One Year Home

I can't believe that next week, on January 28th, we will be celebrating the one year anniversary of the day we arrived home - exhausted, emotional, relieved, excited, and afraid - after our second trip to Ethiopia.

This past year has been amazing. Very, very hard, trying, and exhausting, but amazing. As I put together a video of our first year together, I was in awe of how far Markos has come and how much he's changed and grown. Seeing his tiny, frail body which first wore size 2T (at 4.5 years old), now wearing size 4 & 5. Hearing him talk in the videos with more Amharic than English, now hearing him speak incredible English with an adorable accent. Seeing my tired expression as I held him close having woken with him 5 to 6 times the night before, now rarely ever getting up with him at night. We've come so far.

Yet, when he and I were talking earlier today and I said, "Wow Markos, next week will be the one year anniversary of when you came to America! You've been here a whole year already!", I was surprised (and saddened) when he got a panicked look on his face and asked, "I'm going back to Ethiopia?!". Oh baby, no. You're part of our family FOREVER now.

Day by day, week by week, month by month, things get easier. We've come so far, but still have such a long way to go. Looking back and seeing the smiles, and hearing the laughter, and remembering the joy and excitement helps. Helps me more confidently say, the best is yet to come!!

And this past year has been A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!!

One Year Home!

Markos' First Christmas Morning

Markos was so excited when we put him to bed, that we thought sure he would be the child who awoke at 4:30 AM, ready to open gifts (after all, that wouldn't be too different from any normal morning for him!).  Surprisingly, Grammy was awake first and was watching Markos when he started to stir at 5:50.  She said he opened his eyes, leaned up to look down where the other 2 littles were sleeping, saw that they were still asleep, and laid his head back down for a while.  A few minutes later, he did the same thing.  Again and again, until he actually fell back to sleep.  (A Christmas miracle?!  Maybe!)  ;-)

The kids didn't really wake up and get out of bed until close to 8:30 - yay!  Then, they waited obediently upstairs until everyone was awake, gathered together upstairs, and ready to go open gifts.  The adults, armed with cameras and video cameras went down first, with kids crowding at the doorway ready to come down.

When they were finally given the go-ahead, Markos led the pack down the stairs.  (I know the pile looks ridiculous - and it is - but remember, it's for all three of our families plus Grammy & Pappy's gifts for all of us, so that makes it a little less appalling - right?!) 

The kids ooh'd and aah'd while the cameras clicked away.  I think Markos might have been a tad overwhelmed, but he was smiling and excited, too.

I love how happy and excited the kids are at Christmas.  I love giving gifts.  Truth be told, I'm not a big gift person, myself, as far as receiving them goes, but I do love how excited the kids get at Christmas to give the gifts that they have made for us, or that they purchased in their Santa shop at school, or whatever.  It's just neat to see them also filled with joy at being able to give!

Markos' preschool had a Santa shop and we gave him money to buy Mackenzie, Daniel, Eric and I something.  He was beyond excited about it when he came home that day.  He completely blew all the surprises and told me everything he bought before we left the parking lot of his school.  But, it was fun to get to see him give the gifts that he thoughtfully chose for everyone.  He also made some cute things at preschool, which his teachers helped him wrap, and they actually remained a surprise.  He was very excited to give me this plate that they made because I have plates in my dining room with Mackenzie's hand print from when she was a baby, and Daniel's foot print from when he was a baby, but I hadn't yet made one for Markos.  Now, I don't need to make one.

He bought Eric a measuring tape and an ice scraper for the car that has an attached mitt to keep your hand warm.  One day before Christmas, he picked up the one that we had in the car and said to me, "You won't need this one anymore after Christmas."  So funny.   

From the Santa shop, he bought me a snow globe and a coffee mug that says "The Time is Right to Make New Friends".  He also keeps telling me how I can drink coffee from it.  Funny thing is, I don't drink coffee.  I'm wondering if he thinks I don't because I don't have a mug.

For Mackenzie, he chose fuzzy socks that have little stuffed animal faces attached to the side of them.  And, for Daniel (who is apparently his favorite!), he got 2 bags of toys, pencils, erasers, little notebooks, and other stuff boys like.

Daniel didn't get to go and shop for us but he decided that he really wanted to make gifts for people.  Being the creative little thing that he is, the gifts were...shall we say entertaining?!  Oh my.  That boy.  We laughed (and are still laughing) about his gifts.  For Eric, he made a little card with a nickel and two pennies taped inside.  It read:

"I love you....and money."

