My March Baby :) and almost 6 mo. home!!

Happy 19th Birthday

to our sweet Nicholas!

Today we celebrated the birth of our 4th son,

Nicholas.

We thought he was the last of the bunch...

Enjoy a few pictures of our early years..

Nick is the one with dark brown hair :)

Christopher's wedding...

Tonight he had 5 little brother's and sister's, 1 big brother,
and 1 Pop-Pop and Grandma
singing Happy Birthday to him with much 

excitement!

We are so thankful for Nick!

Time has been flying by! It's hard to believe we have been home over 5 months.

At 6 mo. we have another post adoption report due to Ethiopia. We had one at 3 mo. with our social worker.

Ethiopia requires a 3, 6, 12 mo. report done by our social worker and then a yearly report done by us after that until the kids are 18!

Here are some funny happenings that have gone on....

We were driving down the road and saw a little Toy Poodle running on the sidewalk.

E. hollered out (because most talking is done in a very loud voice!)

"LOOK! There's a SHEEP!!"

I couldn't help but laugh and explained that was a poodle :)

Another time I had taken all 5 kids to the park. (which goes to show how far we have come in 5 months!)  Nick was with me but waiting in the van because we only had a few minutes before we were to meet Randall for dinner.

All of a sudden T. say's, "PEE, I have to pee!!" I'm running to the bathrooms which of course are locked. He's having a conniption

  and I'm trying to figure out a private spot for him to pee. (there's a girl's soccer team practicing several yards away)

Frantically, I had him come by the side of the bathroom and told him to pee right there. He starts to pull down his pants and squat. I was like "No, stand up!" Pee!

He's now in a panic saying, "Ca-ca!!!" (poo!)

Now I'm in a panic! "Pull up your pants!!" "Everybody in the van!!" 

By now the baby has wandered off and everyone is looking at me like I'm nuts.

After gathering the other 4 sad kids we rush to the van and pile in.

I'm hollering at Nick to help buckle them all in and off we go to the 7-11 up the street. 

We rush in and ask for the bathroom where T. sits for awhile and feels much better!

There is a song T. learned listening to Randall's I-Pod in Ethiopia and all the way (and several weeks after we were home...finally weaned him off of it!)

The words are" I feel so alive! For the very very first time! I feel like I could fly, fly, fly"

Well, T was singing, " I peel so a lion, for the berry  berry first time, I peel like I could fly, fly, fly!" I didn't even know what the words were till Randall told me and I just had to laugh!

I had thrown out some dead roses out the back door into the dirt. 

Well the kids found them and replanted them in a pot :)

They were convinced they were growing!

They are so enthralled with the hyacinths and daffodils blooming...

"MOM, MOM, look! Flowers!!! Let me showm (that's how they say show)

you!"

The girls are very observant of women and what they wear. If I get a Kohl's ad or they see women scantily clad they ask me, "You Like?" I say, "No, that's not very good to dress that way...too short shorts, etc. etc."

Now they tell me "not good" only my 4 year pointed a gal out in TJ max who was dressed and commented right next to her all the while pointing at her.

So we had a talk about not pointing or talking about people in front of them :)

We have had a few talks which the girl's initiated about our skin color...they are very big on what matches...clothes, plates at the table, colors, etc.

So E. was saying, "Mom, S. matches you (our skin) and me no match."

We talked about her skin being darker brown and Mommy's lighter brown.

S. told me the other day my skin was yellow :)

They have come so far since they first came home on behavior.

We would literally have meltdowns and wailing fits. 

They would physically shut down and refuse to move.

We know it was due to all the change, fear, grief etc.

Learning to use words has been a big focus and as they have learned more and more English it has been so much easier to communicate their needs.

Randall said the other day that 

LIFE

was feeling more normal

our NEW normal is inching it's way in.

(He said that after taking the boy's biking which

is a big part of our family.)

