tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86395837754478262822024-03-14T01:51:44.993-06:00A GlimpseA few photos, a few thoughts, a glimpse into life at the Ratnathicam home!!Jeeva and Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953859415522205115noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639583775447826282.post-1836965745551981622009-12-22T17:32:00.002-07:002009-12-22T17:33:45.787-07:00RAYNE DINKNESH<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNW4GgQUqK5BNtvUzQ9K2d2IowlPxdFqZd3nxi5xA8jOVlMRVl-D9jPlea8tZVLG7mA63hyzMT9LwFJH1TyKH8T6YKzsMVtxVMZp3dkECgHvvOxlvUbM_Y6DDlTd8nNqrpvwCemLepOg/s1600-h/DSC_0148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNW4GgQUqK5BNtvUzQ9K2d2IowlPxdFqZd3nxi5xA8jOVlMRVl-D9jPlea8tZVLG7mA63hyzMT9LwFJH1TyKH8T6YKzsMVtxVMZp3dkECgHvvOxlvUbM_Y6DDlTd8nNqrpvwCemLepOg/s320/DSC_0148.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div><div>Why Rayne Dinknesh?<br />
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</div><div>Rayne - Jeeva, in his wisdom and discernment, came up with her name. Rain brings life, refreshment, fruit, blessing...and so will Rayne's life. She has already brought so much new life to our family and we trust that she will do the same for many others. <span style="color: #001320; font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://bible.cc/ezekiel/34-26.htm"><span style="color: #0092f4;"><i>Ezekiel 34:26</i></span></a><i> And I will give the </i><b><i>rain</i></b></span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: 'Arial Narrow'; font-size: 11pt;"><i> at the right time, and I will make the shower come down at the right time; there will be showers of blessing. </i></span></span><br />
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<div><div>Dinknesh - her given name at birth from her birth mother. We went to Ethiopia not certain how, if at all, we would use this name. Shortly after arriving in Ethiopia, Jeeva and I agreed this was our little girl's name. We answered to this name, and so did she. We heard the nannies look in her eyes and say her name, "DINK-I -NESH" in a beautiful way. We met her birth mother and listened to her heart of naming her baby. This name means, "you are amazing" and her birth mother explained that she knew that this little girl would grow up and do amazing things. Of course, then, this would be her name! When we returned home I felt more natural calling her Dinknesh than Rayne. I still call her Dinknesh in our home at times, and she looks at me and gives me a precious smile when I call her this. Does she remember??? I don't know what she remembers, but it will be a way I call her and let her know ...I know everything about you and I love all of it. I embrace your past and all of you. I love you Dinknesh.....although, I can't quite say it as beautifully as the gracious women of Ethiopia. <br />
</div></div></div>Jeeva and Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953859415522205115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639583775447826282.post-29002683309762235022009-12-15T00:20:00.000-07:002009-12-22T20:53:11.139-07:00Not so Newborn Photos!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIT03NQzm0YNL9hz11SBIAwgb9sCayGlc3-PCZg5tBSfxPWUzeIeg7KIEeoyGrHWROwbWjrQEpxR9oZWfglWZjP5fhvd72kyRyPEF_hN9QM5FfnnYzy4n61GSoWyovxz8Cssb383Q7A/s1600-h/DSC_0189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIT03NQzm0YNL9hz11SBIAwgb9sCayGlc3-PCZg5tBSfxPWUzeIeg7KIEeoyGrHWROwbWjrQEpxR9oZWfglWZjP5fhvd72kyRyPEF_hN9QM5FfnnYzy4n61GSoWyovxz8Cssb383Q7A/s320/DSC_0189.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRODVZDaT4VNbRFfnPAs3Gj0QHoBrOn_qy3Sn_wGDUy7SNcNGgOTyQvfCCmPOCmLw4SBoMHmwlhG7wSp545UTYDz54SuUjau2m_oR_EVsghT0lQdhAT4a4X2B9qDw32VXxvSy_mBqvA/s1600-h/DSC_0111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRODVZDaT4VNbRFfnPAs3Gj0QHoBrOn_qy3Sn_wGDUy7SNcNGgOTyQvfCCmPOCmLw4SBoMHmwlhG7wSp545UTYDz54SuUjau2m_oR_EVsghT0lQdhAT4a4X2B9qDw32VXxvSy_mBqvA/s320/DSC_0111.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div>We captured some more formal shots of Rayne in her first month here. She was almost 6 months in these pictures. Brothers and all...Jeeva and Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953859415522205115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639583775447826282.post-90373343511891515642009-12-01T01:12:00.003-07:002009-12-22T20:54:02.113-07:00The Third Child<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGl1huKxBtlGGyO8rSedP_XGCdpuSBWFJtY2eVbaK1pB9T1Av4rGRUjOxd4398I0J228vZUYUq2ZxjI-4njUfCcrUJeWaGmhbzZLE-D4JED4cmnok51pdy4aA5fy9GqGoCuxxGwJzQw/s1600-h/DSC_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGl1huKxBtlGGyO8rSedP_XGCdpuSBWFJtY2eVbaK1pB9T1Av4rGRUjOxd4398I0J228vZUYUq2ZxjI-4njUfCcrUJeWaGmhbzZLE-D4JED4cmnok51pdy4aA5fy9GqGoCuxxGwJzQw/s320/DSC_0055.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>The Third Child sometimes has to put herself to bed on a dish towel in the middle of the kitchen floor! <br />
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Three kids in another notch...I think a bigger transition than two! There is something about three...Rayne's grandma summed it up well as she watched me feed Rayne a whole, only slightly peeled banana..."With the first kid you carefully pick out the banana, peel it, cut it in nice little slices and carefully set them in front of your child. The second kid - you just grab any old banana, chop it a little less perfectly, and hand it to them. The third child you just grab a banana, slightly pull back the tough peel, and hand it to them whole!!!<br />
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With that said, Rayne won't eat a banana now any other way now. They just adapt, fit in, just do life as they need to. Birth order personalities are true (which I sometimes wondered before having children) Makes you wonder why you spend so much time the first time choosing the perfect banana and cutting it to perfection! But, you do...because you can. Wherever they fall in our family we love them and embrace all that they are all and all that their environment has created them to be! And no worries - Rayne is not suffering from lack of attention! :)Jeeva and Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953859415522205115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639583775447826282.post-63230395853154350082009-11-03T16:05:00.002-07:002009-12-22T16:41:15.933-07:00Birthday Girl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSPlYpOmhMFAW_lTgp_wRUFX8ukyIJU1RzaEzL1etkshiVtDvtTnOUICKkCOej0wv_eEd0NaAKGcAmOjfXiMX1rOLb2BpohyphenhyphenbDpJCqql2OglLvZebqY4sox758GOls4CXVj3W29o0cQ/s1600-h/DSC_0174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSPlYpOmhMFAW_lTgp_wRUFX8ukyIJU1RzaEzL1etkshiVtDvtTnOUICKkCOej0wv_eEd0NaAKGcAmOjfXiMX1rOLb2BpohyphenhyphenbDpJCqql2OglLvZebqY4sox758GOls4CXVj3W29o0cQ/s320/DSC_0174.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Rayne turned ONE today. Last night she took her first steps when she choose to walk instead of relinquishing her shaky eggs for a crawl! We celebrate her today. We love her more than ever. EVERY day we are overcome with delight and thankfulness she has come into our home to be our daughter. EVERY day this little girl RAINS joy and love into all four of our hearts. The boys run to her for comfort when they are sad, cuddles when they are tired, laughter when they want to play...she fills us all. <br />
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I woke up today wondering...What time was she born on this day last year? What did that day look like for her? How did they cut that umbilical cord? What was her birth mother thinking today? Does she know it was this day? Is she missing her? Is she sad? We weren't there...We grieved for the five months we missed in Rayne's life. Jeeva and I both felt a sense of unexpected sadness today - So much we don't know about this year for Rayne. Yet, we know that every year after this we get to have and know completely. <br />
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This afternoon we went to the park where we met another little adopted Ethiopian girl - over 2 years ago. It was after this meeting that we made the decision to move forward to start the adoption process. Prior to this day, it was only years of discussion! We went to the park and played, giving thanks for the appointed day, place, and time where our hearts were stirred to adopt our little girl. <br />
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Happy Birthday Rayne!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHJb3chWZ-L618gR85ynCbAsDXIswAeIqALAsfJ4nUdyw2xNZiRPg5mbaupN-ZdTjxbsIUuunnV62sjadqa1CNxRwIcWXRp2EUG7NQmO_mfMtVa_nfRvHpsv2NPu1oddbbEzznr82Pg/s1600-h/DSC_0194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHJb3chWZ-L618gR85ynCbAsDXIswAeIqALAsfJ4nUdyw2xNZiRPg5mbaupN-ZdTjxbsIUuunnV62sjadqa1CNxRwIcWXRp2EUG7NQmO_mfMtVa_nfRvHpsv2NPu1oddbbEzznr82Pg/s320/DSC_0194.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfCjHb_bNUEWHNl2YejKWTC3GQ9WAzQkHGZQXenMutflmIQNCGcryOEK_xAk-8bgatj0A1YcQEgscC-7z44Kb-Y3ez5lIDe07oqakSX1WAtqKt0wD5q6rICszKA_e7JN16H8O2jJDtw/s1600-h/DSC_0223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfCjHb_bNUEWHNl2YejKWTC3GQ9WAzQkHGZQXenMutflmIQNCGcryOEK_xAk-8bgatj0A1YcQEgscC-7z44Kb-Y3ez5lIDe07oqakSX1WAtqKt0wD5q6rICszKA_e7JN16H8O2jJDtw/s320/DSC_0223.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoTiFrpEiQytNRnNoge6KyhQM-HZhs4jZ9KkaRg3gbnt-XR5fSxWHw7DuPAssIIS3-607DxR68XcGbNVMMrxskCgxBb_7qADhK2S4OpTSUxGhtO8TFQel60_Yjkb6M_pbOsMFuQnsag/s1600-h/DSC_0225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoTiFrpEiQytNRnNoge6KyhQM-HZhs4jZ9KkaRg3gbnt-XR5fSxWHw7DuPAssIIS3-607DxR68XcGbNVMMrxskCgxBb_7qADhK2S4OpTSUxGhtO8TFQel60_Yjkb6M_pbOsMFuQnsag/s320/DSC_0225.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJFlJhe9Rwz43RdNkri55VWFAgqOdK-waz9lckTVeax7ehpsHpZNoR9W4Aa40XeQzEzsIXf2b1ZrgkfjbWweYQtt0K29XAYGi2Upi5uYwF8ClieoWv2BmQKIZ113hn9-CB7C-v2DhF7w/s1600-h/DSC_0229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJFlJhe9Rwz43RdNkri55VWFAgqOdK-waz9lckTVeax7ehpsHpZNoR9W4Aa40XeQzEzsIXf2b1ZrgkfjbWweYQtt0K29XAYGi2Upi5uYwF8ClieoWv2BmQKIZ113hn9-CB7C-v2DhF7w/s320/DSC_0229.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDIZ2Qy2gp8avyBdQUwws0HWFDp6PjzVpOV-9xwfDnho3w48Kx-3e5yQigQ6XN0HK-NhyphenhyphenmOTqX0Tql3NBnYWZ47fy_YMyIh06M5SAZssMaocD7rrLWvYjNgfNwezWH08tH5FFQIVF-Q/s1600-h/DSC_0247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWDIZ2Qy2gp8avyBdQUwws0HWFDp6PjzVpOV-9xwfDnho3w48Kx-3e5yQigQ6XN0HK-NhyphenhyphenmOTqX0Tql3NBnYWZ47fy_YMyIh06M5SAZssMaocD7rrLWvYjNgfNwezWH08tH5FFQIVF-Q/s320/DSC_0247.JPG" /></a><br />
