MP's 40th wine tasting party celebration!!

This is just before the guests (25) arrived~calm, cool, collected.... sorta!

The inside bar is stocked ~ let's not forget the two full tubs full of beer/wine outside!






Awwww, so beautiful! Nick thinks Tessa is a "piss ant" and would prefer he be the only one in any pictures or socializing with the guests about to arrive~






The four out of five of us ~ the girls! We missed you Steph & Steve!

Parke giving the toast/roast ~ you'll see it in video below ~ he likes to hit below the belt! It was awesome! Thanks Parke~xoxo

All listening to the man giving his wine tasting notes before the next sampling~my guy~MP







My daddy and cousin Peter! We love Pete and Patti and don't see them and the kids nearly enough!

Parke and his wife Chris w/Tessa ~ their first meeting~~

Tessa and my niece "little" Michelle ~

Auntie Lisa, Little Michelle (my niece), and Kiki (my sister) Michelle

Uncle Jim and Tessa-Roo












The guest of honor and my girl Lynnie ~








My girl Rhonda ~ bff's ~ and soon to be roomies on our first girls getaway with the FIVE of us of

after 25 years of being friends. Is that not needed??

My girl Lynnie ~ possible roomies at our getaway, if she complies with the roomie rules, "NO SPOONING"! As you can see, when the evening started to wind down, my attire did too! That shirt is from the Gurske's Perpetual change website! Love it!









GET OFF ME RHONDA!

Love you baby~not you MJ, MP~

MP and his twin Parke! Is that not the best name ever??

I asked Parke to say a few words toast/roast MP! He did a great job!

Ketchup post!

Tessa turned four - it was her very first celebrated birthday! She insisted on a pink heart cake. I made a round one and cut it into the shape of a heart - not bad!

Tractor rides on Sunday while MP planted the window boxes!

My future bro-in law bought my sister and I tickets to see Dave Matthews (we love them) and we rushed through dinner and bolted to Fenway Park - it was awesome! Thanks Jim!

Just because he is irresistible!

Two candles we lit at the birthday party to signify the two important people that brought Tessa into the world. Their presence will be in our hearts this birthday and every one. This is going to be a tradition. Another tradition is that on every birthday we will give Tessa a gift from Ethiopia!

The birthday girl and her followers. Daddy, Grandpa, and Nick!

She also insisted on wearing this white dress!

Well Update... *updated*

I've been waiting patiently, as you team members have. I was hoping and praying to make an announcement when we had both wells paid for.

The update I just recieved last Friday from charity:water stated a huge congratulations for how much WE have raised toward our wells. But not quite there yet. SO close.

Team Ethiopia is less than $800 away from our goal of $10,000.00!!! That's huge.

I want to thank each and every one of you. No matter what you contributed, it has added up to one huge number!

Please pray with me that the rest comes in soon so we can celebrate and I can order the thank you gifts to send you all!!

I DO NOT ask anyone of you to contribute any more than you have - you have done SO much.

Please, say quick prayer that our $790 comes in so we can rejoice at raising $10k and drilling our TWO wells.

The most exciting thing for me originally was picturing myself being there while the drilling was happening. Since that's not possible (and I fully appreciate why - now.) At first I was upset to learn that news. I thought about it some more and realized that being there for the drilling would be exciting for ME. That is selfish.

What God has told me, whispered in my ear, NO, he doesn't ever whisper to me. He slaps me in the face to get my attention. You all know that by now about me! ;)

Here's what he told me.

One day, in several years from now, when you take your family to Ethiopia, you will visit the wells that Team Ethiopia built. You will take your daughter to them (since charity:water gives us the exact location and puts it on google earth) and explain to her that it is because of HER that these wells exist.

And each of you, when you travel again to Ethiopia you can visit the wells and explain to your children why you joined Team Ethiopia. Because of them.

I cannot wait for that day.

My miracle~

On this day an angel was born... Tarikua Bezu, we love you more than you'll ever know! You have changed our lives in every way imaginable.

Love Forever and Always,

Mammu, Daddy, Nikki and Snoopy Goopy

Nothin' but friends = Nothin' but love!

This past Friday I was blessed with the opportunity to meet two Ethiopian adoption families! The famous "Team Alexander" and the amazing Morgans! I've met the Morgans once before, so this was an extra treat. They live close by!

Emily and fam. headed to Boston for a conference and we were able to hook up with them, Jen and Co. for a few precious hours. It was surreal. These people are like crack to me, just cannot get enough~

Me and the man of my dreams and prayers... I love you Abenezer! xoxo Auntie Lori

Almost two years in the making, I met Emily Alexander! It was like we'd known each other forever!

Most of the kids on the freedom trail in Boston!

What a pip! And a handsome one at that! Mr. Alexander himself! :)

Baby Abe and Jen... Jen Morgan is a newer friend who I adore. I cannot wait to meet her little Bela sometime this summer! :) Soon Momma, soon!

Eliza and happy Abe, this angel smiles ALL the time! It's incredible~

And who doesn't love Eliza?? She is the most wonderful loving teen I've ever met~

And finally, pizza! Emily and I shared that "glass of wine" spoken of so many times on the internet. It became a reality!

Random cuteness: My two "twins" in the backseat...

Out for a double date Saturday night with old friends Nancy and Don - Love you! Great conversation, eh food, and good wine! We seriously need to live closer. But that could be troublesome! :) xoxox

Geesh, what's next? Well, I'm horribly sick w/allergies.... My head is in a bubble.

Guess what!? Tuesday is charity:water update day!!!! I hope we don't have two wells because my videographer is out of town and I look like crap. SO, if the news is good, you won't know until the "reveal video". And we're headed out of town soon, so wait patiently!

Thanks again Team Ethhiopia - YOU have almost given TWO wells to TWO villages in rural Ethiopia. Mind blowing!