Short video of Micah

I have been trying to videotape the kiddos forever. Micah and Misrak's English is getting really good. Misrak was too shy tonight. Hoping to catch her when she knows I am not taping. Micah was actually really shy too because normally he doesn't stop talking, ever.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Neat Pictures

Misrak at Kidane 9/2009

Amira at the Ritmo 12/2008

Danica had a great idea. Danica is really into photography and just loved these backgrounds. These 2 pictures were both taken in Ethiopia at 2 totally different locations. Misrak's is at Kidane courtesy of my friend Courtney. Amira's is at the old Ritmo Guesthouse when I picked her up. Amira had the serious oompi pout going on where Misrak is just dazing like she always does. Anyways, so we took these 2 pics, made them black and white and blew them up to 8x10 pictures. They just came out amazing. We are going to put them on the wall side by side just like they are right here.

BEAUTIFUL

We just went to a Mercy Me/Jeremy Camp concert. He dedicated this song to the forgotten children; the orphans and the children in foster care.

Growth Hormone Treatment has started

This will be more a journal for me so I can keep track of Micah’s growth treatment.

Micah has officially started his growth hormones today. The nurse came to the house and taught us how to inject the hormones and work the equipment. It all seems quiet complicated right now but I am sure with practice it will become easy. Micah was screaming so hard. I think he was just afraid; he hates immunizations and that probably reminded him of it. Kevin and I decided to inject him in his buttocks because its nice and fatty. The nurse said its good where there is more fat. He will get a shot every day. He will be on the hormones most likely until he is done growing which will probably be till he is 18 or 19. Basically until his growth plates close.

On his birth records he will turn 5 on November 25, 2010. Per our re-adoption records he will turn 4 November 25, 2006.

Today he weighs 28 pounds and is 34 inches. Per the doctor, he is super tiny and totally of the charts. He is currently the size of a 2 year old. His bone age is of a 2-3 y/old. His clothes size is 2T and shoes size 6.

One of the big and painful side affects will be growing pains in his hips which normally teenagers get when they start puberty.

I know I sound selfish but now that it is finally starting I want my boy to stay little because he is so stinkin cute. Look at those hands and feet in the picture. I will never forget them. They look like from an infant. I had to take one last picture before they start growing. I bite these beautiful feet all the time.

My Micah, he is one strong soldier. I am so proud of him.

A few quotes

Nacho (his camp name) was Biruk's counselor during camp. I am not sure if he knows how much he touched my heart by saying what he said. We were talking the last day and I asked him if he would come back and stuff. Suddenly out of the blue he said:


"This camp is like being in heaven where everyone loves each other, there are no diseases where people treat you bad for what you have like her on earth. Everyone is happy".

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Danica and I also had a wonderful conversation during camp which totally made me cry and proud. We were talking about her past 2 relationship and how these boys were not too spiritual. We went on about talking about future prospects (husbands,wink Lisa) and she mentioned to me that she was looking for a certain quality of a man but more than anything for someone who was spiritually mature and she wanted to raise her children the way I do, God centered. Wow, I about fell off my feet. If you know my precious Danica and know how much she criticizes me disciplining and raising my ET'ians, I nearly fell off my shoes. I am so blessed to have a daughter like her and I am so blessed period.

Camp

We once again had an amazing time of 4 days of camp. The theme this year was LOVE, HOPE, COURAGE!

I made a little montage below. I didn't get many pics of the bigger kids as they were BUSY ALL DAY with their counselors.

I saw my friend Leslie and her daughters again who came all the way from Texas. My friend Courtney visited all day Saturday and we had a blast with them. Of course, I can always count on Lisa to be there and we finally had lots of time together talking since all of our kids had people stay busy with them all day.

In the end, Misrak's and Biruk's hearts were so heavy and they didn't want to say goodbye but it all had to come to an end.

We start to look forward to going next year again. For the children, this camp is better than a family vacation. As to Micah, he truly was every one's joy and all knew him by his first time. He pretty much had everyone wrapped around his little pinkie:)

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

First Day of School

Today was first day of School. The kids were so excited but especially Misrak. She LOVES to learn and cannot get enough. She always wants me to teach her more and more. Biruk and Misrak started 1st grade and we have Amira repeat Kindergarten. We felt that she needed to grow more to be ready for first grade. Frankly she will proudly tell everyone that she is repeating Kindergarten. Unlike last year, Amira had an amazing day too and made her teacher really proud. Micah was not very happy staying at home. I have him on a waiting list for 2 pre-schools going 2x week just so he can get out of the house.

A few pics from our Anniversary getaway!

This was the sweetest, most humble, but very quiet getaway we have ever had in 25 years.

Yes, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the country and that is my biggest wish right now to move back to the country where I belong and can raise my kids.

A calf was just born