</div>Rayne doesn't like cupcakes....but she LOVES ice cream. She is my daughter! (and Caleb's sister!)Jeeva and Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953859415522205115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639583775447826282.post-4865449496989863632009-11-01T01:38:00.001-06:002009-12-22T16:05:32.365-07:00Living Life as three!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RmjqMd0Y7b-velEl7xt19cYqp1iRkxnDlRGNyBgWrma0VdzNCNV1HQvx6dVWzFQARDEZhHC9b4q9yjmLPg60VfHD905sRCHt3ajOpEmV9t3qz-aYJJTKcdTkbKt1Pt85s67UTZMtlQ/s1600-h/IMG_0293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RmjqMd0Y7b-velEl7xt19cYqp1iRkxnDlRGNyBgWrma0VdzNCNV1HQvx6dVWzFQARDEZhHC9b4q9yjmLPg60VfHD905sRCHt3ajOpEmV9t3qz-aYJJTKcdTkbKt1Pt85s67UTZMtlQ/s320/IMG_0293.jpg" /></a>Costco errands are not that bad!!!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVE2w8fYN_0lGLDlPoGEssDB1bM998e6yrBJRZuRHo74zhgM1zz2JsabMCEfm2ndkfJZHY01Uf7Ekgiwu_6Pq-eCL6jdbjBulqZ8uPjc_IVczosSOrsxl1PoWT-mANOBiZg2TR8PVPuA/s1600-h/DSC_0286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVE2w8fYN_0lGLDlPoGEssDB1bM998e6yrBJRZuRHo74zhgM1zz2JsabMCEfm2ndkfJZHY01Uf7Ekgiwu_6Pq-eCL6jdbjBulqZ8uPjc_IVczosSOrsxl1PoWT-mANOBiZg2TR8PVPuA/s320/DSC_0286.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div>Jeeva and Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953859415522205115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639583775447826282.post-44668970548344327352009-10-01T01:06:00.000-06:002009-12-21T03:06:03.385-07:00Soccer Season<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4mA_Xyj0lRlOhYzlNi4SLolAptbkqTDPjFcBPX8_j3AqEcvM-kwNZBbBG_DjfT4RFJyGvpKvazpNvF-rwYH8cgcVjeYslNBy7jAG6k3sPBmOfJGK7xYWFAcOsgDfLw-q61EkIgytnA/s1600-h/IMG_5319.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417598704953037794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4mA_Xyj0lRlOhYzlNi4SLolAptbkqTDPjFcBPX8_j3AqEcvM-kwNZBbBG_DjfT4RFJyGvpKvazpNvF-rwYH8cgcVjeYslNBy7jAG6k3sPBmOfJGK7xYWFAcOsgDfLw-q61EkIgytnA/s200/IMG_5319.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 143px;" /></a><br />
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The boys played soccer this fall. Rayne picked up the cheer leading role quickly - clapping and even throwing the ball around.Jeeva and Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953859415522205115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639583775447826282.post-14462296202837734312009-09-24T02:35:00.001-06:002009-12-22T17:35:06.757-07:00Brothers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqaGLKPlQs_Ifj8mrJCaBuG9rNKhSSBs5SPc8puwivj1F15EVpB-7jWqiFz3r7XdZrjhFv_08fjqVBRzhS-GQ5BONrhkl_x8oySV50wBymWnuZGGQFsrzJ-nALK_jDhjpwXVjHGTX1w/s1600-h/DSC_0282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqaGLKPlQs_Ifj8mrJCaBuG9rNKhSSBs5SPc8puwivj1F15EVpB-7jWqiFz3r7XdZrjhFv_08fjqVBRzhS-GQ5BONrhkl_x8oySV50wBymWnuZGGQFsrzJ-nALK_jDhjpwXVjHGTX1w/s320/DSC_0282.JPG" /></a><br />
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</div>Caleb received a new skateboard for his birthday. He decided to teach his brother. Fun to watch them grow as brothers and best friends.Jeeva and Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953859415522205115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639583775447826282.post-70668817733151767982009-09-20T01:39:00.000-06:002009-12-21T03:07:25.505-07:00First Day of School<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49FilxijjOBERkMuWPdZsYXBB-hR4s-GBqtVLjC3ssa3uxNuFV6cDkRJUX7fhxTZIGIFXS_-snBQXknbAcbVYlIK-Ctz8hSX_UQspJNj4RS9fmvZ9dkwlOORSCNrTYuFKmQLvALJYmQ/s1600-h/IMG_5149.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><br />
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</div>Caleb started Kindergarten and Nathan started all day pre-K at the Denver Montclair International School. They will be learning in a French Immersion program. Caleb, accustomed to the daily routine of school, embraced the new year. Rayne and mama have the days together just the two girls ...mama loves the time with Rayne, but misses her other two little ones. Both Nathan and mama struggled with the transition. Mama cried at the coffee shop, out on errands, and around the house...at all turns where Nathan filled the days for the past year. Nathan cried at drop off every day for two weeks. "<i>Mama mama misses lama," and "lama lama misses mama</i>..." but we all have come to appreciate the time away and even more... the time together! First days of schools are always markers...markers of growth and new beginnings.Jeeva and Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953859415522205115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639583775447826282.post-4574493789915292572009-09-04T16:41:00.000-06:002009-12-22T17:22:02.997-07:00The Olympics 2009!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5azbGzRtYH4Lj18s4al4oNTE0mGhURh_zGZVN8O75af0-nyYQvFTLs0_OulPgkETklACSQ4EUm3Bcp_scyWPOwVtGtCwG6dr9xTPqJAtw53JDcYLxc6BuFIVGLXGG1rdc8pciuEUigQ/s1600-h/DSC_0521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5azbGzRtYH4Lj18s4al4oNTE0mGhURh_zGZVN8O75af0-nyYQvFTLs0_OulPgkETklACSQ4EUm3Bcp_scyWPOwVtGtCwG6dr9xTPqJAtw53JDcYLxc6BuFIVGLXGG1rdc8pciuEUigQ/s400/DSC_0521.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our birthday parties are a family affair. We all get into it, especially the birthday boy - that's why it's all worth it! We dream big, we brainstorm, we plan, we collect, we create, we consider our birthday person, and all that will be coming, and we all set to work. Since last summer's 2008 Olympics, Caleb has been planning his sixth birthday party. (Actually, since the day before his 5th birthday party!) We had an Olympic parade, led by Caleb, we ran races representing our countries - USA, Ethiopia, France, and Jamaica (they run fast!) , we did the hammer throw (only Caleb could come up with that event!), the long jump, the hurdles, the sprints...and enjoyed the flag cupcakes. Our guests enjoyed themselves, our birthday boy loved the competition and another dream fulfilled. <br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-_S_lyDB-hXFLQaY4rXf5IcZOoFKX1XTYj-zwo46JFrHH75Ju_yomYj06pT2D6TT1hIL5DR6YoCUAswg5-eebM8NIVogHt8RCoWpA4qsxFYRLCLs7hoBkqWRFM50b2Iy0KALAwqkHQ/s1600-h/DSC_0090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiI0NzIOYz1jk1ele9mP410XGFzhkl7fULEu5e4N3pdGA1MNk59FU2hAm0HzHa3a1mAkuxZMq4vN-ZFXrlwkYL9Wcy9hqeYGWpoB_yPY6uFuVt79BaKa60CaLS7EyO-OngR_85uAJBQ/s1600-h/DSC_0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBiI0NzIOYz1jk1ele9mP410XGFzhkl7fULEu5e4N3pdGA1MNk59FU2hAm0HzHa3a1mAkuxZMq4vN-ZFXrlwkYL9Wcy9hqeYGWpoB_yPY6uFuVt79BaKa60CaLS7EyO-OngR_85uAJBQ/s320/DSC_0070.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpg0tHlIKbR4xYBJ_KbjJMW7_VUzwJq33LwFnDI6Bphu1g_FJZm6bSUoXs8fXgBFP4yfE9ACeMNoovQhkIjKhJtuCk9DzLr-DuI4GGR0kD2UFyfLmojc1WJM6XYeRD7sWEUflVZOOZ9g/s1600-h/DSC_0488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBH8ZW9UBpAGpncGECwZmy9bm7QMVBbgwXnBUgemgPUF8OCHLQFybBLOIJ1pQdn-LERSVBQjiQvHg2G_LwvO0iBZ4r_Y7nkcmY4EAdQxSHuaTiS5ZQPZhO0bME-EOFA6cuydzCQqMWg/s320/DSC_0035.jpg" /></a>Jeeva and Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953859415522205115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639583775447826282.post-921709324596025992009-08-30T01:18:00.000-06:002009-12-21T01:39:37.506-07:00Caleb and Rayne<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3es9UMPEkRoSPQ6JlLPinQl26pfoT9zxxfZDQfEnPAboMdTbD-cabgy3c3aJ7na-uxtJY-kC6aD_h-0CbmiJlmraNFhwx39XL-FyLwBfFv4En_n2P7pqz0lDcCRTZWojt60MntDZ3g/s1600-h/DSC_0153.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3es9UMPEkRoSPQ6JlLPinQl26pfoT9zxxfZDQfEnPAboMdTbD-cabgy3c3aJ7na-uxtJY-kC6aD_h-0CbmiJlmraNFhwx39XL-FyLwBfFv4En_n2P7pqz0lDcCRTZWojt60MntDZ3g/s200/DSC_0153.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417602411747078226" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNp99Z6WrselzpyLV1BFneGCW9W8umkxPdJ79HvyDVBX4cqa0SfLu3FpSezGpCsGYabs68GrJLef_q9j4OSyVNwGGan9Mtspx7b1JnhZq_jb6uoDrD8StwsbdM_iEYyAqPcET5RFWDnA/s1600-h/DSC_0148.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNp99Z6WrselzpyLV1BFneGCW9W8umkxPdJ79HvyDVBX4cqa0SfLu3FpSezGpCsGYabs68GrJLef_q9j4OSyVNwGGan9Mtspx7b1JnhZq_jb6uoDrD8StwsbdM_iEYyAqPcET5RFWDnA/s200/DSC_0148.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417602401824262242" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdl9osJZhy-jcceX3xFcTCdx2BvsTJVkcLvdehV4JfKO6v7BX3-bsZEjCfobownQaMHuW_4b_X0d9F1I7Okc__zykC_0cntph2EIFrq-VoRtvSgABDHJ1h2EB-fCh6tEXNuo4XsqvjVA/s1600-h/DSC_0126.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdl9osJZhy-jcceX3xFcTCdx2BvsTJVkcLvdehV4JfKO6v7BX3-bsZEjCfobownQaMHuW_4b_X0d9F1I7Okc__zykC_0cntph2EIFrq-VoRtvSgABDHJ1h2EB-fCh6tEXNuo4XsqvjVA/s200/DSC_0126.