Abby & Sam are in school full time now. Abby is doing great. She is still shy, but has made friends and is learning academically. Her best subject is Math, but is enjoying meeting with
Mrs. Pasquel who is her English Second Language Teacher. She also likes to do homework which is not normal for our family. Her and Zoe are the only two who we don't have to fight to get it done! Today she got to go on her first field trip on a school bus. We live a couple blocks from the school, so this was her first time. I am not sure what she thought of the play the went to see, but she thought the bus was awesome.
Sammy on the other hand does not want to go to school. He feels his time would be better spent watching The Chronicals of Narnia. Once he gets there he usuailly does pretty good, but to get him out of bed and ready to go is like pulling teeth. Ok pulling teeth might be easier! His teacher has had to pull from the staff to get additional help to keep him on task. He is making friends and everyone wants to help him and hang out with him. It is not school that is the problem so much as submitting to authority; he is not dangeriously deffiant but he certainly has a strong will. We knew going into this that Sam's will is what kept him alive for so long, his lack of family relationships, and selfreiance would alsi be issues that would have to be over come. Considering that he has only been home 2 months Sam has made incredible strides, he has sadly had to start many, many things later than a child should and some behavior patterns will be hard to relearn.
This past weekend we were invited to visit the local ethiopian church. It was educational and the kids had a great time. The people were very accepting and friendly everyone was willing to extend extra grace to us when we didn't know protocall for different things. All in all we are pleased we went it was good for all of us in different ways. We didn't learn much spiritually as it was all in Geeze or Amahric but we all serve the same God and that is what is important!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Week In Review
Abby and Sam both went to 3 full days of school! We had kids home sick almost every day this week but we have survived. No school Friday or Monday so it is a 4 day break! Sam and Abby got to meet their Papa Ron for the first time. That was VERY EXCITING! Abby ran right up to him and gave him a huge hug. Sam waited as everyone squeezed in for a hug but he was very excited to meet his Papa.
Valentines Day is a first, filling out cards was great practice for writing our letters, passing them out was good pratice for sharing! Last night Abby was so funny. She loves to punch people and she started punching Dad in the kitchen. Abby punches, Dad punches back, Abby punches, Dad punches back. About the third time Abby pretends to be hurt and Dad says "Show me the tears Abby" Abby replies "Wait!" She runs to the sink and splashes water on her face, "See Dad, see!" It was hysterically funny. It has been amazing how quickly they are learning english!
Over all things are going well, Abby is starting to become accustome to American food. It has helped a lot that she likes to eat lunch in the school cafeteria. So now Mom's food isn't so bad after all! We have found several things she really likes and a lot of stuff she will eat anyway. Sam on the other hand has found food he doesn't like; including school food! He love cheddar brauts and still laughs with such sheer joy at the silliest things! It really helps when we are having a bad day to be able to listen to that laugh.
Valentines Day is a first, filling out cards was great practice for writing our letters, passing them out was good pratice for sharing! Last night Abby was so funny. She loves to punch people and she started punching Dad in the kitchen. Abby punches, Dad punches back, Abby punches, Dad punches back. About the third time Abby pretends to be hurt and Dad says "Show me the tears Abby" Abby replies "Wait!" She runs to the sink and splashes water on her face, "See Dad, see!" It was hysterically funny. It has been amazing how quickly they are learning english!
Over all things are going well, Abby is starting to become accustome to American food. It has helped a lot that she likes to eat lunch in the school cafeteria. So now Mom's food isn't so bad after all! We have found several things she really likes and a lot of stuff she will eat anyway. Sam on the other hand has found food he doesn't like; including school food! He love cheddar brauts and still laughs with such sheer joy at the silliest things! It really helps when we are having a bad day to be able to listen to that laugh.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
The Tax Collector & Us
I have recently picked up an old study that I did on the book of Mark years ago. I love the book of Mark, I got as far 2: 13 - 17 today; The Calling of Levi. Levi is a tax collector and Jesus simply said "follow me" Levi wisely chose to follow and it changed his life forever! Levi is also the apostle Matthew.
This is such a meaningful passage to me right now because I keep hearing comments about how wonderful we are. Honestly don't feel wonderful at all. I know people are saying it kindly but we are nothing special; we are tax collectors whom Jesus called and chose to follow. We have not done anything grand, nothing extordary. We are failing the calling god has put before us in so many ways. We are simply living out the grace that God has bestowed upon us. It is not easy, it is not always fun, it is work just like anything else worth doing well! But there are certainly great rewards. The smiles of our children, the life lessons of compassion, grace, patience, and sacrifice. Comparing the first pictures of the kids we got to the pictures we take now. That is priceless....truely, honestly, and humblingly priceless.
