"Q" is for Quilt

Helena with her beautiful new quilt.

Sof with his new quilt. As Sof and I work on our home schooling each day I am given an opportunity to teach him new words. Today's is "Q, is for quilt".

I am constantly blown away at the friends God has placed in my life. I am rich I tell you, with the best friends a girl could have. Tammy is one of them. Her friendship and kind heart make her a one in a million.

The other day my dear friend from Dallas, Tammy sent me a quick email saying that she had put something in the mail for Sof and Helena. Boy was that an understatement. When I opened the box I was immediately overwhelmed with emotion seeing what she had sent to them. As I am writing this tears of gratitude fall down my cheeks. She had made quilts for both of them from her loving hands. So much time, thought and energy went into creating these, I know. I once, and I mean once sewed a quilt, that it gives me a good understanding and so much respect for quilters and their dedication. It is truly a labor of love! These quilts were no different. To top it off she added the most loving, thoughtful letter explaining her motivation, and the symbolism to each of them.
Tammy, I hope you don't get mad but I had to share your beautiful words, for I could not do them justice.
She wrote:
It is my hope that these quilts can bring them comfort at times when they are sick or tired or just need to be wrapped in love. They were made to bring blessings to each of them. The best thank you I could get is for them to one day be thread bare and warn out from use.
Helena's quilt is a sweet mixture of little flowers that symbolize all of the beauty she possesses and that one day she will blossom into the young women God intended her to be.
Sof's quilt has a lot of symbolism's as well. I chose the train fabric because it represents the journey he has made from ET to TX. Also, Blake and Reagan loved trains when they were younger. The read and blue squares symbolize the colors found in both the US and TX flags. I even noticed that the backing looks like a giraffe print, which symbolises Africa, so he will never forget the country of his birth. The back of the quilt there is special quilting representing a family that always surrounds him in love.
These gifts were given with all the love and blessings that come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

As she has woven with her hands and her love these priceless quilts for our newest additions, God has woven her into a priceless friend and woman of God. I am so grateful, humble and honored to call her friend.

Tammy, you will be happy to know that both Sof and Helena snuggle up to these each night I lay them to sleep. Your blessings to Sof and Helena are treasures to them!

America =Doctor's, Medicines and Pain!!!

Pour Sof and Helena, since coming to America it seems every other day is filled with doctor's appointments, dentists and much torture.
Unfortunately, when we brought them home both Sof and Helena had their fair share of illness bringing them much pain and discomfort. The good thing is that being in America, we are able to get these things taken care of quickly. So after a few doctor's visits, dentists appointments, samples (of all sorts-ICK!!!!!), they are on the road to recovery.
Sof even had to go to the oral surgeon and have a tooth extracted that was totally decayed. It was not a good day. The poor kid thought I was evil and was not happy with me. It was very difficult because of the lack of understanding and I did not want him to defy me, I could not explain to him that he couldn't eat breakfast before we left the house that morning or what was going to happen to him. All I could do is everytime he would eat and it would hurt, I would show him on the calendar, which we are learning, that Monday the doctor was going to fix that tooth so it wouldn't hurt him any more.
They have been on several medicines for this and that as well. Every time I open a bottle Sof says "Medicine, me, mom?" We still have a month to go for one of Helena's medicines, hoping that will do the trick.
Then we have the vaccinations. Oh my!!! Since Sof had just gone through the whole oral trama, I chose to have just Helena get her first set of vaccinations. Sof's turn, which he does not know yet, will come at our next visit in two weeks. I think I might just have Greg be the lucky one to go with him that day.
Overall, they are very healthy kids!!! Praising God for taking care of them and providing for them so well. They were both feed well in food and love at Hope in ET. Our pediatrician is amazed at how happy and well adjusted they are.
It has been cofirmed by the dentist and our pediatrian that there is no way Helena is 27 months. They think she is around 18-20 months. Right now that is a big difference, but as she get's older those 6 months will become nothing. Therefore, we will not go through the trouble of changing her birth certificate. Sof has told us he was born in 1992, based on the ET calendar they are just celebrating their year 2000, making him 8 as we have been told.
So all in all I am very thankful that they are so healthy and hopefully we can keep them this way.

