Thought I would REALLY try my hand at endurance and attempt an update
in the midst of a war of wills with Samuel...His is in the corner
again saying things I'm sure he is lucky I don't understand.. .These
drills are fewer and farther between...He is now
whispering "IMBY"..means "NO" typically chanted in temper
tantrums..it can provoke an American to want to jump off a tall
building..it becomes like someone ruthlessly scratching a
blackboard.. He knows that isn't tolerated,but he struggles to keep
control....I ask him when there is silence.."Beka? ?"
Meaning "Finished??" He shrugs at me with one shoulder...It' s
disrespectful. ..I'm sure it means "Up yours." in Amharic, lol. Very
typical of these little ones....He's quite now...but refusing to come
out of the corner...oops. .changed his mind...Then I got to do my best
mime act....replay what got him in the corner in the first place with
a series of silent actions, show him the correct responses... .he is
remorseful.. .gives hugs...he's off to figure out how to say "Up
yours" in a way I haven't figured out yet!!LOL

Anyway...believe it or not these are welcoming challenges. The
improvements are evident...that is rewarding.

I continue to enjoy watching the alliance and bickers between all of
the kids. I am thankful that we have simple lives...so the kids all
have time to get to know eachother. I am amazed by the understanding
and compassion out of each of them for eachother... and still find it
amusing when that wears thin...like the whole nose picking
thing...thoroughly acceptable in ET...utterly disgusting to my U.S.
born children.... it is not unusual to hear gagging and then witness a
toilet paper streamer float through the room at an unsuspecting
Ethiopian with a finger buried knuckle deep...."Geez. ...NO PICKING!!!
USE THIS..!!!" Then I get the look...the "Are you kidding me????"
look from a totally grossed out lily-white face, And a look of.."What
did I do now???" from a mocha face....
I know it's probably strange to get a kick out of all of it, and
perhaps that will change tomorrow. For now I'm gonna laugh, gag, and
love....in that order....

ALL for ONE!
Carolyn

First of all I NEED to thank you all for your prayers and going
through this with me (us)...PRICELESS! !! I am so greatful to God that
He gave all of you to ME and eachother... I am SO thankful to my mom
that held the fort down (VERY well, I might add) in light of what
happened with Ethan and my dear ex-husband.. ..LOL..WELCOME to planet
Twietmeyer.. .
Things are settling very well...We adore the kids even MORE together
as their own self created unit....I continuously sit in awe....maybe
its jetlag...What an amazing incredible experience.. .....

Rachel is a total trip...joyful laughter...and incredible words of
wisdom come out of her regularly...
1. With regards to her hair...asking if she wanted braids or
cut...."Jesus gave to me! Why I cut it?????"

2. With regards to my asking if she thought it was ok that she had
brown skin and we are white...She pointed to our hands and
said..."Jesus make-a me...Jesus make-a you...NO PROBLEM...!! "
I wish you could hear her and see her say "No Problem!!!" She says it
and does this clap thing...

3. While Samuel was using the toilet in ET...she thought it was
great that she could sit in the biday (sp?) next to him and go at the
same time..I screamed...she jumped off...

Samuel (Habtamu) chose his name, as well...sounds like "SOM-WELL"
when he says it...He is VERY proud of his names...This child speaks
with the expressions on his face...no words necessary... However, he
is probably very lucky that I don't understand a lot that has come
out of his mouth in the last 2 weeks...LOL. .We have really made GREAT
strides as we establish the rules and the boundaries.. .The more
secure he feels and realizes things are relatively predictable around
here, the better things have gotten...Just some things I learned for
a VERY bullheaded child that while I would discipline him...in a
chair or whatever...even though it got rough...I would do something
nurturing during this time, as well...like put lotion on his
ringworm, scabie infested...infected feet...That did wonders...while
it sort of sounds like it would confuse him...with the language
barrier I was still able to establish... "This behavior and
disrespect.. isn't gonna fly here buster...but, I love you and I will
take care of you no matter how you try to prove that I won't" For
us...this has worked...I have witnessed the fruits first hand...I
NEVER realized I had that kind of patience ANYWHERE in me...But, I
feel God allows me in that confused, broken childs head now and
again...It has raised a compassion that I can't explain...

1. Samuel attempted twice to answer the alarm
clock..."Haloooo. ...Haloooo! !!???"

2. He brought Gracie in holding her hands to show me she hurt
herself...I kissed her owies, then he did too...He asked me
for "Plaster"... .Thats what he calls tape too...he wanted bandaids
for her hands....TOO PRECIOUS!!

3. He hollars for Hank through the house and it sounds like "Hunk."

Seth (Matteos) While I adore his name...since I already have a
Matthew..we have added another name...Seth. ..What a dreamboat... we
bonded from minute 1...He is finally feeling more secure so he will
play on the floor for short amounts of time.otherwise he is attached
to my side...Thank GOD for the sling...
I have learned that he will bite, pinch ,hit and scratch any evil
enemy that attempts to seperate us...He too is FULL of expressions on
his face that make everyone laugh..He gives an evil eye and his brow
speaks volumes of disapproval. ..But he has a smile and hugs and
kisses that could melt ice....

1. He sings.."AAA ba ba...AAA ba ba"...that means "daddy" in amharic..

2. Of course he sings "MAA a MA"...MAA a MA" too....

I am SO incredibly proud of the 6 of my kids that were here
first...What compassion and love and promise...What a new
generation.. .Rachel asked Kylie to become a Dr. and go to ET with her
to adopt children from AAI and to heal the sick....They are
exhibiting great patience and understanding and LOVE to these
kids...My heart and my freezer is full...What more could I ask for!!??

BELIEVE me this has only strenghthened my resolve with PH...while I
am enjoying this part I am working on our project with MORE strenghth
than before...more knowledge... MORE Jesus...

I love you all!
Carolyn