Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Good Bye
At this time, we are not in the adoption process, Belly Boy is doing very well, and I have nothing new to say about adoption. I haven't written in a long time so I think this is gonna be good bye to this blog. Thank you to those of you readers who have stuck with me and actually seen this post. I enjoyed sharing my thoughts of adoption and our journey to our Belly Boy with you all. Happy New Year!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
One Year Ago
About one year ago I wrote THIS about meeting Belly Boy, (Actually it was probably a year ago yesterday. Its hard to figure out which day it was since the time zones are different).
Its been a year since we met Belly Boy believe it or not! I can't believe it! Ethiopia is still so fresh in my mind as if it's been less than a year, but Belly Boy has always seemed to be a part of our family past a year! He has been a blessing to our family in so many ways. For this special post that is kind of an anniversary to meeting Belly Boy, I will list several ways in which the little guy has blessed us and how we are so thankful for him!!!
1. Belly Boy blesses our house with running feet at all times. I do believe the kid never walks. A constant noise in our house is "pitter patter. pitter patter." as he runs back and forth from the playroom across the foyer to the living room! Its an amazing sound!
2. Belly Boy blesses our family by making us laugh ALL THE TIME! As he perfects his English, he makes silly mistakes and startling phrases that sometimes just crack us up! He also constantly makes goofy faces!!!!
3. Belly Boy blesses our family by giving us someone to snuggle when we're sad or stressed. Especially if you have an "owie", he will give you hugs and kisses to make you feel better. And if you tell him stories, you can keep him there a while!
4. Belly Boy blesses our house by greeting Dad at the door when he comes home from work. Miss Bossy and Sports Dude are past the stage of welcoming Dad home each night, and I think Dad enjoys to get hugs and cheers again!
5. Belly Boy blesses our family by making us sit down and relax with him. He is always eager to play with anyone willing, and many times throughout the day you can find him sitting on the floor with some member of the family, being cute and playing nicely with his pal.
We are so very thankful for Belly Boy! We have been, without a doubt, blessed by the addition of him to our family! Thank you SO MUCH, God, for giving us this precious little guy!!! The long process and wait was worth it when we got Belly Boy!!! Thank you for leading us to Belly Boy, God!
Belly Boy, I love you so very, very much! To the moon. And back.
Its been a year since we met Belly Boy believe it or not! I can't believe it! Ethiopia is still so fresh in my mind as if it's been less than a year, but Belly Boy has always seemed to be a part of our family past a year! He has been a blessing to our family in so many ways. For this special post that is kind of an anniversary to meeting Belly Boy, I will list several ways in which the little guy has blessed us and how we are so thankful for him!!!
1. Belly Boy blesses our house with running feet at all times. I do believe the kid never walks. A constant noise in our house is "pitter patter. pitter patter." as he runs back and forth from the playroom across the foyer to the living room! Its an amazing sound!
2. Belly Boy blesses our family by making us laugh ALL THE TIME! As he perfects his English, he makes silly mistakes and startling phrases that sometimes just crack us up! He also constantly makes goofy faces!!!!
3. Belly Boy blesses our family by giving us someone to snuggle when we're sad or stressed. Especially if you have an "owie", he will give you hugs and kisses to make you feel better. And if you tell him stories, you can keep him there a while!
4. Belly Boy blesses our house by greeting Dad at the door when he comes home from work. Miss Bossy and Sports Dude are past the stage of welcoming Dad home each night, and I think Dad enjoys to get hugs and cheers again!
5. Belly Boy blesses our family by making us sit down and relax with him. He is always eager to play with anyone willing, and many times throughout the day you can find him sitting on the floor with some member of the family, being cute and playing nicely with his pal.
We are so very thankful for Belly Boy! We have been, without a doubt, blessed by the addition of him to our family! Thank you SO MUCH, God, for giving us this precious little guy!!! The long process and wait was worth it when we got Belly Boy!!! Thank you for leading us to Belly Boy, God!
Belly Boy, I love you so very, very much! To the moon. And back.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Pictures of Ethiopia
Go ahead! Fall in love with Ethiopia!
