-08-04T08:20:00.000-05:00

Miss Lulu iPod Touch's Spa Getaway... day 9

Lulu gets her "Apps" waxed

Lulu loved her spa treatments and now feels like a million bucks. She is rested and looking her best for her new family. She is getting so excited and can't wait to see who her new family is.

Do you want Lulu to come live at your house? Tomorrow is your last day to get your raffle tickets!!!

Click on the button on the right of my blog to purchase your tickets. All proceeds will bless the life of some child in need!!

Lulu Miss I pod Touch- day 8

2009-08-03T09:13:00.000-05:00

24 of Spa Treatment for Lulu

The Neal family had a great time at the lake this weekend skiing and relaxing in the sun!!
Lulu has been a good sport this last week; being dragged everywhere a family with five kids would go. So we sent her to a spa for 24 hours!! iTouch and water are not a healthy combination so off to the spa she went!!

The contest is over this Wednesday so Lulu is getting all pretty for her new family.
Here is a picture of Lulu getting her bow trimmed.
Hurry up and get your tickets while you can!!!

Miss Lulu iPod Touch's Spa Getaway... day 5

2009-07-31T09:00:00.000-05:00

Mr. I pod touch's aunt comes for a visit!! Kari and Zoie check on Lulu!!
Krazy Kiki comes for a Lulu visit!! She misses Mr. I Pod Touch so much that she had to come for a visit. She wanted Lulu to come home with her , but she bought raffle tickets instead!!

Do you want Lulu I Pod Touch to live at your house? Get your raffle tickets fast!!!!!

Miss Lulu iPod Touch's Spa Getaway... day 4

2009-07-30T09:00:00.001-05:00

LuLu is so refreshed after having her quiet time that she is now ready for some water table fun outside. We started playing with clothes on and then the boys got down to their birthday suits!! To me there is nothing cuter than these two chocolate booties!!!!!

They have changed me!

2009-07-29T12:43:00.000-05:00

Tom Davis wants to challenge his readers and friends to write 500 positive blog posts about how an orphan has impacted and changed your life. Post this on your own blog so that when people search for the movie, they are flooded with positive messages about adoption and orphan care.

Just finish this sentence: "Warner Bros. new horror movie Orphan proclaims that it must be hard to love an adopted child as much as your own. Let me tell you about how an orphan changed my life..."

I started out the adoption process to help the life of a child in need; here is what I got in return....

I am not sure if I can actually put this into words because my feelings are so intense and strong that I am sometimes at a loss for words on how to describe it. I set out to give a child a family and I did that, but what I didn't know is that I would be the so-incredibly blessed, lucky one that have been changed forever by the experience of goodness, joy, grace, and unconditional love of two orphans that are now MY sons! It really bothers me when people say that my boys are so lucky and fortunate for what we have done for them- while yes they do have a family that adores them- it is the rest of our family that is so lucky and blessed that God picked these two amazing boys to be our sons, brothers, grandsons, cousins and nephews. I see how my twins, cuddle and entertain them like their own babies. My almost 15 year old that walks by and messes with the fro and says "I Love You" and he keeps on walking and doesn't miss a beat! Or Caden squealing with delight as bubby wrestles with him and he screams "do it again bubby!!" The changes are in the small and the big details of life. I am SO honored to be the one that God chose to be called "MOMMY" by these two precious boys! I will NEVER be the same and forever changed by two orphans!!

Join me in Defending the casue of the Orphan.... From Tom Davis' blog:

This is the opportunity to defend the cause of the orphan. But instead of cursing the darkness, lets put the truth on display.

Tom is challenging his readers and friends to write 500 positive blog posts about how an orphan has impacted and changed your life. Post this on your own blog so that when people search for the movie, they are flooded with positive messages about adoption and orphan care.

Just finish this sentence: "Warner Bros. new horror movie Orphan proclaims that it must be hard to love an adopted child as much as your own. Let me tell you about how an orphan changed my life..."

This is the heart of defending orphans. Help push back the darkness and deceit here by holding up as an example the powerful love that adoption and orphan care can unleash.

Here's how you can defend the orphan:

1. Write a "positive protest post" on your blog that references the movie, Orphan.
2. Focus on your orphan care or adoption story that is positive, redeeming, and full of love.
3. Link your post to Tom's blog: www.tomdavis.typepad.com
4. Send out an e-mail, Facebook message, or tweet to get others to do the same on their blogs.

Quiet time for Lulu!

