Suppose you have 3 new sisters who speak a language foreign to you. As they jabber on in Amharic, you and your siblings are quite certain that they are saying rude things about each of you.
Try this:
Eak-spay ig-pay atin-lay. It-ay ill-way eally-ray et-gay eir-thay oats-gay!
Unfortunately, it has been proven that a group of children painting rocks at a picnic table only escalate the conflict over foreign language when using this method.
Sheeesh.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Friday, May 9, 2008
Written for me
I just posted about this same site a while back, but I'm quite amazed as I read it. She's writing almost exactly what I've been thinking... including many similar experiences in Ethiopia. She was there with a mission trip group just one week after we left, and her group was brought by AAI staff to many of the same places. Bern and I had been their guinea pigs the week before...
Enjoy reading. it will give you a great picture of our trip... You know, the one I just can't make myself write as I wander through this post-adoption fog.
http://willinghearts.blogspot.com
Enjoy reading. it will give you a great picture of our trip... You know, the one I just can't make myself write as I wander through this post-adoption fog.
http://willinghearts.blogspot.com
"Great" Day ~ April 14
On the 14th of April, Mo, Ed, L, Ic, and I made the trek to a town South of us to have the girls meet their 'new' Great Grandmother. Grandma was in the hospital then, and had a very uphill battle to get healthy enough to return to her apartment. I think we all knew that her time on earth was drawing to a close.
We arrived at the hospital armed with a little handful of pussy-willows, one of Grandma's favorites. Grandma was sitting in a chair, with a twinkle in her eye and big smile on her face. She seemed quite delighted to meet the girls, and they were excited to meet her... though they stayed reserved and nervous. It was a sweet time.
When we left the hospital, the girls were full of questions... especially, "Where is Great-Grandma's home?" They begged to see it. Instead of bringing them to an apartment building, we headed over to the home-place... the farm. That is really the place she would call home.
Once there, we found Uncle Allen working in his shop. He accepted the interruption with a big grin and warm greetings. After some chatting time we headed over to the famous tire swing, where he gave each kid a ride. Well... at least L, Ic, and Ed had rides at thrilling heights. Mo was terrified to even touch the swing. We eventually coaxed her into sitting in it briefly to give us her super model smile for a photo. She did seem to want to swing, but her insecurity won out. Uncle Allen was great with them all, and they left thinking he was a pretty cool guy - I would agree.
We arrived at the hospital armed with a little handful of pussy-willows, one of Grandma's favorites. Grandma was sitting in a chair, with a twinkle in her eye and big smile on her face. She seemed quite delighted to meet the girls, and they were excited to meet her... though they stayed reserved and nervous. It was a sweet time.
When we left the hospital, the girls were full of questions... especially, "Where is Great-Grandma's home?" They begged to see it. Instead of bringing them to an apartment building, we headed over to the home-place... the farm. That is really the place she would call home.
Once there, we found Uncle Allen working in his shop. He accepted the interruption with a big grin and warm greetings. After some chatting time we headed over to the famous tire swing, where he gave each kid a ride. Well... at least L, Ic, and Ed had rides at thrilling heights. Mo was terrified to even touch the swing. We eventually coaxed her into sitting in it briefly to give us her super model smile for a photo. She did seem to want to swing, but her insecurity won out. Uncle Allen was great with them all, and they left thinking he was a pretty cool guy - I would agree.
We loaded back into the van and headed West, just down the block to Uncle Larry's house. As we drove by his land, we could see Uncle Larry's truck back in the field but decided to check at the house anyway. Aunt Karen was quite surprised to find us at her door, and a few minutes later Uncle Larry drove into the yard. We all wandered to the back yard to see the critters and sights. While Uncle Larry and I were chatting, the girls, Ic, and Aunt Karen disappeared into a little building to look at her rabbits. I went to find them back, and felt transported back in time as I stepped into Aunt Karen's rabbit building - a whole childhood of fascinating memories flooded back, complete with the smell of rabbits!
Then, while Aunt Karen and I were chatting, the girls, Ic, and Uncle Larry disappeared. A few moments later they zoomed back into view, all aboard Uncle Larry's golf cart. Seeing them all piled on and laughing was not a big surprise - seeing Ed DRIVING was a definite surprise! Each child got a turn driving this foreign contraption, with Uncle Larry chuckling the whole time. Despite the fact that he was sitting right with them controlling the gas petal and his hand ready to grab the steering wheel, the trees and barn more than once took the brunt of their driving!
We eventually extracted the girls from the golf cart, gave our farewells, and loaded into the van for the drive home.
I can't even describe the feelings I had watching my new children connect with such a deep part of my childhood. Some of the dearest people in my world welcomed them lovingly, just as they had loved me through my childhood.
We eventually extracted the girls from the golf cart, gave our farewells, and loaded into the van for the drive home.