The Good Life

I am having so much fun getting to know Sofonyas and little miss Helena. They are too funny!! Both full of personality out the wazoo!! Which is perfect for our family.

Sof is quite the ham always laughing, even when he doesn't really know what he is laughing about. He and I were talking about some of his friends from Ethiopia changing their names and so he came up with Sofonyas "Jackie Chan" Mott. We bothed laughed, he is a nut for sure. For the record, we will not be changing it to that it was just a funny thought.

After some morning schooling we ride bikes and then take a little break from the heat with a movie of choice. He loves both Sky High and Spiderman. He calls himself Spiderman and acts out scenes from the movie. He is seriously drawn to anything Spiderman. So we have an interest!! We went through our home library the other day to find all the Spiderman we had and happily found quite a few to keep us entertained.

I am happy to say the pouting is decreasing and the playful relationship between Sof and I is greatly improving. He is a funny one that kid. We went on a bike ride back in forth in front of the house yesterday, while Helena was down for a nap, and that was the best time we have had. One on one having fun! It was so cute, as we were riding he was looking at the greenbelt area around our house and asked "Mom, Lion's here?" It dawned on me that I am forgeting that everything is NEW to him. So from this question led to a great discussion about what animals live around us here in Texas and what animals he saw when he lived in Ethiopia. In the last few days, I have been focusing more of my schooling and language lessons on just us talking together. Asking full questions and understanding the words what, where, why, etc. He is catching on quick. He may not speak as much, but he is understanding a lot.

Helena is a riot and is starting to find security without me holding her all the time. She actually will walk around our kitchen and family room without me. I still cannot leave her sight, but we are definitely making improvements. She watched Caitlin and Reagan put on their backpacks for school and so she grabbed her little bag and walked away from me saying "Bye, Bye" and ran around the kitchen 20 times or so. She is even walking beside me when we go places instead of me holding her. Today at the kids school, we went up for lunch, she pulled her hand away to walk on her own beside me. Little toot! Already asserting her independance. I give thanks though. She knows when she makes people laugh and likes it. Last night she kept making pigs sounds, snorting out of her nose till her food was coming out. The kids were cracking up. The more they laughed the more she did it. It was everything in my power to get the maddness to stop. The poor girl was sacraficing herself and her nutrician all for the sake of a good laugh.

Because they are adjusting so well and fit into our family so easily I am finding myself taking their newness for granted and expecting too much of them already. I catch myself throughout the day thinking wow it's only been just 3 weeks since they were still in ET. I am blown away by God's works in them, and how he has covered them with comfort, security, joy and love. They are both so affectionate, I love it. Sof showers us all with hugs and kisses. When he sees Blake in the morning he always runs up to him and embraces him way beyond Blake's normal acceptance. Blake's a good sport though. And when Sof sees Reagan it is the same only Reagan is learning to find joy from the love his new brother showers him with.

Sof and Reagan are so cute. At night I hear them talking with each other. Each night having more of a conversation than the night before. Last night I heard them exchanging vocabulary to one another. Reagan asked "Sof how do you say Superhero in Amharic," and then Sof would say "Rrregan (rolling his "r"s) lion in Amharic is Ambassa." This went on for about 15 minutes. It was the sweetest thing.

Caitlin has been bonding with Helena as well. She likes to try to carry her, even though Helena is quite big for her. Last night Caitlin was finishing up her bath and Helena insisted she jump in with Caitlin. Caitlin wasn't too sure at first but then thought it was the funniest thing to watch how excited her little sister was in the bath with her.

I am blessed with 5 total loving little ones, who fill my days with hugs, kisses, cuddles and I love you moms. Even sometimes all at the same time which is a little overwhelming, but I am not complaining!!!

