two months

can't believe it.  two months since we walked through the doors at Pearson International Airport in TO to see our two dads waiting to lay eyes on their new grandson.  what a joy it was to come full circle and walk out of that building and into the future we'd waited so long to experience with this brown-eyed toddler.  two months has flown by, with Christmas and all the busyness of life as it goes.  AJ continues to thrive.  he seems to be doing a bit better digestively as well, and we'll be rechecking some things (stools~ because i know you were wondering) again in the next few weeks to see if he continues to remain clear of parasites.  we also need to assess the spleen again to determine its size and make decisions from there.  he is talking so much, and it must be noted that the four best words were uttered last week.  just he and i were driving one evening while the other six were at wrestling.  i looked back at him, as he stared out the window all bright-eyed while we cruised in the car ("daddy's ma-keena, FAST!") and i said to him "AJ, i love you".  he looked at me and said "Mommy, i love you".  so, i know he's all into repeating me these days, but it was so sweet still....
yesterday he even enjoyed the snow for a bit, and not just simply tolerating it.  Layla and I were pulling/pushing him in the sled outside and he enjoyed the small bike hills at the back of the yard.  he was giggling and giving us "more" and "again" over and over. 
anyway, here are a few random photos...

a couple "muffin-eating" pictures, because it's always super fulfilling to see him enjoying food, and the eyes are pretty enchanting as well...

who can resist the "nothing-but-the-white-briefs" shot??  apparently not me...

celebrating two months of fun transition for our whole family...we hardly remember life before AJ was here.  the only reminder i sometimes still have of the "days of seven" is when i count out cutlery and do seven spoons instead of eight, or forget a bowl for cereal, etc...old habits, i guess....

jonas news

i spoke today with Eyob from Kingdom Vision International.  such a mixed bag of emotions i am....completely thankful to hear that Eyob successfully located Jonas based on the little information i'd been able to share.  so thankful he took the time to follow through with his promise made.  he interviewed Jonas and obtained a basic history on this dear child.  he fed him a meal.  yes he did...Eyob confesses to sharing the very same emotions toward this boy since their meeting.  he is burdened for his many needs.  near the end of our conversation he solemnly stated "Jonas is just one child, like so many others here in this country.  please pray and continue to help these children.  there is so much to be done...."  ......gulp....yah, we know.  the disparity between our two worlds is complete craziness.  how is it that i can stand on any given day, in my local grocery store, and choose between 18 different kinds of bread, or 27 types of salad dressing, when a basic loaf of bread and healthy green salad is so elusive to so many there.  i feel helpless until i'm reminded that one life changed is still one life changed....anyway, this is what we do know now about Jonas.  he is 13 and in grade 7.  he is orphaned, both parents are deceased.  his mother passed away when he was too young to remember, and his father when he was four years old.  he does have an uncle but he doesn't know where he is.  he lives with a friend of his father's, and his wife.  he is in a fairly dire economic state.  he sometimes has to walk to school when there is no money for transportation.  on those days he gets up and starts walking by 6 am, and reportedly walks three hours to school.  hard to believe, quite honestly.  i'm told many days he leaves without breakfast or a packed lunch.  just for a minute imagine sending your own son or daughter out the door in the morning with no food in their bellies, to make the long trek to school.  i can't do it....it sounds like the most sure meal for him is dinner when he returns home.  whether he is able to eat until he's full, i don't know.  sometimes he will receive some food from his friends during the day, and occasionally clothes from them as well.  he favours social studies in school currently, and Eyob admits he appears bright.  he wants to grow up and become a doctor.  he admits to having headaches on occasion and has gone to the clinic before and received medication for that.  he knows nothing else about his medical status, and Eyob agrees that a full medical screening would be necessary to determine any other internal issues that may or may not be there.  we still remember his yellow-tinged eyes.  Jonas shared with Eyob some of his other dreams and desires, and Eyob has promised to follow-up with Jonas' current guardians.  we're trying to establish if he is loved by them, or simply another mouth to feed.  i think we'd all agree that hunger pangs are one thing, certainly tragic and unfortunate, but a lonely and disconnected heart is a whole different story.  is Jonas ever hugged by them?  is he listened to~ asked how his day was?  does he laugh with them and feel secure in their home?  does he feel protected, and supported? we so hope so....
all this to say, Jonas' future is uncertain, sponsorship is a real possibility, and i'm beyond thankful that someone is involved and cares right there in Ethiopia.  we will know more in the coming weeks, but please continue to pray on his behalf. 

choosing to see

i'm into another book.  veered off the "book reading plan" and couldn't resist the one i'm hearing so much about.  Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman~ so inspiring and real and challenging.  Mary Beth shares an honest account of how her faith is tested through the struggles her family has endured~ including the tragic death of their adopted daughter Maria Sue.  a central theme in the book is how her life has taken turns she never planned or wished for, but through it all she's been able to see how there is a plan and a purpose, beyond her own desires.  ...click on the link to see her short interview about the book and the journey.  awe inspiring... oh, hi Cindy! :)

super bowl party, toothy wonders and mystery photo

four of us just got back from a really fun Super Bowl party, four remain to finish it out.  three kids tucked into bed.  while i tucked in Layla and Hudson, AJ looked like this on the couch. 

all tuckered out after an afternoon and evening of lots of fun people and toys.  not a lot of football, but whatever....as i got him ready i decided he'd had a lot of party-type food so some warm milk would probably really hit the spot before bed.  he was still in a sleepy state, but snuggled in on my bed and enjoyed warmed up lactose-free milk in a sippy cup.  he was so into it.  "more", he whispered when he was done....so sweet.  i tucked him in and he was almost instantly off to sleep again.  thanks J family for hosting us and for the fun time with friends. 

