Phew. After a harrowing 4 weeks of end-of-year school activities, we are FINALLY slowing down around here. Booker is home from a great week at camp, and we've settled in to the summer routine of a whole lot of nothing. As a family, we're ready for some lazy days. Popsicles, mud "soups", catching bugs, chalk art on the driveway, bike rides, painting in the garage (and their brilliant Jackson Pollack idea did NOT thrill me -- smile -- clean up took over an hour and 3 outfits are completely ruined!), trying out new recipes, going to the pool and zoo, and making ice cream... all good things that feel very "family-ish". Love that. We leave for a week in ND on Saturday, and are looking forward to introducing our newest family members to the remainder of Brant's relatives. A 12-hour road trip... wonder how that's going to go??!!
Bella is on FIRE. The girl is spouting a ton of vocabulary these days, and our pediatrician, upon examining her at her 5-year well-check, said "I'm completely blown away by her". She is something else, that girl. She's moved from vocabulary to singing songs, asking for things in phrases, and communicating nearly everything in one way or another. I'm amazed, honestly. We took the kids to Sunday School at church for the first time, and neither child cried or even got upset -- they were happy to see us after the hour was up, but nothing over the top. Just felt "normal" -- I was so nervous the whole time, but there was no need to fret, obviously! Bella has 2 loose teeth, and her first dental appointment went really well. Our dentist was shocked at the condition of both children's teeth -- especially considering their previous situation. All evidence to me of God's protective hand over their lives...
Bella will enter kindergarten in July at our local school! Even though her Ethiopian birth certificate says she's 4 1/2, she's at least 5 1/2 based upon several examinations by professionals. After my first request was rejected, I decided to gather up letters from the powers-that-be to explain her unique situation and that of most children coming out of Ethiopia with fake birthdays that make them younger than they actually are (so as to be more "adoptable" -- whatever to that!). Our school district considered our request and granted her entrance in to school! This is a first for our district, and so we feel like Bella has paved the way for other Ethiopian children in Colorado to align their education with their development. Yea for progress!
She just got her hair re-done -- don't even ASK me how much money we've spent getting her hair braided in the past month -- OH MY!!!! This is another other ball game, this hair... and I'm still learning the "rules!" She loves the latest 'do, thankfully. We've struck out at least once, so hopefully we're on the right road!
Bode, Bode, Bode. Dang, he's cute. I can hardly stand it. His 2-year well-check went equally well, and he's also spouting vocabulary left and right. It's completely infused with his fabulous accent, though, and I'm secretly hoping he holds on to that for as long as he can. It's darling. He sat perfectly still for his first-ever dental appointment, and once again, we were given good news.
July 5th marks the 8th anniversary of Bryant's short life, and this year my heart is surging with thankfulness over what his life opened in our hearts... the door to Bella and Bode joining our family. You just can't imagine my excitement over meeting him in heaven some day to talk about his legacy... we will have a long, long talk, and we will rejoice TOGETHER. I am thankful that God sent him to open our hearts to adoption. It is clear to me now why he came -- and sometimes you never get clarity like that. I am deeply thankful.
Our other three are busy with baseball, and a whole lot of nothing. It's wonderful, these lazy summer days... we'll post more in a couple of weeks to document our trip to ND -- our first family road trip -- eeks!!!! Karen... for all 7 of us
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