Fix Your Eyes on What Is Unseen

CDD

2012-01-09T17:35:00.000-06:00

Today I took Esias to the Center for Disabilities and Development to get a better assessment of his speech and oral delays. After getting mixed reviews from some parents, I was a bit nervous. The staff completely changed my mind, they were all great! Esias started out being seen by the nurse for vitals, then she printed off every set of vitals he'd ever had at the Univ. Hosp. and gave them to me to take home. Which might not seem like much, but to me, it was amazing to see how far he's come in 2.5 years! Very fun to have that on paper. Next a doctor called a "developmental pediatrician" came in and gave him the most complete examination I have ever seen. She checked every inch of him and noted even small things like toes that overlap, size, shape and color of birthmarks, etc. She was looking at anything that could point to a genetic issue. She noticed a heart murmur that had never been diagnosed. She spent a long time talking to me about his history and why we were there. It was so refreshing to not feel rushed, to feel listened to, and to be heard! Then after a bit we went to see a social worker who also listened and took thorough notes about him and his story. After that, we saw speech pathology. She was great! She said that we are not getting him enough therapy through the school and diagnosed him with a couple different disorders (phonological and another one I can't remember). She said she wanted to try really hard to make a case for our insurance to cover his therapy since his delay is so great. Then we saw an audiologist and found out that his hearing is great. We had never been able to get a hearing test and since he did not have a newborn hearing screening, we thought we'd better rule it out.

Esias did great, considering I pulled him out of bed early to get him in by 7:45am and he did not to leave his beloved daddy! The appointments lasted until noon and he was wiped when we got home. But he did so well! Once he realized there were no pokes, he was very pleased!

My kids are funny.

2012-01-09T17:02:00.002-06:00

I just have to document some of the funny things that are said around here. I admit, I am not as good at recording them as I once was, three kids will do that to a person.

The other day Dan and Eden were going to see "Hugo" at the theatre, so I told Elly that we would try to find a babysitter for Esias and I would take her to the movies. I said, "It'll be you and me, mano y mano." She said, "What about Esias? If we can't find a babysitter?" I said, "Well, it will you and me, and Esias." She replied, "Mano y mano...y mano."

*****

Right before Christmas I was having quite a time with vertigo. Elly typically doesn't pay much attention to my spinning epidsodes. At this time, Brynn was over and we were getting all our kids into the car but Elly is my slow poke and she was still in the house with just Brynn and I. I sat down and was having a doozy of vertigo, where my eyes move back and forth really quickly (called nystagmus). Elly looked and me, looked at Brynn, and said, "Wow...I look at things fast but I don't look at things that fast!"

Looking Back at Twenty-Eleven

2011-12-16T08:56:00.000-06:00

I know it's only the 16th of December but with my recent record of blogging, I suppose it's fair for me to go ahead and write my end-of-year post. Here are my favorite moments of this past year:

1. Early in the year, Dan prayed for God to somehow help us pay off our adoption debt. We had decided to adopt Esias without knowing exactly how we would pay for it, but we also knew it was God's idea and if he tells you to do something, you just do, no matter if it costs money you don't have! So, we did. We were so blessed by friends, family, strangers, and grants that helped fund our adoption. But there was still a good chunk left after we brought him home. Dan was working odd jobs and giving plasma so that I could be home with kids full time. We knew we could knock out the debt after we got him home. Enter sick baby...with lots of needs at the hospital. So, there went our extra income. But when a baby boy is sick and needs the care of a super amazing hospital, you just take him there no matter what the cost. So we did. And so our bills racked up and our adoption debt sat there (luckily with no interest). At this point a fellow Christian challenged Dan to pray, ask God to do something big, he said. So Dan prayed for our debt to be removed. Right after that, we found out that the Adoption Tax Credit had changed from a "lowering your tax liability" type of credit to a straight credit. And we would be getting back all we paid in to federal taxes! And guess how much it equaled?

2. Re-adopting Esias seemed like just another step in the never-ending trail of paperwork of adoption. I was emotional when our friend Craig, a lawyer, said he'd like to represent us in the hearing for free. That saved us so much money and we were already swimming in debt (see #1!) but I didn't expect to be emotional during the hearing. The judge came in and we all stood and were sworn in, then sat down. She began to talk to us about the seriousness of adoption and what it means for our family. I was surprised by the tears that filled my eyes. We had already adopted him once, why did this mean more than before? I think it's like renewing your vows...when you first get married "in sickness and in health" is just a phrase. I realized while judge was talking how much I LOVED this boy...how much he'd come through already...how proud of him I was...and how I thought he was absolutely perfect in every way and how blessed we were to be his family. That day, his name changed from Yabetse ("sorrow") to Esias ("God is my salvation") Tesfaye ("my hope") Grimes!

3. My heart nearly explodes with pride and joy when I see my two beauties walk off to school together. This year, Elly joined Eden in the ranks of school-aged-kids. I have been so proud of them both for how they take care of each other and look out for each other. Occasionally, the girls will come home arguing but more often than not these two are BFFs. Eden especially has taken on the role of big sister beautifully and is not embarrassed of her sometimes goofy little sister. She's never left her at school, anyway!

4. In Ethiopia we saw so many amazing things! Being able to do this trip together with Dan and my sister was a huge blessing. It took so much sacrifice on the part of my other sister and my mom to be with our kids while we were both gone. I am so grateful for that experience. It changed my life forever.

5. Esias is thriving in preschool. It has been such a sweet thing to my soul to see my little man go to school and learn to trust someone else (his teachers) and learn how to socialize with other kids. He has done better than I would have ever imagined. And even though this was not my plan (I would have kept him home until he was at least 23), it was a good decision and it has been healthy for both of us!

Well, that's probably not all of the highlights but that's all I can remember right now! I am so blessed to be the momma of three and the wife of one (amazing) husband.

Whoa. I've been gone a while ;)

2011-11-17T13:21:00.001-06:00

Hi all! If anyone still reads this, that is! I am such a blog slacker. It is not for lack of things going on around here! Here are just a few details:

Elly Lyn Grimes entered the Lost a Tooth Club! Dan was gone for work and Brynn and the boys were over. The kids were horsing around and Elly got bonked in the mouth and one of the "shark teeth" got knocked almost out. She let me tug it out and then once she realized it hardly hurt at all, she let me twist the other one and get that out! So now she only have one set of teeth on the bottom. Thank goodness. That was a year of shark teeth!

The kids each had their parent teacher conferences this month and the rundown goes like this: Eden- academically great, reading above level, good math skills, socially great. All around good egg. Elly- happy, sweet child with a little problem staying on task (!). Esias- he's...adorable. He screams a little. And has to be at the front of the line.

Well, I'm glad my kids are themselves! The conferences made me laugh out loud at how exactly on target they were! ;) Love my amazing kids.

New Challenge, Same Faith ;)

2011-10-22T10:40:00.001-05:00

We got Esias' test results back regarding the seizures he had back in August. Esias' brain was normal according to his MRI (praise God) but his EEG was abnormal. He was then diagnosed with Benign Rolandic Epilepsy. Basically, not dangerous, seizures happen at night during sleep and usually go away in their teens. There can also be tingling, numbness, and twitching of the mouth, tongue, and face. We're wondering if this has anything to do with his apparent lack of feeling in his mouth and his drooling, but the doctor thinks those two conditions are unrelated. I think we might find out otherwise ;) We are good! We are very positive about his challenges. He is doing very well and making slow but steady progress talking and eating. We are very pleased that he has not had any notable seizures since August. So, we march on! We love our little dude!
The other night, his feeding tube fell out so that was exciting! We couldn't get it back in; I suspect its been slowing growing back from the inside out because he was growing and "out"growing the size of it. Anyway since he rarely used it anyway we just let it go. He can drink all the calories he needs orally even if chewing is an issue. He is soooo happy that it's out!

Grieving.

2011-10-19T17:04:00.001-05:00

Esias is grieving. I don't always talk about his grieving, because I know so many children who were adopted at older ages and how severe their grief can be...and I know that his grieving looks like maybe any other 3 year old just having a fit or something like that. But as his mother, the one who knows his heart, I know. I can tell the difference. This year has brought lots of changes for him, going to school, Dan and I leaving him for 10 days, therapy, etc. Just last Friday he had tests at the U to see what his seizure was all about back in August. Well, my sick, sad little baby was back in my arms...even though he knows we are mom and dad...even though he knows we love him, and he loves us...I could see his eyes. They become withdrawn. He gets more fearful of noises, strangers, new places. The hospital was the place we spent lots of time when we he wasn't really bonded or attached to us. He was scared and or prodded and poked most of the time while we were there. And though we go there every week for therapy (which is usually a positve experience) when we were there last week he had sedation and an EEG which were both uncomfortable and scary for him. So last night, he sort of lost it. He woke up in the night (well, around midnight) and couldn't find Dan. Dan was outside taking the trash to the curb. So basically he freaked. I know no idea why he didn't just find me, but for some reason he was confused and he was so scared. He cried for over 2 hours straight with no comfort from us. It was difficult to watch. We finally fell asleep at 3am...I am not sure what happened to trigger it but he finally calmed down, laid down between us and fell asleep. And when he woke up this morning, he was "fine." But I know that despite his smile and his natural personality which just beams with joy most of the time...he experienced loss and trauma at an early age. That kind of thing changes a person. And I can only ask God to help us navigate through this life as his parents and help us to meet him where he is and love him through all of it.

Recent Stats on the Grimes Kids

2011-10-08T20:30:00.001-05:00

I haven't done a post like this in a while, so it seemed like a good time to document how the kids are growing and changing. Emphasis on GROWING!

Eden Lily Grimes
Height: VERY close to Mom! I think she's about 4'7"
Weight: 70 ish lbs.
Favorite Food: She LOVES ham sandwiches, lasagna, salad, cucumbers, cauliflower and rice with soy sauce. Oh yes, and she likes to make her own Ramen noodles!
Least favorite food: Anything casserole-y or too much of "one flavor" just like her father.
Favorite activity: She likes to rollerblade around after school and also she joined her school's running club recently and had logged several miles already! She also is an avid reader, devouring 2-3 "chapter" books a week (or more) and if you can believe it, I have said to her, "Eden you need to quit reading for a while and do something else." That's weird to say.
Least favorite activity: Going to bed. She likes to drag it out and try to snuggle us, butter us up, etc. so she doesn't have to go to sleep!

Eden is doing great in 3rd grade. She has a mixed class of 3rd and 4th graders, and then they separate into groups for math and reading according to their level. I think her teacher is great. We've been blessed again by another teacher that appreciates and accepts Eden's eccentricities and creativity and sees it as a positive thing in her class! Phew! It's stressful to wonder how someone (or if someone) will accept your child and see them for who they really are. Praise God for Mrs. C.!

