Ana Maria! 18 Dec 2010 11:37 AM (14 years ago)

5 years ago today, Matt and I got to hold our baby girl for the first time!! We can both picture it like it was yesterday.... the elevator doors opened at the Marriott in Guatemala and there was our sweet baby Ana!!

The adventure of loving Ana has continued to be amazing. We love her more and more. She is so hilarious and awesome. Ana's love for the little things in life is contagious.

We are honored that God chose us be her parents! We love you so much Ana. We could never put into words how much you mean to us.

Norton Basketbal - Pep Rally! 16 Dec 2010 8:22 PM (14 years ago)

Kentucky is serious about their basketball!! We got to see that first hand as Carter had a pep rally put on by the school just for the basketball players!! It was so much fun!!

Here's the team right before they were announced entering the gym!

Here's the entire school excited to see their team!

The cheerleaders even made signs for the guys!!

Carter getting ready to take a shot!

Carter got to lead the team in the cupid shuffle

Here's the team with the cheerleaders

Decorating for Christmas! 4 Dec 2010 1:54 PM (14 years ago)

We had fun decorating our Christmas tree!! We had the music going and we actually made a turkey and all the Thanksgiving fixing too!!! Can't have too much of that yummy food!!

So yes, it's a big mess of ornaments, many of them all on the same branch (thank you Jackson, Durant, and Ana)!! But we love it so much and I know I will miss having a messy looking tree someday!!!

Christmas Tree!!! 30 Nov 2010 4:27 PM (14 years ago)

We got to get our very first Christmas tree in Louisville this weekend!! It was a fun experience... especially because we weren't freezing, we didn't have to hurry, or bundle up.... it was so awesome!! It's funny how quickly all 7 of us could embrace this warmer weather! I think we are all ruined for living anywhere more North of where we are right now.

I sorta always knew God was going to call me away from Wisconsin but I'd often wonder how I would do without a snowy December or freezing for 6 months straight.... well judging by the fact we've made it to December now and I haven't busted out a winter coat, people are still golfing on the golf course behind my house, and while we were decorating the tree people were mowing, I think I will stay!

Our standard Christmas Tree picture. So we didn't add new children this year but we did lose the jackets, hats, and gloves!!! Something we all agree that we can live with!!

Happy Thanksgiving! 27 Nov 2010 5:39 PM (14 years ago)

We had a good 1st Thanksgiving away from home. We missed having Grandma Connie over, but we had some kind friends invite us to their house for Thanksgiving dinner.

I got to do my Black Friday shopping, but I had to do it alone this year (don't feel bad for me, I still had fun). But Matt was kind enough to discuss the ads with me on Thanksgiving day since my Aunt, Cousin, and Mom weren't here to do it!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

Jackson isn't mad. He was in the middle of telling a story.... image that!!!

Happy 10th Birthday Carter!! 11 Nov 2010 7:53 AM (14 years ago)

On November 6th, Carter celebrated his 10th birthday!! I can't believe that I've been a Mom for 10 years already!!! The time has gone by so quickly it's amazing!! But what is even more amazing is that God has blessed me with being the mom of Carter. He is truly a uniquely wonderfully made child. His heart is amazing. He is constantly entertaining us around the house with impressions, beat-boxing, dance moves, and just being his crazy fun self.

10 is a big age and I know some of these special times with Carter will start to disappear as he grows older, but for now I love ever minute of the times he wants me to tuck him in at night, holds my hand when we are walking around, or comes by me just to snuggle!!

We've always known that God would do great things through Carter. He's already done so many of those things and Matt and I just can't wait to discover which mission field God is going to give to Carter!! Is it Ethiopia like us, is it his school, the basketball team, or is it much more than we can even begin to image?

We started the morning out with a cherry bagel (or red donuts as Carter used to call them when he was little)!!

New street basketball!!

Tech Decks!!!

John Wall jersey from Grandma Connie!

We told Carter to go try out his new basketball..... on his new hoop!!!!

He was so excited.... he took a shot right away and of course he made it!!!

This was the first year since Carter was born that we didn't have a family party. It was a little strange, but he handled it well!! He did have a friend party (cause you know it doesn't take Carter long to make friends)!

All Carter needed for his party was pizza (Papa John's), root beer floats, basketball, and video games!!!

That's Carter's new hoop1! The boys played basketball for over 2 hours!!

We had 2 full fun days of celebrating Carter!! We love you so much Carter! Thanks for being one of my best friends.