This is such a meaningful passage to me right now because I keep hearing comments about how wonderful we are. Honestly don't feel wonderful at all. I know people are saying it kindly but we are nothing special; we are tax collectors whom Jesus called and chose to follow. We have not done anything grand, nothing extordary. We are failing the calling god has put before us in so many ways. We are simply living out the grace that God has bestowed upon us. It is not easy, it is not always fun, it is work just like anything else worth doing well! But there are certainly great rewards. The smiles of our children, the life lessons of compassion, grace, patience, and sacrifice. Comparing the first pictures of the kids we got to the pictures we take now. That is priceless....truely, honestly, and humblingly priceless.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Good Stuff
The good stuff; Sam's all out laughter at the smallest of things. Abby's love of every thing she comes in contact with (with the exception of food:) Praying together, growing together, learning together. Celebrating a new life and a new family unit.
Abby started going to school on Tuesday, we went for math, Wednesday she went for math and lunch with Dad! Today we are going to leave Abby in the class room, it is a big step. I think Sam and I will go all the way down the hall to the library! Sam met his teacher after school on Tuesday, he will start going to school for an hour or so on Monday. They are both anxious to get going. The teachers and kids have been wonderful every time we have gone to lunch or visited the school they have been so friendly and kind.
They are also excited about learning to ride a bike. We have two trundles (they hook on to a regular bike and have the back wheel, pedals, and bike handles) so Rob hooked those up out of sheer insantity last night. It was very lightly snowing by the time we got tires aired up and everyone ready to go. We rode for around 15 minutes (the trundles are great for helping with the idea of balance) by the time we got home it was really coming down. We have about 5 inches out there this morning. Normally I would not go biking in snow no matter how hard the kids begged, most of the kids went though, only the two oldest (wisest) stayed home:)
It is incredible to watch all of us growing together. I am so thankful that we have been blessed with 6 little lives to guide and direct. May God give us the wisdom to guide them well and keep all of their hearts soft towards Him. I pray constantly that each of them will have the grace to forgive us too, as parents make mistakes too, who doesn't need forgiveness!
We are so very blessed, even in the hard times that I can not express the joy growing can be. It is not always easy or fun but it is good, very good, for all of us.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Remember Me
"Remember me" that is what Sam's ET father told him the last time he saw him. It has been very hard for all of us as Sam's memories are not good. How do you tell a 7 year old who doesn't speak your language that he can remember his father but he doesn't have to live in the past? Sam has shared with us some things that happened with his father even with our limited communication we knew it was not pleasant. We were blessed with a visit of some older children who moved from ET 2 years ago and when Sam began to tell a very wise 16 year old what his memories were the young man ask him to stop. He very wisely told Sam that he didn't want to hear those things and that Sam needs to focus on all the opportunities he has now and not the past. We are so grateful for his wisdom!
Yesterday was very difficult for Sam as he struggles to figure out does he follow the advice of his new friend or his father's last request. It was a long day filled with mood swings, temper tantrums, tears, and mostly confusion. He is having a better day today for which I am exceedingly grateful! I will be so pleased when we have better communication with him.
I think now, that at 7 he bears an awful burden, choices that only he can make. Will he chose to participate in our family or be sullen, depressed, moody, and angry forever? To be faced with this choices that many adults struggle with; to forgive or hold on to anger, live in the past or for the blessings of today? To us it seems clear, embrace the family that has prayed for you, loved you, and sacrificed for you. Not to make you forget your past but to give you a future! Yet I know adults who chose to hold on to all the bad not seeing that there could be so much good if only they would let go of their hurts.
Yesterday was very difficult for Sam as he struggles to figure out does he follow the advice of his new friend or his father's last request. It was a long day filled with mood swings, temper tantrums, tears, and mostly confusion. He is having a better day today for which I am exceedingly grateful! I will be so pleased when we have better communication with him.
I think now, that at 7 he bears an awful burden, choices that only he can make. Will he chose to participate in our family or be sullen, depressed, moody, and angry forever? To be faced with this choices that many adults struggle with; to forgive or hold on to anger, live in the past or for the blessings of today? To us it seems clear, embrace the family that has prayed for you, loved you, and sacrificed for you. Not to make you forget your past but to give you a future! Yet I know adults who chose to hold on to all the bad not seeing that there could be so much good if only they would let go of their hurts.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Food!