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417602398079848562" /></a><br />Caleb loves his little sister in a gentle and protective way. He teaches her, guides her, sits quietly with her, and exudes a peace and joy when he spends time with her. He seeks her out, and looks fondly on her. Watch out boys...here's her older brother!Jeeva and Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953859415522205115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639583775447826282.post-14643825367158368682009-07-04T23:48:00.000-06:002009-12-21T00:19:31.452-07:00Because of July 4th<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 185px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvP7yARE_7zXJm_3818hWULBwO5cv53hSuP8s3U9LzrWSO6lOEk8CbwlCamzQspfW1zr3QIUM3tKao56kIc2GAouiltdFUqyaKygijAjwAg9aOUOYcv8hVn08UV4Cwjyqd8SkUsy4Jzw/s200/IMG_4942.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417583778556374514" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickWz_Rx0CqZ8_aUgHK4GemQa5XmPmt6DvmxB6_M4nJhdNC3-5KYCCsM2UH9UWTP6JQUhXZFHCf2tVkCvSRMPaBgekDxY31xwfb8D0AmpuzVxO6ERLECS9zJOkXA2kXOaHSgxtwJ7Z8A/s200/IMG_4972.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417585608713660178" /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkc9a4X8NVJawcM5W5Wbiejd1KoD1rbjxepHxLIEnUBTXsRWBY1gJbbxQTFMEI8oNgoPHjPrmVRCBqvkciPyBuDGkJVeLPz-marWMEIqnpMRnyFfEwPoBdv8sTjiR1OXdbyC6SV3b_1w/s1600-h/IMG_4976.JPG"><br /></a><br />The United States of America....truly a<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkc9a4X8NVJawcM5W5Wbiejd1KoD1rbjxepHxLIEnUBTXsRWBY1gJbbxQTFMEI8oNgoPHjPrmVRCBqvkciPyBuDGkJVeLPz-marWMEIqnpMRnyFfEwPoBdv8sTjiR1OXdbyC6SV3b_1w/s1600-h/IMG_4976.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkc9a4X8NVJawcM5W5Wbiejd1KoD1rbjxepHxLIEnUBTXsRWBY1gJbbxQTFMEI8oNgoPHjPrmVRCBqvkciPyBuDGkJVeLPz-marWMEIqnpMRnyFfEwPoBdv8sTjiR1OXdbyC6SV3b_1w/s200/IMG_4976.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417583768361940434" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a> land of freedom and opportunity! Some things in our country going well...some not so well, but today I saw all that we have here in this place. If not for the freedom we have, the INDEPENDENCE we experience, the open door we have for foreigners, our little girl would not be able to be here. I have a more thankful heart for this country. July 4th meant a little more to me today. She is welcome here.Jeeva and Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953859415522205115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639583775447826282.post-21488987240131478732009-06-02T00:23:00.000-06:002009-12-21T00:41:58.961-07:00The Other Dinknesh<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmWgIvAG0rZonHpjhSfD9Q-fg-tVkVBo6H1EQ_Yzchw3-rVtzHLs2Z47K4cxtVkkUKR9oeg-DBV-EGHA3iLD6OjPSq_t0yLdxEIgQuZtChjldvZw-mF2LJGoyv1LlBP9dETa4k0Su-Q/s1600-h/IMG_4745.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmWgIvAG0rZonHpjhSfD9Q-fg-tVkVBo6H1EQ_Yzchw3-rVtzHLs2Z47K4cxtVkkUKR9oeg-DBV-EGHA3iLD6OjPSq_t0yLdxEIgQuZtChjldvZw-mF2LJGoyv1LlBP9dETa4k0Su-Q/s200/IMG_4745.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417589814067272914" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNA8VeifkzPcBNTz4NQJDieiZiS9lArSiQl4QFzBq-MOdN9TBZws-9TKsTz6GXIcgTpg-2BYtE04N2Qy-wY9U2szHte__99N3F4OWmWR4qCW2Rb6PlUu6a3b3lRQgcygYF6rOnFir0NQ/s200/IMG_4739.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417589808303074114" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScIQGvKFUVyf-G9tr0Ez3xGuE5OiVdfsVopVqd64tI8adEsVBELGMPr-f7SqSVq4u28i2EI1la_4zrOPjDqwtcvlkuZBYB9UdGJN6G0heIx166F_BkFBhXFjI5yxozR7xFsGJY1KDNg/s1600-h/IMG_4728.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScIQGvKFUVyf-G9tr0Ez3xGuE5OiVdfsVopVqd64tI8adEsVBELGMPr-f7SqSVq4u28i2EI1la_4zrOPjDqwtcvlkuZBYB9UdGJN6G0heIx166F_BkFBhXFjI5yxozR7xFsGJY1KDNg/s200/IMG_4728.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417589802104062722" /></a><br />We wrote about the "other" Dinknesh early in these blogs. She was born on the same day in a village close to where Rayne was born, and they were given the same name at birth. When arriving at the Ethiopian airport to pick up Rayne we had a brief moment of panic as we were chatting with "other Dinknesh" family for fear that we had come for the same little girl. Turns out that it was not the case! Aila's family had gone on the waiting list one day before us, they had received their referral one day before us, and now we have two very different girls. One perfect for their family and one designed perfectly for our family. Cool to get a small glimpse into the intricate timing of it all! Rayne and the other Dinknesh (her name is Aila) lived for 5 months together in a room at the care center. We had the privilege of closely sharing the Ethiopian experience with Aila's family, and since Aila's family lives in downtown Chicago, we knew we would connect again. In late May, we attended her baptism. I am fairly certain they don't remember each other, but as the years go by it will be good for them to connect. Perhaps not remembering specific memories, but sharing in their heritage and their history may be of great comfort and even friendship.Jeeva and Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953859415522205115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639583775447826282.post-50354505553487883062009-05-20T02:23:00.000-06:002009-05-20T03:27:41.460-06:00Six Months and Sitting Up!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0UDi3ve49QTmtgwpEqzcZrGTOYAQfi7rFQ0Fqbj41cw8IfkBV3CLlURB6_Jqs4Z7BkS03P2XkALUlHrmzGByVMr_w-fWeTFyjAaOHolXAuGqEZm8lzfWIU7LU-iZYmLt432Cu6D1Uw/s1600-h/DSC_0191.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0UDi3ve49QTmtgwpEqzcZrGTOYAQfi7rFQ0Fqbj41cw8IfkBV3CLlURB6_Jqs4Z7BkS03P2XkALUlHrmzGByVMr_w-fWeTFyjAaOHolXAuGqEZm8lzfWIU7LU-iZYmLt432Cu6D1Uw/s200/DSC_0191.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337819408605671602" /></a>WoW! We get to experience the big milestones. Last week, she rolled over and this week she is sitting up for the first time! <div>What a blessing! Caleb reminds her, "You are such a big girl!" <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUKvIyJYoMi0uKqgQk-bwu5d6vGsOzyuQ1LuxEymB_bVkFS8hi1I5_uCOtBMZjrhL_7wHkQMtzal4o10U2ZiUDWPndINgPcockObi07_DvfoEiCfvwgjpGS4CF1RxSsyBW-oRGADH7g/s1600-h/DSC_0188.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUKvIyJYoMi0uKqgQk-bwu5d6vGsOzyuQ1LuxEymB_bVkFS8hi1I5_uCOtBMZjrhL_7wHkQMtzal4o10U2ZiUDWPndINgPcockObi07_DvfoEiCfvwgjpGS4CF1RxSsyBW-oRGADH7g/s200/DSC_0188.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337819404358272898" /></a></div>Jeeva and Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953859415522205115noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639583775447826282.post-91765112536027855552009-05-11T02:27:00.000-06:002009-05-20T03:18:41.851-06:00There is Room<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvFvitqtO1t2d2DUGajJc7Qfx5_o1amQgOBR0RnlHltm_qF0S9ggUI9RrJ5XK8wbUOJn_IJrlLS_qAXc3CkfG5Fvvcg8wJtblwU-3oK4og6q_5rYvSNwH6It0tMox-XzStvKm-qQNcw/s1600-h/DSC_0105.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvFvitqtO1t2d2DUGajJc7Qfx5_o1amQgOBR0RnlHltm_qF0S9ggUI9RrJ5XK8wbUOJn_IJrlLS_qAXc3CkfG5Fvvcg8wJtblwU-3oK4og6q_5rYvSNwH6It0tMox-XzStvKm-qQNcw/s200/DSC_0105.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337829312972278402" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_yVYqnlSDwP_dwDgqyTh0EMSiD3UF0-NMh8_-GuFPOt0t-_5ik68WGVZ78BHJ6CbClP5HaYJDbLnukOzfsOca52dJ68pHF55uvB9CqvHFo8UZQEAwpzFbMPYH9g_fDWGHQfTm218ow/s1600-h/IMG_4563.JPG"><br /><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_yVYqnlSDwP_dwDgqyTh0EMSiD3UF0-NMh8_-GuFPOt0t-_5ik68WGVZ78BHJ6CbClP5HaYJDbLnukOzfsOca52dJ68pHF55uvB9CqvHFo8UZQEAwpzFbMPYH9g_fDWGHQfTm218ow/s200/IMG_4563.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337822742403357074" /></a><div>Our social worker came to visit today to do an intial post-placement visit. Rayne rolled over on cue, played on her tummy, and smiled perfectly! After showing off Rayne, she asked more seriously how we were doing as a family. These questions force me to reflect and process - how are we doing? I was able to articulate this feeling Jeeva and I were sensing when we said that her presence here makes us feel more complete. </div><div><br /></div><div>We had a long time to make room in this family for Rayne. We talked, we prayed, we dreamed, we laughed, we asked questions about how it would be when Rayne arrived. Since we never quite knew when she would come, we were always addressing the near future. Little did we know that each time we talked, we carved out another little space for a daughter and a sister. Every time we anticipated her coming by planning, by disciplining, by encouraging the boys to be more independent we were all sacrificing a piece of living selfishly and easily in the present to welcome her presence in our family. Now, her coming doesn't seem to be pushing anyone aside. It seems, instead, that there was a hole carved right in the middle of our family waiting to be filled by her. Nathan, our four year old, has even settled into the middle child role with pride, love, helpfulness, and self - control. And, he has stopped asking when Rayne will be headed back to Ethiopia! He, too, has helped her to fit into the place we carved out for her. In fact, a belly laughing giggle from Rayne has only been heard, so far, in response to her brothers, especially Nathan. They have bonded. </div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4eWPAISYA8rceNnTvEf96j9dvJTyoUwzUsAqf3LETtVqn-5lL5gvEaVRN1ru8rD6FdmzRqFU0Ry0Qq5hEa0Ehyphenhyphen1ovH5JKVFhyphenhyphenbMCUEqAtYEvwvOiH7QJlcbKAYQJ9aZB5Kpk3KnLpA/s1600-h/IMG_4526.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI4eWPAISYA8rceNnTvEf96j9dvJTyoUwzUsAqf3LETtVqn-5lL5gvEaVRN1ru8rD6FdmzRqFU0Ry0Qq5hEa0Ehyphenhyphen1ovH5JKVFhyphenhyphenbMCUEqAtYEvwvOiH7QJlcbKAYQJ9aZB5Kpk3KnLpA/s200/IMG_4526.