crowd source: multi-sport helmets February 22, 2013
Posted by susan in 2011.2 comments
So, little miss is outgrowing her bike helmet (fair enough, she was 4 when she got it). Since she’s now enjoying ice skating as well, I’d prefer to get her a multi-sport bike helmet, that will also protect the back of her noggin. (The rink prefers the kids to wear multi-sport or skiing helmets, but will let them wear bike helmets). I would prefer to get one that will last several years. Anyone have experience with this? I looked at the Nutcase ones–a bit pricey but cute and really, really adjustable. I also looked at the Bell Fraction variety. Again, cute, not as adjustable, but 20 dollars cheaper. What think ye?
I skipped evil. But I remembered love. Works for me. February 21, 2013
Posted by susan in 2011.2 comments
Ah, so much love to choose from, but today I remember the pure cousin-love my daughter and my nieces share. They are so sweet to her, and she is quite convinced that the universe of cool begins and ends with their polished fingernails.
Wonder February 19, 2013
Posted by susan in 2011.1 comment so far
I didn’t create this in any way, shape or form. I didn’t write it, sing it, tape it. But, one of the most heart-squeezing experience of my life has been hearing my daughter sing a few lines from this song to herself, when she thought I wasn’t listening. “Oh, I must be one of the wonders, of God’s own creation…”
World February 18, 2013
Posted by susan in 2011.add a comment
Yeah, I skipped settle. Nothing came to me and the day had passed. We move on. This picture is not the most original, and certainly not good photography, but it’s my version of world. Addis Ababa is the farthest from home that I’ve ever been. In a crazy way, becoming a parent has only increased my wander-lust, even though I thought I was done with that at the time I adopted Selam. I hope to be able to show her so many places. And I hope there are places that she will want to travel to on her own. It’s a big world. I want to see it all.
Very first day February 16, 2013
Posted by susan in 2011.4 comments
We got there at one. I thought the lessons started at 1:20, but I was wrong. They started at 1:35. Selam was beyond excited to be there.
We signed up, paid, and went to get her skates, then she changed into snowpants. Then we waited, and waited, and waited. The room got more and more crowded. The kids covered the range from leg hugging toddlers to swaggering pre-teens. Selam started chattering with everyone she met.
Injustice February 16, 2013
Posted by susan in 2011.add a comment
In 2009, just a few weeks before taking off for Ethiopia, I took a group of grad students to Immokalee, Florida for a week. We spent our time learning from the Coalition of Immokalee Workers. We spent time with the men and women who pick tomatoes, with the union organizers, and with the churches that work in concert with the workers. The Coalition has made remarkable strides in the last few years, winning battles against many major restaurants and grocers. The stories about their fight for justice are deeply touching. But the stories about the human trafficking cases haunt me still. What Americans won’t do for cheap produce. Lord in your mercy….
