I'm no writer, I assure you. Just a woman with a few things on her mind. A mom that makes mistakes, a wife that loves her husband more than words can say and a woman constantly seeing God in the everyday.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
just us
I never print off pictures. This blog acts as our photo books too so sometimes it's time for a picture post.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
A "Little" Birthday party
We had "the littles'" birthday party last weekend. Because their birthdays are within a month of each other, it's just easier to celebrate once.
This was the outfit Dailah picked out.
I found comfort in the fact that a few of my best friends happen to have amazing kids who are then best friends with my kids. Thus, birthday parties are parties for the adults as well.
Zach dressed, unbeknownst to him, to match our kitchen.
My nephew Cassius was there. It's ridiculously hard not to smother him with love whenever I see him.
Niece Adley too. Those cheeks.
Jake decided Sinta needed a nap. I firmly believe it was just so he could watchfootball Cake Boss in my room.
The girls could be found playing Barbies and such in Dailah's room.
The boys could be found in costume...even ones 4x too small like with Tariku's.
These two just look so old. It's kind of freaking me out.
We, of course, got a cookie cake. My parents needed to leave early and my dad loves him some cookie cake. So...
Zach with his ridiculously beautiful judgement face.
Present opening time.
The kids.
(Some of) the adults.
Trysten helped Binyam read his cards.
Zach getting a hand massage from his mama. Proof that you're never too old to get some TLC from your mom.
Binyam was getting a bike from Papa Frank. Since the Klipschs are all about suspense/drama/surprises they played up the bike giving well. First, kids were told to close eyes.
After that, there were lots of little ways to keep it from him. Suffice it to say, Binyam had gotten pretty overwhelmed/overstimulated with birthday festivities so it was a little anti-climatic. Regardless, it ended like this.
What's next? Ice cream and cake of course. My friend Ann made one of her very best cakes ever. She did, accidentally, write that Binyam was turning 4 when in fact he's turning 5 but it still tasted ridiculously good.
Love this picture of the two of them when "Happy Birthday" was being sung. They love each other.
Love them. The end.
This was the outfit Dailah picked out.
I found comfort in the fact that a few of my best friends happen to have amazing kids who are then best friends with my kids. Thus, birthday parties are parties for the adults as well.
Zach dressed, unbeknownst to him, to match our kitchen.
My nephew Cassius was there. It's ridiculously hard not to smother him with love whenever I see him.
Niece Adley too. Those cheeks.
Jake decided Sinta needed a nap. I firmly believe it was just so he could watch
The girls could be found playing Barbies and such in Dailah's room.
The boys could be found in costume...even ones 4x too small like with Tariku's.
These two just look so old. It's kind of freaking me out.
We, of course, got a cookie cake. My parents needed to leave early and my dad loves him some cookie cake. So...
Zach with his ridiculously beautiful judgement face.
Present opening time.
The kids.
(Some of) the adults.
Trysten helped Binyam read his cards.
Zach getting a hand massage from his mama. Proof that you're never too old to get some TLC from your mom.
Binyam was getting a bike from Papa Frank. Since the Klipschs are all about suspense/drama/surprises they played up the bike giving well. First, kids were told to close eyes.
After that, there were lots of little ways to keep it from him. Suffice it to say, Binyam had gotten pretty overwhelmed/overstimulated with birthday festivities so it was a little anti-climatic. Regardless, it ended like this.
What's next? Ice cream and cake of course. My friend Ann made one of her very best cakes ever. She did, accidentally, write that Binyam was turning 4 when in fact he's turning 5 but it still tasted ridiculously good.
Love this picture of the two of them when "Happy Birthday" was being sung. They love each other.
Love them. The end.
Friday, August 26, 2011
On Being Conspicuous
Last week at the mall a little boy lost his mom. We could hear him crying and explaining to the employee that he had lost his mom and he had no idea where she was. Soon enough a few employees were trying to help the distraught boy who happened to be Hispanic. And I watched as the employees were looking through the people in the store, looking through all the white people, the black people and turned with questioning eyes to the Hispanic people. When they didn't appear to be have lost a son, the employees moved on. Finally an equally hysterical mother found her son and the reunion made my kids and myself look at each other through tears in our eyes.