We feel like our family is melding together and we can sense when the kid's are a bit off 

or regressing.

Thank you, as always, for the prayers and encouragement!

It is amazing how God uses His people to lift up, encourage and support 

one another!

As a reminder to myself and all of you:

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

~ 1 Corinthians 15:58 

Brother's digging up Daddy's horse radish!
Very proud of all the roots they dug up!

Luke's 25th birthday!

beautiful baby

riding the pump track!

biggest brother Luke at bike pump track

Mommy coiled hair!

3 kids loving the sunshine!

Nick's 19th birthday!

Love, Tracy :)

Oatmeal in my pocket...Gum on my shoe!

Some DAYS, WEEKS, seems like MONTHS,

are like that....

I started out making our normal 10 cups of oatmeal

and as I was filling up a little bowl at the stove

it slipped out of my hands...

HOT oatmeal all down me and right into my hoodie pocket!

(the hoodie I was wearing happened to have GRUMPY from the Seven Dwarves on it..just fit my mood!)

I was doing hair, brushing teeth and wiping bums in the kid's bathroom when my bare foot was sticking to the floor.

What on earth!! WHO IS SPITTING THEIR GUM ON THE FLOOR!!
(I know the blog title says "shoe" but that sounded better than "foot" :))

I haven't posted in soooo long for several reasons...

Life has been hard and I've been worn out physically and emotionally some days :)

It's not hard 24/7

There are some beautiful, sweet, funny, precious, everything good moments and days 

for sure!

Like the other day when

Boy comes down in sandals and I say...you need to put on tennis shoes...it's freezing outside!

"But MOM, these are Jesus shoes!!!"

Okay, how do you argue with that. He got to wear the sandals.

We are hearing more and more stories of the children's lives back in
Ethiopia.

Heartbreaking at times for what they have seen and experienced.

Yet, they are so animated when they tell us and laugh at times remembering funny things.

At bedtime I was talking with both boys..

Big boy was telling me about his Ethiopia Mom and how she is with Jesus.

I just try and listen and think

"What Lord, can I say to comfort him?"

Then our 6 yr old says, 

"Mom, T is going to heaven b/c he asked Jesus into his heart!

"I told him what to do and said the words and he said them after me,

so he is going to be in heaven with me forever!"

Wow! I was speechless and full of tears. 

My 6 yr old is having conversations at night with his brother that are of the upmost importance

and I'm just trying to get everyone quiet and asleep!

I think I have been overwhelmed and have missed out on the right

perspective.

I get in the middle of all the 

"MOM, MOM!

and trying to attach to 4 children who were uprooted 3 months ago from the only 

lives they have known,

and I forget

we are not alone in this...

even though adoption can be a lonely place when

other's can't understand

why you don't let your 4 year old 

love on them and sit on their laps

or why

you can't leave the baby in the nursery at church till that baby is KNOWS 

we won't ever leave them and we are coming back.

That we miss our friends and the fellowship

but for our children's sake to learn we are family

we have had to cocoon and not leave them with others.

For the first time in over 3 months Randall and I went to 

dinner together (at dinner time!)

for his work. It was the first time we were both gone from the kids at dinner and bedtime!

It FELT sooo good! :)

My Mom and Nick watched the kids (yes, it takes 2 people!)

I came across this quote a while back and it really encouraged me:

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.
President Theodore Roosevelt

We are in the arena of trying to blend a family and 

not err

but 

thankfully we 

don't get our strength from ourselves...

Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

And at the end of the day

I am so grateful

whether I am worn out or not

that God has chosen us

for these 4 sweet children.

 When I see all 4 big kids intently digging the biggest hole

ever in the garden TOGETHER

I think this is part of what 

it's all about!

Our bio 6 yr old is not by himself digging...

they all have each other.

4 heads is better than 1 for digging!

mmmm..peanut butter/jelly and bell pepper sandwich!

Biggest brother with 2 little brothers :)

1st day of school!