Elly Lyn
Height: Honestly, I have no idea, all I know is that she is wearing size 7/8 clothes with ease and that she has become like a fawn who is all legs. She has grown a lot this summer and is getting twiggier too. She is differently shaped than Eden but equally as adorable.
Weight: 65? Maybe less...I can't remember. All I know is that my kids are definitely corn-fed Iowa kids! ;)
Favorite Food: SOUR CREAM. On anything. Baked potatoes, tacos, soup, etc. She loves it. She also loves spaghetti and her bestest friend ever, APPLES. Still eating tons of apples a week. I love this season because apples are plentiful and delicious! She also loves ice water!
Least Favorite Food: She's not a big meat fan. She will eat it, but not with gusto. Also, she doesn't like anything unfamiliar. Unlike her sister who will eat things just to say she's eaten them.
Favorite Activity: Elly still loves memorizing facts about animals and will perk right up when anyone starts talking about animals. She also loves singing and music in general. She LOVES kindergarten, especially art and music time and swinging on the swings at recess. I drive by her school on my way to errands and sometimes see her swinging! It's adorable.
Least Favorite Activity: Stopping playing to go to the bathroom. Enough said.

Esias Tesfaye
Height: Again, I am terrible. We have a mark on the wall but i have no idea what it is! I think he's close to 4'.
Weight: Now I do know this, since I have to keep track of it~ 34lbs. Which is great, since before this year he was at 29 lbs for a long time. The Pediasure really helps him pack on the pounds (in a good way).
Favorite Food: Speaking of Pediasure, it is his "precious" for sure. He is crazy about this stuff. He will ask for some by pointing at where we keep it and then he has a special sign (that he made up) that means he "wants the whole thing" not just a measly portion of it! It is cute. Needless to say, he usually get the "whole thing"!
Least favorite food: He has started to get really picky about vegetables in his food like mushrooms or peppers, etc. It's sad. He used to eat anything put in front of him! But I am not sad that he has preferences, because that is a sign that he is secure with food!
Favorite Activity: Riding on the back of daddy's bike! Talk about a big smile on his face.
Least favorite activity: Potty training. See previous post! We have gotten nowhere!!!

Esias vs. the Potty

2011-09-30T14:04:00.001-05:00

Duh duh dunnnnnnnnnn.

Esias is three. He was three on June 27th. So you'd think he'd have some interest in the Big Boy Potty. He has super hero undies and everything. He even wakes up dry and tells me before he has a BM. But, alas. The Big Boy way to use the bathroom eludes us. If I say, "Esias, let's try to go to the bathroom." He inevitably says, "NO!" If I go ahead and put him on the potty, he will sit there but nothing happens. Well, that's actually not factual. A lot happens. He squirms, he tries to get down, he messes with the toilet paper, he kicks his legs, he exams his "equipment" and giggles. But nothing comes out. Nothing. Not even when he is already starting to go and I run him in there!!

Now, I have potty trained both my girls and one boy I babysat. It was never this difficult. Chocolate chips or M&Ms were always enough to persuade them to sit until something happened. The good news is that his preschool doesn't require him to be potty trained, so we aren't working against any clock. Still, I would love to stop buying (and changing) diapers. This kid just continues to challenge what I thought I knew about parenting ;) He is his own kid on his own timeline. I think I'd have more luck teaching him how to change his own diapers than use the potty! Hmmmm. That's a good idea.

Back from Ethiopia

2011-09-24T15:40:00.002-05:00

Wow, it's been a whirlwind end of summer. The end of August meant the start of school and a lot of preparation for our September trip to Ethiopia! The third for Dan and the second for me. We took of Sept. 13th, after settling Grammy in with our three kids. We landed in Addis September 14th and we were off and running for 8-9 days straight. We saw homes and families associated with the Children and Community Development Center we support, called Yezelalem Minch. It was a wonderful yet sometimes heartbreaking trip. So good though. It is easy to live in America where the majority of us are in warm homes with two cars and plenty in the pantry. For so many in Ethiopia, their lives are a struggle each day...the term "daily bread" really applies in a lot of cases. We have so much to learn from them about leaning on God for our every need.

When we got back we found our kids better off than before, full of pancakes and bacon and cocoa and Grammy-snuggles. Just as it ought to be! I am so thankful for my mom and how she is still young enough to chase after these crazy kids!

That's all for now!

Oh, Elly.

2011-08-23T12:32:00.004-05:00

Elly Lyn. She's one of those happy-go-lucky types that you might be tempted to assume is not as smart as her dear sister, because she says things like this:

"Esias' tears are shooting out of his tear guns!"

But then, THEN she hits you with one of these:

"Mom did you know one side of you brain can talk to the other side of your brain with these little electrics? And the more stuff you learn, the more electrics you get!" Granted, she's talking about synapses, not "electrics" but dude, she's talking about synapses! I love her...even if she still can't say "cinnamon."

What Do I Do Now?

2011-08-22T13:21:00.002-05:00

So, today was the kids' third day of school. And for the third day, I walked into an empty house...looked around...and didn't know what to do! Sure, I have a to-do list. But I always had that anyway, even with the kids. I don't know how to do things without my three shadows. Today I went grocery shopping, dropped off clothes at the dry cleaners, put away groceries, washed the car, cleaned Esias' room, vacuumed the rugs, answered a few emails, and went to the pharmacy. So I got quite a bit done before 11:45am (when I pick up Esias). But it just feels so doggone weird! For nine years my life has revolved around children and their needs. Even if it wasn't my own child's needs, it was the needs of one of my daycare kiddos. So now, I have all this "free" time and it just feels so weird. Will I get used to this? My sister gave me some advice today: You better get this figured out before they leave home for good! True.

Back to School, Back to School...(sung like Adam Sandler)

2011-08-18T20:21:00.004-05:00

Today was the big day! THREE Grimes children packed their little character backpacks and trekked off to school! A preschooler, a kindergartener, and a third grader walked into a bar...oh wait, that's not what happened.

Anywhoo...all the kids went to school and Momma survived! I did some very quiet shopping. Alone. By myself. It was...weird.

Esias went on the bus at 8:01am without a hitch. I was shocked! I was anticipating clinging, crying, fit-throwing. And I thought Esias would have trouble, too.

Elly walked hand-in-hand with Eden up the street to our neighborhood school. She looked back at me once, right before she got into the line, and then she was off and had no worries.

Eden, of course, was fine. She did say the night before that she was nervous. But the nerves gave way to the excitement once morning came and the new sequined tennies were on her feet.

I came home from dropping Dan off at work and ate some chocolate covered strawberries (a gift from a very thoughtful husband who knew I'd be a wreck).

And three hours later, I picked up Esias. He looked up at me and said, "Muuuuuhm!" and came a-runnin'. Precious! Wait, before that. I did stalk him. I drove by the playgroud at recess time. He was playing so adorably. No tears whatsoever. And Esias was fine too.

Summer Hodge Podge

2011-08-16T13:32:00.006-05:00

I have not posted pics in a while, so here's the whole summer in a nutshell!

Our first major event was Esias' third birthday! He and my older sister share a birthday so it was fun to be able to share the party again this year. He loved the car cake and all the car/dinosaur themed gifts.

Of course, Aunt Tiel brought the funky 80's shades.

A few days later, a most precious birthday occurred! Malcom Ellis Anderson (my little sister's son) arrived safe and sound, 4 weeks early.

The Anderson Family! Malcom 1 hour, and Marcus 4.5 years old!

The entire Stanton/Howard/Grimes/Anderson family! (My sisters, their husbands and kids and our mom and dad) We all crowded in the hospital room an hour after Malcom's birth and the kind nurses looked the other way on their 2 visitor policy ;) The could tell they weren't gonna get us to split up. Poor Brynn. Though she looks great.

Marcus was over the whole hospital experience by the next day ;) He took becoming a big brother in stride!

Right after the 4th of July, we had Dan's sister Angie and her girls Gianna and Layla and his little sister Trish, her hubs Chris, and their girls Hannah and Alivia come for a visit to our part of the state. Angie lives in Texas so we don't see them very much. It was a blast-- we spent a lot of time at Darin's farm with the trampoline. There were LOTS of girls. Levi and Esias were feeling a little outnumbered.

I didn't get any pictures of this, but we also got a visit from Dan's older brother, Doug and three of his children- Chloe, Bethany, and Eleazar-- all close to Eden's age. It was 100 degrees outside, so we had some fun at Darin's farm and then the Doug, the kids, and I went to the mall to goof around. I think I got some pics on my phone but not sure how to upload those...my techie brain is not as techie as it used to be. We missed you Heidi!

We spent a lot of time outside on our slip-n-slide. We did go to the pool three times and the beach once, but the backyard setup seems to provide just about as much fun and a lot less money and effort!

One night after Dan got off of work, and against my better fiscal judgement, we took off driving out of town to find a little fun. We ended up in a town nearby, at a tiny Mexican restaurant, eating fajitas and messing around with our camera in the really awesome lighting. We have fun, the five of us.

Eden snapped this one ;)

A cute little building outside of the restaurant caught our eye.

I spent a few evenings away from home and left Dan with the kids. It was nice. I got a total of three pedicures this summer...that's more than I had had in my lifetime before June. Sheesh. I am hooked now...

This happens when Daddy in charge.

Cousin cuteness.

This past weekend we met up with my parents and took the kids to the Blank Park zoo on Friday night and the Iowa State Fair on Saturday. Fun times! Perfect weather, too.

We had a great summer! I love having my kids all under one roof all day, but I can tell they are bored in general with running errands with me! I am sad that school starts Thursday! I will miss my three amigos!

So behind!

2011-07-19T11:17:00.002-05:00

I have hardly blogged all summer! Excuse me for being at the pool, watching movies, fixing countless meals and doing laundry! Ok, sorry. Got defensive for a minute there.

Anywoo...summer is going fast. The end of June brought Esias (and my sister Tiel)'s birthdays and then right on the heels of that my new nephew Malcom was born! So we had quite an eventful few weeks there. Esias is now a full-fledged three year old and lovin' it. He can hold up two figures and say "three" (that third finger likes to stay down and be ornery!). He's starting to make more and more word-like sounds and try to engage other people with words instead of being so silent in public. He's had weekly swallow therapy for a month and a half now and that is going well. In all other ways, he's a normal, happy, ornery, active three-year old boy!

So in the matter of my new nephew...have I mentioned I love him? Oh my heart. He is presh.us.

Eden spent a few days concentrating hard on a writing contest sponsored by our local TV station. She's already planned what to do with the $1500 grand prize WHEN she wins ;) The contest was writing an essay on what you want to be when you grow up. She would like to be a reporter/newswriter and I think her essay could be a serious contender (though I am tempering my pride in her work with some realism for her sake). She is a very creative writer and I would say quite good with words, especially for her age. By the way, she would buy a plane ticket to either Africa or China and an American Girl Doll with her money if she wins.

Elly is still working on getting her two bottom baby teeth out. The permanent teeth are completely grown in and yet she is so afraid of losing her baby teeth. We have an appt. schedule with a pediatric dentist (she has the right to use gas) and Elly knows that if she won't wiggle those babies out by that day, she's getting up pulled. I really despise the teeth-losing phase of life.

Dan and I are deep in the middle of fundraising for our upcoming Ethiopia trip. I am so thrilled to be able to go back again. So want to throw my hands around the necks of Birtukan and Nesibu and give them a big squeeze. And if time allows, we will go back to the place where Esias spent his 10 months of his life, Gelegela Orphanage.

