The start of something NEW!

As Christmas approaches, so do holiday traditions.   We are a multicultural family...Cuban, Texan (a whole breed of its own!) and now Ethiopian.   It is important that we honor our differences.  Berhanesh is from Sidamo, Ethiopia.    The main language spoken in Ethiopia is Amahric.   I am sure Berhanesh heard other dialects before she arrived in Addis Ababa (where the Transition Home resides).  To honor her and her beautiful country, I made a special pillow, just for her!  It reads, "Melkam Gena!" ----  Merry Christmas!   While I was taking her picture, she said, " I can't believe it, Oh my Word!"  She must hear SOMEONE say that A LOT!!!

This weekend, we will began decorating and feasting on hot chocolate and cookies!  Let the decorating begin!  

Happenings at Home!

I seriously can't wait this long between posts!  So many things can happen in our home in one week and when I don't post, I don't remember.  Call it old age or the busy mom of three.  I am just plain forgetful these days!  

We celebrated Little Miss B's first halloween!  I had a blast making her costume (Abby's too)!  Cookie Monster is no longer her favorite but very close in the running to Dora and Diego!  She LOVED trick-or-treating.  She actually is still trick-or-treating EVERYDAY at home.  She brings her little red purse to us and says "trick-or-treat,"  we pretend to put something in her purse!  So fun!  

We have visited Hobby Lobby a few times and explored the Christmas section.  I am a little nervous that she may become overwhelmed.  I am trying to prepare her by showing her things and letting her touch different christmas items.   She is loving the trees!  I can't wait until we put ours up!    I am not sure how she will react to presents and Santa.   Guess we will have to see...

As many of you know, we had quite the scare a couple of weeks ago with Berhanesh's health and spent the night at the hospital.  She developed a very high fever, very quickly and needed lots of iv fluids.  We are blessed to have a Godly doctor who prayed with us and directed us to the best care.   During times like these, I am GRATEFUL that I have a support system within my family, friends and my Yahoo Group.  I KNEW that my friends from all over the US (most I have never met) would lift our daughter up to the Lord in prayer!  The blessings that come from adoption are amazing!  I never dreamed that I would be connected in such a powerful way to so many families.  Thank you for believing for our daughter's healing and for standing in the gap for us!  

Little B went to some dark places during her hospital stay.  So many emotions were displayed on her sweet face.  The sadness and pure terror were awful to watch.   Trust was lost and Tulio and I fought hard to gain it back.  There were obvious memories and demons our daughter battled along with being sick.   We are hopeful that she is once again gaining confidence that we ARE her forever family and that we will NEVER leave her. We believe that God will use this experience to strength the bond between us.   Berhanesh is having some memories of Ethiopia.   At random times, things are mentioned and we believe she is remembering.  At bedtime last week, I was laying down with her and she said, "Me, Ethiopia, mommy got me and daddy too."  Then she wanted to know why Abby and Ben did not come.  We told her they were getting her room ready.   When we pray, she prays for Ethiopia.   She is trying so hard to process all the changes.  B trys to convey to us what she is thinking.  She pauses and tries to get the words out correctly.    Can you imagine?  Being so young, having lost so much, taken away from everything you have ever known (whether good or bad) and being placed in a home where everything and everyone is different?    When I become frustrated and feel things are not progressing in the way in which I think it should...I just need to remember the road my daughter has traveled.  

As we approach Thanksgiving, all I can say is WOW!!!  I am blessed beyond measure.  

Blessings to you and yours!

K

I'm a bad, bad blogger!

For the two readers that are still following me (Aunt Mary and her friend!).  So sorry for the lack of posts.  We are all doing super, just busy!

Berhanesh and I spend most of our days...playing!  

Last week, we celebrated 3 amazing months with our daughter home with her forever family.  In the 3 months that B has been home, she has gained 7 pounds and grown 3.5 inches!  She is blossoming right before our eyes!  I love watching her grow, physically and emotionally.  We are confident B's little personality is beginning to emerge.  Some days are better than others, the memories are still there.  We will probably never know what she remembers, but the look that comes across her face is something I will never forget.  I don't want to.   New memories will replace the sorrow and sadness but I pray that I will always be sensitive to her "story."   

Things we have learned about Ava Berhanesh so far:

*  Berhanesh loves Dora and Diego.   

*  Goldfish and apple juice have once again, become a staple in our home!

*  All Berhanesh's babies have to naked, all the time!  This drives Gaga crazy!  

*  Cell phones are very popular with Ethiopian princesses.

*  Berhanesh's language is growing every day.  When she gets really excited, she jumbles all the words together.  Makes no sense, at all.  But it does bring a great laugh!

*  Prayer is really important to this little girl!  Just today, she began praying on her own.  When it was her turn to pray at bed time, she said "Jesus, I love you.  Thank you cookie, halloween, Gaga no hurt arm and then a bunch of rattling and then Amen."  When she prays, she throws her head all the way back and prays with such excitement!   If we could all be like this!

