FINALLY received our pictures and an update from the agency...takes a lot of harassing emails to get it done...
Check out T in her rockin' dress. Any wonder why we are desperate to get there and spring her? The kids were very excited by the pictures and can't wait to meet her! Although, they are still puzzled as to how she can be blind when her eyes look like that!

 Our pretty girl!!!!!

Jason shared this article with me. We both are increasingly tired of the crap that is spouted from these groups of people. 
Enjoy the article...

Just a few random things...


While cooking spaghetti the other night, Mimi looks into the pot of boiling water and bouncing pasta and says, "Sure glad I'm not a noodle...not fun!"


We are still waiting for T's visa to be processed. It is essentially the last step before they issue an interview date--no idea on the timeline. 


Vinny's passport came yesterday!! He is super excited--he sat with me when it came and poured over it, exclaiming, "'I'm just so happy! I love my new passport!"


Checked online this morning and Natan's passport is in the system, being processed--hopefully without any glitches! Once we have all six, we can start applying for our travel visas!


Finished two coats of paint on two walls. Very slow, despite all my helpers. Questioned the decision to paint halfway through and right after Vinny sat on the upturned paint can and covered himself. We are down one pair of Wall-E underwear!!


Saw two movies in the past few weeks that had me talking.
1. The Cat in the Hat with Mike Meyers. Wondered at the "PG with Mild Violence & Adult Content" rating, but what the heck--we watched it with the kids anyway! You have to let go of the "this didn't happen in the book mentality" because it is great! The kids LOVED it--they quote it and would watch it all day, every day! It also kicked off a titillating conversation about the phrase, "Son of a ___________!" and they are now having fun inserting different words at the end. "Son of a singer!... Son of a teacher!.... Son of a Baker!" See? Hollywood is doing its part to educate our children! I stand by our decision to teach our kids how to navigate through the world of profanity. There'll be no "Dadgummit" around here! How else will they know when I am truly mad, or just merely losing my mind??
2. For Colored Girls. Possibly one of the best movies I have EVER seen. It made my stomach clench, my heart hurt, and I highly recommend it. Can't even describe it. Movie based on twenty poems with interwoven characters. Beautiful! A Must See!


Now off to school to build mountains, valleys, islands, volcanoes, a desert and an ocean...land-forms, baby! Then we will continue our unit about the artist, Andy Warhol, before finishing up with our bi-weekly library trip. And yes, we will stick some reading, writing, and math in there!! M and G are writing "good copy" reports on the computer about U.S. national symbols. They are shaping up nicely, I must say!

Waiting on one piece of paper...T's visa. 
So, what to do in the mean time? Paint something!!!!!
Starting with the basement where the playroom and TV room are. 
All this after school is over. Because I have to have a project. 
On the school front...many of you know how anti-testing  I am. However, I downloaded some criterion reference tests for first grade to do some assessment. G and M aced them, with no help from the teacher! Yay! 
So to all the anti-home schoolers out there, learning at home CAN/DOES happen and SURPRISE--you don't need traditional curricula or a traditional setting to do it! Just give them the tools to learn and they will absorb everything in their path!! 

Need to take a break from obsessing about what is going on adoption-wise! Weekends are great for that! So here are a couple of highlights from school last week:

Field Trip with our friend, Teressa, to the MLK Jr. Center. It was very cool and the kids had a lot of fun! 

After numerous times telling the kids, "No dirt on the patio!", how could we be mad when Vinny made "Franklinstein" with some dirt, azaleas, and the swing...it even has plant knobs sticking out of the neck!

We finished up our Monet study yesterday with a little painting. Here are the kids' versions of one of Monet's waterlilies paintings. 

"We would like to inform you the consular section completed screening for your Form I-600 petition. We will now begin the review of orphan status for the I-604, Determination on Child for Adoption."
So that is what we got today.

Then we found out Friday night that beginning some time in April travelers will no longer be able to get their Visa at the airport. We have to apply for it before leaving. Hard to do when you do not have a date!
Are you KIDDING me?? We are THIS close to travelling, and they are screwing with the entry Visas.

 OK. I think that we have hit every obstacle there is. What next?? Dare I ask...

"Congratulations! Your adoption case has been submitted to the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia."

OK, this is the first thing I found this morning when checking email. I am hoping it is a good sign and not just something to get our hopes up...cross your fingers, folks!
This is one family that is READY to go!

Just so you remember what she looks like:

Recap Friday...Mimi told me she had pooped and it looked "something like a raccoon's tail." Ummm...not sure what to do with that kind of info!

Amid all the pooping, Natan announced he wanted to ride the "big" bike. No training wheels. So Mimi and I set out to teach him.

I instinctively held on to him as he started off, to which he replied, "I can do it by myself!" 

And he did. I admit, I got choked up. Natan has changed so much from the time he was first officially diagnosed and we realized we would approach things with him a different way. Watching him zip down the road--without falling--made me realize that no, he will never be cured. But he is learning in leaps and bounds how to cope and survive. And most of all, to be happy! 

(Video is silent and a little blurred, but you get the idea!)

Saturday, we had a blast watching Mimi and Natan on their soccer teams play this season's first game. Jason and I switched halfway through since they play at the same time, on different teams.

First Game!

Today's Happiness:
1. Mimi ROCKED at soccer last night...fiercest gal out there!!
2. Paperwork will be at Immigration Monday morning. Let the games begin...
3. Someone from Senator Isakson's office is seemingly giving a crap. Thank you!!
4. Natan is getting his US passport--much easier to travel now!
5. All four of my kids want to go to the following places: 

• Giverny, France to sit in Monet's garden; 
• Ellis Island to see the Statue of Liberty; 
• a desert; 
• Brazil to be in a rain forest; 
• Mars.

Ahhh...successful home schooling!!!

 

The kids wants to move to Monet's house...Who WOULDN'T want to live here?? (Of course, Vinny is sitting with me right now and just said, "I would like to pick my nose at his house..." OK, maybe not so successful!!!!!!

 

Mimi would like to paint this!

First my pity party, then some pictures.


I just want ONE person at:
1. Immigration;
2. Our sorry-ass adoption agency; or
3. Our state rep's Office
to give a crap about our adoption.
ALL we want is to bring home our daughter. Why the (you go ahead and insert what you'd like here--I am partial to a little f-bomb myself) can this not happen? 
It is ONE form. Does it really take 3 MONTHS to file this? It's been approved once already. 
We are her legal parents. 
We just can't bring her home.
I have hit rock bottom. I think. I don't really know what that feels like.
But...just when I am feeling my worst, I am reminded of what we have here and now, and that yes, it will happen. (But I'm still pissed.)

 Vinny modeling his new Princess and the Frog dress from Nana.

The reason I don't know what rock bottom feels like...how can I with this crew??

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!!!!
********
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.
******
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!! 
********
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!!
********
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!!!!
*************
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!!!!