Joe's week

A few months ago our son Joe had a really good week. His photo was featured on the front page of the school newspaper and he graduated with top honors from the law enforcement cadet program. He won Top Academic and Best All Around. Since then he has been on ride-alongs with deputies and still does training on different weekends. It's a little unnerving when I see my sixteen year old son putting on a bullet proof vest, but being the mom of seven boys I know they grow to be men, some sooner than others.

                                    My grandson Scott, Steve, Joe, me. and my second son Jake.

Happy Birthday Anna!

Anna turned six a few weeks ago. She took cupcakes to school to celebrate with her school friends, of course they had to be yellow with chocolate frosting and sprinkles just like Meskerem's. We took her to Walmart where she picked out some birthday gifts and then headed to McDonalds. Ah, the joy of being six and going to McDonalds is a BIG thing. We finished the night off with a Barbie movie we had bought complete with popcorn and candy in the living room. Since we don't eat in the living room this was a BIG deal!

Happy Birthday Meskerem!

Today is Meskerem's 7th or 9th birthday depending on how we look at it. On paper she is nine, but according to the doctors and dentist she just turned seven. I don't have pictures of today yet, but I can tell you how the day has gone so far. Splendidly!

Last night we made yellow cupcakes with chocolate frosting, per her request. She added some sprinkles and a little cupcake pick that came with the cupcake holders. We had to keep one unfrosted for her friend who didn't like chocolate. I forgot and she reminded me so we wrapped one up for him and kept that separate. She really likes to take care of her friends and friends are important to her.

This morning she snuggled in bed with us, and daddy told her she looked like an old woman to which she took offense because she is not 100 years old, and to be an old lady you must be 100!

She wanted to wear a dress to school, she loves dresses for some reason, so she picked out a pretty white sundress. She had a waffle for breakfast and it only got better when she got to school. Her friends came running over screaming, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMY!!!" They lavished her with hugs and kisses and the happiness on her face was a picture moment, but I didn't have my camera! Ack! They walked her to class with other friends running up and wishing her a happy birthday,  and while all the kids were putting their backpacks and jackets on their hooks they broke out in to song singing Happy Birthday to her. She was so happy and it was only 8am!!!

Later we're going to buy her a bike, a request from months ago, a Mario DSI game, because she and her three sisters are always battling the use of the ONE that we have, and then to Sonic because they have Slushes. I drove the little girls through one day after school last week when we hit their drink Happy Hour and they enjoyed grape and orange slushes along with a small french fry. I figured they needed a little treat after being in school all day and then mom loading them in the minivan to take a drive to the doctor to drop off a medical form for Meskerem's post-adoption report.

Happy Birthday, Meskie (as her dad calls her), and I hope you grow to be and old lady of 100 some day!

Playground fun at White Tank Mtns.

                                                          Uncle James & Isaiah

Adah & Abi

Isaiah & Adah-Love the next two pictures!

Addis

                                                         Uncle John and Isaiah

I

Hiking

The girls went back to school today. We've had fun over the last two weeks while they were off of school. The first week we went to Sarah's at stayed at Luke Air Force Base. We went to the White Tank Mtns and hiked on two different days. We were able to avoid the Teddy Bear Cactus that Joe got
 into the last time we were hiking there.


 We took the Waterfall Trail and a few other trails. One of them we were a little anxious because the Jumping Cactus (Teddy Bear Cactus) were very close to the trail and we really didn't know how close we had to be for them to attach their little evil balls to our skin.



Just to make sure I carried Adah on my shoulders.

The flowers were making their appearance on the cacti.

                                                Adah & Meskerem at the end of the trail.

Petrogylphs along the trail

                                                                 Sarah & Isaiah

The boys at the end of Waterfall Trail.

Care Package!

Even though we haven't been able to bring our little one home from Ethiopia yet we do send her a care package every now and then. This is what a traveling family took over for us. We received a really cute picture of her with the sunglasses on. Under the bunny ears is a little PINK car. I totally HAD to buy that when I saw it. 

Through the years we've sent over many care packages. From our first two adoptions of babies in 2007 to our adoption of older sisters in 2008 to now. I know they enjoy receiving things even though they're not quite sure what to do with it!

I've always used a gallon sized zip-lock bag and I STUFF it as full as I can with little things I think that aged child might enjoy. In this care package because she is preschool age I sent the glasses, some board books, a necklace, bracelets, bunny ears, a car, a dress, socks, and some chapstick. It's always fun to get a picture of them opening their gifts. Enjoy little one!

