So much to say!
I wrote, in my head, tons of blog posts while we were away. Didn't write anything down, so now I have no idea where to start!
How about a summary?

• The kids ROCKED international travel and I can't remember when I have been more proud! They traveled well, ate all the national food since we requested NO American food, they made friends with everyone they met, and they LOVE Lovie! Saw my family fall in love with Ethiopia, as I have, and that makes me happy. They didn't want to leave and already have plans to return.
• The kids planned the next adoption before we had even left...China. 
• Tihtina is the most beautiful thing I have even laid eyes on! She will have many challenges in her life, and this family is READY to take them on! Already found a pediatric neurologist whom I will call today! 
• Got to meet up with cousins in DC--short but good visit! Saw the MLK Jr monument and we all loved it. Again, impressed with the reverence shown by the kids at this awesome man.
• Home now with a crazy busy 2 weeks. BUT, came home to some nice surprises! Meals, treats, gift cards, cards for Lovie, and  certain chocolate cake that I barely allow anyone to touch! It is very special to have your fifth child celebrated...and when you've waited as long a s we did to bring her home, the celebration is even more fun!
• Locals reading: Mark your calendars for the Tussahaw Young Singers concert, May 22, 7:00 pm. These girls rock! 
• I'll post pictures in the next post.

Today in a nutshell:

1. Called travel agent to book flights. Found out Jason had told her my name was hyphenated, which it is not. She had to cancel ALL tickets and re-book. We are now still leaving Saturday but have to spend an afternoon and night in DC (hardship, right?! Kids are super excited!). We now arrive home at midnight Sunday...Jason has to go in to work early Monday. 
2. Had a plan: go to library to return our books so we wouldn't have to pay late fees (we checkout about 35 every two weeks!). Had lots of time, enough to get back and teach piano and let "Dryer Guy" in to fix the dryer. Car battery dead. Called neighbor down the street and lovely Betty came up and I jumped off the big white van. 
3. Baked cookies for some of my choir and piano kids to take to them--they had their school talent show. 
4. Discovered car battery dead again when we tried to leave for talent show.
5. Attended talent show without said cookies which I left home on the counter. After talent show, got in van. Car battery dead.

Plan for tomorrow, slightly altered: 

1. Take big white van to car place first thing to fix the battery!
2. Pack.
3. Clean.
4. Pack.
5. Pack.
6. Dance for Vinny at 6:00.
7. Girl Scouts for Mimi at 7:00.
8. Boy Scouts for George at 7:00.
9. Come and finish packing.
10. Breathe...we're coming Lovie!!!!!!

This is what I woke up to find this morning at 5:00 a.m.:

Dear Montague Family,

We have check the files that we receive from NVC and we don’t see the update  for your family. We have sent an email to NVC Adoption Unit to request a reload of your case. We will contact you as soon as we receive the updated visa 37.

Good afternoon

 BUT...

THIS is what I found at 8:30 a.m. this morning:

Please be informed that the interview is confirmed on Wednesday, May 9,2012 at 09:00am.

Regards,

Adoption Unit

For Sara: "Ethiopia, Baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

OK. Just got off the phone with the visa center (waited on hold for 30 minutes!). The woman simply said, "All I can tell you is that your visa was sent to the embassy on Friday."
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!! That is THE LAST STEP!
I immediately emailed the embassy (yes again!), and told them it is there and hope they will find it while we sleep tonight. I would love a 2:00 a.m. email Tuesday telling us we can come!! 


If anyone local wants to donate items to the orphanage (no money), here is what they need:

• coloring books and crayons (Dollar stores have tons!)
• mostly but some girl underwear (sz. 2-12)
• track pants, sz. 18 mths to 12 years.

We have 2 suitcases already (thanks in part to my sister!), full to donate but would love to fill one more with things from friends. We'll collect at "big choir" this Wednesday. THANKS!

More good news: I emailed the embassy in Addis asking what the time frame is on getting interviews (after Jason said," What if they are back logged and we can't go until July?"). They said: 


"Dear Montague Family,

 Please be advised that currently there is no wait for visa appointments.

 We will be on the lookout for your updated visa 37."

YAY!! Umm...we'll take the first one we can get!

*******

Spent a great afternoon at the GA Tech baseball game--it was H-O-T! At least 88 degrees with very little breeze. It was a Boy Scout trip, and they let all the kids at the game "run the bases" afterwards--FUN! GA Tech lost to Clemson, but it was a pretty good game, and we are not even  baseball fans. George saw a Frat house and they had a dog, so he has decided THAT is where he'll live when he goes to GT...oh my! I told him to play Basketball for GT--air conditioning inside games!!

I found Vinny's doppelganger! It's Asian Vinny!!!
Check it out:

Also, some good news:
1. We do not need to buy extra insurance for our trip.  Yea!
2. We do not to get our ET Visas PRIOR to travel. We can still stand in line for a couple of hours after traveling for about 24 hours and get our Visas at Bole airport! Yea! And not a sarcastic Yea--this will save almost $700 dollars and it takes away the stress of sending all 6 passports to an embassy notorious for "losing"passports! 
Now, we just need an actual date to travel!