It occurred to me that my kids would need to be specific about just who they lost in the store. By that I mean specifically, it would help if my Ethiopian boys told the employees/helpful citizens that their mama was white.
Claudia sounded the AM (adoptive mama) alarm to blog about being conspicuous. Since Claudia is rather amazing I do as she says. And since there are many more AMs that are just as amazing, you need to read the other blogs linked to hers. It's worth it. Claudia's alone...worth the time. Whether you are an adoptive parent or not, this is information you need to know. So you aren't one of "those guys" who say inappropriate things. Or stare with mouths agape as we more conspicuous families make our way through this world.
When I think about our 3 years as a family that has a mix of different races/cultures I realize we are pretty blessed to live in a community where I never really feel super conspicuous. I really believe I get more comments about just how many kids I have rather than the fact that some of those kids happen to be black. This could definitely be because it's easier to comment on size rather than, say, blackness, but either way those are the comments I get most often.
That said one time we were walking in our downtown (when it was just Tariku) and a (black) man pointed at Tariku and asked simply, "Where'd you get that one?" There was no malice or ill intent with his comment, that was just the way he decided he wanted to ask his question. Which is crazy. Just so we're clear.
During that same walk downtown, interestingly enough, a (black) man looked at Tariku, looked at me, smiled and yelled, "The juice is loose!" Though his comment was sexual in nature I did feel like Tariku being there gave him the necessary ammo to shoot his pick up line off with abandon.
Truly, those are the only memories I have of people just coming right out and questioning the make up of our family. Of course we get the "are all of these yours" comments from time to time that I'm sure those adoptive mamas with adoptive kiddos of the same race do not get, but that's it.
Here's the thing: we knew this would happen. It helps that both Zach and myself are fairly extroverted people, it helps that we live in a community that has any number of multi racial/multi cultural families. All of that helps.
But I think what helps the most is that we talk about it as a family. After the boy in the mall was reunited with his family I asked my kids what they would tell the store employee. When none of them mentioned my whiteness I told them it'd be a really good idea to tell them that. Just because we are used to me being white and them being black does not mean the rest of the world is. So I'm trying to teach them that they can't control the way people react to us but they can control how they react to the people who question it and/or have a problem with it.
I think the nature of our conspicuousness will grow and change as our kids grow and change. Right now they are cute little black boys. When they grow up to be black teenagers, our society develops their own ugly stereotypes of that and I think our conspicuousness will become uglier in nature.
I loathe the day that happens. I just hope all of this practice enables us to react in a way that celebrates families like ours whether we are forced to react now or in the coming years.
Claudia said it best: "I would rather be conspicuous with my kids than anonymous without them."
That is my reality. I just hope one day my kids can say the same about life with me.
It occurred to me that my kids would need to be specific about just who they lost in the store. By that I mean specifically, it would help if my Ethiopian boys told the employees/helpful citizens that their mama was white.
Claudia sounded the AM (adoptive mama) alarm to blog about being conspicuous. Since Claudia is rather amazing I do as she says. And since there are many more AMs that are just as amazing, you need to read the other blogs linked to hers. It's worth it. Claudia's alone...worth the time. Whether you are an adoptive parent or not, this is information you need to know. So you aren't one of "those guys" who say inappropriate things. Or stare with mouths agape as we more conspicuous families make our way through this world.
When I think about our 3 years as a family that has a mix of different races/cultures I realize we are pretty blessed to live in a community where I never really feel super conspicuous. I really believe I get more comments about just how many kids I have rather than the fact that some of those kids happen to be black. This could definitely be because it's easier to comment on size rather than, say, blackness, but either way those are the comments I get most often.
That said one time we were walking in our downtown (when it was just Tariku) and a (black) man pointed at Tariku and asked simply, "Where'd you get that one?" There was no malice or ill intent with his comment, that was just the way he decided he wanted to ask his question. Which is crazy. Just so we're clear.
