And I just finished writing our 1-year-post placement report on Tariku. 1 year. I can’t believe it myself. Lots of things to say about that boy. I wonder if they’ll mind that it’s close to 3 pages? Only partially joking, I still have to edit it a bit.

Reminds me of a year ago. April 2nd marked the day that we took off from Moline, IL to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It was crazy to think about as I remember every single second from that day. This week has made me long for Ethiopia in a way I haven’t done since we got back. I can’t wait to go back, I really can not wait.

Then today. Today marks the day we first met our sweet Tariku. When I really think about it I cry all over again. How he jumped in our arms, much to our surprise. How he drank Zach’s entire water bottle. His delight at just touching my face, my hair, my, ahem, breasts. He was so much smaller than I thought he’d be. His smile bigger and whiter. His eyes bigger and brighter. I cried when we left him. Nervous energy pouring out of me. He cried as we left as well. We looked at each other and I tried so hard to tell him I’d be back with my eyes but it was lost in translation. Our story, his story resembles that day so very much. The two of us wildly holding onto each other when we didn’t know what else to do. It was the best feeling in the world, and still is, when that little boy threw his arms around my neck.

This is what I wrote that day one year ago.

There is literally no way I can tell you how very awesome it was to have our son run into our arms this morning. There is NO WAY I can tell you how good that felt.

So it began with some awesome pancakes made by the beautiful, talented cooks here at the guest house. Then it was time to go to the office to sign a waver saying it was okay to take pictures of us. Then the words, “You can go meet your children now”. The 4 sets of us adopting older kids loaded into the van. I started getting chocked up, tapping my legs, chewing my lips.

When we got to the school where they were, we were told to go in a room. One at a time they called us to meet our kids. Guess what…we were last. But it was priceless, Tariku’s social worker told us to come meet him.

So we went through the garden, the play yard and into the first school room. We just peaked in and saw him right away. Once he saw us he got the BIGGEST smile and came RUNNING into Zach’s arms (because he was kneeling). I started crying, and Zach stood up so I could get a good look. Tariku took his other arm and brought me into a big family hug. He did not let go the entire 2 hours we were there. He kept touching our faces and our arms. He would have us sit down so he could sit on our lap. When he wanted to move he would get up then put his arms up. Once we said “up” he caught on and ended up telling us “up” by the end of our time. At one point I had taken him to snack area. Zach went to talk with another family. Tariku turned and noticed Zach wasn’t there and started yelling, “Daddy, daddy”. So we quick went to find him and Tariku was much better.

Then a few minutes later I had to go to the bathroom (turns out my bladder must be smaller in Ethiopia). So I went in to do that, Zach comes soon after saying Tariku was yelling for me.

In our short time together he had learned mommy, daddy, up, thank you, please. We had learned machinet (car), Tariku (pronounced tar-ee-koo but roll the r, memorize that, because that is how we will be calling him now). J So we’re already learning from each other.

He was such a joy. Always loving, gave us lots of hugs, lots of kisses and we got quite a few belly laughs out of him. He’s a Klipsch, loves when daddy throws him in the air. He also loves to play with mom’s hair and chest (for some reason he enjoys rubbing it, but that’s cool). When it was time for us to go, he started to cry until his social worker translated that we are coming back today. After that he gave us LOTS of hugs, kisses, waves and blowing kisses.

So we’re very hopeful today. He is very possessive of the car we brought him and he quickly took over our water bottle and proceeded to down the entire thing and then keep refilling it. Though he was quite nice and shared the water with his friends.

I’m not going to lie to you, the first meeting exceeded my expectations. The pictures do not do him justice, he is far too adorable. He has HUGE dimples, beautiful white teeth, a beautiful smile. The curliest, light hair. His eyelashes are looong and curly and his lips are perfect for smooches!

So we just had lunch which was AMAZING and are now waiting to head to the office again so we can do some paperwork business. After that, we’ll get to spend some more time with Tariku which obviously I’m so excited for.

I probably won’t be able to post this until tonight as there’s just one internet connection for all of the centers at CHS and it turns out 3:30 in the morning is best time to get on.