2009-07-29T08:16:00.000-05:00

LuLu is exhausted after a long day at cheer leading camp. So today she is having some quiet time on the downstairs patio with her morning cup of Joe while reading an amazing book called "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. She is relaxing and reflecting on how much fun her new home is going to be. Is it your home that LuLu is going to live at? If so you better get your raffle tickets while you can!

Lulu Miss I pod Touch- day 2

2009-07-28T07:45:00.001-05:00

Miss Lulu iPod Touch's Spa Getaway... day 2

Lulu is exhausted, but happy after a long day at Cheer leading Camp!! Her squad came in second and she loved hanging with the girls!! The whole cheer leading squad LOVED Lulu and ALL wanted to take her home, but they have to wait until the drawing!! May be you can take Lulu to your home!! Get your ticket now!!

(ps. the cute girl is my niece Sydney!!)

Miss Lulu iPod Touch's Spa Getaway... day 1

2009-07-27T09:00:00.000-05:00

Miss Lulu enjoyed a hip evening out with friends at KAI in downtown Springfield, MO eating sushi. She was a little nervous with the flaming Volcano Roll so close, but her bow and hair never singed.

Don't waste time.... get your raffle tickets today!!

HAITI MISSION TRIP RAFFLE CONTEST!!!

2009-07-26T08:16:00.000-05:00

I have just been asked to join a team at our church on a mission trip to Haiti (yes the same one that Kari is going on- so she screams when I tell her that I was asked and says, "You've got to do an IPod Touch Raffle). I am so honored for the opportunity to love on the sweet orphans in Haiti and long for the chance to do it!! My heart has been changed and I am so thrilled about being a voice and rising up to make a difference!!! I will be spending five days in Haiti serving, loving, and ministering to orphans we sponsor as a church family. 100% of your contributions will benefit orphans!

Just click and donate towards my special mission trip and the Haitian orphans. I can't wait to share more details.

Miss Lulu iPod Touch's Spa Getaway!!!!!!

Miss Lulu iPod Touch is girly and frilly and sweet in every way. Her Uncle, Mr. iPod Touch is now living with a very special family and is thrilled about his niece finding her own special home!! She is relaxing and enjoying the Ozarks her Uncle loved so much.

Lulu’s Raffle Contest starts today!! Join Lulu and take a peek everyday to see all the fun things she is doing with the Neal Family.

Here's how YOU can win! All you need to do is purchase “virtual tickets” by clicking on the fun Raffle Button and donate.
(Thanks Michael Smalley!) We will end the raffle in 10 days due to the fast upcoming August Haiti Mission trip.... no time to spare!

DONATE TODAY!!

........Watch this pod cast of our church sermon yesterday

2009-07-20T14:25:00.001-05:00

I am SO honored to be apart of a church that is so passionate about orphans!! Our pastor gets it!! Pastor John preached on James 1:27 and it was amazing. I have never wanted to scream so much through a sermon in all of my life!!!!!!! His precious wife Debbie is the leader of our Cherish Kids ministries-and they are both so on fire for the fatherless. Please listen to this message and pray what God would have you do. Not everyone is called to foster or adopt but there are many other ways you can get involved. If anyone has questions please feel free to contact me.
click here...

James River Assembly Ã¢Â€Â¢ Messages

ORPHANS. Help me advocate for adoption & watch!!

2009-07-17T18:04:00.000-05:00

Part 1 of 4... Rick and Kay Warren's Orphan Study.

Part 2 of 4

Part 3 of 4

Part 4 of 4

Rise Up!!!

2009-07-17T15:30:00.000-05:00

RISE UP
Not my sleeping children ( I need them to stay a sleep a little longer) but the Church and all Christians!!!
I was getting my license renewed the other day and the lady at the counter was inquiring about my boys and asked me if I adopted them and where from. I told her Ethiopia and her comment was "I could never do that- it takes special people to do that" I wanted to stand up on my soap box and start preaching to her as to why she SHOULD and COULD -but I held all of what I was thinking and just gave her a little. I am so passionate about this and the more I read in God's Word the more I am convinced that it is a Sin to not do something about the orphans and widows. In Deuteronomy 10:18 and 24: 17-18 we are commanded as Christians and humans to RISE UP and relieve the orphans hurts, defend their rights and provide long term solutions. Adopting is Not the only answer there are many ways to do SOMETHING for the fatherless!! There are two less orphans in Africa- but what they have done to and for me and my family is indescribable. I was watching them sleep and I was overwhelmed with love and awe for God and how he has formed us together as a family. They have changed me into a better person!! I just want to encourage those of you reading this post, to figure out what God has for you to do to serve HIS orphans!!

