OK.
My last post (and a few before), were seriously negative. I will never apologize for my opinions, but I do apologize for the negativity. So...sorry. I am still down, but I realize at some point, it WILL happen, it is just not happening NOW. And I am a NOW person. Therein lies the problem! The other problem is that a certain person has been and brought home her new daughter AND HAS YET TO SEND ANOTHER CERTAIN SOMEONE EVEN ONE PHOTO!!!! Jill. Send. Picture. Remember that she can sit on your lap while you use your computer!!!!
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Had a pretty damn awesome week at Disney World. Yes, I said Disney World. Represents everything that is wrong in the world--extravagance, over-eating when others are starving, indulgences when so many have so little or nothing....but, there is balance. And it is super fun!! And it will be very different from their upcoming trip to bring T home...


Discovered that Mimi has anxiety in large crowds of people...she finally just stopped eating anything except dinner because she barfed after every meal. I have seen more Disney bathrooms in one week than anyone, I imagine! 
For those of you who know Natan and the fears he has due to his Autism, may I just brag a little?? He and George signed up for the Jedi Training (!) at H'Wood Studios. I had "the talk" with Natan about not being scared and running off the stage or screaming...common things for him to do. He knew that he had taken a spot and there were more than 50 kids getting turned down behind us (and one screaming, big-boobed mother in serious need of medication). I think they would have killed him if he backed out last minute!!
When their turn came, George grinned his grin...no surprise--he fought "Darka Vater" and won!
Natan took it very seriously. This was no joke. Beat Darth Vader or go to the Dark Side. He did it!! He faced his fear when DV came out in a cloud of stage smoke and red lights (and LOUD Darth Vader theme music!). If people wondered why a certain lady was cheering a little too loudly and even tearing up just a bit, it was because she saw her son overcome some of his struggles and defeat his fear--and Lord Vader!! Proud mama!
Oh yeah...and he rode every roller coaster at every park--with Jason because the rest of us are too chicken!
I will continue to post pics and updates about the trip, but frankly, right now, I am tired. 
Here's some to start things off:

 First night...T'Rex! And yes, that is my long-awaited T'Rex margarita!

 Thanks for the shades, Sa Sa and Dwayne! 

 One of the two rides/reasons G and M will NEVER believe me when I say, "It's really not scary..."

 One of my favorite pictures  in front of the giant golf ball!

 Animal Kingdom--awesome day!

 Hello, My name is...daredevil! Jason finally has a partner to ride with!

After three consecutive rounds on the raging river thingy that SOAKED us--a great cooling finish to a great day.

 Goofing off in line for the Toy Story ride...super fun!

 Zurg!!

 Well worth the wait to meet Buzz and Woody...

 Earned my "Coolest Mom in Town" designation after riding the Star Wars ride 11 times and would have gone more if the park hadn't closed!!

 Using the Force to take Vader down...

THANK YOU, NANA!!!!!!!!!

SO ready for a vacation!
I am about as down regarding the adoption as you can imagine. We are legally parents of a child in ETHIO, but cannot go bring her home yet. Every time we turn around, there is a glitch. It sucks. Plain and simple. Our home-study agency has turned out to be awful--letting things go and not keeping up with things that should be kept up with. They do not provide free services and they are certainly not earning what has been paid to them.
It is the feeling of being helpless to do anything that is so frustrating. Jason has been great--making phone calls even though he knows it will lead nowhere, but it makes me feel like we are doing something. Her case it at the Embassy in Addis. We are...surprise...still waiting. With no answers.
Did I mention I am ready to vacate?

So.
Had to have my annual physical today. No biggie. We also had to have some medical forms filled to since our home-study is expiring (!). Turns out, they did a full physical on Jason, too--unexpected! I walked out to the van after my time and the kids yelled LOUDLY through the open window:
"Daddy had to pull his pants down and they stuck a finger in his bum!"
Geez... 
Then, headed to the police station to update our criminal records. Turns out someone with a similar name to Jason's has a record--they fixed it and we're good. Also were in the same room with a sex offender waiting to be registered. He was VERY friendly to the kids!!!
All in all, an eventful and productive day!
And Jason should be sitting sometime later tonight!!!!!!

So we watched a documentary last week about the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. the kids are fascinated by civil rights stories and people.
George: "I think Jesse Jackson is like R2D2."
Me: "How's that?"
George: "Well, R2 always follows C3PO around, like Jesse Jackson is always with Martin Luther King Junior."

