Sunday Snapshot

Chsfs guesthouse, Addis Ababa.

Friday Photos

Melese at the Aquarium.

Wordless Wednesday

Sunday Snapshot

Airport lounge, Dubai, middle of the night. Proof that you can actually fall asleep while drinking coffee (and it was that super strength Arabic coffee too). Doesn't Melese look petite?

Friday Photo

Wordless Wednesday (Nearly)

8:11 p.m. There is a reason people have children in their twenties. I'm exhausted!

Rewind

In September, when we put Meazi into pre-k, we were both astounded as she began to learn English at record speed. We were thrilled. Communication improved, tantrums subsided, and real bonding began.

What I failed to consider was what it would be like when Meazi could tell me her story.

As the words flow from her mouth to my ears, I can’t help but say to myself, “I should have been more prepared for this.” It is one thing to read about the circumstances that caused your children to be available for adoption. It is another, more heartbreaking thing, to hear it in person from someone they are related to. What really gets you, what really cracks your heart open into a million pieces, is when a small girl with almond eyes lies next to you and tells you everything.

It makes me want to go back to the time when I just couldn’t figure out that she was asking for more red sauce on her pasta.

Red sauce I can handle.

This other stuff,

I’m not so sure.

Bright Spot

I have been at a loss for words. Haiti is on my mind, as I am sure it is on yours.

Here is a little pick-me-up...

Sunday Snapshot

Wordless Wednesday

Sunday Snapshot

The Snowy Day

One winter morning M and m woke up and looked out the window. Snow had fallen during the night. It covered everything as far as they could see...


Crunch, crunch, crunch, her feet sank into the snow. She walked with her toes pointing out, like this:

She walked with her toes pointing in, like that:


Little m thought it would be fun to join the big boys in their snowball fight, but he knew he wasn't old enough - not yet.


M made a smiling snowman,


and she made angels.


She picked up a handful of snow - and another, and still another. She packed it round and firm and put the snowball in her pocket for tomorrow.



She told her mother all about her adventures while she took off her wet socks.



Then they all had burritos in the backyard, and went down for a nap.

And you thought it never snowed in LA.

Apologies to Ezra Jack Keats.

Ye Ganna Baal

Happy Ethiopian Christmas!

Here is a link that has six steps to celebrate.

I'd like to add Step Seven- get one of those chocolate orange things, smash it open, and eat it.

And The Winner Is...

Amanda wins. 18 ugly cries. Some were uglier than others. Amanda I am donating 36 bones to EOR in your name. Thanks to the folks who said they would match the donation. Please e-mail me your address if I don't have it so you can get your sticker. Thanks for playing.

And yes, you may have noticed that I didn't have a single ugly cry on this man's 41st birthday...


Nor on this boy's very first birthday...
I may have gotten a hold of myself. Temporarily.

I'll try to get a post up about the holidays. Right now I have the post-holiday blues.

Sunday Snapshot