even though this blog has mostly been AJ related, in large part to serve as part of his lifebook one day, i couldn't resist the chance to show dear Hudson and his "spare tooth"....such a surprise it was to us when the appearance of this large adult tooth became known to us.  sitting there, all white and early, a good distance back from the baby teeth that show no signs of wiggling.....hmmmm.....i'm told it isn't a huge concern at this point, and will likely be pushed in place by the tongue once the baby teeth depart, but the dentist can weigh in next month when we see her.  anyway, it is cause for much smiling around here, and Hudson is very proud of it and eagerly shared it with his class during "show and tell"...never dull around here....

oh, one more picture that i meant to post a while ago.  i came across it again, and it takes me right back to the moment....any guesses on what exactly AJ might be glaring about??? 

jonas and other randomness

some of you have been reading for awhile.  you remember me sharing about Jonas here and here and here .  Jonas hasn't left our minds.  we haven't forgotten him.  see him below the day before we left Ethiopia.

we continue to pray for him, asking God to move mountains and maybe even use us to see this boy reach his God-given potential.  i send and re-send emails.  yesterday i started calling a number i was given to reach the director of KVI and child sponsorship there in Addis.  I kept getting "the mobile user is out of the area" or another message saying the phone was turned off.  really discouraging.  today i tried the two phone numbers again and it actually rang.  but no answer.  so typical.  then a busy signal.  exasperating.  i went off to make muffins, because i'm officially back in the kitchen (yay!! :) ) and it feels so great to be there.  AJ was having fun emptying my kitchen gadget drawer and eating a few grapes.  all of a sudden the phone rang.  it was long distance, and the number i remember just calling in Ethiopia.  wow.  i grabbed the phone and there was Eyob on the other end.  in person.  ready to listen.  we chatted.  i was given explanation for the lack of response.  i shared our heart for Jonas and what we observed while there in December.  i shared that others who've read this blog are praying for him and asking how he is.  he promised me he'd try to locate him, "sit with him in my office and ask him some questions", and try to establish what Jonas' needs are.  maybe he has more support and healthcare accessible to him than expected, i shared.  but i really doubt it.  however, that would be welcomed news.  he said he felt he owed Jonas a proper follow through, and that he'd be in touch in a few weeks once more information was known.  the man cares, and that is exactly what i'd prayed and wished for.  it's just one boy, in one crazy populated city, in the most amazing country full of paradox.  but for some reason we're changed since meeting him.  maybe it was looking into his jaundiced eyes knowing he was orphaned and grieving the death of his parents.  maybe it was just because the utter tragedy of his life was staring us in the face, literally.  not to be ignored.  please continue to pray, if praying is something you do.  i have no doubt great things are possible.  i'll keep you posted. 

feel like i need to break that heavy paragraph with a picture, but none are really handy at the moment.  use your imaginations people! :) this is the lighter "randomness" mentioned in the title.  the VS crew is officially resuming normal activities.  all five are at school today.  as mentioned, i'm cooking and baking again (that novelty should wear off in about 1.5 days).  Joelle was back at basketball (huge feat).  no more pill bottles scattered over the counter.  no blankets strewn across the family room.  no lack of sitting space due to pale flu-ravaged bodies stretched over the beautiful plaid couch and loveseat.  it's good to be back to a pre-flu state around here.  so far the other four "machines", as we're calling them, are holding strong.  maybe mildly anxious but strong nonetheless.

AJ news~ AJ blows us away.  he is a dream kid.  i'd so prepared myself, saying many times over the 2.5 years of waiting that "there's no way it can go as smoothly this time, because Hudson's transition was just sooo good.  and we're prepared for that".  i really believed that.  after all, AJ would be older, which automatically presents with more issues right there.  well, he's sleeping great and going to sleep much more at ease than the first few weeks.  sometimes he even asks to go.  he'll come up to me and whisper "bed"...stunned i say "do you want to go to bed???"  he gives me the classic nod that you'll have to see for yourself or ask Jeff to demonstrate.  it's adorable and a barely audible "yah".   he is eating so much better.  initially he was definitely weirded out by our textures and flavours, understandably.  now, he's diving in to most meals and often whispering "more".  or he'll come up to me through the morning and say "eat~ hungry"....communicating has been great.  we still toss around many Amharic basics, but he's also saying the compatible English word as well.  he counts to ten most times, kisses all of us repeatedly (won't ever tire of that) and is giggly and content.  such a joy.  i'm still trying for another video, but he's obsessed with seeing it playback so he doesn't stay in front of the camera long enough.  still working on it.  he's seeing the doctor again this week.  more follow-up about the abdominal parasite he is suspected to still have.  i hope that clears in time and that the spleen reduces in size soon as well.  regardless, this child is a complete gift. 

many have wondered how Hudson would do being bumped from "baby" position in the family.  i wondered the same.  he's been such a focus for our family since coming home in 2006.  his antics and charismatic personality are quite....well, consuming.  i'm happy to report that he too has exceeded our expectations through this transition.  first, he adores AJ.  he loves being "big brother" and is constantly trying to teach AJ this word or that word.  he seems to have dropped his voice down a decibel or two.  he's sounding older and wiser.  it's very cute.  he has exhibited no jealousy~ just genuine concern and care that has been beautiful to see.  the other four are also doing great.  as i mentioned a few posts back, they all connect differently now.  there is a dynamics shift, no doubt.  but this has been worth every little change or shift.  without question. 

well, i think that makes you up-to-date...