A Prayer Request!

I am taking my exam for my National Board Certification for teaching on SATURDAY!!! Please pray for Ben as he is home with all 6 kiddos by himself and for ME as I take this big test! I would REALLY LIKE TO PASS THE FIRST TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

thanks

Hair, Hair and more hair...

I already told you about the traumatic haircutting incident for Jacob the other day - now I must tell you about Marta's hair!

Before we adopted people would ask me often about Marta's hair. "What will you do with her hair?" "Do YOU know how to do her hair?" "What product will you use on her hair?" And the comments came from EVERYONE! Strangers and friends alike were worried about my ability to DO Marta's hair. I on the other hand thought it would be fine - I usually responded with, "I read some books" or "I talked to some friends - it will be fine"

OH! I was SO wrong!

Marta's hair is a labor of love all right! It is gorgeous and curly and so far out of my area of expertise that I actually dreamt about it last night. I took her to a salon yesterday for help - I am STILL confused. I posted a question on my Ethiopia Adoption Web Board - I am still wondering. I asked my friends who have kids from Africa - they ALL had different answers. Today I am taking her to another salon...

The good news is that she can braid it completely on her own - and she does it REALLY well. She knows all about taking care of her hair in Ethiopia but it is different here. The water is different, the conditioners are different, even the comb she uses is different! Her hair is so dry and I don't know how to fix it!

I have mixed feeling on how glad I am that she knows how to take care of it! Part of me is EXTREMELY relieved that she can braid it (not my gift) but at the same time it would be nice if she NEEDED me too. She needs me to teach her to use the right products but she doesn't really know that she needs me yet... she is nearly a teenager after all! :)

So anyway... that is my little concern/question for the day - HOW DO I TAKE CARE of her hair! If you have any advice please leave me a comment - you can do it anonymously if you like! :)

English + American Movies = Confusion

We watched 2 movies last week and over the weekend. One was Alvin and The Chipmunks and the other was Snow Buddies. Both had animals that talk and do funny things! At one point during the last movie Marta (who is VERY smart) leaned forward and with creased eyebrows asked, "Mom, in America... dogs talk???????????????????????????????????"

OK, so I had to work really hard not to laugh! But as I started thinking about it - that isn't such a goofy question after all. Since the kids have been here they have learned and witnessed first hand that dogs sleep inside (ON A DOG BED), get baths (WITH SHAMPOO), have toys, are talked to, and the dogs sometimes even follow directions. On the movies they do all of this and SO MUCH MORE!

I explained to Marta that dogs do not talk and she looked at me with this smile that was mixed with relief and the knowledge that America wasn't so crazy after all. She then said, "Mom, in America dogs no talk. Dogs listen... dogs understand!"

See, I told you she was smart! :)

Mother's Day - Party of 8

I loved yesterday…  it was a day that was perfect in every way!

 

7:00 am  - sleeping

 

7:30 am – sleeping

 

8:00 am – awakened by Lilly, my most enthusiastic daughter, who BOUNDS into my room with a plate of waffles, an apple and followed by Ben who is carrying my hot chocolate.  He says she has been planning this for 2 weeks.  My heart swells.  Breakfast is followed by a “mommy sandwich” this is where all the kids (minus Joseph who was still sleeping) pile on top of me to make a sandwich – cute huh?  I am then serenaded by the most “beautiful” rendition of “Happy Mother’s Day To You” which seems to go on and on and on.  The kids then head off to watch TV, read, play and I get to take a really long shower – all by myself! 

 

9:00am – I am surrounded by 6 kids who are shoving  sweetly pushing their homemade cards in my face towards my waiting hands.  I cannot tell you how much those cards mean to me.  Later, as I was cleaning up Marta saw me pick up the cards and the wrapping paper and head to the kitchen, she pointed at the cards and said, “garbage???”  I quickly told her no and hugged them to me – I wish you could have seen her smile!

 

10:00 am – we head to Ice Harbor Dam to watch the fish… it was so fun and the kids all enjoyed seeing the salmon swim upstream.  Ben showed them the pictures and models of the dam and after a while I think the big kids understood (maybe) how the dam makes electricity.  My favorite part of the day was when we sat in the theatre at the dam.  The kids jumped up on stage and each did a fantastic “show” for us!  It was fabulous.  I think we might have the next Partridge Family!

