One Year Ago Today...

On the day we met...

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

One year ago today we landed at Bole airport in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. We arrived at our guesthouse right in time to enjoy a beautiful coffee ceremony and then we were driven to meet our Sweet M* for the very first time. What a surreal day it was. Above is a short clip and below are some photos from those first moments.

Look Where I'm Going To Be...

I am THRILLED to be attending this wonderful event Sunday hosted by this fellow blogger. Did you see the line up... pretty awesome. Even more awesome... I am really looking forward to spending some time with the amazing group of people that I have met through this adoption process who I am now lucky enough to call friends.

You should come too. Tickets can be purchased here, or you can also use them as a donation if you can't make it. There is also an online auction going on right now here... Now let's get these kiddos in school and reading!!!

Soccer Saturday

The big boys had their first soccer games this past weekend. We all had a great time cheering them on.

I am loving my kids ages right now. All of the sudden there has been a big shift in my duties as a mom. At first I was having a hard time letting go of the baby days. Thankfully that has passed and I am embracing all that comes with exiting baby/ toddler era and moving into the kid stage.

Now I am worried that these are going to be the glory days that I miss someday and so I am trying to soak them up as much as I can. The kids are all so innocent still, they still think mom and dad are fun and cool. They want to hug us and be near us. They want to go places with us. They tell us they are going to live with us forever. They think we are all knowing & amazing people. I wish it would stay this way forever. Unfortunately, they will continue to grow. Kind of a fact of life. So for now I will soak up their youth and prepare to watch them each grow into a unique and amazing person :)

Spring Break FUN!

This past weekend we took off for a road trip bc the kids were on spring break. I was dreading the trip a little bit bc we have never taken M* on a road trip before and the past week he had so many changes to his routine (due to us taking off last weekend and the two older kids being on spring break all week) that I was worried this could send him over the edge. But, thankfully ALL of the kids were AMAZING.
They enjoyed the special treats we brought with us and the movies in the car. We left early on the way there so they got some sleep too. It was a really great experience. We are even looking into more resorts to drive to bc we enjoyed ourselves so much.
I was so proud of Sweet M* especially. I could tell he was nervous. It is so hard to watch him struggle like that when the other kids just get to have fun and be excited. He is trying to do that but it is masked by the fear that this change in routine is going to end with him needing to move to a new family. Ugh... is that ever going to change? Is he ever going to be able to relax and just enjoy new adventures? I certainly hope so. But, in the mean time I do my best to reassure him... to prepare him... and to support and love on him as he tries. He is a brave brave boy!
Here are some pics from our journey. Looking back through these pics it looks like all we did was eat... we really did swim a lot too. I swear... we just need a water camera.

Arriving at the hotel after our 5 hour drive... all smiles

Getting ready to see "Horny the Bull"... bc with a name like that we sure weren't going to miss that opportunity.

Why they have a bull stationed in front of this restaurant (that specializes in steak) is beyond me... but Captain Crazy thought it was pretty cool
Can you believe how tall Sweet M* is getting? He passed Belle awhile ago and now he is working his way towards Cuddlebear

Belle has entered the age of not being able to smile for the camera bc she thinks about it too much... its so funny that each of my kids have done this around 3 1/2 year old :)

I think Sweet M* enjoyed the slide down to the restaurant even more than seeing the bull... could it get any better. A restaurant with a bull AND a slide?

YES... Yes it can. The kids eyes lit up when the waitress brought over the huge cotton candy that was included with their meals.

A bull, a slide, cotton candy and paper bull hats... if only every restaurant were this kid friendly right?Check out Cuddlebear's face... I think he was a little nervous that "Horny" was getting closer ;)

Ahhh... there is the smile we love

My attempt at once again trying to get a good posed shot... so not ever happening

The next few shots are of the us at an adorable ice cream parlor. We shared some delicious sundaes. We partnered up to conquer the deliciousness. I think I had the best partner considering how much I LOVE ice cream and how little my daughter does ;)

Our trip ended on a horse and carriage ride under the lights in Old Town. Belle had a smile ear to ear the whole time bc in her mind the only other person that gets to ride in a carriage is Cinderella!

Two Nights Away

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.

Getting Closer... Language

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

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.

My Sweet Sick Girl

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

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?

Students dancing in Sidama

This is a neat video from Common River of students dancing in Sidama. I just loved it!!!

Finally completed...

It only took me 9 months and 20 days after being home to finally complete a photobook from our journey to Ethiopia. WooHoo!!! And, the only reason I was able to get it done today is because I am home with Cuddlebear who is sick with the flu. My sweet husband took Belle to Disneyland for a Father/ Daughter date and my AMAZING mom, dad and sister took Captain Crazy and Sweet M* to the snow. But, no complaints here I had a ball looking back through all of these pictures. What an amazing journey it was and what a life we have together now. Definitely, the toughest 9 months and 20 some odd days of my life, but every tear and every total freak out led me to where I am and I would not change any of it. Well, maybe the 14 hours of screaming on the plane ride home but you know what I am saying ;)

Sweetness

So, this week I have just felt so close to Sweet M*. I think it was my reward for keeping my cool while being tested so much last week. It is interesting after the testing phase we usually make a jump forward and boy does it feel amazing.

Last night my older boys were being pistols right before dinner. Usually, we go around and the kids each get a chance to tell us their favorite part of the day, but yesterday I also asked them to tell me one reason they love their family. Captain Crazy, Cuddlebear and Belle said the normal generic responses that kids might say when asked such questions but then it was Sweet M*'s turn and he said, "I love my family because we all stay in the same house, we are safe in our house, we have food. Some people don't have food but we have good food. And, I love my mom. And, I love my dad." Just the way he said it so seriously and well thought out. He was trying to use all the correct words and pronunciations. It melted my heart and tears fell down my face. He is one Sweet Sweet Boy.

Christmas Armenian Style

Well... I don't really know if it is Armenian style?... but it is OUR Armenian style. Most Christmas Eve's we drive down to my Hubby's Aunt's house. I honestly look forward to it every year bc we don't get to see that side of our family very often. There is such a wonderful vibe in that house. Everyone is laughing, joking, and having a great time. There is delicious food, dancing, games and gifts. Oh, and the big man himself usually stops by. Check out how it goes for yourself!!!

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

As you can see our newest little Ethiopian/ Armenian joined right in with the festivities. I figured all of the excitement and loud noise would make him nervous... but he just soaked it up. It was a great night!!! Here are some more pictures from the evening...