I can't even describe the feelings I had watching my new children connect with such a deep part of my childhood. Some of the dearest people in my world welcomed them lovingly, just as they had loved me through my childhood.
Less than a week later I talked to Grandma on the phone for the last time. I told her that I loved her and said my good-byes. She told me she loved me, and said that it had been so good to meet the girls. The next day she was no longer able to speak, and the day after that she left for heaven. We gathered together for Grandma's funeral the following Sunday afternoon, where the girls got to meet more family and see the Great Uncles and Aunts again.
I treasure the sight of my Grandmother, my hero, so proud to meet her new great-grandchildren... And my Uncles and Aunt, who gave the girls such a memorable day. What fun to watch my kids enjoy the Greats.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Willing Hearts
http://willinghearts.blogspot.com/2008/04/kids.html
A good read about some of the children who still wait at Layla ... the children we met, and now love.
The only inaccuracy I found: "There is a vow that all children will find a family within 2 years, and so far, no child has waited longer."
Our girls waited for almost 3 years, and their friends -also a group of three beautiful sisters - have waited even longer and still wait. The 'vow' to have children in families within 2 years only works if the families God is calling actually step forward in obedience.
A good read about some of the children who still wait at Layla ... the children we met, and now love.
The only inaccuracy I found: "There is a vow that all children will find a family within 2 years, and so far, no child has waited longer."
Our girls waited for almost 3 years, and their friends -also a group of three beautiful sisters - have waited even longer and still wait. The 'vow' to have children in families within 2 years only works if the families God is calling actually step forward in obedience.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Yummy
A quote from 7 yo L as I tucked her in at night and was lavishing her with kisses:
"Me chocolate, You cake!"
She then joined me in chin nibbling, and we just ate each other right up. Nothing more fun than a 7 year old!
I don't have a family
A reason to weep... A reason to act
Now I know some of the 'have nots' personally. If you'd like to hear about them, give me a call! But, beware - I'm on a mission to help them become 'I haves!'
Friday, April 11, 2008
What day is it, anyway?
So I am finally sitting down to write. The house is quiet, other than the 3 parakeets and 2 cockatiels here in 'foster care.' They seem to know that I've grown accustomed to a certain amount of noise, so they are providing background chatter during this calm time.
I realized a little while ago that I've had a bit of a writer's block. It seems that staring at a blank wall is about all I feel that I can manage when I actually have the time to write! So I've determined that I need to start carrying around a little notebook or something to jot down my thoughts through the day. I really do come up with some great stuff! ~ Unfortunately, it's usually at 4am, when I am wedged between L and Ic in bed. Each has found a new habit of intruding on my sleep and bedspace in the wee-morning hours. But I really can't blame them for waking me... B has usually taken care of that by yelling my name from his bed, summoning me to come and pull up his covers and give him a kiss.
In reality, my attempt to carry a notebook would be abandoned within about 1/2 an hour from my waking... or, my 'official' waking, anyway. I won't include the multiple wakings from various children through the night.
I'm sure that the notebook would be in the way of some daily function ~ say, cooking breakfast for 10 hungry people, heading off the next potential bout of sibling rivalry, or officiating the after lunch kitchen chores. How, exactly, would I keep track of a small notebook among the dozens of school books and requests for my attention?
Speaking of cooking: Some adoptive families have 'food issues' with their newly home children. The only issue we have faced thus far is having enough food on hand. The 3 girls eat like 3 grown men! We keep a shaker of Berbere spice on the table, and they sprinkle it (which is an understatement) on almost all foods. I would not be at all surprised to see one of them chowing down a peanut butter/jelly/berbere sandwich! If you're not familiar with berbere, it is a lively mix of red spice - quite yummy, but not for the faint of heart/weak of tummy.
There ~ now do you see my point? I'm not even carrying the notebook, and already it is lost in a rabbit trail about cooking and Ethiopian spices! I remember losing my mind before - 5 times before, actually. Then I blamed it on post-birth hormones... 'oxy-something-or-other.' Now I have no credible culprit... I'm just low on sleep, and getting flakier by the day.
For those who would like to get past my flakey ramblings, and get some true information:
Our adjustment is going quite well, despite me. ;) Every day gets easier as the girls learn the routine, and siblings learn which 'buttons' cause which reactions. The girls are learning that they have the bummer of getting stuck with parents who really do make them do... But I think they're enjoying the laughter here too.
I was shocked to find out that they (esp. Mo) wanted to begin school work immediately. After some initial panic, we've found appropriate school books and have begun the education effort. Mo is pleased, but can't wait to move on to the 'harder' books. She would like to fast forward the English acquisition, and get on with life in America. We get her gorgeous smiles multiple times a day, but especially when we give her permission to phone her friends in other states. When we look through photos of the kids from Layla, she remembers in which State each child lives with their new family.