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337822736260973522" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwmd4I_pNzknGDYHslOQ9BiDQCjpt_0QZiL5B31W9sify1WhoOas1kESRYxTMtmuP0hFHgPhXQVBdrlfveFilmN4yVp11GJyaMrlLEUOAswo2ySxrrh7xvGPuKhxfBGKvLZpcLs7fag/s1600-h/IMG_4443.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwmd4I_pNzknGDYHslOQ9BiDQCjpt_0QZiL5B31W9sify1WhoOas1kESRYxTMtmuP0hFHgPhXQVBdrlfveFilmN4yVp11GJyaMrlLEUOAswo2ySxrrh7xvGPuKhxfBGKvLZpcLs7fag/s200/IMG_4443.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337822726211541330" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2kP-zVz10Bx7ljGLCWr9F0nispUiLBZAOTVDBv6y657VE2_UiBtBcbArkv-3oQqdBf2RiH1QQ1DitCOpp_iJP9sGz1HrE3yoZR-P-_FwZ6Jkja6SgFWWy6WPU_5kDbha1_NnzfO0zAg/s1600-h/DSC_0036.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2kP-zVz10Bx7ljGLCWr9F0nispUiLBZAOTVDBv6y657VE2_UiBtBcbArkv-3oQqdBf2RiH1QQ1DitCOpp_iJP9sGz1HrE3yoZR-P-_FwZ6Jkja6SgFWWy6WPU_5kDbha1_NnzfO0zAg/s200/DSC_0036.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337822725962816914" /></a><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFN3eVBdibUoxDb-eH5OnoZiKy-O5Oa8R7jMVASpgg82hLdcvzDZ5ff1IJ74c5GDwXrkkmp7BnWEGqyRwhwDbExnSrNNpFOk6zQWzyS-v4YtG7igep7Dr5BfZNu4jtCstQz9KVcDtO7A/s200/IMG_4445.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337822730870768450" /></div></div>Jeeva and Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953859415522205115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639583775447826282.post-28398276477931787942009-05-05T00:55:00.001-06:002009-05-05T01:54:03.912-06:00It's A Girl!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpssfparEq62SGdg-1DhPWpMjhi9yRMPwAXe_Fe6QJxoEyz_hivOs1MWjIUEODCV6tLMyhhuRIfR3KXZYcayzsji787ndk8isqG5X776S7O6IK_OJ2Wccf8reyxSEt5fT-Wx5rsVwNSg/s1600-h/IMG_0801_JPG_2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpssfparEq62SGdg-1DhPWpMjhi9yRMPwAXe_Fe6QJxoEyz_hivOs1MWjIUEODCV6tLMyhhuRIfR3KXZYcayzsji787ndk8isqG5X776S7O6IK_OJ2Wccf8reyxSEt5fT-Wx5rsVwNSg/s200/IMG_0801_JPG_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332238279370758930" /></a><br /><br /><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 195px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mgN9iLpU9Wv3jUUde-vHwBesRcLPZnS7_CiGKh2cjHEwMmKx2bbxxCMMV47ZSXstJfONE5DG04TcaTQYs6Z1LBAndL0Iib-zM6gAk_6PtC5bQBuDda-pVXxTRaTW0kr01VJjCLZkAQ/s200/IMG_0807_JPG_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332235473071871794" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1C2O9Agsp5GO9y_dWTSWGlhEJeFh_MsiJ97vNvVBzVibfYnuZtvNVy_ZJHehYLQutOFXWnVGalvJMhuL_pPFHAHYgbP96x_5LkUDANRX6IYKs2ai6mQQ4jEkS-SpSryj3KQCXv191xA/s1600-h/IMG_0794_JPG_2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 191px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1C2O9Agsp5GO9y_dWTSWGlhEJeFh_MsiJ97vNvVBzVibfYnuZtvNVy_ZJHehYLQutOFXWnVGalvJMhuL_pPFHAHYgbP96x_5LkUDANRX6IYKs2ai6mQQ4jEkS-SpSryj3KQCXv191xA/s200/IMG_0794_JPG_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332235470495672626" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffSyxFxJe03735qQIgDWQ5KH99xAOmi42jUaUGiNaZOVlgCoYr7nJ71i82895MzkJkKdYOPtFY2WZC5oZYT8DZdhMwuDAXVzKe_g7qzmfh27DayzlIWwf-cKXcsyiNvgPFP4BMGD5kg/s1600-h/DSC_0046.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 190px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiffSyxFxJe03735qQIgDWQ5KH99xAOmi42jUaUGiNaZOVlgCoYr7nJ71i82895MzkJkKdYOPtFY2WZC5oZYT8DZdhMwuDAXVzKe_g7qzmfh27DayzlIWwf-cKXcsyiNvgPFP4BMGD5kg/s200/DSC_0046.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332235464701790626" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaemN7_uAKZAoLLs2URzWqZKy5PxaT-1kQF4GsCDYi_QCgzZmxop_v0L4Szli7KhLNplJI125svOppwxwlIzfs-ClhkDXaCecJNSbzIPFBprtvWLZIHvpvxsPLNm3ox3T8DLXlaTTXdQ/s1600-h/DSC02956.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 193px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaemN7_uAKZAoLLs2URzWqZKy5PxaT-1kQF4GsCDYi_QCgzZmxop_v0L4Szli7KhLNplJI125svOppwxwlIzfs-ClhkDXaCecJNSbzIPFBprtvWLZIHvpvxsPLNm3ox3T8DLXlaTTXdQ/s200/DSC02956.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332235464821278642" /></a><br />The house was quiet this<img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2BPx9FjK9YxUuWA3V3S9Ipi1fsmJ7g279cZVJ51huBgokKq6i_c60ltuvz3Rf4YBzaEM6t2bdf_uo1x2V_6n_LHTRt7wafjfj4a6K0N6vzY0hE7hAr4WNK4NGF1j1BDT_PxZNqc39w/s200/DSC_0020.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332244239040751730" /> morning, since all the boys were out, so I thought I would play! I gave Rayne a bath, wrapped her in a pink polka dot towel, gathered all the recently ordered hair products (her "Ethiopian" hair needs some special somethings!), a wide tooth comb, and sat her down on the counter in front of the mirror..."This will be fun," I explained! <div><br /></div><div>It's different - having a girl, that is! Not just the hair accessories or the outfits...but, the whole way you look into her eyes, the different kinds of dreams and prayers you have for her, the snuggles...different for daddy, too. He feels relieved of some responsibility that he faces to raise two boys into men. I feel a NEW sense of responsibility - raising a girl into a woman. Excited for the journey. For now - I am content with beauty of the sweet close snuggles and choosing her headband! </div>Jeeva and Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953859415522205115noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639583775447826282.post-56796047285026382592009-05-05T00:53:00.001-06:002009-05-05T01:37:00.070-06:00Daddy loves his little girl!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVRRyuWeUFwyrohJdwFGbI_W1E7EqQbVGtONd0bXtK4bmICc2hEzqIt-uUv33QRlCrO7Z2U73ektpOwfjDFLoF5z7TXfWSD9WGcZs-YftRJHxmMOBGvzpBZaAXlBu4s0m0nxw0NdnPQ/s1600-h/DSC_0015.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVRRyuWeUFwyrohJdwFGbI_W1E7EqQbVGtONd0bXtK4bmICc2hEzqIt-uUv33QRlCrO7Z2U73ektpOwfjDFLoF5z7TXfWSD9WGcZs-YftRJHxmMOBGvzpBZaAXlBu4s0m0nxw0NdnPQ/s200/DSC_0015.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332229799530620866" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyVLdykIicHwLX56Q90KcgmDCYyHvsarAwAtWOVtML2PKxZVxSYtspV4p32YbHUd0xHqUqvAHHKjSFQj0eXFPHRKkWq_fs1V1ad9jRlQUGfo1096tWMgE7ldy-fLWgyfVgLp7IZzRRw/s1600-h/DSC_0017.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyVLdykIicHwLX56Q90KcgmDCYyHvsarAwAtWOVtML2PKxZVxSYtspV4p32YbHUd0xHqUqvAHHKjSFQj0eXFPHRKkWq_fs1V1ad9jRlQUGfo1096tWMgE7ldy-fLWgyfVgLp7IZzRRw/s200/DSC_0017.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332229796930320802" /></a><br />Her daddy always makes her<img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 132px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5sl8zsUUxbc2AtbZjL8ohrvjFSJbVO2QeLJfsguGDtt01_RqXlfs9xHCafpL85rrfOLhYv2nYJt2XRUYsR_u4iR1ynGSyAbZXjdc5hiB-HdS3VlSZkzpv5tFc5y7ptkg7A3WwDdIqZg/s200/DSC_0032.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332240298143857714" /> smile...Jeeva and Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953859415522205115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639583775447826282.post-76291077481647003052009-04-29T00:33:00.000-06:002009-05-20T03:25:09.988-06:00Our little Ethiopian princess!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCVxqU78Jf6Zsg5X_Ukka09tSidhsS-mAkDVlIEqKK_Y0sIMUN1flRhvroJLS51z2-Ud_DYjhPxqUhE4kQO40_mUrzzZuFUQf7_aGNnlNpXoMU1BlAQ8qFRsg-sc_-IImcj9EIQqrNw/s1600-h/IMG_4578.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 168px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgCVxqU78Jf6Zsg5X_Ukka09tSidhsS-mAkDVlIEqKK_Y0sIMUN1flRhvroJLS51z2-Ud_DYjhPxqUhE4kQO40_mUrzzZuFUQf7_aGNnlNpXoMU1BlAQ8qFRsg-sc_-IImcj9EIQqrNw/s200/IMG_4578.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337834672010455858" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO30SuSrwQDBSgZ1HGiAptoMRdFuvnodsupOaslwNKhTrewxdQCMolvhZLUw0kxwUKs-mnqvo6cdIAJ5Papvf5xjSnaMBN0lrsnK-6xcj8nOeZcIhDk3Ix5ITnYF2Fm4fNoTwXL7eg6Q/s1600-h/IMG_4478.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 144px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO30SuSrwQDBSgZ1HGiAptoMRdFuvnodsupOaslwNKhTrewxdQCMolvhZLUw0kxwUKs-mnqvo6cdIAJ5Papvf5xjSnaMBN0lrsnK-6xcj8nOeZcIhDk3Ix5ITnYF2Fm4fNoTwXL7eg6Q/s200/IMG_4478.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329998554772690594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDr5fvJIctDt37voLlgugcJuoPdudzDx2yLqhAzfoizHDI5Mf8tALQZCEGFChzjiz7_AB4PT12TU0WAPPqeX2Kg2c-Byj1QCr3vs2-6hwu6HpvKS4zn8wi9Q7QvoVezOK8IkoXipKnA/s1600-h/IMG_4482.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDr5fvJIctDt37voLlgugcJuoPdudzDx2yLqhAzfoizHDI5Mf8tALQZCEGFChzjiz7_AB4PT12TU0WAPPqeX2Kg2c-Byj1QCr3vs2-6hwu6HpvKS4zn8wi9Q7QvoVezOK8IkoXipKnA/s200/IMG_4482.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329998547926960914" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7qN8aFNt4IZk21AqM6d6wOOE4hp-l6GhXT0cmZDWNv9O6ypQNKekavnHeV4oautelxOStxRlyToFFg29DixH3zyimiFSSy87MDnTIRg9IPjVkDaKl4A7JoMBJVyyL_Uv-S2yqzwyLQ/s1600-h/DSC_0137.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7qN8aFNt4IZk21AqM6d6wOOE4hp-l6GhXT0cmZDWNv9O6ypQNKekavnHeV4oautelxOStxRlyToFFg29DixH3zyimiFSSy87MDnTIRg9IPjVkDaKl4A7JoMBJVyyL_Uv-S2yqzwyLQ/s200/DSC_0137.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329998532655555954" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGn4MCQ4rD7XqMCOGczo-KSJjlbVJaVWm9IlSLUTNsURqPFiZHpTGYhzcXgWkXjV2zk_aGn0Zkyol7-SlCjY5LByamkpTMXktOWewNG7DXXKLxofYqDSkYUk5tNCdS8NqBzCPZ6BuoQ/s1600-h/DSC_0002.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGn4MCQ4rD7XqMCOGczo-KSJjlbVJaVWm9IlSLUTNsURqPFiZHpTGYhzcXgWkXjV2zk_aGn0Zkyol7-SlCjY5LByamkpTMXktOWewNG7DXXKLxofYqDSkYUk5tNCdS8NqBzCPZ6BuoQ/s200/DSC_0002.