Long time

Well i haven't been doing a very good job at keeping this up, but life gets busy. Lillian has pneumonia right now but we are greatful for the wonderful strong antibiotics and good care as she was able to stay home with us this year instead of another hospitalization. Our dog JOJO contracted pneumonia as well. I don;t think from each other but I'm not really sure if humans and dogs can share the same colds? Since I posted last August Our household has had its fair share of illness. We all had H1N1 in October. Man that was pleasant (Not) . As a Nurse there were people inour hospital who did not survive this flu/ it was terrible. I was ill for a long time with it as well and i did have the vaccine as well but that's another argument.. Abel amazingly came through everything like a breeze , even the H1N1 just 1 day down with an extra long nap, cough and fever, He was fine in a day. I wouldn't have believed he had it except his nasal swab was positive. I swear he has an amazing immune system. He's growing really fast. And he really wants to go to preschool next year. He had his initial tryouts and interview last week so we'll see. The preschools in our community are very competitive but I know my Abel can do it.. We should know in a week or so if he'll have a spot. Lillian tried out too but I'm not so sure yet if we will be sending her. They are being raised as the same age (born a day apart) But Lillian will be starting her 1 year of medication regimen to treat her liver disease. This will be difficult as hr immune system will be assulted by the meds as well as her red blood cells. So at this point I think we will continue her home schooling. On the exciting end Abel has 2 National ads with Little Tikes now. We are so proud of him. This was a kid who would never look at a camera in Ethiopia, now hes a model HA.

2 little monkeys jumping on the bed....

this classic song is one of Lilly and Abel's absolute favorites. i can account to hours and hours of them singing this.. Maddening really. Except yesterday when I was trying to make dinner Lillian took it to a whole new level. Her and Wes were wrestling/jumping/ horseplaying on my bed when Lilly fell backwards on her wrist. Off to the ER where after many hours she has a fracture of her radius in her wrist. She is now in a cast- splint to her elbow and we are waiting to get in with the orthopedist to get her in a true cast. Well that blows swimming for the last few weeks of summer.
On a sad note we lost 3 out of 4 of our foster kittens this morning. They were just tooo young to not have a mama. They lived 1.5 weeks and we got to hold them as they passed. Still very sad. Only 1 left from the litter and we will fight to keep her alive but the APL has said the odds are against us. We are getting up through the nights for bottle feeds and placing her in an incubator heating pad setting at night. And I am slinging her during the day. We'll see.

More pics, Pig races and pony rides

Heres a few more pics

African Safari

We drove today to Port Clinton, OH where they have a drive thru African safari zoo. A good time had by all. They even had pig races, which I have no idea how that has anything to do with African Safari, but fun none the less. Abel and Lillian had their very first pony rides too.

1 year later

Well in the next few weeks we will be very busy , getting back to the school routine, we have 4 orphan kittens so young their eyes aren't even open yet which means every 4 hour feedings. But I wanted to take a minute and recognize that on the 23 rd of August it will be 1 year since I met my son. We can't imagine life without him although I will have to admit the beginning was tough. It almost makes love all the more sweeter when you have to make a conscience choice to do it and try to win the trust of this very very sad boy who had a horrific beginning. I know that when he started looking for me and crying when I had to go to work that we made some real progress. He actually misses me . So yes that makes winning over my sons affections all the more satisfying. Those who adopt kids with Reactive Attachment Problems please take heart. It does get much better with time and patience. My son is growing up to be such a caring , sensitive young man and I wouldn't want it any other way. Heres some pice of him around the time he came home and the present. he has gained close to a whopping 25 lbs. grown about 6 inches, and has gone up 8 shoe sizes. Unbelievable. i though he was just going to be a tiny little guy, but he has some real potential to be a pretty tall guy when he's grown. He loves his puppy and shows so much affection to him which is the reason why that puppy did not go back after foster care to the APL. Its amazing to see a boy and his dog both orphans that seem to have a bond i can't explain.

more Cedar point pics

Here's a few more of our fun filled day

Cedar Point

We are lucky enough to live fairly close to one of the USA's largest amusement parks. Along with deeply discounted tickets offered by my employer we were able to take a day and go. however My hubby isn't able to have a day mid week off since we are going on a family vacation soon so I took my mom and dad. It was a great day for the kids to spend with grandma and Grandpa. And I had much needed help with my 4 kiddos who all have different riding styles and needs. Grandma could stay in kiddie land with Lilly and Abel. I could ride big rides with Chloe and it became an organized mess. Wesleigh doesn't ride but likes arcades and gift shops and the boat rides so Grandpa could supervise this. A very fun day but boy oh boy was I tired at the end of the day. I needed 2 days just to recover.