During that same walk downtown, interestingly enough, a (black) man looked at Tariku, looked at me, smiled and yelled, "The juice is loose!" Though his comment was sexual in nature I did feel like Tariku being there gave him the necessary ammo to shoot his pick up line off with abandon.
Truly, those are the only memories I have of people just coming right out and questioning the make up of our family. Of course we get the "are all of these yours" comments from time to time that I'm sure those adoptive mamas with adoptive kiddos of the same race do not get, but that's it.
Here's the thing: we knew this would happen. It helps that both Zach and myself are fairly extroverted people, it helps that we live in a community that has any number of multi racial/multi cultural families. All of that helps.
But I think what helps the most is that we talk about it as a family. After the boy in the mall was reunited with his family I asked my kids what they would tell the store employee. When none of them mentioned my whiteness I told them it'd be a really good idea to tell them that. Just because we are used to me being white and them being black does not mean the rest of the world is. So I'm trying to teach them that they can't control the way people react to us but they can control how they react to the people who question it and/or have a problem with it.
I think the nature of our conspicuousness will grow and change as our kids grow and change. Right now they are cute little black boys. When they grow up to be black teenagers, our society develops their own ugly stereotypes of that and I think our conspicuousness will become uglier in nature.
I loathe the day that happens. I just hope all of this practice enables us to react in a way that celebrates families like ours whether we are forced to react now or in the coming years.
Claudia said it best: "I would rather be conspicuous with my kids than anonymous without them."
That is my reality. I just hope one day my kids can say the same about life with me.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
5 for 5
Today I'm featuring a guest blogger here at hotflawedmama. Sarah is one of the blogamigas I met in Colorado. I can attest to her sincerity and the legitimacy of everything she says below.
I began pursuing a BIG dream two weeks ago. After deciding I could no longer avoid the news about the famine in the horn of Africa, I had that gut feeling that I couldn't sit this one out. I HAD to do something because I could. Something bigger than I could do alone. That's when #Ask5for5 was born.
Two of my children, Ashen and Bereket, were adopted and are from the region affected by the drought in Ethiopia. They would be two of the statistics if they still lived there. I see my son’s and daughter’s faces in the photos of those suffering in the refugee camps. It could have been him. It could have been her. The thought haunts me.
And moms just like us are watching their children go hungry day after day. I can't imagine what it's like, but I have to –I have to be there to help them, because it could have been my children. These families have lost their livestock, their crops, food prices are inflated at the market if there any food there, and don’t have any more lifelines to tap into. Many are traveling hundreds of miles through parched land in hope of finding help. Many are dying along the way. It is estimated that 29,000 children have died in the last 90 days in the famine in Somalia alone.
But I KNOW we can do something about it. Instead of feeling overwhelmed and paralyzed, we can rally ourselves and our friends to respond! I set up a fundraiser through See Your Impact. 100% of your gift will go to the relief and development organization World Vision, where it will be combined with government grants to multiply up to 5 times in impact!
You’ll receive updates on just how your funding is being used to help save lives affected by famine in East Africa. I'm amazed at how much we've raised already -- over $7,000 in just four days! We blew through our first 3 goals in just 3 days and are well on our way to $10,000 and beyond!
I need you to help me save lives. It's so so simple; here's what you need to do:
Thanks! Please donate and email your friends right now--don't wait for a calmer moment, because if you're like me, other demands inevitably crop up and you won't get to it. A child's life hangs in the balance, but you can help save her!
guest blogger: Sarah Lenssen from Ask5for5
photos courtesy of Cate Turton / Dept. for International Development
First, thanks to Tesi for allowing me to post on her blog today! Today, more than 25 bloggers, including this one, are standing with me to Ask 5 for 5 for Africa. Here's why....
photos courtesy of Cate Turton / Dept. for International Development
First, thanks to Tesi for allowing me to post on her blog today! Today, more than 25 bloggers, including this one, are standing with me to Ask 5 for 5 for Africa. Here's why....
