Coming down to the end...

We are one week away from the end of the school year.  What a year it has been!

Noah had his end of the year evaluation for ESL etc.  He will still need at least another year of ESL (yeah...he needs it..Zak tested out after the first year and that kind of complicated things early on in his education) but in truth has made such great gains given where he was a year ago.  

He, of course, started off in October neither reading or writing.  Today he is reading and writing at both a first grade level...right where he needs to be!  I also was presented with an amazing 'gift' this week from his teacher...she has offered to work with him every day this summer to keep the 'fire' lit in him.  She more than likely will be looping as well, so he will be graced with her amazing teaching for another year!   Also, one of his 5th grade tutors will be hired to continue her work with him as well.  I truly feel blessed with the people surrounding Noah.  His spirit has created such an amazing network of goodwill.

 

Today we had a Thank You party for his 5th grade tutor/mentors.  I brought Doro Wot and injera and they feasted like honorary Ethiopians.  Some liked it...some didn't.  They all loved the brownies, however : >).  Marian Wright Edelman has written a fantastic book,  I Can Make A Difference, that we presented to each one of them.  They truly did make a difference in Noah's life!   

One way to choose...

    How many major decisions have you made based upon eeny meeny miny mo or Rock Paper Scissor?  In your lifetime probably more than you can count.  Today, when we were walking to school Noah told me about a time he had to use his own version to make a big decision in his life.  Once again I have to add, every day I gain a new sense of perspective from him, and this morning was no different.

    We started our walk as we usually do, chatting about bugs and how tall the field grass is or whether or not the boys should have brought a sweatshirt to keep away the morning chill.  Today, Noah turned his backpack so he was wearing it on his front.  He made a little pouch and smiled, saying “This is how I carried Galiela.” (Galiela is his baby cousin who was given up for adoption prior to Noah’s relinquishment.  He still talks both his aunt and his baby cousin almost daily)  He told me how he would carry her all over Desse, his home town.  From sun up until sun down his aunt would go to the Teff fields to harvest the grain and Noah would be in charge of baby Galiela.  Noah said their neighbor, Mrs. Wordos, would be home so Noah would check in with her throughout the day.  Now and then Noah would carry Galiela out to the fields, in his front pack, to visit his aunt Genet.  When he would have to leave and Genet had to get back to work Galiela would scream for her mommy, like any baby her age, any where in the world would do.  

    Sadly Noah’s time with Galiela was short lived.  Genet had no way to feed the two extra mouths.  One day she took Galiela to the orphanage where she relinquished her.  Noah was devastate at the loss of his baby cousin.  Through Noah’s recollections Galiela was adopted to a family in Spain.  

    Things didn’t get better for Noah and Genet.  This morning Noah recalled a moment with Genet.  Genet told Noah she could not take care of him anymore.  She told Noah she had three choices for him as far as where he could go.  America.  Spain. Somalia.   Noah has an uncle in Somalia and Genet considered sending him to live with the uncle.  Here in front of  6 year old Noah were three options. America.  Spain.  Somalia.

    This morning...with his fingers...Noah showed me how he became our son.  He touched his pinky finger on his left hand and said, “America.”  He touched his ring finger on his left hand and said, “Spain.”  He touched his middle finger on his left hand and said, “Somalia.”  He continued this through all ten fingers and whatever country he said when he touched his right pinky finger was his choice... “America.”  

Happy Camper

 We took Noah camping this weekend.  He did awesome...then again if you think about it he 'camped' for the first 6 years of his life.  In fact...our 'roughing it' really doesn't compare to his every day existence in Desse. Regardless, Noah was the definition of "Happy Camper" over the long weekend.  We took a short drive to Silver Falls State Park set in the Oregon Cascade Range.  Noah's Godmother and her family, as well as another family, joined us.  All in all our camping party was 17 people strong.  Now that's a lot of mouths to feed. 

What was really cool about the weekend was of the 11 children camping, 7 were adopted.  3 from China, 2 domestic, 1 Korea, and 1 Ethiopian. : >)  They have their own special support group.  Really a wonderful thing. 

Noah's favorite part of the whole experience was riding his bike around the campground.  He probably logged in about 30 miles in 2 days.  He was exhausted Monday night when we put him in the bathtub.

Perspective and Happy Mother's Day

My perspective has never been the same since I returned from Ethiopia 7 months ago.  

I saw a lot.  I heard a lot. I touched a lot.  A lot touched me.

  

When the world started talking about swine flu last week I listened.  But with all the hype my perspective kept winding its way back to Ethiopia.  Why in our world would the deaths of 27 people in Mexico create a panic that would have hotels holding travelers hostage in Asia, citizens screaming to close our borders, jet planes changing their routes because a passenger has a cough, and schools shutting down because someone has a fever.

