This past weekend me and the hubby spent our first two nights away from the kids since leaving for Ethiopia last April. WOOHOO!!!!!We met up with my hubby's college friends and had a BLAST!!!
I was very concerned about Sweet M* though bc I knew how hard it is on him to have a change in his routine. I made detailed notes for his sitters (all family) about our daily routine and complications and solutions they might run into. I pretty much looked like a crazy uptight mom who loves control. However, I knew the more they could keep things close to normal the better Sweet M* would do.
I received excellent reports on night one and two but unfortunately day 3 must have been his breaking point. There were two incidences that were completely out of character for M. It crushes my heart to hear about what Sweet M* did and as mad as you want to be with him you know that it is fear that drives him to resort to these survival/ orphanage type behaviors. The poor baby has been through so much.
So, today we are back to loss of privileges and chores. I am giving lots of high praise for good work and steady love and eye contact. I am talking to him about right and wrong and I can tell he feels bad for what occurred.
The good news is that I prepared myself before I left knowing that we would most likely see a backlash for leaving. And, I think that helped me handle the situation. He did make it through the two nights and hubby and I got our much needed and deserved break.
We are so fortunate to have such wonderful family that are close by to help us.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Guess Who's a Citizen!!!
Today we completed Sweet M*'s re-adoption- Woot! Woot! For some reason this just feels SOOO good. Maybe its because for years I have been in this paper process and now I am finally free from it. Maybe its because it marks another transition for our family. Maybe its because it meant so much to M* and it was so neat to see him so happy talking to the judge. But, most likely it is the combination of all of the above as are most things in life. I guess today just felt like one of those moments where everything comes together perfectly... like a dream.I look back at the start of this whole crazy process and I am amazed. I am amazed that it actually happened. I am stunned that we have gotten where we are after looking back on those horrible first days. I wonder what the heck were we thinking?? We had three kids, a business and we were in our twenties??? We knew nothing about adoption or attachment... heck we knew nothing about Africa.
But, when I look back the word that sums up my feelings best is GRATEFUL... I am so very GRATEFUL. Sweet M* has changed me and made me grow in so many wonderful ways. He has added so much compassion and love in the hearts of each of our biological children and countless other family members and friends that are graced with his presence. I am grateful that I have the privilege of him snuggling close to me as he calls me mom.
I am also grateful that his birth family made the incredibly hard decision to make an adoption plan for M*. I am grateful that we were lucky enough to meet M*'s birth father and not a day goes by that his Ethiopian family is not in my prayers and thoughts. I want to let them know how he is doing. Let them see how healthy he is... how much he has grown (10 inches and 17 pounds in 10 months). I hope we are able to travel back to Ethiopia and meet them someday. I want all of our kids to go next time. What an amazing trip that would be!
Adoption is messy. Adoption is hard. Adoption is exhausting. Adoption is unfair. Adoption is heartbreaking.
BUT... it is also wonderful, amazing, powerful and joyous. It brings two completely different worlds together that feel like they were always suppose to be joined.
And, I am so GRATEFUL I am lucky enough to have adoption in my life.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
My Sweet Sick Girl
We were up all night with a 104 degree temp that wouldn't go down with meds for 2 stinkin' hours and then this morning as I was getting ready for work I caught sweet Belle reciting her fav story (Beauty and the Beast) from memory or my eye shadow?
Monday, March 7, 2011
Students dancing in Sidama
This is a neat video from Common River of students dancing in Sidama. I just loved it!!!
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