I can go somewhere and never miss it again. But Ethiopia is different. I spent a week there with Dad and Mom back in March. It was fun sometimes, but most of the time I just wanted to go home to America. Now, however, somehow I miss Ethiopia. I'll smell banana bread and I'll remember the delicious banana bread there. I'll make pizza and remember our cook's wonderful attempts at pizza! I'll smell car exhaust and it will bring me back to driving through the city. I miss Ethiopia! I want to go back! Maybe someday we can go back with Minte. That would be fun!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Thank you for Crying!
Every day whenever Belly Boy gets hurt, he comes on the run with tears and loud crying. It's a sad time as "hurts" are taken care of either with kisses, rubs, or the ever-amazing Elmo Boo Boo Buddy. As he runs towards you with tears rolling down his face, you can see in his face how much he trusts you to take care of him and make his ouchy better.
Back in March when Minte first came home however, there was really no crying for sympathy. Usually when Minte got hurt we would scoop him up and he would sob one-two times and then he was done. He rarely EVER cried longer. It was so sad.
Now, though, the little guy knows Daddy, Mommy, Emmy, Bob, Sports Dude, and Miss Bossy all love him and are ready with hugs and kisses for his ouchies. And Elmo is sitting in the freezer waiting.
Back in March when Minte first came home however, there was really no crying for sympathy. Usually when Minte got hurt we would scoop him up and he would sob one-two times and then he was done. He rarely EVER cried longer. It was so sad.
Now, though, the little guy knows Daddy, Mommy, Emmy, Bob, Sports Dude, and Miss Bossy all love him and are ready with hugs and kisses for his ouchies. And Elmo is sitting in the freezer waiting.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Birthmoms
Birthmoms are not a secret in our family to Sports Dude, Miss Bossy, and even Belly Boy if he understood. We don't talk of them all the time and rarely to people outside the family, but my parents don't pretend they don't exist.
Lately Sports Dude and Miss Bossy have become more interested in the women that gave them life. Dad and Mom looked up pictures of them and after showing the pictures to the kids, they remarked on how much they looked like their birthmom. The same nose, mouth..
Since lately we've been teaching Belly Boy to answer yes when someone asks if he's from Ethiopia, the other kids have become interested where they were born and they always love to hear the story of how Dad and Mom came to see them and bring them home from the hospital. Since Sports Dude and Miss Bossy weren't born out the States, they have memorized the citites where they WERE born and will eagerly remind each other and sometimes even argue on which city is better! It's kind of funny!
The only reason why my parents may not talk about birthmoms to the kids, is if it is causing them security issues. It's very important that they always feel like a part of this family and not an "outsider" because they aren't!!!
Birthmoms are usually spoken about in our family as the women that loved the kids enough that they knew they couldn't give them a good home and gave them to us. They are never referred to as "your other mom" or anything that could cause confusion or insecurity. I don't believe that birthmothers should be a secret to kids as they're growing up because it's likely the older they get before they hear the truth, the harder it will be to accept it.
Lately Sports Dude and Miss Bossy have become more interested in the women that gave them life. Dad and Mom looked up pictures of them and after showing the pictures to the kids, they remarked on how much they looked like their birthmom. The same nose, mouth..
Since lately we've been teaching Belly Boy to answer yes when someone asks if he's from Ethiopia, the other kids have become interested where they were born and they always love to hear the story of how Dad and Mom came to see them and bring them home from the hospital. Since Sports Dude and Miss Bossy weren't born out the States, they have memorized the citites where they WERE born and will eagerly remind each other and sometimes even argue on which city is better! It's kind of funny!
The only reason why my parents may not talk about birthmoms to the kids, is if it is causing them security issues. It's very important that they always feel like a part of this family and not an "outsider" because they aren't!!!
Birthmoms are usually spoken about in our family as the women that loved the kids enough that they knew they couldn't give them a good home and gave them to us. They are never referred to as "your other mom" or anything that could cause confusion or insecurity. I don't believe that birthmothers should be a secret to kids as they're growing up because it's likely the older they get before they hear the truth, the harder it will be to accept it.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Catching up with other families
It's been almost 10 months believe it or not since we met and brought home Belly Boy. While we were in Ethiopia we got to know some of the families who were adopting children too at the same time. We talked to these families each day at the breakfast, lunch, and dinner table and oohed and ahhed over their children.