Right now (meaning today and for the next 12 days) we are hosting two students from WuHan China. It has been (already) a great experience. The kids LOVE our students, 20 year old Ruen Xiao Ying and 19 year old Fu Hong. The are both girls and so sweet and kind. They unloaded all kinds of gifts on us last night. Such sweethearts. They are sleeping in the basement, hopefully the kids will give them privacy. The kids have had a hard time realizing that it's not like when Grammy and Papa sleep over; you can't just go jumping on Chinese college students at 7am to wake them up ;)

So, busy busy busy as usual. But all good! We are so blessed. For serious.

VBS Week

2011-06-26T20:43:00.002-05:00

This past week we had Vacation Bible School at church. It was a fun, exhausting week! It was the first time all the kids went and I volunteered in the craft area. Esias did not want to go into his classroom (the nursery) so he stayed in the craft room with me, playing Angry Birds most of the time. So I'm not Mother of the Year. ;)

Some of the highlights--

--Being told by Elly's teacher that she said "symbiotic relationship" during a discussion
--Being told by Elly's teacher that she said, "buh-blinging" in reference to the Prodigal Son
--Hearing Eden's sweet voice tell me that she accepted Jesus as her Savior on Friday of VBS!

Sweet, sweet week of fellowship with other women and the kids!

More Edenisms.

2011-06-20T14:24:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was an eventful day around here, starting of course with the discovery of our poor deceased feline. Then we went on to go to church and out for Mexican food afterwards (it was Father's Day, afterall, so we had to celebrate a little). On the way out of church, we had to part ways with dear Marcus who historically is not a fan of saying goodbye to the girls and Esias. He was crying in his car when we pulled away. Eden said the following:

"Mom, I wish we could just take Marcus home with us so Aunt Brynnie could just relax." (she is 9 mos. preggo)

I said, "Well, honey, it is Father's Day so he needs to be with his daddy."
Eden replied, "Yeah and the tragic death of our cat doesn't make our house very welcoming."

2011-06-20T10:24:00.002-05:00

Pumpkin Kitty Grimes 1998-2011

Pumpkin died this week after a few months of looking not so good. She was 13 years old, a decent age for a cat. She was my first baby, I got her after moving to Omaha on my own at 20 years old. She lived in an apartment with my cousin Sara and I. She was a crazy, crazy kitten who terrorized our toes at night. She would scratch me all night and bite my bright and early to get fed. She calmed down though and went to live with my parents in our old house when I moved back to IC and lived in an apartment. After Dan and I bought this house in 2002, we brought her back to live with us and she'd been here ever since. She was a good kitty. After the kids were born we spent less time adoring her of course, but she always came to snuggle us, visit us in the bathroom (!) and sleep at the foot of our bed at night. I woke up in the night to use the bathroom and when she didn't nearly trip me, I realized again that she is really gone. I am very sad, I loved her lots. Pets are really fun to have except for this part ;(

Distract-a-mundo

2011-06-16T15:33:00.001-05:00

Elly is easily distracted. This is nothing new to anyone who has spent time with her. Getting dressed is particularly difficult for her because of all the fun things in her room that catch her eye and the mundane-ness of the task. This morning, she ate her breakfast and I told both the girls to go get dressed. A few minutes later, Eden walked by the door of my room (where I was) dressed. Several minutes later, Elly walked by toward the bathroom STILL IN HER PJs. I said, "Elly, you are not dressed! What do you need?" She looked at me and simply answered, "Lip gloss."

Lots to Catch up on!

2011-06-16T15:10:00.002-05:00

Wow, the summer is off and running and I have become a blog slacker! June is already half over, how can that be?

Here's what's been up with the Grimey Kids.

-Esias' TWO YEAR Famiversary was June 9th! We first met him on June 9, 2009 and then united him with the girls on the 12th (I think) so there are lots of fun dates to celebrate (referral day, birthday, etc) but I like to remember the day we met. His birthday is for him and the "gotcha" day is for me and Dan :) What a surreal moment it was to walk into that dark, closed up room and see this tiny infant who appeared to be about 3 months old (and in reality was 11.5 months) and was SICK. Scary sick. But we were so hopeful and just so so glad to be there and have him in our arms. And now, two years later, some things are not what I expected them to be but I would not change a single minute, a single challenge. Esias is an ornery, active, loving, sweet, messy beautiful child who has every part of me wrapped around his little finger. I love you Esias!!! So blessed to be your mommy. The anniversary of his arrival at our house also means writing his post placement report. It gets sent to Grand Rapids (to our agency) and also to Ethiopia where the identifying information is removed and the report is there for viewing by any relatives and also so the government there can make sure the children are receiving good care and continue the program. I struggled writing it, it is hard to express just how amazing Esias is doing and how much he has overcome. But in my page and a half, I think I conveyed it. The fun part is that we have to include pictures of all of us and I think his smile says it all.

-Eden finished out the last month of school with her typical fervor, bringing home LOADS and LOADS of papers and drawings and journals for me to see...and she is now enjoying her down time and leading Elly in all sorts of shenanigans here at home. It is nice to have all three of them home together. She's been in the tree alot, her favorite spot to get away since the sibs can't get up there yet ;)

-Elly is showing me just how very READY she is for school this fall. Her vocabulary is amazing and she told me today while we were very low on gas and searching for a gas station, "Mom, you are going really fast." I said, "I know, I am trying to get to the gas station before we run out of gas." She replied, "Well, Mom, the faster you go the more you use up your gas. Except if we are going downhill." So funny. Then she told me she wants to be an engineer on Sundays and a veterinarian on Tuesdays.

-Esias started private feeding therapy today and it was great! He is working with a PhD at the U who thought his case was interesting enough to take him on, apparently! I am so glad. I am trying not to be regretful that we didn't do this long ago, but I know that this is all God's timing and it has taken me this long to really accept E-man's slow progress with feeding and realize he has a disability. And this is a good time to have a commitment like this, we can all get there easily and it is not as hectic as the school year. Now if we can just win the lottery (you know the one where you don't have to buy a ticket) we will be able to afford it! Ha!

Well, that's it for now. I need to get some more pics uploaded. Someday soon!

2011-05-23T21:09:00.001-05:00

As I was praying with the girls tonight, this was Elly's prayer:

"Lord, oh Lord...Happy Birthday to Jaren tomorrow. Can we set some cake on the ground and you give it to him? Can you? Can you see how he digest-es-es? Can you?"

Not sure what the Lord, oh Lord part was, but it cracked me up.

More from the Eldest...

2011-05-23T20:51:00.003-05:00

This afternoon, Elly wanted to eat some ice cream and she found a half-eaten ice cream cone re-frozen in the freezer. She licked it and said, "This is gross!" and set it on the counter and then left. So I tossed it in the trash. A few minutes later, I was rocking Esias on the couch and the girls emerge with the previously trashed ice-cream cone. Eden was licking it and said, "We got this out of the trash...I swear nothing was touching it...it's fine...so we're eating it...we're a couple of nasty monkeys."

Nature Girl Elly.

2011-05-20T20:56:00.002-05:00

Today Elly said, "Mom, I want to be a nature girl, and like eat leaves, and say to other humans, 'what's a computer?'"

More Edenisms.

2011-05-16T16:42:00.001-05:00

I thought that once Eden became a kid and not so much a toddler, all the funny things she said would go away too. Not so.

Today she told me that tomorrow is "International Hide from Your Siblings Day."

Yesterday, we were getting ready to head home from Clarinda (we were there for our twin nieces graduation party) and Dan took Elly in to the gas station with him to get her something to eat since she had not eaten anything at the party. Eden said, "Dang...too bad I just ate like a pig." I laughed and said, "Oh Eden, you got that from your momma." She said, "Yeah, it's a blessing and a curse."

What's Shakin'?

2011-05-10T13:19:00.002-05:00

I have not been able to blog much...has something to do with the two ornery, er, active two-year old boys that occupy my house most days. I do want to write down a few things though, so here goes.

Eden- Eden is almost done with SECOND grade! She's had a fabulous year. What i love about her is that she is extremely intelligent but without the perfectionist baggage. Love that. She regularly misses spelling words that SHE KNOWS HOW TO SPELL because she is a daydreamer and a spontaneous person who doesn't go back and check her work. You might think that would disappoint me, but I actually love it. Sure, I talk to her about slowing down and doing her best work, but I love that she doesn't draw her self-worth from her performance. I know someone who did that and it hasn't served me, ahem, her well. Her teacher, Mrs. Schroeder is amazing and I will miss her so much. I love knowing that Eden is in good hands all day.

Elly- This gal is non-stop chatter. She talks for hours on end. People in public notice. She goes to school in the fall and I think she is more than ready. I hope she can socialize with other children and not just adults!

Esias- His speech is making improvement! We hear sentences! Albeit hard to understand, they are sentences. He says, "I want Papa" "I want pizza" "I don't want more" it sounds more like "ah-ahnt-papa" but we can understand it! Unfortunately, his feeding is not going as well. He is regressing on his desire to eat. When he came to us, he had a strong desire to eat. Sometimes kids who are tube fed lose their desire to mouth-feed. Esias didn't and it was a blessing and answer to prayer! Then we were able to stop most of the tube feeding and work on his chewing and swallowing. Unfortunately over the past few months, I see him struggle to eat things that other children eat without issue and he gets tired of trying. If it gets on his pallet or at the back of his tongue, his tongue doesn't know what to do with it and he sort of freaks out. He gags and spews and usually ends up needing his mouth swept out. Soemtimes he can sweep it out himself but usually he asks for help. And then, he is done. Like wipe my mouth, unbuckle me from the booster, I'm outta here. Even if that was his first bite. Ug! So we are quite sure he will need more feeding support than we are able to give him for the next several years. We are doing Bolus feeds (or just giving him pediasure orally) to make sure his cals are sufficient.

Gotta go- crying and carrying on in the basement!!

More Edenisms. And it's not even 8am.

2011-05-10T07:53:00.002-05:00

This morning Eden is on a roll. She's already had us in stitches before breakfast.

She was going to wear a dress today, so when I found her in her room wearing something else she felt the need to explain herself:

"Mom, we had a bit of a wardrobe mix up. I was going to wear this dress, but then I remembered I am riding my bike to school and there is a 98% chance that my dress would get caught in the chain."

and at breakfast...

"Elly you have too much dimples. That means that you are so cute you should be locked up in a secret laboratory."

I might agree with her on that one!

When your brother is trying to learn oral motor skills...

2011-04-26T20:24:00.002-05:00

Last night we were at Target and Elly found a pinwheel.

Elly: MOM! This would make a GREAT therapy toy!

Eden's Been Sick!