 

12:00 – dinner at Grandma and Grandpas with GG…  We gave them all digital picture frames and it was so fun to watch the Grandmas enjoy the pictures.

 

2:00 – home to play and hang out!  The kids LOVE to play outside

 

4:00 – haircuts for the boys… OK, this part of the day was NOT SO GREAT!  Jacob cried when I cut his hair – whatever made me think that I could cut their hair??????????????????????  Danny actually laughed when he saw it!  Seriously – I was really stupid!  It looks much better now, but next time I am letting Ben do it!  J

 

5:00 -  Off to Pet Co to buy dog food – the kids think that BUYING rats is the strangest thing they have ever heard of… closely followed by the act of buying TOYS for the RATS!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

 

5:30 – I get dropped off at Bible Study (an hour early) so that I can enjoy some Starbuck’s and my devotion/lesson in solitude! 

 

8:30 – Home in time to kiss everyone goodnight and asleep by 9:30

 

Life is GOOD!

Caution! Stones found in Costco Muffins

I was so proud this morning when I walked downstairs to find that Joseph had gotten his own breakfast and was happily.... what in the world! What IS HE DOING?

I walked into the kitchen to find him dissecting his Costco muffins - there were muffin pieces everywhere! Ben came in right behind me... here is a transcript.

Ben: Joseph, what are you doing?

Joseph: (Looking up from dissection) stones

Brooke: Joseph what is wrong with the muffin?

Joseph: (Concentrating on dissection) stones, mom... stones

Ben and Brooke: (Looking at one another with confusion... then clarity)

Ben: There are NOT stones in the muffin (leaning in to look carefully) JOSEPH THAT IS CHOCOLATE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brooke: Joseph - it's CHOCOLATE -- YOU LIKE CHOCOLATE!!!!!!!!

Joseph: LOOK, MOM THERE ARE STONES!!!!! (Yes, we are yelling at this point - laughing and yelling)

Ben: Joseph, look, not stones - chocolate! (Eating a piece)

Joseph: (Watching for dad to choke on stone... seeing that he is OK - smiles sheepishly) Oh

Brooke: SEE JOSEPH!!! IT'S CHOCOLATE - I would NOT feed you stones (yes, I am still yelling, laughing, and smiling).

Joseph: (Grabbing the PILE of stones - begins to eat them happily)

Brooke: (kisses Joseph's head - then walks away shaking hers and smiling)

To Ethiopia and Home -- Part III

I remember praying as Kassahoun knocked on the gate, "God prepare me so that when I am disappointed that it doesn't show... prepare me so that if the kids are sad or even angry that I don't take it personally". And then the gate opened!

From Part II

It all is a bit fuzzy right now, I remember this... I pushed my way to the front of the group and looked up as the gate opened. Standing in front of me was this gorgeous and skinny Ethiopian boy who was grinning and smiling and lunging at me... I knew right away this was my Addisu and I RAN to him as he ran to me. He clenched me and hugged me and said, "I love you, Mommy... I love you!" At the same time I was clinging to him and saying, "I love you, Addisu!" I was also blabbering incoherently and trying to get Ben who was a few feet away with tears streaming down his face to come here. I peeled myself from Joseph and watched father and son meet for the first time. They are about the same height and were both wearing orange and then were hugging so tight that in my teary eyes they looked like one big blob - a happy blob. As I was taking this all in I realized that Esrael Jacob should be here and looked up in time to see a little person launch themselves into me! Esrael just held tight and let me kiss and hug him! He was so sweet and cuddly and his eyes just sparkled. The kids gave Aunt Rebecca kisses and shared smiles and hugs with her. All the sudden Kassahoun decided to give us a tour of the area. From pictures and even from the outside it looks very nice and cozy... it is, in a sterile and very minimal way. The kids proudly showed us their beds and sat on their bunks so we could take pictures then we met their friends and were shown the room with the babies, the bathroom (I only saw 2 for 40 boys and their nannies), the courtyard and the eating area. It was clean and well run but broke my heart for the kids. We wandered around and were shown so many things, many of which I cannot remember -- I just keep thinking how happy I was and how I wasn't disappointed at all!

