Doctor's Visit

We had the chance to visit a fabulous Dr. at the UW who specializes in seeing adopted kids from around the world. She was impressed at how well they were doing, and how well we were all bonding...hmmmm, maybe it is because we spend 24 hours a day together. ;)

In the last 3 months, Sami has gained 11 lbs ( in the first month!) and 1". Tsion has gained 4 lbs and 1 1/2". He did have some ear wax removed (sorry, gross) but I told him that was probably why he would never listen to me!!! Now I am sure that he can hear everything that I say. They have also each grown 1 full shoe size.

Sami also picked up his glasses last week. When we went to the eye Dr, the technician came out after the initial tests and whispered "they are REALLY bad". Turns out his eyes are 20/2200. He will need 3 lense changes before they can work up to 20/40 vision, which is the best Dr. Brase thinks we can get. We had been pointing to airplanes or bald eagles in the sky, and there had not been a hint of recognition on his face, now we know why!

Zach also needs reading glasses, so after the inital shock, he is excited to go pick some out!

No SUN

We had the coldest, windiest baseball game on record last night. We had our blankets, Lava Buns, winter jackets, and finally made a run for the car after Zach stole home in the 4th inning. It was as cold as an October soccer game. When the sun peeked out for a sec Tsion looked up and said "sun, sun, come here" and held her hands up motioning to the sun. Sami shot her a disgusted look and said "Tsion, there is NO SUN here!"

According to AccuWeather, today is supposed to have "episodes of sunshine."

A Phone Call HOME

We called Sami's home over the weekend. Their Grandmother was so excited to hear their voices, all I could hear on the other end was screaming and people talking very quickly! The first night he spoke to 5 or 6 people, and made arrangements to call the next morning when his Dad would be there. We called the next morning and spoke with their father....who wanted to talk to me and all he could say was thank you, we love you , we love everybody, and would kiss the phone. It was very sweet. I am under strict instruction from their Grandmother to sign Tsion up for Amharic School, because she was unable to speak any Amharic to her family.

It was both eye-opening and heartbreaking to hear. She has still been using and listening to some Amharic here, but now I feel like I have a new goal.

We will posting on our phone calls "home!"

A Visit from Our Social Worker

Our social worker came for our 3 month visit last week. Earlier in the day the kids had collected dandelions and made this sign on the front porch. It said "we love you dad and mom." It was very sweet, and I hoped she didn't think I put them up to it!

As she was leaving Tsion was standing on the front porch waving good-bye. In the last few months, when she has said goodbye to anyone, it is usually "thank you" or "I love you." So, I am thinking how cute, she will say something sweet. Instead, she starts hollering and waving her arms...."Can I stay with you?!?"

Definition of Dangerous

During breakfast the other morning, as Tsion is eating scrambled eggs.

Lance: Tsion...don't put so much in your mouth, it is dangerous, you will choke.

Tsion: Dad...(exasperated) Cars, dangerous. Eggs, no dangerous.

Sami and Tsion's Family

Sami and Tsions Father shared these pictures with us when we were in Ethiopia. We were able to make copies, so he could have them as well. We feel so blessed, it is pretty unusual to have so many pictures.

Everyone has had their birthday this year, and Tsion is anxiously awaiting hers in August. Of course, when we asked what she wants for her birthday, she says she wants a bicyclette, poppycorn, oranges, and bananas. :)

You Have Four Kids??????

I was in line at Costco the other day. It was a rare day when I only had Tsion....and she was playing with the gal behind me. We made some small talk, and she mentioned that she had 4 kids at home. The very first thought that came (and went) thru my head was "boy, that sounds like alot!" Then I realized, I did too.

Pay It Forward

Coming home from Whistler, we stopped at a Taco Del Mar for dinner, near the new Tulalip outlet mall. After we had ordered, a feat in itself, a single man stopped Lance as he was approaching the cash register, and said he wanted to buy our family dinner. Although he asked no ??? but he did said he had grown up in a large adoptive family. Tsion and I came over to thank him (she said thank you and shook his hand,in true Ethiopian fashion) he was very gruff, and embarrassed and didn't want any attention brought upon himself.

