Back to college...

It has been great to have our college girl home.  She is heading back to college early for sorority rush!  So far she likes a few including Pi Phi, which is my sorority.  We'll see.  She's having fun anyway!!  and that's what matters.  I really do miss her when she's not home.  I can't imagine what our parents went through before the days of cell phones.  I like being able to reach her whenever I need to chat!  Tess and I love to ichat with her, too.  Good luck, Neener!! OX

favorites...

Well, Tess has been here almost 6 months and here are some of her favorite things...

favorite TV show-  SPONGE BOB

favorite shoes- RED SPARKLY CINDERELLA SHOES

favorite game- TETHERBALL

favorite sport- SOCCER

favorite food- HAMBURGERS

favorite place to go- THE BEACH

favorite animal- DOG

favorite thing at school- MATH

best friend- Greta and Paige

Favorite song-IT"S ALL YOURS GOD by Steven Curtis Chapman

favorite holiday- Christmas, halloween and my Birthday!

favorite movie- BOLT

favorite toy- MY AMERICAN GIRL DOLL THAT LOOKS LIKE ME

favorite thing to do at home- PAINT MY NAILS

Then she told me to write...I Love my Family!!  How sweet is she!!

A New DO !!!

BEFORE.........



AFTER..............


Well the day finally arrived when Tess's hair got long enough to braid...she has been so excited and asking me often when she could braid her hair.   We were lucky to find a lady in San CLemente who can braid !!  I just left Tess in her hands and sat down with my magazine.  Tess loved it and she looked so happy!  It is supposed to last up to 3 weeks.  I really need to learn how to do it myself because it cost $50 !!  As her hair gets even longer it should be easier, I'll give it a try then.  I did find a cute website that teaches how to braid and twist hair...guess I better study up!!

a moment...

Yesterday I was getting dressed in my walk-in closet,  when Tess came in and started talking to Jeff.  He was at his sink getting ready.  This is the conversation I overheard...

"Dad,  you picked good wife"

"I know, Tess, I have a good wife and you have a good mom"

" She is good mom.  She know lot of things."

"Yes, we are very lucky aren't we"

"Yes."

And with that, she walked out just as she had walked in.  I stood there for a second and thought that was a precious moment.  I wonder what she was doing that made her think of that and she came upstairs to talk to Jeff about it.  Very insightful of her to get that he picked a wife...I thought that was interesting.  She is such a bright girl.

HAPPY 8th BIRTHDAY TESS !!

Tess has been counting down the days until her birthday. There was some confusion about the date since it is common in Ethiopia not to know your actual day of birth.  She was given the date Jan. 9, 2001...and we ran with it!!  She is truly excited to be 8!!  We had a small party at the house with family and she just loved it!!  It was the first birthday she ever had!! Happy Birthday Sweet Tess!!  We Love You!!!

snow...California stlye

A mom from Tess's class brought in a giant snowman that spins soap suds to look like snow.  The kids had so much fun predending that it was snowing in sunny southern California!

Our little buddy Theo

Hi Lisa and Homer, Can't believe you found our blog!  I don't know how else to reach you...my email is..    lizjonas@cox.net   

And a loving shout out to everyone who responded to our post with encouragement and ideas to help us through.  Tess is actually loving the chart and has already earned herself 4 stars!!