When it was time to go get Marta I became excited all over again. The girl's area is about 100 yards away from the boys separated by an alley in a nice part of Addis Ababa. We walked up a tiny hill towards Marta and I remember saying something about the altitude making the walk hard -- or was it my nerves? We knocked on the gate and I remember thinking that I should be holding their hands but how would I hug Marta at the same time. I really don't remember the next part -- just being hugged harder than I ever have in my life for a REALLY long time! She just kept hugging me and we were rocking back and forth and we were saying, "I love you and Thank you, God" I think we were both saying it, but I am not completely sure. After several tries, I finally handed her to Ben and grabbed the boys so they wouldn't feel left out. We were given another tour of the area and I remember taking a picture of Marta on her bed but I don't remember when that was. After a while the girls began crying and holding Marta and it was so very sad. They were clinging to her and saying, "Marti we love you." Ben said later that he never expected to feel bad for taking them from the care center - but we did. After a while the nannies pulled the girls away and led us upstairs for a prayer. The nannies prayed over the kids and over us -- it was a truly amazing experience. The Holy Spirit was very much present in that room, it gives me shivers to think about it now. We finally left the girls area to go back to the boys area where our car was. Addisu Joseph and Jacob Esrael decided they needed to say a more proper good-bye to their friends and we spent quite a while with this. At this point, we were emotionally done in and really ready to go but we were told that we would stay here while the driver took the other family back to their hotel... so we were going to stay. Hmmm.... there was a flat soccer ball at that was it. We didn't bring their backpacks so we didn't have anything to do. The kids were sent back to their room to watch America's Funniest Videos and that left us with our 3 and Aunt Rebecca. After a few panicky seconds we decided to look in their zip-lock bags which contained all their possessions. Jacob had the photo album we had sent him and we talked about the pictures a little bit. Marta had her same photo album and some pictures of the nannies and her friends and we looked at those too. At this point the boys started playing basketball with the sad looking flat, pink, soccer ball - they had a blast. I wondered to try to find the babies of my web-friends but my brain couldn't remember a single babies name. I had the video camera and began showing her a video of Danny, Lilly and Addy doing a "show". She laughed and laughed! Then the kids went to eat - all of them and I got to see the kitchen and the area where they cooked for 85 kids. It was smaller than my kitchen, had no running water or refrigerator and was outdoors. I was amazed! The kids 2 and older washed their hands in the communal hand washing bucket, got their plates and sat down. The babies were placed on a large bench and fed spaghetti one handful at a time by the nannies. I will never forget that. The kids were served HUGE plates of spaghetti and bread. They ate and ate then took their dishes to the washing area. They all headed for naps and it was time for us to go. I must admit that I was relieved to be leaving.

We got in the car, blew kisses every which way and headed back to our hotel. I don't remember who sat where or what was said... I remember thinking that I had 6 kids and then I remember thinking that Jacob was going to hate car seats (I was right).

We got back to the hotel and headed into the elevator. Their eyes were HUGE when they saw the gold and mirrors and fancy buttons. Their eyes doubled in size when we started moving. They were gripping the bars with all their might and were really scared. We dropped Aunt Rebecca off at her floor and then headed to our room. We took them to the room and showed them around. They looked at their backpacks, we showed them their new clothes (big eyes again), showed them the view from the balcony to which Marta said, "My Christo" in a scared and excited way and then they sat down on the bed. It was at this point that I looked at Ben and said, "Now what... why didn't we figure this out before... what should we do...... oh, boy" I babbled on like that for a while and in a stroke of genius he turned on the TV to ESPN. The kids laid on the bed and watched for a good 20 minutes while I tried to come up with a plan. We decided then that we would take them swimming... yeah, brilliant plan - take 3 kids (who have never swam before) to the pool after knowing them for less than 3 hours! GREAT IDEA! We thought that Marta knew how to swim - we were wrong. After showing the boys how to put on their suits (super easy) it was my turn to show Marta how to put hers on. That was not so easy, she had never worn one before, was modest, and confused by my charades routine. We finally got it figured out and headed down to the pool. I remember being so excited, I remember laughing hysterically at Jacob as he jumped right in and moved around the pool like a maniac. We kept saying, "he and Danny are TROUBLE". I remember laughing at Marta as she tried to walk in the water, it was so awkward for her and she was so funny. I remember laughing at Mr. Cool (Joseph) as he just lounged in the pool - I know now that he was completely unsure of what to do and was observing everyone else. We swam for about an hour and then headed back up to the room. It was at this moment that Jacob said his first words to me since we had left the care center. He looked up at me and in this sweet voice said, "ice cream?" I was so sad to tell him that it was closed and that we would get it tomorrow. I asked one of the Hilton employees to translate for me and he was happy again. We decided on fresh fruit smoothies instead. The kids were excited about the fancy GLASSES and Jacob loved his first drink with a straw.