It truly is the little things, and it was such a kind gesture from a stranger. The kids were so amazed, and they will always remember that random act of kindness.

Sweet or Sweep?

Sometimes I have to remind Sami how much we love him, and how special he is. And that leads to "Why me and Tsion?" They have watched the waiting child video where we first saw them, over and over. There are over 100 kids on the video from a few different orphanages. They like to see themselves and their friends from Kidane Mihret. Sami and Tsion are sitting down, and the director gives a quick background, and they are asked to say their names. They were the last kids shown for Kidane, and I knew from the first time they said their names that they were ours. So, the question "why me".

I told him, because I could tell you were so sweet, and you would fit right into our family. He said "sweep? cuz I can sweep? (We do alot of sweeping here!) No,no, Sweet, nice, a nice boy. Ahhaaa.....we are learning new English words everyday. :)

Happy Easter!

Whistler

Tonight as we finished dinner, I was cleaning up and saw something large and fluffy running across our patio. I thought that is a huge dog that is loose and running for his life! It was a baby black bear, and it was so fun to see. After all our travels last year, we had never seen a bear. The neighbors had about 8 people in the hot tub, and he cruised on thru. Too fast for a picture!

We have had a great trip, and have spent alot of time swimming. Sami and Tsion are excited to go home and show off to their teacher. We have spent some time in the village, which is interesting with 4 kids. Most people here have 1 and MAYBE 2. We definitely stand out. :)

Hopefully we make it across the border home, with all of our documents to show!

Lotsa Lotsa

I have three pairs of earrings. A pair of $6 diamonds, silver hoops, and some from Norway from my gma. The other day Sami looked at my ears and he said "lotsa lotsa" earrings. I said no, I only have three. He said in America, everybody lotsa lotsa everything... Ethiopia (they pronounce it Etopia) No lotsa lotsa. Living in America for two months, I am surprised that it finally came out when he looked at my earrings. But when he said that I thought.....I am so tired of Lotsa Lotsa.

Your Name

I had mentioned that Tsion prays by song some nights. Her first and favorite song she learned in America is Your Name by Phillips, Craig and Dean. Here is the chorus that she sings and you can hear the song here.
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This has been her song of choice lately, and she has to "sing it to God" and that means staring at the ceiling. :)

Your Name is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name is a shelter like no other
Your Name, let the nations sing it louder
Cause nothing has the power to save But Your Name

*Proverbs 18:10 (New International Version) 10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
*Psalm 61:2-4 (New International Version) 2 From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. 4 I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.

Favorite Sayings

These are the latest favorite sayings from Sami and Tsion:

*Holy Cow!
*Awesome
*Oh my goodness
*"for" (poor!) mommy
*Yup
*So sully (silly)

Tsion started saying "kidding me" When she first said it I thought she was saying "cutie me" I was thinking oh boy, we have our work cut out!

Another thing we are working on is the stranger vs friends and family. They are still intrigued by the UPS trucks and the mailman. It is not unusual for her to stand on the porch and tell the person that delivers the packages bye and I love you. She did catch the Wal Mart clerk off guard the other day saying thank you, I Love You! :)

Whistler! Spring Break 07

Just when you think you will never get another invitation due to your 4 children......A committee member of Lance's (thanks Tom J.!) offered his condo at Whistler to us for the week. It is beautiful! We came to relax for the week, swim, hot tub and just be together. Today it snowed a bit, and the kids had a great time in the hot tub....Great Gpa, notice who has the ball!

This trip only took 10 hours. :) But we had a great lunch at Pan-Africa, on 1st and Pike in Seattle, and an extended border crossing due to the Ethiopian passports.......When we were being "asked" what they were going to do here, Tsion said she was going to the Eye Dr. to get glasses. I had to explain to her we would go to see Dr. Brase when we got home (all the boys went, and Sami is waiting for his glasses, she is jealous)!

Swimming Lessons

Sami and Tsion have begun to learn how to swim. In Ethiopia they swam for the first time at the Hilton one day, and they were very cautious! Even being immersed in the tub was an experience for them. Zach and Josh are great swimmers, and they are anxious to catch up. They love their first "teacher" in America, and practice her name on the way to lessons.

Ste-pha-nie. :)