Day Trip to Seattle

My scheduling finesse has been slipping lately.  I had managed to schedule Martha's doctor's appointments in Seattle the day before Bronwyn had her gymnastics meet in Boise.  I realized that I was in over my head and moved Martha's appointments.  I managed to get them on different days, which was not ideal, so I managed to get everything done yesterday instead.  My plan was not to drive 5 hours to Seattle, have three appointments, and drive 5 hours back, but somehow life rarely goes according to my plan.  The good news is that the appointments went particularly smoothly.  Martha is getting stronger and stronger, and is even growing up a bit. 

I had promised her Ethiopian food, and I fulfilled that request.  We stopped at the market and picked up some injera to share with friends.  The two men at the market spoke to her in Amharic, and asked if she was happy with her family.  She smiled and said yes, which is always a bonus for me.  She still knows Amharic, but has to think about what she is going to say.  I think it embarrasses her sometimes, so she will just pretend she doesn't know what they are saying.  I wish she had more opportunities to be immersed in her language, but life is what it is, and maybe someday she will have more opportunities.  I love going to the Tana Market, it smells like Ethiopia.  The people hang around and talk, just like Ethiopia.  They even haggle on the prices, which always makes me smile.

The trip home was long.  It has been raining torrentially here for most of the spring.  I am hoping that means May will be full of flowers.  Right now, I am just pleased to see a rainbow occasionally so that I know God hasn't forgotten to let up on the showers before we all float away.  Getting over the pass was terrifying.  I was hydroplaning, the truck next to me was hydroplaning, I couldn't see through all the water being dumped on my windshield, and I was very grateful to crawl into my own bed early this morning.  Martha was not happy about trying to sleep in the car, but I reminded her we weren't fighting a snow storm.  We made it, and I will just have to find some fun friends to stay with in Seattle next time.

#215-224

Water, and lots of it.  It runs out of our pipes every single day, and hot too.  We can swim in it without fear of snakes, or other creepy things.  It makes our gardens, and fields green.

April showers that bring May flowers.

Rainbows, reminders that God is faithful to keep His promises forever and ever.

Forsythia, that amazing yellow bush that screams "Spring is Here!"

Kind, knowledgeable Doctors, and medical professionals that work long hours, and study hard to make us feel better.

All of the people that have given to Children's Hospital to make that kind of care available to people who could not otherwise afford it.  It is truly amazing to see those kids suffering, and being treated so well.

The resilience of children.  Even when they are sick, they are so intent on playing.  They cling to life so tenaciously, it gives everyone around them hope.

Starbucks, they are always there when you need them. 

Coming home, that familiar smell when you walk in the door.  The pile of shoes I have to step over to get through the door.  The sounds of life; breathing, dog whining, dishwasher still slaving away even after everyone has gone to sleep.