Tipi Tent Time

Had fun with you today, little fellow. Your dad helped Socmack put windows in his house and now he is out to a movie with a friend. So we've spent most of the day together, with our big dog Owen. We had another person look at our house, which is great, but takes work. Usually we try to bring our big dog Owen while people are looking so he doesn't interrupt a potential sale, which means we are much more limited in where we can go. So we naturally ended up at the dog park. It's a good spot in the city for doggie social hour, but we both left with a bit of poo on our shoe.

We ended our night with some tipi tent time in our bedroom! We got out the head lamps and read a good stack of books, sang some songs, and got cozy. I thought you would be so excited to sleep in the tent in our room tonight, but you tossed and turned trying to fall asleep. When I asked if you want to sleep in your own bed, you definitely said yes. And on the way downstairs you said, "Rock me, mommy!" So we got to your room, I swayed back and forth with you a few times, and you were out. 

Sleep tight, Tegegne.

Woogee Boots

Can't wait to get your new boots in the mail. Your chuck taylors are the only thing that fit right now, and these should be easier to get on your feet. They are washable, made of post-consumer recycled goodness, and are quite comfy. You went through the Doodles quite quickly, and I'm hoping these size 9's last all winter.

On the home front, people are looking, grabbing our flyer out of the box, but no bites yet. One almost offer, but not. I'm ready to take my mind off of it. I would love to start getting our baby girls room ready, and I hoped that'd be in a new place. Patience, will you please greet me at the door and stay awhile?

These People, Real People

Welp, I've gotten two reports that you are having a blast with Grandma Debby and Grandpa Ben. You get to play at their place from Thursday to Sunday and are loving every minute.


I started my morning with a surprising 6am wake up and Sunrise Yoga, then I stopped at The Filling Station to get a pumpkin spice steamed milk. Yum. Made with whole milk. Double yum.


And this is the part that I've been hoping for. I got to spend the morning helping with showers over at Cherith Brook. Showers for people who don't have a home, a bathroom, a shower, a place to heat up coffee, or make a meal. People who may have had a rough start, or a rough middle, or for a number of reasons are in a tough spot, just trying to make it. Our society doesn't offer much space for these people. It was so good for me to be with them today. These people that I may see later begging for change in a busy intersection, pushing a loaded shopping cart down the sidewalk because they just got run out of one place by the police and are looking for a new spot to land. People that are struggling with an addiction, looking for a job, and are so glad to be in a place where they are offered a warm shower and a cup of coffee.


Why was this one of the best mornings I've had in a while? Because I got to be on the same playing field, eat the same meal, and see these people as real people. I wasn't just in the church pew, or sitting at home reading about the poor and thinking of how I could "lend a hand." It wasn't a feel good moment because I got to serve them through cleaning the toilets and showers. It was just being present to them, with no judgements or motives.


I hope to find myself around these people more often, to be able to see the scriptures from their perspective. To catch a glimpse of life in their shoes. I am so thankful for the space at Cherith Brook, and all that God has yet to show me.

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September Fun

A lovely fireplace at a house we are interested in...

You and Geo found a lion on our house hunt

Boy party at the park with Jeremy and Zion

Good friends, good party, a one year old birthday party that is!

Ethiopian dinner with the Jennifer, Nick, & Annabelle

A future pool hall goer, watch out Grandpa Orville! At Dolphin Gallery Tribute to a Friend Celebration

Good food, good people, good music. Dolphin Gallery Celebration.

The boys with a little too much cheese. I left early for a Mom's Night Out and I heard you and Ababayeh danced the night away.

Time to pull out the cozy French pjs from Bayonne. It's chilly!

Stop & Listen

I often realize that winter comes quickly in the midwest and I've forgotten to fully take in the wonderful fall days. It is so good to stop and listen to the leaves falling, and changing color before me.

Tegegne, you make us smile so much. We are picking up leaves together and noticing their vibrance. We've been singing more, and you've been so sweet with remembering the baby in my tummy. You and Ababayeh had a blast the past two days, while I got some time to swim, (ahhh, so rejuvinating), have a Mom's Night Out, and shop with Grama Debby! You strolled with Ababayeh tonight while he ran 8 miles. After the run you both stretched out your tired muscles, and you were totally cracking him up! We will be mega fans next week as he runs the Kansas City Marathon with Gerard!

You, child of my womb, are in fact made of sugar and spice and everything nice. Yes, a girl...what fun! At the 20 week ultrasound she assured me that if any boy part was to grow it would already be there. And you looked all girl to us! It's so fun to feel you move in there. Can't wait until the boys can feel you.

A kind lady and her son looked at our house today. They loved it and are looking at banks to get approved for a loan to buy our house! Stay tuned.

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Love Is Waiting

The next best thing to being in the adoption process, is walking along side friends who are. Our good friends, Aaron and Heather Hale, just sent off their load of paperwork and are officially waiting for their baby boy referral from Ethiopia. Heather has creatively come up with some great stuff for sale to help bring their little fellow home. Go buy something at their store and become a part of bringing their son home!

LOVE IS WAITING ONLINE STORE (click for link)

They will name their son, Arthur. Read that story here. Isn't that cool? I love Aaron's doodles of the man bears! Aren't they cute?

Aaron and Heather, I am so glad you took this huge step of faith to adopt your first child. A son! May God bless your journey to Arthur.


Follow their story here...Love Is Waiting.

A Little Sweetness

This morning I was singing along with Micah and the band at Jacob's Well. One of the lyrics was, "Would you like to know the sweetness of the secret of the Lord?" I sang it and then the voice in my head responded, "Yes, I would like to know the sweetness of the secret of the Lord." Right then I felt a big tummy-fluttering-kick from you, little growing peanut in my belly! Then one tear streamed down my cheek. It was quite a good response to my question, I thought. God reminded me of his sweetness through your little being moving all around inside me. What joy it is to carry you and soon get to bring you into this world.