Makenna

MIA

I'll be up and running again soon. I've had computer issues which resulted in a new computer. Yay and boo! I knew how my old computer worked and now need to figure this one out.

We went to Sarah's this past week and hiked in the White Tank Mountains. Total desert atmosphere and we tried really hard not to get attacked by the Teddy Bear Cactus which attacked Joe two years ago. :-) We were successful!!! I'll post pics soon.

Someone turned two!

Makenna turned two! She spent the night with us the night before her birthday so Grandma had to get doughnuts for breakfast. Here she is blowing out her candle in her donut.. :-)

Sisters!

When I was at Target a few weeks ago they had they shirts for $2 on the clearance rack so I bought them for these two.

Steve & Vik Out on the Town

When my daughter-in-law had her bachelorette party in 2009 we rode the ferry across the San Diego bay from downtown San Diego to Coronado. We then went to an Italian restaurant and had a delightful evening out on the patio. I had told our friends that we should do this sometime. Recently one of our friends was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer so we decided we better do it, since it had been over two years that we had wanted to do it. Better late than never!

This is me and Steve on the ferry from San Diego to Coronado. You can see how the Bell's Palsy has affected my face and that was about three months after the onset.

The gorgeous view of the San Diego downtown area.  Yes, this is in the middle of winter. Don't be jealous!

The guys enjoying their dessert.

Steve & Dan

On the ferry over to Coronado

Meeting Sissy

Last month we went to AZ and visited Sarah, Nathan, and baby Isaiah. We hadn't visited our oldest daughter in quite some time and needed to see baby Isaiah. He needs to know Grandpa and Grandma and that's not going to happen six hours away! Meskerem Amy also needed to meet her oldest sister and her family.

Not everyone went so were able to take the minivan. (Our small car is an eight passenger mini-van) We usually drive through somewhere and get something quick or stop at In & Out in El Centro depending on the time of day and when we last ate. This time we hit Jack In the Box for breakfast sandwiches. Yummy!

Sarah lives on Luke AFB now so we had to wait for her to come out and drive us in since we didn't have a visitor's pass because the visitor's office is closed on weekends. She has a nice three bedroom home which makes it really nice when you have a baby and need to haul all the baby stuff which includes the baby! :-)

Meskerem and Sarah hit it off as I knew they would. Who wouldn't like Sarah? and who doesn't love Meskerem?! After we unloaded and said our hellos we took off for Cracker Barrel. California does not have any Cracker Barrels so it's always a treat when we hit Arizona to indulge ourselves and sit down together in a restaurant. I got to sit next to Isaiah and sneak him tasty bits of food while his mom was on the other side of him feeding him healthy bits of food. I'm sure his healthy bits were tasty, but he did like my hush puppies and fries.
                                         
                                              Isaiah after his bath. Isn't he the cutest?

Sarah & Meskerem

Sarah, Nathan, and Isaiah

We had a great time but our visit was way too short. We're going back soon so we can give Isaiah some more love and Grandma time.

Joe's Week!

Our oldest at home, has been going to Explorer Academy through the local law enforcement agency. This past Saturday he graduated and has his last test this Saturday. We were so proud of him as he walked in with the other cadets. They were in uniform, standing tall, and very excited although they couldn't let it show.

Joe worked very hard for the past few months that he has been in the program. He aced all four tests with a scores of 100% on each. He was within one point of tying for first place for the physical fitness portion. On Saturday he was award top Academic Score and the overall award of Honor Student. Wow! We are so proud of him!

His friend later said to him over lunch at Olive Garden, "I'm surprised you won the academic award, but I'm more surprised that you didn't win the physical fitness award." That is so true!! Joe is a natural athlete, but the push-ups got the better of him, plus he played or practiced varsity soccer everyday besides going to the Academy. He pushed himself and it paid off. Well done, Joe!

AND if that wasn't enough...............

Joe is in photo at school. He took some pictures and one happened to be the strings of his guitar at a certain angle. His pictures were so well liked that one of the photos is featured on the front of the school newspaper!!! His name is on the front and the year he will graduate.

This same friend who made the earlier comment, looked at Joe and said, "Who are you?!" "What have you done with Joseph?!"

When I Am a Hundred

Cracker Barrel fun!

We hit Cracker Barrel in Phoenix while we were there visiting Sarah. I'll post more pictures later. Miss Mulu needs to use the computer to do math. :-)

Happy Birthday Abi Mulu!