2011-03-31T09:21:00.003-05:00

Last week (Friday) Eden woke up and got ready for school as usual. Just before she was set to leave, I took a good look at her and noticed her left eye was swollen and pink. Of course my first thought was pink eye! I made a call to the doctor's office we usually go to and they were so backed up no one called me back until 5:30 to tell me "She'll need to be seen." Nevermind that they are closed and not open on Saturdays! Ug. So Saturday we ran some errands and then decided to go ahead and take Eden in to Quick Care. Dan was laying the new floor in our house so I had all three kids and it was becoming more and more apparent that Eden was miserable. Her eyes were so sensitive to light and she was buring up--102.5 at the doctor's! This doctor was not my favorite, she told me she could have about 3 different things (pink eye, influeza, and strep...despite the fact that she tested negative to the last two on that list) and sent me home with Zithromax for the eye. (But seriously, has pink eye ever caused a fever? And there was no matter in it whatsoever!) Anyway, by yesterday, her eye was still swollen and pink and she had had a fever every night even up to 101 again! At the advice of my sister and the school nurse I took her yesterday to Pediatric Associates. Because one of Eden's symptoms was blurred vision, this doctor really was concerned. She ended up consulting with an infectious disease specialist and then called me back right away to say it was probably Preseptal Cellulitis. Basically an infection in her eye that the Zithromax would not cover and that needs to be treated right away. So after three doses of Augmentin Eden's eye seems to be on the mend! Yay. She actually went back to school today after missing Friday through Wednesday! Her fever is gone for good I hope. She was a trooper but wow, that girl does need some stimulation and school is just the place for her ;) Yesterday we went to the library (after the doc cleared her to go back to school) and here are the books she checked out (PURE Eden!) :
1. 1000 Inventions and Discoveries
2. Eyewitness Books: Future
3. Eyewitness Science: Medicine
4. How to Be a Genius

So hilarious! Brynn said, "Shadley, you might as well start building the apartment over the garage!" Hahahah~~

Cuteness Abounds.

2011-03-29T13:44:00.002-05:00

Somedays I can't believe I get to be the mom
of these crazy ones.

Elly is getting ready for Kindergarten in the fall! I have to go to the parent's meeting tonight. She's already registered...round up in next week I think. Can't believe it! Though in a lot of ways we are both very ready...

This one has been sick all week...starting Friday she woke up with a weird looking eye. Not really like pink eye per se but pink for sure. No goo in it though. Then Saturday she woke up with a fever. Sunday night fever was back. Same thing Monday night! We got antibx for the "pink eye" but I am pretty sure that's not what it was. Maybe a flu strain? We got our shots but I guess this can happen. Hopefully she's fever free tonight and can rejoin her classmates tomorrow! It has been nice having her home though.

This little dude gave me a run for my money today! Thank goodness for naptime. Can I get an amen? His little buns have spent much time in time out today! And then he's had to move on to being alone in his room because time outs are just so hilarious when you're two apparently! Sheesh. Love this kid to bits. Somehow, even his naughtiness is endearing.

Wow, I am a blog slacker.

2011-03-15T14:55:00.003-05:00

I have had trouble finding the time to update this blog lately! I wonder why :)

Here's the quick update, pictures will have to wait. We have some cute ones but they are not loaded onto the computer yet, so next time!

Eden: We had Eden's last second grade conference of the year. She is doing awesome. Reading way above grade level, very interested in math and history and continues to make us proud with her behavior toward others in her class. She is often called upon to help kids who might have a little more trouble sitting still and doing their work, since she is one who can stay on task (at least she can at school!). Mrs. Schroeder is a great teacher who we love very much and we are going to miss having her next year. Eden was blessed to have her two years in a row, even with the move to a new school!

I love this girl so much. She is (currently) sitting outside at the patio table with a bowl of SunChips and a pen and paper. She loves her alone time and being outside with her thoughts.

Elly: She has been a joy to have around this year, don't get me wrong, but I am very convinced she is ready for school! She is bored :( I registered her for school March 1 and she will be a kindergartener at Garner in the fall! We went to the school one day this winter to watch Eden's class perform their music and while we were walking down the hallway, the kindergarteners of this year came through on their way to the same place. Elly was about a head taller than many of them, except, well maybe 1 or 2. So, that's about right, she's taller than 95% of kids her age according to her plot on the growth chart! She's a giant. Very, very cuddly still and misses her mommy. She might struggle a little with being away from me next year!

Esias: He is one crazy kid. This boy is rough and tumble. He is all trucks and tractors. He is eating well, at least if we feed him things that are easy for him. We are supplementing with Pediasure again for extra calories. He still is not able to move food to the side of his mouth and chew on a consistent basis, but our weekly feeding therapy sessions have helped. Next week we meet with all of our therapists and the Special Education (preschool) director for the schools so that we can finalize where he will attend school next year. He will only be three, but in IA (and most states, I believe), Early Access/Intervention programs stop at 3 and then they are moved to the school setting. I am bummed that I will not have the one on one time with him that I was able to have with the girls, but at the same time, I want him to learn and grow and develop in all the ways he needs to to be healthy and meet his potential. His speech therapist always tell me how smart he is, and how we need to push him to achieve because he does have some delays but we don't want him to think he cannot learn or achieve. He will work with therapists at school daily and have a special education teacher. Most likely his classroom will be a special education classroom at the school Eden used to attend, just down the road.

So what on earth will I do when all my kids are in school? I have no idea. I would love to volunteer in their rooms or paint...but I am going to start by just trying to have supper on the table when they all get home :) Baby steps.

Esias...tube feeding take two!

2011-03-03T17:41:00.002-06:00

Esias had a follow up appt. at the GI doctor today to see his tube. I was afraid I would have to convince them to leave the tube in because we are unsure if he will need his tonsils out, and if he does, tube feeding would be helpful. But instead, we came home with order for 2 bolus feeds per day! Dang. He has not gained weight in 9 months. Though to me, he looks healthy and normal, skinny but not overly skinny...he has never really had a growth "curve" because he came to us malnourished and one year old, then he gained a ton when were were doing only tube feeding...then when he was able to eat orally again he lost some...we were hoping that as his chewing and swallowing caught up, he'd be able to consume enough calories. But he's a typical two year old that wants to run and jump and burn a lot of calories a day. So back to the old feeding schedule. Bolus feeds are different for us because we won't use the pump this time, basically we will just do feeds with a big syringe and hold it about him so that gravity will get it into his tummy. Maybe that doesn't makes sense but it will be easier than using the pump I hope.

Other than that E-man is doing awesome. He slept in his bed all night last night and never came out! He typically "visits" us at least once in the night, just because he can. His car bed allows his easy exiting :) We like to call him the Midnight Ninja because he is so silent when he leaves his room. He even has to open his door and never makes a peep!

Surprise Party for Grandma Dort!

2011-02-26T19:56:00.003-06:00

My beautiful and tough-cookie Grandma Dorothy turned 81 this month and my sisters and our families surprised her with a little party. She had a rough January...she had a bad fall and broke her arm and had to have a pin and screws put in her shoulder. Youch. See what I mean? Tough cookie.

She blew out the candles so fast, I made her "pose" again so I could get the shot!

The great grandkids made her a special "scroll" with loving words and sketches.

Esias spent most of the time doing this...playing with the double-sided laundry shoot!

Elly Grimes, Marine Biologist

2011-02-26T19:53:00.001-06:00

Elly loves animals and water...and animals in water. This day she asked if she could have a bowl of water and one of Esias' feeding syringes. I found her feeding this poor ailing dolphin :) I really think she might become a veterinarian. She LOVES animals.

I think we were reading...

2011-02-26T19:52:00.000-06:00

A few new pics...where is Eden? She's never in the pics...

2011-02-26T19:48:00.003-06:00

These two are becoming quite the little pair of buddies.

This is early one morning...hoping Spring comes soon.

Esias watching Cars.

Mr. Smiley

Tiki Tiki Tembo

2011-02-15T15:13:00.000-06:00

Today we were reading a book that said, "Speak your brother's name with reverence!" (Tiki Tiki Tembo) and Elly said, "What's reverence mean?" and I said, "It means to speak his name with more--" and she said, "Pizazz?"

2011-02-10T22:09:00.001-06:00

2011-02-10T22:06:00.001-06:00

Esias Update

2011-02-05T15:57:00.002-06:00

Esias has been so cute lately, albeit ornery. He is mimicking the girls all the time. The other night, the kids had all had baths and Dan was combing their wet hair one head at a time. When Elly and Eden get their hair combed, they whine and fuss about how it hurts their tender heads. Last it was Esias' turn and Dan barely had the comb to his hair when he started to go, "ooohw, ooohw". I wasn't sure what he was trying to say but Dan knew: "He's whining like Elly!"

May not seem like much, but this is a great step for speech development! He also follows the girls and does whatever they do. If they are going to brush their teeth, he's going to. If they are chanting for ice cream, he's yelling for it too.

He had a fever this week and was really Momma's boy (love it) and wanted to be held and cuddled all day Friday. Even though he wanted Mommy he did not fuss at all when I left for the gym both Friday and Saturday, he just sees me getting ready, waves, and says, "BUH!" He also FOR SURE says "Muuuhhm" for Mom. All the time now. I am in heaven.

Love my boy!

Eden is hilarious.

2011-01-29T19:20:00.002-06:00

Tonight, after dinner, Eden and Elly were drawing pictures on scratch paper at the table. Eden came up with a play restaurant menu that has had us in stitches. Here are some of the highlights of her animal-themed eatery:

"Squirrel-shaped burger"
"Failure fish sticks"
"B.L.Me! Bacon, lettusse, and my face on Beef!"
"Sweet Llamas Sweet Potatoes"
"Billy Goat Brisket"

She assured me they are all made from whole grain, organic ingredients. So we know we're eating healthy!

Overheard at My House

2011-01-27T15:09:00.001-06:00

Elly: Pretend you are the President of the United States, and I am a dog.
Eden: No, how about (mumble....)
Elly: But I want to be a dog of the United States!!!

Things Around Here

2011-01-18T17:58:00.002-06:00

January is not my favorite month :) Doing daycare makes it hard for us to get outside when the weather is bad. I can barely contain Esias, let alone another two year old! Needless to say, we are looking for ways to enjoy ourselves outside of the house. Today we went to the mall play area. Last week we hit the Rec Center's Tot Time. Little outings help the day feel better for all of us!

What else is going on...I decided I will not be doing daycare next semester. This past year watching the R kids has been great, but next year Kate will be in school and so will Elly and Esias (part time) so it would just leave me with Luke. I thought maybe this was a good of time as any to start discovering what I want to be when I grow up :) So, I am taking the leap of faith and thinking about some different options. I would like to leave myself enough time daily to workout, have dinner on the table, and help in E-man's school regularly.

In other news...Elly has TWO loose teeth. She is five, but for some reason I took this news hard! I got a little choked up! Just like when I was turning in Eden's kindergarten registration paperwork three years ago, I wanted to vomit. Such a visceral response to my kids growing up!

I think that is all for now!

2011-01-18T17:57:00.001-06:00

Elly: Daddy...can you come downstairs with me?......and find my moveable arm Barbie.....and help me dress her? And pick out the clothes that are the most fab?

Dan:..........Yeah.

He's a good daddy!

Elly

2011-01-12T08:14:00.001-06:00

Elly just asked me, "Is E.T. really real? And Disney World?"

Edenism

2011-01-12T08:06:00.003-06:00

Today as we were getting ready, Eden, as always needed a little "motivation" to get her rear in gear. She is my slow-poke, the one who forgets what she needs to do every morning, even though we've done it every day for months on end for almost 3 years now.

Anyway, so I said to her, "You know Eden, if you got ready faster at the beginning of the morning, you'd have more time at the end of the morning, and Molly wouldn't have to wait for you so long."

Eden: "Yeah and then you wouldn't have to say, 'Hurry up, come on,' either."
Me: "Right. I don't like having to get after you either, it's like a broken record."
Eden: "Yeah, like you broke the record for moms telling their kids to hurry up."