OK.
Natan's passport will arrive today. He is HAPPY! We are all happy!!!
And for the record, I know we are going to bring T home soon, but I think I'm entitled to a little self-pity. It's been five months. That's too long.
The Visa 37 will arrive today in New Hampshire. Then the visa center uploads it to Addis. Then we get our date. Then we go!!!!! This visa is like Bilbo Baggins! My Pretty...
*******
For your enjoyment, here is the article about the twins who were featured in the movie, "What to Expect When You're Expecting" that Natan was also cast in (remember last summer??), but then cast out of for being a year too young! Super excited for this family--they are part of an adoption group that we are part of, so they gave updates during the shoot and it sounded like lots of fun!!
http://www.ajc.com/lifestyle/thriving-twins-go-hollywood-1424765.html
******
American Idol blurb: We would like Philip Phillips to please go home tonight. He looks like he's trying to poop when he sings, and none of us think that is very sexy...we miss Colton!
The kids all loved Jessica, Elise, and Joshua last night. They also booed every time the CFA commercial came on--love my little activists!

Natan's passport is FINALLY on its way! After a mad paper chase and discovering things that we had no idea about...we did it! 
Then the not good news:
Finally heard back from the Visa Center--they have no record of the visa 37 that is needed to clear T's case. I am not surprised...
I reached my breaking point last week, and I am running on emotional fumes now. Thank goodness I have my four rascals to keep my spirits up!
If we still are not cleared by the time all of our commitments are over (concerts, recitals, programs etc.), we are heading to ET to wait it out over there. 
We're coming, Lovie! Hang in there...

1. My sister just commented with this:
To be nobody but yourself
in a world that's doing its best 
to make you somebody else
is to fight the hardest battle 
you are ever going to fight.
Never stop fighting. 
e.e. cummings
OK. I can do that!


2. Guess what came in the mail TODAY! Yes! Our official approval (which we had two years ago...) Now I have begun harassing the National Visa Center about the status of our case. All they have to do now to get us there is 1. Open email. 2. Forward email. Easy, right?? It can take two weeks to do this. I can accomplish more in one hour with four people demanding my time than the government can accomplish in a year. 

3. The kids got a burst of spring cleaning before school this morning and I did NOTHING to stop them! George accustomed and MOPPED the bathroom floor; Mimi made all the beds; Natan vacuumed the school room and Master Bedroom, and Vinny colored pictures and hung them up. Thanks you. Thank you. Thank you. (The best part is they do for free or a minimal payment of five "tokens.")

4. The three older kiddos are newly obsessed with playing cards. They are madly having games of War and I have promised to teach them to play Poker this week. Math? Why not! (Oh, wait--they just asked me how to play "Bullshit"--card games gone bad!)

I've said it before, but here I am saying it again: If you are anti-home schooling, fine. But you don't need to criticize me for it. Leave us alone.
Yesterday (and I will not mention where or by whom this done), Natan was doodling and writing words on the white board in the choir room (oops, that's a "where!"). A woman-who-shall-remain-nameless looked at the picture he drew of her and the first thing she said was, "He's six. He should have drawn a neck. You better teach him to draw." My response was, "He's six, but he tests at a four year developmental level." She then, after ignoring me, started in on him. "Natan, you're six. You should be able to draw a square.  Draw a square." She continued on this way--while I watched with my mouth hanging open--going through all the basic shapes. My mind processed this as I watched her walk away. And the only response I could come up with but didn't say out loud was, "What a bitch." My pet peeve is people who "test" my kids out of the blue, with random questions and then pass judgments based on how they answer. 
My kids are smart. They are funny. They are lovable and snugly. They are Humanists-in-the-making. What more could I ask for? Wait! I know the answer to that: FOR PEOPLE TO LEAVE ME ALONE!
I ended a "friendship" over a year ago with a person because she was simply mean to me. Since then, I have become more cautious with people, always on guard and ready to defend myself. It's exhausting. So now, rather than wasting that energy on idiots, I will simply cut 'em off. As Jason says, "Put them on ignore." Next time something like this happens I will stand up for myself, remove the child in question from the situation without so much as an "Excuse me, please." 
Yes, the friendship pool is shrinking, but the ones left swimming in it are of the utmost quality...

Just a little something about our adoption coordinator:
http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/microsite/article/0,8029,s6-239-506-0-14301-0,00.html

So long,  Dick...
http://www.globalnews.ca/

Jason...how do I love thee? Let me count the ways!
HE called the exact same number with the exact same info as I had, got a different woman. SHE said, "There is no other letter--we have everything we need and his passport is being processed. Do not pay to expedite until you have a firm travel date Wait for the passport."
OK. Now I admit I have little patience with some things. My whole problem now is that we have no control and no way of finding answers. We are at the mercy of anyone we send paperwork to. And it's frustrating. 
That is why I am SO lucky to have Jason. 

