LT was so excited to see her cousins. There's such a sweetness that the kids have together and I was amazed at how well they all loved on LT and how she instantly took to them even though she has seen them in 4 months.
The cool thing about this group is that they are all adopted and it just further gives them a common bond.
This was the highlight of the weekend. In other news, my poor babe had to go to emergency room again (twice in 1 week) due to an infection in her finger.
It was hard but I'm glad it's over (fingers crossed). LT is the strongest person I know. It's just crazy how she takes hard stuff in stride.
We heart you Ava, Stone & Landon....and Auntie Teen.
One year ago today 4-24-09, I held my babe for the first time. This is our very first picture together ever. A year of Learning to Liv - in all the best possible ways. I share this special day with Aster & Ledamo who live in our hearts.
In this photo, she was 13 months old, 16lbs, no teeth, was not walking or crawling & was very infant like & very quiet. I am blown away when I think about she's grown in 1 year.
Now she's chatty, knows her colors, counts, sings, rebels, cuddles, considers, declares, accepts, expresses, & always continues to make me feel like the luckiest mom in the world.
My daughter was sitting on my lap this morning catching her breath & crying after I had to put eye drops in her eyes and I said don't worry, "you're all better sweetie. You're eyes will feel better."
...and then she and she sits up and strokes my face and stares in my eyes and says..."Tunsi's beautiful & mommy's beautiful."
And I held back tears and said, "yes we are daughter. yes we are."
This is what it's all about...
SHARE YOUR STORY to show the world all the positive family unions through International Adoption.
One of the things that makes my heart sing is that LT has men in her life who love her dearly. We were surprised today by Uncle Kris. Today's his bday and he was coming over so that we could go to an early dinner. Instead he arrived with a tub of fertilizer/dirt and told me that he and LT were going to start her first garden today. He brought over flower seedlings and I sat back and watched how they worked so well together planting them in the backyard. Bluebird was happy being a part of the activity and it was all just about the sweetest thing in the world. I can't even properly express my gratitude for moments like this. I can't wait to see if the flowers take off. It's up to me to make sure we water them every day ;) Stay tuned...
Spending time in Seattle with Yaddi and his beautiful family. Go to Yaddi's website for all the press on him designing the new African Union flag. Also stay tuned as I am honored to work with Yaddi on a creative project that I will be posting the details on soon. And yes, Yaddi painted the picture hanging of his beautiful wife Hewan. His art is all over the house - loved it.
...to two of the most important people in my life. My brother Andy's birthday is today and Liv Tunsitu's birthday is Tuesday. I see a lot of similarities in spirit between my bro and LT and it makes me smile as well as smirk. I have no doubt these two will be a FORCE. I wish we could spend more time with Andy (lives on opposite coast) but he is always in our heart.
This pic was taken in August...
and this pic was taken today...
This is a good representation of where she was and where she is now...
When I think about her birthday and her spirit, I'm so mindful of my role in shaping her life. I'm so mindful that I need to be an example for her. I think about the words I use and the energy I live with and the morsels of wisdom that I want to offer her. I think about her story --the beauty as well as loss. I think about her circle and how lucky we all are to have her in our life. I think about the power in her being and the grand honor it is to mother her.
I expect great things...it's part of my make-up. It's not because it's been all roses. I've had great sorrow and loss but I ALWAYS expect more than I can dream. When I think about my style and Andy and LT's spirit, this song feels right - the Amy, Andy, Liv Tunsitu Anthem -
Birthdays are about honoring where you've come from, growth, reflection and hopes for the future. Birthdays are about gratitude and alignment. I love that my two sweethearts share a birthday two days apart because these two people are my heart and soul and I'm forever grateful for them. To my two Piscean loves...THANK YOU!
This is the first time I've had to leave LT overnight for a business trip (or any trip for that matter).
Feelings that are attached to this - fear, guilt, worry, more guilt and the fact that I will miss
so badly it aches.
But then I stop and realize that I have these amazing people in OUR life -
And they afford me the ability to go away and have total faith that LT is loved and cared for 100%.
I lay here in my hotel tonight so thankful, humbled and inspired by my "village."
So thankful in all the rewards this trip has brought me on so MANY levels.
so thankful for my business partner & friend
so thankful for the most amazing night with Yaddi, Hewan, Becca & Issiah (my Ethiopian family).
so thankful that I'll see my baby tomorrow.
This quick trip has reminded me that letting go it sometimes just as important as holding on tight. The universe supported me on this trip and I can't find the words to express my appreciation.
Mommy/work balance can be a struggle. The internal turmoil regarding not being enough in either category has metaphorically kicked me on my ass over and over again. I know that it will reappear but for now...I will live in the peace that when I asked for support - we got it. and abundantly. (a nessesary lesson for a single mom, type A, control freak ;)
During my wait with LT, my friend Julie made me a "waiting" compilation CD. It was/is the best soundtrack ever and I listen to it all the time. In that spirit, for all those who have waited and ARE waiting, especially H, C & M, here's Colin Hay, "waiting for my real life to begin". xoox.
** And Julie has so generously offered up the details for her wonderful waiting soundtrack.
This is my story of the journey that led me to Ethiopia to meet my daughter and how she teaches me to Liv everyday.
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." --Antoine De Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince.
The colored stripes on the Ethiopian flag are significant - the red stripe stands for power, faith and blood; the yellow symbolizes peace, natural wealth and love; and the green represents the land and hope. The colors were also interpreted to have a connection to the Holy Trinity, and the three main provinces of Ethiopia. The star represents unity of the people and the races that make up Ethiopia. The five rays on the outside of the star represent prosperity and the blue disk represents peace. The three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and red with a yellow pentagram and single yellow rays emanating from the angles between the points on a light blue disk centered on the three bands; Ethiopia is the oldest independent country in Africa, and the three main colors of her flag were so often adopted by other African countries upon independence that they became known as the pan-African colors.