Post-Christmas Fun

2011-01-11T14:11:00.003-06:00

Entire (Denny) Stanton side

Our Readoption Hearing January 6. Yay!

The three kiddos

Papa and Esias on Papa's birthday New Year's Eve

Melkam Gena! Merry Christmas!

2011-01-07T16:17:00.002-06:00

Today is Ethiopia's Christmas Day and is also Dan's birthday! So, Happy Birthday Dan and Melkam Gena to all our Ethiopian friends!

Yesterday, January 6, 2011, we finally re-adopted Esias in the State of Iowa and his name went from Yabetse Daniel Grimes (the name given to him by the Ethiopian courts) to Esias Tesfaye Grimes! You might remember, Tesfaye was his given middle name in Ethiopia, but after our court date (finally) passed over there, they name the child like this: First Name, Father's First Name, Father's Last Name. So now, and forever, he is ESIAS TESFAYE GRIMES! Esias=God is Salvation, Tesfaye=My Hope. Perfect.

The court proceedings were quick and painless. The judge was friendly and warm to us and eased any of my fears (I was nervous). The girls sat in with us and did great. Our friend Craig Nierman represented us and was excellent to work with. We celebrated by going to Village Inn for breakfast and then the Science Station afterwards (because Eden was missing school we thought we should do something halfway educational!).

Apparently my Christmas post disappeared into the Blogger Abyss. I posted it the day after Christmas and it has yet to appear. Not sure what happened but I will repost as soon as I can.

Raising a Reader

2010-12-22T15:07:00.003-06:00

We have a bookworm in the house. Eden is a major book lover. She was reading before kindergarten but just recently has become very independent in her pursuit of reading and wanting to read books beginning to end, in as little time as possible! I've found her in the car with a book, in her bed with books (well past bedtime), at the table reading while eating, reading when I go in to her room to wake her, etc. Currently, she is devouring Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar, a gift from her second grade teacher for Christmas. She's also into The Boxcar Children and Ramona and Beezus. We're very excited that she has this desire! Dan likes to read but has only come to it recently, and I used to love to read but don't much anymore. For me, finding time is hard, and my eyes don't enjoy it like they used to. Getting old is fun!

She is also obsessed lately with doing "office work" and thinks her favorite store is Office Max. We were able to get a really cute desk from Craigslist last night and put that in her room for an early Christmas present! She is diggin' it. It has little pigeon holes and compartments for all her goodies. She has been making these boxes she calles "profiles" - about anything and everything she can think of--animal profiles, sports profiles, family profiles. We all had to fill out her handcrafted paperwork.

For Christmas she asked for a typewriter and a Polaroid camera! I can't remember if I wrote that or not here, but we did get her an old typewriter, also on Craig's, and can't wait to give it to her. She is gonna be thrilled!

2010-12-22T08:12:00.001-06:00

Eden just clued me in: "Mom, I want to tell you a top-secret thing that kids know. You know how kids have lots of energy? Well, we save it up for fun things. And we go really, really slow for not fun things like chores."

I just posted this on Facebook, but had to put it here as well! This kid never fails to amaze me!

It's a Goocher.

2010-12-21T18:43:00.001-06:00

Dan calls this a goocher:

Elly is exactly the same height that Eden was on 5/08/08.
Esias is exactly the same height that Elly was on 5/08/08. Weird!

The Gospel, Redemption and a Toothbrush Holder.

2010-12-15T11:17:00.002-06:00

Yesterday, my sister and I were out with our kids (4 total) at Target and probably had been there a little too long, it was near mealtime, yadda yadda. The kids were getting antsy. I was getting after them now and then for running ahead, touching things, etc. but they were not behaving too badly. Then, all the sudden, CRASH! Something fell onto the ground and broke in the bathroom accessories aisle. I looked over and saw the very very sad face of Elly Lyn standing there in the bits of broken painted resin. She had tried to get down off the shelf a goofy looking frog toothbrush holder and i think it was heavier than she anticipated. Nevermind that our rule is looking but no touching at the store.

I took Elly aside (trying not to be angry but obviously annoyed) and explained that now we had to buy it. It was $10. Did she have that much? No. Oh then that meant mommy had to buy it. And that seemed like a lot of money to me. I marched her up to the long long lines of the check out and waited. Once we got up to the front, the man checking us out said, "Why is one of those little froggies not sitting on the log like the rest of them?" I said, "Because she broke it. We are buying it because she broke it."

The man said, "Well, I think this is a turning point for you." I sort of rolled my eyes mentally at this comment but as we were walking out the door and it took us a while to get our coats on and such, I was thinking. He was right. This was not just a life lesson I could teach Elly about how to not touch things in stores, but it was a chance for me to point her back to Christ. After all, I was once a girl standing in a mess I had made, waiting for someone to come get me out of the debt I created.

As we walked to the car, I said, "Girls, what just happened back there reminds me of the Gospel. We all sin, we all touch things we shouldn't and we make a big mess. But God comes in and pays our debt for us, just like we bought this toothbrush holder, God buys us with a price." Eden said, "Jesus." "Yep. So now I think we should take this home and fix it. And every time we look at it we can remember that we used to be broken and messed up and we used to owe for what we did. But God came in and paid for us with Jesus and now we are new and fixed!"

All the way home she kept saying, "Mom, I said I was sorry, right? I am really, really really sorry." Then when we got home she was extra helpful and extra polite and I finally said to her, "Elly, you can't get any more forgiven that you already are. I forgave you and it's over and done with." Whoa- that was for me I think, hearing it come out of my own mouth shocked me. How many time do I try to earn that gift that He has already given me? It was almost insulting to me to watch her try to earn what I had already given her. How much moreso to my Heavenly Father? Oh how I struggle and try to be perfect, good, holy.

God really spoke to me in that moment, laying open my heart and allowing me to see myself and my parenting in a new way. Sometimes it is hard to not just concentrate on the here and now of parenting, the embarrassment I felt that my child needed discipline in the middle of a crowded store. Sometime I get caught up in the correction and forget that I am discipling her, to be more like Christ...she is my child, entrusted to me...I need to be more concerned with her heart. Her little soft heart that God gave her, and now trusts me to shape and mold. Help me Lord as I take on this immense task by your Grace.

Pics- probably could use some captions :)

2010-12-15T10:25:00.001-06:00

Elly and her tea party

The girls sleeping in Grammy and Papa's bed during Thanksgiving break

Papa, Dan and the kids going on an "expedition" in his field. They usually come back with deer bones :(

Wrestling after puttng up the Christmas tree.

Esias on our trip to see Buffalo- unfortunately there were only two where there used to be many!

My baby boy all stretched out...I remember one of the first times I put him down for a nap in this crib, I stood up and looked at him sleeping like this and got overwhelmed by how he has changed us. And now, I am overwhelmed by how he's grown! My my! He is almost ready for a big boy bed.

Eden and Elly playing a game Brynn and I invented in our youth called "Donkey Haul" - we put the fun in to our chores!

My two littles like to snuggle.

Esias LOVES scotcharoos!!

It's SO COLD!!!!

2010-12-13T08:53:00.002-06:00

This post isn't even about the cold, but I can't stop whining about it. I should have gotten my errands done before it became so frigid, but alas, with a middle name like Procrastination that just isn't gonna happen.

The kids are trying hard to find things to do inside to keep them occupied. They played in the snow Saturday for a while, which ended up in a big mud mess and the lid to the sandbox frozen to the ground (instead of on the sand box). Eden kept running inside yelling, "I have frostbite!" like it was a disease that would kill her instantly if she didn't take off her wet mittens immediately. She's always up for drama.

Yesterday they crafted with wooden popsicle sticks. They love doing wooden stick crafts, though I am not sure they really make anything. Gluing is just therapeutic. The whole time they were working in the wooden crafts, Elly was asking questions about how women can get mustaches if they want them. Seriously, how am I suppose to answer that?

We have the kids' Christmas shopping done (for the most part) though nothing is wrapped or under the tree. With daycare kids here, I hesitate to put anything out too early! Did you know that two two year olds who are perfectly behaved when by themselves get into heaps of trouble when they are together? I didn't know that either. But NOW I do :)

Sup.

2010-12-06T10:20:00.002-06:00

Apparently it is the lame-duck session of blogging right now. I can't seem to get my normal stuff done let alone record things here! Sorry!

We have had things going on! The art show was great this weekend, I sold two windows and several packs of notecards. I am getting a new "load" of windows this week and I am hoping I can keep my momentum and do some more therapeutic painting. It's food for my soul.

As far as the kids go, we've been busy with Christmas stuff and getting the decorations up and such. The girls were growly that day we put the tree up so I had to constantly remind myself to be patient and kind to them as we decorate and celebrate our Savior. Snapping at them just didn't quite seem appropriate :) Yesterday we had our weekly Sunday night family time --AFV, Home Makeover, eating in the living room (random food like grilled cheese, canned soup, and frozen pizza, and root beer-- or root "beard" if you're Elly).

We're almost done Christmas shopping. We have one more big thing to get for Eden (a typewriter-- she wants one soooo bad and we found a used one on Craigslist), and some smaller stuff for Elly. Esias is set, we are regifting some of his own toys and just replacing the batteries! Merry Christmas little dude, we got you some size Cs.

On the drool front :) we started the medicine again to help control his drool but it again is making him W_I_L_D. But it works magnificently. I can't figure out which is worse-- dealing with the soaked shirts, bibs, furniture, hands, etc. or the wild baby who takes 2 hours to fall asleep at night. Not sure. The decreased drool does make his eating go much much better, so I have a feeling we either need to tweak the dosage or just deal with his mood swings. He's two, we can just blame it on that!

Art Show!

2010-11-15T14:42:00.002-06:00

I am showing some of my new work alongside some other local artists (hosted by Things with Wings) Saturday, December 4th 10am-4pm in Iowa City. Email me at grimesfam@gmail.com if you want the address! Thanks!

Check out my new work here.

The Golden Child

2010-11-13T07:49:00.003-06:00

We have been calling Eden "The Golden Child" because she consistently sleeps through the night, in her own bed, etc. and our other children [ahem] do not. Esias is pretty good. It's just...[clearing throat] one of our other children [ahem].

Anyway, she likes this title I think. She often feels like we don't acknowledge her--like when I praise Elly for wiping herself...seriously...Eden gets jealous- so I say, "Eden, you've been doing that for years! Of course I don't make a big deal of it!" It's sort of comical what she will get jealous about. So we gave her this nickname of TGC for her nighttime awesomeness!

She also does great at school. We had her conferences with her teacher this past week and she is doing fantastic. We love hearing that academically she is doing well but we really enjoy hearing that the teacher sees her heart and sees her compassionately helping her classmates and staying out of "girl drama." Thank you Jesus for that last one. We're very proud of our Golden Child!