Ok, so we’re back. It’s now 5:30 our time. We just got done seeing Tariku for the second time. He got excited when we came again and came running into my arms (that will doubtfully ever get old). It seems attaching is going well as he would leave us for a bit more knowing we were still going to be there when he turned around. Still wouldn’t go too far, but it was good seeing he understood we’re here for him.

The kid loves THINGS. He hoardes them like it’s his business and let’s out a little squeal if someone tries to take things from him. Another cute thing he does is, instead of answering yes, he just nods (kind of like people do when they’re saying something akin to “what’s up?”). It’s soooo precious.

We went through the photo album with him. He had obviously seen it many times. He can say “TT” and “Dailah” and knows who they were as he would point at them in every picture. Zach and I are attempting many Amharic words to help ease the transition. So far the only one we’re real good at is “Shinte” which is basically asking him if he has to go to the bathroom. (Can you tell what we consider important in this family? J

We’re in the guest house for the rest of the night. We were able to take a bit of a walk to the office today. The city is amazing in the dichotomy of it all. Big buildings with squatters outside. Gold brushed buildings with cows and goats randomly walking by. It really is amazing.

One of my favorite parts of the day was when the kids were getting ready for a snack. One of the couples here are adopting a 6 and 7 year old and the 7-year-old led the group in a prayer. All the kids folded their hands to pray. I swear, I could literally see God smile.

And go here for one of the best responses to the whole Madonna adoption saga. Melissa Faye Greene says it better than I ever could.

Oh, and here is one our first pictures together.

So we have this cardinal at our house. Not inside, obviously, but outside. He wants to come inside. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem except for he might be a bit deranged in his plight to enter our abode; because he runs headfirst into our window. ALL.DAY.LONG. He sits on the windowsill and approximately every 2 minutes just flies into it. Which would be funny if it weren’t so annoying.

I’ll be honest in saying I have been begging Zach to sniper shoot the thing for a good week. But, we live out at camp and so Zach, in all of his infinite wisdom, thought it best to put out the birdhouse the kids got for Christmas (thanks Uncle Frank!) and see if we can let it die a natural slow death American style. By overeating. I thought this sounded like a lot more fun. So yesterday I got the birdhouse out of it’s package and let the kids color it first.

I like seeing the difference in all of their masterpieces. Here is Dailah’s. All pink, light, fluffy. No darkness. The pink matches her lipstick.

Tariku’s. A combination of it all. Likes to get his hands dirty in anything. Sure, he’ll play babies. Oh, you want to wrestle. Of course he will!

And Trysten’s. Knows what he wants and doesn’t understand conflicting emotions. All red, all blue. No room in between.

We also had some visitors during our art fest. Zach (on the horse in front) and a few of his co-workers rode up. What? Your husband does come to your house on horseback?

After we completed the birdhouse we felt like a little baseball game was in order. They even got hotflawedmama to join. I think they were impressed with my skills. Even I didn’t know I was as good as I am when a 6-year-old pitches to me!

Dailah got in on the action. Her processional to actual batting was considerably longer seeings she had to first dust off the plate before she would let me throw to her. Seriously.

Then this morning we went to the Farmer’s Market because I love it so much. Afterwards we spent a small portion of our tax money at The Guitar Center. “Poor” Zach has been begging for an electric guitar for as long as I can remember. He’s had to watch as Christmas after Christmas he sees me get things like Dyson vacuum (love it!) and such. So we were able to get a good deal on a guitar and stuff for him and a small electric guitar for the kids. Tariku was so excited about the guitar he passed up going to a movie so he could go home and play it.

Trysten never passes up a good movie but he also never passes up cool merchandise. These hats will be sold at Camp this summer. Flippin’ sweet.

Zach was out of town the last few days on business (I have no idea why I love saying that, but I do). So that left me hubby-less and (obviously) less importantly computer-less. He was only gone Monday through today but it sure felt like longer. That was because Dailah came down with pink eye Monday. This meant we couldn’t take her to the Y’s childwatch. THAT meant that I was stir crazy by Tuesday.

So this morning meant she was no longer contagious and THAT meant we were at the Y as soon as it opened. But really, I did get to go to book club last night because the in-laws watched the kids so I can’t complain that much.