I began pursuing a BIG dream two weeks ago. After deciding I could no longer avoid the news about the famine in the horn of Africa, I had that gut feeling that I couldn't sit this one out. I HAD to do something because I could. Something bigger than I could do alone. That's when #Ask5for5 was born.
Two of my children, Ashen and Bereket, were adopted and are from the region affected by the drought in Ethiopia. They would be two of the statistics if they still lived there. I see my son’s and daughter’s faces in the photos of those suffering in the refugee camps. It could have been him. It could have been her. The thought haunts me.
And moms just like us are watching their children go hungry day after day. I can't imagine what it's like, but I have to –I have to be there to help them, because it could have been my children. These families have lost their livestock, their crops, food prices are inflated at the market if there any food there, and don’t have any more lifelines to tap into. Many are traveling hundreds of miles through parched land in hope of finding help. Many are dying along the way. It is estimated that 29,000 children have died in the last 90 days in the famine in Somalia alone.
But I KNOW we can do something about it. Instead of feeling overwhelmed and paralyzed, we can rally ourselves and our friends to respond! I set up a fundraiser through See Your Impact. 100% of your gift will go to the relief and development organization World Vision, where it will be combined with government grants to multiply up to 5 times in impact!
You’ll receive updates on just how your funding is being used to help save lives affected by famine in East Africa. I'm amazed at how much we've raised already -- over $7,000 in just four days! We blew through our first 3 goals in just 3 days and are well on our way to $10,000 and beyond!
I need you to help me save lives. It's so so simple; here's what you need to do:
- Donate $5 or more on this page (http://seeyourimpact.org/members/ask5for5)
- Send an email to your friends and ask them to join us.
- Share
Thanks! Please donate and email your friends right now--don't wait for a calmer moment, because if you're like me, other demands inevitably crop up and you won't get to it. A child's life hangs in the balance, but you can help save her!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Gone Campin'
This past Saturday we did a little camping. Granted, it was basically in our backyard but camping we did. So I packed my socks and shoes and off we went.
Mac and cheese and lots o chips for lunch.
While the kids went on a hike to find some lost treasures, I got to look at this andthink dirty thoughts thank my lucky stars.
Always with the wrestling. Love Dailah's face as she approaches the top of the pile.
Practicing with my new lens.
Everyone was excited about fishing. So Zach worked his patootie off getting everyone's poles ready.
Just a girl and the outdoors.
Until baby brother remembered he can't be without her. If you don't think this screams "America" then something is seriously wrong with you.
Tomas's butt devoured his shorts.
Trysten still felt less than great but didn't want to miss the fishing. This is where dreams and reality meet. (That'd be him laying in the dirt, fishing.)
Tomas and Tariku decided to make their own poles with a stick and some line. Tariku's was tiny, about the size of Harry Potter's wand, for instance. Tomas's was huge, about the size of the tree from which all wands are made.
Love the way they look at their daddy.
This one fished for approximately 2 minutes and then decided to peace out and hang with Abe.
Zach earned his man card 100 times over. Dang that man is the best.
I did not earn any card whatsoever unless they give cards to people who take naps during family camping trips and don't wear bras when they make their kids s'mores.
Night sleeping went pretty well actually, despite the chorus of coyotes versus dogs and Cicadas screeching their lullabies. Kids got enough sleep, which is way more important than the fact that Zach and I didn't. We are hoping that changes the more we get used to sleeping outdoors with the obvious risk of murder.
Morning brought scrambled eggs by daddy and more fishing/playing.
Overall, a really great time. I look forward to next month when we're gone for longer!
Mac and cheese and lots o chips for lunch.
While the kids went on a hike to find some lost treasures, I got to look at this and
Always with the wrestling. Love Dailah's face as she approaches the top of the pile.
Practicing with my new lens.
Everyone was excited about fishing. So Zach worked his patootie off getting everyone's poles ready.
Just a girl and the outdoors.
Until baby brother remembered he can't be without her. If you don't think this screams "America" then something is seriously wrong with you.
Tomas's butt devoured his shorts.