Singing sweet praises!!! Thank you Jesus for these precious children I get the honor and priveledge of spending my days with. My cup runs over!!!

Back to School!

So I know the kids have been back to school a few weeks now, sadly I am just finding the time to write about it. They actually started the day after we returned from Ethiopia and are going great.

Blake is now the middle man being in 7th grade and loves everything about it but the homework. No more of those nerves like in 6th grade. His favorite subject so far, Advanced Technology where he gets to learn how to play with animation on the computer. Blake is changing so much both physically and mentally, but still has the kindest heart. No bad attitude is coming with all the growth so far.

Reagan now in 3rd grade seems to have matured overnight. He loves his teacher, who used to be a first grade teacher when he was in first grade. He is the big man on campus at Canyon Ridge Elementary since he is the oldest of our children there. He loves the idea of watching over Caitlin and showing her the ropes. It is pretty cute if I do say so myself.

Caitlin, my little dumplin, is in Kindergarten. I can't believe it. It seems like just yesterday I was giving birth to her. Now she is one of the kids running the halls at Elementary. She really likes her teacher, but thinks the full day of school is just too too long. I kinda agree! But she is handling it like a champ. I have just noticed in the evenings, from shear exhaustion she tends to break down quite a bit over anything. In fact last night, it was the mere idea that I had made mash potatoes for dinner and she doesn't like them. To her it was as if I was saying I don't love her any more. She is a little extra sensitive with our newest additions we have noticed as well. She has wanted me to pick her up and hold her more lately and curl up in my lap a little more. With how many big changes have taken place in her world lately I completely understand and am happy to comply.

With trying to adjust to having 5 kids, which is going pretty well so far, I have down sized our extra curricular activities, so we now have Reagan, Sof and Caitlin taking gymnastics on Wednesday afternoons together. They are getting exercise, gaining coordination and having fun to top it off!!! All 3 in 1 shot- BIG BONUS for mom!! For Blake, he is still in Boy Scouts and loving it. Since he is older he is much more independent which makes it do able for us. I unfortunately had to give up being our cub scout den leader for now, but hopefully next year I will be able to return. Blake is still taking violin and in fact has now progressed up to chamber at his school. We are so proud of him and his commitment!!

Homeschooling Sofonyas wow, now that is way more difficult than I had anticipated. For some reason I had it in my head I was going to be teaching him all the academics of 2nd grade. NOT!! It is like having to go back and start with the language of a 2 year old as well as throw in some kinder through 1 grade academic concepts. He is so smart, he just doesn't like to exercise his brain as much as his body. If he had his way we would be on the bike or swimming all day long. Adding to our already complicated school lesson is little miss Helena, being 2 doesn't make it easy to work with him any other time than when she is down for her nap. Unfortunately, by mid day Sof is not in the mood for school. So I am trying to break it into to segments. Writing in the morning with discussing language, obedience, manners, and rules etc throughout the day and then some reading exercises and math in the afternoon. We have our good days and bad days, but overall it is going well.

I just wish I was more of an expert on teaching the fundamentals of the English language for him. I am trying to read up on it in my spare time, which is proving to be very little these days. By the time I get all the kids to bed, it is light's out for me as well. I am learning to take it just one day at a time and praying for God's amazing grace to cover the rest.

Psalm 145:9

The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works [the entirety of things created].

Our First Moments with Sof and Helena

Meeting Sof for the first time

Me working my way into Helena's heart
Greg and Helena at Hope
Me holding Helena at Hope~ She's MINE!!!
Greg with Helena at New Flower Guest house

Blake and Sof in ET after playing a game of soccer together
Blake and Helena

Helena crashed out on flight from Dubai to NY
Helena meeting Lola Reagan and Sof having fun

Sisters playing with blocksSof riding a bike for the first time-That's our boy!!
The gang is all here~ Finally, picture perfect!!
All I can say is PRICELESS!