  

In the Sub-Sahara region of Africa, the soil from where my son comes from roughly 5,500 people die A DAY from AIDS.  That's right, in ONE DAY.  On the Ethiopian soil from where Noah walked one year ago ... 5 million children are orphaned... 1 million children are orphans living with the HIV/AIDS.  On the African soil from where Noah's family still lives today almost 7,400 people are newly infected with HIV A DAY.  

Imagine living with those numbers day to day.  So I ask a question...what if Ethiopia or Uganda or Zambia were our neighbors to the south...neighbors knocking on our door for help.  Would the world notice?

  

Here's a little something I found this week.  Some bullet points from the Federal Ministry of Health in Addis Ababa for the past week while we have been washing our hands with Purell. 

• Given the late start of belg and the approaching hunger season (yes, their ministry has a name for the time of year when famine could strike) food security  and nutrition conditions may deteriorate rapidly in some parts of the country.
  
• Since the beginning of April admission rates of malnourished children have increased rapidly and are alarmingly  high in some areas.
  
• Over 1000 children have been admitted to health care centers in one weeks time due to malnutrition.
  
• The average price of cereals is still high and the price of livestock is increasing.  No rainfall from belg producing areas so prospect of belg harvest is not promising due to inadequate land preparation and late planting due to erratic nature of the rain.
  
• 26 deaths have been reported due to Acute Watery Diarrhea  last week.  Due to lack of proper drugs, poor water supplies, poor hygiene and sanitation, and inadequate human resources they only expect these numbers to grow.  
  

   Oh, and one more thing....

• No reports of Influenza H1N1 (swine flu)  Phew!!

You see...Perspective. 

May 7 is World AIDS ORPHANS Day.  May 10 is Mother's Day.  May 12 is the one year anniversary of Noah's relinquishment...the day he said good-bye to the only world he knew and started his transition into our world.   Mother's Day is bookended by two very sobering reminders of life outside my walls. 

  

A friend of mine adopted an HIV+ child from Ethiopia.  We met in Addis last September and spent a week together with our new children.  It was the AHOPE orphanage that Melat was in that left such a strong imprint on my mind.  This month Jessica was honored by having an essay about adopting an HIV+ child published in Seattle's Child Magazine.  Within the article there are some great ideas for Mother's Day gifts that Support AIDS orphans.  I would highly recommend checking the article and the ideas out.  

Seattle's Child Magazine: A Mother’s Essay: Adopting a Daughter with HIV

So let's see...for Mother's Day this year I think I'm going to ask for a bowl of peppermint candy ice cream and some micro-roasted coffee that will help support AHOPE.  

Happy Mother's Day

Running

Today Noah ran to school.  Another beautiful morning in the Pacific Northwest.  When the sun comes out,  regardless of the  temperature, we are outside seizing the moment.  This morning Noah, Sam and I ran (ok... Sam and I walked briskly...Sam doesn't run unless there's a reward at the other end of the finish line) to school.  I would tell Noah  to run ahead to a cluster of mailboxes and then run back to me.  When he caught me I'd tell him what to run to next.  To the stop sign and then back to me.  To the crossing guard and then back to me.   Noah ran twice the distance Sam and I walked.  This helps Noah settle into a day of learning at school. 

Every morning I spend between 45 minutes to an hour getting Noah settled into his routine of the day.  It frees up his teacher to be with her class and it also gives Noah a jumpstart to what is ahead for the day.  Most days 30 minutes of this time I monitor his tutors who work 1 0n 1 with him.  All of this takes place in a private room off of the main classroom.  Today his tutor couldn't make it so I had Noah ALL to myself.  

I'm not exactly sure how the topic came up but we got on the topic of his dad.  More specifically his dad's death. According to the records his dad died 2 or so years ago from TB.  I asked him if he remembered that day.  When he began to talk about it his teacher came in, for a general question, but soon was sitting down next to me while Noah spoke.  She has become his second mom, and her interest is as invested as my own. 

 

Noah was in school on the day his dad died.  He said his Aunt Genet (he calls her Gunny) came to his school and quickly pulled him out, telling him his dad was dying.  They must run.    He said they had no car so he and Gunnie had to sprint to the hospital through the streets of Desse. By the time they got to the hospital it was too late.  His dad was dead.  He was too scared to see his father's body.  For several seconds Noah sat silent with his teacher and myself.  I reached over to touch Noah's hand and said, "We will never forget your dad.  I have his full name and we will talk about him whenever you want."  Then I said, "I bet your dad was a handsome man."  He looked at me somewhat puzzled.  I asked, "Do you know what handsome means?"  He gave me a sly cock-eyed grin and answered, "Awesome face."  Absolutely 100% correct. :  >)  I told him his dad had to be handsome because he (Noah) was so handsome.  Noah grinned from ear to ear.   

