Africa?!

So Callie and I mentioned yesterday we would be venturing out to do the Black Friday shopping thing.  We did.  We got up at 4 and were out the door with a semi-plan-of-attack to tackle family Christmas shopping in one trip; after all, I had done nothing prior. 

As we stood in the Wet Seal liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine :), this woman came behind me and did the same thing--start wating.  I can't help but start talking, after all we stood by one another for at least 15mins with at least another hour to go, so just casual chit chat.  In between our three girls coming up and asking do we like this or that, does this fit, it turned out this woman and her family had just returned to the states from all places ----a four-year mission in Africa.  God is always present.  She proceeded to give me a first-hand account of life in the African nation, as well as the number of orphans there are to love.  She mentioned that any time Africans see Caucasians in their country, they assume they are wealthy.  It tugged at my heart strings, because it's not an assumption, it's a fact...our perception and the world's perception of poverty are so very different. I am so excited to embrace the Ethiopian culture, and the kids have been excited to already start learning!

One thing's for sure---God is leading us somewhere and my family can't wait to follow!

Running on His love---the Zimmermans

Gonna Be Exhausted!!

Black Friday is the most genius invention in the world.  I mean, wake up at 3 in the morning to shop, all those incredible sales, all those cute clothes...  yep, that's the good stuff.  WE CAN'T WAIT!!

But anyway, I am very thankful to be with my family today and all the amazing food we ate (my gram is an awesome cook).  And although the only thing I ate was mashed potatoes- yes I was made fun of, but what can you say?- I can appreciate how fortunate I am.  I'm counting down the hours for tomorrow... cheesy potato casserole, here I come:).  I know Meg's looking forward to it too.

We're thinking of adopting siblings from Ethiopia, Africa (6+2= a Zimmerman Zoo?).  I am so excited because I've really been wanting to make a difference in someone's life lately.  How many people can say "My sister's from Africa" or "Yeah, there's six kids in our immediate family".  I mean, that's just plain cool.  And it's really important to adopt kids from there because Ethiopia's one of the most impoverished places you can adopt from.  I hope we adopt two girls, but I definitely won't be upset if we adopt a boy.  I already have three brothers, so one or two more couldn't hurt, right?  

Well, pictionary's calling to me.... my team need's me.  You gotta love Thanksgiving.  

SO Very Thankful!

So it's Thanksgiving, and I am sitting here with my oldest daughter Callie trying to plan our attack route for the "Black Friday" to come.  We're excited of course, to go shopping at endless stores opening at crazy hours of the morning (any woman would be :) ) but this Thanksgiving has presented such a more meaningful tune this year.
   Since Kirk and I got married in July of 2008, life has been beyond crazy.  Here the scoop:
1.I made quite a  move to Fowler, a town smaller than I have ever dreamt of relocating, however really have learned to love the land of windmills and cornfields
2.added two tweenies, Callie and Caleb
3.started a job I love as a nurse on a whirlwind of a floor (come on ladies back me up here)
4. my "independent" Kate the following spring
5. my cuddly Aiden the following spring after
6. lost one of the most influential people in my life: my grandmother

As anyone knows, life comes with it's ups and downs, good and bad.  Our family is no different, we choose to see His grace and love through it all and have so much to be thankful for.

I'll let Callie take it from here: :)

~