Fill my bucket!

Sophie's pre-school has been reading this book. Sophie has been all about filling buckets. Well, about her bucket anyway. She did have a moment where she asked me if her "bad parts don't fill your bucket?" She spent a lot of time discussing how when Micah hits her it doesn't fill her bucket. Apparently, at class, Sophie made it very clear that watching tv with popcorn fills her bucket. Sophie's answer for most of the world's problems is to "watch a show". The first words out of her mouth in the morning and the last words from her mouth each day. It really is her love language.

2 steps back

Micah has been having some really hard days lately. He is SUPER clingy. I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said that he called "Mommy!" 900 times a day. He is super shy around anyone new and crabby as all get out. He hits anyone who looks at him the wrong way. He wants to be held, but doesn't want to be held - all at the same time. He is just one angry elf! One of the hard parts of being an adoptive mom is that you don't know how much is developmental and how much is attachment related. We've had a really crazy couple weeks with travelling and visitors, so it could all be chalked up to that. But, I don't want to write it off and wish I would have done more sooner. So, I emailed this awesome blogger, Christine, who has a lot of experience with attachment issues. She confirmed what I already knew and encouraged me to take a few steps back in my attachment process with this sweet boy. I love the bloggy world! Thanks Christine!

Spring Break 20-10

We had a chance to spend a week in the Big Easy (New Orleans) with Rob and Julie and kids. We had such a great week. Super relaxing - as much as can be with 9 kids. I won't mention the 17 hour drive one way and Micah's choice to limit himself to a one word/one volume vocabulary.... "Mommy!!!". I didn't mention that. We were a little bit of a walking freak show where ever we went, but that's why New Orleans is a great place to visit. Freak shows abound.

First Haircut Southern Style

...the after shot

It's a tricky thing sometimes being a white mom of an African baby. I get a lot of comments about his hair. I talk about his hair a lot. There is a certain pressure - probably mostly in my head - to not ruin his hair. So, after a year of being home, we decided to trim the curls. I looked for a place around home to get Micah's hair cut. I was unsuccessful. I will leave my methods unmentioned for now. I certainly did not drive around on Tuesday afternoon saying "are there any black people in there?" to Makenzie. Thursday and Friday we made the trek to North Carolina. By the time we arrived, Micah's hair was completely matted to the back of his head from all the time in the car seat. My sister, Jennifer , recommended a barber shop where my nephew had gotten his hair cut. This place was a major throw back to the 50's. It was incredible! The barbers were hilarious and were super cute with Micah. We tried to get some good before and after pictures, but Sophie got a hold of the camera and was doing some major paparazzi work!

Sophie taking pictures of random patrons.
Here we go....
At least Mom is smiling!
My favorite! This is the guy who cut Micah's hair. He was obviously super happy about the photo shoot.

Cowboy Micah!

Our church had a chili cook off tonight. Micah was putting on everyone's gear as we were taking it off. The froggy pj's are his!

What to do??

I find myself spending time looking at adoption websites. It's a dangerous past time. My heart is drawn back to Ethiopia. I love the people. I love the country. I love the culture. I love China too. But, it is different. I love Ethiopia. But, then there is Sophie. She is praying daily for LoLo to bring home a China baby for her. Oh, and she should pick one up for us while she is there. A girl. We already have a boy baby here. So, my heart is torn. I have been thinking that we are ready for more - potentially. If the Lord told us that we were done, I'd be surprised, but I'd be okay with that. It's just where??

2009...in bullet points

Caden, Micah and Cruz
Melia Serawit
Christmas card 2009

cuz i love me some bullet points.

• traveled to Ethiopia
• became a family of 6
• welcomed a new nephew into the family
• rid ourselves of one dog
• entered the teenage parenting years
• started directing a home school program
• took 3 trips to Missouri to visit family
• welcomed a new niece into the family
• celebrated 3 years home with Sophie
• rejoiced in 2 years tumor free with Makenzie
• laughed heartily at Seth's constant antics
• enjoyed watching Seth's first fencing tournament
• felt incredibly blessed!!!

Cheesy, I know. But, also so true.