Happy Halloween! 1 Nov 2010 6:40 AM (14 years ago)

We had a lot of fun trick or treating in our new neighborhood!! The weather was so nice. We didn't even need jackets!!

The cute snow tiger and Superman! So loving and kind!!

This is what they couldn't wait to do!!!

A little Kriss Kross!!! Matt and I are showing our age here!! We had to YouTube them to show the boys who they were!!

Ana was a unicorn! She was convinced we were still living in Wisconsin so she grabbed her hat and mittens!!! It was 63 degrees out!

The best part is sorting it all when you get home!!!

My Birthday! 31 Oct 2010 10:07 AM (14 years ago)

Yesterday was my birthday!!! My first one not in the state of WI. I think I handled it pretty well. Thank goodness I have a lot of family members to hang out with!!

We had a really fun day. It started out by Carter bringing me breakfast in bed. He made me peanut butter toast and a handful of Halloween candy (he knows me so well). On top of the plate was this sweet note....

The P.S. says "I'm moving Halloween to next week" Carter knows it's not my favorite holiday!!

I got to eat out lots this week for my birthday, which is one of my favorite things to do!!! I got lots of fun presents. The best being from Matt. He gave me a Coach purse!!! I LOVE purses so much and have wanted one for a long time now. For those purse lovers out there, no he did not pick it out himself, he gave me a gift card and we went together!!!

We spent the day at the Pumpkin Patch!!! It was such a beautiful day out. One of the perks to living in a more Southern State!! It's still really warm out!!

There was a petting zoo too!! This is one of Ana's favorite things to do!! So being that it was my birthday, I let her do it for a long time cause it brought me joy to watch her!!!

She's a little bit like Snow White with the animals flocking all around her!!

I know most of you will never get the chance to see Ana when a rooster cock-a-doodle-do's but it is hilarious!! It is as if the mother-ship is calling her home!! I think she's pretty sure the roosters are asking her to come over and play.... or move in with them!

We also had fun in a corn maze, rope maze, and bamboo maze! I lost the race every time :(

How funny is Carter's face? I think he's lost!

They had some fun tractors to ride on. This was Durant's highlight!!

It was a super fun birthday!! Thank you to all of you for the birthday wishes throughout the day!!

Ana's 1st day of School!! 29 Oct 2010 4:46 PM (14 years ago)

After 2 months of searching we finally found a school that works for Ana!! She started on Wednesday. She was so excited to finally be able to go to school again. Her first few days went well and she's starting to open up already!

This is Ana outside of her new school! The best part is that it's a place for kids with special medical needs so they know exactly how to handle any medical issues Ana might have. Plus there are lots of nurses on staff at all times.

Ana got to carve out a pumpkin and go on a field trip to the pumpkin patch!!

The Least of These.... 15 Oct 2010 10:51 AM (15 years ago)

Matt and I have been talking a lot about the least of these. He posted this on the Eyes That See blog so I thought I'd share it here....

When you think of it, this is a difficult concept. Any definition of who this describes becomes slippery. It’s a label no one wants to wear, yet Jesus clearly speaks about this reality.

We just moved to Jefferson County, Kentucky. You may have read about our school busing in the USA Today lately. It is a case study in the “least of these.” People from West Louisville are being bused to go to school with everyone else. People are upset, and stereotypes abound.

We live in a nice area, next to nice people. We often hear about “lower income families” and people with state assistance or health care. Because of our daughter’s health situation, we have to stay at a salary right now to receive that state health care. We are the unwanted neighbors that everyone is talking about, they just don’t know it.

Some wonderful people are doing work in Ethiopia right now. They are in one of the parts of Addis that is so difficult to walk into, yet even harder to walk away from. I haven’t been to this place yet, but I’ve seen others. Places where people are living in pieces of tin leaning on one another. People drinking from the same river they use for a toilet. These people would welcome death as an end to their pain. When you are there it is so clear that they are “the least of these.”

I just returned from Addis to a city that is learning to love the poor in Africa. The radio is raising sponsorship for children in Ethiopia. Organizations are rising up to help everywhere. People are changing the way that they live, but I cannot help wonder, are we missing “the least of these?”

For me, I want to devote my life to help those who are in need in other countries. I want to work with those in West Louisville to see God’s Kingdom come alive in their midst. At the same time, I have a hard time with passive Christians. I pass them by. Sadly, I’ve been known to judge them in my heart, seeing them as less than anyone else. Isn’t that statement in my heart the very definition of “the least of these?” Doesn’t my problem with the passive show the brokenness in my heart and where I need healing?

