And now for the non-controversial...
OK, I admit...being a teacher at home with your own kids is harder at times than doing in school with other people's kids. Newsflash? Certainly not!! Something I am proud to admit--not at all!!! I never thought it would be easy, but...there are days! 
For me, home schooling has been more about the positives than the negatives. The negatives have been mostly other people-related and also my own frustration-related issues. Nothing at all to do with with my four, differently-abled children! 
The thing I am fortunate to have more than anything is a supportive husband (since time and money do not exist around here!). He listens when I fall apart, lifts me up when I think it is an impossible task, and patiently praises the work done each day. He also finds and sends me articles like this one: (not sure why I am sharing it, but someone out there might benefit!). It comes at a time when I am searching for solutions. 
http://www.homeschoolingboys.com/hsboys/articles/6.html

Just remember, you got here on your own...no one forced you to read my blog!!


I have always had a moral dilemma involving Chick-fil-a. I don't like any organization that runs on religion, but I was willing to ignore the rhetoric and enjoy the greasy food. Now, however, I cannot look the other way. And, my children are joining me. Once I explained why we don't eat at CFA anymore, they jumped on board with great fervor! Future lobbyists?? I think so!
You see, my kids, even at their age, understand that people--and families--come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and "patterns." They know that men can love women, women can love women, and men can love men. There is no right or wrong way. They know you are born the way you are born. You can either love each other--unconditionally--or be an 
a-hole. We choose love. They know that there is NOTHING they can say or do to lose that love. Some families are not so fortunate.
So, when I found a series of articles about CFA's huge financial support of anti-gay politicians and organizations (I consider this to be a hate crime--it reaches out to condemn humans), I had to, in all good conscience, boycott. Not that we ate there much, but we did eat there some. No more. Makes you wonder (not really), what the founder and family of CFA would have done in Hitler's time?? I think we know the answer...

Things NOT to say to the parent of a child with special needs:
1. "Well...I don't care what the doctors say--s/he is fine. There's nothing wrong."
(That's right, there IS nothing wrong. But there IS an issue. By denying it, you are making it very difficult for the parents and the child.)
2. "Well, if you want to see someone who is REALLY ______________ (insert SN here), I know someone..." (Yes, there is always someone with a more severe need, obviously. But for the parents, they are dealing with what their child/children has/have. Meet them and accept them.)
3. "Oh, I am SO ADD/OCD/Spectrum...or any list of issues." (It's not cool or funny to joke about having conditions that are real. Natan has Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dev. Delays and OCD--it makes his life slightly more difficult than the average person. 


All this is to say that parents of kids with special needs deal with things differently. You have to. George has a heart defect that is not improving. It has changed the course his life would take if he did not have it. 
Natan has Autism, OCD, and delays. Maybe they are milder than others, but they still exist and are a huge part of him. If we deny this, how would we handle him?? I am his Mom and Teacher--I see things that other people will not see. And yet people still tell us, "Oh, he's fine--look how much better he is." Yes, Natan has come a long way since coming home. But he doesn't have something that is curable. His delays in school are more pronounced than ever--I have changed, yet again, the methods I use and what I teach him. His doctor said that I should put people in their place. I think that is exactly what I will start doing--I have to, for his sake. I will not apologize anymore for his behavior. There is nothing wrong with him--he is a sweet and super lovable kid. But he has needs.
Tahitina...Jason and I have met her, held her, spent time with her. People are saying, "Oh, she'll be fine as soon as she gets home." No, she won't. She has been turned down by three families. Her needs are severe. We are not even sure where we will begin. We will do whatever we can, but we also know she may never walk or talk. Denying this is not helpful. Acceptance is the only way to move forward. Every success will be a joy. I am aiming for lots of those moments, but am also prepared for the alternative. 
I never saw myself in this role: "Mother of Special Needs Kids"--it scared me, frankly. But, you have one and life changes. It makes it easier to accept more. It's never simple, but it becomes normal. Now I have three (yes, I include T since she is almost home!). You think you are doing what you are meant to do (school, jobs, etc. etc.!), and then you have these kids. NOW I know what I was meant to do!

That means, "Merry Christmas" in Amharic! We will celebrate this by eating at our FAVORITE restaurant, Bole, which is considered the best ETHIO food outside of Addis! Yay for us!
Natan is understanding more and more that he was born there and has parents there. That is the most important thing--that he remains connected to his homeland. We will do the same for Tahitina. We do it for Mimi too. How can you uproot a child, no matter what age, and erase their heritage?? You can't. Or rather, you shouldn't. My opinion, take it or leave it! Natan still carries his family name, "Natan Alemu" and Tahitina has the name of the man who found her. It means "humility." It's part of their stories, and it's the least we can do to make up for the separation from their birth parents.
So, tomorrow, we will be scarfing down tikil gomen (my favorite), mesir and doro wats (Mimi has already called dibs on the egg!), and some injera...my mouth is already watering! And thinking about a certain girl who is waiting, ever so patiently, to come to her second home.
Here is something I found that might interest some:
http://ayannanahmias.com/2012/01/06/ethiopian-christmas-2012/