Our homeschooling family's journey through orphan adoption from Ethiopia. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/All4ONE/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Sat, 4 Aug 2007 12:13:00 -0500 Sat, 4 Aug 2007 12:13:00 -0500 I haven't quite gotten this yet...I will get this pictue thing down, I promise! I can't wait to share the amazing photos and memories....  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/All4ONE/367842/ Sat, 4 Aug 2007 12:13:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/All4ONE/367842/ This picture was taken at O'Hare Airport, I thought it to be extremely appropriate....they are "On their way!!..." http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/All4ONE/367841/ Sat, 4 Aug 2007 12:04:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/All4ONE/367841/ 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 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/All4ONE/367773/ Sat, 4 Aug 2007 09:09:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/All4ONE/367773/ 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 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/All4ONE/367771/ Sat, 4 Aug 2007 08:59:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/All4ONE/367771/