piiiiiiiiiiiictures

Well mom never updated, so here are a few pictures. See you guys in 6 daaaaays!!!

In Tuscany
Heineken Factory

Got to go behind the bar and pull my own beer

In the brewery.

They are all of random places, none of rome, because i dont want to put my friends pictures on here, so enjoy.

Ciao from Romaa

Hiii everyone!!! Im am happy and safe in Rome. I am going shopping soon so if anyone who is going to the hope reunion and wants something from Rome tell me!! liiike if you collect black and white postcards (me), you collect shot glasses (everyone I know), you are Catholic and want a rosary from the Vatican (My pediatrican) or your little brother loves Manchester and you are buying him a Roma jersey to spite him (once again me) let me know!!!!!

My son

Jackson doesn't get a lot of face time here.  For such a handsome kid, he is notoriously camera shy and runs everytime he sees a camera.  He must also find it hard to compete with the precious little girls everyone is always so interested in.  I sit here, on the eve of my son's last day of his first year of school and think of how far we have come in these months.   Did he tell his big sister that she is going to get fat in Italy, while we were skyping yesterday, well yes, but he also has asked me 20 times today if she is really upset and that he didn't mean it.  

It has not been an easy year.  It still isn't "easy" but when I think back to the beginning I know that we have come so very far.  

In the beginning this poor boy was an angry, disappointed, hurt, miserable young man.   He would run away on his bike at least 3 times a week.  In fact he ran away on the morning of his baby sisters surgery, I had to have Miranda check Addis into the surgi center because I was driving around searching for him that rainy morning.   He ran, he shouted, he cried, he pushed us both physically and emotionally away from him.  He isolated himself, he didn't try at school, he was disrespectful and disobeyed me at every turn.  He would glare at me with such malice and hate, that I actually hid all the knives in the house at one point.  We had to turn the doors around so he couldn't lock them, had to latch the windows so he wouldn't go out of them.  He would give us the silent treatment for days at a time.  

He frustrated Miranda to the point of her looking to move out, because she was so miserable in her own home.  More than once she said to me that I had ruined her family.  I agreed at the lowest points.  I honestly didn't know where to turn, counseling didn't help, positive male role models didn't have any impact at all.  

And then...one day he quit running.  Then one day, he gave me silent treatment for a few hours and APOLOGIZED!   

At the beginning of the school year he would come home and cry that he hated school and had no friends.  He sat by himself in the cafeteria, by himself on the playground, in PE.....

Now, he is the Belle of the Ball!!  Here is his social calendar for the week--best friend spent the night Friday night, soccer tournament with his friends all day Saturday, Sunday movie with soccer coach, Monday swimming with his best friend and us, Tuesday soccer practice, Wednesday lunch out with best friend then a swimming party at classmates house, Thursday lunch with a different friend, and then soccer practice, Friday swimming with friends and family, Saturday basketball practice then going to play games with a soccer friend.   WOW right??  

We still struggle with motivation, if he tried he would likely be one of the best players in town, any age group.  Now he is a great player who doesn't like to run.  He does fine at school, but doesn't push himself.  I am going to send him to tutoring this summer, to try and catch up a little more.  

He worships his baby sister Addis and is learning to like Eyerus.  She will grow on him.  He loves animals.  He misses his big sister like crazy, but doesn't know how to express is, so it comes across as annoying boy.  She is the first thing he asks about when I pick him up from anywhere.

On Mothers day he actually said "You are a good mom, and I am happy that you picked me'!!!  Tissues anyone??

He told me I am a good mom today.  It was because I let him go to the swimming party, but whatever, right??  When Addis threw up tonight, he helped me clean it up and gave me the helpful hint that maybe she shouldn't eat so many grapes :) 

I can honestly say I love him today, and I think I can say that he loves me.  I hope that it only gets better and better from here, and I also hope that I don't forget, when I am angry with him because he didn't take out the trash, that at least I haven't had to hide my knives in months!!!

Some Pictures

Hallo Amsterdam

I made it to amsterdam all by myself! I did cry hysterically quite a few times yesterday, but I think I will be okay. I am actually starting to get excited. For anyone going to Ethiopia soon, I would strongly recommend KLM. I found the food and entertainment much better than Ethiopian air and I really would prefer the break between flights. Okay I will try to update when I get to Roooma!

Hello Habesha

Check out my hair!!!

My baaaaaby

Such a beautiful little Habesha

Oooh Addis you are hillarious

Check out MY ringlets!

Me and my girls!!

