Woman of Honor

Thinking of my sister - Tunsitu's beautiful, courageous aunt, Worke Birhanu.

May the love we're sending across the seas and sky and through the earth reach your heart.

Here's 1 way to help

Gladney has been able to access free shipping of several crates to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Many of you may remember we did this back last spring. We have several infant incubators which our local Children’s Hospital donated that will be going in the crates, but we would like to fill the remainder of the crates with diapers, wipes, hand sanitizer, and baby carriers from www.diapers.com. They deliver diapers, wipes, and other baby necessities at great prices with fast free shipping (if you order $49 or more).

If you would like to help by donating items, you can enter the Referral Code “Gladney” on the shopping cart screen at www.diapers.com, and you'll get an extra $10 off your first order of diapers with a $49 minimum purchase. And Gladney gets a $1 credit each time you order. It's a great way we can both save!

Remember the Referral Code: Gladney

When ordering items, please have them shipped directly to Gladney at this
address by November 15th:

Gladney Center for Adoption
Attn: Scott Brown
6300 John Ryan Drive
Fort Worth, Texas 76132

Here is a list of the products the children and in-country caregivers need which you can find by clicking on the links below:

Babyganics Germinator Hand Sanitizer - 250 ml - http://www.diapers.com/ Product/ProductDetail.aspx?productId=16258

Huggies Snug and Dry Diapers - Extra Large Case - (sizes needed size 1 through size 3) - http://www.diapers.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?productId=3

Huggies Natural Care Fragrance Free Baby Wipes - 360 Count Refill - http:// www.diapers.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?productId=8145

Baby Bjorn Baby Carrier Original - City Black - http://www.diapers.com/Product/ ProductDetail.aspx?productId=7710

Thank you for your generosity,

Gladney Ethiopia Program Team

I can do something

http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/donate/?ref=main-menu

Thank you caring Mommy of wee to three.

Not much is making me smile more right now...

than dance shoes!

I stumbled upon these as I was hunting for my new blog -- Shine On Mom

All feedback appreciated.

That's what friends are for. (part II of a large series;)

Lucky Us.

That's what friends are for.

3 little Pumpkins

More pumpkins and her first train ride. Leave it to LA to be burning hot during pumpkin pickin time. LT had a blast with her BFF's Simone and Mimi.

A moment

Just like the day I did LT's twists, there was something about her wearing a hat today that made her look older. We've been home 5 1/2 months and she's quickly approaching 19 months. It's photos like this that make me stop and examine how far we've both come.

I am so happy that I had an overwhelming feeling the Christmas of 2007 that I acted on.  I can't imagine my life without this special girl.

CAKE Please

I stumbled across another blog mom who made this for her son's bday and NO CAKE HAS MADE ME HAPPIER. Recipe here.

Show support

I HEART ADOPTION

It's a special special day when someone materializes an idea that comes from a place of purity. Today, my friends, is one of those days where we get to witness true inspiration. Please take time to look at Danielle's site and support her wonderful gesture to the world. What a great gift this makes. We love you everyone at TesFesh.

Pumpkins!

LT and I took a trip to the pumpkin patch with Julie, Sentayehu & Uncle Sandro.

Day of 1sts

This morning we were at the park playing with our special friends, JLo & M&m and I "had" a moment because my babe graduated from the baby swing to the kid swing. Her first big girl solo swing ride. Can you believe it?

Then there was her first Halloween costume try on...

And then, during the afternoon shift there was her first ER visit.  

I won't get into the details of the emergency but it was scary and now she's doing VERY WELL. 

Liv Tunsitu blows me away constantly.  She handles stress with peace.  She trusts those who love her.  When she looks in my eyes, she understands she will feel better at some point.  She shows me that my job is to take care of her and not freak out or console myself.   My control and calm soothes her.  She reminds me that she IS equal parts special & strong.  You know, I normally don't think that babies are supposed to be or nor should you expect them to be strong but that's the only word that describes the powerful path and spirit of my wondersome little warrior.

Today, we both grew up a little -  as mother and daughter.