A novel idea:
Rather than criticizing the not-so-great things children do (OK, I am referring to my own kids), every so often point out something great that they do. 
I am the first person to admit our children--and our parenting--are not perfect. There are no right or wrong ways to do it. But, I firmly believe that Jason and I are raising four very sweet and loving kids. They use good manner 75% of the time, which I think is acceptable considering many adults do not.
They offer spontaneous hugs and "I love you's" constantly, and expect nothing in return.
They wash their hands after being in the bathroom (I have scientific proof that 9/10 children do not--it's gross).
They have a zest for life that I wish I had!! 
And they care about each other.
Yes, they fart and burp and laugh about it. They say "butt" at the worst times. 
Yes, they go to bed late because they goof around until the wee hours.
No, we do not spank our kids or use throw-away comments. 
I get it--we're not perfect.
So...my new attitude is this. If you want to point out only the icky stuff they do, I am going at you. Full force. When you insult one or all of our kids, you're coming after Jason and I too. Back off.
And it goes double to people without kids of their own. You wanted to bitch and moan at children? You should have had them yourself. Leave mine alone.

So it's been awhile...
Counting the final couple of weeks until "the trip".
Still waiting for an ETHIO travel date ("the other trip"), but T's passport is in the process which is the final step! Waiting to receive G's renewed passport so he can join M and I on the trip.
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Having some very successful school days after a rough time a couple of weeks ago. Some days are tough. You can't get them back, so you keep moving on, making improvements where needed. Once I acknowldged to G that I know he does not like school, in any form, he has been a dream!
Natan is doing great--learning to read AND play the piano!
Mimi is plowing through her first chapter book and loving it!
Vinny is ready to be a college freshman...
Still, it would be nice if people who do not have children, who do not have this many children, who have never home-schooled, or who have never raised kids with special needs, would mind their own business where my kids' are concerned. I am starting to think that they are just suffering form a huge sense of inadequacy...
******
Could vent about how sad it is to live in a country that values war over the arts, space programs, and common decency. 
Could also vent about the sense of entitlement that young people/kids have today. It makes it nearly impossible to work with them. Here's a radical idea: Parents, stop putting your own social lives first, stop spending more time on work than family, take away your child's gadgets...and BE A PARENT! They may not like you for awhile. But you will make them  better human beings by paying attention to them, talking to them, and--I know, this is crazy--parenting! 
But I will not vent today. Why, when I can spend the day enjoying my four amazing minions!!!

First of all, I have been awake since 4:00 AM. Finally got up at 5 and went for a run. Energized? Nope. Tired? Yep!! 
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And...Just like that--we have an official, translated adoption decree!!!!! Hopefully this means that the birth certificate is underway and things will get to the Embassy and it won't be the 6-10 week wait that was estimated. I already have a delivery from my friend on the northside--very much hoping that ET Airlines will allow me some free extra luggage for donations!!
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We are the proud, new owners of a real, live drum set! It was given to us by parents whose son played in high school. Let me tell you something about drums. They. Are. Loud. LOUD!!!!!! And we have FOUR drummers!

Not sure if I ever wrote about this, but our adoption decree was not approved/issued at our November appointment like we thought it was. A combination of low-talker judge and an open door (!), we both thought she said, "She.Is.Yours." But she did not. However, yesterday we received official confirmation that our case passed court with approval and "She.Is.Ours." YAY! The hard part now is...more waiting. And, knowing that I could be there, in Addis, getting her out of the orphanage and living with her until our Embassy date is killing me.
We were told 6-10 weeks, but after more than two years waiting, I am not holding my breath. Mimi and I are ready, so bring on the trip!!!!
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Enjoyed a nice Chinese new Year party with a great group of friends. It came up on me fast, but we pulled it off! Now, the countdown to our DW trip--5 weeks! Kids are over the top excited! We are, too, I admit! First though, a visit to my bestie in Birmingham for some girl talk and slumber party while Jason and George spend the night with the Boy Scouts at the science centre.

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/

Happy Holidays to all!
We had a wonderful day yesterday and celebrated with a couple of other families--the tradition continues!
The kids had FUN in the morning--George was ticked off at Santa who evidently did not take the gift that he (G) left in Tihitina's stocking...oops!! I told George it was because Santa knew that we were going to celebrate with T.when she gets home! That satisfied him...phew!
Going to try to do NOTHING for the next two days and then on Wednesday, George will attempt n MRI with no sedation--cross your fingers, please!!
And since I've been a total slacker, here is a pictorial overview of the past weeks:

 

 Pictures at Heritage Park--who needs a professional??!!

