a year?!?

The plan was to do a post on Wednesday the 19th, our official Gotcha Day, but that obviously didn't happen since it is now Friday the 21st. I am apparently falling down on the mama job.

So what did we do on Wednesday? Well, we actually treated it like a normal day, and towards the end of it, we got in some serious giggle and marvel time. As we laughed and played in the family room with S and E, we often stared in amazement at how much they have both changed in the last year. The two children we held for the first time a year ago almost seem nothing like the two children we have now. While S maintains a lot of her "I can do it" independence, she also relishes having two parents to cling to. E is now her little brother to lord over instead of one she must care for. Instead of doing what she is sure is expected of her, she is taking chances, developing an opinion, and relaxing into her true personality. And speaking of personality, holy cow did one burst out of E! The little boy who once would not let me hold him is now a complete mama's boy who loves to sing. While he displays two-ness with great flair, he can also melt your heart with his beautiful smile and big loving eyes. He hangs back less and less and instead will jump right in with the big kids. He loves to smother his mama with kisses and impress her with long sentences that she can't understand.

And while all of this blows my mind from time to time, there is something else that wows me even more: How we have adjusted to this huge shift in family to something resembling normalcy. Even J, the one who seemed to be hit hardest by this change, has evolved into your typical big brother, and he is fantastic in this role.

For awhile after we came home from Ethiopia, I often counted time -- how long we had been home, and how long we had to go to get to a certain milestone. Strangely, our year anniversary sort of came up on me almost out of the blue. Hard to believe it has been a year, and it is also hard to believe it has only been a year. Weird, that.

Happy Gotcha Day, everybody!
:)

and so it begins. . .

A year ago today we landed in Ethiopia, and our lives changed forever. A year ago today we saw our new children for the first time -- granted, they were sleeping and didn't know we were even there, but we still saw them.

I cannot believe a year has passed.
We have been through so much, and our lives today look vastly different from that of a year ago.

So, bear with me as I take a trip down memory lane, a path that is cluttered with a multitude of emotions. Joy. Sadness. Fulfillment. Frustration. Worry. Amazement. Love. And so much more.

Everyday I live with the things I saw there. The beautiful people. The ugly poverty. The children. My children.

My children with new clothes, eating plenty of food, and getting ready to come to America, while others stay behind to beg in the streets and fight off illnesses that they may never see a doctor for or ever recover from.

My children coming to a place where they will be driven to school and have every opportunity for a good education. Others staying behind with only the possibility of school and having to walk for miles and miles for maybe a half a day's studies.

My children leaving behind their families, friends, country, culture, language because they may not survive otherwise. Others retaining all that is dear, but for how long?

Can a heart truly hold this much, especially when the emotions are so contrasting? How can it hold so much happiness while drowning in so much grief at the same time?

Tomorrow is Gotcha Day.

no more no!

Being 2 is hard. Being the mama to a 2-year-old is really hard.

It's really hard when your brother and sister are older than you, and you want to do everything they are doing, but you can't because you are only 2.

It's really hard when you are trying to do everything yourself, but doing everything yourself isn't so easy. For example, it is hard to wash your own hands when you can't turn on the water -- even when standing on a stool. In such a case, throwing a fit is still required no matter how much logic mom has on her side.

It's really hard when you want to be like a big kid, but you still want to cling to your mama. Separation sucks.

And. . .

It's really hard to be the mom when your 2-year-old has become the master of the word "no."

It does not seem to matter what I ask or how I ask it, the response is the same. Even if I then offer the exact opposite, he will answer in the negative. I think I am going crazy.

But, a couple of things keep me on this side of sanity. One, I know how hard 2 is and that 3 is often harder. Two, I know how quickly this age disappears, and before you know it they are back-talking school-agers.

And, hey, he's potty trained. Can I really complain? Sure, I can. I'll just try to keep it to a dull roar and only pull out hair I don't need. Like the gray ones.

:)

blog update

Finally added back in some links to my favorite places. I lost them when I changed layouts, and it has taken forever for me to get them back on. If I am missing yours or if you would like your blog added, please shoot me an email with the address and I'll be happy to add it. (Unless I don't like you. Just kidding! No, really. It's my blog. Ok. Just kidding. Sort of.)

You may notice that the list is comprised of more than just adoption blogs.

Also, I've taken comments off. People seem to prefer to either email or call me, so I turned it off. Feel free to email or whatever.

Happy Monday!
:)

my perspective

I think I am finally ready to write about what has happened. The kids are napping, I'm home on a Friday, and I now have the time to pour out my thoughts.

I knew how much having him win meant to me, but I hadn't really thought about the incredible impact it was going to have on so many others -- both in this country and around the world. When I see famous African American celebrities and political figures (on both sides of the aisle) weep at what has finally occurred, it hits home. When I look at my children and realize that they will never know what it is like to only have old white men as president, I want to weep myself. When I listen to NPR broadcast from a remote village in Kenya where all the people are sitting around one tv and listening to Barack Obama send a message to those in the far corners of the world, my heart wants to burst for them. I've been to one of those far African corners and know of the hope that they cling to. Obama has just given them more.

There are many haters in our country and the world. Many who openly admit to racism and who casually use the n-word. There was a time when they were in a clear majority. But no longer. Content of character now seems to finally rank above the color of one's skin. We went for many years just giving lip service to equality, but this past Tuesday we were given the opportunity to put our vote where our mouths are. For many, it is scary to take a chance, knowing that we would forever leave our old world behind for a brand new one. But we did it. Yes we did. And I know that this new world is really for my children, grandchildren and beyond and not as much for me. That's why it was so important to take them to the rally. They may not remember it, but they will be able to say they were there.

Now, let's say Barack Obama wasn't biracial. Let's say he didn't have brown skin or a funny name. Let's say he was like all presidents who have come before him. He would still be the one we need in this time, in this place. We need his leadership, we need his intelligence, we need his work ethic, we need his ability to inspire. The fact that he is not white and has ushered in a new era in American history is an added bonus. A big one. And we are fortunate enough to say it happened in our lifetime.

Hallelujah.

rosa, martin, barack, and our children

ROSA SAT SO MARTIN COULD WALK.

MARTIN WALKED SO BARACK COULD RUN.

BARACK RAN SO OUR CHILDREN CAN FLY.




What a wonderful country we live in.
I am so proud.

waiting waiting waiting

Not sure what to do with myself right now. Little boy has the oogies but seems to be on the mend, I work until 8:00 tonight, J doesn't have school today, and there won't be any news on the election until later. Oh, there are all kinds of things I could (and should) be doing, but who wants to do any of that stuff??

So, here for your viewing pleasure are some of the pics we took from the Obama rally in Columbus on Sunday. As you can imagine, our diverse family blended in marvelously!

Here's a pic of Barack:

Quite the crowd!

Look our for snipers!Awww! How cute is he??

J in the stroller??? S being a goofball?? Yeah, those are my kids.
Daddy and daughter. It's a beautiful day. Don't let it get away.
:)

check out Margaret and Helen!

h/t to Dr. Tag for one of my new favorite blogs.

http://margaretandhelen.wordpress.com/

Liberal old women who speak their minds -- role models for us all.

:)