Star-spangled Sappy Sunday

Some might have thought I was brought to tears by the word-fumbling on Christina's part, but no. There was a different reason for the tears.

My boy, this newest little US citizen, was so incredibly engaged in the anthem on the 'Bowl tonight that he didn't move from the screen, only breaking his silence to applaud wildly at the 'rockets red glare'.

I don't know why it struck me so, but I couldn't hold back the tears. I know he has never heard that song before (at least I don't think they frequent that one at day care). The absolute joy in his face was so precious.

I started thinking about his little life has changed so dramatically in the past nine months. About his citizenship and what he has lost...daily interactions with his birth culture, language, food, on and on and on and on...

I love that he loved that song. And I love that he loves his habesha music.

I hope he continues to be proud of being an American AND an Ethiopian.

Sappy Sunday

Baby boy is getting so big.

I tear up every time he outgrows another 'baby' outfit (which is often) or breaks out his big-person giggle (also often).

Then on the other hand...a big, proud, knowing smile crosses my face when we are out and about and someone asks me his age and says, "Wow! Really? What a big boy!"

Lots of prayers, and love, and work went into this baby being a 'big boy'. I am so proud.

Just know if you comment about what a big boy he is, you will make me cry. And smile.

A couple of weeks ago at one of those

indoor-playground-for-the-sanity-of-Chicago-parents-in-the-winter places.

Important work for the future of Ethiopian adoptions

If you are in process of adopting, or considering adoption from Ethiopia, I hope you will read this commentary from PEAR, a trustworthy source of information and action toward reforming adoptions ethically.

Sappy Sunday

My boy loves to eat.

His favorite food? Pizza.

But his favorit-est pizza in the whole world?

My homemade pizza.

Yep, my boy loves my pizza the best.

Makes this momma so happy. :)

(An example of his heartfelt "MORE!" at a diner the other day!)

Sappy Sunday

Maybe because of the holidays, or maybe just because I'm a big ol' sap, but I've been thinking a lot about the first day I met Abel.

Swirly.

That's the only word to describe that day.

My head was swirly. My stomach was swirly.

I still can't believe we are here and have been a family for eight months now. Totally swirly.

These photos capture a bit of the swirl of that sweet day.

Holiday cheer (and a little cheese!)

This time last year I had just found about about a teeny-eensy baby boy that would make me a family.

This year... well, this year was ALL about that baby boy who's not so teensy-eensy anymore.

Merry Christmas to you!

One year ago today.

One year ago today at 10:00am, I fell in love with a picture.

I got a call (THE CALL) at work. I will never forget it.

I missed the call and when I saw it was my agency that had called, I freaked. I will NEVER, ever forget the message, "Hi, Sara...give me a call back. I think I have an early Christmas present for you!"

I jumped up from my desk. I burst into tears and I doubled over as if in pain. I knew it was my referral. Of course it was. Why I had such a physical reaction, I will never know. I didn't call her back for over 15 minutes. I was so nervous.

I would finally know who my child was. What is his/her story? What does he/she look like? How old is s/he?

I think I knew that once I picked up the phone and called her back my world would never be the same. And, I just needed a minute.

When I called her back, she told me that she had a referral for me. His name is Abel and he was five weeks old.

Five. weeks. old. Five. weeks. old.

For some reason that's all I could think about. I could not comprehend it. There was a tiny person living on the other side of the world, and I was being given the honor to be his momma.

And, then I opened my email and saw the most amazing thing I have ever seen with my own eyes...

...my son.

Abel Tegegne, I am so glad we found each other.