Halloween

The kids had a great time celebrating Halloween in Canada. Our neighborhood has tons of kids so it was so fun to see the sidewalks full of trick-or-treaters. Lidiyanna dressed as a cow, Graham was a mountain climber, and Wesley decided to repeat his costume from last year-a dragon. He did add the neon green vampire teeth this year.

After the boys got back, they dumped out their candy to sort the goods. It was interesting seeing how the candy here is a little different than in the US. Smarties (which are similar to M&Ms) were a favorite to hand out to the trick-or-treaters. Another popular candy is Coffee Crisp which is similar to Kit Kats but with a bit of a coffee flavor. The kids also got several small bags of chips.

Lidiyanna hung with the boys for a while and then Tim brought her back home to help me answer the door and pass out candy. She was very good at that!

He's a star!!

Tim's new job at Nissan Canada has had many challenges. Most days, he comes home feeling overwhelmed. He works so hard and so much yet never feels like he's done enough. Despite the struggles, I know he's doing an excellent job in his new role.

He also has the opportunity to interact with journalists and reporters for the auto industry. He's been on TV and the internet. Check him out on the link below:

http://www.drivingtelevision.tv/?cid=1015

Okay, so maybe he's not a star on the big screen but he's a star in our home! I'm so proud of my hubby!!

Fun Fall Recipes

Peanut Butter Popcorn Bars or Balls

10 cups popped popcorn
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract


Place popcorn in a large bowl; set aside. In a saucepan over medium heat, bring sugar and corn syrup to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil for 1 minute. Remove from the heat.


Stir in peanut butter and vanilla. Mix well. Pour over popcorn and mix well. Press into a buttered 9X13 pan or form into balls using buttered hands. Cool slightly.

We spent last weekend with our friends, the McKims. We met them in Ethiopia during our first trip and bonded through court dates, meeting our children for the first time, and other adventures in Addis. Even though we've only seen them three times in our lives, we consider them dear friends. We hope to get togther at least once a year. All of our children get along really well, and we're hoping for a marriage to occur somewhere between the six kids. We also think it's really important for Lidiyanna to see other families like ours and to know she's not the only person that looks different from her parents...especially as she gets older.

Apples

We joined some friends on Saturday and went apple picking at a nearby apple farm. It was such a beautiful place and a great way to spend a Fall day. I've mentioned this family before as they have become such a blessing to us since moving to Canada. I met them through a connection at our church in Nashville, and I thank God often that He caused our paths to cross. Alison was the first person that reached out to me and was so helpful when we first moved. She has such a kind and giving spirit. Being with her feels so comfortable and easy. Her son, Harrison, has become Wesley's best friend here and they have their own playdate every Monday while the older kids do school. Graham also loves playing with their twin girls who are just a few years older than him.

School

School started a little later here in Canada than what we are used to in the South. We are now getting into our new routine with school and the boys seem to be settling in well. Graham is in "Grade One" as it is called up here. He's loving his teacher and has already made several friends in his class. Wesley is in Junior Kindergarten at the same school as Graham. In fact, his classroom is just next door to Graham's. He goes two and sometimes three days a week. It's similar to his preschool program from last year. His teacher just seems perfect for him as well. The school is in our neighborhood, so we are really enjoying biking or walking to school. Again, I see God's provision for us and am so thankful for the way He cares for my children.

I didn't have time to take a picture of Wesley before school (imagine that!), so here he is enjoying an after school snack after his first day.

Graham on his first day of school

Lidiyanna

It's been one year since we brought our daughter home. Click on her name below to see a slideshow highlighting our first year with her.

Lidiyanna

Labor Day weekend

My dad and his wife came to visit us over Labor Day weekend. The kids enjoyed the time with their grandparents. They especially had fun when their grandparents let them play in the mud in the backyard while Tim and I were on a get-away. :) Thanks for the night away, Dad and MA.

My dad took a few pictures of the kids at the lake. I thought they were really sweet.

a view of the CN Tower from the music gardens in Toronto

Notice Tim and I in the corner of this pic trying to look at a map so we could navigate our way around downtown.

Lidiyanna and Grandpa enjoying the train ride into Toronto

Best Buds

Something happened this summer...

they became each other's best friend.

Canadian Vacation-part three

Tim and Lidiyanna enjoying a snuggle around the campfire

On one of our days during vacation, we drove about 45 minutes to the village of Mont Tremblant. It is a ski resort in a smaller mountain range. During the summer, the village is still alive with activity including shopping, entertainment for the kids, and lots of dining. We enjoyed some crepes and a Canadian treat called Beaver Tails which are flat pastries similar to donuts that have toppings like chocolate hazelnut or cinnamon sugar. While in the village, we rode the gondola to the top of the mountain and enjoyed a beautiful view. Graham and Tim rode the luge which is similar to riding a scooter down a big hill. Graham also tried the ropes course for kids and the mountain climbing. Wesley and I had fun playing on a pirate ship and riding some small boats. It was a fun day in a beautiful village that we'd like to visit some time during the winter so we can introduce our kids to some skiing. Although it was lots of fun for a day, I was glad that we spent the majority of the week in a more peaceful environment that really refreshed our souls.

back at the cottage enjoying the sunset before bed

before the luge

Graham doing the ropes course.