I love to watch Noah run.  His perfect form, his long legs, the smile on his face. Noah was literally born to run.  So  many times he asks to be dropped off at our mailbox (which is 1/4 mile from our house).  I let him out and he starts his run.  After I get the mail I take off down the road and soon am driving right beside him, my window down cheering him on.  He glances across his shoulder at me and smiles with his entire face.  More times than not when I am Noah's 'support vehicle driver'  I flash back to my time in Ethiopia.  Driving the dirt road into Debre Lebanos and the children running....begging by the side of the car.  Driving into the weavers market and the children running...begging by the side of the car. Driving up to Mt. Entoto and the children running...begging by the side of the car.  Noah HAS run...begged by the side of a car in Ethiopia. 

 

On this beautiful Northwest morning Noah ran.    He didn't have to run a race to beg for his survival.  He didn't have to run a race to beat the last breath of his father.  Today he ran for no other reason other than because he could.  

I've come to the realization that Spring Vacation is not a vacation to rest up from what has already occurred but more so it is a rest up before life becomes almost too crazy to control.  We hit the ground running April 6 and have not stopped.   Keep in mind Noah is only one of 5 children in the house. : >)  

  

Here's the lowdown.  We decided that Noah has been doing pretty good with school and the family so we extended his life experiences and put him on a baseball team this spring.  Noah's a RiverDog (whatever that is).    He's got a great arm, he's fast, and in Ethiopia he use to bat rocks with a stick...so the hand/eye coordination is there as well.   

Three games down and he's held his own.  Ok...so he's had to be told to hush up the "goat call" when he's bored on the bench (it's an amazing sound he used to call his goats in ET, it gets quite the rise out of his bench warming buddies and soon the entire bench is trying to call goats instead of cheering on the team..this would be ok if we lived in the city but we are country folk and there are goats within earshot of the ball field...Ha ha...imagine if the real things escaped their fences and came to the ball field...a horror movie in the making...then again Noah would probably grab a bat, call the goats and get them back into their pen before dialing 911 was complete!)

  

What is more gratifying than anything to Jeff and I is how Noah has been included by everyone. When he got his first hit this past Saturday the entire crowd stood up and cheered for him. They know his story and are blown away that 1 year ago he WAS herding goats in Dessie, Ethiopia AND hitting rocks with sticks.  Now, here he is in America playing America's game.  

We also celebrated Easter this past Sunday.  Noah understood Easter from his Orthodox teachings in Ethiopia. Once again however, we Americans had to confuse his world by throwing in a giant furry bunny hoping around the country delivering eggs to children.  For one thing he informed us that bunnies do not lay eggs and it should be a giant chicken instead.  Second, why does the bunny put 'gross' stuff like candy inside and egg when the real stuff inside a real egg is so much more 'delis-shious' than candy. Spoken like a true survivor of his hungry world in Ethiopia Also a reminder to us that so much of our traditions are just routine mindless excess.   : >)  He's got a point on both topics.  I don't think he believes in the Easter Bunny...or Easter Chicken.  He believes in just the facts.  

"Hobaba's House"

It's been awhile since I last posted.  

Last week was our spring break so we flew out to our nations capital for a week.  Even before Noah came to the United States he was fascinated by Barak Obama.  He knew Obama's face and everytime he would see news of him (on Aljazzera TV while staying at the guest house) he would jump up and excitedly cheer... "Go Hobaba".  On the night Obama was elected president Noah watch with great excitement...the Ethiopian/African passion had carried over from the streets of Addis Ababa to our family room.  He did not want to go to bed and although he didn't understand a word of Obama's acceptance speech he refused to go to bed until Obama spoke his last word. 

On the evening of November 5th (day after the election) when we were settling down to watch tv as a family he asked if we could watch the "Hobaba Show" again.  He thought the pomp and pageantry of the night prior was an everyday occasion in America. : >)  It was then we thought we should think about a trip to DC.  All of our kids are at the age where this would be an exciting and educational trip.  I have to say...it truly was a fun, tiring , educational, unforgettable week. 

The weeks prior to our leaving we prepped Noah with what was ahead.  We said we were going to see "Hobaba's House" far far away.  We said we would stay in a place where he could swim in a swimming pool.  Somewhere along the way he fused those two together so he was telling everyone that he was going to swim at "Hobaba's House".  We figured we'd just cross his disappointment of that not being a reality when we got to DC.  Fortunately our president was on his way out the door to Europe so we just had to tell Noah "Hobaba" wasn't home.  He accepted it with a shrug and said, "Next time."  

So we did DC last week.  We walked many miles every day.  Saw amazing museums, rode bikes around the tidal basin to the Jefferson Memorial while cherry tree pedals rained down on us, looked Abraham Lincoln in the eyes at his memorial, honored my dad at the Korean War Memorial, became experts on the Metro system, watched a Panda eat bamboo, had a snack on the Capitol steps, climbed a tree by the Washington Monument, road tripped to Gettysburg, had dinner at the Hard Rock cafe, saw Hobaba's House.   

This was Noah's first family vacation and what a vacation it was!  Not sure how we can top this.