Amanu finally gave up running from his cousin. Ava is 8 months younger, but 3 more pounds than Amanu! So yep, he runs!

Bethi and Amanu both love to play outside!

Don't have the pics yet but as of September 25th Bethi now rides her bike with no training wheels!She is SO proud of herself!

This is at the Magic House in St.Louis. Bethi had to go see an pediatric orthopedic for her toes. She has two bones in her big toes. We are looking at surgery in June of 2010. She doesn't want to miss any school.



Making the BIG bubble was hard!

Fishing at the Magic House. Amanu didn't want to leave!

Back Home

First day of school for Bethi!!She's wearing her Hanna Montanna shirt. Before we got the kids I was the one saying i didn't want our kids into all the "commercialized" clothing like Disney, etc. Guess what? First things she wanted when she got to America!

I LOVE this pic! I was sad! What a lonnnng hall!

This pic was taken on Amanu's 2nd birthday. September 16th

He wasn't feeling to whoopy that day, so no party that day!

More Summer!

July 19th was Bethi's 5th birthday!!

Amanu enjoyed it too!

She LOVED her cake!

4th of July

Playing in the sprinkler.

Bethi eating her favorite food. Mashed potatoes.

Amanu snuck the rest of the chips and salsa!! He loves it!

Vacationing in Minnesota. they love hotel life.

Mehaber in Minnesota.

Ethiopian dancers

Mall of America

Tight fit!

Rainforest Cafe (overrated!)

Amanu fell asleep drinking Dad's pop.

It will be one year home soon. Amanu has bonded well, loves both of us now and not just Shawn. He fights with his sister, loves to play any kind of ball, and talks alot now! His favorite handy fridge item is cheese slices.he just changed his name for Bethi. He did call her what sounded like "cease" because we called her sissy I guess. He now calls her Bethi correctly. He will bring us a book and say "read me" If he doesn't know where in the house we are, he will holler "where are you?" He is one busy boy! I wouldn't have it any other way.

Bethi has bonded well. She crys alot to get her way. Doesn't always work, but she trys!

She loves to ride her bike and loves to watch cartoons. She loves to rent a video and watch it all by herself in her room.

Recently we had our final post-adoption report. I knew it was coming, just as it had all other post adoption visits. The next day she kept saying how she misses her Ethiopian mom and dad. And especially her older sister. This has been going on for 3 days now. We try to comfort her, but it is so hard to see her hurting.

She is such a sweet little girl. Loves people, and always has a smile. I hope someday her hurt goes away.

Looking forward to Kindergarten!!

Summer Happenings

Amanu enjoying some of his Grandma's Birthday cake.

Meeting a new cousin named Aiden. Amanu LOVES babies!! He is so gentle with them.
If you're over 2 years old though, watch out! Not so gentle!

The kids enjoying Katy Days Celebration in Parsons, Kansas
Parsons is Shawn's hometown.


Bethi and Amanu love digging in the gravel driveway.

An outdoor summer wedding to attend.
Bethi needed stage time!

Playing at Great Grandma's farm.
Easter was alot of fun for Bethi and Amanu.
Of course Bethi has to spend time with her big sister,Braden.
Braden will be moving in July from Kansas City.She is moving to the Detroit area for her med school clinicals.I'm gonna miss my baby girl :(
(Yes I have TWO baby girls) LOL!






There was a fire...Not our house but Shawn's parent's. It's a gonner. They are safe and in a new home now after 3 months.

We are going to attend an Ethiopian Gathering in Eagan, MN next weekend.
We are really excited to be on our first LONG road trip! 8 plus hours......Yep, we're crazy!
We want to go especially this year since we have been home 9 months now. Bethi has forgotten all of her Amharic language, and not remembering much at all. Hopefully this get together will boost her memory! I hope so.
Anyway...that's how our summer has been so far!

Happenings

Sooo, Amanu had tubes put in his ears. He is doing really well after having that done. If anyone remembers, he had gunk oozing out of his ears when we picked him up in Ethiopia. So, much better!
He had a trip to urgent care 2 weeks ago after falling out of the rocker. He held his arm close to his side, and was whining all day. Nothing broken. Thank God!! After being wrapped (for a short while) 2 days he was all better!

Braden came to visit and Bethi of course had to have her picture taken with her... Bethi loves her Braden!

Valentine's Day was fun with the kids. Shawn and the kiddos got me an unexpected trinket. It's a really cute charm necklace. You buy whichever charms you want to put inside. Mine have hearts that say MOM, FAMILY, and one that has 2 hearts for the 2 kids.

Last weekend we had a SURPRISE 40th birthday for my little sister. She has been going through alot lately (divorce,house issues,etc.) so we decided she needed cheering up!!

I'm hoping all the court dates go through easily! Congrats Elise and Cindy!! What cuties!!!

Amazing Race

I'm not sure what it is, but the tears have really been flowing lately.

Maybe it's because of one my closest adoption friends recently received their referral.

Maybe it's because we've been home almost 6 months.

Maybe it's because the kiddos have been sick.

But last night we watched Amazing Race. Yes, another season!! We really love watching it.

There we were, all cuddled in for the evening. Bethi and Amanu were having popcicles.

And then it happened! The tears started coming. Shawn was wondering what the heck i did!

I reminded him that last year while watching Amazing Race we waited for our referral. The show even had an Ethiopian brother/sister team on it.

We often made remarks about if our kiddos would grow up to look like the racers!

Bethi thought I was mad because I was crying. I tried to let her know they were happy tears, and sobs, by then. She then tried to act like she was crying too, because she was happy. (kids!)

I finally quit sobbing so as not to warp my daughter

So just a reminder to everyone waiting for their referrals: They do come, and the tears do too. Yep, they'll be around awhile!

Amanu has some cheeezii faces! So does his dad!!

The kiddos lotioning up after bathtime.

New Kansas City area friends. Amanu LOVED chasing all the girls around the restaurant!!

They are HELPING me fold clothes!

One of his favorite chairs.

Woo Hoo!! Pictures!!!

This is Amanu, Bethi, and my new grand niece, Alaina.