Step by Step Instructions: How to Throw a Fit

My sweet Ethiopian boy can throw a serious fit, let.me.tell.you. He has a strong will and knows how to express himself. He doesn't say any words yet [besides dada], but who needs words when you can scream?

Step #1: Get reprimanded for getting too close to the hot fireplace.

Step #2: Look at mommy with your big, sad eyes and begin to let out a wail.

Step #3: When the wailing alone doesn't work as well as you'd hoped, start going limp.
Step#4: As if going limp wasn't powerful enough, arch your back and fling yourself on the floor. But make sure you're on the carpet. Because you've learned your lesson on the tile floor...

Step #5: Eventually realize it's not working, buck up and move on - still murmuring pitiful nothings under your breath as you go.

Step #6: Repeat as many times as needed to try to get your way.

Twas the Night before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the land
there are parentless children, with no toys in hand

No stockings to be hung by the chimney with care
no hopes for a family soon to be there

Their beds are not snug--but cold and quite bare
there are no goodnight kisses--no one to care

While we in our homes, laughing in delight
all settle down for a Merry Christmas Eve night

When in some one's heart--there arises a clatter
there are children in need--who's lives really DO matter!

Away to the computer please go in a flash
to see the sweet face with whom YOU could be matched!

While a child you see--their beautiful face all aglow
could this be MY child--could I already know??

When in the dreams of the orphan--what always appears
is a family to love them, to care and hold dear

As you stare at that child--your heart beats real quick-
for you know in your heart that sweet face will stick

More dreams sweet children have--to call parents by name-
come mama! come daddy! come family to claim!

To the ends of the earth--your heart seems to call
now child--I'm coming--I wish for you ALL!

So on a plane to your child--over rooftops you flew
to hold this dear soul--a wish did come true

And then in a twinkling-I saw through the door
this child of my heart-that was waiting no more

As I got my camera and was turning around-
into my arms did he come with a bound!

He was dressed in many layers from his head to his foot
and into my heart his life was just put
there was no round face--no plump little belly
just sad little eyes, and legs shaking like jelly

In a swirl of a pen, and a stamp and a seal
my world became brighter--like I could suddenly feel!

We spoke not a word--they weren't needed at all
and I knew in this moment where I got this call

God layed his hands on my heart--and to the occasion I rose
and He could do it for you--this question He'll pose.....

It won't be a shout--no not even a whistle
it won't be real clear--but faint like a whisper

Can you make room in your heart--if you try with your might?
And make a difference for one--help them see the light?

I can see you exclaim as you hold your child tight--
Thank you Lord for this gift--you got it EXACTLY right!

A Light at the End of this Tunnel

How was your Thanksgiving? Ours was wonderful and I have yet to post anything about it. I think this was the first holiday that I wasn't too terribly sad that I didn't travel to VA. We had lunch at Josh's parents' house. We were able to see Josh's sister, her husband and their kids on the webcam in Israel while we were together, which was nice. It was the first time they had seen Davis since he'd been home. And we attempted to get a photo of the whole family before we left, which proved to be quite hilarious. :-) For dinner, we had an amazing time with our great friends. She's way ahead of me and posted a detailed timeline for your enjoyment. Can you believe I didn't take a single picture that day? Thankfully Becki made up for my slacking.

It's currently 12:32 am and this is the first night I've been up past 11:15 in months. I've been busily cutting fabric, prepping it for a huge sewing project that I don't have nearly enough time left to finish. Once it's done, I'll happily show it off. But until then, it stays in my dining room beckoning me to come at every free minute I have.


Which isn't many. Free minutes, that is. Last week, I worked 30 hours again. And this week will be the same by the time Friday comes around. BUT I did inform my manager that I will work until Christmas Eve and then be done. And I feel such relief in that fact. That there's a light at the end of this tunnel I'm walking through right now. I was hired for a seasonal position and there was no guarantee I would have a job after that anyway. So I just made it clear. I also found out that if I work past December 15, I get a free package of 30 sheets of photos!! Do you know how much that would cost if I bought that many? $300! Free. I'll take it!


A couple of weeks ago, a mom [who's kid attends preschool with Jaedon] approached me when we were picking up our kids. She had visited my Etsy shop [I have a magnet on my car with the web address] and thought it was a great idea. Apparently she owns a flower shop in a nearby town and offered to sell my things with no overhead cost to her. I guess I'll just exchange my hours working at SPS with sewing hours in my dining room. BUT I'll be at home with my babies! Can't complain about that!


Josh has had numerous side jobs fall in his lap lately and we are thankful. We're planning to exchange my measly income with his side job income after the first of the year and all will be well with our family life again. His regular job is hit or miss as of late, but the side jobs are filling in the gaps so far. Time for more stretching and learning to trust. Am I ready? Jury's still out on that one...


