Getting together with our dear Friends

Two happy families. For real.

Biruk and boy O connected really nicely. Biruk wasn't even possessive over his stuff. Shocking.

Susan, you better watch out. I am in LOVE with your little man. I already miss him.

Last Saturday we finally saw our wonderful friends again since we first met in ET. I met Susan and Ken when I went to ET. We stayed at the guesthouse together. The good thing was that Susan and I had connected way before that time and really had gotten to know each other over email already. Plus we were dealing with the same court drama where one of each of our kids passed court and the other one didn't even though we were told they all 4 had passed. Many weeks had passed after we were finally told what had happened and we were fueling badly, lol. It was such a blessing to have met someone who went through the same craziness because the agency didn't disclose who it was but we found each other anyway. After that our bond/moral support for each other only got stronger by the day. Susan you are so true and your perseverance and beauty really inspires me to do more. So far I have lost 10 pounds. I hope you know that you were the one that inspired me to get off my lazy butt and start exercising again. Susan wrote a much more beautiful post about our visit and if you like to read it its right here .

Oopsi, I forgot to mention that I didn't get a photo of our husbands but they really hit it off too. Have I mentioned that we are living less than 2 hours apart? Score! No more waiting again for almost a year to get together...

Quick update on Micah

Micah came home Monday afternoon. He kept saying I am ready to go home, I am happy to go home. Danica and I cleaned his wound and it was pretty gross and deep still but today its amazing how fast little peoples' skin is healing. All the tests came back negative on the cultures so that is really good.

He had the hospital staff all over him except when he was mad over his blood draws and they loved him to death. There was one cute story that Dr. Fairchok told me that the Dr. that came in for her over the weekend was in a really really sad mood before she saw Micah but after she met him she was feeling all better for the rest of the day.

So good to have the whole family back together.

At the Hospital all Weekend long

Ha if this was my first weekend back from Germany relaxing with my family, having a huge welcome back dinner planned for them and so on, God had other plans and I guess it was okay. Lots of time to reflect and realizing that its tough for us with not having any family around to ever help out. Really hard. We are truly just us, Kevin and I. I was also reflecting on my special single friends Jennifer and Leslie and I just don't know how you guys do it but I admire you. It is really hard to be at the hospital and have 3 other little ones at home, torn in all kinds of directions. I also was reflecting on all the families that have terminally ill children at the hospital and are there months at the time. Wow..

Poor Micah had a giant cyst growing in his face (I will post some pics another day) and after going to the hospital Wednesday and Thursday, on Friday they just decided to keep him. It was bad. They admitted him at 4:00pm on Friday. I came home about an hour ago, Kevin is with him, and he did not want me to leave. Hopefully they will let him go tomorrow. They had to keep him for 2 reasons, one being that they wanted to keep the band aid on all weekend after the surgery so Micah couldn't touch it, plus they stitched the skin inside, it was pretty deep, and also checking the cultures for infections which is nothing to reckon with. Cultures are not back yet but we are hoping to have them tomorrow. He has been on IV's all weekend them shooting antibiotics through his vanes, two different kinds. I sort of chuckled a little today because Micah is so tired of them taking his blood and stuff so today he cursed at them. I was like where did this come from...He also told them to get away and I don't like you... Poor guy, his hands and arms are all swollen.

Anyways, thought I get my thoughts down really quick before they leave my brain because I am really just functioning half empty right now...

My trip to Germany

So I went on a short trip to Germany all by myself to visit my family. It was hard not having the little ones but I made it. Haven't seen my folks in over 5 years; it was time. I had a really nice time and while there I was smothering myself with pastries ALL DAY and breathing in the beautiful country air. Hehe and I only gained one pound but I have already lost it again, lol.

My baby brother Sven and I

My sisters Pia and Nicole
My sisters and my mom. She was so proud.

Being goofy at the restaurant

My nieces Charlize and Stella

My nieces Ella, Stella, Charlize and my nephew Vincent

Ella and I. We created a great bond.