There are no pictures of Jax, because that "super cool" hair of his was about 50 little braids him and his friends had done all over his head. He had to get his head shaved and is REALLY refusing pictures.

Things with Eyerusalem and Addis are going much much better. Now they just fight like siblings. Lalu has a lot of orphanage behaviors that are of course annoying but she was in an orphanage for 3 years so we have to remember that. Overall the two get along as well as any other sisters I know. They bond over their love for, the color pink, juice, watermelon, pizza, and screaming/dancing/singing.  Lalu is learning english pretty well, can almost say her abcs and can count to 4!! Addis can count to 2 and can say her abcbs and is even learning a little bit of amharic. It is safe to say we are a hit everywhere we go. It's like who can out extrovert who. 

And tomorrow I rock their teensy weensy little worlds. I leave at 3:45 for Rome to study abroad for 6 weeks. Who said that minor in Italian wouldn't come handy? (MOM!) Yes be jealous, and yes everyone, and your great aunts, I will be safe and careful! I will miss everyone soo soo much but it will be good for me to get away from being "Sistermom" for a while. No waking up at 6:30 to do hair, break up fights and gather everything for day care. No being the queen of time outs. No being walked in on while taking a bath and having a fully dressed addis join me. No feeling guilty about laying down and watching tv while the girls are home. I am more than happy do all these things, but it will be fun to get away for a bit. I am going to miss the little kisses from stingy addis in the morning when she wakes me up. I am going to miss Lalu giving me a thumbs up about my cooking. No more dance offs for a while, no more seeing the girls kiss and hug after they fight. No more hearing them say watermelon. No more fingernail painting. 

I will be updating while I'm gone, and will probably start a flicker or something to keep people who want to see my pictures updated. Wish me luck!!!

piiiiicture update

Jackson in Ethiopia, check out his awesome hair

the three girls

fighting 

Eyerus and I 

My gorgeous little sister

The other gorgeous sister in my life

dyeing easter eggs!!

say cheeeeese 

Party of five

Sorry for the delay in posting, you will all understand if things got a little hectic around here. I am proud to say that we are now a party of five. Yes as in my mother has 4 kids ranging in age from 20 years to 20 months. She and Jax left on monday march 16, got into Addis late late Tuesday night and picked up Eyerusalem on Wednesday. Let's just say that for all of you who have heard the horrors of toddler adoption, my mom's experience with Eyerus was that, times 13, but without any potty accidents. Incessant crying, screaming, refusing to make eye contact, attempts to escape, refusal to eat. She wouldn't let mom touch her, change her clothes, fix her hair, anything. She refused to sleep in bed with mom, and slept in a chair the whole trip, see picture below. As soon as Mom, Jax and Eyerus got home late Sunday night after 30+ hours of flight travel and 6+ hours of driving, she plopped right into my arms and fell asleep. Ouch for mom right? Well we all stayed home the next day and she slowly started coming out of her shell. Addis was like hey, who are you, why are you playing with my stuff now let's fight! Eyerus was like Hey, I hate all of you, leave me alone, give me a banana, and leave me alone. Things slowly got better, and she slowly started letting mom touch her more. I think she just bonded to me quicker because she wanted someone to have to love on, but was still mad at mom for being the person who actually took her from the orphanage. I stayed home with her on Tuesday, and she really started to show her personality. She had a few times where her "only childness" came out, but she quickly got over it and came back to loving on me. I don't have class until 2 on Wednesday so I stayed with her again, and she just really started to blossom. She was showing mom all types of affection and being really sweet and funny. She started day care on Thursday, please don't say anything about this affecting her bonding, we tried to hire a nanny and 3 fell through so she goes to the same one as Addis for half days and she told Jackson that she really likes it. She let's mom kiss and love on her now, she loves to have mom do her hair, and loves to cuddle up with me. She HATES the dogs, but is not as scared of them as she used to be. She has started to be really sweet with Addis, sharing her food, and drinks, and only fighting a little bit. That's all I have now, so I will show you all some much needed pictures. We only have a few, but we will take more this weekend.

all happy and pretty in her embassy outfit, before she realized what was really going down.

sleeping in a chaaaaair

Her first day home, she did NOT want to play with me and Addis

Hahahahah she found these after bathtime and was running around naked in them saying cheeeese cheeese 

Has to be exactly like her big sister.

YEEEEEEEEEESSSS

Eyerusalem Tadesse Pruitt

You have been in our hearts since July 15, 2007

583 days too long!