And just because it's the season, here's a photo of my family on Monday after we put up our Christmas tree. [taken with the camera's timer] I hadn't showered in a day or so, Audrey's in la-la land, Davis is not so happy and Josh & Jaedon are posing perfectly. This is my family and I love it. :-)

Things I've learned in my 1st Month of Work

It is perfectly acceptable to bribe children in order to bring out a smile.
Ice cream.
A visit with Santa.
Any toy they want from the toy store.
Whatever it takes.
Bribery was never so popular until you walk in the camera room with a child.

I can't clean my house and work 30 hours a week and snuggle with my babies and have a conversation with my husband. So the cleaning the house has been left by the wayside. As long as we have clean undies, socks, plates & cups, all is well.

Autism is real. And hard. It never seemed so real until I had my 6pm appointment last night. And now I can't get that sweet boy's face out of my head.

Who knew taking pictures could be so exhausting and frustrating? I think I would like my job - if it wasn't a job. If it wasn't a huge company jumping down my throat because I didn't sell the largest package or make enough telemarketing phone calls begging people to book an appointment. If I didn't feel so rushed to get that perfect smile out of those six kids under the age of 5 within the 15 minute time slot.

No. I hate working. I'm done. And if I could quit, I would. But I can't, so I have to try and make the best of it... Is it Christmas yet?!?

Wordless Wednesday - Drama

In my arms

Today marks 3 months since we met our son.

Since we held him for the first time.

Since we took that first breath deep into his curls and took in his scent.

Since he first came to stay with us.

Since we first gave him a bath.

Since we first counted his 10 little fingers and 10 tiny toes.

Since we first heard his cry.

Since we first saw his smile.

Since we first heard his giggle.

Since our hearts were changed forever.

It seems like yesterday. But at the same time, it seems like forever ago. Sometimes it's hard to remember what our life was like before Davis entered it. Other times, mainly when he's showing his temper, it's a little easier to remember. ;-)

He seemed so small and fragile when I first laid my eyes on him. So much smaller than I imagined. And to look at him now, it's hard to remember those thighs without all the rolls.

Looking back at the photos of that first day, he was so scared. So timid. So reserved. But to look at him now, running around like he owns the place with a huge grin on his face, he's just not the same boy.

God took that small, scared little orphan and placed him into a family.

His forever family.

Our family.

And we couldn't be happier.

One of those days

You know those days when you leave the baby in his jammies all day, just because you can.

Oh, and you stay in jammies yourself too, just because you can.

The only reason the other two kids have real clothes on is because they made that decision themselves. But they were sure to choose the comfy-est clothes in their closet because they knew they had nowhere to go for the day.



When there's no cloud hanging over you knowing that you have to go to work later in the evening.



And not even a thought goes through your mind about what to serve for dinner because 'cooking' with your kids in their play kitchen is so much more fun!

And the crumbs from breakfast still sit on the floor under the table. But you just stare at them from the floor across the room where your children lay around you.



When you can't help but kiss your baby's neck 1,000 more times just to hear his sweet giggle one more time.

And you poke your older boy's ribs to watch him squirm in happiness.

And you grab your girl's feet to tickle them until the smile can't be wiped off her face.



And naptime seems like an eternity because days like this just don't come often enough anymore...

3 Month Post Placement

During the adoption process with Ethiopia, we signed a paper agreeing that we would provide them with post-placement reports at 3 months home, 6 months, 12 months and every year following up until Davis reaches 18 years of age. The 3, 6 and 12 month reports have to be completed by our social worker who wrote our homestudy. Then the yearly ones following that can be completed by us.

Last Tuesday [my only day off], we had our 3-month post-placement meeting with our social worker in our home. Kirsten came and asked us a bunch of questions about Davis' transition. She also talked to Jaedon and Audrey about their thoughts and feelings about having a new little brother. And then Davis woke up from his nap and she was able to observe all of his new little tricks he's learned since her last visit just a month and a half ago.

He can now:

clap

give us 5

play peek-a-boo

blow kisses

wave bye-bye

point to things

mimic us

make unbelievably silly pucker faces and noises with his tongue

drink from a sippy cup [no more bottles!]

snack on different textures

chew with his four teeth [the 4th one finally popped through a few days ago]

W.A.L.K. everywhere[!]

go to Daddy and enjoy himself

wrestle in the floor with Jaedon and Audrey

stick his fingers in explore the VCR [that's not such a good one, but he does it nonetheless]...