Coffee Ceremony Missouri Style!!

2009-07-16T00:30:00.000-05:00

What else is there to do on a rainy summer day? Well... Rylie thought she would dress up her little brothers in their traditional Sidama outfits- then she wanted to have a real coffee ceremony with them. We settled for the pretend coffee ceremony set (mommy wanted them to take a nap so caffeine was not a great idea) and the boys loved it. Really Caden had a blast - it was so fun to watch him really engage into pretend play and have him start to learn about the amazing traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremonies that are a a beautiful part of Ethiopia culture.

The seeds are starting to sprout!!

2009-07-04T13:13:00.001-05:00

Part of our jobs as parents is to plant seeds in Godly rich soil, nurture, and bring water to our child's lives until they firmly have the footprint of God grown deep into their hearts and souls. This was one of the main reasons we wanted to take our older three with us to Africa to bring our Cruz Fikre home. Our number one prayer for them during this trip is that they would walk away from this experience as different kids. While we were at the orphanage I went into survival mode and closed off my heart to all the other kids except for Fikre and Awate, our nephew. My girls on the other hand did not!! They knew every baby's name and age and loved on them all. They would bring a baby to me and I would say how cute she is and they would think that I was crazy because HE was a boy. "Sorry," I would say - "The pink sleeper threw me off!" There was only one "waiting child" when we were there; he was our Caden's age, but smaller than our Fikre. He stole my daughter, Josie's heart - so much that her love for him hadn't died down by the time we had been home a month. She wrote a letter to put in his file so that when potential families requested his information they would know how special she thought he was. Now we have been home three months and the flame is burning even stronger for this child when I thought it would have extinguished out by now. Here is my sweet girl begging for this real person's life- a boy that has woven his way into our family. Inside I am crazy (ok not just inside but outside as well). I am deep in the adjustment period of adding our fifth child to our home with a two-year-old that wasn't so sure that he wanted this new addition, and my daughter is begging for us to go back to Ethiopia and get this sweet boy. My first thought to her was, "Are you freaking kidding me???? You live in this house...don't you? And you want to add to this mass craziness!!!" I didn't say what my flesh was feeling and was careful not to break my daughter's spirit, but I agreed to asking for his file and promising to really pray about it. This seemed to help for a while, then Josie asked what if God didn't answer her prayer. We had the discussion about whether she praying for the home she wanted him to have or for God's home. She had to work on that one- she wanted God to want our home for him. God sees the big picture- I was telling her how much daddy and I wanted the six babies we had miscarried but God didn't answer that way. If He did, we wouldn't have Caleb, Josie or Rylie, and I can't imagine our lives without them.

Erica at WHFC was my lifeline during our two adoptions and for Cruz's adoption, we got to take her to Africa with us for moral support and her amazing photography skills. While we were there Rylie and Josie fell in love with her. A few weeks ago she came for a week to visit and she helped Josie formulate a plan on how to raise money for this child's adoption. So whoever looks at his file can see that someone was helping financially with his adoption. He is considered a special needs baby, but not enough to qualify for a grant. So this was a great project for Jos to do while we waited on GOD! We printed out pictures of him and she and Erica made fliers to put on baby bottles we bought for people to put their spare change in. This operation was in full swing but on the inside there was a war going on in me. My heart was screaming one thing and my head another while I was crying out to God, "Why have you put this little guy in our hearts?" And "Am I missing what you are trying to tell me?!!!" Later that day while the fliers were being, made Erica got a call... God answered our prayers "Little E" was picked by his forever family. Josie went up to her room and cried "happy tears" for Little E and I'm sure a few sad ones for herself. After this experience I truly saw her seeds starting to sprout.

Collage. . .

2009-07-04T11:53:00.000-05:00

Happy 4th of July!!

2009-07-04T11:22:00.001-05:00

JRA I love America!!

More Awesome Pics

2009-07-03T07:39:00.001-05:00

Fun + Family Kamp + 4 little ET darlings

2009-07-02T16:26:00.000-05:00

Zoie, Caden, Cruz & Abe... 4 Little ET Darlings!

Cruz man

Silly Caden

Miracle Abe

H & Ri Ri

M & Kyler & C

Kamp Pics (day 3)

2009-06-29T06:47:00.000-05:00

Fun games!

