July Update

Yes, we are still alive. To say that life has been full would be an understatement. And I do feel badly that I haven’t updated the blog more often. But honestly, I just haven’t had the time. Or perhaps, it is better to say that when I have had a few moments to myself, I’ve taken that time to recharge instead.

There is no way I can share all the happenings of the last couple of months, so I’m going to share a few little stories to give you a feel for what life is like nowadays. And just to let you know, the lice have never come back!

“Cake me I love!”

Our children are quickly adapting to an American palate. At first, they wouldn’t eat anything sweet. But now, the girls have discovered vanilla wafers, maple syrup and most importantly, CAKE. Having 2 birthdays a week apart (Hannah and Josh) introduced them to this wonderful concoction and they can’t seem to get enough. Not that we have cake every day, of course, but when we do have it, they will get so excited. Danielle and “T” made one together this week, and “T” told Danielle that the two of them should get up in the middle of the night and eat the rest of it themselves! But they still don’t like chocolate. “T” is having a birthday of her own soon, and her plan is to serve chocolate and cake. That way, the rest of us will be eating the chocolate, and she can have the cake all to herself.

“Moses is dead?”

When talking about a Bible story the other day, “A” shared what he knew about Moses. He was shocked to find out that Moses wasn’t alive, but had died thousands of years ago.

“Mommy, can you make an airplane?”

“A” is still learning that we Americans don’t make any of the things we use on a daily basis. He asked me one day if I could make an airplane like the one we flew over in from Ethiopia. I said I could never do that by myself. “You and Daddy make plane?” I tried to show him a picture on the internet of planes being built and I think he finally got it. But I can’t count the times I’ve been asked if I could make something, like a hot-air balloon, a car, a computer, a TV, etc. And now that he knows that machines make things, he’s asking how much those machines cost, hoping we can buy them and make things ourselves. (sigh)

“Mommy? Mommy? Mommy? Mommy?”

If I had a quarter for each time I’ve heard that phrase….I’m trying to teach them to COME TO ME when you have a question and not YELL FROM WHEREVER YOU ARE, but it’s still a work in progress. This problem is followed in frequency by all three of them talking to me at the EXACT SAME TIME, all saying, “Mommy, look at me! Mommy….Mommy….look at me….Mommy…”

“Mommy pretty.”

Little “W” and I were in the laundry room together this week, doing chores. I had on a pair of hideous jogging pants, the kind that make you the poster child of “What Not to Wear”, along with an ancient T-shirt, and straggly hair hurriedly pulled into a pony tail. I felt a little hand rubbing my leg, and I looked down as little “W” said in her wee little voice, “Mommy pretty.” I just about cried.

Speaking of little “W”, she has really attached herself to me the last few weeks. Before, she liked me well enough, but not as if I was her mother. But now, she is my little shadow quite often, and says “Mommy I like,” or “Mommy I love,” on a regular basis. She’s getting more cozy with Daddy, too.

Milestones

Both “A” and “T” are little swimmers now. “A” can ride a bike without training wheels and “T” is riding much better on her scooter. “A” had his first dental work done this past week, and didn’t even need me to stay back with him. “W” can now put on her own socks and shoes, and go “shinty bet” (or potty) all by herself.

School Days

We started our home school year on July 13th. Doing a year around schedule will give us more flexibility throughout the year. “A”, “T”, and “W” are all doing well. “W” is really a little too young to do much school, but she joins in for Bible time, songs and does her own little math. My older three students often find their way downstairs to the basement to join us as they get their own school done. Having the extra helpers makes my job much easier.

“A” and “T” are beginning to learn how to read. Mind you, they’ve never really read anything before, even in their original language. They could write their name, and that was about it. And with them, you’re not just teaching them phonics, but English as well. It’s hard to understand that a picture of a bell stands for the ‘b’ sound if you don’t know what a ‘bell’ is. They are very eager learners, and for me, it’s very fulfilling to watch their faces light up as they read their very first words on their own.

Three months and counting…….

On August 4th, we’ll have been with these children for three months. And our first post-placement report will be due soon after. For those of you who haven’t adopted before, I can tell you that the paperwork doesn’t seem to ever end. Life is much easier now than it was at the beginning, thankfully. We’re looking forward to what adventures the next three months will bring.

Blessings,
Julie