Soccer Season

The boys played soccer this fall.  Rayne picked up the cheer leading role quickly - clapping and even throwing the ball around.

Brothers

Caleb received a new skateboard for his birthday.  He decided to teach his brother.  Fun to watch them grow as brothers and best friends.

First Day of School

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. "Mama mama misses lama," and "lama lama misses mama..." 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.

The Olympics 2009!

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.

Caleb and Rayne

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!

Because of July 4th

The United States of America....truly 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.

The Other Dinknesh

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.

Six Months and Sitting Up!

WoW!  We get to experience the big milestones.  Last week, she rolled over and this week she is sitting up for the first time!  

What a blessing! Caleb reminds her, "You are such a big girl!" 

There is Room

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.  

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.     

It's A Girl!

The house was quiet this 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!  

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!  

Daddy loves his little girl!

Her daddy always makes her smile...

Our little Ethiopian princess!

Caleb's Show and Tell...Nathan's Show and Tell...and really all of ours!