It was fun to talk to these parents and fun also to watch them attach to their child or children. And then for me it was almost sad to say good bye as each of us went to a different state to adjust to a new life.
We said good-bye to everyone at the Addis Ababa airport and even shortly after then I was wondering how these families were doing on their flights home and as the months went on, I was wondering how the kids were adjusting and how they had changed and so on. My mom found one of the moms on facebook so occasionally we will look and exclaim over how much the baby has changed.
Because of the holidays, we have started to hear from the other families and have seen pictures of their children! It has been SO exciting to see how each of these kids have changed and also to hear and see how well they've adjusted to their new life in America. It has just been so much fun!!
Each of these little kids look so much stronger and healthier than when they were in Ethiopia! One girl who was adopted at 6 years old is going to school, has friends, and (the most amazing part), is actually reading at grade level! Wow! In ten months she's that far! It's encouraging to hear all this!
I've enjoyed so much catching up with everyone! I can't wait for us to send out Belly Boy's pictures and update! Everyone will be shocked to know that he can't get enough of meeting people! He was so quiet and nervous with everyone in Ethiopia! He has changed a lot!
It was fun to talk to these parents and fun also to watch them attach to their child or children. And then for me it was almost sad to say good bye as each of us went to a different state to adjust to a new life.
We said good-bye to everyone at the Addis Ababa airport and even shortly after then I was wondering how these families were doing on their flights home and as the months went on, I was wondering how the kids were adjusting and how they had changed and so on. My mom found one of the moms on facebook so occasionally we will look and exclaim over how much the baby has changed.
Because of the holidays, we have started to hear from the other families and have seen pictures of their children! It has been SO exciting to see how each of these kids have changed and also to hear and see how well they've adjusted to their new life in America. It has just been so much fun!!
Each of these little kids look so much stronger and healthier than when they were in Ethiopia! One girl who was adopted at 6 years old is going to school, has friends, and (the most amazing part), is actually reading at grade level! Wow! In ten months she's that far! It's encouraging to hear all this!
I've enjoyed so much catching up with everyone! I can't wait for us to send out Belly Boy's pictures and update! Everyone will be shocked to know that he can't get enough of meeting people! He was so quiet and nervous with everyone in Ethiopia! He has changed a lot!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Merry Christmas!
We celebrate Christmas a day early because of traveling to family on Christmas, so everyone here is becoming excited for tomorrow, the day we get to celebrate our Savior's birth!
And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold I bring you good news of great joy that will be for ALL the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."
"Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
Luke 2:10-12 and 14
And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold I bring you good news of great joy that will be for ALL the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."
"Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
Luke 2:10-12 and 14
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Ready for the holidays with a new little guy!
Okay, I like to keep comparing posts from a year ago with things now and it's just kind of neat to see how things have changed and how we've finally reached the things I only dreamed about last year. For example, last year at this time we knew about Belly Boy but he was far away in Ethiopia. We got ready for Christmas and even celebrated Christmas without him and it was kind of sad. BUT NOW we're celebrating the holidays with Belly Boy!
It's been cool to teach him all the little things we do each year in preparation of Christmas such as putting up the tree, hanging up the lights and ornaments, decorating the house, and all the fun stuff around this time! He also was introduced to snow which he declared was a BIG MESS! He did not like the cold snow on his face and he did not like how the snow covered his swing and everything outside! How could Miss Bossy and Sports Dude be so excited for this...MESS?
Yesterday we hung up ornaments and Belly Boy was so cute as he VERY quickly learned how to hang all the ornaments and ran back and forth for more and more. He liked the final tree with all its lights and sparkles! The poor kid must be really confused with all these new activities though!
So anyways this last month or so has been really fun to spend with Belly Boy! We are so happy to have him home to share Christmas with us!