We are coming sweet baby!!!
Now finally, a year and a half later, I can show you her beautiful pictures!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

3rd times the charm?

tomorrow's our third court date for miss eyerusalem!!! everyone send us good vibes!!!

omg I needed this today.

GO HERE!!!!  and here

To my betrothed...

Oh sweet Noah, when will we meet again!

Bad day at the Chick-fil-A

So on Saturday, Mom, Adda and I were out running errands while Jax was at basketball practice. We were needing sustenance so we went to chick-fil-a. Let me start out by saying that when we are at a restaurant Addis is "that kid". She screams, cries, fit throws, kicks, throws food, spits food, yells, hits, basically is just horrid. So we are there eating our lovely chicken sandwiches when in walks two women in their 60's. They are wearing way too much makeup and have way too much hair dye. oh yeah and one is wearing a one shouldered sweat shirt a'la Flashdance. Did I mention she wasn't wearing a bra? Yes well she wasn't. So they order their food and sit close to us. Tits McGee all the sudden notices that GASP there are two white chicks with one black baby. She motions to her friend to look at us like we are some type of circus act, all while I am obviously maintaining eye contact with her. The friend gets embarassed at turning around only to get "caught" staring at us. But Tits McGee keeps on staring and talking ferociously. We get up to leave (because we are done, not because of them) and I said to her, "Yeah she's black AND she's wearing a bra!" Okay so obviously my 18 month old sister isn't wearing a bra but I thought it was funny.
So we walk over to refill our drinks and some lady just totally cuts in front of us. Mom went ballistic. She was all Oh no you didn't, and the lady was like oh I'm sorry I didn't realize you were in line. And Mom goes Uh yeah we have our lids off, that's real nice of you. That lady totally knew we were in line and totally cut anyway! I hate line cuters. So then mom was chasing addis and the lady was like I hope you have a much better day, the woman you were with seemed very angry! HAHAH
THEEEN we walked outside and some guy is blocking me in. So I started yelling and freaking out, and of course he's like right there getting something from the car next to me. Ooops.
I'm surprised we got out there without getting my tires slashed.

Jaxy waxy

A little bit of an update on that every surprising brother of mine.
Last week we had our "every 2 month" BAD meltdown. This time it concluded with me threatening to move out. We started counseling on Monday which is probably what caused the meltdown, but once it starts, it's a bitch to get over. Finally after the major familial blowout on Thursday night, things were much better Friday afternoon. Jax apologized (AND he got a big talking to by his principal about the importance of respecting me and mom). We talked things over about how important it is to respect Mom and to respect me. That I am older and even though he was the boss in Ethiopia, it's different now. He can boss Addis around but not me. I am his only big sister and he is my only brother and we have to look out for each other. Today it was like an entirely different kid. He did his chores without me asking him, and he even asked if he could help clean up with me! Things aren't perfect but hopefully we'll keep on keepin on!
I think what helps him a lot is his sports. He is amazingly amazingly good at soccer. He is on two leagues right now, one of which is one of the best in his age range in the city. They recruited him! They all say he is good enough to at least play college, maybe even professional. I have never cared about sports before but I love watching him go out there and just do something he loves and is so good at.
He is about 5'3, which means he has grown about 4 inches since July. He has gained 20 or so lbs.
As for school, well he likes it a little better now that he has friends from his soccer league in his class. I think it is still just really hard for him to have been so smart and confident in Ethiopia, and come here and pretty much know nothing. He really likes his science and ESL teachers so that is a plus. His reading has really come along, and hopefully by the beginning of next year, he will pretty much be "caught up."
Well that is about all I can think of, can you tell I spend a lot less time with Jax then Addis? He is beginning to be Mr. too cool for school, and mainly just likes to spend most of his time by himself doing weird boy things.

Check out my hair!

Can't get her attention while she's watching little einsteins

her with a pony tail. so funny.

Addy is 18 months!!!

