The Holiday Season

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Growing Family

My brother & beautiful Seble had and new baby girl, Emma Rebaka We got the pleasure of spending time with them and loving every minute of our new growing family!

Halloween 2010

In all her glory

PHOTO CREDIT: The Best

Full of Possibility

I want to spotlight two posts that are a must read and deserve much attention.

1. Adopted is not an adjective

2. Infant Adoption & Loss

Both of these posts speak to an issue that is close to my heart - respecting all that your child is and all they can become by embracing and not labeling or defining them in a way that limits the totality of their potential. Their experiences are a respectful part of them but are not them.

Joy, wonder, independence is what she is right now. LT's two & a half and 2 months into school and my girl is thriving. Kind, Funny, Sweet, Smart, Confidant & Determined. Preschool has really opened up her world and the developmental progress in 2 months has been awesome. Keeping one step ahead or rather just up with her is the goal. super lucky me.

I love my Hair

Thanks Suzanne for finding this! ;)

bigger

They are appearing

and that's a great thing.

Ding.

Motherhood is the most humbling human experiment. Here's what I recognize over and over again. I need to continue to shift my paradigm, & my energy. I have moved through most of my life under major stress and pressures--playing the role of the "over-achiever". My career was ultra demanding and often included unhealthy environments. Like most people, I found a way to move through life greatly over-extended (on all fronts). I would compartmentalize the bad parts and pretend like it was all great.

I realized this wasn't enough for my daughter. As a single working mom, my time is very essential and I committed myself to aligning my time to work that I believed in. I did that and made a major career move thinking I was serving myself and my daughter by spending my time away from her in a way that I could be proud. Sure, it comes with less security and much more risk but it's something that I truly believe in and I'm determined to make the new path work.

What I realized tonight, is that I may have changed professions & priorities for the better but I didn't necessarily change how I moved through life. How I deal with stress. How I hold energy. How I view things. My ridiculously high expectations. My self loathing. My people pleasing burden.

ding. ding. ding.

What I know to be true (thx @Oprah) is that any issue I seem to have is really my issue and that I need to "hold" it differently if I want a new reflection, a healthier energy, a better interaction. I need to relearn how to: let go, love myself, set boundaries, "clean my energy". This obviously needs to be tied to a spiritual practice along with finding tangible tools to keep me in check.

Simple I know but a "ding" for me nonetheless. I'm hoping that I'll be able to hold this "shift" in the highest consciousness so that I can serve LT & myself in the best way.

And thanks LT for giving me some clues to come to this realization --- forever...Learning to Liv.

A human being fashions his consequences as surely as he fashions his goods or his dwelling. Nothing that he says, thinks, or does is without consequences.

– Norman Cousins

Peace + High Five

= 7


Let's see...these seven months on the wait list have flown by. The wait is SO different the second time around for me. Like the last time, I'm very at peace with the wait process. Time has been good to us and I know it will continue that way. I had a meeting with my social worker yesterday and we're probably looking at waiting another 14 months (WHFC) for referral. That feels like it will be right for my family. LT will be approaching 4 and I'm sure primed to have a younger brother. I celebrate lucky number 7 and know that we're where we should be in this journey.

BIG Week

where to start...

This week we said goodbye to our nanny Tomoko. She has been with us a year. My life line. Tunsitu's caretaker, muse, friend & playmate. Being a new single mother, with a major career change, and no family nearby - Tomoko has meant everything to us. I can't say enough about her contribution in our lives & LT would not be the girl she is without Tomoko's gentle guiding love & amazing Japanese cooking. She gave Tunsitu everything she had and I am forever grateful.

(pic snapped their first week together from inside my house looking out window to the backyard)


Next my brother & Seble are new parents & had their baby girl Emma Rebaka (9/29). I feel so happy for them and can't wait to visit (too bad they are 5hrs away by plane). LT has a beautiful (half Ethiopian ;) cousin. Super duper cool.



Then we had BEADS. Granted I already posted about it but I do consider LT's first hair beads a big deal (giggle)

I wanted to try a special hairdo because we had a goodbye lunch party at the park for Tomoko & LT's 2 best park buddies who's she's played with every week for the last year. We love Gen & Mei & LT will miss the daily sand time at the park very much.

And then today we went to LT's first day of pre-school and it went fabulous. The teacher had us come today for a "goodbye/welcome" ceremony to introduce us to the class & say goodbye to other kids & LT loved it. We walked up to a huge welcome sign with our names on it and all the kids (10) & several parents greeted us. My mom & I observed from the side lines as she participated & made new friends. It was so awesome to see. It is hard to see Tomoko go but it made me giddy to see how much she liked being at school. I am mindful of transitional issues but we had a great first experience. When we left they sang her a song & hugged her goodbye. I'm sure this is standard but it was such a sweet moment. And yes I saved her first school project to frame.




This just about made my heart melt. This is the right place for her.


One of the coolest things was that Grandma (who's out of the country half the year) got to experience it with us & has given both of us some great support during this big transition time. Thank you Grandma!!!

Here's to all the people that help us in our life, milestones & growing our family. This year has been action packed. I can't even imagine what the next year will bring...

Do you SocialVest?

Here's why you should!

If you don't believe me, ask her ;D

and...

if you still need more convincing ask her (!)

But if all this is not enough...read this!

and then form your own opinion at:

http://www.socialvest.us/

Wordless Wednesday

Hair Movement

Today I added beads to LT's twists. I didn't have the beading tool so it took a little longer than it should but I'm just gonna go ahead and say it...

I feel very accomplished.

Watching LT look in the mirror and say "wow" and run around the house shaking her head just made me feel so good. Small milestones that bond us closer.

Friday night Fun

2010 Little Ethiopian Festival

TGIF

My beautiful Flower Girl

Mike & Steph our very special friends got married tonight and LT was so lucky to be a flower girl. Needless to say, she didn't make it down the aisle but she was a show stopper on the dance floor ;)

We are very very blessed with amazing friends in our life. A major THANKS for all the support we get. Love is in the air.

Working it Through

In case you're wondering.

Attaching is still a big focus specifically LT attaching to me. Never ever underestimate the awareness & commitment this ongoing process takes. I would not trade it for the world but it's hard & exhausting & emotional. Those of you who know...know. Those of you who are waiting, learn about it.

Walking on Sunshine

Simone, Mimi & Liv Tunsitu having fun in the backyard this morning. Love these girls.