1st Halloween

I would say that Halloween was a big hit with T&B! It was a completely new and fun experience for them. Theo was Michael Jackson and Blessing was Princess Jasmine. What can I say, these two love to sparkle!
I think the aspect of getting tons of free candy was a little more in keeping with their preconceived notions of life in America. They have been a bit disappointed finding out that Americans just don't have cell phones, cars, and nice homes given to them. They are always asking if things are for free. Well, for one night anyhow, FREE CANDY REIGNED!

Help for B!! Hooray

Well, I was very frustrated at the end of second grade, when B was so behind, so not making progress and I was told because she was an English Language Learner that she would not qualify for any resource or special ed for two years. I was also denied retaining her in second grade.

So, this year I started before school even started talking to her teacher about what I perceived to be my daughters needs. She listened! She acted! She referred, recommended, and recorded everything about B and her learning difficulties.

I got a letter from her doctor stating for the record her extreme ADHD and requested she be evaluated for special ed based on her disability and to have that take precedence over the ELL laws.

Low and behold, the squeaky wheel does indeed get the grease!!! B qualified. She will now have 2 hours every school day of special focused education based on her academic needs, not her age!! I am so happy and excited for my girl!!!

It is coming together

So, this transition has probably been the worse on Zach. He doesn't handle change too well. This has been hard, because our vision of what was going to happen was that he and Theo being the same age, would become best buds.

The reality was different. These two boys have very different interests and while they seem to have developed a mutual respect for the others talents, it hasn't been exactly friendship.

Lately there have been some subtle changes: Theo begging Zach to come with him and his friends to the gas station for treats, Zach inviting Theo to go TPing with him and his buddies, more talking, more laughing, more private jokes.

Last night, very late into the night, I could hear the low rumble of Theo's voice coming from downstairs. I went down to tell him to be quiet and get some sleep, but I paused at the door. Zach and Theo were just gabbing away about friends, school, whatever.

I know it was a school night, but I snuck away, saying nothing. I could still hear the low rumble as I fell asleep, and right now the screen is blurry from happy tears. It is coming together.

One perfect moment

Yesterday, Theo was sitting at the kitchen table and leaning forward to do his homework. Sophie climbed up behind him, placed her blanket on his back, and leaned against his back. Then she rested her head on his shoulder and said, "Hi Theo."
"Hey, Sof," Theo said.
"Hi Theo," Sophie said again still resting her head on him.
There wasn't a camera near by and if I had run to get it, she just would have moved. It was a perfect, beautiful moment. I will see it in my mind's eye forever. Eight months ago, Sophie took one look at this big dark boy and screamed in fright. Now he is her brother. Could there be a happier ending?

Fish Heads and Chicken Bones

Theo and Blessing eat fish heads and chicken bones. Since I don't serve fish with heads, I have not witnessed the former, but Kyle and Zach have seen Theo munch a fish head at scout camp. And, when Blessing heard about it, she was jealous saying she, "loves the eyes!"

While the rest of my family reacts with different stages of amusement and/or disgust, I have tried to take it all in stride. After all, this is their culture or tradition or whatever. At least that is what I thought, until I overheard a little exchange between T & B. I wanted to write it down so I will remember it.

Theo doesn't eat chicken bones anymore. When Blessing asked him why he wasn't eating his bones, his response made me again realize the life my son and daughter have lived. He said, "I don't need to eat the bones anymore. I am not hungry."

What would I eat, what would you eat, if we were truly hungry? I wonder.

Wondrous Variety

This young lady was hurt when she found out that the boy she was seeing had a mom and sister that didn't like her, because she "looks too much like a cheerleader," and couldn't possibly be a "good girl."This young man is hurt when people comment that he is so short for his age.
This handsome fellow doesn't like being called fat.
And this beautiful young girl was told last week that her skin made her ugly.
At first I freaked that the neighborhood child was being racist, but after posting to the yahoo boards and getting some great responses, I rethought. Kids are mean. (Adults sometimes too!) They grasp for anything and everything that makes a person stand out in whatever the present company is.

My children, your children, you and I are all made exactly as we were meant to be made. To quote one of my favorite characters from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, "because Allah in his wisdom, loves wondrous variety."

Another Milestone (To me anyhow)

In 2007 we attended the balloon fest in Provo, UT. We had just decided that we were going to adopt siblings from Liberia, West Africa. We didn't know their names or faces or anything, but we knew then that we would find them.

While we were at the fest we saw a family with triplets from Ethiopia. They were babies and we imagined what it would be like for our new children to have this experience. We knew they would be older and understand more than those babies.

Every year after that, when balloon fest time rolled around I would think about my two kids that were missing it yet again and feel a little sad. This year was different!! Here we are! Complete! Together! and finally experiencing this as a family united!!

This picture is going on the fridge!