Ri & H Zip Line!

Juju & Kiki

Scary Pirate!

J & C Zipping

Cruz Style

= Summer Fun!

Pirate Night at Kamp!!

2009-06-29T06:46:00.000-05:00

Click to enlarge:)

Kanakuk K-Kaua'i Family Pics

2009-06-27T15:15:00.000-05:00

2 chocolate chips:)

Caden

Juju, Emily & Kiki

Am I cute or what!

Moody & Abe, Rob & Cruz, Rog & Zoie girl

Happy Birthday Caden!

2009-06-27T15:00:00.001-05:00

The big 3!

Birthday Kanakuk style

Our family is at Kanakuk K-Kaua'i Kamp and celebrating time with family and friends!

Life Is SomeWhat Getting Back To Normal... What ever that is!!!!!

2009-05-08T16:19:00.000-05:00

A Sweet Moment- they boys are playing together and not want mommy to hold them!!

I have been getting a lot of flack from my friends for not posting- so here I am. The last two months have been really challenging , rewarding, going on no sleep, crying (me and the boys), and amazing! Both boys worlds have been rocked-Cruz is now adjusting to our crazy home, he still poops ALL the time and doesn't like to sleep!! Caden's family left him to go to Africa and came home with a new brother , so he has reverted back to being a baby and wanting mommy to hold him all the time! Each week is getting better- I feel like our house is getting into a small routine. One the other hand I am in awe at the leaps and bounds Cruz has made since he has been home!! It feels so great to have ALL of my children under the same roof!! God is Good!!

Day One with Cruz in Ethiopia

2009-03-07T08:26:00.001-06:00

Introducing Cruz

2009-03-03T07:49:00.001-06:00

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

My sweet baby boy!!

2009-02-22T12:29:00.000-06:00

Life is great here in Ethiopia-Cruz Fikre is amazing!! He is taking it all in with this crazy family kissing all over him and he goes with the flow! At times when he is out of his Horizon House room he is somber, but loves to snuggle in close. He of course melts our hearts and we will be glad when our whole family is together!! Tomorrow we go to the Embassy to file our paperwork and Tuesday we travel Awassa to visit Fikre's birth family and also see Caden's again. This is a very emotional time for me-but what a gift for my sons. How do you tell a family how thankful you are to have their child, because they have suffered so much loss for us to be there. I am very humbled and honored to take on the responsibility of being Caden and Cruz's mom and hope the family can see and feel that from our visit.
I will try to post pics soon- dial-up connection here is horrible and we went to the Hilton today to use the Internet there- but it has been down for two days. You can go to dropshots.com/cadenrobert to see some pics that Rob's finally managed to get posted on that site.

The Life in Dubai!!

2009-02-19T03:22:00.001-06:00

We made it safely to Dubai and have been roughing outside on the beach!! Now we are heading to the big mall to go snow skiing. I would say that Dubai is probably the only place where you can play on a beach and snow ski the same day!! My kids are in Heaven- the best of both worlds!! I will post pictures later or you can go to www.dropshots.com/cadenrobert to see pictures that Rob is uploading. He is much better at this then I am. I will do my best on this blog!! It took me forever to pull this blog up in English!!
Thanks for all of your prayers!! It was brutal leaving Caden-still very hard-but kind of nice when I was reading a book on the beach!!

On our way!!!

2009-02-17T19:20:00.001-06:00

This is Aimee - guest posting for Julie. She just called from Atlanta. They are boarding to go to Dubai. Caden is at home with Grammy and has a fever! Leaving was harder than Julie thought it would be...pray for peace for her, strength for Grammy and healing for Caden. Hopefully, they will update in Dubai...

One Day Until We Travel

2009-02-16T03:58:00.000-06:00

We Leave tomorrow to bring this cutie pie home and to complete the Neal family.....

but we have to leave this crazy kid for a week and a half!!

Caden came down with a fever last night to make it even harder for me to leave him.
God is good and HE will protect Caden and give him peace while we are gone. We are very excited to start this journey of traveling to bring our son home, thanks for all of your prayers!!
Now I must go finish packing or sleep!!

Mommy is Coming to Bring You Home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-02-12T06:20:00.000-06:00

I received a new picture from a family that just got back from Ethiopia. That is MY SON and I need to bring him HOME!!! My heart swells for this child and I can NOT get there fast enough!! This picture was a gift- its like he is saying to me- hurry up!!! I needed this!! We leave in FIVE
days and I am sooooo ready to go (mentally, that is, I'm not all packed ) but I needed to see his sweet face. Caden knows something is up and it is pulling, no tugging at my heartstrings! (possibly the source of what caused the Shingles!) God is so GOOD and I am so honored that he is allowing Rob and I to be the parents of this amazing Child!