The whole drive from the New Flower to Hope, where Sof and Helena were, I kept thinking is this really happening. All three of us were nervous, anxious, gitty and overcome with emotion as we pulled up to the gate. From the minute we walked into Hope to see and get Sof and Helena for the first time I could barely breath. But the moment I saw Sof and his beautiful smile, bigger than the sun beaming with happiness calling out "Mom, Dad, brother and running towards us with arms open wide, my heart melted!!! With Sof now by our side we turned to Helena, who was being held by one of the caregivers, sadly she was not quite as enthusiastic to meet us. In fact, she screamed in terror and turned away from us, swinging her arm as if to say, go away. We couldn't help but laugh. Oh, this is how I would remember my first moment with my new daughter, NOT!! By looking at her I knew the way to her heart would be through her stomach, so I asked if I could feed her. Within minutes of me spoon feeding her and blowing kisses she was mine, all mine!!! Happy to say, once Helena was in my arms she would not go to any other. She even took to Greg, once he handed her a lolly pop. Both Sof and Helena were sweeter than we could have ever imagined. Blake once again stepping up, went with Sof downstairs by himself while Greg, Helena and I stayed inside and completed out paperwork.

After wanting and waiting so long to see them and hold them in person all I can say is that it was so amazing and there are no words to describe the joy I felt the first time I held them and kissed their sweet heads. They are both so cute and loving with hearts of gold it is glorious. Getting to know them and their habits, likes, dislikes, ways of communicating their wants was overwhelming the first few days. It was trying to catch up on the years we had lost in an instant.

Helena is just as coy as she appeared in her pictures. A total ham though to those who she lets into her circle. Beyond CUTE!! She loves to play peak a boo and squeal. It almost sounds like she is crying but she is laughing. Cracks us up. She reminds me so much of Caitlin when she was 2. Blake spent most of our time in ET trying to persuade Helena to like him or even to acknowledge him with no luck. She has finally come into bloom now that we have been home for some time. We think from watching her that she must be a little younger than 2 though. She is not potty trained and in many ways is so much like a baby. So my hearts desire to have another baby girl has been answered.

Sof is just as enthusiastic and animated as we gathered from watching him in video with his friends. Over the top!! His smile lights up the sky!!! He is so playful and all boy!! He is attached to Greg at the hip. He is loving and sweet to all, but daddy is the MAN!! The whole way home on the plane he spoke of Texas and how he wanted to learn to swim and ride a bike. He was seriously focused. He is so physically superior to any other kid I know. He is a freak of nature. He learned to ride a bike in 5 minutes and swim in just 2 days. He is already a dare devil on the bike, showing me how he can ride with no hands or feet on the bar. He even has a goose egg on his forehead from diving like a wild man into the pool, too close to the side. Not sure if it was due to a language error or just being an 8 year old boy.

Watching Sof's and Helena's firsts on the travel back home was exhausting and delightful. Sof's face as we rode on the escalator and elevator were so cute. He giggled the whole time. I really mean the whole 36 hour trip!! Helena on the other hand, noting she was sick was miserable. Tired, restless, sick and fussy. Not understanding what the heck was happening and why she had to sit still all the time. She was a trooper as well. But thanks to God's grace she has forgotten and forgiven us for putting her through that.

Now that we have been home a week and are back into the right time zone and swing of things, I can't believe we have only been home a week. The kids have all adjusted so well together. From the moment we got home they were as if they had been together all along. Even acting like siblings and being short with each other. Another blessing, is how well both Sof and Helena took to the dogs. The first 2 days were a little uneasy, but quickly Helena grew to love Nitro, Lola and Price!! So much so she loves to be showered in their wet kisses!! Sof loves the animals too. He even has decided he wants to feed the fish so he can have a pet too!

I am amazed that we have only had them for a week. As I put the kids to bed last night, kissing each one of their precious little heads, I could only feel as if I had been doing it for forever.

God's timing and hands in our lives and our children's is so apparent. I know we would not be here and have all of these little cuties without his love!!!

I am forever, humbled, awed, amazed, grateful for our dream of having our family together a reality.