Esias

2010-11-13T07:38:00.002-06:00

We had our annual meeting with Esias' Early Access therapists this past week. He is doing great...there has been so much improvement from November of last year. Socially he has met every goal-- he can now get our attention, ask for help, play alongside other children, share (kinda), and many other things. Physically he is doing great as well. Running, jumping, climbing, pushing, hitting, oh wait...nevermind on those last two. Verbally...eh. Still working. He is using expressive language at the level of an 17 month old and receptive language at about 18-20 months. This is not discouraging though. The progress is what is amazing. Feeding-wise-- we decided to go ahead and schedule weekly feeding sessions with the occupational therapist to see if we can't jump start this a little bit. Because Early Access stops when kids turn three and then if services are needed they get them in the schools, Esias will most likely go to a school next year for his therapies. SO, Mom doesn't like the idea of sending a kid who chokes daily to school where they will give him food! The therapist thinks if we work a little more aggressively we may be able to get some progress before the fall when he would go to school. I am hopeful. There are days when he does great and days when he does not. Choking/gagging still happens all the time but we are trying to allow him to work it out on his own and not always need us to sweep his mouth for him. I know that sounds terrible but when we know some day this is going to happen and I won't be there to see it, we want to prepare him.

We also started him on a new medicine called Robinul for his drooling. We started it a few weeks ago and it seemed to dry him up a bit. Then Dan was gone for business and Esias had a night terror-- I wasn't sure if it was from the meds or not, so I called the pharmacist the next day and she said to stop for now, until we could safely test it and I wasn't home alone. It was the scariest thing. He woke up writhing around in his bed. I went in and picked him up but soon realized he was not awake, though his eyes were open. He looked straight at me but was terrified of me. He would not let me hold him or touch him and he threw toys at me. I finally got him some milk and turned on Cars and it was like a switch flipped and suddenly he was snuggling on my lap and back to sleep. Scary though. The doctor said the meds might affect his sleep but he didn't say like this! So we aren't sure if that was a fluke or a side effect.

Giving

2010-11-02T11:56:00.004-05:00

I know this is not a theological blog (oh Lord have mercy if I were to write one of those! Not my gift!) but I thought of something today after watching TV and I wanted to post it. I was struck today while watching Good Morning America's Melody Hobson talk about giving this holiday season. The first thing she said was, "The most important thing is...not giving more than we can afford."

Dear Melody, I beg to differ. The Bible says this about giving in 2 Cor 8:1-5:

"And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. " (emphasis mine)

Again, in Proverbs 11:25:
"A generous person will prosper;
whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. "

It is completely counter-cultural for us as Americans to think that giving away what we have to others is a good thing. Sure, we want to give a little, but not enough to feel it. If you are a Christian, steer clear and repent of this type of giving. Melody's wrong. Give til it hurts. Christ did. Aren't we called to live as He did? I pray that Dan and I would live this example and that my children would know this and worship the King by giving sacrificially.

Halloween

2010-11-02T10:28:00.005-05:00

I posted a giant Halloween post and somehow it is not working so I will post the costumes (for Laura) and forgive me if the other one magically appears. It was like 21 pics so I am not surprised it is getting messed up. Ok, so the Halloween rundown is as follows: Eden was Strawberry Shortcake (homemade, obviously, about $6), Elly was Cinderella (last year's Halloween clearance find turned Christmas gift seriously $4, the rest was stuff we had). Esias was suppose to wear the $4 Mater from Cars outfit but was afraid of it, so he wore Marcus' costume from last year- this adorable horse/cowboy thing. Free 99. And Marcus joined the fun in his amazing Superman getup! I loved the slicked back hair. So I think we did pretty good getting three kids outfitted for about $10! I don't have a pic of Nia, she was adorable as a spider!

Elly's Jack

Eden's had vampire teeth, smoke coming out its nostrils, and lightning bolts like Harry Potter

Esias' was made by mommy, since all he wanted to do was stuff the goo back IN to the pumpkin!

Fall Leaves!

2010-11-01T19:22:00.001-05:00

Elly and Esias had a blast waiting for Eden to get home from school
this day! My kids are super cute. I can't help it. I have to say it out loud.

Eden's Birthday Pics

2010-11-01T19:14:00.001-05:00

Eden had quite a week full of celebrations. She had Ana over to spend
the night Friday night, Father-daughter dance Saturday night, birthday party Tuesday morning and treats at school, then Grammy and Papa came and we had a little mini-party with
them Saturday of the next week. She was thrilled with her gifts from us-- Penguin Pillow Pet and Guess Who? game! Don't tell but Dan and I played Guess Who? the other night when the kids were all asleep.

Lots to Catch Up On!

2010-11-01T17:58:00.001-05:00

We have had another birthday around here and Halloween...pictures still sit on my camera waiting to be uploaded. It will have to wait til at least a couple of these wild willies are in bed! Don't laugh, but the girls and I (and Dan and Esias) usually spend Monday nights watching Dancing with the Stars, so it won't be tonight :) The girls like to watch that instead of reading with us. We figure it's ok, once a week for a season. Though I have to say (those of you who watch will know what i mean) I am glad Edyta is not on this season, her outfits made it a little less of a family show!

Anywhoo, I will post pics soon of pumpkin carving, leaf pile jumping, Eden's birthday, and more. Stay tuned. I know you are pumped.

2010-10-27T13:35:00.002-05:00

8 years ago...we went from this...

to this...

to this! Eden Lily was born October 26th, 2002!

Eden continues to be a joy to have as a child. She is smart, witty, quirky, and thoughtful. She perplexes me daily, much like her father. I love you first child!

Steven Curtis Chapman concert

2010-10-27T13:29:00.002-05:00

Our agency was one of the partners in the Steven/Mary Beth Chapman concert/book tour this fall, and our social worker called us one day last week and offered us free tickets to the show! We thought what the hay and took all the kids with us. It started with a "VIP" question and answer time which was fun. Mary Beth was delayed on a plane so it was just SCC and a friend of his. We were able to personally thank him for the grant that we got from his family's adoption foundation Show Hope. He looked really thrilled to get to see one of the "results" of their efforts. SCC is a seriously kind and sincere person. He was extremely down to earth and easygoing. We stayed through the first half of the concert (including his opening band, his sons' band Caleb- which was great) and then the kids got antsy. Eden was itching all over from Poison Ivy (shocking) and Esias was, well, being two. Elly...let's just say I am not sure her buns ever met the seat cushion. But all in all we had a grand ole time and arrived home to have a late but not crazy-late bedtime on a school night! Thanks Bethany Christian Services!

Something's Up.

2010-10-22T10:59:00.002-05:00

Something new is happening in our family. I feel God changing and growing us. In the past, we have endured some things, not suffering like some have suffered I realize, but challenges for our family nonetheless. Namely, my constant struggle with balance and vertigo, the illness and death of Dan's mom, waiting, waiting, waiting for Esias, dealing with his health after getting home, etc.

Right now, though things are not perfect, of course, they are good. We are healthy and not in crisis mode. It almost feels...odd. But we are so thankful for this time. Lord, let me not be content in this time and let me continue to lean on you in the good times as we do in the bad. Lord show my children how to rejoice no matter what.

We are so thankful for what the Lord is doing through our congregation and Yezelalem Minch (the sponsorship/community development organization we partner with). There have been lives changed in OUR church! Answering God's call to care for widows and orphans blesses us more than it blesses them. Seriously. Try it!

Edenism

2010-10-21T09:43:00.002-05:00

I forgot to post this the other day. We were all outside (the kids and I) riding bikes, etc. When we started to notice we were being eaten alive by mosquitos and gnats. It was shame because it was such a nice day out, so we tried to be tough and suffer through for a while. Finally, I said, "Ok, I've had enough! We're going in!" The kids started running toward the door, apparently just waiting for me to give them the go ahead to end their misery! Eden goes, "Seriously! I just saw a mosquito pull its nose outta my arm!"

Unimportant Rambling

2010-10-20T21:23:00.003-05:00

The weather continues to be really nice, though this week it's turned a little more normal. 60s are wonderful to this girl. I love open windows and sweatshirts and football. The kids have been enjoying playing outdoors a ton, we have a crazy chalk speedway drawn all over the driveway that has proven to be hours of fun for the kids and their bikes/big wheels. Daycare kids love it as well. We've been busy but I am not exactly sure why...school just adds another dimension to our day for sure. Eden has homework almost every night, though it is not difficult stuff, just working on her spelling words, finishing up math, and reading her read-at-home books.

Esias is growing like a weed. He started using some more word-sounds too. He regularly says, "uh-um" for "uh oh" now, which is super exciting since that is what the therapists always ask--"is he saying 'uh oh' yet?" So now I tell them YES! Yes he is!!! He also says "kuh" for Luke, Kah for car, 'kkng' for train (weird i know, but it definitely means train!) and a few other things. We have his year evaluation meeting with his "team" to determine what the next year brings when services stop and he gets to go to school for therapy. Yipes. Scares this momma...how do I send my bitty boy to preschool at 3 when I could hardly send my girls at 4/5? We shall see...

2010-10-12T22:09:00.001-05:00

Dan is always so great at helping out around the house...both with the kids and the household chores...sometimes all at once.

Madison Weekend

2010-10-11T18:50:00.004-05:00

We spent the weekend in Madison, WI with our dear friends (more like
family) the Nielsens . They recently moved from Albuquerque to plant a
church. We have a lot of history together-- Dan and I lived with them
in a three story townhouse in our second year of marriage (their third
I think) while Kim was in PA school. They had the top floor, we had
the bottom floor and we shared the middle. Dan and Zach (famed blogger Vitamin Z) worked together at Parkview Church for a number of years and also traveled around in a
band together for 5 years. So we've lived in close community with
them in the past but since they moved and we've all procreated and gathered up children we haven't had a chance to really do that. Well this weekend, we brought our three kids to their house with their four kids, and that was some close
community :) It was so fun and the kids did GREAT together.
They have Taylor, who is 5 weeks older than Eden, Autumn who is about
10 mo. older than Elly, Emery who is 3 (poor guy gets left out of the
pairings) and Mya who is 2 this month (Esias is smitten with her, she is a beauty who came to them via a whirlwind domestic adoption. It's a pretty cool story. Read it here.). We
had a blast. Madison was beautiful and the weather was more like June
than October. We went to a park, played outside, held Sandy
Fluffernutter the Bearded Dragon, ate meals together, laughed, and
enjoyed ourselves quite muchly :)

Eden has her prized dog tag in her mouth...

Miss Autumn

Belly

Most of the big kids plus some other random children.

Esias and Mya

Taylor, a.k.a. Bear Grylls

Eden must be telling a story...Autumn really liked her :)

Taylor's "gnarly tooth" as he calls it

E could not get enough of making Mya smile

Sandy Flufflernutter, Taylor's pet lizard

Parlez vous francais?

2010-10-07T16:17:00.001-05:00

Elly said, "I thought those shoes were for Eden, but their are for armoire!"

Zombie Time

2010-10-06T13:51:00.001-05:00

Me: Elly, I think it's about ready for your quiet time (rest time).
Elly: Can we watch TV during quiet time?
Me: No.
Elly: Why not?
Me: Because TV makes you more into a zombie and not so much rested.
Elly: But zombies are quiet, Mom!

Daycare Shenanigans

2010-10-02T19:09:00.001-05:00

Sometimes daycare gets a little wild around here! We're not crying over this though.

Of course you need to wear these on your heads.

And the pink clogs.

I realize my son is a mess.