Wait! I think I see a worm!

kisses!

jogging buddy! 1st time to use the jogging stroller again!
Yahoo!

All 4 wanted to sit on same side of table
Together!

Love, Tracy

JOY multiplied!

JOY x 5 little ones and 4 BIG ones

We are so thankful for all our 

children.

I think I can say my heart was overflowing and tears threatened to come pouring out this Christmas

as we were exchanging gifts.

One BIG son had wrapped up 

his own i pod plus some fun stuff 

and given to his oldest brother.

He gave another brother his small computer like an i pad plus accessories to go with it.

He gave his Dad his personal binocular straps that Dad really liked plus a cool bag for archery stuff. 

They were thoughtful, personal, from the heart gifts.

My Mom heart almost couldn't take it and as I looked around at the other big boys I saw they were as moved and touched as we were.

Our sweet 6 year old had wrapped up his special handmade blanket plus a box full of his cars for his Daddy as well. He gave his treasures too.

In spite of all our failures ( I should speak for myself! My own failures as a Mom)

God gives us hope and allows us to see the goodness and preciousness of each child He has created and made unique.

Sometimes as a Mom life gets overwhelming...

the day to day..

the dishes over and over again...

the laundry that will never end...

the endless whining (or so it seems :))

the nights of homework 

the worrying ( I never thought I was a worrier but my oldest says I am)

and so onnnnnnnnnnnnnn..... 

and then I have to step back 

and look for 

and appreciate

 and savor 

the moments of

JOY

and 

VICTORY

and 

sweet

smiles

and I LOVE YOU's

and all

that is

GOOD.

Not sure where all that just came from :) but on to how we have been doing and some of the 

challenges we have faced since bringing home our 4.

Oct. 15th to now

1. 12 samples of poo within 3 days delivered to children's hospital!

2. giardia for everyone!

3. Scabies anyone? You Bet!

All of us treated.

4. Blood work taken from all 4. Two sat and watched blood being drawn. 1 screamed till all our eardrums burst! Baby cried for a bit.

5. Banana peel next to trash can on floor next to toilet in bathroom. Hmmmm...

6. Refusing to move, wailing/screaming/mad for all day fits.

7. Above happening for small things.

8. Whining as a means of communication.

9. Learning to ask for things with words.

10. Visit to dentist/screaming for 1 with eardrums once again bursting.

11. Everything given to them stuffed in their backpacks, tucked away in pillowcase.

12. Learning different personalities and how to best work with them.

1 Tomboy girl who loves to do hair and help.

1 Princess girl who loves to take care of her baby.

1 sweet boy who loves to help, play ball and read the Bible storybook with Dad.

(also trys to take Dad down in wrestling!)

1 Climbing baby who is into everything! He can shimmy up the stairs in 30 sec!

Loves to laugh!

1 Precious boy who is learning how to share his LIFE with 4 new brothers/sisters.

13. Getting used to stares when we are out as a family.

14. Getting used to comments such as:

3 Asian men came to look at our formal table:

him, "Lots of kids", me " Yes,"  Him, "Babysitting?"

me, "Nope, all ours!"

end of conversation.

Fireplace guy: all kids napping when he comes in, 1 by one they get up.

At end when I am paying he says, "Day care?" I said, "Nope, they are all ours! 24/7!"

15. Listening to singing in their language all together.

Listening to them speak to each other part English and part their own.

Life has been a whirl wind! Some days my brain can't think anymore such as the day I get a call from the school office:

"Mrs. Auty? Just wanted to let you know today was an early day out and M is sitting here in the office"

Me: " Do we not have school tomorrow? Usually it's an early day out the day before it's a no school day."

Her : "Today is Friday!" (EVERY Friday is early out!)

I didn't even try to explain to her my life!

And then another day we are driving after I picked up M from kindergarten:

M: "Mom, is there a reason we are driving and I am not buckled up?!!"