The list is never-ending. He has adjusted beautifully and she was blown away at what great progress he's made. I was one proud momma. :-)

Along with her report that she writes, we also have to send at least 6 photos. One photo has to be of Davis in a room of our home and another has to be a full-family photo. We can pick whatever we want for the rest of the pictures and even send more if we want. But we had a small problem. We didn't have a full-family photo. In the nearly 3 months that we have been home, we have yet to get a decent family picture! So Kirsten helped us out with that! I posed us all and she snapped a couple of cute pictures of our family of 5! In the first one, Davis was picking his nose [a new trick he's learned from his sister]. In the 3rd one, Davis looks quite grumpy and we didn't think the Ethi0pian government would like that very much. But the 2nd one was just right. Kirsten thought it was so cute how Audrey was looking up at Davis smiling. :-)

I just love my family. :-)

But I'm beginning to think we need some more beautiful color in there.

What do you think?

Honey?

God?

They're Yours...

...We're simply borrowing them for a little while.

October 25, 2009

Guest List:

Gram Nita

Papaw Steve

Grandma Sue

Papa Ralph

Uncle Jon

Aunt Melissa

Caleb

Kennedy

Mr. Rick

Ms. Becki

Tatiana

Sienna

Sebastian

Northeast Christian Church

and God

Josh and I are so thankful for our children. All 3 of them. And as much as we want to call them 'ours', they are not.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. - James 1:17

On October 25, we dedicated Audrey and Davis to God. [We dedicated Jaedon when he was a baby.]

We pray that they will know God as their Savior early in life.
That they will grow in His likeness.
That He will give us, as their parents, the knowledge to help them along this path called life.

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. - Psalm 127:3-5

Sometimes it's an overwhelming task to think that we have been entrusted with these children. To think that it is our responsibility to show them the way - through our words and our actions. But with God's help and grace, we accept the challenge and are thankful to be called mommy and daddy.

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

For the record

Working and being a mommy & wife is hard work.

Has it really been 2 weeks since I've posted on here? Is anyone still out there?

It has been a full 2 weeks, to say the least.


Josh didn't work at all the first week, but had 40 hours last week. And this week he should have 40 more. But then we're not sure if he'll have any next week. I am thankful for the hours he is getting, but I hate the yo-yo feeling of it all.


I worked Monday, Wednesday and Friday during my first week at work. Monday was boring. I sat and read a training book because they were too busy with appointments to actually train me. Wednesday and Friday were a bit more interesting and I was allowed to follow along with the manager and one other girl there, taking everything in that I could.

Last week, I worked Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday. And today I'm exhausted! Even with gaining the extra hour with the time change, I'm dragging and cannot wake up.

Josh brought in my kids on Wednesday for me to practice taking pictures with the big fancy camera. And apparently the manager liked what she saw because I was instructed to take real appointments on Thursday. Two appointments - one was an 11month old that couldn't sit still and the other was a 1.5 year old that wouldn't sit still. Fun. Fun.

Friday, my appointments went much better. The manager left early and left me and one other girl there. The other girl, Rikki, is a Christian and is oh so great! She only started the week before me so we're pretty much in the same boat, besides the fact that she had prior photography experience and even had her own photography business before! So we were left to close together. I think I called the manager, Erin, at least 12 times. I'm sure the computer is out to get me. It wouldn't cooperate for nothing!

Saturday, I was officially off of training, took many more appointments [had fun doing the appointments this day!] and was actually left to close all by myself. What was the manager thinking? Trusting me to do this so soon? I don't know what I'm doing... at least not enough to trust myself to do it. alone. But I guess she trusted me. And I survived. Though all the computers that can upload and edit the photos locked up. Just my luck. I told you - the computers are out to get me, though these were different ones than the night before. So my last appointment had to make an appointment to come back and view her pictures on Friday because I could only take the photos, but not upload them... I was supposed to get off at 5, was asked to stay and close until 6, should have been out of there at 6:30, but didn't leave until 8pm.

Yesterday, I had my first psycho-customer. Her appointment was at 2pm and she didn't leave until 5:50. 'K' was in there for nearly 4 hours and said she was going to call my manager today to complain because she felt rushed. Whatever. [*insert eye roll*] Another customer and her family heard 'K's uproar and said "My kids have better manners than that!" My thoughts exactly! I should have left last night at 5:30, but thanks to my great customer, I was stuck there until 6:45. Customer service is so much fun.

Despite the bad apples, I am enjoying my new job. But to say that I miss my kids would be a serious understatement. And the mounds of dirty laundry are forever haunting me. And this past weekend was the first weekend in the past 2.5 months that we weren't able to get together with friends. :-(

I'm finding out more and more that I'm not very good at juggling...