We headed back up to the room for showers and new clothes. It was so fun to watch them choose what to wear from this pile of new clothes. They were even more excited when they got to try on their new shoes. It was so much fun to watch. Marta and I headed down to have her hair done. She was really scared and I kept saying, it's OK... over and over.... it wasn't until we got to the hair salon that she relaxed and was giddy with excitement. I think she was scared because she thought I was taking her back to the care center. She had so much fun having her hair done in a salon and all the workers made a huge fuss over her. Marta lit up when we got back to the room and Ben said, "Konjo, Marta, Konjo." (Beautiful, Marta, beautiful) While we were gone the boys enjoyed bonding over a soccer match on TV and they both quickly learned the ins and outs of a remote control. We decided to call home and it was so fun to watch the kids talk. They were so happy to talk on the phone and it was so wonderful to be able to tell them that everything was wonderful. They were on their way to church and Grandma was happy to be able to tell our church family that all was well!

Dinner was next on the agenda... so we headed to the pizzeria downstairs. Pop, pizza, and enormous bread sticks were a hit! It was really hard to communicate but we kept the conversation going as much as possible. Jacob had brought a book from our room and we looked at all the animals and learned their Amharic names.

By this time the adults in the group were exhausted. We had slept for less than 6 hours in 3 days and it was time for bed. We went upstairs, put on PJ's, prayed and everyone was asleep by 8:30. I woke up around 4 and was praying in bed when I hear Marta talking. I went over to check on her and found that she was crying and praying too. I sat with her as she prayed, the laid down next to her where we both fell asleep again. Around 7:30 we woke up happy and ready for our next day together!

The best deal in town...

I took the kids to the Court Club last night because Ben had his last softball game and Lilly has been asking to take Marta to the Cheerleading class since we got home. So away we went... Marta and Lilly to Cheerleading, Danny and Jacob to Dodgeball, Addy to the nursery, and Joseph to the "Starcade". They all had a great time and were sad when it was time to go!



Last week when Ben took the kids to the Court Club he decided he would give the kids a lesson in Foosball in the "Starcade" Room. He was really excited to impart this American wisdom and skill on them... oh, he was disappointed.



In Ethiopia they do not have Arcades, they have Foosball tables on the side of the road where you can pay 1 birr for a turn. They also had a table at the orphanage (although it was broken when we were there). I guess if you are paying 1 birr for a turn you want your turn to LAST a long time!



The kids were good. REALLY, REALLY good!!!!!!!!!! They are also REALLY INTENSE when they play - it is pretty funny to watch. Ben laughed at himself all weekend - so much for imparting skill! :)

We have decided that the Court Club is the best deal in town... for $100 a month the kids can swim, rock climb, play basketball, take classes, and beat their dad in Foosball... what a deal!

"No Hylium Gas Ethiopia"

This weekend the 4 little kids got balloons. I offered Joseph and Marta one, but they said, "no thank you". I asked them if they got balloons in Ethiopia and Joseph said, "Yes every Christmas!" So I figured they were too old and we headed home.

When we got home and everyone piled out of the car Lilly started crying. We ran around the car to see her balloon floating away. Marta started chasing it and then they all just stopped. I turned to see Jacob, Marta and Joseph just staring at the balloon as it floated away. They all started talking at once and Ben explained Helium to Joseph who TRIED to explain it to the other two.

Amazed does not even begin to describe their faces!