I'm reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. The first half of the book is "successful birth stories." Successful not meaning painless, but all very different and interesting. I am learning a lot and gaining courage through their stories.

Reading these stories puts me in great anticipation for the moment your dad and I will realize I'm in labor and it's the real deal. Ahhhh! That will be so intimidating, exciting, (because we will soon meet you) and it will be my turn. It will mean that I will eventually have my story to tell. Or your dad and I will have our story to tell.

Going to have an ultrasound next week (wk 20) which should let us know if you are really made of sugar and spice and everything nice. I'm pretty sure you can hear me now. Have you heard your dad's voice? What about your big brother's?

Love,

Mom (or will you call me Mommyeh like your brother?)

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Conversations

We had several conversations today that went something like this:

The first: (while sitting on the back deck, on a towel with a tray eating lunch. You insisted that we eat outside, and I'm so glad I gave in. It is a wonderful fall day.)

T: "Mommyeh, the moon...high in the sky...can't touch it."
M: "It's pretty high, huh? Do you think a bird can touch the moon?"
T: "Yeah, a bird touch the moon."
And then:
T: "Eat mommyeh! Eat!"
M: "I'm full. I'm all done."
T: "Can I have it?"
M: "Sure."

The Third: (in our bedroom...you found the first two referral pictures we received of you and were staring at them.)

T: "Gunyea sad...Gunyea sad...birth mom bye bye."
M: I just watched and listened, as this was the first time you'd brought this up on your own.
M: "We have a picture of birth mom. Do you want to look at her picture?"
T: "Yeah."
(I brought a picture upstairs the one where she is holding you for the last time.)
M: "Birthmom and Gunyea." (pointing at both.) "Do you want to give her a kiss?"
(You kissed her picture then you kissed yourself.)
(I proceeded to watch you look at the photo.)
T: "Birthmom went bye bye, Gunyea sad...mommyeh (pointing at her picture)."
T: "Ababayeh?" (so we looked at a picture of the three of us and you talked about Ababayeh.)

Taryn came upstairs and I asked you to tell Taryn what you were talking about. You said, "Birth mom went bye bye, gotta find her."

(I'm not sure if you were asking about your biological Ababayeh. It seemed like you may have been. It was pretty clear to me that you referred to "birth mom" as "Mommyeh," which made my heart sink a bit b/c I'd never heard you make the connection. (I may have been a bit jealous too.) Taryn and I looked at each other and I started to tear up a bit when you said you "gotta find her." I really hope we find her some day for you, as I'd imagine you will desire this when you're older.

I think you made some real connections today to your past. I was reminded that we will continue to grieve, but also rejoice as you grow and understand what life has taken you through.

Lord, have mercy on Tegegne's birth family today.


P.S. We proceeded with the best kiss and tickle session we've had in a while...and you are now wanting more of my time, so I better go...play with you and cook the pot pie we are having for dinner!

Bears & Birth Talk

Man, the polar bear at the zoo was so fun to watch this morning. He was diving in, doing spins, and pushing his big feet off the glass right in front of us. We watched him for a long time. Then we got to see seven female elephants hang out together. The zoo keepers were so excited to have all seven in the same area for the first time today. You learned that the clouds move, when we stand still. You kept stopping to notice them moving. We had a snack under a tree and we watched bugs climb on and under our legs. It was a good morning.


I'm 18 weeks pregnant, and I keep wondering if that was your sister I just felt moving. I think it should be more obvious, but I'm so ready to feel her. You love to pull up my shirt and say "Baby's big, Mommyeh!" I switched to a midwives group who I'm quite excited about. First apt with them next week. That means I'll skip the drugs and try to have this baby old school...but at a very good hospital with trained midwives, and a doctor in case of emergency. I've just started to read and educate myself on what this is going to be like, and can I say that God was pretty good at creating woman to do such a thing?  I guess it's normal to be  nervous about the whole experience. As I read I become full of anticipation. I also keep thinking of your dear birth mom, who gave birth in rural Ethiopia. Talk about old school. I'm sure your great aunt or grandmother was there to help her through it. And I'm so grateful for her strength and courage to give birth to such a precious little you. I wonder how much you weighed, and how long you were. I would love to know your birth story. Oh, if we could only have a picture of little baby you.

You Turned Three

You did it, Tegegne...you turned three! Your dad gave such a special speech that people said I stayed teary eyed the whole party. (I'd like to blame half of this on extra hormones, but half was because I was really happy). The party was lots of fun. You were overwhelmed when you opened presents, and just wanted to play with the first one opened. We have put half of your new things in the basement to pull out for a rainy day. You sang Happy Birthday all weekend, but you were wide eyed and silent when we all sang to you yesterday. It was awesome to have many friends and family celebrate with us. 

Today marks approximately 3 years of your life. Ababayeh and I have thought a lot about birth mom the past few days. She must be thinking of you and missing you. Did I ever mention that we have a chance to send photos to Sodo that are printed and delivered to your birth family? I have done this twice and got a report back that they were very glad to see you well. It's quite amazing that we are so closely tied in this way.  

Ababayeh has made an extra effort lately to get down and play with you. You glow with excitement the whole time you are playing. Because of this, your new favorite question is, "(Mommyeh, Taryn, Ababayeh, Micah) want to play with me?"

Happy Birthday Son. We love you.

Mommyeh & Ababayeh

Baby bellies at Cousin Olivia's party last weekend.