Tiny Dancer (more dance photos if you look at the Picasa albums)

George's Boy Scout troop visited a local fire station--FUN!

 Nikol and Olivia came for Thanksgiving!!!

Fernbank with Nana's new boyfriend, Darwin!

Natan's 6th Birthday--yeehaw! Cowboy party!

Christmas at Heritage Park!

Christmas Tiny Dancer!

More B-day pics...

The kids really got into the idea of "giving-not-receiving" which had them making and finding gifts for everyone--Nana received this empty box from Natan!

Christmas Eve

Waiting for Tortiere--our Christmas Eve dinner tradition

Jason cooked EVERYTHING for Christmas Eve and Day meals! 

This is the Tortiere made with pork and venison--super delish!

Ready for Santa...cookies and milk and ready for bed!

Santa brought the Polar Express toy!

Good thing Santa's elves know about Angry Birds!

Mimi's Magic Kit from Santa--Nana trying to help!!

December 16th...anyone remember the date? I do--and Jason will too, at some point today. He'll look at the calendar, like I did, and remember the call that his parents had been in an accident--still hard to believe.
Update:
Still no date to go to Ethio, but Mimi got her passport back in under ten days--woo hoo! She is VERY excited for upcoming trip! It is just her and me, since I have learned the hard way to only travel with people you know well. Since the one non-family person who would be game to go and who I would travel with is very pregnant right now, it will just be Mimi and me!
The MPC Children's Choir that I direct presented a musical that I wrote and arranged and we pulled it off! I was blown away, actually, by how well we did!
The Tussahaw Young Singers (my community treble choir) will perform their Christmas Concert this weekend and we are READY!!
Jason is finished today--woo hoo!
Natan's birthday party is Tuesday--cowboy theme at his request! Surprisingly, I cannot find any plastic cowboy figures to decorate with. Mimi and I are making all the decorations for our "Natan's Dude Ranch" party--a fake bonfire, cacti, and some ranchy animals! We'll see how it all turns out!
Christmas shopping was easy this year, since my budget for all four kids was $200--makes it easy! And, amazingly, I came in under budget! And, even more amazing, they will be just as happy as the kids who get HUNDREDS of dollars worth of toys each! This year, they get the one Santa gift they ask for and a gift from Mom and Dad. And, of course, there are several packages from a certain aunt and uncle!
The one thing Jason and I have learned from our "paying-off-the-debt" period is that you CAN cut back, even more than you would imagine. You CAN give up things and it turns out, you learn that you didn't need them to begin with. I have a $10 cell phone and it costs me $5 a month. That's it! Anyone who complains about money--my question to you is: do you NEED the expensive phone? Do you NEED the trips? Do you NEED the new clothes? Do you NEED the fancy car? We have proven that no, you do not need that to be happy.
Of course, just when we get ahead and are under two years away from the last payment, George's MRI gets bumped to 2012...another $500. Insert explicit language here.
I do have pictures to post, but another time! We are having a last day of school fun day which basically means I clean the house and do laundry while the kids play outside! Missing my second day of running because of  my knee--curses!
Mum is complaining because it's hot...Christmas in Georgia!!!!

Lots of things to write about...
Our trip was amazing but hard to write about. Mainly because people want to hear cushy good news and not the reality of this little girl's life. She has some pretty severe needs which we will be dealing with. Coming here is not an instant cure-all or fix to her issues. Hopefully she will feel loved and cared for and part of her new family over time. Our main hope now is that the return trip comes quickly so Mimi and I can go bring her home! We'll deal with it all later...The kids are definitely super excited about meeting her and having a new sister! Mimi is excited because she gets to go on the next trip with me!! I am excited about zipping her around Addis and also having her meet the kids that Jason and I were fortunate to hang with at T's orphanage. We may even get to visit with our friend, Selam who lives a couple of hours south of Addis. Jason and I got to talk to him on the phone and I just about cried hearing his voice! OK, we cried a lot over there. Only a rock wouldn't. At least now Jason understand my love for Ethiopia and why, in a heartbeat, I could relocate.
The boys are pissed that they are not going.
George--cannot go because I would toss him off the plane during take off once he started his, "What's taking so long? Are we there yet? Why does it take this long? How much longer?" rampage.
Natan--snores. "Nuff said.
Vinny--would not be terribly helpful. No offense.
Mimi is the perfect choice. She is a doer. She loves to help with babies--T is only about 10 pounds, so Mimi can hold her. She is also a good conversationalist, sleeps well, and eats anything put in front of her! She is already anticipating some Doro Wot and injera! That's my girl! Her passport is being renewed as we speak, and one of her gifts under the tree this year will be a Hello Kitty backpack full of little travel-sized items! Very fun to put together!
So...some photos:

 Autism Centre near our guest house

 Flat Stanley waiting for take-of!

