Speaking of Kivu

See, this is what working at camp does for you. We have many dear friends all over the place that we connect with because of our common love for camp. It's so fun. These friends were stopping through KC after attending another great camp friend's wedding in Iowa. We love these guys! I think we all wish we would never grow up and could work at camp forever! (p.s. mccoy's in westport is a great place for a large group on a sunday afternoon. they let us have this private dining room with a large flatscreen. their food is quite good too.)

(ha, tegegne is caught in the action. he is 2, you know!)

A Funny Guy

New Years 2009.

Camp Kivu (previously Kanakuk Colorado) several summers ago.

Just as we'd hoped...we have another funny guy in the house. Some people laughed and said that your dad and I would probably have a really reserved and shy child...which is quite opposite of our personalities. You are definitely not shy and you recently learned the word "funny". You were pointing to yourself and saying funny while wearing the orange glasses. You had me laughing good. Maybe someday you will fill your dad's shoes as the funny guy at a summer camp. Or your dad and I will become more reserved and you will be cracking us up all of the time. Or the three of us will keep being who we are and we'll each make a funny every now and then. I think every family photo from here on out will have a serious and a funny pose. You know what's funny to me? I've been teaching you all of these words, repeating them over and over and I get tickled at the sounds of our words. Like funny for example. You are teaching me some of your words too.

Baboo to you means bread.

Oo-ah is water.

Cah-cah is potty or anything icky.

All-A is up.

Then there are lots of other sentences that may mean something, but I'm not sure so I just smile and nod.

(Side plug for Kivu: If you want the summer of your life, and are between 18-30 yrs old, work at Camp Kivu in Durango, Colorado. If you are between 13-18 yrs old, go to Camp Kivu! The experience rocks! It is a summer you will never forget!)

Surprise Visit

Daddy was utilizing an early Saturday morning to grade papers on the Plaza. We thought we'd make a surprise visit to Ababa-yeh, which was quite a good workout for me. I love your smallness and the sweet sounds of your voice. I guess I will not wish that you stay small forever, but for now I love packing you on my back.

We caught daddy driving home from his paper grading so he parked the car, put you on his back and we walked around the plaza for a few hours. It was a nice Saturday morning.

Tegegne's Little Friend

This is a video of one of your sweet little friends at the Transition Home. We were so sad to leave him that day. We were getting in the van to leave, you saw him, nearly jumped off of my lap saying his name. We got out of the van and hung out with him for a minute. You lit up and were so glad to be near him. Hard to leave that little fellow. I got home and was so excited to figure out who his new mommy and daddy will be. He was just adopted and has spent the first few days at his new home! His new mommy gladly said that I could share this video here. He lives north of Chicago, but his mommy said they have a friend in KC so we can make arrangements to get together sometime. One of my favorite things to do with you is show you videos and pictures of your friends from Ethiopia. You light up and say their names over and over. I cannot wait for you to make special friends here. We are working on that and I know God will provide!

Don't Tell Daddy

Okay Tegegne, don't tell daddy that you got into my pink pearls. I had nothing to do with any of this jewelry getting onto your wrists and neck. You love helping me put my makeup on. I even caught you brushing some blush on your nose and forehead. Oops. Don't worry daddy, he hasn't put makeup on since, but now stands at the sink and brushes his teeth while I get ready.

Father Son

Nothing beats a good boy and his daddy. I cannot wait to see you with your dad through the years. With God's direction, he will shape you into a real man. A man that can catch a fish, run a chainsaw, ride a bike real far, work hard, love his family, speak French, eat chocolate chip cookies by the dozen, encourage people, and enjoy this life with hope for the life to come. What a ride it will be.

Side note: Tegegne's fingerless gloves new from American Apparel Kids, and his black tennies from ZaraBaby (a purchase made on our babymoon!)