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329998529441202210" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Caleb's Show and Tell...Nathan's Show and Tell...and really all of ours! <div><br /></div></div>Jeeva and Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953859415522205115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639583775447826282.post-22535381531576554872009-04-29T00:20:00.000-06:002009-05-05T01:48:09.334-06:00A Mama's Love<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6qmGJircUiYNHLeYUsxvKg7EpPkbB50QZmX7Z_cpTKMezmzxjCzLR_7_L4Zy3mFnXyi_AKEsSNMnP7Weu-xTQ9yOIPc7LhB4y6pncJ0l0EbPglBCXJy6xhI2RNKJ8s5c0R-alQSDaQ/s1600-h/IMG_0794_JPG.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6qmGJircUiYNHLeYUsxvKg7EpPkbB50QZmX7Z_cpTKMezmzxjCzLR_7_L4Zy3mFnXyi_AKEsSNMnP7Weu-xTQ9yOIPc7LhB4y6pncJ0l0EbPglBCXJy6xhI2RNKJ8s5c0R-alQSDaQ/s200/IMG_0794_JPG.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332241566230944850" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5gMFAlfceMuygu59brDHj8KUkxfB67j8QMBs0y8ffM905f2yX8HwqWmq0c5OOvSKk93RNG2kPNzJEeDUPj7sKd-U9zLol97kJE17f01HY3zbEsS-OrGN5gupxZTiTRYGdS2Ef4heNQ/s1600-h/DSC_0004.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_BHM75hIUOOjytGSaHBzW7Fvdj4u5Soew1fEJUudB31_CTtpM9cYZcjLYrz70IFxpSr9Ze7DxBBNCEtyz7jq6NGP3fICf6cnGrJya_qo8nSEeliSFejzEt61hAB54elY8fOlasWNOA/s1600-h/DSC_0019.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_BHM75hIUOOjytGSaHBzW7Fvdj4u5Soew1fEJUudB31_CTtpM9cYZcjLYrz70IFxpSr9Ze7DxBBNCEtyz7jq6NGP3fICf6cnGrJya_qo8nSEeliSFejzEt61hAB54elY8fOlasWNOA/s200/DSC_0019.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329995854004922146" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjEKgF4yTX-cZFG9xGxbezAAuG84UOJNKpB1JjhBQfik1rmZkqoN2IFJsjDpfof1loYfqvCgwRFNEsRuY5HEQQm5mVydloKtMsMBHgcK6DOGQS7ShxqBMciLCmhwEpSQ3pdW1O4yptw/s1600-h/IMG_4498.JPG"><br /></a><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">A Mama’s Love</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; font-family:'Arial Italic';">How can you love</span></span></p><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxt1QmvuTr7ik3LkAJ0saipdEUfwpXI5LPmLmEPBUU3LUsRTkjuxpAfd7z2XLEcmbkaY99nju0o25CwcR3VIMWX2iIDXD9X3jsjPXbrYZ64MqvWQKH6TMFfkx1wJdC07godCkCpSWTg/s200/DSC_0034.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332243198555080050" /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; font-family:'Arial Italic';"> something this much? How can you love something this quickly? How can you love something this much that is not from your own self?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">I am amazed by my own heart for this little girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I knew I would grow to love her, but I didn’t realize it would be so immediate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I could not be certain that my heart and my mind would feel the same as when I birthed a newborn into our family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Now I know! </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Attachment - It may take days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It may take weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For many it takes months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And in some cases it even takes years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Hours of “adoption classes” teach in length on the idea of attachment, and present possible attachment disorders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Aware of the risk, we stored the possibility in the back of our minds, and prayed that this would be a smooth transition for Rayne, and</span></p><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnZT3ienKPpdTF8JcBla-YimD5F25dlngW7H13OsOox93iiOSOsXD1hOqR43UxUxJmc5M_bvwDUa7UkyldJCSxyf2c-8u_FSBc0PJVUKG3r3eS3FNa-D4pAGsOJEypQFr6zPh5pAa5A/s200/DSC_0004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329997586779585634" /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> that she would attach quickly and easily to our family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Remarkable...it seems that Rayne has already<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>shown incredible signs of “attachment.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It seems natural for her to make eye contact during her feedings, to engage us while playing, to respond to our voices and our love, to interact with others peacefully and happily. She trusts us, and she allows us to care for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">We are thankful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We are thankful to her birth mother for nursing her and creating an attachment for Rayne at the beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We are thankful to her nannies at the care center, who have obviously loved her, cared for her, and enjoyed her smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We are thankful to God that Rayne was knitted together for our family, and that this attachment seems natural.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Jeeva and Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953859415522205115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639583775447826282.post-39197692920107914712009-04-28T23:37:00.001-06:002009-04-29T00:19:20.103-06:00TRANSITIONS!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8OcoJGTd20gjXUPICAJQpp1SF_7nqz5qMaSZRUMc8srENrKOZ-FlCV-ZKsaAk_JSSN0XWZ3bpZQDt631YhcmyHZwJBhSLEsRbCQDZNqQgSxfr940uLybobOnC9DMAa7XfPpZQPCI-Q/s1600-h/IMG_4494.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 145px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8OcoJGTd20gjXUPICAJQpp1SF_7nqz5qMaSZRUMc8srENrKOZ-FlCV-ZKsaAk_JSSN0XWZ3bpZQDt631YhcmyHZwJBhSLEsRbCQDZNqQgSxfr940uLybobOnC9DMAa7XfPpZQPCI-Q/s200/IMG_4494.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329994042765056370" /></a><br /><br /><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_m0l_gK3z6DSwr1oSSJ_l-bn5yLrXREYFxl7yhebrcBC_C5YzGsLubacsl_-f2uJBhuV_QLxdxS8DcLrNMkJ7JOBKArO5vJRcKHnnGqRAD_U-y4B21cClOJHJihjU7Z28fuN-HLc84g/s200/DSC_0118.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329985478080168146" /><div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Drinking a bottle with American Formula – throwing up a little!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Pooping plenty…perhaps from the change in diet</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Oatmeal cereal – not sweet enough!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Ethiopian brand of baby cereal contains sugar as its second ingredient.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So, a little mix of fruit baby food did the trick!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Not as good, but it will have to do!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Sleeps<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>- 10-12 hours a night….what baby does that? We feel blessed and rested!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Rayne weighs 14.5 pounds at her 5 month check up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>At 50th percentile<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>in weight and 75% for height for a 5 month old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Not bad, since when we picked her up she had been losing weight.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">She will catch up on all her immunizations by 9 months…a few pokes before then!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Resting Peacefully<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Giggling and smiling at her brothers<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Turning her head upon hearing mama’s voice<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Her eyes light up and smile when she sees her daddy. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Looking us all in the eyes and making our hearts leap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p></div><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2mW6uy5QWWtVxvxVTHGkQum27wQp7dxsN5yqQJL2psnxt3ksoDoVescYm1LEOC-NZPJIRcabv-QN7QHl7BaAWmU9DHZVVd8HdZBIjAfGPswbSAteb6PalrbiqwvwwmqwsNT3HwZaNQ/s200/DSC_0147.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329984073402668018" /><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Jeeva and Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953859415522205115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639583775447826282.post-34986692424168672312009-04-23T12:50:00.000-06:002009-04-23T13:18:12.503-06:00Welcome Home<div><div><div><div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyefXdZlokjPSShXFtKs_yA4-xA5WxEi1jajRN9JZVgqzQWtaOIeZCAt486Lj_P5BUoKvJuyX8SjuGylqr9Z3FNuUnTeXBOwENTPOVb8NvIKl6dNMujm1IuQKoTIWR2DwvQueVSJ1Lw/s1600-h/pic13.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327965882502643490" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyefXdZlokjPSShXFtKs_yA4-xA5WxEi1jajRN9JZVgqzQWtaOIeZCAt486Lj_P5BUoKvJuyX8SjuGylqr9Z3FNuUnTeXBOwENTPOVb8NvIKl6dNMujm1IuQKoTIWR2DwvQueVSJ1Lw/s200/pic13.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>It has rained twice in the past six months, mostly snowed. But, today we got in the car to drive home to meet the boys and it was raining! Welcome home RAYNE! As we drove through the pouring rain and the fields were turning from a brown crisp grass to a lush green I stopped to be thankful. Thankful that Rayne would bring so much abundance into our lives. I am thankful that we waited. The rain seemed all the more sweet.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CIqKHkiBulSPi6jpVdnJcmXGGWwZvkKk4ImLk8dyNqezNho1cTABVIpFSyEE-1plOOMGRYlv-U6ZxjbVS2poSULv4lTTLIa-bcqrLA4v8_A7Dcj-kZzHCpaaCkDQGtIYcSWsU3H_cg/s1600-h/pic10.