He made Darren a toilet paper tube with a face on it and a card that said something about "not being a veggie weirdo".  We still have no idea what that is, but Uncle D has now taken to signing his emails to Daniel, "Love, Veggie Weirdo".

Meanwhile, for the second year in a row, Gracie gave the special gifts she made in school to me and to Grammy.  I love the picture/poster she drew and gave me.  It reads, "Add color to your life.  Stand out in a crowd."  I was chuckling a little thinking that it could have also read, "Add color to your family.  Stand out in a crowd", as all trans-racial adoption families already know.  

Of course, in addition to the homemade and kid-purchased gifts, there were the Santa gifts and the parent gifts and the grandparent gifts.  All too numerous to detail, but cameras were a big hit this year.  The boys both got scooters.  I think all the kids got a Wii game or a DS game of some sort.  Abby got an i-Pod.  Grammy got a sewing machine.  Pappy got lots of his favorite sports team apparel.  I got a Kindle (and have already finished the first book of The Hunger Games series and am half-way through the second).  Eric got a computer game that he's been wanting (Dear Mom and Dad, Thanks a LOT! Love, your neglected, ignored daughter and wife of the computer game addict!).  Daniel got a new hockey bag and two remote controlled helicopters.  Mackenzie got new Uggs and a new North Face jacket.  (Yep, that's about all she got, too.  Not sure I like these teenage requests of 2 items that cost a lot - although it did make the shopping easier to accomplish quickly!)  Markos got some electric drums, a talking Tow Mater, and a few games.

Markos with his new camera

Gracie got a camera, too!

Kenzie also got a new camera!

Abby got an i-Pod

Scooters for the boys

Grammy's apparently going to start sewing again

Daniel with his new hockey bag (with wheels - yay!)

Markos taking a little break to play with his Tow Mater

Pappy's funny new t-shirt

More Cars toys!

It was a fun morning.  The kids were awesome.  They were all very happy and content with all that they received.  They were patient and watched one another open gifts, getting excited and happy for the others while they waited their turn.  Markos even did amazingly well - especially when everyone was getting different things and he wasn't getting exactly what Daniel was getting. (We were worried about that!)  

After the gifts were all opened and the wrapping paper and boxes were cleaned up a little, the kids finally got to play with their new toys while the adults rested a little before getting ready for the next round of company, family, presents and food!

Playing with Kenzie

 

Christmas Eve 2011 - Let the Festivities Begin!

On December 23rd, we arrived at my parents' house in time to visit for a few minutes, get air beds inflated, unload the van and get the kids to bed.   In addition to presents and clothes, the boys in my family also decided to take a respiratory virus along to share with the rest of the family.  (You're welcome.)  ;-)  It didn't appear to slow Daniel and Markos down much (notice I did not mention Eric). 

Due to Daniel's hockey tournament schedule, our visit was shorter this year than usual, so our days were pretty packed.  On Christmas Eve morning, my friends, Suzanne and Catherine, and Catherine's daughter came out to visit.  Lily loved the attention.  Markos received his first Christmas presents.

Markos and Daniel opening their gift from Suzanne

Nothing says "Merry Christmas" like toys with which to shoot each other

When they left, the kids played while the adults women started making food and preparing for the annual family Christmas Eve party. 

Eric 'dying' on the couch

Lily would pretty much snuggle up with anyone who would let her

Once the kids were dressed in their nice clothes, we forced them to endure countless photos in front of the tree.  I think we *might* have gotten a handful of cute ones.

Markos thought these antlers were THE funniest, coolest things EVER

After the Grandmas both arrived, Mackenzie and Abby played some carols on the piano for MaMaw. 

Mackenzie & Abby providing musical entertainment for the evening

We ate (too much), laughed, visited.  The kids opened gifts from the Grandmas and their aunts & uncles.  The adults did their traditional "Wrap the Crap" exchange.  The kids played "Minute to Win It" games with M&Ms.

Just to prove that I was, indeed, present

Waiting for presents from Aunt Barb & Uncle Rick

Yay!  A truck that plays music!

Yay!  Stuff to build crafty things with!

Big kids "Minute to Win It"

Pappy with his mom, MaMaw (my grandma, my kids' Great-Grandma)

The kids with NaNa (my other Grandma, the kids' other Great-Grandma)

 And then, when the party was over and everyone left, the kids changed into their Christmas pajamas and set to work preparing for Santa's arrival.  Markos dumped sprinkled his "reindeer food" that he made in preschool out on the back patio.  The kids each put a cookie out for Santa and carrots for the reindeer and the adults anxiously awaited the sound of sleeping children so they could make their preparations and get to bed, too!