It's been cool to teach him all the little things we do each year in preparation of Christmas such as putting up the tree, hanging up the lights and ornaments, decorating the house, and all the fun stuff around this time! He also was introduced to snow which he declared was a BIG MESS! He did not like the cold snow on his face and he did not like how the snow covered his swing and everything outside! How could Miss Bossy and Sports Dude be so excited for this...MESS?
Yesterday we hung up ornaments and Belly Boy was so cute as he VERY quickly learned how to hang all the ornaments and ran back and forth for more and more. He liked the final tree with all its lights and sparkles! The poor kid must be really confused with all these new activities though!
So anyways this last month or so has been really fun to spend with Belly Boy! We are so happy to have him home to share Christmas with us!
Friday, November 26, 2010
In Time For Christmas
I posted the lyrics to this song and the one in the last post before about a year ago, but I really wanted my readers to see the actual video. So here is the music video to All I Really Want for Christmas. The part that used to always get me choked up is the part about having a dad or brother to wrestle with. I'm not sure why. :-) So I hope you enjoy this song and maybe it will become one of your favorites!!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Thanks to my Creator
Last year's post....Everything in parantheses has been added by me this year.
1. Belly Boy, He is such a cutie (We hadn't even met him at this point. We just had his darling picture)!
2.That God is taking care of us and has a plan for us (Always)
3.That we are able to adopt
4.Eachother (This is such a blessing, even though we can all get on eachother's nerves. If we weren't all together.. we would have a sad life).
5.For all the things God has provided for us! (He always provides)
This year I, (and my family) are thankful for everything above plus...
1. That Jesus died a horrible death on the cross to forgive our sins so that we can have a relationship with a perfect God.
2. Our friends
3. That we have a house to live in especially during winter. We usually take this for granted.
4. That we have a furnace to provide heat during cold days.
5. That we have plenty to eat
6. That Belly Boy is home!
7. That Belly Boy has adjusted so well to American life!
8. That we are able to tell the gospel to our neighbors without fear of arrest or death.
9. For the warm weather we've had during November. Weather is so strange sometimes!
and 10. Besides colds, our family has not gotten terribly sick yet this season!
Happy Thanksgiving to You All!! Hope you have a wonderful day!!! Enjoy the stuffing, (my favorite part!!)
1. Belly Boy, He is such a cutie (We hadn't even met him at this point. We just had his darling picture)!
2.That God is taking care of us and has a plan for us (Always)
3.That we are able to adopt
4.Eachother (This is such a blessing, even though we can all get on eachother's nerves. If we weren't all together.. we would have a sad life).
5.For all the things God has provided for us! (He always provides)
This year I, (and my family) are thankful for everything above plus...
1. That Jesus died a horrible death on the cross to forgive our sins so that we can have a relationship with a perfect God.
2. Our friends
3. That we have a house to live in especially during winter. We usually take this for granted.
4. That we have a furnace to provide heat during cold days.
5. That we have plenty to eat
6. That Belly Boy is home!
7. That Belly Boy has adjusted so well to American life!
8. That we are able to tell the gospel to our neighbors without fear of arrest or death.
9. For the warm weather we've had during November. Weather is so strange sometimes!
and 10. Besides colds, our family has not gotten terribly sick yet this season!
Happy Thanksgiving to You All!! Hope you have a wonderful day!!! Enjoy the stuffing, (my favorite part!!)
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Everything to Me
This is absolutely one of my favorite adoption songs ever. (I know... I have a lot of favorites), but here is the music video to Mark Schultz's Everything to Me, written to his birthmom. Everything to Me
I dare you not to cry or tear up.
The Lyrics....