For some of us “the least of these” are in Africa, and yet for others I know that is the trendy, easy scapegoat to use. If “the least of these” are in Africa we don’t have to worry about our neighbor. We just give our money, our time, our conversation and go on living unchanged. I don’t think that is the gospel.

Maybe for you, “the least of these" are the successful. You would never say it out loud, but you can’t stand them. Maybe they are the single parents, the delinquents, or the people on the west side. Maybe it is those, like myself, who have their insurance through the state.

I don’t know who “the least of these” are, but I’m pretty certain that there is not a definition to be placed on one people group. “The least of these” is a matter of the heart. Nikki and I have been talking about this all weekend and we are praying that some of you take time with your Father about this question. Who are "the least of these" that He is inviting you to love?

Matthew 25:40

And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'

Here are some more pictures from things we've been up to.

Since Ana isn't in school yet we've been spending lots of quality time together. We went to McDonald's to hang!!

This is just Ana being cute!

Durant was super excited about his train track he made!!

We've been getting to know our city better!! Here are the boys sitting with a former mayor!

A morning before school. Durant was so excited when it was finally cool enough to wear a sweatshirt in the morning!!! He asked me to take a picture and send it to Grandma (she bought the sweatshirt)!

Grandma Connie came for a visit!! The kids were so surprised. We decided not to tell them. We had fun eating old fashion malts at the Steak and Shake.

Shout out to Matt 26 Sep 2010 4:38 AM (15 years ago)

So Matt the non blogger, non facebooker, non tweeter, and recently just discovered what Google Reader is has decided to start a blog all by himself!!! So I thought I'd share it with you all.... turns out he has some pretty good stuff to share, who know?

Oh right just all the regular attenders at Valleybrook church, Coffee Shop workers, friends, family and pretty much any stranger that will listen!

Check it out..... Caught My Eye

Playing catch up! 24 Sep 2010 5:48 PM (15 years ago)

Well since Matt has the camera in Ethiopia with him, I thought I'd use this time to catch up on some stuff that just didn't make the blog during the move....

Since we've been in Louisville lots has happened. Jackson turned 7! He got to choose anywhere to eat and he picked Culver's! I know, I know with 1.2 million people here and countless choices of eating establishments he picks that one......

The kids started brand new schools!! And they also starting riding the bus to school for the first time ever!! Here is a picture of Matt talking with the bus driver and learning that oops.... this was the wrong bus!!!
Okay, here is the right bus now!!! We're still learning this big city life!! The boys are really liking school a lot and they think riding the bus is really fun!
There go my boys.... yes it was very hard putting them onto a bus all by themselves! I'm so glad they have each other.

Matt and I also celebrated 11 years of marriage!!! Yahoo!! 11 years living with my best friend and it just keeps getting better and better. He is an amazing man of God and I am so blessed to be able to be his wife!

We also celebrated living in Louisville for one month!! It went by super fast and at the same time feels like we've been here forever. I think we're starting to get into a nice routine and figure some things out.

Thanks for following along with us on these crazy journeys that God takes us on! Eyes That See if officially getting started in Ethiopia as you read this!!!!

Family Palooza 16 Sep 2010 7:28 PM (15 years ago)

On Labor Day we went to a Family Palooza put on by Southeast Church. We attended this church last week and enjoyed it. We are going to go back again this weekend to see if we all still like it. Finding a church is not an easy thing!!

The Family Palooza was a lot of fun and all free!!! The kids had a lot of fun.

Durant and Ana riding the train!

High fives and hugs for Larry Boy!

Jackson and his friend Kalkidan had to do some jousting!

Bouncy Houses are the best!!

Cooling off with some treats! It was a hot day!

Durant and Ana getting close with the animals.

Here are the boys standing in front of the actual horse used in the Disney movie The Secretariat.

KY State Fair! 12 Sep 2010 3:41 PM (15 years ago)

We had a chance to check out the Kentucky State Fair! It was a lot of fun and the weather was really nice. There were a ton of animals to see. We had to try all the fair foods.... corn dogs, roasted almonds, cheese fries, and funnel cake!

Ana thought this tiny pony was awesome!!

Durant being super cute!

Jackson really liked the dancing bears!!