Visiting 3rd Grade

We took a very anticipated visit to your dad's classroom on Valentines Day. His students were so kind to you. It was a great afternoon. His class and some of the parents made us a special quilt. Each student drew a picture that started with a T in a quilt square. I thought I'd post this video because I loved watching them interact with you.

Mr. Jones' 3rd Grade Class, 2009-10

Meeting You

This is when we first met you, Tegegne Dena Jones! It's been 36 days. 36 very exciting days. Your dad and I were so happy that day. We discussed that those 3 hours with you were surreal and it felt like nothing else existed. It was very good. We were both giddy and could not wait to get back for the real deal, Gotcha Day!

You Rock and So Do They

You rock Little T and so do the ladies that opened the new creperie in town. Chez Elle Creperie and Coffeehouse is located in one of my favorite KC neighborhoods, the Westside. It's delicious! We enjoyed the meal with two of your dad's sweet friends/teachers from school. Anne and Marie Anne. They Here's their dessert crepe menu:

The coffeehouse has a kid's spot where you found this tiny rocking chair.

Wondering

Yesterday you insisted that I carry you, so I put you on my back and we got a few things done. As I was sweeping the floor with an extra 20 lbs on my back, I couldn't help but think of your past. It was a somber time. Did your mother carry you often? I'm guessing so, especially for the first year of your life. I kept picturing you in your hut on your dear mothers back as she swept the floor. Or did she sweep the dirt floor? I am sure she kept the place tidy. And did you own animals? I will attempt to do a drawing of your house, because I picture it in my head often. I picture a small grass hut tucked into a hillside. I see you barefoot, and bare bottomed running with your two little friends down the road dodging donkeys and cows. I long to see what that life was like. I was told it was harder than I could imagine, so I guess I'll just keep imagining.

As I type you are sitting with Owen, and you are a fourth of his size. You are softly talking to him and petting his soft ears. Earlier you even sat on him. I think he is one of your favorite "living creatures" as you say his name twenty times a day and want to show me where he is. He is such a good dog, and I think he's growing fond of you too. You also say "Ababa-yeh" 19.5 times a day. This morning we looked at a photo album and you did not want to turn the page from Ababa-yeh's picture. You kept kissing it. We both love it when he walks in the door each evening.

(Another Photo of African mother with child taken by Beth Mercer in Pokot Kenya)

Big Sky Ranch

Much fun was had at our 4 day weekend at Big Sky Ranch (Grama Debby's and Grampa Ben's house). You got to meet Uncle Eric and Aunt Erica, great grandparents, aunts, and cousins. Grampa Ben could get you to do the best belly laugh. It sounded great! We loved the long weekend and can't wait to go back soon.

your mom

Tegegne -

Your mom is beautiful, and amazing. I love her today.

SuperKid

Photo.

You win the SuperKid award today, Little T. We ran 5 errands. Went to World Market and got some blue on blue paisley cloth napkins on sale, dropped by Tricia's to return her dishes, took our glass to the Ripple Glass purple bins, waited in a 15 minute line at the post office, and stopped by Cupcake A La mode in order to properly celebrate Jan's birthday tonight!

My favorite part of our day so far was when you squeezed/hugged me so tight with the biggest grin in the post office line that the others in line couldn't help but smile. Of course that hug included a big kiss from you, as all hugs do.

P.S. You gained 3 lbs in two weeks, which brings you up to 23 lbs. Nice work! I am so happy that you are growing, but I wish I was growing too so I wouldn't get so worn out carrying you through the stores.

Nice to Meet You's

Nice to meet you GiGi Ma and Pa Jones. Thank you for the teddy bear and organic bananas and peanut butter sandwich. I loved meeting you!

Nice to meet you cousins Mason, Landon, and Logan. Mason, you were so fun to be with! Thanks for showing me the ropes. Logan and Landon, sweet treehouse bedroom.

Nice to meet you Cousin Ethan. I'm so glad we are the same size. I loved playing with you. (Uncle Danny, Aunt Katie, and Baby Chloe not pictured.)

