Sunday, August 17, 2008

Hi!

Concentrating on coloring - I don't think she had ever held a crayon before last week but she's already improving!

I took out her braids at bathtime and let her have her "fro" for the night! She and Nick splashed and giggled together in the tub - it was adorable! And she is mommy's little helper, copying everything I do! She LOVES the laundry! Teddi (new nickname short for Ted-i-kwah) fell asleep here minutes after this picture and we scooped her up and everyone slept in our room (except Snoopy, Daddy and Nick are getting him now - eek).


Look at the face of a cherub!

Quickie update of home pics. I just took last night and today... I'll post about THE TRIP another time but just so you guys aren't hanging, the reason it was "horrid" was because of her reaction (or shear hatred) towards us. The trip and Ethiopia itself was the most amazing experience - visiting the birth family and the long journey to them was so extraordinary that I don't know that any words will ever do it justice. It was unlike any scenery I had ever witnessed and I will forever have those couple of days in my memory by sight, sound, and smell.


Addis and the Wide Horizons experience was beautiful, it was so different than I had expected and I really saw the beauty in the city and also the people - ugh, so beautiful.

The reason that we were there was the only part of the trip that was utter hell. At one point I ran out of the room she was in bawling, I was trying to think of a way out of the whole thing and if we'd be able to book a flight home, alone. Being convinced that I had just f'd up my little happy family of three rocked me and made vomit sit at the top of my throat for days.

And then, it began to lift, like peeling an onion, skin by skin she began to acknowledge me/us. We have a ton of work left to do but what has occurred in the past week is nothing short of a miracle. She is tremendous and every single bit of a diva and little baby all rolled into one. I never thought that a three year old would make my heart race and my hands tremble at the thought of having to see her again on those days but she had the power to scare me like I've never been scared in my life. She was a dream come true coming home and slept almost the entire time - whew! None of us got ill and we are beyond blessed for that fact. We are only slightly tired and life/laundry/shopping is all in order! The house is now complete and ready to keep us all happy for the week! MP has the week off too!

I'm so excited to talk about the details of the trip and of our little peanut - we are so blessed... If you want to know what she sounds like before I get around to posting video then just remember "Boo" from Monster's Inc.... that is her voice and giggle!! :) And she just did it! She's sitting behind me on the office chair tracing the tattoo on my lower back (what's with my kids and touching my back anyway)??!!

There are very few pictures of our trip with her for the reasons above but I will share a few of the less painful ones in the coming days. God put a mountain in front of us last week and we have certainly braved the worst of it and can't wait to enjoy our new life together as a family of four.

I CAN'T WAIT TO GO BACK (not like tomorrow or anything crazy) and explore more of the intoxicating country of Ethiopia - and when I say intoxicating I mean it.

30 comments:

  1. She is precious! I love the pictures - she and Nick look like best friends :)

    Glad she is adjusting to her new family. I'm sure it was so scary for her. Hang in there!

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  2. I have been reading about your journey. THANK YOU for your honesty. We are in process of getting our little girl...hopefully in the next year. Will keep your sweet family in prayer with all the adjustments to come.

    Melodie
    www.themonbergs.com

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  3. Lori,

    She's gorgeous. And I am totally with you in regards to the heartbreak you went through in the first couple of days. But, I assure you, it gets better fast. Now we go longer and longer in between periods of grief. Fortunately, there are fewer of those What-the-heck-was-I-thinking moments.
    I can't believe how beautiful she is. And your son must be just tickled to have his mom and dad home again!

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  4. WOW! We are thinking about adopting a toddler next, so thanks for telling others what we may face. Happy you are home.

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  5. Thank you for your honesty. The pic of the two of them is amazing. So amazing. Hang in there.

    Oh yes and read this book asap.....

    http://www.amazon.com/Two-Little-Girls-Memoir-Adoption/dp/0425208826/ref=si3_rdr_bb_product

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  6. Oh my friend - my tummy sank as I read this but I was quickly reminded of who is in charge and the task set before us IS achievable. He doesn't give us more then we can handle. I'm praying for you, your princess, your family. I can't wait to talk to you on the phone - you've caught the Ethiopia bug - I'm tellin ya - AP's mission trip to ET is a must! I'm ready to go back - yes, I'd go tomorrow if it weren't for a little man that might have an opinion on that. ((((HUGS)))) let me know when your ready and I'll call ya. I want details! Good bad and ugly. Love ya!

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  7. Welcome home! Wow, what a journey you've been on... I hope you quickly settle into a routine as a family. Looking forward to hearing more about your trip!

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  8. Congrats. Your daughter is beautiful. I've been reading your blog a little from Emily's. Glad you are home safe and praying for new mercies every morning.

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  9. Hey! I found you're blog off someones. We're waiting on a referral anytime of a 3yr. old little boy. I love hearing stories of how things are going. Praying that the adjustment goes OK. She's absolutely DARLING!

