the view from the siblings

i asked J, H, A, L and H if they were interesting in blogging their thoughts on AJ.  Layla was the only one interested, so that may still be coming, but i'm just sitting down to it now and she is fast asleep.  i did enlist my junior photographers today, however, and some cute pictures were captured.  i also got a few myself, so Boxing Day 2010 officially goes down in history and even a photo album too.  Sooo, back to the kids...Hudson is doing really well with this, so far at least.  naturally, he was/is our greatest concern as he loses the spot of "baby" in the family.  well, not to worry.  he is taking his role as big brother very seriously.  we've prepared him and he seems very pleased to finally be stepping up to duty.  asking Pastor Deve to mention his "big brother" status in church (yes, he did!) was confirmation of that.  so cute.  he is precious and has always basked in affirmation and praise, and we are conscious to give him that.  the first hour we were home, however, was a bit hectic.  Hudson felt the need to parade what seemed like every toy or object in his bedroom in front of AJ's eyes.  "AJ, look, a CD....AJ, this is my photo album..." etc...once we got that under control and explained that AJ was tired and didn't need to see every article in our house, things settled quickly.  of course, my hope and prayer is that these two boys forge a deep bond and connect together in a way that only they understand.  my wish is that they will openly share their adoption connection together, talking it through as they get older, sharing also the colour similarities of their skin (milk chocolate and dark chocolate).  being black in a mostly white family will come to the forefront of their minds one day soon, and at least now they aren't alone in wrestling through that reality.  we are a transracial family, and we as parents of these precious children will accompany them on their way to discovering all that this reality means to them.

AJ really connects with Joelle.  he'll often lean in for her, or seem to be drawn in her direction.  she, unlike Hudson, has the age and maturity to perceive his needs and gives space when space is needed, and cuddles when cuddles are needed, and silly when silly is needed.  she is a great help to me.  plus, her ability to retain Amharic in a brain that still has memory space (read~ my memory is fried  less than it used to be....yeah...) is very useful.  i love how she is constantly observing and processing.  my prayer for Joelle and Hannah (all our kids for that matter) is, of course, that they will internalize all of this and share a deep passion for orphans as they grow into adulthood.  that they would desire to serve the vulnerable children around the world someday, someway. 

dear Layla is oozing with love to shower on this child.  she sometimes tries to mother a bit more than AJ enjoys, like carrying him places he can walk to, etc....but overall she too is cluing in to his needs and responding.  she took great joy in hearing Alemayehu say her name yesterday.  she is such a compassionate spirit, and all of AJ's story and birth country moves her...one of her most common sentences starts like this, "Ohhhhh, i just feel so bad for......".  one day i hope to bring her on a similar trip, to Haiti or Africa or wherever, because i have no doubt she has the desire to serve and help where possible.  (in reality, i could see her staying long-term once she sees what we saw).  i'm so thankful the kids are home this week to share this time with their new brother.

Hannah also completely understands AJ's needs.  she is a helpful delight.  her obvious love for her brother is a blessing to observe.  we're talking lots with the five children about maintaining loving relationships with eachother, and not just saving the love for AJ.  she has always shared a deep connection with Hudson, and even Layla to some extent, and we're encouraging them all to continue to show kindness to the siblings that aren't "brand new".  for the most part this has been working.  of course, this week will be the true test when the hype of Christmas and new things wears off a bit.  we will have our moments, no doubt.  these kids aren't perfect and unfortunately neither are their parents (so not perfect), but we'll work through the issues as they arise and hopefully come out the other side (in like 15 years....help me) with our love and sanity and family unit intact.

oh look!  there's my favourite couch!  yep, still love it....
on to Adam (and hopefully you're still reading as this is surely the longest blog post ever)....Adam was the first name AJ said after daddy and mommy.  we'd show him his photo album in Ethiopia and he'd point to Adam and say "Ado" and this has stuck since being home.  he giggles lots at Adam and loves the boy toys he share with him.  Adam has a warm loving spirit with small children and is super excited to finally have AJ home~  to meet him and play together and get to know him. 

yes, i know i wrecked the black and white theme and i probably have a way to edit that somehow, but in the interest of getting my children fed this morning (just finishing the post now as last night i was simply too sleepy)  it will be staying in colour.  c'mon, i never said i was a professional blogger (still waiting for the ad requests from major companies. i'm sure they are still coming. likely drafting up a proposal to pitch to me as we speak :) )
so, there's the sibling update.  thanks for bearing with me.  the short version is that all is well.  we are transitioning and so very thankful to be doing just that!  one more question.  have you noticed by now my obsession with commas?  i'm sure i'm an English teacher's nightmare (KA).  but, hey, it's, my, blog, and, i, can, use, as, many, commas, as, i, want....so, there.....