10 things.

Tagged by Meredith and Shasta:

1. I just finished reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. The writing wasn't so good, but I loved the story.

2. I am a little compulsive about simplicity. (Example: I go on a closet-cleaning rampage every so often, getting rid of clothing and shoes. Generally I then realize I went a little overboard and have almost nothing to wear.) There are two reasons for this: 1. I am interested in simplicity as a spiritual discipline, and 2. I am totally ADD and lots of stuff and activity really overwhelms me.

3. This week I hope to buy a croquet set and have friends over for a game on the lawn.

4. For a couple of years I lived in a neighborhood with one of the highest juvenile crime rates in the country. Some of my most valued memories are from that time period.

5. I think reading and traveling are my two favorite leisure activities.

6. I would love to live in NYC someday.

7. Being a follower of Jesus is my most important identifier.

8. I am thrilled and terrified about becoming a mother.

9. My husband is my closest friend and I miss him terribly when we don't see each other because of busy schedules, etc.

10. Regarding my faith in Jesus, I am like the father in the book of Mark: "I believe, help my unbelief!

So happy....

...for the very patient Alexander family---who have found two sweet little ones to adopt!

I have had a bad cold all week--all my energy seems to be devoted to making it to work. Sorry I haven't done the tag thing yet.

DC.

We are back from DC--many thanks go out to our sweet friends Lisa and Kyu, who hosted us, especially Lisa, who carted us around the city each day, anxious that we not miss out on anything. Highlights for me included: visiting the Lincoln Memorial at night as a light mist fell, eating yummy food in Georgetown, and the folk art section of the American Art museum. I also saw my first real-life Diebenkorn and Thiebaud there. Emily, we ate at Marrakesh one evening--we loved it, and our waitress was Ethiopian! I seriously think our belly dancer was, like, fourteen.

While we stood in line for tickets to visit the interior of the Capitol, the police quickly shooed everyone off the lawn because of a "suspicious package" situation. This seemed like a great time to snap a picture with Lisa:

Before we arrived in DC, sweet Lisa found a cool little coffee shop called Sidamo, owned by Ethiopians and demonstrating a traditional coffee ceremony to customers every Sunday. Come last Sunday, can you guess where we were??

Wafting the freshly-roasted coffee yumminess:

"Mr. Preeeeesident! Geeoooorge! Helloooo!" (from the top of the Kennedy Center:)

I know Meredith and Shasta have tagged me--thanks guys! I will get to it soon.

We're off....

....to D.C. to visit friends.....tales of the adventure to follow.

In the words of one of my sophomores this week, "Mrs. F., you've never been to our nation's capital?" I know: shocking, just shocking.

Emily, we are planning a visit to Marrekesh! Excited!

Off to Africa

The Rooney's leave for Ethiopia today to meet their son!

Etsy MADness!

Amy Bottomly is always recommending cool etsy stuff on her blog.....I want to be just like Amy, so I'm going to recommend an etsy designer of my own. I think lotsa you adopting people out there would find her work very charming. The shop is Gemmielou--- the artist Gemmie is a friend of my dear friend Liz. (In fact--click on Liz's name and look at her header--you'll see Gemma's work in the photo.) Little tiny wooden people, custom painted to look just like your family!

What could be cuter, I ask you??

I've been thinking about...

and sketching...... some ideas. Mother and Child.

Forget what I said about March 4th....

...head on over to Ted and Lori's and congratulate them!!!! :)

The day after tomorrow.....

.....our bloggy friends Ted and Lori will have a very important court date in Ethiopia. Please pray for them on March 4th, for the judges, for baby Abenezer, and anyone else who's involved. Pray that Baby A. will be allowed to come home to Portland and join his forever family.