Well she was yesterday! BUUUT she went and got bronchitis so I didn't get to post anything. But be prepared to updated about what you were wishing you knew about her!
She is 26.5 lbs, and 30.5 inches tall. She wears a size 6 shoe and all 2T clothes!
Her hair is finalllllllllly long enough to put into piggy-puffs. It is so so cute!
Her vocabulary is crazy. I will try to list all the words she says, and understands. Momma, Jackson, dog, puppy, baby, ball, juice, book, open, close, up, down, hair, nose, head, hat, eye, mouth, kiss, bye, hello, hi, NO, MINE, yes, uh huh, nu uh, i love you, no mom (as in let me do it!), iee- ice cream, gra- grape, appa- apple/pear, ana-banana, yo yo- yogurt,tree, bird, duck, yellow, green, red itsy bitsy, roll it up, twinkle, santa, hot. I'm sure there are a ton more, but notice that Miranda/sister are missing.
Favorite foods- pears, grapes, CHEESE, smoothies, yogurt, sweet potato fries, SOUR CREAM, beans, rice
Favorite activities- playing house- laundry, with her babies, in her kitchen. going outside is by far the favorite, when she wakes up she cries to go out, when its 8 at night she cries to go out. Harassing yellow, watching little einsteins, harassing her brother. Books, dancing, music, pretending like she knows how to read. She gets so bored here by herself. I keep telling my self that her and Eyerus are gunna have so much fun together!
Care- We are using Curly Q's shampoo and conditioner. The Shampoo about once every week, and the conditioner once or twice. She takes a bath every night and we wet her hair, then put Silken child detangler, brush it out, and then silken child leave in conditioner. Her curls are super defined now! I loveees it! For her body we use L'occitane organic african shea butter. It's not cheap but it gets her soft like nothing else. Once a week she gets all Eucerined before she goes to bed.
Fits- Well her Ethiopian name wasn't FITSum for nothing. This kid throws fits alllllll the time. She will throw herself on the floor crying, kicking screaming. She hits whoever is by her, she screams no. All over something stupid like her wanting to go outside when its raining at 9 at night! She has also been crying hysterically when I leave her at daycare. Its so sad!
Boys- She does have a boyfriend by the name of Drake at her daycare, they are super cute and always kiss each other! But don't think she is a one woman man. She was caught giving a THREE year old boy some sugar on Friday. She's keeping her options open!
Okay that's all I can think of now, but I'm sure there is more, and more and more.

Nope,

MOWA didn't send in the recommendation probably because the last two days were spent celebrating Christmas.
UGH!

ahhhhh two days till Eyerus' court date!

Tib-alicious

Here is an easy, go to Ethiopian meal that we make for Jax frequently!
1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon oil
2 lbs of beef (We use sirlion) sliced into thin strips
One large onion, sliced thinly
4 garlic cloves minced
Two Jalapenos, cut into half moon shapes. We leave the seeds in because Jax likes it spicy.
2-3 Tablespoons Berebere
1 Tablespoon Mimita
1/4-1/2 cup of canned diced tomatoes

Melt the butter and oil together and add the onions and some salt. Saute for 10 or so minutes on medium heat until soft. Take onions out. Fry meat in 2-3 batches until brown like 2 minutes each batch. Add all the meat, garlic, onion and jalapenos to the pan. Add berbere and mimita and cook for about 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and season to taste!!

Metcha day!

Today is the day that one year ago we met both Addis and Jackson! We woke up probably at 5 in the morning so so excited! We pulled up to the orphanage and mom ran upstairs while I played with the older kids downstairs. I had this grandiose vision of her coming down with Fitsum and everything would just be perfect. Well she never came down. After about 30 minutes, I finally went up, and she was crying, Fitsum had been admitted to the hospital the day before. We both were in shock. I had met an adorable, gorgeous, sweet boy that day named Anteneh. Something about him just struck a chord with both me and mom. I even took a picture of him on a polaroid so that I could show him off. Little did I know he would be my brother!!

Going to Hope's place with Amy Sue!!

Meeting Addis Fitsum, at the hospital. She is in "her" duckie blanket. Even now when we see pictures of babies in this blanket, we say oh look, they are in Addis' hospital blanket. Look at her itsy bitsy arm!

Mommy and Addy

My love! Look at how short he is!

Finaaally

The Christmas post!
We had an overall nice holiday, much much different than christmases past! Jackson had a pre and post Xmas meltdown, Mom mad grandma cry, I got mad at everyone and Addis was just.. Addis. Santa brought Jax a pay as you go red slider cell phone, just what he had been asking for every day since he could. He brought Addis a play kitchen and me a juicer! Here are the pics

One year ago today...

We arrived in Ethiopia to bring home Addis!!! Here is the post from that day!
We got in very late last night, like 1030 pm. We were starving and Helen and her staff made us a very nice small meal of pasta. Everyone here at the House os so friendly! As far as I can tell, I will stay here again!
We are waiting for the word about when we will be picked up and taken to Faith House and see the babies and kids. We are not waiting patiently!!!!
Grace

I can't believe that tomorrow I will have known Addis AND Jackson for a whole year. It seems like they've been here forever, but at the same time, for such a short time. We are so lucky!!