a mad mommy here...

Part of the adoption process had us taking classes or watching videos on how to adapt in being a multi-racial family. There were all kinds of scenarios of what "might" happen, and then the question..."what would you do?" Well, up to this point I haven't really encountered rude, inconsiderate people. Everyone seems curious and accepting and are definitely drawn by my son's adorable smile. Well, that was until today. I found myself heartbroken. Scott, Yonni, and I were eating lunch today at a chick-fil-a and while Scott was getting our food I took Yonni into the play area. There were no other adults in there and quite a few kids, so I kept an eye on Yonni and watched as he started to climb the tree thing that would eventually lead to the slide. Then out of nowhere, a little kid who was maybe 4 or 5 started yelling at Y...saying, "I DON'T LIKE YOU, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED ON HERE, I DON'T LIKE YOU!!" He continued to yell this over and over at Y and I immediately told him that was not a very nice thing to say and Y was infact allowed to play on that, just like the rest of the kids. Then he stuck his tongue out at me and kept yelling at Yonni. Then he tried to block off one of the stairs. At this point I'm trying to explain to this kid that anyone is allowed to play here, just wishing that this kids mom would show up so I could tell her a word or two. He left to play on something else and Yonni made it to the slide and thought it was awesome and seemed clueless that this kid was even yelling at him. So we go sit with Scott and eat lunch and told Scott what happened and then I just felt stinging tears swim to my eyes. I was so mad that anyone would treat MY precious child like that, especially when there were many other children playing in there. It made me wonder, was it really because my sweet little Yonni was brown that made this child react that way??? I know that I'll never know if that's why, but still...my heart was breaking. After we got done eating, we noticed who this kids mom was. She actually was sitting right outside of the play area, right next to where I was talking to this kid. At no point did she come over to see if everything was ok or not. That made me more mad. Wouldn't you wonder what was going on if some strange woman was talking pretty sternly to your son?? Anyway, at that point I said nothing to her. Now I'm regretting that. Ugh, I don't really even know where I'm going with this...my brain isn't really forming full thoughts at the moment...so I guess that's that. It just made me so mad!

~Ciao

Melkam Addis Amet

Today was an exciting day! We celebrated week 2 of kindergarten being done and also the Ethiopian New Year. We had a blast going up to Cleveland to Empress Taytu (an Ethiopian Restaurant) and meeting up with other North East Ohioans who either are in the process of adopting or have already adopted from Ethiopia. Here are some pics of from the evening.

It was so nice to see the Williamsons and their little Mesfin! We started our first leg of our trip on the same plane with them and didn't realize it until we arrived in Addis. It was amazing to see how much Mesfin had grown!!

Little adorable Sammy

The Popa girls

Yonni and Maya

Yonni, Ellie, and ElijahSuper Cute EllieAnother super cutie...MayaMaya and her Mommy, Annie
And then comes my guilt trip story. So we've been back from Ethiopia for, um lets see...7 months. Living in little Lexington, we do not have the opportunity to frequent Ethiopian cuisine. So, this is Yonni's first time eating REAL Ethiopian food since we've been back (mommy sticking Berber in the Spaghetti doesn't count(-: ) I know, I know...I feel awful!!! Especially seeing how he totally dug in and ate half the plate that was to feed all 4 of us! I'm a bad mommy and either need to figure these recipes out, or find a way to get here more often!
ok, my beating myself up is over. So here is Yonni's reaction after asking him if he liked it?
This is him showing me HOW ITS DONE...
First peel off the injera
Second, dip it in whatever looks yummy to you (for him it was all 4 items on the tray)Third, throw it in your mouth and enjoy!I must say, after eating in Ethiopia for 11 days, my palate wasn't too excited about eating it again. Bad Brain, Bad Brain!! Tonight's cuisine was soooo yummy! Can't wait for next weekend...a possible Ethiopian festival in Columbus! ok, I'm tired, going to bed.
~Ciao

Mochilla!!!