Ed was the first of the three to master riding a bike. As of yesterday, she is tooling down and around the driveway without foot dragging and running into bushes. Thanks, Ic, for teaching her about brakes! She is showing enthusiasm for the dogs and other animals. She faithfully brushes one of the white, fluffy dogs, and I often see her carrying it like a baby. She thinks the horses are pretty cool, though she prefers to ride one of the greenbroke minis instead of the intimidating, but fully trained, big horses. She shows very little fear, and jumps into life with gusto.
L is all about affection and fun. She was helping me in the kitchen the other day, opening cans of fruit for supper. She paused her constant chatter to say, "I love kitchen best." I thought, "Oh, how very sweet! She loves working in the kitchen with her mom..." She then caught her self, and corrected her English... "I mean CHICKEN. I like chicken best." hmm. That would explain why she gets so excited about 'Kitchen and Noodles.' Her second week here, L was cradling an uncomfortable looking cat in her arms: "I have a killy, killy cat!" and, swinging the cat back and forth, she sang: "Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily.." The 'killy, killy cat' did not look very merry.
Tomorrow is our first post-adoption visit with our social worker. I suppose I should get some sleep so that I can panic clean in the morning!
Thanks for your prayers!
I realized a little while ago that I've had a bit of a writer's block. It seems that staring at a blank wall is about all I feel that I can manage when I actually have the time to write! So I've determined that I need to start carrying around a little notebook or something to jot down my thoughts through the day. I really do come up with some great stuff! ~ Unfortunately, it's usually at 4am, when I am wedged between L and Ic in bed. Each has found a new habit of intruding on my sleep and bedspace in the wee-morning hours. But I really can't blame them for waking me... B has usually taken care of that by yelling my name from his bed, summoning me to come and pull up his covers and give him a kiss.
In reality, my attempt to carry a notebook would be abandoned within about 1/2 an hour from my waking... or, my 'official' waking, anyway. I won't include the multiple wakings from various children through the night.
I'm sure that the notebook would be in the way of some daily function ~ say, cooking breakfast for 10 hungry people, heading off the next potential bout of sibling rivalry, or officiating the after lunch kitchen chores. How, exactly, would I keep track of a small notebook among the dozens of school books and requests for my attention?
Speaking of cooking: Some adoptive families have 'food issues' with their newly home children. The only issue we have faced thus far is having enough food on hand. The 3 girls eat like 3 grown men! We keep a shaker of Berbere spice on the table, and they sprinkle it (which is an understatement) on almost all foods. I would not be at all surprised to see one of them chowing down a peanut butter/jelly/berbere sandwich! If you're not familiar with berbere, it is a lively mix of red spice - quite yummy, but not for the faint of heart/weak of tummy.
There ~ now do you see my point? I'm not even carrying the notebook, and already it is lost in a rabbit trail about cooking and Ethiopian spices! I remember losing my mind before - 5 times before, actually. Then I blamed it on post-birth hormones... 'oxy-something-or-other.' Now I have no credible culprit... I'm just low on sleep, and getting flakier by the day.
For those who would like to get past my flakey ramblings, and get some true information:
Our adjustment is going quite well, despite me. ;) Every day gets easier as the girls learn the routine, and siblings learn which 'buttons' cause which reactions. The girls are learning that they have the bummer of getting stuck with parents who really do make them do... But I think they're enjoying the laughter here too.
I was shocked to find out that they (esp. Mo) wanted to begin school work immediately. After some initial panic, we've found appropriate school books and have begun the education effort. Mo is pleased, but can't wait to move on to the 'harder' books. She would like to fast forward the English acquisition, and get on with life in America. We get her gorgeous smiles multiple times a day, but especially when we give her permission to phone her friends in other states. When we look through photos of the kids from Layla, she remembers in which State each child lives with their new family.
Ed was the first of the three to master riding a bike. As of yesterday, she is tooling down and around the driveway without foot dragging and running into bushes. Thanks, Ic, for teaching her about brakes! She is showing enthusiasm for the dogs and other animals. She faithfully brushes one of the white, fluffy dogs, and I often see her carrying it like a baby. She thinks the horses are pretty cool, though she prefers to ride one of the greenbroke minis instead of the intimidating, but fully trained, big horses. She shows very little fear, and jumps into life with gusto.
L is all about affection and fun. She was helping me in the kitchen the other day, opening cans of fruit for supper. She paused her constant chatter to say, "I love kitchen best." I thought, "Oh, how very sweet! She loves working in the kitchen with her mom..." She then caught her self, and corrected her English... "I mean CHICKEN. I like chicken best." hmm. That would explain why she gets so excited about 'Kitchen and Noodles.' Her second week here, L was cradling an uncomfortable looking cat in her arms: "I have a killy, killy cat!" and, swinging the cat back and forth, she sang: "Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily.." The 'killy, killy cat' did not look very merry.
Tomorrow is our first post-adoption visit with our social worker. I suppose I should get some sleep so that I can panic clean in the morning!
Thanks for your prayers!
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