Cruz Patrick Fikre Neal- mommy is coming to bring you HOME!!!

Prayer part II

2009-02-06T13:49:00.000-06:00

I have SHINGLES do I need to say more???? I didn't believe my doctor, he had two of his partners come in to confirm!! Ouch-no wonder it hurts so BAD!!!! I told him I didn't have time for this. Please pray for a speedy recovery- I am sure that Cruz has not been immunized for chicken pox-so I need to be healed in 11 days!!
I love knowing you are praying!

Julie

How to pray for our journey to Neal baby #5

2009-02-05T13:13:00.000-06:00

Our Travel date is getting closer (not close enough)and I know many of you who read this blog are prayer warriors. These are a few areas that need prayer. I am trying not to freak out to much about leaving my sweet Caden. This is best for us to bond with Cruz, but my heart is not agreeing with that. We are taking our three older kids so they can experience their brother's birth country. We leave in 12 days!!! Wahoooo!

How to pray for our journey to Neal #5

• Health for the entire family –starting now thru when we return.

• Peace for Caden (Grammy and Papa also) that these days away from us will go fast for him. That he will have fun and be happy!

• For Caden’s attachment for Cruz (Caden- the king is about to be dethroned a bit)

• Safety for all of us. It is a little scary taking your children all the way to Africa.

• Bonding with Cruz- he is about to be ripped out from his world (again) and life as he knows it will stop. I want him to quickly attach to us so we will be able to comfort him through his new journey.

• For the eyes of our three older children- that they will be opened and never forget all they see in Africa. That their hearts will be forever changed- that they leave a piece of their hearts in Ethiopia like their mom and dad did. Their relationship with Christ will be even stronger!

• Pray for this Momma who’s heartstrings are being ripped out- leaving Caden behind is really hard for me. I know he is in the best care with Grammy and Papa- but already dreading this part. Cruz and I need this time together to bond-please pray that I embrace this time I have in Ethiopia and be peaceful with Caden being at home.

Thanks to all for your prayers!!!!

It gets even better!!!!

2009-01-31T06:12:00.000-06:00

God is so good!!! I have been living on Luke 11:9 about asking, seeking and knocking for us to bring this baby home. It has been weeks and weeks praying, believing, and trying to pull myself out of a funk when each day would go by and not knowing anything. It is very frustrating waiting and waiting when you are totally approved, the baby has been referred to you. As a mom he was mine before I even saw his picture and each day the nannies get to see the cute things he dose instead of me is gut wrenching!! As I would read on in Luke, vs. 13 is talking about how us sinful people know how to give good gifts to our children, then how much more will our heavenly father give to those who ask HIM!
I am in awe at what the Lord has done for us. Not only did Fikre pass court, so did my new nephew Awate. Those of you who know the system- it is very random- and the fact that out of four kids that went through court this last Thursday Fikre and Awate's paperwork went through on the same day. Not only do we get to travel soon, but we get to share this amazing journey with Aimee and Dan. There are two sweet babies at Horizon House who do not know they are cousins or the crazy family that awaits them! We are very close to Aimee and Dan- the fact that we get to share this with each other is a hugh gift from our Heavenly Father! Thank you LORD!!

My brother Doug went to Ethiopia around Thanksgiving and he took pictures of our sweet babies!!

Fikre and Awate we are coming to bring you HOME!!!

I would like to introduce you to my SON..........

2009-01-29T14:58:00.000-06:00

We passed court today!!!!! Cruz Patrick Fikre Neal is legally ours!!!!!!!!!

We are on could nine and are soooooooooo excited to bring this baby to his forever home!!
Fikre, mommy is coming soon to get you!!!

Time away from the stress of waiting for the"travel call"

2009-01-20T19:53:00.000-06:00

These are the best pics we could get of four Ethiopian children under the age of two!!!

The kids had Friday and Monday off of school so we went to OKCity and met the Alexanders there. The hotel's glass elevators will never be the same after our kids used them as entertainment!! We got Silas Bottomly, Caden, Abe, and Eli(who recently came home from Ethiopia)together for dinner and tried to get some cute pics!!

I want to show you the face that belongs to these cute feet!