And today was April Fools so I had a hoot of a time explaining this to the kids. THAT meant lots of phone calls to dad to tell him the newest jokes which was great fun for me and probably slightly more than annoying to him.

Tman decided he was officially ready to cut his hair. So I put a few scissor marks to it before Zach got there so we could play it off like that’s how we were going to keep it (April Fools joke #2,600). Here are a few pics of that.

Before:

After:

But after daddy asked how he really wanted his hair cut. This is how it came out. I have to say he looks cute regardless.

Oh, and this is how it looks whenever it’s time for eyedrops. Dailah demands the boys hold her hand as I put them in each eye. Cute but slightly over the top.

And my two crew cut guys.

of anything was done this weekend. It could be sized up as such.

Saturday was pajama day at the Klipschs. We played quite a bit of Wii as a family. It sounds silly but it’s amazing how fun it is to cheer each other on and such. Anyway, we did lots of that and little of anything else. We got about 4 inches of snow on Saturday which was our excuse for the laziness. Seriously 4″ of snow in late March. Though I can’t complain because a good friend is dealing with the worst in North Dakota.

Saturday night Zach was nice enough to stay with the kids while I went to a movie with my sister. Duplicity, not bad. I don’t know if I’m as good of a judge as I used to be. With 3 kids truly not having to think about anything for over 2 hours is a real treat.

Today we went to church then met Frank and Terre for lunch. We then went to get me a new phone which is like Christmas for me. Though I still don’t have texting (who needs it?) I do now have access to internet and therefore email (and by “email” I mean “blogger” and “facebook”) all day. Which will be nice for me and less than nice for the kids.

Since we’ve done nothing to take pictures of, here are a few that I haven’t been able to post yet. My parents brought these hats back from Texas. Enjoy.

This morning Dailah was asking me to read her a book. Zach and I had been talking about various items over a steaming cup of coffee so I “asked” her to wait a few minutes. A few minutes later I hear,

“Look mom, my penis!”

I don’t turn around, just say, “No, Dailah, you have a vagina remember?”

“Moooom, book is my penis.”

I turn around oh so scared. And see it. She is dangling the book between her legs. And she is calling it her penis.

Must go read up on educating our children about proper genitals and such. What with my son saying this and now Dailah, we’re in real trouble.

I can hardly believe I’m 2 days late in posting this. Sunday morning we celebrated Tariku’s birthday…again. It was also kind of an excuse to get everyone together one last time after Saturday night’s celebrations. Tariku didn’t mind we “used” him in this manner.

Alas, it was loads of fun even if I hardly remember it since I was so sleepy!

Sleepy…but with a boy this excited about a $10 lego Star Wars. Blessed, truly.

Can you feel his excitement?

Tradition in our family, the cookie cake. The cookie cake that I ate half of the next day. If I only had some sort of self control…

Brother-in-law, Jake and father-in-law, Frank playing the Wii. Hilarity all around.

Frank is surprisingly flexible for a 6’1″ man. Here he proves his skills with Trysten and Oliver.

It was a fun morning but apparently not enough to deter Frank from “resting his eyes” a bit.

This was the food. There was a lot. You might look at this and think we had a lot leftover but we didn’t. Apparently no one in either of our families has any self control.

Eli, my nephew, apparently thought my dad’s lap looked too comfortable to resist. Nevermind they’ve met each other a handful of times. My dad just oozes good grandkid snuggles, I guess.

I really could celebrate Tariku’s birthday every weekend!

Yesterday my brother-in-law and sister-in-law who got married in Mexico had their reception out at camp. It was a perfect day with food, family, fun and so much more.

Leslie and I were talking about how we remember how special wedding receptions were as kids. Staying up late, dancing, endless amounts of sugar and soda. Time spent with cousins and friends and loved ones. So I tried to recreate that magic with my kids last night. At the end of the night, Tariku exclaimed, “That was the best night of my life!” So I think it was a success.

I got to see so many family members (from Zach’s side) that we don’t see very often. It was fantastic getting to talk to them so much. Fun times all around. So here’s a picture parade on our day.