It is so much sweeter than I ever imagined!!!!!! I only hope I can be the women, mother, wife, friend, daughter and child of God he has created me, blessed me to be!!

Tales from ET

Me, Linsey with our newest little ones

Blake and Ryan at Masuka

Blake and Sof at the Addis Museum
Chris and Meagan hanging at the New Flower
The whole gang at Masuka
Traditional dancing at Fasika

Helena looking like the exotic princess she isMe giving my sweet Sof kisses

Us at the Sheraton ET

Us at the New Flower from our balcony
New soda plant being built
Good times at Cozy place
Jaclyn and Minte

The three of us at the Gion Hotel in ET

An Orthodox Church in ET
Blake, Aiden, Sof and Helena at the New Flower
Our wild night at Fasika
Greg, Blake and I shoppin at the Friendship mall in ET


Where do I begin??? Even though it has been a week since we arrived home, it feels like an eternity already.

Our trip to Ethiopia was so amazing. The people are more beautiful than I have ever seen. So warm and gracious. The land was dry but full of Hope for better days to come. Addis Ababa, which is the capital of Ethiopia means: New Flower. It is the pride of Ethiopia, where all growth is taking place. It was good to see so much under construction, making way for a better economy. The food was a ceremony in instelf, to be used as a place and time of fellowship with friends and family. Not the fast food you see everywhere in the states. The people are all so proud of who they are and not centered on what they aren't or don't have. Such a beautifully simple way of life. Focusing on people and serving one another with joy in all they do, was inspiring to say the least. Then there was the food and dancing. Both a must experience. Served and expressed once again with joy, truly infectious!! We had such a wonderful time there, we only wish we had more time to spend getting deeper into the country and people. Maybe our next trip back will give us that opportunity.

We stayed at a place called the New Flower Guest House. Which was a 2 story house to be shared by fellow adoptive parents and staff. It was in the heart of the city surrounded by concrete walls separating our little world with our new ones from that of the city life around us. The house was enchanting, even on the days without water, electricity, phones, internet, etc, it was simply beautiful. The staff worked around the clock to serve all of us who stayed there. And with all our sick babies, that and hungry families that was a lot.

It was recommended by our agency coordinator as well as the lady who ran the New Flower Guest House not to go out into the city with our children for safety and social reasons, so we obliged. We were able to take them to the Addis Museum, the weaver's market for a little shopping as well as a few recommended restaurants. One of which as a fabulous Italian restaurant which was the best Italian food I have ever had. The kids all behaved wonderfully and so we took them for ice cream at at coffee shop that resembled our Starbucks, but with icecream as well. What a treat, not only the great food but to see the looks on Sofonyas' and Helena's faces were priceless!!!

Both Sofonyas and Helena were sick with tummy issues, pink eye, ear infection, sinus infections, ringworm, giardia, strep throat, so needless to say much of our time was tending to their needs for rest and recooperation.

We couldn't have been held captive with more lovely people. Finally meeting my Hope gal friends, Lisa, Nikko, Theresa, Linsey and Jaclyn as well as meeting some new friends Megan and Ryan and let me not forget Tim. We laughed, we cried and we gave thought and thanks for each day together! I am so grateful for sharing and getting to know everyone. Making memories with friends that will last a lifetime. I will never forget all our frazzled, silly, exhausted, goofy, overwhelmed, nonsensicle moments together!

Blake was a total champ. Rising to each occasion with grace and poise. Never once did we hear the words or attitude "this stinks, when can we go home". I have never been so PROUD of him before! He was gracious and welcoming to his new brother and sister as well as all the other families in the house. He was respectful to all the differences that he saw and experienced, never sounding or looking like a rude american boy. Never uttered the words "I'm bored" even after days of not being able to go anywhere or do anything, but just hang. Our first day out touring the city before we picked up Sof and Helena, we were stopped in traffic and it was hot so Blake rolled down his window. First lesson learned, don't roll down your window in traffic unless you want to be solicited by young hungry children. This little boy who obviously lived on the street and was very hungry went up to Blake's window begging like I have never seen before for food. Pour Blake unprepared, look at me with tears for we had nothing to give him, not even a dollar on us. Needless to say, from that day on when we went into town Blake always had a bag full of granola bars, which he handed out to all those we encountered on the way. Blake said at the end of our trip, "Mom, I will never say we have nothing to eat or there is nothing to play with again. I am sorry that I have taken all that I have for granted". I think he got the big picture as we had hoped.