2009-01-14T16:45:00.000-06:00

I want to post the really cute face that belongs to these cute feet......but I can't!!! We have not passed court yet and received a travel date. There is a lot of travel activity in our agency-just not for us yet! Trying really, really hard not to be down all the time and obsessed with checking my e-mail! I am heavily leaning on Luke 11:9 by asking, knocking and seeking!! We serve a great GOD and he is in control! I need to have my son in my arms very soon!!

Potty Training?????

2009-01-02T15:36:00.000-06:00

This is as close as we can get to potty training. He will now, at least, put on the Elmo undies. In fact he has on all six pairs, one on top of each other and on top of his PJ's. I'll take what ever progress I can get. He is in no hurry and neither am I. I am in a hurry, however, to get his baby brother home!!!

We pray that everyone has a great 2009!

Passing the time while waiting to travel!!

2008-12-30T09:25:00.000-06:00

Aimee and I are trying to be productive during this visit-( we are close to losing our sanity,we are two mamas that need to go get our babies)- so we are getting our pictures and visas filled out. This is what we are up against- trying to get the brothers- who are in their own world when they are together- to cooperate:

This is my Rob

and Dan

Happy 14th Birthday CALEB!!!

2008-12-27T23:41:00.000-06:00

December 27th (today is actually the day)
My first born child has just turned 14. Mommy is having a hard time with this one growing up so fast. The other day I went to a meeting at the high school where Caleb will be attending next year and I think I hyperventilated the whole way through it. My baby is growing up way to fast!! I was sitting there thinking there was no way I should be here for my son. I was JUST there myself as a student- now I have a student that age ( I also looked down and saw the snot that I had on my shirt from my sickly two year old)
God's path for us is not always our own- kid to be a freshman next year, then twin girls, then a two and almost one year old!! God has a beautiful sense of humor. I am so glad he has blessed me with the FIVE children that he has allowed Rob and I the honor of raising! I love you Caleb William Neal- I am so glad that I get to be your mom!

Merry Christmas!!!

2008-12-27T23:38:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas!! Happy Birthday JESUS!!

Happy Birthday to my sweet baby!!!

2008-12-27T23:18:00.000-06:00

December 24th (pretend these post are done on the right days, but on the 19th mommy decided to have her gall bladder removed among all the other holiday festivities!!)

Christmas Eve is a happy time of the year as we reflect and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ! During this special time of year mommy is trying to keep her spirits up, but being on a couch recovering and having more time to think, has not been in my favor. My son, that I am so in love with has just turn ONE on this Christmas Eve. I am grieving the first year of his life that I missed, the journey he had to take to become ours, and celebrating two big days in a row with him in an orphanage and not home with us. I am so grateful for the love that his amazing nannies give him in our absence- but this time apart has been long enough!! My arms are absolutely aching to hold him. I can't get that travel call fast enough!!

"Happy Caden Day" go back to Dec. 18th

2008-12-27T23:02:00.000-06:00

Two years ago on Dec. 18th we took our first look at our sweet baby boy!!! Our lives have been changed in more ways then we could have ever imagined!! Each day we grow more and more in love with him and are in awe with the miracle that God has blessed us with!!! Caden Geremew mommy and daddy love you soooooooo much!!!!

Really cute Christmas gifts!!!

2008-12-07T10:58:00.001-06:00

I recently found these adorable bears that would make great Christmas gifts. These bears are made for celebs when they have babies. I contacted Jennifer, this sweet girl who makes them and asked if she would start an adoption line of these bears. I ordered several for gifts right away. You can have anything you want put on them. I can't find my pic of Caden's but his says Caden Geremew (both American and African name). She can make it from any country or what ever you want. I think they would be cute "Gottcha day" bears. So much of the baby gifts are for babies that we gave birth too- like date, time, weight, hospital, etc... I wanted something to celebrate our story, child, and country.
Go to www.thepatchworkbear.com
and see all that she offers.
She has been so amazing embracing this adoption line and she has now become emotionally involved in our adoption story!!! If you have questions just e-mail her!!
Just thought I would share and if anyone else is like me and not sleeping then this could fill up your time in the wee morning hours.

Bittersweet Gift!!!!!!