UGHHHHH!

I have been so grateful for all the meals we have received! They literally have been a lifesaver... the help with housecleaning, laundry washing, encouraging etc.

Mom has come up and spent all day with me. She has worked with the kids on school and seen first hand LIFE here.

She about summed it up when she talked with M's teacher.

He had come home with a bag of stuff for me to help the teacher with here at home.

There was NO way I could do that so Mom took it back up to school for me. She talked with M's teacher who said something to the effect of it still figuring things out over here. 

Mom told her she was a retired teacher who knew what to do and it was even overwhelming for her! :)

We are learning our new normal :)

and growing as a family.

I am so thankful for Randall who has taken all 5 kids out to give me a break!

He loves to spend time with them and takes such good care of all of us!

The troops are up and on the loose so I better run!

Love, Tracy

HEAR YE! HEAR YEA!

Announcing the Silver Hill Images Winter Gallery Show!

Silver Hill Images

Winter Gallery Show December 2-4, 2011 Opening 5:30pm Friday Dec. 2 Fri Dec. 2, 5:30-9pm Sat Dec. 3, 10am - 9pm Sun Dec. 4,  2pm - 6pm   You are cordially invited to the winter gallery show by Silver Hill Images.  The show will feature the fine art photography of Vince Wallace.  Work will include both abstract and representational pieces from various locations around the world, including the iconic city of Havana, Cuba. Vince received his degree in art from the University of North Texas College of Visual Arts and Design.  He enjoys a wide variety of artistic styles and influences - Rococo to Romanticism to French Impressionism to American Realism. In his creative expression, he is mostly drawn to movement, color, and light with an interest in panoramic scenes as well as the intimate details of the subject whether it be rural or urban, animate or inanimate, natural or man-made. He has fully embraced the digital photographic medium but merely as another tool in the creation of art. All pieces at the show will be available for purchase. Interested in helping out with the show behind the scenes?  Click HERE for more information! Franklin Creative Suite 731 Columbia Avenue,Suite 200 Franklin, TN  37064

Copyright © 2011 Silver Hill Images, All rights reserved.  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

IF YOU are wondering what this has to do with our 

ADOPTION journey

read on... 

Vince is my brother and is an INCREDIBLY gifted artist/photographer!

I would LOVE for

him to meet his 4 new nieces and nephews for Christmas...

so am helping in anyway I can to get the word out about his Gallery Art Show!

So all you Tennessee people head over to the show!! :)

Don't feel left out if you don't live there! 

You can always order online :) 

(they make great Christmas gifts)

https://silverhillimages.com/

Love, Tracy :)

Pictures of kids coming soon...the joys of cutting down their  first tree together!

PS I haven't forgotten about the struggles from previous post :)

PPS Sorry I can't get the invite sized right for the blog!!  :(

If you go to his gallery online you can view all the photographs on the invite as well as all of his work!

Apples in toilets, kids in sprinklers!

first hike!!

olive oil hair treatment-M just wanted plastic bag on his head :)

1st Sunday to go to church with Dad

Mini van completely full! Baby is on right facing back

They love doing dishes!

Had to show you Luke's creative hand made halloween  robot? head! 

M's 6th birthday!

first dusting of snow!

My climber!!

1st BIG snow!!! They SCREAMED with excitement !

LIFE in the fast lane! :)

(or at least the carpool lane!)

It seems like we have been a family FOREVER 

and then some days 

just like we got home yesterday.

We have had so much LAUGHTER

and some tears.

The Funny MOMENTS : )

1. One of the girls was eating on an apple in the morning. I couldn't find it anywhere..looked in the trash and it wasn't there. Thought that was strange b/c I knew she didn't eat it all.

Little bit later took a girl to go to the bathroom. There sitting in the toilet plugging the hole was the whole apple! Of course we had to RUN upstairs b/c she had waited too long! Hollared at Randall that there was an apple in the toilet!