Wesley and I riding the gondola.

a view of the village from the gondola

Canadian Vacation-part two

After a bit of a stressful summer, the cottage we rented in Quebec was a perfect way to spend our vacation. The cottage was located on a small lake called Lake Nomininique in the Laurentians of Quebec. The Laurentians is a region of coniferous forest dotted with hundreds of lakes and rivers. It was a beautiful, remote area with quaint villages that took us away from noise and distraction. We spent the week playing on the lake's shore, paddling around in the paddle boat and kayak, roasting marshmallows on the campfire, and just enjoying each other. God knew it was just what we needed to end the summer.

Our First Canadian Vacation-part one

Last week, the five of us piled in Tim's truck and headed to Quebec to enjoy some rest and relaxation together. We started our vacation with a night spent in Ottawa, Canada's capital city. It's a beautiful city right on the river with some intricate buildings on its Parliament Hill. The city is very pedestrian-friendly so we explored it on foot Friday night and by bike on Saturday.

The Peace Tower on Parliament Hill

changing of the guard

enjoying a break from our bike ride

Parliament Hill behind us

On Friday night we sat on the green lawn in front of the Parliament building to watch a light show that told a little of Canada's history. In many ways, Canada differs from the United States, but some things are true no matter where you live. The people here are proud of their country just as we are in the U.S. I was thankful for the opportunity to see Ottawa and learn a little more about this country we'll be living in for the next few years.

Finally

After three months, I'm finally starting to feel more settled here in Canada. We've settled on a church, and that's a great feeling. We hope to get involved in a small group and I intend to join the women's weekday Bible study in September.

We've gotten to know two families that are here with Nissan from the states, and it's been really fun to have some fellow Americans to get together with. Even though their kids are a little older, our kids have had fun getting to know them.

I've made a friend in the area through a connection in Nashville and she and her kids have already worked their way into our hearts. My boys ask often when we are getting together with the Lilley's, and I always feel refreshed after spending time with this family. They are a true blessing from God and I know we are developing a life-long friendship.

We've continued to explore the area and enjoy the summer beauty before it slips away and winter starts to creep in. I am looking forward to the Fall here as I know apple farms are a fun autumn treat. The beach remains to be the boys' favorite summer activity, and we recently found a park that has dirt jumps where Graham can ride his bike. Going on long bike rides with the kids has been my favorite part of the summer.

The summer has been long and challenging at times, but God always provides and I am feeling hopeful about the direction He's taking us in for the Fall.

Fun with Grandparents

Nana (my mom) and Grandpa Sam came to visit us this past week. We had a great time having family here and showing them our new home. We went to the African Lion Safari, spent time at several parks and a beach and, of course, enjoyed ice cream together. They were kind enough to babysit so I could get my haircut and go to the grocery store by myself. The kids loved having them here and were sad to see them go. We will miss you guys!!

Oakville Harbor

the lighthouse in Oakville

watching the elephants swim at the safari

One Year Ago

One year ago, Tim and I got on a plane that took us to the other side of the world to meet our daughter. This week, I am remembering with a joyful and thankful heart the journey that took us to Lidiyanna. What an amazing week it was and I will never forget that first moment that I saw her. Tim and I waited nervously on the front steps of the transition home while a nanny brought Lidiyanna out to us. She was wrapped in a purple blanket which now seems so perfect. We always say purple is her color and she just loves her blankets. She cannot go to sleep without them. The nanny placed her in my arms and was wiping Lidiyanna's eyes. She had a cold and her eyes always water when she's sick. I just started crying and felt such a heaviness in that moment. It was a good heaviness but it was one of those defining moments that change you forever.

We spent a week in Ethiopia visiting Lidiyanna every day at the transition home. I treasured each moment there and dreaded whenever our guides told us it was time to leave each day. Lidiyanna was so sweet, smiling whenever I kissed her, making great eye contact with us, and falling asleep in our arms. We bonded so quickly with her, and it was very difficult to say goodbye at the end of the week. I was so thankful for her loving nannies and the way they cared for all of the babies is something I was always be grateful for. I think that's part of why babies from Ethiopia tend to adjust so quickly in their new homes.

Today, as I was watching her play, I could hardly believe it has been one year since I first met her. She has grown and changed so much, and we have enjoyed getting to know our daughter. Thanks for remembering and rejoicing with me.