Again with the drool. I thought it was funny that they both had their khaki shorts on- and they both ruined their shirts at lunch.

Ah, brotherly love. E and L are two weeks apart!

Here's Katie joining in, she's 4.

And Miss Elly. That's our little weekday family!

Luke clued Esias into the idea to climb into his crib, but Esias can do it faster since he's taller.

Esias LOVES Luke. Loves him.

Maybe a little too much.

You can hardly see Luke but the nice big hug ended in a bit of a wrestling match.

I bet you want to come hang out with us, don't you?

Sugarbottom Hike

2010-10-02T19:06:00.001-05:00

We enjoyed the first 50 degree day with a nice nature hike ending with
a beautiful view. The last time we walked this trail was just before
we left to get Esias and I remember wondering if we'd ever be able to
do things like this again!

Ready to explore!

This giant tree had fallen since the last hike we took.

My husband is cute.

What a fungi.

Eden is trying to count the rings.

How beautiful is God's creation? He is such an Artist.

Some of His best work, I think.

Beautiful!

A few pics from the apple orchard...

2010-09-30T14:25:00.000-05:00

What's Been Going On

2010-09-30T08:40:00.002-05:00

We've been busy but I can't really figure out why. :) Maybe it's just the three kids and trying to keep up the house business. We have tried to get our fall yardwork accomplished as well and tying up some loose ends at the house (we have an appraiser coming tomorrow) but nothing seems to be getting finished! Dan is fully recovered physically from his trip back to Ethiopia, but emotionally I can see he's still processing it. Next year, we're going again and I AM GOING TO. It is hard to not be able to experience that with him!

Esias is doing great, ornery as ever. Throwing match box cars under the table as I write this. The two boys (Luke my daycare kiddo and Esias) are getting along really well lately though we still have our fair share of screaming and bonking each other in the head. We've been able to be outside a lot which is awesome. We have a little pattern of going out to the driveway and riding the bikes and trikes in a circle. I bring the phone and a drink and we're set for an hour or so of good fresh air. Sometimes Nilla Wafers make an appearance and I enjoy not having to clean those out of the carpet :) Not looking forward to winter and being stuck in the house most of the day! Not having to get out of the house to drive Eden to school in the mornings has been fabulous! I still make myself get dressed and brush my hair but that's about it :)

Eden has back to school night tonight. I am excited to see their science project. They have watched catepillars turn into butterflies. One day she came home and said, "Mom! Dad! We have butterflies! Well, not all of them are. A few are still stuck in their chrysallis. But, we think those ones are dead." Ah, learning the ways of nature. She loves science! She is such a funny girl. Something tells me, she's not like the rest.

Elly. Oh Elly. My little ball of snuggliciousness. She is still stuck to me like glue most days. She plays with Kate (Luke's sister) two days a week and that helps. She just walks to her own beat most of the time. Still my healthiest eater...about three whole pieces of fruit a day, oatmeal, yogurt...she is the 6 meal a day kid. I think we made the right decision keeping her home even if she is a little bored. I am not ready to let her go yet. And hey, she's mine so I get to say, right? :)

Been a while!

2010-09-27T12:15:00.002-05:00

Well it was a whirlwind while Dan was gone. My mom showered the kids with affection and pancake breakfasts. Dan arrived safely home last Wednesday and hit the ground running with work the next morning at 8am, then a missions celebration at church on Sunday. He was excited to share all that the team experienced over there. Again, if you want to check it out, see the SAFE ministry blog at safemin.blogspot.com (even if you checked it out before, some of the posts did not make it on all the way so the complete posts are being re-posted).

Along with all the excitement of Dan returning, we also were informed we had an appraisal for our house (which we knew was coming) that we had to do soon so we can complete our refinance to get one of these amazing low rates. So we had plans to clean the carpet and do some yard work on Saturday morning. Well, long about 6:30am I realized that my kidney had a plan of its own. I had that distinct kidney stone pain in my right side and I was down for the count. I "labored" at home for 3 hours and then when I couldn't keep fluids down, I headed to the ER. Fun times. I got some morphine and at noon the thing finally went into my bladder giving me some much needed relief. I was hurting for sure.

So the weekend wasn't a total bust. Dan did eventually get the carpets cleaned because Tiel was kind enough to come get the girls. Esias relished the two-on-one time and I think that was just what the doctor ordered for his case of insecurity lately. We ran some errands and turned in early. Sunday we went to church, I got the girls in Springville, and then we went out to Wilson's apple orchard for a little while. Brynn and Marcus showed up just as we were leaving so they came along. Elly was glad to have her BFF along. I will post pics of this soon.

I am still using the strainer, if you know what I mean, and waiting to meet this tiny little nuisance I've named Oliver. Those doggone kidneys!!

Waiting for Daddy to come home...

2010-09-16T12:10:00.002-05:00

...with some new Ethiopian clothes! In the meantime, enjoy these! We bought these traditional outfits last year.

2x2

2010-09-16T12:02:00.002-05:00

Here is a list of fun activities to do if you are a two year old. Not necessarily mother-approved, but they sure are kid-tested. Best if done by two two-year-olds.

1. Poke the buttons on the tv, dvd player, and cd player. Make sure you hit a mysterious combination that turns off the sound for the rest of the day.

2. Find cups of beverages left too close to the edge of the countertop or table and pour them on the floor. Dance around in the puddles.

3. Wear laundry baskets as hats and smash into each other.

4. Step on every pile of folded laundry you find as you run through the house.

5. Eat off of each other's trays at lunch time.

6. Wear grown up shoes around even if they are size 11 pink flip flops.

7. Run into the "off limits" room of an older sibling, shut the door abruptly and wait to see if Mom comes and scolds you. Repeat x 100.

8. Burst into the bathroom and turn the water on full blast, allowing it to splash you on your face.

9. Run full speed ahead and smack your hands on the window pane. Great for naptime.

10. Rock the recliner simultaneously so that it tips backwards all the way. Sail off the the backrest and face plant in to the carpet. Squeal with delight, run around and do it again.

Dan's Trip

2010-09-14T10:34:00.001-05:00

Dan left today for Ethiopia! Don't worry about me, though, we have reinforcements while he's gone :)

I am excited for them. Dan was so ready to get going this morning. He is leading the team (first time leading a missions trip) so he was ready to get the party started. I am jealous I am not going but I know I will have my chance another time. If you want to follow their journey, check out the S.A.F.E. Ministry blog HERE.

Elly Turns FIVE!

2010-09-09T14:21:00.004-05:00

Happy Birthday Elly Belly! We love you!

Spin Brush was a big hit!

Thanks Eden!

B'day celebration at Big Lake over Labor Day weekend.

We celebrated a birthday with the turning of the calendar! Miss Elly turned the big FIVE! She was super excited and now thinks she can join the neighbor kids at kindergarten. Oops.

She was pleased that her sister listened to her wishes and got her a "movable arm Barbie" and Esias got her some fresh Play-dough. Mom and Dad regifted a Leap Frog book reader thingy from the McCarraghers (thanks guys!) and also splurged on the As Seen On TV phenomenon, Pillow Pets. I ordered Elly the purple unicorn and it did not disappoint. Elly had a little party on her actual b'day during breakfast, again when Brynnie came over, and then again over the weekend with the grands. So I think she's partied out!

Labor Day

2010-09-09T14:03:00.004-05:00

The Toad Catchers.

Eden, Elly, Marcus and Esias

The Cabin!

Beautiful!!!

Papa teaching Elly all about the patience of fishing.

We drove down to Big Lake, MO for Labor Day weekend. Originally, we had planned to go help clean up after the lake flooded a few months ago, but my grandparents' cabin (which is set 5-6 feet off the ground) was spared, just barely! Many of their neighbors have "built up" as well. Phew! It was hard to see so much destruction though. Lots of the people of the village lost their home and cabins. (I almost said "village people" but that just didn't sound right!). Go here to see my Grandparents' cabin almost underwater. Notice the shed in the back of the house, that will give you perspective- and the deck is a second level deck-

We enjoyed a coolish, windy weekend but that didn't matter to the kids. Toad-chasing, fishing, eating, and watching DVDs were on our list. We tried to swim but it was a little on the chilly side! Eden didn't care though, she jumped in a few times! It is so nice to be down there with little to no technology to distract us from just being together. My grandma and mom fed us, cleaned up after us, and otherwise spoiled us. It was very nice. The only thing missing was the Howard family :)

More Edenisms.

2010-09-03T07:28:00.003-05:00

Me: Come here for a second peanut.

Eden: I'm not a peanut.

Me: Sure you are. You're my salty little peanut.

Eden: Well, we don't allow peanuts in our school. Can I stay home today?

---

Me: I like the Barbies with painted on bikinis because then you don't have the naked Barbies all laying around the house.

Eden: Well some people don't have that because they are clean up kids. So their Barbies are in the box.

Me: Are you guys "clean up kids"?

Eden: No.

Me: Can you try to be clean up kids?

Eden: Well, there's a technical difficulty...

Living in Constipation Nation.

2010-09-01T21:23:00.001-05:00

Today Eden begrudgingly came in from playing and went straight to the bathroom. Dan was in there and she said, "It's so disappointing that I have to spend all my time on the constipation chair instead of playing."

She also told our friends the McCarraghers that she is the "Constipation Queen." Apparently, it's time for some All Bran muffins.

Do I Stutter?

2010-08-31T17:42:00.004-05:00

Elly stutters. We're not concerned about it though, we're pretty sure it falls into the "thinking faster than the mouth can move" category and it's no big deal. Today she was especially excited and talking a lot. At supper she was telling Dan something and got stuck on some phrase she was trying to utter. Dan gently said to her, "Just take a break. Think about what you want to say." Elly paused, then answered, "Ok. By the way, I am done. It wasn't worth it, what I was trying to say, anyway!"

The Realness of Adoption

2010-08-30T10:10:00.008-05:00

Esias has had a bit of an insecure couple of weeks. It could be because we started our new schoolday routine, which includes me watching another 2 and 4 year old. Or because we tried a few new things- babysitter and Sunday School. Who knows. He can't talk to tell us what's wrong but we can tell. He grips us a little tighter and checks to make sure we're right there.

I was talking with a good friend of mine at a baby shower this weekend and she asked how Esias was doing. Since this friend is one who prayed with us through the wait, cried out with us when we were denied 5 times at the courts, and ached with us as we found out about his health issues, I felt comfortable giving her the real life answer. We talked about his health and the possibility that he may need to use an alternative method of communication besides speaking. He may not eat "normally." We just don't know. Like we've been told many times, we don't have that crystal ball. Things with Esias are just up in the air. He's no longer struggling for life, and we're thankful for that. So thankful. But as far and eating and talking goes, he's probably not going to be "normal."

Adoption in general is something we can't predict. We can prepare--a little-- but ultimately it is God's plan and not our own. We want to think that when we meet our child for the first time, after the terrible wait, after praying for them constantly...that they will love us, smile and coo or run into our open arms, depending on the age. We want to think that all they need is a little food, a nice clean bed, and some good old fashioned lovin' and they are good as new. That their wounds are superficial and that they will heal with a little Band-Aid. I bought that. I stepped off the plane carrying a 14 lb one year old with severe developmental delays and thought we'd be golden after a few months of nutrition and nurturing...the Band-Aid. I think God gave me blinders so to speak, to keep me from being fearful. He gives us hope and optimism because if we knew some of the things we'd go through, if we had the proverbial crystal ball, we might not apply for the job at all! This can be said of biological kids, adopted kids, stepkids, what have you! Parenting is hard stuff, however you slice it.