After I returned from the airport, I proceeded to pick up the kids from school. Look at Biruk. He really got all dressed up for me including dress shoes because I came home.

Re-adoption is Offical (February 23, 2011)

Today we drove out the Port Townsend to finalize the adoption of Misrak and Micah. It was snowing all around us but we were blessed to get around it just in time. Of course I encountered problems and the case was almost not heard because the adoption agency didn't submit their post placement report on time. Go figure. Haha all hell broke lose and I was stomping on some feet and finally got the report faxed because I was not having it. If they hadn't faxed it we had to go all the way back there another time. Its a nice 2 hour drive. The kids were amazing. We only took the 2 of them because we wanted them to have a special day with us and not be disturbed by nutty little other kids. I knew if I take them alone we would have peace and we did. Glad it is finally done done...

Their new names and birth dates are:

Misrak Yemegnushal Hill (born 6/6/03)

Micah Getinet Hill (born 11/25/06)

Misrak and Micah peacefully waiting.

Arriving at the courthouse. My dear friend Karly came too with her family and re-adopted her son Diego. Oh Micah... always mad about something..

Adoption friends visit

A few days ago Lisa visited with the kiddos. Amira, Biruk and Eden were at Kidane together. We haven't seen them in 1.5 years. A visit was long overdue but they are from Eastern WA so its hard to catch up. If you wanna see how iddy biddy they were click here. I have also posted a few other pics after this post were the kids are doing their Valentine cards. Sorry Susan, I wished I could have been as creative as you:(

Amira, Biruk, Eden

Amira, Biruk, Eden

The Perez and Hill Kiddos

Kids doing Valentine cards

The Love of a Daughter

Danica is a very special kiddo. I always invisioned us being close but not this close. Even though she is in college and about to graduate, our relationship has gotten deeper. She does so many small things for me that are huge for me. She has that husband part women want (like we want them to read us but they don't) cuz I surely don't get that from Kevin. He is the typical provider. I think my cell phone is for her because she is about the only one I use it for. Anyways, when she went to Germany in December she intended to surprise me big time. She kept teasing my while over there telling me she found something I always talk about but I had no clue. To most of you this gift seems so weird but to me its a priceless possession. I have this clothes stand that is 23 years old (yes I line dry my clothes with 8 people except for towels). Thank you, I know I am nuts. It has rusted all over and is very fragile but I am still using it because I cannot buy this one over here. Yes I could buy one at Ikea but those are fake. Cannot stand them. When Kevin puts a book on it or the kids run into they all get blasted because this stand is so fragile and about to break any minute. So Danica bought me a new one in Germany which is below. But here is the kicker.. She couldn"t put it on the plane because the measurement were too big They said she would have to pay $500.00 to put it on the plane. So her and my sister finally figured out a way to ship it for less but my sister had to drive it all the way to Lufthansa to the airport to ship it with the cargo. The German post office wouldn't let her ship it either because the measurements were too big. I know the story is lame but I am just amazed by her how well she knows me and listens to me. Mind you she is just a broke college student and she still did it. I love her so so much.

Please help a dear friend

My amazing friend Andrea is in the process of adopting again. She and her family have already raised over half of what they need. Bless her heart for being strong enough to raise all the money. It takes a lot of strength, faith, and courage to do that. Some of us don't know how hard it is if we can just go to the bank and get a loan or even more so if we have the money all saved up.. She has extended her raffle until tomorrow. Please go Here and check it out. Good prices to win.. Thank you so much for visiting her blog..

Happy Forever 2 year Anniversary

January 14, 2010

Home at last. Kevin's first look at the kiddos.