Trysten still felt less than great but didn't want to miss the fishing. This is where dreams and reality meet. (That'd be him laying in the dirt, fishing.)
Tomas and Tariku decided to make their own poles with a stick and some line. Tariku's was tiny, about the size of Harry Potter's wand, for instance. Tomas's was huge, about the size of the tree from which all wands are made.
Love the way they look at their daddy.
This one fished for approximately 2 minutes and then decided to peace out and hang with Abe.
Zach earned his man card 100 times over. Dang that man is the best.
I did not earn any card whatsoever unless they give cards to people who take naps during family camping trips and don't wear bras when they make their kids s'mores.
Night sleeping went pretty well actually, despite the chorus of coyotes versus dogs and Cicadas screeching their lullabies. Kids got enough sleep, which is way more important than the fact that Zach and I didn't. We are hoping that changes the more we get used to sleeping outdoors with the obvious risk of murder.
Morning brought scrambled eggs by daddy and more fishing/playing.
Overall, a really great time. I look forward to next month when we're gone for longer!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Schoolhouse Rock
First day of school today. Bittersweet to be sure. I love having them to myself all summer. But always, without fail, the week before school they start to get antsy. To see their friends, for more structure, etc. And I get antsy to get on a regular schedule, to get a clean house and to get a handle on my ever growing to-do list.
But the first day of school is always pure bliss for all of us. I remember being so excited/anxious/nervous the night before the first day of school when I was younger. I slept poorly imagining the reunions with my friends, my teachers and the like. So fun.
One of the things I love about my kids is they are all so different. It even comes out on the surface with how they dress. Lemme show you what I mean.
Trysten is best described as "skater dude" in dress. He likes plaid/longer shorts and funky shirts. He's got style.
Tomas is obsessed with looking nice. Polos and khakis are the only things he wants on his body. Today all of the polos were dirty so he had to settle on this shirt.
Tariku is pure athleticism. Somebody find this kid a pair of basketball shorts and a t-shirt that shows his obsession with sports. Stat.
Dailah. Well she's all girl. Today I asked her if she was sure she wanted to wear another dress and she replied, "Only dresses for school, mommy!"
3rd Grader. Smart, funny, sensitive, loving, slightly selfish, quiet.
2nd grader. Smart, life of the party, friends with everyone, silly, hard-freakin-worker, loud.
1st grader. Smart, perfectionist, helpful, caring, hard on himself, loyal.
Kindergartner. Smart, hilarious, social, loving, bossy, best-laugh-ever.
And then there was one. Preschool is up in the air for Binyam. He's going, we just don't know where quite yet. We are waiting to hear from various sources where the best place for this little guy is. Until then, it's just Bini and mommy time.
But the first day of school is always pure bliss for all of us. I remember being so excited/anxious/nervous the night before the first day of school when I was younger. I slept poorly imagining the reunions with my friends, my teachers and the like. So fun.
One of the things I love about my kids is they are all so different. It even comes out on the surface with how they dress. Lemme show you what I mean.
Trysten is best described as "skater dude" in dress. He likes plaid/longer shorts and funky shirts. He's got style.
Tomas is obsessed with looking nice. Polos and khakis are the only things he wants on his body. Today all of the polos were dirty so he had to settle on this shirt.
Tariku is pure athleticism. Somebody find this kid a pair of basketball shorts and a t-shirt that shows his obsession with sports. Stat.
Dailah. Well she's all girl. Today I asked her if she was sure she wanted to wear another dress and she replied, "Only dresses for school, mommy!"
3rd Grader. Smart, funny, sensitive, loving, slightly selfish, quiet.
2nd grader. Smart, life of the party, friends with everyone, silly, hard-freakin-worker, loud.
1st grader. Smart, perfectionist, helpful, caring, hard on himself, loyal.
Kindergartner. Smart, hilarious, social, loving, bossy, best-laugh-ever.
And then there was one. Preschool is up in the air for Binyam. He's going, we just don't know where quite yet. We are waiting to hear from various sources where the best place for this little guy is. Until then, it's just Bini and mommy time.
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