Before he could get to it a boy went poop on it. 

Never did ask how he got it out!!

Very funny to us until....

2. Next morning... take a girl to same bathroom...ANOTHER apple in the toilet.

Not so funny this time! Thank goodness we have long barbeque pitchfork.

Everyone banned from apples! :)

3. The kids LOVE water! While it was still warm I had a friend come bring us a meal. I was visiting with her and had the baby inside. The big kids were running in and out the back door playing outside.

She leaves I go outside wondering why I hear water running.

M has turned on the sprinkler and ALL the kids are running through it with their clothes on. 

Our sweet neighbor is sitting on her side of our little 4 foot picket fence watching her little guy. He was even getting sprinkled the water was turned on so high. 

I really DO watch the kids! :)

4. Another afternoon we were outside with the kids. The sprinkler system was going off and the kids thought that was so fuuny. They were running through them, jumping over etc.

A little girl stepped on one of the sprinkler heads. At that moment the cycle changed and the head disappeared and the water stopped. 1 boy stood there and looked at where the sprinkler head vanished. He felt all around, very puzzled. Then he hollars at his sister b/c he thought she broke it. Then he starts hollaring at Randall, "DAAAD! WATER?? , DAAD WATER!!!!" 

He was so loud and his mouth was literally almost has big as his face yelling, DAAAD!!

We were laughing so hard!

5. The first big snow I was upstairs with the baby and M and the kids were downstairs in the kitchen. All of a sudden I hear screaming. I'm hollaring down what is going on..who is messing with who!

M informs me no one is hurting anyone. They are all looking out the back door screaming about the snow.

That was the day they built the HUGE snowman with Randall. 

6. They LOVE to ride bicycles. They will CAREEN down the sidewalk out of control (trying to teach the one who can really ride a bike to use the brakes) and then walk them up the hill back to the starting spot.

We have had a few minor crashes (you can imagine with 4 kids on bikes/tricycles all on the same sidewalk!)

7. M and Randall set up cones to divide the sidewalk in half. One side up/ one side down. At the end by the neighbors driveway are cones to not go past. At the top are cones at the next driveway. While 3 kids are busy riding up and down and taking out a few cones 1 little girl is at the top of the sidewalk busily rearranging all the cones. :)

8. They are learning English more each day. We do a lot of hand motions ! They can understand A LOT more than they can speak. One boy says "Oh my gosh!" all the time. 

Baby says "Ca-Ca" which he came from Ethiopia saying! 

We were outside playing and 1 little girl says to her Pop-Pop, "SIT DOWN, SIT DOWN!"

We all laughed! That was the first time she said that in English... she wanted him to sit down on the sidewalk so she could trace around him with sidewalk chalk. :)

(you can tell what we say to her quite often!)

They all say/hollar, "MOOMM!! MOOOMMM!" all the time!!

I have never heard my name called so much in my life!

Teaching them to say in a normal voice, "Mom, may I please...."

or "Micah (insert various sibling's names), please stop...."

9. We have sweet moments reading at night and then singing together.

R usually gets the boys ready, I get the girl's and baby ready. Put baby to bed while Randall reads to all of them. They LOVE M's children's Bible story book and he has already read all the way through and has started over. 

Then they go to their own rooms and get in bed. Boys are usually out quick. Girls giggling and getting out of bed. Sometimes I lay with them and get my hair braided :)

10. They LOVE music! I hear " MOM! musica! Up!" Every time we are in the van they want the music up!

We have listened a lot to the Ethiopian music until we say "okay, finished" M's turn to pick! :)

They LOVE to dance and even Baby claps his hands and moves around!

On another day I will post more and share a few struggles and what we are working through.

It's ALWAYS good to remember the GOOD and SWEET times to help get through 

the 

wailing and gnashing of teeth :)

(but that will be for another day!)

Good night!

Love, Tracy :)