I know it’s said in every “6 month home” blog but it really is hard to believe Tariku has been home 6 months. I talked to him on the phone the other day and I was convinced he was Trysten. There is virtually no accent left on him and when I spoke Amharic the other day he had no idea what I was talking about. Both sad and incredible at the same time.

Yesterday marked the day that he has been with us longer than he was in the care center. Yesterday marks another day that will hopefully be proving his permanence in this home.

Today he thanked me for bringing him home (we weren’t at home, so the concept is interesting).

He was always a great kid. He never really had huge tantrums and only in Ethiopia did they last anywhere close to 5 minutes. He’s a bit stubborn but without a doubt he’s the best behaved 3-year-old I know. The way they described him in his lifebook video is somewhat accurate but he’s actually pretty great at sharing and does not cry nearly as often as I was expecting (though that’s gotten better as well).

He has grown at ridiculous speeds, he is now getting a bit too big for 4t pants. His face is filling out and I hardly recognize the pictures from Ethiopia.

But my reflections over the last couple days haven’t been much about his clothes or his non-accent.

They’ve been about the difference in all of us from 6 months ago. I was talking to another adoptive mom about this today (oh ok, it was Jody). Adoptive moms, as she puts it, are a force.

And we are, hopefully for good.

But I’m all in now. Bringing Tariku home has brought EVERYTHING in my backyard. Everything is personal. I can’t escape the orphaned in Haiti or the little boy whose parents need a little extra time to figure out how to be better parents. I can’t escape them because I’ve fallen desperately in love with one of those. I don’t look at Tariku differently than Trysten or Dailah but I also remember where he did come from and the tragic circumstances that brought us together.

I always say that at the very basic, most elemental level; adoption is “killing two birds with one stone.” We really wanted another baby to love and there just happened to be a little boy who needed someone to tuck him in and give him super special mommy kisses. It works on both levels.

And even though I had no idea that I would be forever changed as I have been, I will be eternally grateful to Tariku for it. I’m still guilty of slipping into the everyday and thinking of me and mine. But I also sometimes wake up at night and think of how I can have an outlet for the pounds of passion keeping me up. I think of how I can honor Tariku’s adoption by making adoption less needed. That’s the Plumpy’nut, the backpacks, and hopefully every one of our monthly projects. Selfishly I’m happy adoption was needed in Tariku’s case (full disclosure) but I’m not naive enough to believe Tariku is better with me than with his Ethiopian family.

Clearly I make mistakes, clearly I’m an incredibly selfish person most of the time. Any moment of sheer unselfish genius I have is inspired by the people around me. I surround myself with those warriors of unselfishness so that I can hide my own indiscretions. That’s the secret to life isnt it, surrounding yourself with inspiring people?

And truly, Tariku is by far one of the most inspiring people I will ever meet in my life.

Thank you baby boy, for being stronger than I could ever give you credit for and for a lifetime’s supply of inspirational moments.

Well today was the day that we put all of our collected backpacks for foster kids together. And let me tell you…

you

are

amazing.

250 backpacks full, each one has: pajamas, toothbrushes, undies/6 diapers, snacks, stuffed animal/blankets. Each backpack had an age (example 5t girl) and would get a bag with what a 5t girl would need.

The support of the community and you out in blogland was most amazing. I got choked up many times thinking of the little girls and boys who would get the message. Of love, of understanding, of support.

In the shape of a backpack comes a big ole’ hug and I am so thankful you all have made the public so very personal.

(More pics at Jody’s)

The empty bags.

Toothbrushes and treats.

Stuffed animals, blankets, diapers and undies.

The warriors.

Today we went to my brother’s soccer game in Dubuque. More to say tomorrow…it’s Tariku’s 6 month home day today. Lots of reflection!

My little brother and big sis.

Went on another hike around camp today. The bugs were TERRIBLE and we’ll probably wait to do that until after another frost or two. (Or with some major bug spray this time)

But I was able to capture some great pics which is really all that matters.

The snake Zach caught for Trysten. His name is “Racer X” or just “X”.

Me and Dailah in the getup she’s getting too big for.

She is kind of perfect.