I keep wondering what they were thinking while holding the balloons all the way home in the car! I am guessing that they did not even notice that the balloons were floating. I wonder how much of everyday life is still going unnoticed for them? People ask us all the time if they are wandering around in shock at the stores and other places... and really they aren't. But now I wonder if they just aren't seeing it all. If their brains are so overloaded that they don't notice the things that are so common to us.

Later that night, Ben inhaled the helium to make funny voices for them. It was probably the funnies thing I have ever seen. The kids were HYSTERICAL in their laughter. We let Joseph and Marta try to talk funny too but they were laughing too hard to make it work. Joseph spent the rest of the night shaking his head saying, "no helium gas Ethiopia... no helium gas Ethiopia."

Photo Updates

All is well -- we had a great weekend and are so glad to have time to all be together! Here are a few pictures to enjoy until I have time to write!!!

Marta and Addy have been enjoying an occasional tea party. Jacob is LOVING baseball -- he and Danny ALMOST made a great play in their last game. Joseph is enjoying the freedom to go on bike rides by himself. Lilly had a great ShoeBox Derby, she was the only student to bring her own Pit Crew (Grandpa knew just the right fix for a bent wheel).

Late Nights

I really thought I was going to miss staying up late with Ben watching TV in our room. In fact, if you had asked me, "What will you miss most, what will change when you have 6 kids?" I might have said the TV thing, or maybe naptime which often involved catching up on an episode of Lost... I really loved TV. Now, I rarely watch it and don't miss it at all. Our nights follow a very loose routine (I know... I can hear my friends being shocked) which MIGHT include the following:

6ish -- dinner followed by intense soccer or basketball games
7ish -- baths and showers - we almost always run out of hot water
8ish -- prayers and bed time for Lilly and Addy followed by bedtime for Danny and Jacob

This is where the fun begins... Marta, Joseph, Ben and I stay up and talk or just hang out. Last night they told us about life in Wolayta... they did fantastic impressions of the "rich" people in Wolayta and the way they walk around talking on their cell phones. They also told us more about school and their mom and their life at home. Wolayta is a largish village/town that has approximately 10,000 people. There are 11 schools (6 primary, 4 high schools and 1 brand new University). When you think of the schools and universities - do not imagine a typical American school. Imagine a very old building made of mud and wood that may have dirt floors. Imagine 30-40 kids of all ages in each grade. In Ethiopia you begin at Kinder - no matter how old you are. You only advance to the next grade if you are academically ready to move. The teachers regularly hit the children for talking, not paying attention or getting an answer wrong. Marta says, "America teachers VERY NICE." They also talked about work. Joseph built beds... that was his job and his boss was sad when he moved. He built them by hand - now power saws or drills. Joseph got paid each time he worked 6 hours. He was paid 10 birr for every 6 hours. That is less than 20 cents an hour - and he loved his job. He told us that each month he saved up for a ruler or a pencil or a pen to use at school. Their mom made custom comforters for beds. She could make 2 or 3 a month and sold them for 160 birr ($16) each. I guess that is why they didn't have money for Joseph's books or uniform the semester he left for Addis. I guess that is why they didn't have money for meat.

One of the funny things (I think it is funny anyway) was that Marta and Joseph both woke up at 7 to get to school on time, Joseph to eat breakfast... Marta to make it! She had to leave for school at the same time but had to make breakfast for everyone first! The first couple days home, Joseph would wait for me or Marta to hand him his breakfast (even if it was just across the table)... He is learning!!!!! Marta cooked on a stove type thing outside of their home... the kitchen was partially enclosed (I think) and she had to get water from a pump nearby. They usually had dabo (bread) and tea or coffee. The process of making coffee is amazing. She would first roast the beans over an open fire, then grind them by hand, then make the cofee.... And I have trouble remembering to turn on the coffee pot at home! At 7:40 they would walk to school. Each of them had about a 15 minute walk to school each day and they often walked it in shoes too big or too small for their feet. They talked about getting gifts... Marta had a doll, once.

I am constantly amazed at the changes they are accepting and embracing each day - with joy. But it still must be hard, I bet Marta misses her outdoor kitchen where she knew her role and understood how to help. I am sure Joseph missed knowing EVERYONE in town and being able to talk to them without worrying about using the right words!