I must have held your tears
When they took me from your arms
I'm sure I must have heard you say goodbye
Young and so afraid
Had you made a big mistake
Could an ocean even hold the tears you cried
Oh you had dreams for me
And wanted the best for me
And you made the only choice you could that night
And you gave life to me
A brand new world to see
Like playing baseball in the yard with dad at night
Mom reading Goodnight Moon
And praying in my room
So if you worry if your choice was right
When you gave me up
Oh you gave everything to me
And if I saw you on the street
Would you know that it was me
And would your eyes be blue or green like mine
Would we share a warm embrace
Or would you know me in your heart
Or would you smile and let me walk on by
Knowing you had dreams for me
You wanted the best for me
Oh I hope that you'd be proud of who I am
Oh you gave life to me
A chance to find my dreams
And the chance to fall in love
You should have seen her shining face
On our wedding day
Oh is this the dream you had in mind
Oh when you gave me up
You gave everything to me
And when I see you there
Watching from heaven's gate
Into your arms I'm gonna run
And when you look in my eyes
You can see my whole life
See who I was and who I've become
Cuz you gave life to me
A brand new world to see
Like playing baseball with my son late at night
And reading Goodnight Moon
And praying in his room
I'm so grateful that I had this life
When you gave me up
You gave everything to me
Everything to Me
I dare you not to cry or tear up.
The Lyrics....
I must have held your tears
When they took me from your arms
I'm sure I must have heard you say goodbye
Young and so afraid
Had you made a big mistake
Could an ocean even hold the tears you cried
Oh you had dreams for me
And wanted the best for me
And you made the only choice you could that night
And you gave life to me
A brand new world to see
Like playing baseball in the yard with dad at night
Mom reading Goodnight Moon
And praying in my room
So if you worry if your choice was right
When you gave me up
Oh you gave everything to me
And if I saw you on the street
Would you know that it was me
And would your eyes be blue or green like mine
Would we share a warm embrace
Or would you know me in your heart
Or would you smile and let me walk on by
Knowing you had dreams for me
You wanted the best for me
Oh I hope that you'd be proud of who I am
Oh you gave life to me
A chance to find my dreams
And the chance to fall in love
You should have seen her shining face
On our wedding day
Oh is this the dream you had in mind
Oh when you gave me up
You gave everything to me
And when I see you there
Watching from heaven's gate
Into your arms I'm gonna run
And when you look in my eyes
You can see my whole life
See who I was and who I've become
Cuz you gave life to me
A brand new world to see
Like playing baseball with my son late at night
And reading Goodnight Moon
And praying in his room
I'm so grateful that I had this life
When you gave me up
You gave everything to me
Everything to Me
Friday, November 5, 2010
Adopting Again
Our family goes in twos. First you have Dad and Mom. They marry.
Then they have me. Then 2, (and a half) years later they have Bob.
Six years later they adopt Sports Dude. And then 2 years later they adopt Miss Bossy.
So, as you can see, our family goes in twos. The only problem is that to keep up the pattern we need to get a newborn baby right away because Belly Boy is 2! Or maybe an older baby in a few months.
This pattern works really well because then we all have someone around our age to play with when we're little!
I think it is very likely that we will adopt again. We like to adopt!
So don't be too surprised if within the next year I announce that we're starting the process again!
P.S. Miss Bossy and I would like to mention the fact that our twos also go boy-girl, (or girl-boy). So we say that the next child must be a girl. That likes to have her clothes chosen specially each day. And a bonus would be that she would like her hair done.
Then they have me. Then 2, (and a half) years later they have Bob.
Six years later they adopt Sports Dude. And then 2 years later they adopt Miss Bossy.
So, as you can see, our family goes in twos. The only problem is that to keep up the pattern we need to get a newborn baby right away because Belly Boy is 2! Or maybe an older baby in a few months.
This pattern works really well because then we all have someone around our age to play with when we're little!
I think it is very likely that we will adopt again. We like to adopt!
So don't be too surprised if within the next year I announce that we're starting the process again!
P.S. Miss Bossy and I would like to mention the fact that our twos also go boy-girl, (or girl-boy). So we say that the next child must be a girl. That likes to have her clothes chosen specially each day. And a bonus would be that she would like her hair done.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
He speaks English!
I know.. all I seem to talk about with Belly Boy's progress is his speech, but it really is pretty amazing. This little guy has had to adjust to three different languages in his 2 years on Earth. It's pretty astonishing how well he understands English after only being around it for about 7 months. He speaks English and understands more than we sometimes realize.
It's pretty cool seeing how God has made our brains. I mean, if you had moved me to Ethiopia back in March and checked on my progress in speaking Amharic today, I would not be as far a long as Minte is in English. God has specially designed babies brains to pick up their parent's language really fast. (even though they may pretend they don't get it when you say "No!"). Once we get older, our brains lose some of the ability to learn a new language so fast.