2008-12-06T08:29:00.000-06:00

My sweet brother was in Africa and spent a few hours in Addis. He went to Horizon House to see my sweet baby. He took about 300 pics and 35 minutes of video of Cruz and my new nephew that is waiting at HHouse as well. I have not been the least bit productive this week because this is all I have done. Watch the video and stare at the pics. When the nanny got him to laugh I freaked out because his top two teeth are coming in. This was a gift for me to see, because it is so hard missing all of his first year of life. Everyone say that the time will go by fast with the holidays- but I'm not so sure about that. Christmas Eve my sweet boy will turn ONE and the next day will be Christmas. His absence will be greatly felt. Thanksgiving we went to MI to be with Dan and Aimee and my cute nieces and nephew. We all had a blast, but we felt the absence of our two sweet boys that are waiting in Ethiopia. We can not get that call quickly enough. I thank God everyday for his health and the sweet nannies that are loving on my sweet baby until we can be together.

All the nursery is lacking is CRUZ!!!!!!!!

2008-11-19T15:03:00.000-06:00

I just finished putting Cruz's room together- now I just need him to finish the room. The mommy in me is aching so badly to hold my sweet baby. I just got a report on him and he is babbling and trying to scoot and pull-up. This is so great- I just need him to stop and wait for me to get there to do it for the first time!! This wait to travel is killing me and my checking account!! I am not sleeping so I shop on line in the wee hours of the night!!!! Rob is afraid that one morning he is going to wake up and I will be gone!! HA HA! This wait has been much harder that Caden's wait was. he is in God's hands while we are apart!!

Cousins together forever!!

2008-11-10T17:41:00.000-06:00

My sister-in-law received their referral of a sweet 7 week old son. Now Cruz and his cousin are at the orphanage together- waiting for us to come get them!!! Now I really need to get there!!!

Happy Cruz Day!!!!

2008-10-29T13:03:00.000-05:00

We have a 10 month old son waiting for us in Ethiopia. Our family is on cloud nine- we are so excited!!! This has been one of the best days of our lives!! I can't wait to show his picture- he is so cute!!!! Now we need to get him home!!!!!!!

Happy Ethiopian New Years

2008-09-15T14:14:00.000-05:00

King Elmo and Jaden dine on injera together.

Happy New Year Ethiopia ( a few days late)

We had a few families over for a traditional Ethiopian meal and a coffee ceremony to help bring in the Ethiopian New Year. Our Caden is not a big fan of ingera, but little Jaden scoop up her food with it like she had been doing it her whole 23 mths of life!! Zoie, our new friend is 8 mths old and she gummed on Injera for the first time! It was really special to celebrate this holiay with two other adoptee families and a family that is here from Ethiopia. She did all the cooking and directing of the coffee ceremony!! Is was very honoring to help our children celebrate apart of their history

Never a dull moment!!!

2008-09-10T21:09:00.000-05:00

There is never a dull moment around the Neal household!!! Monday- my sweet Josie broke her hand (I did get my rounds of Bunko in before I had to take her to the emergency room). Tomorrow we go to get her cast on she is hoping for a blue one. Today my sweet Caden had several procedures done at the hospital. I felt so bad for him- he was playing with toys, checking things out around the hospital and had NO idea what was about to happen to him. Hopefully we will get to the bottom of his lung issues! Other than this, it is a typical week at the Neal house!!

Back to school

2008-09-07T21:05:00.001-05:00

We now have two weeks of school under our belt!
It is a bittersweet event....the kids are excited to see there friends and start a new year......but I wish they weren't gone all day long!!! The picture of their backpacks hanging on their hooks waiting to start the new school year. My heart caught the morning of the first day of school when I went to grab Caden's and all of the hooks were empty!!
Caden started a two year old preschool class two days a week and stays with Grammy the other days while I teach pre K in the mornings!! He is getting so big and it is flying by. I look at this sweet boy that is thriving before my eyes and time is sailing by with all of my kids, so why does it feel like an eternity waiting for the next one? I guess since it is coming up on the 14th month mark is making it even harder. I know God's timing is perfect and for now I will rest in that and savor the moments with Caleb, Josie, Rylie and Caden!

Adopted into God's Family

2008-07-22T07:41:00.000-05:00

This morning I was doing my devotions -pre-wake up of a small Ethiopian- and I came to an amazing scripture. Romans 8:14-16 stating that we are add to God's family by way of blessed adoption. I have read this before, but today it reached out and grabbed me. I saw it through different eyes now having adopted a son that I love more than life. The reason we adopted w because God told us too and we were naive, thinking we were doing this to save the life of an orphan. Reading at the bottom of my Bible where the scriptures are detailed it blew me away. God knew exactly what He was doing- knew that we would fail Him and make choices that would break his heart!! He knew all of this and did it anyway- the scripture said because it pleased Him. I am in awe that God loves us that much. Getting back to the being naive and saving an orphan- Caden has changed me!!! Yes, he now has a forever family that loves him so much- but he has changed me. I guess in reading that scripture I know how much I love Caden and how much he is my child. On his 2nd birthday I was trying to remember details about his birth. My fierce and protective love for Caden is so strong- I can't even comprehend God's love for each and everyone of us. Thought I would share this scripture that really impacted me.

