10 months home and refinalized!

Time is flying by...  The end of October marked 10 months that the girls have been home with us.  They are doing so well.  They are amazing girls.  God has melded our family so perfectly and He deserves all the credit.  I have been approached by several people lately, saying, "I don't know how you do it."  To which I reply, "it's God!!"  Seriously, he provides grace when he calls you to something!  He is strong in our weakness. 

We just had conferences, and both girls are doing well.  Etta is still receiving tutoring, which is helping immensely.  Math is hard for her.  (Number recognition has been a struggle.)  But, she's starting to read, and her handwriting is AMAZING.  I'm so thankful she has several areas where she is really succeeding!  Zoe is in 3 year old preschool, and is doing great!  She can write her name and is learning letters.  The funniest story from conferences was when the teachers asked if we call her Tiny.  The girls have nicknamed her Tiny, and apparently she thinks her whole name is "Zoe Tiny."  :)  Callie, Carson and Drew also did well on their conferences, and all of them have such sweet teachers that love them.  Such a blessing for us as parents when our kids teachers love and pray for them!

We also refinalized the girls adoption in the state this month, and their new birth certificates are on the way.  We are getting so near to being done with the paperwork of their adoption. 

Family picture by our amazing friend

Zoe at preschool

Carson playing soccer

Daddy and Zoe

Halloween fun

pumpkin patch fun - Etta couldn't believe you were to play in the corn (strange to her, I'm sure!)

Pumpkin patch with the cousins!  Not sure why Caleb looks mad.  :)

Photo dump

First day of school

Love those curls

First horseback ride

Callie and Etta

Cousin love

Cutie pies

First time at the beach for Etta and Zoe

Trampoline love

Ledges State Park

6 months together! (posted and updated at 7 months)

Time is flying by, and my blog has been terribly neglected!  I've thought of many posts I'd like to write/should write, but somehow, it never gets done.

The girls and our family are doing well.  I think we've reached a good stride.  We're melding together and all figuring out our "new normal".

Etta has passed through her stage of wanting nothing to do with Ethiopia, and has begun to share much more of her life in Ethiopia with us.  We all love her stories and she has us captivated when she's telling them.  She has a zest for life that is contagious.  She loves everything new that she tries.  She is convinced that she will be jumping (probably flipping) off the diving board into the deep end by the end of the summer, and I have no doubt that she will.  (Edit... by six and a half months she was.  Her first time off the diving board was a jump, her second, a flip!!)  She's progressing in swimming at lightening speed.  She and Callie participated in a tumbling/dance camp this last week and she LOVED it.  She wants to be the next Gabby Douglas, perhaps?!  She definitely is athletic!!  She can't wait until her weekly classes start this fall.  We've been working on her English/learning more consistently this summer and she will start kindergarten this fall.  She has made so much progress and her competitive spirit will be a huge asset to her.

Zoe is growing like a weed in so many ways.  She has physically grown the fastest these last six months and added over 3 inches to her tiny body.  (4 inches by 7 months!!)  Her English is coming along fast now, after being a bit slower than Etta's at the beginning.  She has quite the strong will, and shows it not infrequently now.  :)  She prefers Daddy when given the choice now!  She loves all things girly, and was very disappointed that she couldn't tag along to dance camp.  You can find her mostly carrying/pushing/dressing her babies.  She is such a princess, and has now learned the word, "diva" and thrives on calling me one.  :)

We've traveled now, to California and Colorado several times, as a family of 7.  While not easy, it's seeming more and more normal.  God gives grace when it's needed, and our kids are so great together.  Zoe and Drew have become quite the duo, and I don't know what she's going to do without the other four when they start school in a few short days.  Mama will be sad to send off her baby, Drew, but sure that he's' ready.  Callie and Carson were both unfazed by their class assignments, and this mama is praying for a drama free year.  So exited to see what the next 7 months brings.  God is so good.  I was reflecting last night on how close we were to not having these two precious girls join our family...  I really can't imagine life without them now.  What a blessing they are to us, how they have changed me is nothing but good.  Thank you, Lord.

Three Months Home!

I'm a few days late, but realized after our three month social work visit, that indeed, three months have passed!  It seems shorter some days and longer others, but we've all made so much progress.

I've realized the hardest part for me is the setbacks.  They are, of course, to be expected.  I have to teach myself that they don't mean failure, and that they aren't permanent.  It doesn't mean learning isn't possible and that they can not dictate my mood.

The girls English has come a long way, and I marvel as Etta is now putting full sentences together.  And sometimes it's even in the right order.  She doesn't refer to herself in the third person anymore, and she's still picking up new words everyday.  Zoe is doing great too.  She's mostly out of her shell now.  Only rarely does the shy, shut down little girl return.  Her language is also really picking up, and most of the time I can get her to ask for what she needs.

The girls did great on our first long car ride to Colorado.  They didn't miss a beat at Nonnie and Papa's house.  They loved all the fun activities - bounce house, swimming, playing with cousins, bike riding, going to the park, and more.  Etta and Zoe also slept in separate beds a few nights, which Etta loved and Zoe tolerated.

