I Hate Walmart

I went there today (with my three kids six and under) just to get laundry detergent, dishwasher soap, and kids' toothpaste. All things which are too expensive at my local grocery store. I would try Costco but it is a trek across town that I didn't feel up to doing. This is what I hate about it...
1) It is so crowded! We dodged several carts and went down some aisles at an attempt at finding some shortcuts to avoid cart jam ups. I finally saw an opening and went for it, feeling rather proud of my maneuvers. But alas, we found ourselves stuck behind an elderly woman on a motorized scooter going .5 miles an hour. argh! (inhale slowly three times)
2) In addition to the crowds there are huge bins in the middle of the aisles making it impossible to navigate around people. And it's ruthless, everyone is trying to get by because they know if you're not aggressive you're stuck.
3) No employee has ever had a clue of what they were talking about. Standard Response: Shock at why you are asking them information. Standard Answer: "Sorry, it's not my department." I am assuming the yellow smiley faces on their vests stands for clueless.
4) There is about 12 registers in every Wal-mart and only about three open. In addition the clerks always have their lights blinking waiting for the one person that actually knows what they are doing to come up and push one single button.
5) I have three kids with me whining, pushing each other, asking for everything they see, and generally acting like zoo animals.
OK, so #5 has nothing to do with Wal-mart and probably is the cause of all the other frustrations...yet I choose to blame them.

But I continue to go...why?
1) it's so close to my house
2) those dang cheap prices


signed,
dissatisfied consumer for life

Hello! We have been busy here enjoying the sunshine. We got a little pool (10 feet in diameter, over 3 ft deep) that barely fits in our little backyard and the kids have been having fun with it. Dason and Caden are officially swimmers, due in part to bigger pools we have visited. Brett just celebrated his 30th Birthday and I surprised him and took him to San Francisco for the night. It was so relaxing and fun. We walked across the golden gate, had lunch in Sausalito, went to Chinatown, Union Square, ate dinner at Cheesecake Factory overlooking Union Square. Brett insisted on buying the boys fake nunchucks at China Town which of course broke immediately. So being boys, they invented a new use for them where basically Brett and them just whack each other while they wrestle. It's foam and so you can smack someone as hard as you want and it doesn't hurt. Ky loves her little Chinese dress up dress we got her. So fun having a girl after the two boys. Can't wait to see what two girls will be like. Enjoying the summer before we start school for two kids for the first time. (one in first grade, one in Pre-K) As far as the adoption goes, we are really praying that we can bring her home by Christmas. The more time that passes that more unlikely that seems, but we can hope and pray. Just found out we are sixth down on the referral list. So hopefully we can see our baby girl's face for the first time very soon!

Thinking of Her

Today it is rainy and cold, I wonder what the weather is like in Ethiopia now. I guess it would be night time. I think about my daughter... Is she born yet? Is she hungry or cold? It's weird that I feel so connected to an idea of her since I don't even know her face. I know God is leading her to us and so I feel confident in my stored up love for her. He will accomplish amazing things and bring us together. But when? How much longer? Kylin asks about her everyday and I find that in the beginning of our journey it was fun to talk about with her. The longer time goes on the more I feel sad about the questions, "when is she coming?" because they echo my own frustrations. I know that God is preparing us for her and this time is what we need. Yet somehow I hurt for my baby girl whom is just a thought in my head and a longing in my heart. I thank God that He is moving and want to do His perfect will. Someday I can tell her how I loved her before I knew her name or felt her touch, much like I did when I was pregnant with her older brothers and sisters. Until then...

Back here to stay (or at least for awhile)

By the way, I am switching back to this blog because people have had trouble viewing the other one for some reason. So, thanks for sticking with me as I bounce around! I feel like I am always having trouble editing or putting up pictures here but ah well, I'll keep trying...

Our Trip Becomes Two

The Ethiopian government has officially changed the requirements so it looks like we'll be heading their twice. Not what we wanted but we knew all along that we're not in control and there would be many ups and downs. Next month marks a year since we started officially with our agency. Our dossier has been in Ethiopia since September and we hope and pray for a referral any day now. The kids are all eagerly waiting too. They pray for her and talk about her everyday. We just recently celebrated Dason and Ky's birthday, along with Easter. Good times and a reminder to not want to speed anything up but just to enjoy every moment with our family. Brett is a lot more patient than me (shocker I know) throughout this whole process. I love his excitement to meet his new daughter too and can't wait to go over their together. What an amazing journey that will be! Perhaps if you're reading this you may be thinking that maybe God has adoption in your plans as well. Just pray about it and see what happens. Watching God work is one of the most inspiring, amazing things that we can do on this earth. I long to hold our baby girl but I know God will be holding her until we get there and I know He'll keep her safe. Thanks for your prayers!

switching blogs

Hey, I am changing blogs so I thought I'd let the few people who read this know... I will be updating the new blog more frequently about the adoption (when there is news, right now we are still waiting...) the new one is www.devriesclan.blogspot.com.

Whose life will change?

Since we have begun our adoption journey there is not much to report, we are still compiling paperwork. We hope to have everything sent off to Ethiopia next month. In our hearts, we have gone a lot further. I feel like we have already traveled to get her and come back several times. I read so many adoption stories online and I feel connected in a deep way because I know our story will be similar. I have read so much about life in Ethiopia and the conditions over there. I know God is hurting for these people beyond our comprehension. So much so that he puts it on so many hearts to love those who are without hope. I think about the life we will be giving her and the opportunities she will have here that she otherwise would not have. For starters, a chance at life and to live and to grow old. But I wonder whose life will be changed more, her or ours? I know our journey over there will be so eye opening and will change the way I look at the world and the privileges we have over here. As I type I am surrounded by my healthy children and tripping over dozens and dozens of toys. Our dog lays around all day on our plush carpet and gets fed by an automatic feeder whenever she wants. My life, our children's life is so easy and we never worry about our children's next meal or how to keep them warm through the night. I know that we will change so much through this process because God will be leading us and showing us His heart. I long to hold our baby girl but know that God has so much to teach us before he gives us one of his dear masterpieces. I pray for her as she is being formed in the innermost parts, only God knows who she is and that she is ours. I want to kiss her and see her face, I want to hug her and feel our lives change together... intertwined forever.