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Something to with my time!!

2008-07-07T09:54:00.000-05:00

As we are approaching a year since we have officially been on the waiting list- I am getting a little antsy!! I knew it would be a longer wait for this little guy -than Caden's wait- but WOW!!! So I have started shopping to fill my time. I know I have four children already and they keep me moving.....but I feel like I need to nest even though I am still a ways off from a referral. I went on-line to www.Zazzle.com under adoptees and ordered the cutest shirts for my other kids to wear at the airport when we fly home with their new baby brother. I also ordered the little one a shirt to match his siblings and kept on ordering!! I picked out "_______'s " (we can't decide on a name for this sweet boy) bedding and bought a new crib and paint to paint his room!! Fixing up another nursery should keep me nesting for a while!! Thought I would share a shopping site for others to keep busy!! I am mentally and emotionally ready to fly back to Ethiopia to bring our baby home and complete the Neal family!!

script language="javascript" src="http://www.zazzle.com/api/zp/zpanel?zp=117834151816472958">

The Terrific Twos

2008-06-30T13:49:00.000-05:00

We celebrated with Caden and Melmo (Elmo) as he entered into the terrific twos. I am confessing that these will be the terrific twos and not the other. As Caden was throwing a fit on the floor the other day- one of my girls said "Is that why they call it the terrible twos?" I couldn't have said it better. We celebrated with family and friends at the lake and on Wednesday-his real birthday we went to the zoo. This birthday was fun- he is at a cute age-but this one was different for me. With my other kids I think back and relive their births. With Caden's b-day I was driving home from the gym in the early morning and started to think about when he was born. It shocked me that I didn't give birth to him. (yes, I do know that he is chocolate and I am vanilla) Then I was trying to imagine his birth and then I started crying. These feelings that I didn't expect- tears for his deceased birth mom-for everything she is missing, tears for the question marks on the details of his life, tears for his amazing country, tears for my awe and joy that he brings us, and tears for my loving God who entrusted this sweet boy to my care. Not the reaction I was expecting, but very powerful.

Why did we choose Ethiopia?

2008-06-11T17:43:00.000-05:00

Look at this cutie and why wouldn't you adopt from Ethiopia? This is not why we adopted from Ethiopia- but it is a great bonus!!
When God laid it on our hearts to adopt we researched all of the countries and fell in love with the Ethiopian people. These loving people that are struggling to put food on the table stole our hearts. They are beautiful inside and out!! I have a niece from Ethiopia and hearing her story and the fight for her life- my kids were begging to save a baby from Ethiopia. I guess you can say that we started out the adoption process to change the life of one child-but in the end he has changed us!! This is one of the greatest journey of our lives!!

Better late Than Never!!

2008-06-05T10:11:00.000-05:00

Caden has been home for a sixteen months and having been waiting for our next baby for 10.5 months I am finally creating a blog! Only because Aimee-my sister in law started it for me! Not the greatest at computers (don't hold it against Rob-since computers are our lively hood-he has tried to help me!!) but I am going to do this!!! This will be something to give my kids later on in life!!
Our amazing family is made up of Rob- the greatest father and husband, Caleb our sweet 13.5 year old son, twin miracles Rylie and Josie are 10.5, Caden who is two this month and acts every bit of it! and our next son that we are patiently waiting for in Ethiopia to complete our family! This is our gang that God has so richly blessed us with!

Miss Lulu iPod Touch's Spa Getaway... day 8

2004-08-03T09:30:00.000-05:00

Lulu's 24 hours of spa treatment!!

The Neal family had an amazing time at the lake this weekend. Lulu has been a great sport about being dragged everywhere that a family with five children go; so we sent her to a spa while we were away. iTouch and water are not a great combination so this was a perfect solution.
The contest is almost over so she is getting all pretty for her new family.
Here she is getting her bow trimmed.

More tomorrow on the rest of Lulu's 24 hours of spa treatment!
Hurry up and get your tickets- Wednesday the contest ends!!!!!