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327965622867815778" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CIqKHkiBulSPi6jpVdnJcmXGGWwZvkKk4ImLk8dyNqezNho1cTABVIpFSyEE-1plOOMGRYlv-U6ZxjbVS2poSULv4lTTLIa-bcqrLA4v8_A7Dcj-kZzHCpaaCkDQGtIYcSWsU3H_cg/s200/pic10.bmp" border="0" /></a></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMGhMLDgY4m7tLBZqwRu8zSLvUjldMGDzB0BxZRs3pdh1GrW8kl27L68EAb6fiplmQrSIOdIsmG3AEpBVX6bxr4sAp6k_9M7wfGPt9IqmMgvhPapYYrArB7HQGIEgL37QkO0DoQSIkA/s1600-h/pic11.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327965621614189826" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 199px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMGhMLDgY4m7tLBZqwRu8zSLvUjldMGDzB0BxZRs3pdh1GrW8kl27L68EAb6fiplmQrSIOdIsmG3AEpBVX6bxr4sAp6k_9M7wfGPt9IqmMgvhPapYYrArB7HQGIEgL37QkO0DoQSIkA/s200/pic11.bmp" border="0" /></a></p><div><br />Rayne, a little nervous over the initial odd feeling of being buckled into a carseat and moving backwards at 70 mph, held my hand tightly, peered over the back of the seat to make sure we were there, and then fell into a deep sleep. After all, it was her middle of the night.<br /><br />We pulled into our driveway, where a brightly colored Welcome Home Rayne sign hung on our porch. Rayne was wearing a red ribbon in her hair. Nathan, after reading a favorite book, has always imagined his sister coming home with a red ribbon in her hair. We woke Rayne from the deep sleep and carried her inside. The boys met us with excitement and love. They were both excited to see us after 10 days and beside themselves to see their new sister! In her glazed over exhaustion, she managed to smile at her brothers and play for a few minutes. A bath, some fresh jammies, some warm milk, and headed for bed. As I held her tight in a cradle position, which was so hard a few days earlier, I looked her in the eye and told her she was home. She closed her eyes and fell fast asleep in my arms.<br /><br />The next morning, she woke and drank a warm bottle of formula. The bottle it is!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYun4B-7OeQnlr6AI5AxwmsTTjkRMTTAglds0NDRtcOPEHLIr-pYsO6wnG9_UWytw1v0AgKBXgea5Twi_bd-qmNib99ql10smOc8qklCTHA1byLk5IILU9-dpGZYd3soRN0_Q3akJaQ/s1600-h/pic+18.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327966055605608258" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYun4B-7OeQnlr6AI5AxwmsTTjkRMTTAglds0NDRtcOPEHLIr-pYsO6wnG9_UWytw1v0AgKBXgea5Twi_bd-qmNib99ql10smOc8qklCTHA1byLk5IILU9-dpGZYd3soRN0_Q3akJaQ/s200/pic+18.bmp" border="0" /></a><br />Excitement ran through the house. Nathan, who has been waiting half his life for Rayne, was thrilled. Consistent with who he is for all of us, he would begin to make Rayne laugh today. She cooed, she babbled, she smiled. We all felt an excitement to be together – the five of us.<br /></div><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTtJhquTZuu-gU-XcWkjEqavS4EAXsgTuUDy10j36vsNt218XKj3dH_Xbdk7A2o0gIUci9F8F_EdyxLAUaKXGrkF52Ml3CzlhnBHgb05F83rvMdi-fpsZHWE_UNTibDx6oJBkfF-Q8w/s1600-h/pic16.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327966054023410466" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTtJhquTZuu-gU-XcWkjEqavS4EAXsgTuUDy10j36vsNt218XKj3dH_Xbdk7A2o0gIUci9F8F_EdyxLAUaKXGrkF52Ml3CzlhnBHgb05F83rvMdi-fpsZHWE_UNTibDx6oJBkfF-Q8w/s200/pic16.bmp" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiji-ZgQncX7HkchP39cs2ihiqCb-4z1m2nF-UavHP0fAsJ0l59nOinRTQXAPqlFxsyChQoH2R47xEg9-XT2bwfOuREsSeT5yLQh_RuSEmh_HQiAsRCr68PL4fiYxOkw6s2ywiIWWhnwg/s1600-h/pic+9.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327966051595773074" style="WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiji-ZgQncX7HkchP39cs2ihiqCb-4z1m2nF-UavHP0fAsJ0l59nOinRTQXAPqlFxsyChQoH2R47xEg9-XT2bwfOuREsSeT5yLQh_RuSEmh_HQiAsRCr68PL4fiYxOkw6s2ywiIWWhnwg/s200/pic+9.bmp" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiji-ZgQncX7HkchP39cs2ihiqCb-4z1m2nF-UavHP0fAsJ0l59nOinRTQXAPqlFxsyChQoH2R47xEg9-XT2bwfOuREsSeT5yLQh_RuSEmh_HQiAsRCr68PL4fiYxOkw6s2ywiIWWhnwg/s1600-h/pic+9.bmp"></a></p><div><br />Peace ran through the house. Caleb laid sweetly next to her, with his head next to hers. He held her tightly on the couch, and confirmed our suspicions that he would be an incredible presence and big brother for Rayne. We all felt a peace – the hole that had been waiting and longing has been filled and we were all together – the five of us. It is good. </div><div></div><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3N1PFBsrWY5JvDqSPRPUccDLDNkK9-0ZGvSzO6NWULa6xtDXAXtr9zGqfIcPZkjpi_qJ7FumF-7CIQv163jNkx5yuOsn957agjJXIzel6a1sbn6LO00kM-MqdmzGHhwyxCSk1Psufw/s1600-h/pic15.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327965886461179346" style="WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3N1PFBsrWY5JvDqSPRPUccDLDNkK9-0ZGvSzO6NWULa6xtDXAXtr9zGqfIcPZkjpi_qJ7FumF-7CIQv163jNkx5yuOsn957agjJXIzel6a1sbn6LO00kM-MqdmzGHhwyxCSk1Psufw/s200/pic15.bmp" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsEAMjQmvq8Akz-jkuY2byb4P0zS0aDt3YWRYZIKpbTtSQIX7HqWcfkpqvKnHWDZfjQwLT_KFF7PWJ6mmIHymkPRN-DTt8QUah8nt8FsNZXJNU_peI3SWrvRcPe_CPO4muVeGeXmV8Q/s1600-h/pic12.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327965883335533506" style="WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsEAMjQmvq8Akz-jkuY2byb4P0zS0aDt3YWRYZIKpbTtSQIX7HqWcfkpqvKnHWDZfjQwLT_KFF7PWJ6mmIHymkPRN-DTt8QUah8nt8FsNZXJNU_peI3SWrvRcPe_CPO4muVeGeXmV8Q/s200/pic12.bmp" border="0" /></a></div><p align="right"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOwlM_GlXu0SOFHeQ1LkHkb432G4dd_7rR1dD6Yh89o8jQ5lVy4tbQHyJ6d1b6y8qdXt6KRw5c9DrWZVv0h9T4f9XDq1-U6Hy582a4iAv9dwLrdSFQq4HblQW8Gb5JntYKMtP9G53hg/s1600-h/pic17.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327966054073449202" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOwlM_GlXu0SOFHeQ1LkHkb432G4dd_7rR1dD6Yh89o8jQ5lVy4tbQHyJ6d1b6y8qdXt6KRw5c9DrWZVv0h9T4f9XDq1-U6Hy582a4iAv9dwLrdSFQq4HblQW8Gb5JntYKMtP9G53hg/s200/pic17.bmp" border="0" /></a></p><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jeeva and Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953859415522205115noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639583775447826282.post-10751884471560382932009-04-23T12:47:00.000-06:002009-04-28T23:51:00.407-06:00The Trip Home<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJSXXrDBJiGHk5TLKKTna3uwSzm-JWBsFAaUBg_8Nh-U1Z6BY1ntTTfH65au974znXsnCRl22nAW3RYdIIgElyTULEieT7dV4R3uNWeAWogS3PYeV6Hr9csHV-47FiKYEG0Eanu0xYQ/s1600-h/IMG_4407.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJSXXrDBJiGHk5TLKKTna3uwSzm-JWBsFAaUBg_8Nh-U1Z6BY1ntTTfH65au974znXsnCRl22nAW3RYdIIgElyTULEieT7dV4R3uNWeAWogS3PYeV6Hr9csHV-47FiKYEG0Eanu0xYQ/s200/IMG_4407.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329986480262138706" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBjNqbfl3i-AwGoFj6m2InlRNA9GQUrScsYtkH6ZU-ay4pUPlburKxgVOuRH0lyFpJ5iFFoogflGTyDtgj4n8-FG6pbTCf1bK27Umkfd8lEQ48OERpcucj92pB0MRRLsfHDGBhPaRlg/s1600-h/IMG_4405.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgBjNqbfl3i-AwGoFj6m2InlRNA9GQUrScsYtkH6ZU-ay4pUPlburKxgVOuRH0lyFpJ5iFFoogflGTyDtgj4n8-FG6pbTCf1bK27Umkfd8lEQ48OERpcucj92pB0MRRLsfHDGBhPaRlg/s200/IMG_4405.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329986475553086530" /></a><div><div>It’s like childbirth. You dread it. You don’t want to go through it. You go through different imagined scenarios of how one might otherwise birth this child into our family….We didn’t have a choice – we had to travel the 24 hours to Denver. You could see the tiredness and the anticipation on everyone’s face as we arrived by bus at sunset to the Addis Ababa Airport. Yet, there was an excitement and a pride to take our precious ones home. And this made it all bearable…<br /><br />We proudly showed her Ethiopian passport to many government and airport agents, which read Dinknesh Jeeva Ratnathicam. (Until we apply for citizenship to the US and apply for a new birth certificate this will be her name – very feminine!) Even though it was hours past her bedtime, Rayne’s eyes were so big, and looking around. Everything was new – lights, buildings, sounds, people, jostling around in the Baby Bjorn. She grabbed my fingers tightly, eyes popping out, but never cried. Rayne copes. She seems strong. She takes it in. She may be nervous, but she rarely shows it by crying. She just holds on for the ride! When her little brain can’t take it anymore she throws her head back, puts her thumb in her mouth, and just cuddles in. She seems to find comfort in us.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Jdfz6GqcZB4TYFIMriCnft-aih_cWbjOIpLLWfPCTlLezx1zLQA6HoD8gZwd2kfAo7xoZiKsUhP99Q4vfniznbglDmuyWsiNhvCdQ7ObwGt6OKXwPO0XHJzmcxuHA5kWINco3b0Wmw/s1600-h/pic8.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327960702156939666" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Jdfz6GqcZB4TYFIMriCnft-aih_cWbjOIpLLWfPCTlLezx1zLQA6HoD8gZwd2kfAo7xoZiKsUhP99Q4vfniznbglDmuyWsiNhvCdQ7ObwGt6OKXwPO0XHJzmcxuHA5kWINco3b0Wmw/s200/pic8.bmp" border="0" /></a><br />The airlines have developed the baby bassinet, which screws onto the bulkhead wall in front of the seats. So, the two Dinknesh’s shared a bulkhead wall and fell fast asleep in their own beds for 6 of the 8 hour trip to Amsterdam. Upon arrival, we said goodbye to our friends and the two Dinknesh’s parted with a promise to see them soon in Chicago, where they live. I pray that Rayne will know Ayla , the other Dinknesh, as she grows, and that somehow having a friend which shares a similar story will make it feel a little better.<br /><br />Jeeva and I had just enough time to grab some delicious European croissants and head to our next flight to Detroit. Rayne happily cruised in the baby bjorn and never had a complaint! She fell asleep again in a different bassinet for another 5 hours upon take off! It was really a honeymoon. Time for just the three of us. Sweet time to just stare at our new baby, and to take it all in. The hours flew by, and we knew that this time was precious. She did the same. Just stared at us, and when that grew tiresome she would just look around.