We have a speech therapist coming to help Belly Boy with his speech because he is behind compared to other kids his age. But these are kids who have heard English all their lives. I think he's doing well for 7 months. He says phrases like, " 'Miss Bossy'. Naughty!" and even sentences like " I want down!" His sentences always start with "I want" and then he adds the part he wants. Once he said, "I want ANOTHER biscuit!" Probably the most impressive part though are the words he knows like, "mail", "music", our names, and tons more. You can actually have simple word conversations with him, but be careful how you ask questions because he will answer, "Yes or No!"
He is adjusting well to our life styles. Right now he is quietly sitting on my lap listening to Veggie Tales, (my kind of boy, music!). He knows our schedule pretty much and though he doesn't especially enjoy going to bed, he knows the routine.
I've said this before too, but we LOVE having him in our family. He is perfect for our family! God is so good!
It's pretty cool seeing how God has made our brains. I mean, if you had moved me to Ethiopia back in March and checked on my progress in speaking Amharic today, I would not be as far a long as Minte is in English. God has specially designed babies brains to pick up their parent's language really fast. (even though they may pretend they don't get it when you say "No!"). Once we get older, our brains lose some of the ability to learn a new language so fast.
We have a speech therapist coming to help Belly Boy with his speech because he is behind compared to other kids his age. But these are kids who have heard English all their lives. I think he's doing well for 7 months. He says phrases like, " 'Miss Bossy'. Naughty!" and even sentences like " I want down!" His sentences always start with "I want" and then he adds the part he wants. Once he said, "I want ANOTHER biscuit!" Probably the most impressive part though are the words he knows like, "mail", "music", our names, and tons more. You can actually have simple word conversations with him, but be careful how you ask questions because he will answer, "Yes or No!"
He is adjusting well to our life styles. Right now he is quietly sitting on my lap listening to Veggie Tales, (my kind of boy, music!). He knows our schedule pretty much and though he doesn't especially enjoy going to bed, he knows the routine.
I've said this before too, but we LOVE having him in our family. He is perfect for our family! God is so good!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Changes in Six Months
Right now I'm watching videos of Belly Boy from Ethiopia. He looks so sweet and babyish. He has grown up in the six months he's been home. His face has changed and his personality has changed as he's gotten more comfortable with us.
It's funny though, because we have several videos, but they're all SO long. Like we have one of Mom feeding him in Ethiopia and it's gotta be like ten minutes long. All of him eating. Yeah. But he was so cute, and we didn't want to miss anything.
The specific video I've been watching is of Belly Boy "opening up to us". We were so excited that he was finally acting normal around us. That normal though is nothing to THE NORMAL Belly Boy.
In the video, we keep getting excited when he slightly smiles and laughs or when he makes a cute face. We now recognize these faces as the ones he gives when he is around new people that he doesn't know. Wow! He has changed so much from the quiet, sometimes nonresponsive little guy we met. He now jabbers constantly, laughs loudly, grins constantly, tattles normally, and loves us naturally!
I remember back when we thought it was so cute how he swung his arm when he walked. And sometimes his leg when we were holding him. Now we recognize those movements as showing us that he's really nervous.
As we've gotten to know Belly Boy better and he's learned to love us, he has opened up for real to us. And I am so glad he's what he is now and not what we thought he was. He's so much more fun this way!
And you know what else is funny and cool? He rarely shows nervousness as much as he used to. It's like he trusts us so much, that he can meet new people and places without fear. In fact, he ADORES going places and gets excited when we ask if he wants to go somewhere. God has worked so much in little Belly Boy's life!
Couple Minutes Later as I Watch More Videos-
It's funny. I recognize and remember certain faces, expressions, and actions Belly Boy does in these videos. But it's more like I'm watching some other kid. Or that Belly Boy has two different personalities. I can't imagine the Belly Boy I know now acting this way. So weird.
It's funny though, because we have several videos, but they're all SO long. Like we have one of Mom feeding him in Ethiopia and it's gotta be like ten minutes long. All of him eating. Yeah. But he was so cute, and we didn't want to miss anything.
