Transition Time

ice cream and silliness

bike rides

hey jenny g-- doesn't he look good in orange and blue ;0

an update- long overdue

Summer has been so fun! The kids started school today so that means it's ending, I guess. When I was in middle school there was kind of a big debate about year round school. I remember feeling horrified at the thought, and doing an assignment that involved writing a persuasive argument about why or why not to have year round school. I have to say-- I still love the long weeks of summer!

With the start of the school year, Kevin and I feel like we are getting ready to dive into a new classroom too. Taye had his ABR (brain stem hearing test) last Friday. It confirmed that he had severe bilateral hearing loss. We were so thankful that the audiologist felt like she got a good reading -- we were ready to know what the situation was and move ahead. Also-- that the loss was labeled severe and not profound which is what we had originally been told. This means that there is a chance he will be able to hear with hearing aids. At this point we think he can hear very loud sounds-- a loud clap, a lawn mower. It was so hard to know for sure where he was b/c he is so smart! :) He can do some lip reading already-- go get your shoes, let's go outside, and is doing so well with signs!

We feel a little bit overwhelmed with all the options, opinions but are so lucky to live in a community that has some really great resources! We also love hearing other people's experiences and the route they have gone! So now I'm off to study.

One of my favorite things in Indiana...

lots of BLUEBERRIES! Even growing up in the neighboring state of IL.. no blueberries. Every summer we would bring a few large boxes home from my grandma's and enjoy them by the handful for a short time. I always wondered why we had to wait for a trip to Grandma's in July to get berries. The whole idea of where food came from and that there were more options than the local grocery was rather vague to me. Now that I live here and have actually seen blueberry bushes, I love getting to go pick berries and eat as many as you want. The kids love it too-- Taye doesn't really bother to pick them-- he either puts his really cute lips up to the plant and takes one right off or eats them out a other people's buckets.

side note-- I don't usually let him have a rope hanging around his neck-- it is actually attached to the bucket that you would, hypothetically, put the blueberries in. Still, not a great precedent but he WILL NOT be left out of doing anything that his sisters and brother are doing. What's a mom to do?

Pictures!

I need to do an update but it is so crazy around here that sometimes I don't have any coherent thoughts! For now here is a link to some really sweet pictures of Taye that my friend Andria took for us! She was so great!

With 8 kids and 4 adults here our house was really full last week! She arrived to take my little sister's senior pictures as I was returning from a run and at about the same time that a new therapist (for Taye's hearing) was supposed to arrive. While I was helping Marissa finish getting ready; Andria babysat Taye for me and snapped some amazing pictures-- what a great friend and photographer! Check these out!

http://www.lukeannandboys.blogspot.com/

Fun Times!

Taye's first trip to the lake house went so well! I was really nervous about how he would do-- he was great! We had so much fun with him -- from the pictures it looks like Kevin was the only one that had him- umm, I think I played with him too-- apparently we just don't have pictures of that :) I do have to say that it was a really nice break to have Daddy and a lot of other adults around though!

First trip to the beach-- he loves the water and sand but shivers like crazy after awhile

Go -cart racing. No fear! Couldn't beat Aunt Em and Kait though

Tubing! Had a smile plastered to his face the whole time. In fact after watching one kid ride he was literally fighting me to get out of the boat and get in the water or on the tube!

I was also stressed about how he would be when we got home. All these different adults taking care of him and Kevin with him a lot (he has always been a little more attached to Kev). I actually feel it has went really well as far as attachment/ bonding with me now that we are home. Maybe it is just as time passes or maybe I am a little more relaxed. Either way, it is definitely nice to have him be more receptive to me! A little more affectionate, wanting me to help him, and even obeying sometimes. :)--I've read and heard to expect 3 steps forward, 1 step back so I am just trying to soak all the positive in now ( and hoping that things can stay good).

Looking Back

We are hoping to leave tomorrow to go to Michigan. I looked back at our pictures from last year and had to smile. First I am amazed at how God has answered prayers-- last July our dossier was just going to Ethiopia. For those of you who are waiting for your children-- it feels so long but it really does happen! Second-- God does not always answer our prayers in the way that we were thinking-- this has been such a roller coaster journey. Third-- this picture was taken on our way up to the lakehouse-- kids in coordinating outfits, picnic packed to eat on the way-- ummm, this year --I'm just hoping that I can actually get packed. Period ;)

Fruit Stains -no problem

I got a great tip from my sister Sara~ pour boiling water on fruit stains before you wash the clothes. Magic! They totally disappear! No more stressing when the kids are picking strawberries and juice is all over! Now if I can get Taye to wait until I wash them....

Less time on laundry means more time for playing! Happy summer!

the end of our trip!

Firday was market in the morning and then visiting Taye's old orphanage. They were so sweet and excited to see him! I was really overwhelmed and it was a hard day. Taye was also starting to be more manipulative and controlling with us and that was obviously expected but hard.

Friday night we got to "help" make injera-- harder than it looks!

Saturday am we went to the Millennium Park to run. This is where some of the marathon runners finish up on their training runs and Kevin really wanted to do this! We took Taye for a short run too, to try to make sure it would be in his blood :)-- you can pick Kev out easily-- the only white guy.

Good thing we ran-- Saturday afternoon was the traditional Ethiopian meal at HOH. Oh it was soooo good! I don't think this was even all the food!

Later Saturday afternoon we visited the Home of Hope supported by Loving Shepherd Ministries http://www.loving-shepherd.com/blog/ . This is a home for 7 orphans. We had a great time with the kids!

Tsion is the beautiful "mother" to these children. She is 65 y/o (looks amazing!)and raised 4 children. After they were grown she "prayed to the Lord for 7 more". She then got busy working to support some families financially and wait for the Lord to answer her prayer. Through friends she met at work she was put in touch with the right organization and God has answered her prayers in miraculous ways. She was an amazing testimony and example! We loved meeting her!

this is Sunday after church. We went to the International church and took Taye. That was pretty much a disaster but I had fun walking around outside with him and talking to another mom! Kevin is pictured with Almaz, the wonderful wife of the director of HOH and Tesfu. Tesfu was our guide but ended up being our good friend!!!!! We enjoyed our time with him so much!

The end of and exhausting and emotional few days and the start of a very long journey home to another life for Taye. We are in the car after tearful goodbyes, some of which are captured on video and are so precious to us!

One of Taye's favorite guards saying goodbye as he closed the gate-- I have tears while I am typing! We can't wait to go back some day!