<br /><br />Thankfully, Rayne successfully drank from the sippy cup shortly before we headed to the airport. Since she would not take a bottle, and we could not seem to manage the open cup without losing half of the milk on her and us, the airplane eating was going to be a challenge. So, with the sippy cup, we had smooth mess-free eating!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UmNuYqLmyEg2lsC6LUcjSwc4izCRpNZ2knIU0zfq1snfuMlU1SMuFYZ-Pdt7An8cPhubvDbEOMfIdj9hKUwhTEpwLN0ON4aenAnS-HAhABS5q-qaoQjhUUFrAhdGbNLeyI2v-KFngQ/s1600-h/pic9.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327960701442537042" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UmNuYqLmyEg2lsC6LUcjSwc4izCRpNZ2knIU0zfq1snfuMlU1SMuFYZ-Pdt7An8cPhubvDbEOMfIdj9hKUwhTEpwLN0ON4aenAnS-HAhABS5q-qaoQjhUUFrAhdGbNLeyI2v-KFngQ/s200/pic9.bmp" border="0" /></a><br />Once we arrived in Detroit, we pulled out the sealed envelope. This envelope was given to us at the US Embassy in Ethiopia and could not be opened by us, only be an immigration officer in USA. It was our ticket into the country with Rayne. For months, we have been compiling these documents and waiting for this moment. Jeeva has always said, “I am going to feel a lot better when we get through customs with Rayne on American soil!” We waited in the customs line as American Citizens – three passports – one Ethiopian and two US. Rayne gave the grumpy stern customs officer a great big smile. He quickly finished looking over us, and sent us to the Blue Line. The special services line – number 37. We approached the desk and they opened the yellow sealed envelope, looked over it, and looked for this and that, filled out paperwork….as they are looking through everything…I am thinking…REALLY? ARE you really going to send us back?...submit to the system….submit to the process…one thing I have become more comfortable with. I am sure it was only 10 minutes, but it seemed like forever…and they stamped Rayne’s passport. Our little Ethiopian princess has a green card and is headed to Denver. </div></div>Jeeva and Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953859415522205115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639583775447826282.post-60292168868399194232009-04-23T12:40:00.001-06:002009-04-23T12:46:52.330-06:00Sleeping<div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBblJOvMZdu6h2oyGhGf9TV7Yka9Uxa95Vp1fJ3XSo99Ku0b3WY8ovjedrhLhyzTiP_WNtFWGdtbVuI_MALPDS4yGKbJPT6MlvVf-rvOpymGblzLkRuEn2Ue9zaj-09iS2zBYeiY3Spw/s1600-h/pic7.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327959039836496930" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBblJOvMZdu6h2oyGhGf9TV7Yka9Uxa95Vp1fJ3XSo99Ku0b3WY8ovjedrhLhyzTiP_WNtFWGdtbVuI_MALPDS4yGKbJPT6MlvVf-rvOpymGblzLkRuEn2Ue9zaj-09iS2zBYeiY3Spw/s200/pic7.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Oh sleeping! This is one nice thing about picking up an orphanage baby at five months...already trained! They can put themselves to sleep and they sleep for a long time! She is not the one having sleep problems. Jeeva and I can be found falling asleep at various places in our home at any time past eight! We seem to be having a harder time adjusting back to this time zone than Rayne!<br /><br />Tuesday night, our first night with Rayne - we bathed her, fed her, put on her PJ’s – the ones I purchased months ago, imagining that someday, a little girl would fit into them and spend her first night in them….so, here it was! My plans were to snuggle her through the night – whatever it took to make her feel safe and loved.<br />About 7:00 her back arched, her thumb went into her mouth, and her head tilted to the side…I guess we were done snuggling! I laid her down in the little bed beside ours, and just like we had seen 3 weeks ago in a picture….. She put her thumb in her mouth, turned on her side, pulled her leg up, and started scratching the wooden sideboard of her bed with her little fingersI I had watched her put herself to sleep in her solid wooden crib at the orphanage with her thumb in her mouth and her other fingers scratching along the sideboard. Before I could grab a picture of her, she was asleep. For 10 hours she slept soundly.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6ADzLO1Z7gqqyPMMoMmA4Y-7fP4A-z37Bka3qkQKVnrJ_xuqfe9fJ2rBOmD_PX5mGCLjvjR36yc0l37K-yPealZNriyk4ADxXHGkbEvb9zhyphenhyphenq2Suae_FM1O-cDfslcRbAwSlQL-Gsw/s1600-h/pic3.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327959410462775538" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje6ADzLO1Z7gqqyPMMoMmA4Y-7fP4A-z37Bka3qkQKVnrJ_xuqfe9fJ2rBOmD_PX5mGCLjvjR36yc0l37K-yPealZNriyk4ADxXHGkbEvb9zhyphenhyphenq2Suae_FM1O-cDfslcRbAwSlQL-Gsw/s200/pic3.bmp" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsjri81e8b6bo0gfPhD19FQ6hqneVGH0chQ-b7NTXfA16ujcIQ8iX4DgGHrOMro9b315qRgQBXoxz_PfeBsdLo3eGi1vwQWlPltCaTAsFbjO0l1q0KMfRn4PA80Q9CdQCO2uvP_J8DQ/s1600-h/pic5.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327959404102860402" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsjri81e8b6bo0gfPhD19FQ6hqneVGH0chQ-b7NTXfA16ujcIQ8iX4DgGHrOMro9b315qRgQBXoxz_PfeBsdLo3eGi1vwQWlPltCaTAsFbjO0l1q0KMfRn4PA80Q9CdQCO2uvP_J8DQ/s200/pic5.bmp" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4x278bW9-O3p_TI-anF4gP9zVZjPRkD2wVugbkKpCYeYKID67oHqjqoAUYKrzrIAGig18jheb3ngWzyaiihr26u3B7eXGdg5HhzbYan0mppX-7zFOxw_S2NVCIy7Tq4kMHGWDOeGrg/s1600-h/pic4.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327959405156084674" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4x278bW9-O3p_TI-anF4gP9zVZjPRkD2wVugbkKpCYeYKID67oHqjqoAUYKrzrIAGig18jheb3ngWzyaiihr26u3B7eXGdg5HhzbYan0mppX-7zFOxw_S2NVCIy7Tq4kMHGWDOeGrg/s200/pic4.bmp" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivndwOjReWQNaV3of_dc7SZezUmNLvlkfjfldyOcXBDOaY3RfeLP9-l05vgsVXnSaCuNcaxb4u98cxu4jcyxUSzMFFr1WK0u21pgN1YbrFYjgB_EwEhm5cRP2RoAZT5ebG8NyE7GyLtA/s1600-h/pic6.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327959144351102258" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivndwOjReWQNaV3of_dc7SZezUmNLvlkfjfldyOcXBDOaY3RfeLP9-l05vgsVXnSaCuNcaxb4u98cxu4jcyxUSzMFFr1WK0u21pgN1YbrFYjgB_EwEhm5cRP2RoAZT5ebG8NyE7GyLtA/s200/pic6.bmp" border="0" /></a><br />When she would wake up in the first few days, she had that look of “where am I?” Then, after a brief moment she would look at us and give us a great big smile. Maybe she likes her new life….<br /><br />Today, in her new room at home, I watch her put her thumb in her mouth, turn on her side, pull her leg up, rest her cheek to the sheet and scratch the soft minky green pillow laying beside her with her little fingers.<br /><br />Same baby. Same Habits. But, everything a little softer! </div></div></div></div></div>Jeeva and Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953859415522205115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639583775447826282.post-81080331401626839512009-04-15T22:02:00.000-06:002009-04-15T22:08:49.069-06:00Camp<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrxVAdXCuhruGkWxgmxxBelmPg0zNb5lZGOQjY8lNoFd7Y5Ez79aBJABTJd2GwnrDMJ4mKh7Svbvu1CzqRiTeUGQePAw0vDMsNbwFzKyV03Quimq34NGMxZ20Zky1ZTZbFpFzpAlBLg/s400/camp2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325135397410284098" /><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I wasn’t kidding – this is like camp. We have a weekly set schedule. We have meals together – some good Ethiopian food, some typical carb camp food. We load on the bus and off the bus. We share a bathroom. We complain about some activities and love others. Sometimes the noise and the people are just too much! Whatever the camp you have been to over the years, the memories you have most of camp are the other campers! Mostly, you go to camp relatively alone, and you leave bonded with others because of the mutual experiences you shared together. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">But, in my sarcasm before the trip, I showed Jeeva a list of the campers’ names and I said, “Here’s a list of your eight new best friends.” We both laughed and acted as if we didn’t need new friends, we had each other, and we would just hole up in our room on the down times. We even brought DVD’s to watch in our room. This trip with no kids was going to be our second honeymoon! </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Although Jeeva and I have had a beautiful time together, I was wrong about not needing community.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“Going to get your baby camp” isn’t much different than all the other camps. In this case the mutual experience is birthing a child into our family. We waited those first hours together to meet our children for the first time. We celebrated together when we came down the stairs with our new child, some became parents for the very first time. We grieved each other’s birth stories, and we wept together for our child’s past. We passed many hours on the buses just sharing about our lives. For three of the families, it was their second Ethiopian adoption. So, Jeeva and I learned much from them, and gained so much hope for the future. For some families it was their first adoption, so we experienced the newness together. For all of us, we were adding a child to our family, and this was an unspoken, long-awaited, miracle and blessing. As the crying and chaos of the bedtime hour hit tonight, and we were all cleaning up very dirty diapers, vomit, snot, and all the other things associated with leaving the orphanage and entering our care, it felt good, once again, to be in community.