Yesterday was Abi's birthday! We think she is about eleven/twelve. According to her birth certificate she turned ten. After church her dad and I took her and two friends to El Toritos because she wanted Mexican food. They sang Happy Birthday to her and she was so happy! Unfortunately she had just moved to my side of the table so I wasn't able to get a great picture of her face when they came SCREAMING and singing Happy Birthday. I got her profile and her face speaks volumes.

After lunch we took Dad home and us girls went shopping. We hit Justice, Target, and Old Navy. Abi Mulu was able to buy three outfits and some jewelry. She also picked out a sleeping mask which she LOVES!!

Happy Birthday Abi Mulu! We love you!! You bring such joy to everyone!

Art Awards!

The school the girls go to entered their art in a local art show. These two art projects won placing ribbons, BUT!! Meskrem placed FIRST with six others from the first grade class. Her art is now going on to the County level. I have no idea which one she did but I'll post pictures when I find out!  (fyi-Anna no longer goes to school outside the home)

P.E. Awards!

Meskerem (Amy)

Adah Derartu

Adoption update

Life with Miss Meskerem is going wonderfully and progress is made every day. She is doing great at school and here at home. She has a teacher who keeps me in the loop if anything is amiss for the day so I can address it and nip any bad behavior in the bud. Yesterday she was jingling her money for hot chocolate when asked to keep it quiet so today as her consequence she didn't receive any money so no hot chocolate during recess or lunch.

She fits into the family well and is making the adjustment as well as can be expected. It must be hard to come into a family with four girls already in place and try to fit right in the middle of the pack and work your way into the family dynamics and try to figure out where you fit in. She is amazing and does a great job and works very hard to fit in.

I believe that Meskerem is seven turning eight or eight turning nine. She is small for her age, but she is not six turning seven. We see the doctor in a few weeks and I'll see what she says. She is the same size as my five year old turning six, but my five year old is the same size as a four year old so I don't hold much weight in that. My intuition, her teeth, her smarts all added together tell me she's older.

We went to Arizona this past weekend to visit with Sarah and Meskerem met her oldest sister. They hit it off well and Meskerem loved snuggling with Sissy while she could. We all miss Sarah terribly but we're glad she is so happy. Sarah's baby Isaiah was the hit, of course, and the girls loved playing with him.

Concerning our current Ethiopian adoption still in process we had some news that her case and the investigation that is going on is going to a different level, hopefully from a local police to a federal level. On March 8 will be one year from when we accepted her referral. We are hoping that she receives clearance soon.

We're still working on updating our homestudy and sent the update fees in this week. Steve needs his physical and will get that in a few weeks. We also need to have a mobile notary meet us at the doctor's office to notarize the doctor's signature. We're almost done and I'm hoping that she'll be home this summer if not sooner.

As she is a year older she has moved from the baby house to the older house and it is reported that her verbal skills have gotten better. So we wait, do more paperwork, and send in more fees. :-) Hopefully she'll be ready for us when she finally meets us.

Winter Formal

Joe and his girlfriend went to her Winter Formal a few weeks ago. I would post more pictures but my computer is so slow that it takes f.o.r.e.v.e.r. This is the first formal for both of them. They looked absolutely beautiful and had a great time!

What's for dinner?

During the last few weeks I bought some Smoked Summer Sausage and Sweet Italian Sausage. I googled recipes for both and found two winners right out the gate. Last night we had Dirty Rice and tonight we had Baked Ziti. Both were doubled for my large family of eleven. My oldest son's family of four (he has a German exchange student until June) stopped by and enjoyed some Baked Ziti as well. It was a hit with everyone!

 With the Dirty Rice we had salad which went well.  To go with the Baked Ziti I fried zuchinni in olive oil and seasoned with seasoning salt and garlic powder and rounded out the meal with fresh Italian bread from Fresh & Easy. Pretty yummy stuff! VERY kid friendly!!  Enjoy!!

Dirty Rice         Baked Ziti with Sweet Italian Sausage

Hope at Home 2011

“Experience Refreshing and Equipping For Successfully Parenting Adopted Children”

Hope at Home – 2011 is a time of refreshing as we encounter the Father’s heart towards adoptive families. It is going beyond a traditional conference to equip and restore parents as they face the challenging task of transforming orphans into sons and daughters.