Today Biruk and Amira have been home for 2 years. Sometimes I wished I could turn the clock back to when I first met them. Let me tell you again. They were buck wild. Not disobedient so much but wild. I still remember when I had Amira at the compound in Ethiopia, I asked the nannies if she was disabled. She had the shoulder shake, oompi thing (only ET’s do that, lol) so bad I thought she was gonna have a seizure or something. Haha or when she came home she would stomp off and go to her room, making sure someone is watching slamming the door in your face. Awhh, I miss those moments. Or the airplane ride home. Biruk kept playing with the remote and call attendant switches so bad the stewardess were about to kick me off the plane. Mind you I was all alone in ET and the flight back. Misrak and Micah cannot hold a candle to them. They were so mild mannered when I got them its ridicules.

Today these kids have made tremendous progress. Biruk’s English is great. Amira is coming together. Biruk really is sharing his stuff now. Toys and food. For months he was never capable of doing any. He is the greatest helper one could ever imagine. Although he cracks me up because he always wants to hustle for money and I told him if I have to pay him for everything he does for me I am going broke. So I gave him a friendly reminder that I am giving him free room and board, lol. Micah worships his brother. Biruk to this day has a love affair with his daddy. He might as well be attached to his hip. Kevin recently tried to patch up the roof and I was actually shocked he didn’t buy little mini me spike shoes for Biruk so he could be on the roof with him. Probably because I told him I would kill him if he takes my son on the roof and he knew I wasn’t playing; I had that look on my face. He is also extremely talented with putting stuff together. You can always find him with a tool in his hand. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is able to change the oil on the car soon.


To this day, Biruk and I still struggle the most out of the 4 little ones. I think the biggest problem is that he has a problem understanding that he has to show me the same respect as he does to his dad. But he will get quiet defiant with me thinking I am a woman and women in his eyes aren’t treated the same. I figure those are things we can work on but they need to be fixed sooner than later because I don’t want him to become a male chauvinistic pig. I will have to train him to be a good husband one day and not disrespect women.

He still has quite a few temper tantrums; rather I should say crying screaming fits. It’s usually over something he has to learn (school) and he refuses to do it. He wants to know everything and it kills him not to.


Amira Amira…. My blogger buddy Rachael once wrote about her baby daughter not being the baby anymore..(Rachael, that was one of my favorite posts ever). Her post described exactly how Amira would fee. Really I am shocked Amira hasn’t gone in a complete rebellious stage. She truly has been thrown off the throne after Misrak and Micah got here. I try really hard to be equal but its harder when you have 4 vs. 2 little ones. We do have our occasional dates where I take her out for ice cream, just the two of us and we have long talks. Until Micah got here, she was attached to my hip. Now Micah is. I told her that is only because he is so little but soon he won’t be attached to my hip anymore either. She has the most giving spirit ever. She feeds off strictness and loves to be with me. She loves to color, dream, and hum to herself. She could be an only child because she knows how to occupy herself all the time. I think the best that has happened to Amira is that I gave her a sister close to her age. Even better, older than her.
Although Misrak gets annoyed by her often but she really tries hard not to let it get to her. They really deeply love each other. She has such a hard time fitting in rather at school or with her other sibs but Misrak always makes her feel loved. I still adore that little girl like crazy. I love her smile and her husky voice. I told her when she is older she can seduce men just by talking to them, lol. No just kidding. She recently had several Dr. appointment because of the way she acts at home and in school, just fully being in lalaland… not being able to follow 1 prompt, getting in people’s faces and stuff. Yes she was like that before Misrak and Micah came. She has always been special, different than the other 3. That is now very evident because I can compare them all. The Dr’s and I have decided to monitor her closely but they all think she is ADD. Although I am still hoping that she might grow out of this phase. If she doesn't, that's fine too. I love her still the same. Haven't dealt with Anastasia for 24 years none of these behaviors we have now can come close. We just thankful not to have another Anastasia in behavior and temperament.

Happy Gotcha Day

Two years ago these two little "WILD" guys, Biruk and Amira, were placed into my arms and live has never been the same since. I'll never forget the crazy trip I had with them in Ethiopia and my way back home.. Stories the 3 of us still talk about today:) I will write more on their 2 year home forever anniversary.