Reflections from a new mama (2)

People choose to blog or not blog for different reasons.  My blog has served a variety of purposes.  At times it's a research tool, an information source, a scrapbook or a community outreach tool.  But over the course of my journey, it's main benefit has that it's served me in the space of reflection.  Even though I haven't shared these confessions,  I honor the time that I dedicate to this.

I've decided it is essential, to have a strong personal "point of view".  What do I believe in? What will be the core foundation to how I live and be and grow as a person and a mother?  

I am sure this seems obvious, especially for people of faith, but I think in the midst of all that life is...people react.  They search.  They hide.  They blame.  They neglect.  They compensate. They copy.  They compromise.  They let all very natural, human behaviors take over.  I have been guilty of this.  I know that I will be guilty of this for as long as I live.  I also know that "better" is always my goal.

So I've decided that I will continue to formalize my beliefs, let them evolve, let them live in my language so that they may extend into my behaviors and being.  My topic today:

WHAT I KNOW:

Intentions are powerful 

Experts matter, but my instincts matter more

When you need help, get help

You teach people how to treat you

You must be confrontational with yourself and honest in all areas of life

Compartmentalizing is only left for desperate & temporary situations 

Image building is destructive if false

Constant evaluation and decisions are needed to keep your "circles" healthy

Motherhood is about your child, not you

When you really look at someone and they show you who they are - then believe them (from Ms. Maya)

At the end of the day - everything is about choice

Exploration is essential for growth

"No" can be as powerful and healthy as "Yes"

Fear should never stop you from "walking through"

Look for the "birds" (aha, inspirational moments from the Universe)

Don't be afraid to deconstruct and build

Live in Love

So, even though this may feel cheesy or too "Orpah,"  -- I will continue to reflect because this is all way bigger than me and I care too much about these kids and I'm excited by potential.

Ethiopia

I never really wrote about my feelings surrounding my love towards Addis Ababa. I think it's because it's hard to share my experience of a place that offers such complexity in such simplicity.  What struck me most was the deep soul of the country.  There is a vibrational spirit of fellowship through the worship that came from despair and survival and faith. But more than anything, I felt tremendous pride from the people. Pride in their country and culture and their individual presence. Pride that an American was taking interest in their world and pride that they were able to share. Ethiopia is a place of extremes and with that comes heartache like I have never witnessed before BUT with that comes strength like I've never witnessed before as well.

I am haunted by images of helpless mothers with small children. By sickly orphans and by unimaginable living conditions. These imprints are overwhelming. It's more overwhelming to think of this being just one example of many places all over Africa and other parts of the world. I am thankful for these images however; I know they will keep me connected to the country that created my daughter and the philosophy that "we are one."

I think of Addis Ababa daily. I remember the chanting of the church that serenaded me every morning. The aromas of roasted coffee. The dry, fuel smelled air whipping across my face as we drove through the city. The high pitched hypnotic music. The beautiful faces. The gracious hosts. The street life camaraderie. The 3 kisses when greeting.  The livestock and fruit stands. The smiles on the children's faces and the best possible essence of human spirit.

As Becky, our driver, drove us from the guest house to the airport, I sobbed. I didn't want to leave. I was forever touched and forever grateful. The following pics were taken by my friend Kris.

This is from the 2nd story balcony of our guest house. This woman was next door.

This was driving through the Mercado. Men walking hand in hand is a common sight.


This was sitting in the living room of the Gladney house when I was with LT for the fist time and Kris snapped this looking out the window. There were rows of laundry for miles.

We are guests for a traditional coffee ceremony and she's pounding the coffee.


Some of you who follow the blog may remember a piece of art I bought from great Seattle Ethiopian artist Yaddi Bojia. When I chose this piece, what I saw in it was hope and prayer. Yaddi told me that once I traveled I would understand the painting more and he was right. I do. The painting is a perfect representation of all the complexity that lives in the simplicity of a beautiful, powerful place.

I wasn't built to break

Because we can never forget this as MOTHERS...

Welcome back Whitney!