gorilla chicken

funny thing - Sam went walking around the back yard and inquired about the grill "what is it, Crowley?" John goes on to explain its a grill to cook chicken- and then Sam runs in to tell me "Mamma, Mamma, gorilla chicken outside!"

Another funny thing. Sam brings a little yogurt and spoon to the living room...he got them all by him self and hes super proud. He gets help opening the cup, but then wants to bring the empty cup and spoon to the kitchen on his own. John goes in behind him to fund Sam putting his yogurt spoon back in the drawer "I pick up, Crowley!"

Too funny

zoo time

John and Gabe on the ropes course

Gabe was up super high! He did so good! This was his second time

Sam on his first horsey!! He was over the moon excited!

i love spring break

i had a house full of kids, got to read, study, referee them playing outside, do some cleaning, send some emails and watch a webinar on attachment/adoption. No beaches, no trips, no drinks with umbrellas or bikinis (as if)- but its been a great time so far!!!
tomorrow will be a park date with Sam and Gabe, some school work for me and then a night class. loverly

Spring Break - International Festival

My first day of spring break was pretty busy. Although John, Sam, and I lounged around the house for a while, watched some Mickey Mouse Club and The Soup, cleaned up some and got ready to go visit my friend Michelle and her son Dylan for his 4th birthday at Little Gym- Sam had a blast. With an orange balloon, and candy in hand and with cake frosting on his face Sam and I raced back home to get him in dressed in his Ethiopian outfit (one of two we brought back). We went to the International Festival- and Sam looked so adorable. Blue is a great color on him
More exciting news- adoption training April 14- yep we have to do it again....this is for domestic, we still aren't certain if/when we may begin the formal quest for another beautiful Ethiopian child- which would actually be my preference...but there are so many factors/variables that may prevent that. There are children in need right here, domestic foster-adoption is free and subsidized.....so thats probably the more *logical* route....but my heart is in Ethiopia. What has gotten really weird is that Sam asks about it nearly every day now...which is just odd because his language is really developing and he has grown more and more attached to us. Yet he just casually says "Momma I want it go to Opee-opia (Ethiopia)" or "Mamma, I want Opee-opia see it" (i want to see Ethiopia)....He looked at my dvd case/book from Invisible Children and my shirt with many pictures of Ugandans on it...and he always asks me if its "Opee-Opia"
John and I have discussed age ranges and full heartedly feel that a child between 5 and 7 would be best....and the more we evaluate how Sam and Gabe interact with one another and how Sam is with girls versus boys- I actually think a girl would be the best bet - Something i swore never to have. I have been "all boy" since i entertained even having children early in my life, with Sam i chose him from a WC  list....but theres just something i feel that says a 6 year old girl is out there. This feeling was even more verified when the new agency we will most likley go with (should we adopt from ET again- its the only one i have registered with) has sent me a WC file for a girl who is 5/6ish and a double orphan, having been relinquished by a family member...she has a chronic health issue but its manageable and shes just beautiful. I must really pray/meditate and ponder this (which has been hard since i have not gone to yoga/chanting or my meditation group in weeks)....in the mean time we are still going to be certified for foster care.
In the mean, mean time...here are some awesome pictures of the most beautiful Habesha boy this side of the Mississippi~!

So smiley!

Sam playing in the back yard

bouncing fixes everything

i haven't mentioned much about the magic that is the trampoline. Theres not much my two boys share/have in common....but bouncing on our huge trampoline is one thing they both love to do- together!@!! It brings joy to my heart that they at least have this. Sam officially got in to the Montessori program that Gabe goes to. However, I am really concerned that Sam lacks the focus and independence to really fulfill Montessori work....we will see. I will be working with him as much as possible this summer to help him
Many interesting, exciting and somewhat scary conversations going on- we are preparing for orientation into the foster/adopt program with DSS. At the same time i cant get something out of my mind- another waiting child adoption....i look at WC lists so much- specifically those that are HIV +. This is something i/we have never even talked about or discussed. But after watching a big special on Magic Johnson and then reading up on how HIV is not even considered a fatal illness but a chronic/manageable condition really had opened my eyes. I read over blogs of families with many adopted and bio children and theres something within me that really wants that....something i never thought was there. Its pretty unexpected. Another interesting occurrence is that i have resigned from teaching to focus on grad school work and mommy work...this scared the shit out of me, but at the same time John is very supportive of having me at home, often more than i am . I imagine iw ill be working part time...in fact i am already lining up part time work for the summer (HOGWARTS SUMMER CAMP ANYONE?!?!- for reals at the UUCC) I am not certain i will be a stay at home mom, in them ost traditional since but depending on how Sam does in school, it may be a reality for me for a while. If we go through with becoming foster parents then that will be an even bigger reason to be at home more....its exciting and scary all at once.
Sam is doing wonderfully- hes such a joyful smiley, happy boy. He has these little pouty moments but they are fleeting. We are so lucky and i must remind myself not to fall in love with and idealized version of fostering/adoption because of how well Sam has attached, because this is not always the norm. His language has come so far- its amazing how much he can say an dhow much he knows....i really feel theres barely a difference some days.

Anyhow, i am really trying my hardest to balance school, work and family....its hard but i only have to tough it out for another month!!

St Pats- Sam

 Sam's interested- and concerned- "whats all that music?"- Its the St Patty's Day Parade! A family tradition, Sam's first!

 And then the crazy starts! He sees Elmo coming!!

 Me and Gabrielle!