The reality of adoption is this. Sometimes it is not what you thought it would be. Or let me rephrase that. 99% of the time, it is not what you thought it would be. They might have physical scars or scars you can't see. It's hard. It's emotional. People don't "get" what you're going through. Esias isn't even old enough yet to be experiencing his own feelings about his adoption and yet we've already realized that this is not something for the faint of heart. Daily, we fight for this child. We fight for his health, we fight for his security, we fight for his trust. He was a wounded child. We still see the back-and-forth effect of attachment...he's secure and great at home, but something out of the ordinary happens (like trying to get him to try Sunday School) and we see the scared, tiny, sick boy come rushing back through the look in his eyes. He was a wounded child. We have physically helped him heal. We have bonded with him and shown him love and family. But somehow, he is the one who has healed us. He teaches us every day about love, faith, family, and trust. Esias Tesfaye, I love you! I will always be your mommy and I will never, ever leave you!

Edited to Add: By no means are we feeling discouraged or negative about Esias' progress. He's done AMAZING things in this 14 months. We love him for HIM, no matter what. We are 100% certain that he was meant to be our child (just like the SCC song!) and he fits in perfectly! I just wanted to convey the real story about adoption. It's not a fairytale, but it's God's story. And it's good.

This is a cool song! With a surprise!

2010-08-27T16:38:00.004-05:00

Steven Curtis Chapman, a Christian musician and co-founder of Show Hope (with his wife Mary Beth) just released this video. It's for a song he did for the new Veggie Tales video coming out in October. Show Hope is an organization that gives grants for adopting families-- we were blessed with one way back when we first started the process. In return, we have provided them with a few pictures and our story. We had no idea what they'd do with it, but a friend of mine of Facebook sent me this link today. Guess who's in a music video!

http://www.youtube.com/user/BigIdeaInc#p/u/0/l9ksMpwqjXQ

Disclaimer.

2010-08-23T10:49:00.003-05:00

Ok, so if my last post about Esias had you worried- don't be. I will be capable of disciplining my adorable son-- in fact, he has already been reprimanded for going to close to the street, not sharing toys, hitting Lukey, or throwing toys at others...so no worries! I am just enjoying him so much because he is my third and i am not freaking out about "ruining" him like I did with the others! It's nice to be in a confident place in parenting (well, most of the time). Today he's had quite a rough day sharing...we've had a few "time ins" which are time outs on mom's lap because he won't sit in the chair :) So (mom) no need to worry!!

2010-08-19T09:32:00.003-05:00

Eden Lily's First Day of SECOND GRADE! She was sort of done with Mom's fawning over her.

All three of my kiddos posing by our picture tree!

Holding up a "two" for second grade.

Smiling Elly Lyn...she's kicking it Homeschool!

He's excited, though he has no idea why...

The neighborhood kids all meeting up to walk to Garner! Yay Gators!

Quick Update, Sorry No Pics!

2010-08-18T15:58:00.002-05:00

Things are getting crazy 'round here, but I wanted to make a quick note while I had a minute. Yesterday we had Eden's back-to-school night at her brand new school! What's even better is that it's across the street from us, so she will be able to walk with the other kids on our block. For a while, I am sure I will fret about it and walk there to get her, but she'll tell me to get outta there :) She starts second grade tomorrow!

This week I also started back doing daycare. I will have two two-year olds (one mine) and two four-year olds (one mine- soon to be 5), four days a week for 6-8 hrs a day. This will definitely help with me having a little income.

Elly's birthday is coming up in two weeks and she is all atwitter and making many lists and suggestions for her birthday gifts! We have changed our minds again and decided we are going homeschool her this year. I had such a hard time deciding, obviously since I changed my mind three times. We are going to do a kindergarten curriculum and enroll her in some recreation programs to get her involved with other kids (read: keep her off of momma's lap!).

Esias is doing great. The feeding is still very messy (orally) but he is making progress. He is starting to sometimes crunch down on the side of his mouth. Especially if I put a goldfish right in the right spot, he will crunch down on it. We have stopped the overnight feeds (YAY) and are actually sending the pump and supplies back to Home Health Care this week! That's a great step. The tube will be left in probably for a few months to make sure he keeps his weight up and over the cold and flu season, but this is good news. We feel a level of normalcy at our house that is amazing! Even though when I see another two year old, I can tell that Esias' eating and speaking are seriously "behind" I know that he is on his own timetable and he is doing awesome given what he's been through. This is the way he was made, created by the Creator who also made the stars, and that Guy made him just the way He wanted him! And to top it off, God chose us to parent him, so what do I have to worry about? If God wants me doing this job, then I can do it. And my oh my, how this child has my heart. Not sure if he will ever be disciplined. We're in big trouble :)

Speaking of speaking, he is making word-like noises...like today, he came upstairs and signed "milk" to me, which he basically uses for "drink" so I said, "How about some water?" He watched me fill his sippy with water and proceeded to flop himself onto the floor all two-year-old-like. I told him, "Don't have a fit, just sign. Sign 'no water' 'milk please momma'." And he shook his head and said, "ahh ahh." Like wat-er. Precious.

He now signs more things too- like cold and hot. Every time we get into the van (in these August temps) he signs "hot" to me. And he's so proud of his signing!

Pics from Today

2010-08-11T15:54:00.005-05:00

The kids have been pretty well behaved lately (besides a little whining...but what's a little whining among friends?) so I decided to take some impromptu pics of them. Getting a two year old to sit, look at the camera and smile is like me making gravy. Sometimes you get lucky...and other times it tastes like cornstarch.

So here was my attempt. At pics, not gravy.

This Might Be TMI.

2010-08-08T09:51:00.002-05:00

We've been at two different BBQs this weekend so the girls have been enjoying frolicking in the August evenings outdoors. In Iowa, that means bug bites, etc.

This morning Elly complained, "Mom, I have an itchy bum!" So Dan and I checked her out and all seemed normal, so we figured it was just bug bites or something. She got dressed up for church and as Dan was brushing her hair, she worried, "Momma, what if I have to itch my bum during Sunday School!?" I said, "Well just don't do it during Sunday School!" To that she replied, "But Mom! It's hopeless!!"

They're Listening.

2010-08-07T14:00:00.001-05:00

I was in the kitchen organzing some paperwork and I heard this from the girls' bedroom:

Elly, dumping out her can of pennies and other coins on the floor and spreading them out: I'm rich! I'm rich!

Eden: No you're not rich.

Elly: Eden, Daddy said that if you have one pair of shoes, you're rich in the whole world.

Bless their hearts, they listen.

Esias Denies Everything.

2010-08-04T14:08:00.005-05:00

My son made me a lovely drawing for my birthday!

New Pics

2010-08-02T13:06:00.002-05:00

!
We went to visit our goods friends Lindsay and Jeff and she was kind enough to snap some pics of us. They live near a college so we shot in front of a pretty fountain. As you can see, the girls and Esias enjoyed the water! I was soaked afterwards but it was fun! Thanks Linds!

Both of these quote came from lunch today...

2010-08-02T12:54:00.002-05:00

Eden: Mom, what are you talking about?
Me: Oh, just talking to Dad about grown-up stuff.
Eden: It probably has to do with federal prison.

---

Dan: Eden, why is there a piece of chicken in your napkin? Was it gross?
Eden: It was mushy.
Me: It was probably wet from something on your plate.
Eden: Yeah, from peach juice.
Elly: I think it was diseased.

Ellyquent.

2010-07-31T19:52:00.001-05:00

I was putting temporary tatoos on Eden and Elly (we only had two) and after doing Eden's just fine, I ruined Elly's. I said, "OH ELLY! I am so sorry!" And she said, "That's ok Mom. A kindful answer turns away the raft."

Sign of the Times

2010-07-30T10:30:00.003-05:00

Esias is signing more and more. His list of signs that he uses regularly:

Milk
More
Cheese
Please
Sorry
Bread
Night Night
Up
Down
No (shakes head)
Yes (nods)
Food
Banana
Cookie
Ball
All done
Bye Bye
Shoes
Help

Some signs we are working on:
Cracker
Sign
Play
Sister
Boy
Girl

He is usually really good at picking them up, it's just up to us to continue using them! He really enjoys being understood and is really proud of himself! We are using some videos called "Signing Times" from the Grant Wood Parent Education Library. It's really helpful and the big girls love it too! Dan and I want to take a sign language class together soon if possible. It could be like date night and learning something important all at once :)

At our last therapy session they suggested we work with some picture cards for Esias to point at so he can communicate with us even further, and see if knows some more abstract ideas. He's doing really well in therapy.

Back to Africa!

2010-07-27T08:18:00.003-05:00

Dan is going back to Ethiopia in September on a Vision Trip to see how our church can partner more permanently with Yezelalem Minch. We have been communicating with Birtukan (our gracious hostess in Addis as well as the visionary for YZM) and she gave us this list of needs. If any of you want to join us in collecting this material, please let me know! Here's the list:

2 Oral Thermometers and 500 refill covers
600 quart-size ziploc baggies
500 bandaides (any brand, assorted sizes preferred)
600 antibiotic/bacitracin ointment packets (www.amazon.com)
650 gauze pads (any brand, assorted sizes preferred)
600 individually wrapped alcohol wipes
300 toothbrushes (any brand, small head with soft bristles preferred)
100 travel size tubes of toothpaste
40 people to donate $18 for feminine products*
1 blood pressure cuff

Many people offer clothing donations, which are great, but some of these "consumables" are more needed and more difficult to get in Ethiopia. Shoes are always welcome though!

(Some of these may already be done, as they had an announcement at church the past two weeks. But the more the merrier, in my opinion!)

*It makes more sense to buy these in-country because they cost a lot less. A month's worth of supplies for one girl would cost less than $2 in Addis Ababa.

Blog Slacker!

2010-07-25T21:07:00.002-05:00

I have been seriously slacking! Not that there aren't funny things going on around here, they just move too quickly from one to the next :)

Tube News.

2010-07-21T20:07:00.002-05:00

A few people have asked about the tube feeding. Earlier in the spring I had said we might be able to get rid of the tube totally in September. As of now, I am pretty sure that won't be the case. It's not that anything is wrong, it's just that he is going through that normal two-year-old phase of not wanting to sit and eat his meals. He eats about 1/2 of what he used to eat (or less)! In order to be able to get rid of the tube feedings, Esias has to keep his weight steady for two months of no feedings overnight. So far, we haven't been able to get rid of his overnight feeds because of his finicky eating patterns. His weight is steady between 27-28 lbs but it's down from 29. I think it's fine, he looks great to me. The tube is not so bad though, we feed him overnight and don't really have to think about it any other time. The tube site looks great and is not hard to maintain at this point. I am not too worried about it. We'll be done when we're done! At this point it is nice to have the tube option for those days when he does not eat well! Sometimes I wish I had one for all the kids!

Summer Lovin'

2010-07-21T14:47:00.001-05:00