Camping Fun!! 9 Sep 2010 2:26 PM (15 years ago)

Wow! I'm very behind in my blogging these days!! Still getting caught up with things. Here are some fun pictures from our camping trip this summer. This was the first time that Matt and I ever camped together - 11 years!!
And lets be honest.... probably our last time camping!! We are so not campers, but we did have a great time. The kids loved it too!!

Eyes That See 28 Aug 2010 10:30 AM (15 years ago)

Matt and I are busy getting things going with Eyes That See! We are so excited to see where God leads us with this.

We'd love to have you follow along at our blog: Eyes That See

Thanks for your prayers and support!! Things are going pretty good here in Louisville!

More about our KY trip in July! 25 Aug 2010 4:49 PM (15 years ago)

Our trip to Kentucky was really fun!! It was our first vacation as a family of 7. One of the most fun things we did was go to the Louisville Slugger Museum. Louisville Slugger's are made right there in Louisville!

Matt holding Babe Ruth's bat!

We got to tour how the bats were made which was very cool. Here I am having a meaningful conversation with Ken Griffey Jr.

The boys really enjoyed the museum. Especially Carter since baseball is pretty much what he talks about and thinks about!!

Ezra and Babe Ruth hanging out!

Matt is listening to tapes of Babe Ruth. He had such a cool voice.

Carter with one of his favorite baseball players - they almost look like twins!

Matt got to hold Mickey Mantel's actually game used bat!!! That was a highlight of the trip for sure!

I love this picture..... Matt just taking in the moment!

Carter chose to hold the bat of David Ortiz!

Me holding my favorite players bat....... do you know who's it is????

Derek Jeter!!!!

Carter loving on Jackie Robinson's bat! I love his cute face in this picture.

Jackson holding Jackie's bat!

Durant with Jackie's bat!

Matt got to hit with the same bat style that Ernie Banks used.

There's a ginormous bat in the front of the building!! Super cool!!

First Day of School!! 18 Aug 2010 6:34 PM (15 years ago)

So we are here in Louisville now!! We have been here for 5 days. The kids started school yesterday (today is Jackson's birthday... more on that later). I'm super behind but will do my best to catch up here on my blog.

The first day of school went great!! We are super excited about the kids schools. Ezra had a great day of middle school. I can't believe I have a middle schooler!!! Ezra took the bus the very first day. He did great and is enjoying school. The big city schools are a bit different then our small town Eau Claire schools, but I think Ezra will do awesome!

Ezra goes to a uniform school - totally new to us, but turns out that it's not that bad!! We're getting used to it!

These three boys had great days!!! They really like their teachers and have already made some friends.

Look at this cute Kindergarten kid!!! He was so excited for his first day of school!! Although he did ask if I would take him and also come eat lunch with him!!!

Ana will start school in about a week or so. We are having a meeting next week to discuss what her day will look like. She will be going to the same school as her brothers. They were all excited to hear that!

Jackson checking out his room and table!

Durant getting right to work in Kindergarten!

Carter fits right into 4th grade!

Things Change.... 8 Aug 2010 5:24 AM (15 years ago)

Most everyone knows by now, but just wanted to post the letter that went out about us leaving for Louisville, Kentucky. I will be updating on the rest of our visit to Kentucky and other fun things we've been doing these last few weeks but wanted to share this letter first.

I'm excited that you can join me on this next part of our journey. I will also be posting information on our new non profit called Eyes That See!! Very excited to see where God leads it.

July 27, 2010

Dear Valleybrook Family,

About eleven years ago I got the opportunity to come on staff at Valleybrook Church. Two months later Nikki and I were married in the auditorium. Carter was born into this community. Next, little Ana was brought home, followed by Durant, and now Ezra and Jackson. Our family came into being here at Valleybrook. I learned who I am within this community. My eyes were opened to God's people around the world and to His word. I fell in love with Scripture here, and have had the honor of teaching you from the Bible. As we have learned the Word of God together, we have seen clearly how we are to be doers of the word and not just hearers. I am excited that this is true for me as well as it is for you. I cannot just teach His word, I need to continue living it as well.

In light of this, last Sunday I offered my public resignation to pursue God's invitation to step out in faith in starting a new ministry called Eyes That See. Eyes That See is a nonprofit that is being born out of our incredible experience in helping to start KVI in Ethiopia. Eyes That See has been invited by Arise for Children in Louisville, Kentucky, to partner in their work within Ethiopia as well as other countries that God calls us into. Those of you who have adopted know Pat and Susan. They have taken a step of faith, and like you, they believe in what God is doing through us enough to give significant financial support to us as we oversee their humanitarian aid projects in Ethiopia and raise awareness within the States.

