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!!