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  10. Oh Lor! I'm so happy you guys are back and living this crazy life as a family of four! Princess Parker sure is beautiful and it's great seeing her smile. I know it's a hard adjustment, the more comfortable she gets, the better it will be. You guys are AMAZING, you really are. You're a Mommy-Rockstar. Remember that.

    :) Jamie

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  11. Hi Lor! Wow, I think your post is so amazing and honest. THANK YOU for speaking the truth.

    I'm so happy that you guys loved Ethiopia and that you didn't get sick. Hello, that's a miracle in itself. Yeah, the women in Ethiopia are by far the most beautiful women I have ever seen. It's no wonder Princess Parker is a diva. She's just darling.

    By the way, I have a very cute, young Ethiopian boy who would like to be first to ask for Princess Parker's hand in marriage. Yes, I know it's a bit premature, but just think about it, ok. :)

    Ok, my novel is done.

    xoxo Brooke

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  12. Hi! I'm soooo glad that your daughter is falling in love with you too!

    My prayer is that the adjustment moves along nicely. Yes, it may take time, but it won't take forever. If you have any specific prayer requests, please don't hesitate to let me know.

    I'm excited for you! May God give you and your entire family many years of health and joy! God bless!

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  13. What a wonderful emotional journey you have been on. Thank you for your post and for giving us an inside view on the adjustment.

    May the Lord continue to guide you all.

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  14. Your daughter is absolutely beautiful!! Thank you for being so honest about the difficult first days of adjustment for her for you. We're off ourselves in two weeks to get our little princess and its something I've thought/worried about as well. What a journey you guys have been on. But it's wonderful to see the smile on her face and hear about how quickly everyone is settling in to your new family of 4!
    Maureen

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  15. Your daughter is absolutely beautiful!! Thank you for being so honest about the difficult first days of adjustment for her for you. We're off ourselves in two weeks to get our little princess and its something I've thought/worried about as well. What a journey you guys have been on. But it's wonderful to see the smile on her face and hear about how quickly everyone is settling in to your new family of 4!
    Maureen

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  16. Welcome home! Your princess is quite beautiful!

    Thanks for being so real in your post. I am glad to hear she is doing better. I can't wait to hear about your trip.

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  17. Thank you for your honesty. It was a great dose of reality for my family and what we could possibly face. What is such a joyous occasion for us is filled with fear and uncertainty for our little guys/ and girls.

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  18. Thank you for sharing and sharing honestly- like you always do. I am so happy that you are home and the toughest part yet is behind you. I can't wait to hear the details of your trip.
    Much love,
    Danni

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  19. My husband and I are in the process of adopting a 3yr old from China. I prayed for you while you were picking up your daughter. I too appreciate and am thankful for your honesty and being open to sharing your inner most feelings - ones that I wonder if I will experience myself. I have not read this book, but it was recommended to me - Toddler Adoption - The Weaver's Craft by Mary Hopkins-Best. May God continue to shower your family with many blessings. You are in my prayers.

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  20. Wow, wow, wow! Thanks for sharing. Not everyone shares so honestly, but it is helpful to think of what may happen! Glad to know things are looking up. She is beautiful! Congratulations :)

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  21. welcome home! she's so lovely. the picture of the two together is awesome!!
    I can't wait to hear more.
    love - Jen

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  22. Hi, again. I just wanted to let you know you and your family were in my prayers today. I know it must be difficult at times to adjust, but it looks like you are getting off to a solid start. God bless all of you.

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  23. Wow, thanks for sharing this. I'm sorry that she had such a rough time at first. I'm so glad that she is doing so much better. i look forward to hearing the details of your time there. It looks like she is really enjoying her brother! :)

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  24. congratulations, your daughter is beautiful. i'm echoing the others above saying thank you for such an honest post. toddler adoption, i hear, can be so much more difficult on children and families and reading your experiences and seeing the above photos makes it all real but also all possible. thanks

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  25. Welcome home! I can image there were some not-so-pleasant moments at the start, but it sounds very peaceful at the moment. Can't wait to hear more!!!!

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  26. I'm so glad you are back and posting again! I've missed you! She is so beautiful. I'm thinking of you, and hoping the adjustment goes well for all of you. The worst is probably over now, although there is no doubt that it will be long journey. That's just the way most adoptions are, huh? I still have many moments when I wonder "what I've done," although the good far outweights the bad. The picture with the two little ones together is adorable. I'll be waiting for the next update! :)

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  27. oops, a typo of course. "outweighs" :)

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  28. Wow - what a great post. I think your honestly will help so many families that are on this journey alongside of you. Knowing how much we all want and love these little babes SOOOOO much, it's hard sometimes to share more than the highlights. I hope that it gets better with every day. From an outsiders perspective, she already looks to fit right in to the Parker family. I am sending all my best wishes to you all!

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  29. We are thinking of you guys today and cant wait to hear more!!!!

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  30. Lori-

    I am so sorry to hear about the difficulties of your journey. But, I am confident that in your journey of miracles and amazing love, the best is yet to come! I wish you all the best and know that His strength will be yours.

    Blessings to you all! Oh, and she is such a beauty!
    Jenna

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