This is me. Daily.

This is Jason. Daily.

I think we balance out quite nicely.

Just talked to Jason and he suggested we move to Toronto. 
First GREAT IDEA I've heard in awhile...
Mum, could you buy back the "Green House" in Cobourg??


Good thing my kids are immune to profanity...

My New mantra:

One step in the right direction, an then a few stumbles back...

Just when I thought certain people could not get any more incompetent...the passport people prove me wrong!
The passport office sent us a letter stating that we have to submit a new photo for Natan because they think it looks like he's wearing glasses. 
I called.
The woman said, "Oh, they sent you the wrong letter. They have another letter sent out about something else. But I can't tell you what it is about."
I didn't say what went through my mind. And I certainly won't print it here.
But holy %@!*
Are you freaking kidding me??
Then she saids we should OVERNIGHT it with ANOTHER check for $72.20 to to the Dept. of State.
Maybe I should send a kidney along with it just to cover future costs...

Oh.My.God.
Jason just told me his dream is to have an acid metal band and call it, 
"Death Tickle." Now, say it a few times until you get it.
He is in the kitchen doubled over laughing. What a dork.
Oh!!!! Now he is explaining why it is funny to Mimi!!!!
Comment if you get it. And send help--I am married to a dork!
Death Tickle...really.

The Montagues are approved (again!).
The woman from immigration called Jason yesterday afternoon and said she had approved our file!! Now we are waiting for the national visa center and the "Visa 37 Cable" which is the LAST step! It means T will have her visa and we will get a date to travel, hopefully within the next ten days!!!!!!!!
Hoping that Natan's passport comes this week and then we can apply for our travel visas! 

Even my young kids realize that a space program is worth funding, but not a war...
Sad day for our children.

OK.
So we heard from the officer in charge of our case so far. She told us she would start processing it this afternoon and it would not take longer than 7 days. After that, no idea! 
We are simply going step by step, from one office to the next. 
Everything is up to date and ready. We just have to sit and wait. Again. My stomach and heart hurt... 

Getting ready for a great week of school...making shapes with marshmallows, finishing up our "Land Forms Book" and moving on to national symbols (really a continuation), trying to make bottle rockets (nothing to do with school, but we will do this under the guise of science!). Just want to have some fun blowing stuff up--and I will definitely video! Library on Thursday, and then a big trip to the High Museum of Art for the Picasso to Warhol exhibit. It's home school day, so they will be able to participate in an activity too! They are all super excited!


Natan starts Speech Therapy and OT next week and he EXCITED! He keeps telling people, "I am in therapy..." I am happy that he is finally receiving the services he needs.


Jason is going to light some fires tomorrow under the butts of the people not helping us get Baby T home. I have reached my limit on how much longer I can wait. And I think he is tired of my whining!! See? Whiners DO prosper!


If you want to read about someone inspiring...here is a link to a blog written by the woman responsible for us being able to bring T home. She made me see that this is something we can do. It may not be easy, but it is doable!
She is running the Boston Marathon tomorrow, and I will be tracking her progress throughout the race. Hope to meet her in person someday, and it will likely be in line to get her future bestselling book signed! Read through her older posts where she talks about why she started running...she's amazing!
http://seemomrunfar.blogspot.com/

Sunday Convo with Natan
(the edited version!)
Natan: When I woke up this morning, I went to the bathroom and saw Daddy get out of the shower."
Me: "OK?" (this is not unusual--we're not shy in this house!)
Natan: "I saw his nickels." (nipples to those who don't know!) "Why does Daddy have fur on his nickels?"
Me: (after a moment to stifle my laughter!) "Because most people do as they get older. You'll have fur on you too, someday."
**Help me when that time comes and I have three kids all around the same age going through puberty and not being shy about it!!! 

So...my daughter (the one who actually lives with us!!), has a crush. It is not her first, she informed me. She reminded of her first crush, Bob Crane, who walks with her every year at the Heart Walk!!
Her second is Colton Dixon, one of the Top Seven on American Idol. Yes, judge away, folks! I let my kids watch. They go crazy for the singing, what can I say?? I love to hear their comments with each other as the performers sing. I actually hard one of the kids (can't remember who) say, "Sounds pitchy!" A musician's dream is to hear his/her children fall in love with music, musicians, performances, songs...
They went wild a couple of weeks ago when my fave, Elise, sang Led Zeppelin. Yet another proud moment.
So Mimi likes Colton, but said "the only bad thing about him is that he talks about God too much." That's my girl! I agree--this kind of competition should be religion-free. Let's keep it appropriate, people!
We will watch again tonight to see who makes it through. The other plus is watching Steven Tyler each week--another favorite of my children! They LOVE him!!! I won't break it to them that he is almost the same age as Nana!

Colton has the hot blond mohawk...


Oh yeah...I think this is who George is crushing on:

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.
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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...
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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/