Today was our first trip to the lake.  It's 87 degrees here on April, 1.  Seemed really strange to see all the boats out on the lake and the kids had a great time swimming, finding frogs and turtles, and playing with water balloons.  Etta loved the water.  Zoe was pretty nervous, but she did get in a couple times.

Overall, attachment seems to be going well.  We've sure made a ton of progress from the two scared little girls that greeted us in Addis three months ago.  It's surely a dance, and I'm very excited to be going to Empowered to Connect in Denver next month.  I'm hoping to get some new insight and be a better mom overall.  I feel so blessed to have these girls a part of our family.

Referralaversary

March 7 and 8th, 2011...  Days we will not soon forget.  March 7th, we briefly heard about two little girls.  March 8th, we saw their faces for the very first time. 

March 2011

March 2012

March 2011

March 2012

 What a difference a year makes?!

Miracle in week 8!

This last week was hard.  Pouting returned with a vengeance and Mommy wasn't very patient.  We made 3 trips to the doctor (strep throat, wheezing, and tummy aches) and all recovered.  We got hair braided (3 1/2 hours later, a very happy girl, and the sweetest friends anyone could ask for...  she did it for FREE!!).   But all of this paled over the weekend with our good news...

gorgeous girl and her braids.

The biggest news of the week occurred on Saturday night.  I escaped the house about 5pm to take Callie to a birthday party at some friend's house.  Noone else was with me...  So, that meant I left Mark home with the other four, one of which was difficult for him to care for.  At my friends house, we jokingly said to her husband that we should go out for a girls' dinner.  He said YES!!  Mark said YES!!  So, we went.  Our amazing husbands took care of the bday party and our 4 other children.  I felt so free.  And then the best text I've ever received, "The daddy, Zoe stalemate is over".  I was so happy I started crying.  He then sent the sweetest picture.  It was as if she switched the daddy switch.  SHE LOVES HIM!!  She runs after him saying, "Daddy, Daddy!"  She asks for him when he's at work!  This mommy and daddy couldn't be happier.  Sunday was my birthday and I couldn't have received a better gift.  Mark joked that he and Zoe had an agreement to wait until my birthday.  :)  God answers prayers.  Again a reminder of our verse, "The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."  This transition was nothing to do with us.  All God.  He is so good.  Thank you so much to all of you who were praying.  Another example of answered prayer!

 So, here are the happiest pictures!

I love my daddy!!

She loves to ride and look at herself in the mirror.

Silly, happy girl.

Fun on the ipad, playing teach me toddler. 

My bday cake, made by Kelly!

Introducing Princess Etta

Etta is a princess.  But until today she was lacking her proper attire.  She LOVES Cinderella.  I mean asking everyday if we can watch it kind of love.  Much to her brothers distaste.  :)

As many of you know, dress up clothes that are readily available this time of year are much too small for 6 year old princesses, and most importantly to Etta, their high heeled dress up shoes fit only one's big toe.  She's been begging for high heels since the first time we went shopping.  Her Cinderella "glass" slippers arrived today.  Talk about excited!!  And this girl is just learning what a princess she is.  She's been God's little princess all along.

Week 7

Etta's Valentine.

Callie's Valentine.

Carson's Valentine.

Drew's Valentine.

A lot of the pictures I get nowdays.  :)

Callie and Zoe

A lot of art goes on here!

Snuggling watching a movie.

This week was a pretty average week.  YEAH for average.  :)  We needed a little more "normal" around here.  So, mostly pictures this week.

Week 6

It's time for another weekly update, and this week was good!  We had school conferences this week, which makes for crazy schedules, no naps, and tired little ones.  We trekked up to Minnesota for a quick trip (no school on Friday) and had a great time together.  We're now home and plan to rest up for the next 36 hours until the week begins again.  I did terrible at taking pictures this week.  :( 

