Team Sanborn

Team Sanborn

Sunday, January 13, 2008

I just finished a book

Love in the Driest Season by Neeley Tucker

Okay, I know I am probably one of the few people who truly has a heart for Africa who has not read this book until now (published in 2004).  AWESOME BOOK!!  It's a book about the political and social changes in Africa and specifically Zimbabwe from the early 90's to 2000.  A journalist and his wife decide to adopt a very sick infant they meet by chance in an orphanage.  The little girl, Chipo is abandoned as so many sweet babies are all over Africa.  The desperation their mothers must feel, the heart ache and  sorrow must be overwhelming.  I only knew Annabelle and Andrew for minutes and I started to realize the choice their mothers must have anguished over. When we saw the place Annabelle was abandoned, the "under the road" hole her mother left her in- just far enough away from the street to be safe, but close enough to foot traffic so that someone would find her, I was breathless.  Just thinking of Andrew's mother who had to kiss her tiny baby goodbye when he was literally seconds old, or she may not have even kissed him at all,  as she may have died during the process of giving him life, I don't have words.  We relay Andrew and Annabelle's story to people here and they say, "we could never make that choice".  Of course they couldn't, they don't have to. We pray for those brave women every night.  We pray that they would know Annabelle and Andrew are safe and loved,  smart and funny, all of the other things we hope for our children.  We pray they would have peace in their hearts and in their minds about the decision they made and the precious children they gave to us.  This book brought to mind that our children's stories are not unique.  There are millions of orphans just in Africa who need help.  You may not bring them home as we did, but there is something everyone can do.  Even just being aware is a start.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Here are a few pics from December 2007


We have had a busy month!  It all started with family pictures scheduled outside (but had to be moved in because of rain), then Cooper's 2nd Birthday Bash and of course Christmas (we celebrated Christmas a total of 5 times with all of the festivities).  So much fun!  We loved spending so much time with our families over the holidays...  We truly celebrated "the Reason for the Season".

Annabelle and her best grin for family pictures!
Andrew posing for the camera-what a ham!
Andrew at Cousin Cooper's Second birthday party- he loves the slide!
Annabelle in her Christmas church clothes- How fancy!
Annabelle as the center of attention at Cooper's party- loving every minute!


New Years Resolution

Our new Years Resolution this year is do a better job at chronicling the lives of Andrew and Annabelle- the past almost 2 years have gone so fast...  so here goes!

Andrew is constantly on the move- never a dull moment in his world.  He is relishing being the strong, silent type and is very independant.  Annabelle on the other hand, is a mile a minute talker!  She love to be around her friends and family and thinks her brother is hillarious!