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Times; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Life is better in community. We could do this alone, but it would not be as full, as rich, or as wise to do it that way. </span></span></p><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFAeXlYuS8Vug0SH7QTrSShdWToYuF2GpZhy-koTZHC8l_jyk-JsRD_Ys7n5kkHjfDEVzm-hdjCUKvWbPECu2d9X4YyRI9EZGUdJJpwK0VH5kNHwEOwoWJ2Fnv7Pb28jmR8hYb_HNlg/s400/camp1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325135527959848418" />Jeeva and Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953859415522205115noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639583775447826282.post-74776374782324012532009-04-15T22:00:00.000-06:002009-04-15T22:02:38.155-06:00Will They Remember?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_2qRT2vMS9aTRcTfYAQRX-zZHh6tF24DOZC1sQ29Nnf8xx2PiNDSUtnaB7FOCFL_bMu4ohLOQypN1C8hH5EsBKYGnDkwQLYu-1uBUitW6nr0LEk6mIu6M41BsmWT23k0C_LV4yOd8A/s1600-h/Remember.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_2qRT2vMS9aTRcTfYAQRX-zZHh6tF24DOZC1sQ29Nnf8xx2PiNDSUtnaB7FOCFL_bMu4ohLOQypN1C8hH5EsBKYGnDkwQLYu-1uBUitW6nr0LEk6mIu6M41BsmWT23k0C_LV4yOd8A/s400/Remember.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325134743183122738" /></a><br /><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">11:00 p.m. Thursday night. Jeeva and I stood outside the baggage claim customs area, waiting for three other families to join us for the ride back to the guest house. The first family approaches us, and this is our first conversation in Ethiopia. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“So, how old is your child?”</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“Five months. “ </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“So,is ours.” </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“Is it a boy or girl?”</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“Girl.”</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“So, is ours.”</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“When was your baby born?”</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“November 3</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">rd</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.”</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“Same with ours”</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“What is her name?”</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“Dinkinesh.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Silent look. Absolute terror comes over all four of our faces. All I can think is – we are here for the same baby! Did I really just fly on the airplane for 24 hours, and wait all this time for the same baby? Did they really screw up this badly? Is this a joke? </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“What is her last name?”</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“Dinkenesh Segabo”</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Sigh of relief. “Ours is Dinkensh Seleke”</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Immediately, we took out the picture of our babies and they look different enough to realize we do indeed have two different babies. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A very fun and easing way to kick off our adoption week in Ethiopia! </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Turns out that these two little girls have been together for the past five months, since they entered - playing, keeping each other company, and are bonded. Their nanny spoke of the two Dinknesh’s fondly, and she told us they had been together with her the whole time. We have gotten to know the other Dinkenesh’s parents, so it has been fun to compare our parallel adoption stories. They turned in their adoption dossier documents and went on the waiting list December 27</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. We went on December 28</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. Turns out they were also waiting.. prepared and anxious for much longer than we all anticipated! They, too, thought they would get a baby girl last year at this time! Turns out that they got their referral December 15</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. We got our referral December 16</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Dinkinesh Segabo is our baby girl. It was meant to be that way all along. I love that there is already a plan and this week we got a glimpse of the journey we couldn’t see...</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">When everything is unknown to them, there was one thing that was familiar. They touched each other and smiled. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Will they remember? </span></span></p>Jeeva and Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953859415522205115noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8639583775447826282.post-70047293895219316252009-04-15T21:56:00.000-06:002009-04-23T12:39:11.518-06:00A Snuggle<div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnusRd4oNNfaW_CT2w5Szq8n8KGAOjTIPfxGdmJaTCzie53DZIE7WLpbf7vGkFPKuIrJKv-yVyIjgQAD1LBt_MjV0fQJg7bmdeU6Z4037xGWhYgjLQhgMGdhdomhtS5q-HqT9SJveXQQ/s1600-h/Pic2.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325133946850723250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtIzSHfm9Ceul1MbdICmb6qLGzP8o6po8Hl9o-Uh8zhfoA71y9hABoAsQK0eyCuK_HDBlCX3AUwCKpBA_WUwPLcgzjIOSgi_CYSmC3LJJ2dbxHgXTzio2ejgaXHLaeWMQKG9WRxu0YQ/s400/snuggles1.JPG" border="0" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';">I can’t remember having something in my life that I wanted so badly, knew I would eventually get, and yet had to wait for indefinitely. Maybe that’s why the snuggle today seemed so sweet. I could smell her, I could kiss her, I could lay with her…and I didn’t have to take her back. God has given us this precious gift, to care and to love for the rest of our lives. Wow! </span><br /><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And, it seemed so normal. It seemed so peaceful. It seemed so right. Effortless…. to love her. Effortless… to care for her. </span></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We went to the care center this morning for the final farewell ceremony. It was a time for the nannies, and the other children to say good bye to the kids, and to celebrate their time their and then turn them over to their new parents. The ten children, fully dressed in traditionall outfits, processed down the stairs and into the room, where we sat waiting in white plastic chairs. It was like you were at your child’s school performance, and you were quickly scanning all the children to find your own, and maybe they would make eye contact with you or maybe hope they would see the smile on your face! The parents each got a card from the child’s caretakers. Then, we gathered around them while they held our children, and they prayed for the children and the caretakers. They turned and gave<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoC9ibruGRjfzJ8rEMZZzig1Wqftvgm-M4pRngwEQP0_A_XubOMNamsqezKoNILxwz4Khgo4G5MQX1FMCO2xeCpQIT7ewB-mpskbLFdGKwfhfIKMxzF4CeI_W3gC-ECOBVJW79tZHveg/s1600-h/Pic1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327957351270044130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoC9ibruGRjfzJ8rEMZZzig1Wqftvgm-M4pRngwEQP0_A_XubOMNamsqezKoNILxwz4Khgo4G5MQX1FMCO2xeCpQIT7ewB-mpskbLFdGKwfhfIKMxzF4CeI_W3gC-ECOBVJW79tZHveg/s200/Pic1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Rayne to us. Their hearts were breaking, but they said they knew this would give these children a better life and love. Rayne had a special nanny, who was with her for the entire time she was at the orphanage. We spoke with her a few days earlier, while she was showing me how she feeds Rayne cereal and successfully feeds a five month old with a cup! She shared how special Dinkenesh was to her and how she would miss her and her smile. I hugged her this morning, and promised her I would tell Rayne about her some day. She cared for my little girl when I could not. My heart felt thankful for her, and my tears and my words would remind her of how she blessed my daughter. </span></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A few more details in the ceremony and then we left the care center and headed for immigration. I looked back as we pulled away from Rayne’s first home and saw her nanny standing in the window waving good-bye. That must be hard – to care for these children and then set them free to be with the families. </span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We headed to the US Embassy, where we each appeared before a man behind a window for a brief interview with our child. As he thumbed through the documents we so carefully prepared for the past months, I could not believe it was actually here. We swore that we were telling the truth about us and our lives, our baby, their birth family, and signed a bunch of papers – a process for which we are glad is over! </span></span></p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjSSXuprYxIFmubBgT_hsaoMX6pWJ77Wh6PPtVTzXoyiVBSKzVytF3jKXg-HazCDw0_7XWyyNDdyKIWXxEA-hZculKvtTZ6t6fm0GO6M2xGlowjdmlc36fEQ9tWa4PZQSGnnTQC39Vg/s1600-h/Pic2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327958086459682706" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjSSXuprYxIFmubBgT_hsaoMX6pWJ77Wh6PPtVTzXoyiVBSKzVytF3jKXg-HazCDw0_7XWyyNDdyKIWXxEA-hZculKvtTZ6t6fm0GO6M2xGlowjdmlc36fEQ9tWa4PZQSGnnTQC39Vg/s200/Pic2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px; FONT: 12px Times"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We left the Embassy, relieved that we all passed through with little hassle, and we were home in time for dinner!Really….TO SNUGGLE! </span></span></p></div></div></div></div>Jeeva and Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03953859415522205115noreply@blogger.com1