First Post Placement Complete!

I posted this on our family blog as well but I want to keep adoption related stuff updated here too.

Silas' three month post placement was two weeks ago. Cindy our social worker came for a visit and checked in on our little man. He wasn't in a very sociable mood but he at least shared his name and how old he was. He was a bit off schedule and that doesn't agree with his little self. Overall things went super and we're good for another three months!

It's amazing how time flies when your having fun! Has it really been nearly three months? Silas has changed so much! His ability to express his needs verbally has turned around 180 degrees. He seems so much more secure in who he is in this family. He realizes he's here to stay and I think he's really okay with that.

We didn't think he could get any funnier but he's proven otherwise. This kid is sure to be the class clown. (note: I can hear the teachers phone calls already) This past week has been full of fun. We spent some time at the park with friends. Daddy spent his afternoon applying sunscreen and pushing two boys on the swings. Not the best picture but its the only one where the boys are looking. Recently Silas has become infatuated with all things kitchen related. I think we've covered this kid loves food. He loves cooking, baking, and especially eggs. He grabbed one as we were filling the the container in the fridge and cracked it before we could stop him. This clean freak mama let him play with it. I know, sometimes I even shock myself. This past weekend we took Silas out for Ethiopian food. We asked him if he wanted some enjera a couple days before we were supposed to go. The kid didn't let us forget for one day. Every morning, enjera today, no tomorrow. The day came and he couldn't contain himself! I wondered if he would still like it now that he's been eating an all American diet for this long. Wonder no more. This little guy was in HEAVEN! Notice the stuffed mouth below! We'll be going back to Tina's often. The food was wonderful and the company superb.



And from tonight.....the quest to capture the perfect picture of these four for the family picture wall.

New Pictures, Family, Change

A few weeks ago I read about Celebrating Adoption on one of the yahoo loops I follow. I checked into the site and we'd only been home a couple weeks. I figured these talented photographers would be way booked out so I thought I'd give them a call to book an appointment. I wanted someone with a unique eye, someone that thought outside the box. I chose Ruby at Dazzling Images and knew just from talking that she would be perfect. We set an appointment, that was last week and she called today to let me know our proofs were done. Can I just say AMAZING. LOVE LOVE LOVE her! She is SO sweet, wonderful to work with and very talented. She posted a sneak peak on her blog here.

And now for a bit more news.

When I started this blog I really thought I'd blog/journal about our adventure in adoption and when we were home I'd be done. Never did I think I would make such amazing friendships, meet such sweet people who love Jesus, love Ethiopia, love adoption, and desire to make a difference in the lives of orphans all over the world. This blog world is huge, amazing, and we feel so blessed.

However, this is very much an adoption blog and I didn't want to change that. I plan to put the majority of the posts into a book and save it for Silas. I want to continue using this as an Ethiopian adoption resource and I'll update it with related info but for our family blog and where the majority of the posts will be is moving to the next chapter in our family book. I'm still working on updating the links, the dust hasn't settled just yet but its there. :) (and now you really can see it)

Its almost bittersweet to be moving on. We're excited to follow along with all of you still waiting for your children. You've all been such an encouragement to us during our journey to our son. We are beyond blessed by this experience and our sweet little Silas. To God be the Glory, Honor, and Praise.

Silas Meets Mr. Dyson

Silas loves to help me clean. He's very routine oriented and that works great with this mama. After we're ready for the day we tidy up the house and he loves to help. The lysol wipes and the vacuum cleaner are his favorites. Unfortunately one day while he was helping he dropped the vacuum on his foot, I happened to be video taping his helpful little self. The scream at the end really does sound worse then the owie itself. He recovered quickly to tape two more times since he loves to watch himself on youtube.



And some stills. Yes, they are still friends.


The little Mr. telling me to take more pictures.

Daddy, Ebay, Swimming, & Playing

Look at those FEET!!!!!!!!!! I love it! My poor kids are so sick of mom taking their pictures! They were glad this one didn't require them to smile.

Silas has been learning a lot. This sweet boy is a sponge! It has been such a joy to watch him learn. His english has just bloomed, he loves his picture being taken, being outside is his favorite pastime and hanging with his daddy is what he'd like to do all day. David washed the cars the other day and Silas was his little shadow all day long. The older kids have been wonderful with Silas, I think that is 1/2 the reason his adjustment has been so smooth. He adores his big brother and sisters.

Phoenix was hot last week and the kids decided it was time for a swim! Silas LOVED it! WAY too cold for this mama but Silas thought the water was perfect. A little cold when he got out though. Good thing daddy had a warm towel waiting. I've been busy finishing up my ebay selling for this season. Silas has been a great help organizing my piles for me. Sometimes he even tries on the clothes. Isn't he handsome in his sisters winter vest? Olivia does fashion shows for auction pics - she's a big helper! Silas wanted in on the fashion moment. Model pose. And Olivia couldn't do it all on her own of course. I ::heart:: ebay. It makes me happy. Makes me even happier when my auctions rock the house! GO EBAY! Kids' summer wardrobes here we come!

Speaking of ebay - have you heard the ebay song? My husband found it and thought he was so funny sending me a link. Little did he know, it was old news, I'd heard it ages ago. Still funny all the same. Its a must listen if you haven't heard it. So click it, be ready to laugh.

A Little Ethiopian Tradition In Arizona

The other night we all hung out and we were talking with the kids about Ethiopia, little Silas was chanting "Addiiiiiis Ababbbbbbbbba" and dancing around. We've been trying to keep up his Amharic but he's kind of rejecting it and yells ENGEEELEEESH at us when we try to say some things in Amharic. He talks to his cousins nanny in Amharic but then mixes in his english. Its kind of sad for us. :(

None the less we want to keep his heritage alive and we'll continue to do that. We broke out the traditional Ethiopian Outfits the other day for a few pictures. Silas was thrilled, although he did laugh at all his siblings in their outfits.

The other kids love sharing in the Ethiopian traditions. They beg to wear their Ethiopian clothes. Now to learn how to make doro wat and injera.