Anabela's Story

Jimbo is home, safe and sound!

Watch this video of one woman's story of how AfricaWorks has changed her life!

odds and ends

What happened to spring? Is weather confusion a sign of climate change?

Not much happening in the Olson house these days. Here are a few highlights:

-Olivia tried to eat a dog biscuit intended for our friends dog. Thankfully Andrew stepped in and kept that item off the list of gross things she has eaten.

-I overslept yesterday but that is not what is interesting about this story. Usually I am on the road to preschool around 8:30 but yesterday we got a later start. Turns out there was a police shooting around 8:30 at the on ramp to the highway---right where I would usually be if I hadn't overslept! Some guy robbed something, carjacked a lady and then stabbed a lady and then got killed by the police right here in my lovely town. Crazy! Not that anything would've happened to us but I definitely wouldn't have wanted my kids to see it go down. I did see the body covered with a sheet on my way back home but didn't bother mentioning this to the kids.

-Olivia and I have really hit our stride as mom and daughter. It started with a mani/pedi while the boys were at a baseball game. Anyone that talks to me regularly knows that Olivia is a delightful yet challenging child. I think I might have figured her out, at least for now. She just wants more one-on-one attention than I was giving her and she doesn't respond to me raising my voice. Now I challenge her to do stuff like, "Bet you can't get those shoes on all by yourself" and then give her tons of praise and high-fives (which she ADORES for some reason). I haven't had to yell at her at all for the last two weeks. I'm happier and I think she is too.

-I got new sneakers and they feel like heaven!

-I conducted a brief experiment with gel nails. Too fancy for me so I got them off after about a month. I am amazed at how wrecked my natural nails are after such a short time! Hopefully they grow back to what they were like before--I used to have to use toenail clippers because they were so thick. Not so right now.

-I am planning to hike the Grand Canyon again in September! Two years ago I hiked it and it darn near beat me so last year I performed the role of hiker wrangler, which was a ton of fun. But this year I've decided to try the hike again; however, I intend to actually prepare for it this time. Maybe by training I will actually be able to walk the day after--anyone care to place a bet? :)

i feel like i got away with something

On my way home from dropping Ethan off at preschool, my gas light came on. I noted that the price at the station by my house was $2.84 per gallon and decided to just stop on my way back out later.

90 minutes later, I drive to the gas station and was devastated to see the price has jumped to $2.95! In 90 minutes!!! I cursed myself for being lazy but needed gas.

When I pulled up to the pump though, the price was still listed as $2.84. I hustled to get that tank filled up before they figured out their mistake and charged me more.

All that hurry was for nothing though--I asked inside and the clerk said they change the big sign first and 20 minutes later they change the pump sign.

When this happened, I really felt cool. But now it just sounds lame. :)

one little word makes all the difference

Have you noticed that whenever the media reports on "immigration", they always leave the word "illegal" out? It has been driving Jay and I crazy. I have no problem with immigration--I do have a problem with illegal immigration, and I have no shame in admitting that. We have channels for legal immigration and if a person chooses to instead cross the border illegally, they have to deal with the consequences of that. But usually you hear illegal immigration lumped in with legal immigration and frankly, that isn't fair to the folks that decided to follow the rules when entering this country.

When you are here illegally, chances are you aren't paying taxes, carrying health insurance or driving with a valid license. How is that fair? Why should we rally for these people? I get that they leave their home country for good reasons but how does that make it okay for them to be here illegally? I was watching footage of one of the rallies that took place yesterday and the one sign said "Stop tearing families apart". I just hate that--the ploy of making you feel like a terrible person for just expecting that immigrants are held to the same standards you are.

We are not the only country that doesn't allow people to just flow in and out of the country. This is why there are passports, work visas, travel visas, etc. But for some reason we are expected to just allow people to flout our laws and then make us look like we are the ones doing something wrong. And unfortunately, it seems like we are starting to believe it.

safe travels

Jimbo (my dad) leaves today for a few weeks in Africa. He will get the opportunity to travel to Mozambique as well as several other countries. He'll get to see what is happening on the ground with AfricaWorks for the first time since 2008. Please pray for safe travel and personal safety as he visits some not-so-safe areas. Can't wait to hear the news he will bring back!

this pretty much sums it up

This is Olivia. I love her very much but right now she is a very difficult child to be around. This picture captures Olivia perfectly. She is in her jammie shorts (always in shorts, have given up this fight) and snow boots. Her choice, not mine obviously. And she is about to give her friend Cole a beat down. His offense? Nothing more than just being in her territory.

She can be so sweet and fun but can also be completely crazy and emotional. I'm really starting to see how different boys and girls are. Ethan had his issues too but it was pretty straightforward as to how to deal with them. I always knew his currency and was able to deal with behavior issues by taking his favorite toys away from him, and usually only had to do it once. Olivia is a totally different bird. She doesn't seem to learn, discipline and punishment mean nothing to her. The only thing she loves is her blanket and bear but I never take comfort items away--that just seems mean. I think I need to read that strong willed child book. I thought Ethan was strong willed but he's got nothing on her!

attention makeup junkies....

If you could splurge on a lipstick from a beauty counter (not Target type stuff), what would you get? Brand, color, etc?