Frozen Veggies... a great tip!

I had my children 17 months apart, and I had to be creative to entertain them at dinner time so I could get dinner made and on the table. All parents know that this time of the day can be challenging. The kids are hungry and getting tired. One of the tricks I kept up my sleeve was to give them a handful of frozen peas (organic if possible) on the tray of their high chair. For some reason, babies, toddlers and children love frozen veggies! A great way to keep them quiet for a few minutes and get some good nutrients into their bellies! This is a great tip for children who aren't great eaters... I have not seen a child turn down a frozen snack! To this day, my kids go nuts for frozen veggies whenever we have them in the house (prefer fresh when possible), and fruit!

The other day, when my kids were having lunch... I got the bright idea to cool their soup off with frozen peas instead of the old standard ice cube. Why did I not think of this earlier!?? Of course, they loved it... got some extra greens and their soup didn't get watered down!

Three, Tres, Trois, or maybe more importantly "sost"...

"Sost" translates to the number 3 in the Ethiopian language of Amharic. Why is this important? Well, we have decided to expand our family... to a third child.

There are 4.6 million orphans in Ethiopia! This number is astounding to me, and I would like to do my best to make it 4.6 million minus 1. No, we cannot save the world... but we can try to make a difference one life at a time.

Unfortunately, there are a few roadblocks that stand in front of us. The first is the bankruptcy of Imagine Adoption Agency. They are 1 of the 2  Ethiopian facilitators in Canada, and the only one we feel comfortable doing business with. (I know... doesn't make much sense... you can email me for an explanation if you care to know.) So, currently I am on a waiting list with them... waiting until they get back on their feet and start taking applicants. I am #60 on the list... and the hope is that they up and running in a year.

The other is the cost. Approximately $25,000.00.... without taking the kids with us to Ethiopia to meet their new sibling and bring them home with us. Of course, this is very important to us and would be such an amazing experience for them.

Where there is a will, there is a way! And we will find one... the kids have just given all their piggy bank money and extras to Haiti (bless their hearts).... but starting Feb. we will start strategizing ways to save money... It will take awhile, but unfortunately time is on our side in this process. Unless the Haiti program starts up any time soon that is (we would consider a Haitian orphan as well). It is rumoured to be awhile though.

 It will be a long and emotional journey... but we can't imagine a more amazing experience!

I will leave you with this wonderful Ethiopian song that I cannot get out of my head... I love it. I have yet to figure out a way to upload an add on to my blog that will play this song. (Any ideas? Pls fill me in! - I can't find an add on for Canadian IP addresses that have this song in their library.)
(Fast forward the video a quarter of the way - music start.)
"Home" by Bole to Harlem http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS2Ex38vdKE&feature=related
or click on "Home" here - (Better!) http://www.bole2harlem.com/music.html