Julie Gumm - Author

Forgot to buy that…

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All four kids spent the night at MeeMaw and Pa’s house last night.

This morning I got a call from MeeMaw.

“Julie, how am I supposed to fix Beza’s hair? You didn’t send any Ethiopian water.”

Huh?

I guess she asked Beza what I use to fix her hair in the morning. She said water.

Natalie added “Yeah, Ethiopian water.”

I guess she thinks I brought home some special water that I’ve been using in that spray bottle. (It’s really just a 1 to 6 mixture of hair oil and water.)

Full House

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Well the hubby departed early Tuesday morning for a trip to Africa with his new job at World Orphans. They are spending about 5 days in Ethiopia and then several days in Kenya as well. We waited until last week to tell the kids. We weren’t sure how they would react to the whole idea of dad going back to Ethiopia. He’s had to go on one other short trip and although this one is longer I was most concerned that the idea of him going back there would cause problems. It didn’t really seem to phase them. They didn’t even ask if he was going to see Grandma. (He tried but didn’t connect – was able to see the family friend and give him some things for her.)

None of the kids have had that much time to miss him because my best friend Kristen and her 3 kids (Kaity, Lexie and Jacob) arrived the next day. So it has been a full house with 7 kids (that would be 9, 9, 9, 8, 6, 6, and 3 – whee).

The kids are all having a blast. Of course, coming from Pittsburgh, they are enjoying our 85 degree weather and we are spending lots of time outdoors.

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Yummy Ethiopian Coffee!

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One of the lasting impressions our trip left on us was that we are now complete coffee snobs. Let me tell you, there is NOTHING like a cup of authentic Ethiopian coffee. I will admit to not drinking it black but it is the best stuff out there. Did you know that Ethiopia is actually the birth place of coffee? Yes ’em.

Now, remember those amazing kids at Hope for the Hopeless that we told you about on our trip?

Well, how would you like to score some amazing Ethiopian coffee and help those beautiful kids?

My friend Brooke is traveling back to Ethiopia in a couple of weeks (along with her husband, MIL and daughter) to spend time at Hope. While she is there she will be purchasing 2 lb bags of authentic Ethiopian coffee beans (whole). Each 2 lb bag is $10 and ALL the profits will go straight to Hope for the Hopeless.

If you are local (in Phx) and want to purchase, either leave a comment below (and I’ll reply to you) or shoot me an email (azdesertdivaATgmailDOTcom).

If you live out of the area the easiest way to buy is through ebay. The cost is fifty cents higher to cover ebay fees. Coffee will be shipped after Brooke returns on March 23rd. Orders need to be in by the 10th.

Brooke is taking over about 12 suitcases full of donations so she has LOTS of room to bring back coffee 🙂