And nice to meet you Neighbor Jessie. Thank you for the crayons, doctor kit, and books. And thanks for pulling my cowboy boots off the shelf. Next time I'll consider clothes when you visit.

we just knew

Tegegne,

WE JUST KNEW that we would love you and have so much fun, but now it's real. You are so much fun! I can see the joy of the Lord in your face, little guy. You've learned some sign language, you say please then smile so big because you can tell that we are proud. You have gained 3 lbs in 2 weeks. Today you got 6 vaccinations...two nurses coming at each little leg with me holding you. Not fun. You kiss us all of the time. You say mommy to me along with every other woman you see that you interact with. Same with Ababa. Even the doctor was Ababa. By the end of the 3 hour appointment you learned the word doctor. You love socks on your little toes. You even gave your big dog a lingering hug yesterday. When we are approaching the door of the house you start saying, "Owwwweeenn." And he so kindly greets you at the door. Your dad left for the store yesterday and you cried. You love being with him. Last night he got food poisoning and was very sick-all night and still this morning. Phew. It was hard for you to see him so sick.

WE JUST KNEW that you would have the yellow bed at the transition home.

Your bed at home is yellow too. We were quite excited to see your sweet little bed!

Last Night!

Last night Caleb and Will Franklin rocked the Sprint Center. We were ready for them to play all night! Can't wait to hear them live again. I'm guessing that next time they will be the main event. Check them out here:

CALEB

Caleb at the Sprint Center, Feb 4, 2010. Here's the rest of their tour schedule.

Tegegne checking out the boys backstage room.

Will Franklin --who rocks an unbelievable beat, Tegegne, and Michael.

We had to introduce them to Oklahoma Joes, Wednesday night. Amen for BBQ! Tegegne was licking the bbq sauce off of the fries. He wanted to take the bottle home!

Tegegne representing some Steven Curtis Chapman! --on his stocking cap--

Meeting Mark Hall --lead singer, songwriter--with Casting Crowns.

Tegegne meets Melodee DeVevo --Violin, Cello, Vocals-- with Casting Crowns.

We broke the toddler schedule last night and had Tegegne out until 10pm, but he did remarkably well. We had a blast with our friends and really enjoyed the music. We slept in until almost 9am this morning. Tonight we have tickets to Pilobolus in Lawrence. Thanks Mrs. Gu! We will either try to bring Tegen with us or he will stay with his dear Auntie Taryn. It should be an amazing show!

I just got a call from Aunt Donna and we are going to her house for lunch. Tegegne gets to meet more wonderful family. Can't wait for him to play with his cousin, Brayden who is about the same age! Fun, fun!

Caleb & Will

Our good friends are in town and we cannot wait to spend time with them tonight and go to their concert tomorrow night! Check out Caleb and Will Franklin Chapman here.

They are on tour with Casting Crowns and Kutless. They are awesome! The show is at 6pm tomorrow night at the Sprint Center. Buy tickets today!

Give me a T

credit.

T for Tantrum that is! I think we are going on the 8th melt down today and somehow we managed to get in and out of the grocery store and Baby Gap without one. Miraculous! On our way home from the grocery I found the closest red box and rented a movie, because today mommy needs to enjoy her chai latte with a movie during your naptime. No chores, no meltdowns, just me and a movie. Then I think I will make some soup, because there is something about cooking that I've grown to enjoy. Cooking when I'm in the mood, that is. I think it was Julia Childs movie that sprung this on me.

Happy napping little fellow.

Orphans

Awesome Ethiopian kiddos looking to find a Forever Family.

I just read this blog post from our adoption agency regarding Haiti adoptions. I thought you may find it interesting. This may be quite obvious, but we are in favor of adoption. If God puts orphans on your mind and you have questions about adopting, I'd love to talk with you!

AWAA Haiti + More