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. :)