Food is with out a doubt our biggest issue with Abigail. I was feeling frustrated yesterday as I offered her at least 20 things and "no Mom" was the response to all of them. But then she looks at me and says "Eat Mom?" It is frustrating after almost a month home and still not being able to find stuff she really likes. The bigger perspective; that is our biggest issue! She has attached well, is communicating effectively, and seems to be adjusting with out any major hitches. Not to mention she will let me do her hair! I am not great, and certainly not fast, but she is tolerant.
Sam has some food issues too but they are getting better. He is the complete opposite of Abby, he eats everything! At first he struggled with hoarding, over eating, and sharing (even a loaf of bread). Sam has suffered sever hunger and his reactions were nothing that we had not been prepared for thanks to a wonderful and informative conference by Kingdom Kids. We have made food available at all times and this last week Sam actually said "no" to food when it was offered to him! That is huge; we didn't expect him to trust that we would care for him and meet his needs so quickly.
In short the fact that food is our biggest issue is a blessing and an answer to the many prayers we sent up while we were waiting. They are happy for the most part and have blended pretty well with the family. There are small things to look at but they are small; not all consuming huge issues. I will continue to remind my self of these things as the familiar phrase "America food bad" is repeated for the thousandth time. :)
Sam has some food issues too but they are getting better. He is the complete opposite of Abby, he eats everything! At first he struggled with hoarding, over eating, and sharing (even a loaf of bread). Sam has suffered sever hunger and his reactions were nothing that we had not been prepared for thanks to a wonderful and informative conference by Kingdom Kids. We have made food available at all times and this last week Sam actually said "no" to food when it was offered to him! That is huge; we didn't expect him to trust that we would care for him and meet his needs so quickly.
In short the fact that food is our biggest issue is a blessing and an answer to the many prayers we sent up while we were waiting. They are happy for the most part and have blended pretty well with the family. There are small things to look at but they are small; not all consuming huge issues. I will continue to remind my self of these things as the familiar phrase "America food bad" is repeated for the thousandth time. :)
Friday, January 25, 2008
Communication
We have been able to communicate with Abby & Sammy more and more everyday. We have been using Amharicdictionary.com and it is proving to be an amazing tool. We are finding out about their family history and about their life in Ethiopia.
We now know that Sammy has a little brother who still lives in ET with his dad. We are now praying for him (Abraham) and his safety, not sure of what his dad plans to do with him. Sammy thinks it would be a good idea for us to go get him. We will put that in Gods hands and pray that his will be done. We also found out his leg was taken later than we thought. Sammy still remembers the surgery very vividly. He is excited about the possibility of getting a prosthetic. We have an appointment with the Shriner's in February to have him evaluated and will be advised of a timeline after that.
We also learned that Abigail graduated her first year of Karate. She would love to get into it here in the State's. She loved her little brother very much. We have not been able to find out why she was removed from the home, but she will tell us when she is ready. Every day she is using more English in her communication. We are amazed at how quickly she is picking it up!
We are looking at starting both of them in school. Our local school got together with all their teachers and councilors to put together a game plan on how to make this successful. We are thinking that we will put them in Math Class, Gym, Music, Recess, Art etc. We are thinking that it will make the transition easier, and allow them to get more exposure to learning our language without a lot of pressure.
We now know that Sammy has a little brother who still lives in ET with his dad. We are now praying for him (Abraham) and his safety, not sure of what his dad plans to do with him. Sammy thinks it would be a good idea for us to go get him. We will put that in Gods hands and pray that his will be done. We also found out his leg was taken later than we thought. Sammy still remembers the surgery very vividly. He is excited about the possibility of getting a prosthetic. We have an appointment with the Shriner's in February to have him evaluated and will be advised of a timeline after that.
We also learned that Abigail graduated her first year of Karate. She would love to get into it here in the State's. She loved her little brother very much. We have not been able to find out why she was removed from the home, but she will tell us when she is ready. Every day she is using more English in her communication. We are amazed at how quickly she is picking it up!
We are looking at starting both of them in school. Our local school got together with all their teachers and councilors to put together a game plan on how to make this successful. We are thinking that we will put them in Math Class, Gym, Music, Recess, Art etc. We are thinking that it will make the transition easier, and allow them to get more exposure to learning our language without a lot of pressure.
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