Markos putting out the "reindeer food"

Markos "fixing" the pile of reindeer food

Cookies out for Santa

The sweetest, cutest bunch of kids in the world, ready for bed so Santa will come!

First-ever Preschool Pictures

Markos is becoming such a big boy.  I was just reminded that I will soon have to register him for Kindergarten for next year. Yikes!  Hard to believe that he's come so far in such a short time.  

Even harder to believe that one year ago, today, he was still waiting in an orphanage in Ethiopia for us to return to bring him home.

Today, we got his first school pictures from preschool. They're really not that great given how amazingly photogenic he is. He looks a little stiff, scared, and well, just not his mostly-happy self.

The one exception is his group class picture. It kinda cracks me up. You can totally see his ornery-ness. 

(Dear God, thank you for preschool teachers who love kids, love God, and have lots of patience!)

Haiti Trip Video

OK, so we got back from Haiti exactly 3 months ago and I'm just now FINALLY finished putting together a video of the pictures from our trip. I've been a little busy with school, Markos, the kids' activities, Markos, the house, Markos....you get the idea. ;-)

The trip was really amazing and I'm hoping to return again this summer, taking a bunch of others with me. (Hopefully more on that in the future!) In the meantime, here you go...

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Kennywood Holiday Lights

What a fun night!

I don't know if we've just never known about it, or if this was the first year that they've done it, but tonight we went to Kennywood for their Holiday Lights Display for the first time.  It will definitely not be the last time though.

First, it was the perfect night to go.  Who would have thought - sweat shirt weather on a December night in Pittsburgh?!  Second, you know the night is going to be great when the first thing you run into upon entering the park with your hockey-loving son is Iceburgh, the Pittsburgh Penguins' mascot! 

Daniel and Markos with Iceburgh

Iceburgh biting Daniel's head

There were lights everywhere and it was very beautiful!  Rides, buildings, trees - everything was covered with lights.  The lights and light displays around the lagoon area were set to music.

Two teen girls - prettier than the lights

The Reason for the Season

They had special activities around the park.  The kids all decorated a cookie - which Daniel and Markos happily gave to Eric and I since Daniel can't eat them and Markos doesn't like sickening sweet things (yet). While we finished eating our cookies, we walked around the big train board display.  Lots of cute Pittsburgh details -- Heinz train cars, Steelers trains, etc.

Decorating cookies

The First-Ever Christmas Cookie by Markos

Mackenzie's Masterpiece

There were "characters" all around the park.  When we left the building where the kids were decorating cookies, Mrs. Claus was sitting on a bench outside.  Markos immediately ran up to her and said, 'I've been good!"  (I choked back the cough/laughter/sarcasm!)  She reminded him that it was still 3 weeks until Christmas so he had to continue to be good and I chimed in with a hearty, "yeah! did you hear that?!"  :-D

Markos telling Mrs. Claus that he "was good"

Daniel & Markos with the Gingerbread Man

There were some rides open throughout the park.  I kinda forced Markos to ride the Kangaroo.  (In my defense, I did so because he rode it when we went this summer and loved it and insisted that we ride it again.  Tonight, he was all freaked out and kept asking if it was scary for some reason.  I knew he'd love it if he just got on it.  Plus we were all riding, so he had to ride or one of us would have had to sit out.  Glad I did, too, because when we were leaving and I asked him what his favorite part of the night was, he said, "the Kangaroo"!!)  We also rode the Carousel - another favorite of Markos'.  Almost every ride in Kiddie land was open, so I had the unfortunate privilege of taking the boys around to ride everything while Eric took Kenz and her friend off to get food.

Markos on the carousel

The entrance to Kiddie Land

Markos riding the helicopters

Sweet Danny boy still likes to ride some of the kiddie rides

Markos, the developing prankster, says, "Hey Mom!  Look, I'm Santa!"

Markos finally decides to brave the "Pounce Bounce" and after being strapped in twice, they got all the kids off and said it was broken.  Nice.

Getting ready to ride the train (aka The Gingerbread Express) - Markos refusing to cooperate with the girls pleas to "smile Markos".

But he did smile a lot throughout the night.  We all did, actually.  A fun night out getting ready for the holidays.  Definitely going to be a new family tradition...for the next few years anyway...until the kids are older and refuse to go with us!