 We all finally meet...great day!!

 Killing time playing Phase Ten! We were REALLY lonely without the kids...

 Traditional Fare--always our first choice!

 Road from our guest house to the main road and Layla House

 Our home away from home!

 Law Office

Charcoal for sale

And they just keep coming!
Now they want meet old, single people--or  is it old, single females?? And why are they using a picture of someone who looks YOUNGER than me if I'm being solicited as a senior?? I am too old for this!! 
FYI... sending "Flirts" to old people?? Ewwww....!!!!!!!!

Cipro? Check.
Extra Inhaler? Check
New underwear? Check
Paperwork? Check.
Packed? Fail.
So...we have a few days until we leave. Mimi is very unhappy, but also excited that we will meet her new sister! The boys are acting a little strange which I think has do with the trip--or just general strangeness!
My damn foot has tendinitis (yes, that was a personal attack against my foot). Haven't run since my 5 miler on Monday. Happy birthday to me, indeed! Nothing fractured, just getting-old-itis. 
Other than that, we are slowly getting ready. Someone I spoke to this week was shocked that we have only left the kids twice--once, we left George to get Mimi. Then, we left G and M to get Natan. I simply said, "We like being with our kids. We don't leave them." I loved the dumbfounded look on her face. There are parents out there, like us, who actually LOVE hanging with our kids. Our marriage is strong enough not to need weekends away. We had each other solely for seven years before having our kids. Now, we want to enjoy every minute we can. I feel sorry for any parent on whom that is lost. 
Many thanks to good friends who are helping out with childcare and food!
And...we are looking forward to a Thanksgiving visit with Nikol and Olivia when we return!!! 

Woke up to four sweet kids hugging me and expressing their undying love for me!! 
Enjoyed homemade cards and other things. Mimi gave me two dollars and George gave me a penny--I am rich!!
Last night, we enjoyed some of Celeste Green's DELICIOUS chocolate cake (bought for me by a very sweet choir member at our fundraiser yesterday which was a smashing success!) until Reggie counter-surfed and finished it!! FYI...Chocolate is not death to dogs. He ate a ton of it last night and is still kicking!!
On that note, sadly, Mike the Fish is in aquarium heaven. Funnily enough, I still look for him each morning. Weird...
Now, back to school!!

And there it is...2 weeks until our court date. TWO WEEKS. That's over Thanksgiving Break, which we were hoping for, but it's still TWO WEEKS!!!!!!! 
So, here we go. Paperwork. Shots. Packing. Finding people to keep our kids. Leaving our kids whom we have not left before. And, what about all those home projects I had listed for us to do on the break???
Oh well, this trumps all! Woo Hoo!

Recap.
Heart Walk was awesome, as usual! FREEZING cold wind made it almost unbearable but the sun came up and offered a little bit of warmth! Had a wonderful, supportive team of walkers--Mimi ditched George, Vinny, Natan and me for the 3 mile walk with her beau, Bob! We did the mile, which left us some time to visit with the Fox 5 ATL folks--always fun! The boys were allowed to sit in the new storm chaser van...very cool!!

Team George 2011 

Inside the Storm Chaser van!

Mimi with her partners, Bob and Nola!

Celebrated being heart healthy with a lunch primarily made up of french fries--FAIL!
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Survived Halloween--only two events to dress up for this year! Here they are at the Fall Festival.

Super Cow (she is wearing a very cool cape hand painted by your's truly!!), lion, Frankenstein, and an Angry Bird!

On Monday, we went to a friends' house for the annual dinner and candy fest event! Of course, the costumes had to change...a ladybug, a glamour witch, a "big fat duck" and the Challenger astronaut, Ron McNair. Here is the gang, one year older:

And...our second Halloween night tradition--visiting our friends' super-decorated home and N and G were very proud that they were not afraid of the scary music (many tears last year!)...probably helped that we went early in the day light!!

Even Vinny's dance class got into the spirit at their Saturday class with some costumes and Ghostbusters!!!

Today, at the kids' numerous requests...we turned on the Christmas music!!! We are READY to be in the spirit!!!!