I think we all learned to appreciate all that we have a little more!!!

It was truly a life changing adventure that we will never forget! And it would not have been possible if not for the assistance of so many friends and family. Thank you dad for blessing us by watching over Caitlin and Reagan while we were gone. They had the best time. In fact while in ET, during one of my conversations with Reagan , he said "Mom when are you all coming home" and I thought he was wondering because he missed us, but he replied " Oh really only two more days with Grandpa, I wish we had more time". Thank you Jesus!!! Even though it slightly hurt my delicate feelings, I was way more happy that he was having such a great time. Thank you to all my friends: Sigrid, Maureen, and Denise for providing play dates for the kids and giving my father his much deserved breaks. Thank you Mamaw, Papaw and Sharon for taking and picking us up and for always being there!! You all made a wonderful welcome home committee!!!

We are so thankful and so blessed!! Each day bringing a new adventure!!

Watch out ET here we come!!!!!

First let me say~ WOOOOHOOOO!!!

Finally our day has come for us to load up our luggage, donations and ourselves on the plane and head out to Ethiopia. I know I have said words cannot described what I am feeling, but I can honestly say I am locked up with excitement, nerves, fear, anticipation, but mostly joy! My heart feels as if it is going to come out of my chest it is beating so strong. I thought I would go for a run, but I don't think I need to at this point. I just want to spend every minute with Caitlin and Reagan until we leave this afternoon.
To think in just 2 days we will get to meet our children for the first time. I can't wait. It's a long trip over there, but I can't complain for we get to stay the night in Dubai so we will be nice and rested up for Sof and Helen on Sunday.
As much as I am excited about going my heart is torn leaving Caitlin and Reagan behind. I know they are in good hands with Grandpa Middlebrook and they will have the time of their lives, but Greg and I have never been away from them and to top it off we are out of the country. I am trying very hard to give both my fear and sadness to God.
I am so thankful everyone who has been there for us; supporting us, encouraging us, informing us, lifting us up in prayer. We would not be here if it weren't for you all!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
So I am signing off for now. I will not be posting from Ethiopia for access to a computer and internet is difficult. I will update when I return. Hoping I will have lots of pictures and stories to share.

Father God, I give thanks for this day to finally be upon us. For allowing us such a beautiful opporunity of a lifetime. I am grateful to all those you have placed in our lives, surrounding us with such love, support, friendship and trusted footsteps to follow. I pray that Greg, Blake, Reagan, Caitlin, my father, Sof, Helen and I be filled with the fruits of your spirit during the next 10 days. Give my father, the patience and endurance that he will need to take care of Caitlin and Reagan!!That any sadness, fear, harm be cast away! Father, I pray for a hedge of protection to be placed upon each of us and those around us. Let our hearts be light and our days be filled with joy, laughter and love. Let Sof and Helen meet us with open hearts. That we see this journey through your eyes. Taking each step, situation, and moment with the peace of knowing that you are with us all. That we bring glory and honor to your name to all that we do and say. Father God I lift up all of us and our needs to you!! It is in your precious and holy name I pray. AMEN!!!

Let the Good times Roll!!

So we are down to just 6 days until we head out to ET!!! I am both excited beyond belief and freaking out that I have forgotten to do something really important!! We are pretty much ready to go at this point, packed, money transfered, house ready, kids ready, papers ready, but yet I still feel unsettled. With as much time and energy that I have been putting into getting ready, I have been making sure each day has some element of fun to it and that our days our filled with the friends and family we love!