December

December highlighted two big events. Danica went to Germany to visit my family and Misrak and Micah celebrated their first Christmas in America. Danica went for 10 days and came back Christmas day. She was able to celebrate with my family there and with us right here at home. She was also so very blessed not to get stuck at the airports in any snow storms because they were all around her, in Belgium and on the East Coast.

My family in Germany was calling Danica an angel. Here is why: I guess when you live around family all your life you often don't appreciate what you have. I, for instance, am envious every year of everyone that is with family, yet the people that have family tell me don't envy me it gets old after a while. Well Kevin and I haven't been with family in nearly 25 years for Christmas or most of the holidays so its always just us 8 and before us 4.

Anyways, so my folks in Germany really haven't been spending that much time with each other during the season but when Danica came they were all together, everyone, pretty much every day until she left. So they are calling her the little angel that brought family together. Danica insisted that everyone needed to be together during her stay.

They welcomed her so incredibly like she had lived their all her live. Even though she hasn't visited in nearly 10 years, they took her in like she was me, just because she is my daughter.

Misrak and Micah were amazed to celebrate their first Christmas. I tried REALLY HARD to teach them the real meaning of Christmas how we celebrate int his house "Jesus Birth". Although it looked like we had lots of presents, we really didn't. After all, we are a family of 8.

Misrak really wanted a bible and Micah really wanted something from Toy Story so they both got what they asked for. I let the 2 of them open the first gifts and then everyone else got to dig in.

All in all it was wonderful and I really enjoyed this month of December for once just enjoying my family and not being pre-occupied with another adoption.

IN GERMANY

Everyone went bowling (my oldest brother and his family are not in there, he is in Scottland)

They all went on the sleighs being pulled by a car. Very common in Germany during the winter.

My mommy received the throw of my family for Christmas

My sister Pia and her family, minus Vincent who belongs to my other sister.

My sister Nicole and her husband and my baby brother

Danica and my baby brother Svenni

Danica with Svenni's girls. One of them is missing in the picture

My mommy and daddy

Hanging out in the city for a late night shopping trip

Micah's in his new robe and slippers

Misrak and her new boots

Misrak at the ceramic store with her special friend

Christmas party at my work

Another Christmas party for the children

Danica is in Germany!

12/22/10 Danica just posted this on f/b last night

Danica left for Germany last Wednesday. My heart nearly broke into piece not because I didn't want her to go but because I knew she had never ever left the country by herself (I was scared). The first night was horrible. I couldn't sleep until 4:00am in the morning until I knew she made it okay. Then I was worried she was homesick.

As she so described it on f/b, she arrived on a blanket of snow. They have Winter Wonderland. Its in the 20is all week with snow piled up everywhere.

Well now I am feeling really happy for her because she is doing just fine and having the best time. Mainly because at the age of 22 she is getting spoiled rotten. Not just by my mom and aunties but also by her cousins. Its like she is royalty over there.... So funny. The last time they seen Danica was when she was in 7th Grade. Now she is a young lady.

Last night she went dancing with all of them. That was always her dream to go to a German club.
Her main focus of the trip really was to see how she likes it because she was thinking of either going there for 6 months after college or even study some more over there. She will graduate this coming summer. Okay that part I wished she wouldn't because I don't want her to move away...

The neat thing is that we will have her both for Christmas. My family celebrates Christmas on the 24th and she leaves on the 25th. So she will arrive at about 2pm on Christmas day. We all have decided that we will wait to open presents until Danica gets here...

I will post some pics of her trip after she returns.

Preschool Christmas Performance

Scroll down to see the video.

Micah is in LOVE with his teacher Brittany

This picture seriously cracks me up

Seriously, my boy was the smallest kid in there. Those kids were towering over him. What are they feeding these kids in America, lol.

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