Why You Should Attend:

• Receive renewed strength for your parenting ministry
• Be equipped with new practical skills and insights
• Learn how to access God’s resources for physical, emotional, and spiritual needs
• Enjoy the powerful prayer ministry offered throughout the event
• Be encouraged by sharing experiences with other adoptive parents
• Make authentic connections with others who share your commitment to children
• Hearing Adopted and Biological Children Share Their Stories

A Sample of Topics Covered:

• Responding to Your Adopted Child’s Tough Questions
• Nurturing Your Marriage Amidst Competing Demands
• Establishing Peace in Your Home: Addressing Anger in You and Your Child
• Fathering Your Adopted Child
• Creating Unity Among Siblings in Your Adoptive Family
• Transforming an Orphan Spirit into a Spirit of Adoption
• Loving Your Adopted Child Through Every Stage of Their Lives

Speakers Include:

• Susan Hillis, Ph.D. – Adoptive mother of 10 children, motivational speaker, and Senior HIV Scientist from the CDC.
• Stephen and Beth Templeton – Adoptive parents and leaders in their local church. They head parenting ministry and Northlands Church.
• Greg Haswell – Pastor of Northlands Church (which consists of 18% of adoptive families).

September 23 – 24
Northlands Church – Norcross, GA

Click
to register now!

Early Registration Fee:

(Through September 18)

$100/Couple
$60/Individual

Registration Fee:

(September 19 - 22)

$115/Couple
$75/Individual

February

I cannot believe it is already February. January, where did you go?!!

The girls are doing well in school. We are receiving help with Miss Abi and her ESL issues. She's getting extra help with reading & math. She was excited yesterday because she has memorized some math facts up to 2. I think it may be multiplication facts, but when numerous kids are talking at the same time, it's hard to remember.

Today they are having parties in class. I think it's for the 100th day of school, but again not sure. I just know I had to send pretzel sticks, fish crackers, and fudge with three girls. It's also the Scholastic Book Fair week and parents are invited to share lunch with their children so that's where I will be at lunchtime today. I worked the book fair earlier this week for an hour and ended up buying each of their teachers a book off their wish list stack. The girls were delighted when they got to put a sticker in the front of the book that it was from them. I have shelves and shelves of books, so buying one for us wasn't necessary, and this way the teacher can share with her other kids for years to come.

Things are going well on the homeschooling front. James has been doing science experiments form his Apologia Physical Science book. He missed these experiments at Class Day and needed to do them. We were both excited when he found the thermometer he needed in a science kit that I have had for years, okay, probably decades, that I have never used. He has probably earned an A in the class and I'm very proud of him!

Joe is doing well at his high school. He played his last home game for soccer last night. They have one more away game and then his season is done. He wants to play volleyball for the second year. He's 6 ft. so that sport makes sense. He earned A's and B's this last grading period. He has started a law enforcement program and does that weekly also. He has a uniform, goes weekly, and has homework! Last week he went to his first dance. He and his girlfriend went to her Winter Formal. They looked very nice in tan and black. They complement one another well.

Our new Little Miss has her ups and downs. She's had a tough week. I think she is testing the waters to see how deep we're in this with her. I told her we're onrier and meaner than she is and nothing she can do is going to make us give up on her and send her anywhere else. We have to constantly tell her that. We constantly tell her we love her and we constantly hug, kiss, and hold her. See the word constantly? She CONSTANTLY NEEDS stability,  she CONSTANTLY NEEDS affection and, she CONSTANLY NEEDS a foundation. We're determined to be that for her.

She's HAD to be her own advocate for so long. I have told her that her ONLY job in our house is to be a LITTLE KID!

She does not have to do her own hair. She has/had an issue with big sis helping her. I had to have a talk with her and tell her how it is in our house. The big people help the little people. I help Addis, Addis helps her, Meskerem helps Adah or Makenna. That's how this family operates.

She tries to be tough when she has had her feelings hurt. I can see the hurt in her eyes, I can tell she is trying to toughen up, and I tell her it's okay to cry, it's okay to feel hurt. Then she'll burst into tears.

We make her kiss us. We make her give us her face when she turns her face as we're about to give her a kiss. I hold her when she wants to be let go. And everyday we see progress. Everyday we feel a little bit more like she is our daughter. At first it seems like long term babysitting, and then before we know it, feelings are there and we're family. We've made great strides just this week. We're there. She's our daughter and we're her mommy and daddy.

Sometimes when she's being naughty and I talk to her I do tell her that I'm trying to parent her how her Ethiopian mommy would parent her or expect her to be parented. What I mean is that if my biological children were in a family other than ours I would hope that they were being treated as lovingly as the other families bio kids were. I have expecations of myself as her mother and I won't give up on her. At first I had my doubts, but they're gone. Thank you, Lord for helping me put one foot in front of the other to do this ministry of serving my children.