Zach’s aunt Lori and cousin Amy (though I claim them both as mine) made the trip to and fro Chicago all in one day. Amy, as it turns out, is just as beautiful and skinny in person which is highly unfortunate.

Aunt Julie (also Zach’s aunt but whatever) brought the most amazing spring giftbags for the kids. Some of the stuff in there were these slingshots, which were a huge hit.

Aren’t they precious?

Tariku was completely smothered in love by everyone yesterday. It made my heart just burst to see everyone love on him so much.

My parents. Aren’t they beautiful? Love them, lots.

And my brother and his girlfriend, Lindsey, also beautiful and loves of mine.

All of Zach’s family. I didn’t get a good one with all of the St. Louis family (email me one please, Lori!)

My sister and hotflawedmama (I’m in brown, just in case you couldn’t tell). She may have longer eyelashes but I got height which has to count for something.

My kids had been practicing dancing for the last few weeks. They took full advantage last night. I was beaming, let me just tell you. All my Single Ladies, anyone?

My mom and Dailah, who looked particularly cute if I must say so.

Zach’s aunt and cousins. The youngest one was actually our ring bearer in our wedding. He is now taller than me. Talk about surreal.

This to show you beauty and evidence of sugar shock.

They were amazingly precious together. Here they are inside, opening bubbles. See, told you we let them loose!

And the boys eating the scrumptious food.

For those that are in the Ethiopian adoption world, this is old news to you. For those that aren’t, it might be something you haven’t heard yet.

Haregewoin Teferra was an Ethiopian woman. Not just any Ethiopian woman; she was an Ethiopian woman who, when every single person in her country was fleeing from the AIDS epidemic and anyone remotely associated with it, jumped right in. She’s the “star” of the book, There is No Me Without You. This book is one most of you have probably read. If you know someone who has adopted, they have probably told you to read it. Particularly for Ethiopian adoption, it seems we all have at least one common denominator in our choice to adopt from Ethiopia and that is this book.

I’ve waited to blog about Ms. Teferra dying until now because the truth is I’ve been pretty sad about it. In quite a few respects she is everything I want to be. She’s not famous (at least, not to many people outside the adoption world and even I’m famous to some people…or at least my mom’s been telling me so for many years). I want to be like her because she chose to stay and fight when everyone else was choosing to flee. She gave up EVERYTHING (wealth, prestige, houses, cars, clothes) to save her fellow countrymen (mostly children but it could be argued she was a lifeline to adult friends of hers living with AIDS as well).

That’s what I want to do, I suppose. Stand and fight, for as many things as I can. Of all the things I want said about me upon my death (there will be lots! I’ve already started writing my eulogy, now to who shall I entrust these great words?) I hope it will be that. Simply she was a lot to a few. Instead of moving so injustice could continue on, she became even a small barrier to be broken through. Those things could definitely be said of Ms. Teferra and I know no matter what I do, it’s literally nothing compared to what she has done.

I have no doubts Ms. Teferra can be accredited with making international adoption more of a possibility from Ethiopia and thus I thank her memory for my Tariku.

Now what to do. I’m going to copy this directly from Melissa Faye Greene’s blog (she’s the one that wrote that book).

Dear Friends,

By now you may have learned the shocking news that Mrs. Haregewoin Teferra has died suddenly after a short illness. We don’t know what caused her death; she felt sick for a couple of days, went to the doctor, came home without a diagnosis, felt sick again, and that was the end.

We are grieving, yet we have no time to spare: 59 children survive her, many of them toddlers and babies, the majority HIV-positive.

World Wide Orphans–the New York-based organization that has overseen the medical care for Haregewoin’s children for many years–has stepped into the breach. They have assumed full custody of the 42 HIV-positive kids.

These heroic measures come at high cost: we estimate $200,000 will be required in the coming year (about $4,600 per child) to cover food, healthcare and medicine, education, clothing, and caregivers for the 42. Once their basic needs are met, the children’s paperwork will be sorted out; some may be eligible for adoption, others may have extended families in a position to allow the children to return. But that is for the future. The crisis is now: keeping these children fed and clothed, paying the salaries of loving caregivers to act as stand-ins for their late parents, making sure there is no break in the life-saving healthcare provided by WWO.

