1 Year Later

Wow, what a year we have had. I think for me life is opening some time to start journaling again. Each day that passes I am so grateful for the passed year. We have had a year and half of growing, learning, and loving. There are many days that pass on our clocks and I am finding many minutes that warm my heart as a mommy.
So welcome back!

The more serious ones and the silly ones.

Beautiful!

Full of Character!

They really love one another!

Here's the Family!

The 3 Raskells!

BB's Update

BB is all grown up. He has become a young boy. The nice thing is he will still let me give him loves. He has been a big help and at times thinks he is the boss to his brother and sisters. He has been so loving with Meg and has really come around with Beea. He has manage to still be a pretty good kid, even when he is testing the bigger waters of independence.

Beea's Update

She is speaking all English. It was so funny the other night I had asked her to throw away a diaper and she came over to me and said Yes, your Majesty with a bow and all. So funny! We are slowly making stranger danger progress but it is slow. She has had a few memories of Ethiopia that has come out and what special moments those have been. Tender for her but wonderful for me to see and witness her love for those who came before us. Today it was a memory of a grass hut. See called it her home or house in Ethiopia. You could see the twinkle in her eye when see saw it come up on the screen. She said " I want to go to my home my house in Ethiopia. So sweet!! We have had some very good talks about these feelings and it seems to be such a good thing for her. She always ends with a big hug and a "I love you mommy", then a smile swells across her face and off she goes to play. She has learned the fine art of warming you up.

lg's Update
He is finally getting some length to his legs. He has turned three and we or should I say I am sad to see the bottle go. He was drinking it but I provide the habbit. Oh it was so hard for me to say good bye to the baby years with him. Now I know many of you may be saying what are you talking about he hasn't been a baby for some time. I know but in my mind he has been, he has stayed so little it tricked me. He is still go, go, go. Along with crash, crash, crash.
We were camping in this shot.(above) It took only 2 mins. and he was covered in dirt.

Update on Meg

She has been growing like a weed. She is now pulling up on the furniture and making all kinds of sounds. She loves to laugh and smile. She also loves her daddy and at this point mommy is just ok.



She lost her hair to the BIC. We have had to battle ringworm for way to long. (Feb.) I wasn't going to take any more chances and so we parted with the hair. I actually love it, she is still so pretty. It just gave her a tougher look.

Picture Time!

What happen to the days of posting?

It seems as if life has taken off. It has not slowed down for even a moment. I have so many things I would like to get done. But I thought if I didn't write soon I would loose my readers. I know there is not many of you but the few are precious. So here goes my fifteen minutes of fame. We have been getting into a schedule (if you can call it that), OS is learning her boundaries, lg is teaching her the ropes of the fine art to trouble, BB is growing up so fast ans seems to been at least two years older than when the girls came home, and ls is getting around with her crippled combat crawl and finding food such a joy. As for this Mommy my dream at this point is to have one very large walk in closet, two washing machines, and a weekly 1&1/2 massage. And of course a huge dose of more patience, love and smiles. Daddy has been very busy with work and us. We keep him going from sun to sun down. He has had a couple of moments to catch some awesome pictures that I will have to share later. My time is up and I need to put on my taxi hat. Tata for now!

The World through Her Eyes

Baby M on the move!

BB
I love this boy with all my heart. He is my firstborn. I remember when he was so little, just tiny enough to still lay in my arms. I would rock him for hours singing to him in some language that know one would even know. Then one day he seemed to know his ABC's and then sounds. We were so amazed at his ability to know so much at such a tender little age. He could even write some his ABC'S at 18 months and he knew them by sight by 19 months. That just seemed so young and now I know after having more it was.
So why do I highlight such a great person today? Well today was parent teacher conference and once again I was reminded of this wonderful little spirit we have in our home. His teachers spoke of his greatness with such joy. He is an achiever, he loves math and does very well in it. He has the drive to do his homework and classwork without help. She said she never has to tell him or encourage him he just LOVES to do it. He is 1 of 4 of all the kindergartners that is at his level of reading. And just today he showed his love for school and learning by staying in from recess to finish his reading book. One of the most wonderful things that was said about him to me was that of his personality. She said that he is one that has a dynamic personality. He shares that love of learning with all around him. And when he is not there it is noticed by all in the classroom. BB brings somethings with him and they love it.
Well I love this boy! I am so grateful he came to my home.

"Lost in Thought"
This is one of Daddy's most recent photo trips. He stood about 10 feet from him. A little to close for this chicken. He said at one point he was following this beautiful animal until he heard his deep huffs of breath. That was enough! Great shot!

Picture Time!

I see you
Two Cute Faces

Dragging my Feet!

Joy in my Heart!
I have been dragging my feet with my posting. I wanted to start off with our trip but have found it hard to write it all down. So don't be surprised if it takes me some time to post about our trip. I know that this is a little backwards but let me tell you what has happened today.

Today was a wonderful day for me as I have been praying for help with myself as a mommy to two new little girls. I know that the Lord has heard my prayers all along because I have felt his blessings and help each day. I probably felt a turning point yesterday while having the opportunity to go to the Dr's for the baby. We got to go alone just her and I. I made the appointment for late in the day-early evening. As I sat in the office holding her, smiling at her, and talking to her my heart began to melt. I felt a true love for her and I knew at that very moment she had her own little place in my heart. Up to this point we had never had time alone so I think that played a huge part and I began to realized the importance of time alone with each one of my children. So as today arrived and I went in to get her from bed it felt different today. Maybe it finally hit me that she was mine, I don't know but I am grateful for those tender feelings of love. I needed them to be the mother I was born to be for her.

It has been a very personal experience for me one I will probably never quite fit into words. One that has been different from my boys. Many blessings have come from this experience and much growing & learning have and are accruing. I know with all my heart that this experience is all part of the plan for me as a mother & I need to go through it. I need to understand what type of heart is needed to love our children that came to us from distant lands. This is happening & I am so grateful for the tender mercies of a loving Father in Heaven. He has been patient with me, He has built me up when I felt I was at the end of my rope, and He has guided me thru this with the gift of the Holy Ghost. I think I am starting to understand my role as a mother in Zion. I can't believe that I have my girls here. What joy this is!

Beauty School Dropout!

Home Sweet Home!

It feels so good to be home! I am writing my first post this long after being home for a while for a reason. Yes, one of the biggest is learning how to manage time. I have had none of it. Doubling your family over night in one day can do that. The first few days were scary. I can say that I am soooo glad to see those first few days pass and move forward to a more rested and happy mom. We have to be out the door to Genesis in 1/2 hour so I will leave you with some pictures. I know this will sound like a typical mom but I have the most beautiful family.

Coming Soon!

Our Story............

Thank you for all your prayers.

Donations

As many of you know from earlier posts I have been working on 3 service projects to take with us. (Titled Service Projects on July 21st). Today we have almost finshed our third and last one the first-aid supplies. Our ward has been so kind and donated a large sum of money to go towards these supplies. So here is the list from today.

Lotion -50 bottles

Bandage Elastic - 10

Bandage Adhesive - 720

Bandage Stretch - 12

Toothbrushes - 50

Towelette wipes - 1,000

Gloves - 40

Conforming Gauze - 36

Toothpaste - 72

Children's Vitamins - 7,200

And some neosporin on its way!

WOW!

Isn't this just beautiful!