The kindergarten that Elijah is going to is part of a Spanish Immersion School. We have been so excited about it for many reasons, the 2 big ones being the diversity of students and of course that he will be learning Spanish. So granted, today was only his 4th day of kindergarten, but every day so far I've asked, did you learn any Spanish words today. The response has been..."umm, I don't remember." Well, today when I picked him up he was so excited because he had a super fun day, and he said, "Guess what mom??"
"what?"
"I even remembered a Spanish word, I bet you don't know what it is.....mochilla!! That means backpack!"
So we were very excited that on day four he retained what backpack was. Well, I was excited until I thought to myself that he should have remembered that from all the Dora "episodes" he has watched in his 5 long years of life!!!

gotta love it(-:

mmm...blueberry pancakes

Growing up in the Baker family you had to become a lover of pancakes. My dad always made the pancakes and prided in the fact they were the size of the plate they were served on. I must say, I don't make pancakes as often as I had them growing up, but when I do, I remember how good they really are.
Since stumbling on Bakerella's blog I have become a huge fan, so it was no surprise when she posted the Blueberry Cornmeal Pancakes and Orange Maple Butter, I had to try them out on my boys. The picture actually came from her link...

http://bakerella.blogspot.com/2009/06/good-morning.html

Well, I made mine this morning and they didn't come out quite as glorious as hers pictured...plus I didn't stack like 15 on top of each other, but they were yummy. So, final thoughts would be if your into pancakes and want to try a different spin on an 'ol favorite...try these out!

My little dude's a Kindergardner!!

Well, the moment finally arrived. After dwelling on it all last week, not believing it was actually happening....the day came to go to school. I broke down a little last night while ironing his shirt, which btw will not be a regular thing!! Scott told me this was the next step in this process called parenthood. I agreed, but it still didn't make it easier. I told him it felt like the beginning of the end. He laughed and said we still have 13 more years before he's out of here. Anyway, based on last night I was not looking forward to today, but as I awoke to the beautiful sunshine and crisp autumn air God just put a peace in my heart...and I made it the whole day without crying!!!

Elijah was a bit nervous of the unknown, so I am so excited to hear how it went! Here a few pics from this morning...

Nothing Like Grandma Margie's Bowl

So this morning we woke to the sound of shattered glass. Scott immediately jumped out of bed and when I got to the living room I saw 2 sheepishly looking boys and my husband who said, "You are Not going to be happy!"

Apparently one of my favorite kitchen items or just items in general had been dropped and was now shattered all over the carpet. At first I saw the yellow pieces but it had not registered what it was. I was glad the boys were OK and then sent them to their room. It was then when I asked what it was, that my heart began to sink. OK, OK "its just a bowl" you say. And yes, no item on this earth is more cherished than my family.....but then again, this wasn't just any bowl...it was that 1940s, vintage yellow, Pyrex bowl that had belonged to my grandma so long ago. My first memories in the kitchen were watching my grandma put things in that yellow bowl. I loved when she would pour the yeast into the warm water and sugar and watching it bubble.

"no touching" she said, "just let it rest for a few minutes".

And then to see that become such a beautiful dough that wasn't quite done until it "felt like a baby's bottom" (no clue where she came up with that one(-: ) And then she would roll out the dough, spread out melted butter, sprinkle some Cinnamon sugar and the most delicious Cinnamon rolls would emerge. So simple, yet so hard to replicate!

There wasn't a time that I used that bowl that I wouldn't just think of Grandma, if only for a second. Just yesterday Elijah and I were mixing a batter in it and I thought to myself, "How cool, my grandma gave me a passion for baking and cooking starting with this bowl and now I am sparking an interest with my son."

One of our favorite uses for the bowl was what we did with it last night...it was the vessel to some might yummy popcorn. Anyway, the bowl is gone and with it a symbol I would always equate with my grandma. Thank goodness God allows us to keep such special memories with or without the bowls.

Wow, 6 months has flown by!

Well, actually August 2nd was the 6 month mark, but whose counting??? Well, it just happened to work out that Shoahannah's Hope deadline for submitting grant recipient stories is this Saturday, so it was perfect timing to work on a video! Here it is, well the link anyway, and I promise to start blogging more often(-:

~ciao

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6sEyVwVjBY