We had firsts this week -
1. trips to the dentist for Zoe first (she did amazing!  no tears at all) and then Etta (only tears with flouride) but no cavities at all!
2.  swimming!  They both loved it.  Zoe was so comfortable in the water.  Lying on her back, putting her face in and blowing bubbles.  Etta was thrilled!  Lots of giggling and screaming.  Fearful at first, but jumping in by the end of the day.  We spent 5 hours in the water!!  I don't think I've been in the pool that long since I was a child.  :)
3.  tubing!  We tried out tubing today in Minnesota, despite the weather.  The sun was shining but it was a frigid 9 degrees with a below zero windchill.  The girls LOVED it.  All Zoe would say at the bottom of the hill was again, again!!  Etta giggled and screamed her way down the hill and quickly learned how the "magic carpet" works.  They did amazing!  The other 3 loved it as well.  Drew was so fast no one could keep up with him!  When we volunteered to go with him, he said, "no thanks."  Probably for fear we would slow him down.  :)  Callie was such a big help.  She carried Etta's tube for her, and stuck with her to help out!  We couldn't have done it without her.  Carson loved it too, though he loved skiing even more.  Mark took Callie, Carson, and Drew skiing on Friday.  It was a bit too much and after a bloody nose and fear of loosing Drew off the bottom of the hill when he bombed it before knowing how to stop, he brought Drew back to the hotel.  Carson and Callie continued skiing and were doing blue runs by the end of the day!  The video is great!  Drew was a little sad, but happy to swim and hang out with us for the rest of the day.
4.  a full day of school for Etta!  She does well, but doesn't love having to go everyday.  She's learning like crazy.  My favorite was the card she brought home for Daddy and Mommy (addressed to us by her) and inside it said "I love you Daddy and Mommy!"  She was so proud!!  All from a girl that has been in school for a week and the US for 6 weeks. 
5.  other firsts - Chick-fil-a dinner at the mall and a short (very short) necessity Scheels trip for snow gear.  Our first real week of COLD.  Our first interaction with a VERY nice couple from Ethiopia today at the tubing hill.  Etta was in full shut-down trauma mode.  Zoe was very comfortable with them.  I felt so horribly for Etta.  I think she was very afraid she was leaving with them.  She was completely back to normal the moment we got in the car.  The couple was so sweet, and even invited us to their home for a meal!  It wouldn't work today, and they were very sympathetic to Etta and how she was feeling.

We've been watching TCU's trust based parenting videos.  A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!  Every technique I've tried has been so helpful.  I LOVE the catch phrases.  It's really helped me deal with the shut-down syndrome that our girls tend to have.  I'm really hoping to go to the Empowered to Connect seminar in Denver.

What a week!  The Lord is good.  He continues to provide for each and every moment, I'm so thankful.  What a complete blessing these girls are to our family.

Week 5 - a bunch of firsts!

This week has been busy, but all good things!!  We are so grateful for a healthy week.  :)

Monday was an MRI for Zoe.  It was for a previous possible condition, and everything came out completely healthy!  Praise God!!  She did so well, and cried only a very few tears.  She was a rockstar, and the nurses learned a lot about how cool adoption is!!

First day of school with Mrs. V.

Etta's first school paper

 

It's impossible to get a good picture of all 5 kids!

Riding her bike

Etta and her bike!

Wednesday was a big day!  Etta had her first day of school ever!  She was excited, but a bit nervous.  She loved it.  In fact, we planned for half days for her first week, and she wanted to stay the whole day.  She's coming home after lunch recess everyday, much to her classmates dismay.  She's been the excitement of the week for her class.  She told me of her first day, "Mommy, school, come, come" while pulling at her own arm.  :)  The teacher instituted a one helper a day rule the next day.  Etta had a pack pulling her around the first day!  My wonderful friend, Stephanie, has been Etta's one-on-one teacher daily, and it was so easy to leave her in such capable hands.  She's doing great!  We don't know how much she's taking in, but if it's even close to the first month, she will have it figured out in no time.

Our crazy warm winter has also brought other news.  Etta can officially pump her own swing, actually she's been able to for a few weeks now.  She can also ride a bike!  We hadn't planned on getting a bike until the spring, but because it's been so warm, we went and got one this week.  Everyday after school she asks, "Etta inside?", translated "can we go outside and ride bikes?".  She loves it!  It took her about 5 minutes to learn how to pedal, we're still working on the brake and stopping.  :)

Zoe has a bike too, but she'd rather be pushed around for now.  We'll see how long it takes...  She tolerated leaving Etta at school the first day.  She was a bit confused, but now 3 days in, she's totally fine with it.  She and Drew have played together more.  They had a great time playing playdough all morning today.  We'll see how it goes when she's the only one home.  She also had a "healthy" 3 year old visit on Thursday, and she's doing great!  We have another specialist scheduled soon, but hopefully not too many doctors visits.  She knows the pediatrician's office already!

Zoe's feeling about leaving Etta at school

Callie, Carson, and Drew are doing well.  Drew and Carson have become even closer buddies, and they can be found playing beyblades and talking video games most of the time.  Callie entertains the girls most of the time she's home.  She's had lots of opportunities to get away with friends on the weekends, too.  She is such a help to me, not sure how we'd get along without her!  Bedtime seems to be our biggest challenge at this point.  The girls (Etta and Zoe) are taking a considerable amount of time to get down (like an hour!!).  This isn't our usual routine, but we feel they need a little extra still (mostly Zoe), so we oblige.  Soon, we will be thinking about how to make that more manageable.  The other kids miss having mom at bedtime, and a lot of the time the boys are already asleep when I make it to their room to say goodnight.  It's a work in progress...  But we'll get there!

Zoe and Drew love each other!

Another fun hairstyle on a moving subject.

Continue praying for our family, please!!  Protection from illness, attachment for the girls, and a bond for the entire family as we work out new dynamics.  The Lord has been so good to us, we know absolutely that this is where we are supposed to be, but it is hard (somedays more than others!!) and worth it.