The Queen's Handbag

Monday afternoon I turned on CNN "the most trusted name in news", wondering if I would see a brief excerpt on the recent "unrest" in Addis. As I flipped it on, there was the Queen, and the topic on the bottom of the screen was "What is inside the Queen's Handbag?"

Kudos to CNN for reporting the news.

Josh Running Home!

Here is a pix of Josh running home!

"SICK"

This is the first time I have heard a child lick cookie dough and say "sick!" Then take another, "sick!" and another........That would be Tsion and not Josh! :)

A letter from Sami

It was Zach's birthday on the 1st. Sami woke up and said, I didn't get you anthing for your birthday (in Feb). I said "of course, I got to go to Ethiopia and get you!" Those types of answers do not usually satisfy children, so he sat down and wrote a letter:

Mom,
I love you so mach.
Your doing good to me.
Thanks for all ting (things)
Thanks for in a Kidane (orphanage) chose me and Tsion,
Thanks for doing all ting
Thank for soccer
I Love you mom.
Sami

Happy 10th Birthday Zach!!

At this point 10 years ago, I was VERY tired trying to figure out a newborn, and reading Prep for Parenting....Growing Kids God's Way, and listening to Zach scream and scream in his crib...then he would throw up. I thought it was then acceptable to go get him at that point. (probably wasn't!) Now, 10 years later I can admit to my friends that we had let Zach sleep in our bed. AGH! It's out.

At 10 his (our!) life is soccer, which is almost year round in Poulsbo with the new indoor facility. Baseball is #2. He also is involved in Royal Rangers, Chess Club, home school class, and church. He has also been going running with me, MOM would like to keep that regime up! :)

His past birthdays have included Tacoma Rainers and Chuck e Cheese, but he voted this one as the best. He hung out with his grandparents, went to class today, took a friend to Taco Del Mar, and his brothers baseball game. They came home and played Cars and FiFA Soccer 2007 till we had to take CJ home. Guess it IS just the simple things in life. Another lesson for me.

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."