Haregewoin lived with these children seven days a week, 24 hours a day, for ten years. She is irreplaceable. The smallest ones, of course, have no idea what has just happened. Please let us work together to act as foster parents in absentia for these little ones. Thank you in advance for any amount you can give.

Online contributions can be made at http://www.WWO.org.
Specify Campaign for Haregewoin’s Children.

Or checks may be sent to:
WWO
511 Valley Street
Maplewood, New Jersey 07040

Sincerely,
Melissa

–I just finished reading my book club’s new book, The Girls. It was awesome. It’s a fictional autobiography of conjoined twins. I gave it to my sister, so I can’t tell you who the author is, as it’s slipped my mind. But seriously, if you’re like me and enjoy having a list of potential reads (cathy) put this on your list. It’s real rad.

–I love random gifts. Just little things people give you to let you know they were thinking of you. Notes sent, food picked up, etc. Today it happened to me twice. The first time was from a fellow Bodyflow instructor who gave me a precious little locally made necklace. The second time was from one of my participants who had told me last week she owned one of my favorite local restaurants. So tonight she brought me two subs from her restaurant (Grinders, for you local folks). I love that, love them (thanks Lisa and Gino!)

–I love Lily Allen’s new single, “The Fear”. Have you heard it? If not, here are a few of my favorite lyrics. But sing them with a British accent, dripping with sarcasm.

I want to be rich and I want lots of money
I dont care about clever I dont care about funny
I want loads of clothes and f***loads of diamonds
I heard people die while they are trying to find them

Ill take my clothes off and it will be shameless
Cuz everyone knows thats how you get famous
Ill look at the sun and Ill look in the mirror
Im on the right track yeah Im on to a winner

Chorus
I dont know whats right and whats real anymore
I dont know how Im meant to feel anymore
When we think it will all become clear
Cuz Im being taken over by The Fear

Lifes about film stars and less about mothers
Its all about fast cars and passing each other
But it doesnt matter cause Im packing plastic
and thats what makes my life so f***ing fantastic

And I am a weapon of massive consumption
and its not my fault its how Im program to function
Ill look at the sun and Ill look in the mirror
Im on the right track yeah Im on to a winner

Chorus
I dont know whats right and whats real anymore
I dont know how Im meant to feel anymore
When we think it will all become clear
Cuz Im being taken over by The Fear

Bridge
Forget about guns and forget ammunition
Cause Im killing them all on my own little mission
Now Im not a saint but Im not a sinner
Now everything is cool as long as Im getting thinner

Chorus
I dont know whats right and whats real anymore
I dont know how Im meant to feel anymore
When we think it will all become clear
Cause Im being taken over by fear

–I’m feeling sassy, can you tell?

–We got an email from our adoption agency saying they are looking for teachers at their Ethiopian school. Darn-it if I’m not doing calculations to see if we can swing it.

More tomorrow about a “legend” from Ethiopia who passed away and a way you can help. Because I know you’re packin’ plastic and that’s flippin’ fantastic.

It was 77 degrees outside yesterday. 77 degrees. I loved it. We weren’t inside at all except to take naps. We were having too much fun so I only snapped a few pictures, here’s Dailah fake smiling for me.

The boys had swimming lessons. I was a bit nervous about this one’s ability to listen seeings this was how squirrley he was from all the fresh air.

Today wasn’t quite as nice, still 60 degrees so I really can’t complain that much. After naps I made some bread then forced the kids to go outside. They went up to the basketball court while I started dinner. I went up to make sure all was ok. This is where I found the boys…

And the grill…or coat rack, depending on your perspective.

After some really good cheeseburger soup for dinner, we decided to spoil the kids. I gave the kids a bath while Zach made bowls of ice cream. We brought them upstairs and watched Kung Fu Panda. Lots of laughter, some chocolate spills but definitely made me ridiculously happy.

This group eating their ice cream.

And the eldest. Loving how zoned they are on the TV.

Then afterwards, we were dancing and the dancing led to kung fu fighting (that was the song so, naturally).