*  Loves music...funky music.  The funkier, the better.  Although, there are times when I have Kari Jobe on in the car, really loud and I am just singing...I look back and she is totally joining in.  I have been know to raise my hands at the stop light while singing and I sometimes see her doing this!  OH MY GOSH!!!  Melts me to a puddle!  What an honor to share with her the love and power of Jesus!  

*  Coffee con leche is a must in the morning!  

*  Sleeps all night (11-12 hours) in panties!  No accidents!  Unbelievable bladder control!  Naps are still around 30 min.-1 hour.  Enough time for me to potty by myself and do a load of laundry.  Fun!

We went to Seaworld a couple of weeks ago and she loved Shamu!  Was not too fond of the jack-o-lanterns in the park (she calls then naughty pump-i-kins)!   

What you all want to see!  Enjoy the photos!

A little more than 2 months!

Friday, Sept. 25, we celebrated two months home with our girl! 

 

I have said this so many times but she is such a JOY!  A true blessing.   It is amazing to me and such an example of Christ' love. The way Berhanesh has blended into our family and the way we all feel she has been with us forever is nothing short of another example of God's divine plan for our family.    We are so glad that we took that HUGE step into the adoption world and we live with NO REGRETS!!!  

We have had quite the month.  Berhanesh is continuing to discover many new things and grows more confident each day.  We continue to see some (actually, very little) signs of grieving.  The moaning at nap time (sleeping almost an hour a day!  YEAH!) is almost gone and she is still sleeping 11-12 hours at night.  She is attaching well to our immediate family and is open to strangers talking to her.   We had a doctor's appointment with an Orthopedic Specialist regarding her legs.  Not such good news; however, we do have a second opinion with another specialist planned in October. Please pray for wisdom for Tulio and I.

The highlight of our month was a trip to see a special little girl that our Berhanesh loves dearly.  These darling girls spent time together in Ethiopia at the TH and it was obvious they were close friends.     It was a true delight to spend the weekend with Jane-Grace and her family.  I was delighted in seeing my baby have a connection to her past.  Berhanesh was in heaven!  It is our hope to continue and nurture this relationship for many years to come.    

While visiting with our new friends, we had the honor of staying with Tulio's great aunt.  She is 82 and such an incredible lady.  We sat around the table till midnight each night hearing story after story of her life in Cuba and how she and her family came to the United States.  She is a survivor!   Her testimony was a true inspiration.  My kids LOVED Tia Bebe!  She is a crack up!  She would disappear and come back dressed up in a funny wig and outfit just to make us laugh!  Berhanesh did not think it was so funny...she was freaked out!

Abby and Ben are blossoming in school.  Ben was elected to student council and Abby was elected to the board of the Interact Club.  They both are so excited!  We could not be more proud.  They are excellent students and we anticipate an awesome report card!  

Enjoy the pictures!

Morning Coffee Mustache!

Look at them holding hands!!!  

Best buddies! Pure JOY!!!  

Celebrating Ethiopian New Year 2009

This morning, I dressed Berhanesh in one of her beautiful Ethiopian dresses and headed out to celebrate New Years!  Berhanesh was beyond excited when she saw her dress.  She kept saying, "have, have..."  She spun around while saying, "pretty, pretty."  BE STILL MY HEART!!! September 11 marks the start of a New Year in Ethiopia.  While we are in the year 2009, Ethiopia is beginning the year 2002.

We went to the store and picked up some flowers and delivered them to some family while wishing them a "Happy New Year."  Berhanesh received some coins in return.  We had so much fun! 
 

Tonight, we will have our family over for dinner to help continue the celebration.   I am excited to be able to celebrate this joyous occasion with our princess.   In the joy of today, I am reminded of how lucky we are to have this child with us.  Sometimes it is hard to believe she is really here.   In continuing the beginning of a new tradition in our home, we will light a candle in honor of Berhanesh's birth family.  We know some have gone on before us...some remain in Ethiopia.   It is our desire to honor her family, wherever they may be. 

"Dear Father,  thank you for such a special day!  We are thrilled to share with Berhanesh some of the culture from her birth land.  I look at Berhanesh and I see a glimpse of who you are.   We are honored to play a small part in B's journey.  Thank you for choosing us!  I ask Lord that you be with B's family in Ethiopia today.  Provide, protect, heal and minister to her family in only the way you can.  I pray they are given the opportunity to know about your son, Jesus.  You are awesome!  I love you.  Amen."

We have a shopper!

Berhanesh loves Kroger! She loves the coffee and getting to push (actually, run into things) her little basket around!

 

 

 

 

A few of my favorites!

This girl loves, loves, loves BUBBLES or "baba-o-tete" as she refers to them!