Double Digit Best Birthday Ever by Joel Kruse

On Wednesday, July 23rd, I had the best birthday ever. I turned 10 and I woke up really early. My dad was up and he took me behind our house and gave me my birthday present. It was a live chicken. My favorite color is orange and this hen had orange eyes and orange feathers. 

 We had pancakes with butterscotch pudding for breakfast so I named her Butterscotch. I spent the morning fixing the old coop which is off the ground on bamboo stilts so that predators can't get her. My sister and I made a bamboo ladder so she can climb up into her house.

Our garden is not growing all that well since a herd of cows came through and ate all our corn but our okra is doing great! It is my favourite vegetable and so my mom and I picked large handfuls of okra so she could make okra stew with rice for lunch. My sisters all made me things and my grandparents gave me a baseball, glove and badminton racket. We don't have any stores near us so gifts are pretty special and unexpected.

 I really wanted to have an angel food cake for my birthday but my mom tried making it from scratch once and it didn't work well. It also needs a lot of eggs (which are hard to get) so I didn't think I was going to have that kind of cake. My mom kept it a surprise but she asked some visitors from Canada to bring a cake mix a month ago and so I got an angel food cake with blue whipping cream for my cake. It was awesome! We also had tortillas for supper and another missionary family joined us. We played some games and got treat bags with candy from America.

 Two teams racing to collect 2 L water bottles from all over our large yard.  We had to follow clues.

 Shooting at 2 L water bottles with slingshots.

 My mom didn't think it was going to be the best birthday ever because I couldn't invite my friends over but I think it was special because there were so many surprises. I think when you can't get stuff easily, it is even more special when you do get something special. I am 10 now and even though I don't look different, I feel a little older. It was a great birthday.  By Joel

From mom - We are so proud to call you our son. You received a card on your birthday that said you are Jovial/Joyful/Joker, Optimistic, Enthusiastic/Energetic, Likeable/Loving. 
It's true (though your sisters may not always agree).  You are growing up without all the privileges that so many boys your age have and yet you are thankful, creative and serve those around you cheerfully.  You are a blessing to our home. Happy Birthday Joel! We love you.

Joel's 8th Birthday

We had a very special weekend at Redfox Nursery with the Hamilton family.  We decided to spend an extra evening there and drive back to Addis this morning in time for Rolf to get to his Amharic language class at 8:30.  This meant we had to leave at 6am and hope for clear roads.

Unfortunately 3 of the 5 kids were carsick so there was some dry heaving in the car as we arrived in Addis.   1/2 hour in traffic with truck fumes did not make the nausea any better.  Despite the tough start to Joel's birthday, he enjoyed his day thoroughly!

He decided he wanted to just celebrate with his family but I went ahead and made cupcakes with him in case the neighbour kids dropped by.  Then we baked a cake together and when Rolf came home from school, he decorated it.  Joel knew he wanted a lego cake but I wasn't really inspired by what I found online.

When Joel opened presents he received a firetruck and that is what inspired his cake.  I just baked an 8x 11 size cake and Rolf cut and stacked it.  I made the icing and Rolf did the decorating and in the end the kids get a cake that puts a smile on their face.  It may not be fancy but it will be remembered:)

On our children's birthdays, they get to choose the meal (as long as it is something that is actually available).  Well Joel asked yesterday if he could have macaroni and cheese (from the box) and hotdogs.  Both of these items are extremely difficult to find in Addis but we said we would see.

Rolf stopped by a grocery store on the way home from language school and checked the shelves.  No M&C.  Well he happened to pass a man who was just stocking shelves and in the box was M & C.  Yeah!  It basically tastes like Kraft M & C but the name made us all laugh.

To end our evening together as a family, we all told Joel what we really loved about him.  Ariana said:  Joel you are so good at sharing. You even shared your gifts with us today.  Nadia said:  Joel plays with me and shares with me.  Kalia said:  Joel plays with us girls and doesn't complain about it.  I said:  Joel is always ready to help and brings lots of laughter to our family.  Rolf said:  Joel is cheerful and kind.

We are so thankful for our son Joel and we pray that he will bless many more people as he has blessed us.