Boys getting the worm that will be X’s food.

Doozie gazing at the frog her daddy caught for her.

Isn’t he perfect too?

And these are just some of the bug bites that riddle us after the hike.

My sister has been living with us for a month. It’s going surprisingly well. We’ve always got along really well but had our moments of sheer, unadulterated fighting. Since she has lived on the east coast for 4 years it has been really nice getting to hang with her so much and watch our TV shows and laugh at the same stuff. It’s definitely reiterated why I want Doozie to have a sister (I’m not breaking any news here, just lamenting) because my sisters really are my best friends.

Anywho, I realized tonight after spending more time with Zach than I have in that month (he always gets kicked out so we can watch our girly shows, he’s such a good guy) that I totally miss him. He’s a good dude and even though it’s been awesome getting some sisterly bonding time, tonight reminds me why I married the guy with the handsome face and good assets.

And he’s watching ER with me right now, I mean do they get any better?

A few days after we brought Tariku home when I kinda thought we made a mistake and kinda missed the way things were before; I put Tariku down for a nap and closed the door and for a second I wondered if maybe he’d be gone when I opened it.

(This is full disclosure and yes, it’s messed up, but yes, it happens to almost every adoptive (or birth, to be honest) mom if they’re being honest with themselves).

WIthout thinking about it, today I checked on him three times during nap. I didn’t notice until the last time that apart of me wanted to make sure he was still there, that he’s not just a dream. That I won’t wake up and miss his laugh and his hugs. I wanted to watch him breath and smile in his sleep.

I think this is progress. I think…this is love.

Parent-teacher conferences is a whole new world and we were officially introduced today.

Kind of cool, a little disappointing that his teacher wasn’t going on and on about how fantastic he is. His teacher did say he was in the top of his class for reading, which was good to hear. Nothing big for him to work on except for tying his shoes. 🙂

Leading up to conferences Trysten kept talking about his gym teacher, how much he loved him and how we just had to go say hi to him.

So we did.

And he raved about Trysten and how good of a kid he is and how advanced his athletic skills are.

Zach walked away and said, “Well at least we got rave reviews where we wanted them.”

That’s right, gym class.

In all seriousness we’re very proud of him and his hard work in Kindergarten. My baby boy all growed up.

Just a quick reminder that we are accepting backpacks (click here to see Jody’s recap, I’m too tired to think). If you want to email me or call or leave a comment, that’d be fine. I’ll pick up or shop for you. You guys did such a great job with the 5t like I asked, now I’m asking for newborn up to 12 months. All new, all glorious. Let me know, we’re still in this people.

Exhaustion is me. I, am exhaustion. It was a great weekend. Side from having no energy, I am reenergized as an instructor.

There was something spiritual about the whole thing. People moving the way their bodies were made to move (i.e. just MOVE!) in unison, in strength, in power it was just…awesome.

Fighting globesity is a huge responsibility and I take it very seriously.

But so many hours of working out on very little food in the 4 days prior has left my body wanting. That is for sure.

And then I taught 2 classes today. And I can hardly bring myself to type.

But it’s awesome.

I feel alive which is a huge improvement from just 12 hours ago.

Yesterday was another “doozie” as they say.

Didn’t feel well when I woke up. Tried to teach a class. Came home and crashed then went downhill from there.

Decided to have my sister take me to the ER as I was a bit nervous the past would be repeating itself and I’d wake up in an almost coma with an infection that turned septic.

Got to the ER with a 103.5 degree temperature. As the nurse said, “No wonder you feel like shit”.

And indeed I did.

After a few hours, some pain meds, some fluids and some anti-nausea medicine they let me go.

Presumably a viral infection, which I’m so thankful for.

So I head to Chicago today to experience what we in the Les Mills world view as our mecca.

It’s called Super Quarterly and tomorrow, pending my energy level, I’ll have the opportunity to try out all 8 Les Mills programs. That would mean working out from 7-6. Regardless if I actually take the classes, I’m going to sit in on them and bask in the awesomeness. I’m so excited even my foggy head and belly ache can’t handle it.

I’ll see you on Monday. Peace in the Middle East.