We have been so blessed to see the fruit of our obedience as we worked with KVI in our extra time over the past few years. For the past year KVI has grown in significant ways and is currently run completely by Ethiopians. It is stable and thriving. We have seen the community of Valleybrook embrace Ethiopia. Some through financial giving, others prayers, still others through adoptions. In light of all this, God has clearly spoken to our hearts that now is the time to embrace this calling full time for the children and the nation of Ethiopia, a nation we love so dearly. We have friends there and in other places that don't know their Father or that He is good. I cannot wait any longer to be able to show them His love.

We feel like we have stepped out in faith before, but never like we are now. While Arise is being very generous, we are responsible for raising the remaining 40% of our salary, plus all of the start up costs and ongoing monthly overhead that will be required to run a ministry of this scope and magnitude. While we have never been in this position before, we are confident that God has spoken and now in faith we must follow his voice. We have walked this openly with Doug and with the overseers and are asking for Valleybrook's continued support of what God has called us to do.

The urgency that I feel is incredible. I cannot ignore that. In light of this, the timetable for transition is short. With needs being so great within Ethiopia, God's clear calling and heading into the fall, we have decided that my last Sunday will be August 8th. I am honored to be given the opportunity to teach you one last time on that Sunday.

Over the coming weeks Doug and the overseers will share how the church will go forward. I know that our God is good and that He is ordaining the steps of my family and others as well. I'm excited for what is next for this great community.

While this last Sunday was one of the most difficult days of my life, my family believes that God's favor rests on obedience. So we ask for your continued support, love and prayers in the days ahead. We are moving to Louisville, but we believe that our relationship with Valleybrook will continue to grow in new ways as His Kingdom is established in our midst.

Thank you for loving me and my family well. Our story is here and you will never be forgotten.

Your friend,

Matt Ness

Our trip to Kentucky! 27 Jul 2010 1:42 PM (15 years ago)

Our trip to Kentucky was a lot of fun. The kids did really great on the 11 hour drive. We all cheered when we saw the sign!! We learned on this trip just how city we all are. There is a lot of green and grass and fields on the drive down. It was sooooo good to finally see a city!!

We tried out the local Chinese place. This is everyone who was willing, eating some frog legs!

Ezra got to get his hair braided!!! It turned out great!!

We took the kids to IHOP!! First time for Ezra and Jackson!!

We ate out at this fun place while in Louisville. I don't remember the name right now but they had these things in the parking lot!!!

Of course we had to do some swimming in the hotel pool.

Happy 4th of July!! 5 Jul 2010 11:13 AM (15 years ago)

We had a fun 4th of July, even though it rained for most of the day. This was our first 4th of July with all 7 of us.

We spent the day inside playing board games, grilling out, and we did do our annual trip to DQ!!

My cute Americans!

I love this picture!! Matt knew of this cute little park so we ate our ice cream out there.

Ana really liked doing sparklers.

Durant was a little worried about them!

Settling in to watch the Fireworks!! This was Ezra and Jackson's first US Fireworks show. They enjoyed it.

I have to admit that I LOVE living in the United States! I really really do. I'm so thankful for the opportunities and freedoms that we all have.

Happy 4th of July!

Fun in the Sun! 3 Jul 2010 6:41 AM (15 years ago)

Here are some summer fun pictures!! We've been enjoying the great summer days we've had!!

Carter's All-Star baseball!!! 1 Jul 2010 4:38 PM (15 years ago)

Carter had his first All-Star games this weekend. He ended up playing 5 games in two days. He did great!! He got to pitch and play the outfield. This was also the first time his team has played actual game together and they ended up getting 3rd place. Way to go Eau Claire Red!!!

It is so fun watching Carter steal bases!! He really enjoys that part too!!

Look how cute that #7 is!!!!

Getting their awesome trophies!!

It was so fun watching Carter get his trophy!! Way to go Carter. Not only is he a great baseball player, he's also has great sportsmanship!!

Our City 28 Jun 2010 6:25 AM (15 years ago)

Last month we helped our church clean up our city. We do it every year! It was a beautiful day this year and a lot of fun. All the kids got to be involved. We helped plant flowers.

Carter even got interviewed by the news. He did a great job on camera and looked super cute!!

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