The specific video I've been watching is of Belly Boy "opening up to us". We were so excited that he was finally acting normal around us. That normal though is nothing to THE NORMAL Belly Boy.
In the video, we keep getting excited when he slightly smiles and laughs or when he makes a cute face. We now recognize these faces as the ones he gives when he is around new people that he doesn't know. Wow! He has changed so much from the quiet, sometimes nonresponsive little guy we met. He now jabbers constantly, laughs loudly, grins constantly, tattles normally, and loves us naturally!
I remember back when we thought it was so cute how he swung his arm when he walked. And sometimes his leg when we were holding him. Now we recognize those movements as showing us that he's really nervous.
As we've gotten to know Belly Boy better and he's learned to love us, he has opened up for real to us. And I am so glad he's what he is now and not what we thought he was. He's so much more fun this way!
And you know what else is funny and cool? He rarely shows nervousness as much as he used to. It's like he trusts us so much, that he can meet new people and places without fear. In fact, he ADORES going places and gets excited when we ask if he wants to go somewhere. God has worked so much in little Belly Boy's life!
Couple Minutes Later as I Watch More Videos-
It's funny. I recognize and remember certain faces, expressions, and actions Belly Boy does in these videos. But it's more like I'm watching some other kid. Or that Belly Boy has two different personalities. I can't imagine the Belly Boy I know now acting this way. So weird.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Two Ethiopia Pictures
And the sheep, (with LONG tails), that visited almost every day.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
9/11
Today I was listening to the radio and heard a song about 9/11. It reminded me that the day was coming up or that maybe it was today. I hadn't checked the date before I left and couldn't remember. If I had seen the date even before I heard the song, I would've remembered what terrible event happened so many years ago because I understand better now. I hope that noone every forgets what happened that day, as I'm sure many people before who have lived during a large, historical date have hoped.
When 9/11 happened 9 years ago, I was little and didn't understand what all had happened. As I got older I understood more and more and when I read a book recently that focused on the attacks, I understood a whole lot better of what all happened that day. I didn't know before of all the horrible things that happened right after the planes crashed into the World Trade Centers. After reading and being amazed and horrified, I understood better why it affected the United States so much. We lost so many U.S. citizens that day. We lost so many businessmen, firemen, and policemen. Regular men and women doing their jobs. And the fact that someone could be so cruel to organize such an attack is really hard to understand.
I hope that in the future years, the people like me who were too little to understand at the time or weren't even born into the world yet, will understand and always remember what tragic thing happened September 11, 2001.
When 9/11 happened 9 years ago, I was little and didn't understand what all had happened. As I got older I understood more and more and when I read a book recently that focused on the attacks, I understood a whole lot better of what all happened that day. I didn't know before of all the horrible things that happened right after the planes crashed into the World Trade Centers. After reading and being amazed and horrified, I understood better why it affected the United States so much. We lost so many U.S. citizens that day. We lost so many businessmen, firemen, and policemen. Regular men and women doing their jobs. And the fact that someone could be so cruel to organize such an attack is really hard to understand.
I hope that in the future years, the people like me who were too little to understand at the time or weren't even born into the world yet, will understand and always remember what tragic thing happened September 11, 2001.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Skin Colors
People call people with dark skin, black. And those with lighter skin, white. (A friend of our family held up two black and white crayons in front of us and asked us whether our skin fit those names.) If it doesn't make a person feel bad, I don't care if the words are used. But sometimes it's like the person is being separated from everyone else. That I don't like.
I sunburn easily in the sun, therefore making my skin a lobster pink. From there my skin becomes tan. A very light tan. My brother tans easily and his skin turns a very dark brown. A friend of mine does not tan easily and her skin stays a very, very, light tan. When someone looks at another person with different tans, I don't think it really hits them about the skin color. They might notice that they're extremely tan, but it doesn't hit them easily. Do you kinda get where I'm going?
I do really bad at remembering what color people's hair is. Although I can picture them, I can't give their hair a color. Even special features they have, I can't tell you what it is that stands different, (besides if they have pink highlights!). My goal is to always think of a person with dark skin, no different than anyone else. To picture their skin difference as a different feature like I would think of someone with dark hair. Does this make sense?
I sunburn easily in the sun, therefore making my skin a lobster pink. From there my skin becomes tan. A very light tan. My brother tans easily and his skin turns a very dark brown. A friend of mine does not tan easily and her skin stays a very, very, light tan. When someone looks at another person with different tans, I don't think it really hits them about the skin color. They might notice that they're extremely tan, but it doesn't hit them easily. Do you kinda get where I'm going?
I do really bad at remembering what color people's hair is. Although I can picture them, I can't give their hair a color. Even special features they have, I can't tell you what it is that stands different, (besides if they have pink highlights!). My goal is to always think of a person with dark skin, no different than anyone else. To picture their skin difference as a different feature like I would think of someone with dark hair. Does this make sense?
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Where's Ethiopia??
I had the weirdest conversation with some girls last week!
I went to my friend's new student orientation for her school and they played some games to get to know eachother better. Even though I wasn't new, they allowed me to join in. One of the games was Two Truths and a Lie. One person tells two truths and a lie about themselves and everyone else has to guess which is the lie. So these were my truths and lie.
1) I'm homeschooled
2) I play soccer
3) I've been to Ethiopia
(Hey, do you know which is the lie??)
I got a variety of answers. Most of the kids thought it was the Ethiopia part. After they answered the correct one, I got some very strange questions like...
1) Where's Ethiopia?
to which another girl answered:
2) Isn't it near Africa?
I answered through the noise that it was IN Africa, but I don't know whether they heard me. I just thought it was so funny that they had no idea where Ethiopia was. It's not like it's small like..say..Togo, and it's known around the world for it's coffee and stuff.
Hope you are having an AMAZING day!
I went to my friend's new student orientation for her school and they played some games to get to know eachother better. Even though I wasn't new, they allowed me to join in. One of the games was Two Truths and a Lie. One person tells two truths and a lie about themselves and everyone else has to guess which is the lie. So these were my truths and lie.
1) I'm homeschooled
2) I play soccer
3) I've been to Ethiopia
(Hey, do you know which is the lie??)
I got a variety of answers. Most of the kids thought it was the Ethiopia part. After they answered the correct one, I got some very strange questions like...
1) Where's Ethiopia?
to which another girl answered:
2) Isn't it near Africa?
I answered through the noise that it was IN Africa, but I don't know whether they heard me. I just thought it was so funny that they had no idea where Ethiopia was. It's not like it's small like..say..Togo, and it's known around the world for it's coffee and stuff.
Hope you are having an AMAZING day!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Update on Belly Boy!
It's hard to believe, but Belly Boy has been home for about 5 months!
His newest thing now is possesion. Not the usual, "MINE!" from babies, but pointing to things and saying who they belong to. He'll point to the car and say, "Daddy!" and point to the van and say, "Du!" for Bob, who is 14 and never drives the van. Not sure why he thinks that!!
He also recently spits! When he's mad at you or is just being goofy, he spits. Not very fun!! :-)
Belly Boy is very busy tattling, bossing, and chasing us around. As Mom says, the world revolves around him!
He is saying SO many words. And repeats everything! It is SO much fun!
He also likes owies and reenacting how they happened. He still gets "sad" about his week-old owies. And still wants kisses for them!
So that's what's up with this ADORABLE little guy!
His newest thing now is possesion. Not the usual, "MINE!" from babies, but pointing to things and saying who they belong to. He'll point to the car and say, "Daddy!" and point to the van and say, "Du!" for Bob, who is 14 and never drives the van. Not sure why he thinks that!!
He also recently spits! When he's mad at you or is just being goofy, he spits. Not very fun!! :-)
Belly Boy is very busy tattling, bossing, and chasing us around. As Mom says, the world revolves around him!
He is saying SO many words. And repeats everything! It is SO much fun!
He also likes owies and reenacting how they happened. He still gets "sad" about his week-old owies. And still wants kisses for them!
So that's what's up with this ADORABLE little guy!
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