SNOW!

Bekeh and Caleb loved the frozen wo'á! It took a little convincing but I finally was able to assure them it was wo'á (pronounced oohwah, Kambaata for water) and they took a big taste!Bekeh loved chasing the dog around the back yard and throwing the snow up in the air, whereas Caleb preferred to stand in one spot and observe, touch, and catch the falling snow in his hands. I left them gloveless so they could experience all the new sensations, so it was a fairly short visit outside.Bekeh took her first face plant, and cried for a few seconds until mommy laughed so hard it made her realize she wasn't really upset, and decided to frolick along after Ella some more.
We can't wait for Brooklyn, Nathan, and Corban to get home so they can play with us! How's it going you ask since all of my posts lately have been about my sweet friend Jenny, who is being taken off the ventilator this morning, so please pray.
It's going, OK. And that's the best you're going to get out of me if you want honesty!! Things are most difficult for me with Caleb, although Jason would say Caleb's easiest and Bekelech is the difficult one. So it's all good and fair! :)
For me, the one who is home by myself all day with them, Caleb is having the hardest time. He chooses often to completely dislike me. He isn't at all aggressive with his disdain, he simply screams and whines whenever I'm around or holding him.

GO SAINTS!

Nonetheless, we have plenty of giggly and smiley moments, so no one worry about us, it's just extremely challenging and I'm having to work really hard at unconditional love. It's difficult to love some little person who acts like you're the last person alive they want to be around! But, I assure you it's all temporary and we're getting through it with all the prayer and resources we need. But you can pray for us.
Bekeh is truly blossoming for me. She sings like a lark in her Kambaata, and is now picking up and singing songs I make them endure all day long to their delight!

ON WISCONSIN!

On Tuesday we finally got her to begin answering questions. It was a huge accomplishment. The conversations usually went (with a ton of pointing and motioning accompaniment,)
Mommy: "What is your name?"
Bekeh: "What is your name?"
Mommy: "No, say Bekeh"
Bekeh: "No, say Bekeh"
Mommy: "My name is mommy"
Bekeh: "My name is mommy"
Mommy: "Your name is Bekeh"
Bekeh: "djsaklf djsakl Bekeh"
Mommy: "What is her name? (Pointing at Brooklyn)
Bekeh: "Wha jda ds name?"
AND THEN TUESDAY THE BREAKTHROUGH!
Mommy: "What is my name?"
Bekeh: "Mommy"
Mommy: "What is your name?"
Bekeh: "Bekeh"
and on around the house she named them all!!!!

And YESTERDAY!!! Whoo hooo!!! Brooklyn and I worked very hard on this all day, practicing by showing her over and over going back and forth and finally!
Mommy: "I love you Bekeh"
Bekeh: "I love you Bekeh"
Mommy: "I love you Bekeh"
Bekeh: "I love you B. . . (pause) . . . Mommy!"
Connection MADE!!! She still gets Corban and Nathan mixed up, but who doesn't, she probably learned that from listening to me too!! :) So she'll answer questions rather than repeating them, and she's beginning to ask for things she needs, and tells me when she's done going potty rather than waiting for me to ask over and over.
PROGRESS! Nathan is the most excited to come home and play with them every day after school. He says over and over and over, "I'm so glad we got them, they're the best." "I'm so glad we got THESE kids, they are so cool." "Bekeh and Caleb are the best, I'm so glad we got to bring THEM home." He seems to believe every other kid available in Ethiopia would be dull and boring! No offense, they're all precious, but he's takin a likin to these two in particular.

They are happy kids and we do have a lot of great moments in the day, mommy is still having a difficult time letting go of my old freedoms, but we're all making adjustments and loving our new crazy life!

And the winner was. . .

Amber Booy!

Click her name above to view her blog and follow along on her adoption journey through Ethiopia and China consecutively!

It was Rhubarb pie ladies and gentlemen! It was cold and had a stringy texture. I'm sure many love it, but we were not fans. The cinnamon chocolates, cheese and wines were delicious though!

Amber will be receiving a beautiful Ethiopian made scarf in the mail very soon. Thanks to all who made guesses, they were creative!!

Numbers Don't Lie

• 1 - A singular desire to be obedient to the Lord
• 2 - semi-sweet chocolate children He added to our family
• 5 - Amazing children that I love and that plain wear me out.
• 21 - The number of plates I put in the dishwasher everyday.
• 18 - The number of cups I wash everyday. Why can my older kids not reuse them?
• 4 - The number of adorable 2T panties I rinse out each day from the Augmentin toots.
• 0 - The number of panties I will rinse today! The words "Sc**W it!" escaped my lips and the Pull Ups came out. Forgive me Lord.
• 1 - the number of times I've hid out in the bathroom today with my laptop. This momma needs to blog and surf! (Don't call my social worker, Elida is out there)
• 2 - Loads of Laundry per day. 6 on Wednesdays.
• 88 blissful chocolate and vanilla kisses a day.
• 44 earth shattering screams a day when the dog stretches, moves, sleeps, or breathes in their vicinity.
• 2 hours a day Caleb naps so I can recover my sanity.
• 30 minutes a day Bekeh naps so I can get one thing done.
• 999 times a day I wish I spoke Kembataan so I could record their conversations to each other.
• 789 - times a day I shout "No!"
• 2 - the number of times they act like they understand the word "no" and yet trust me, they understand.
• 896 times a day I have to speak truth out loud to overcome the lies in my spirit, "You are a good mom, there are seeds in the barn, You are a good mom there are seeds in the barn, You are a good mom there are seeds in the barn, you are a good mom, there are seeds in the barn." Thanks Haggai for reminding us.
• 942 giggles, laughs, songs, and dances performed daily by all seven Crazy Roots.
• 1,678 the number of times a day I question why I ever thought bringing two Ethiopian kids to live with us and be our children was a doable and workable idea.
• 1,677 the number of times I realize I love my life and wouldn't want it any other way.
• 1,679 the number of times a day God assures me that my life is exactly in the middle of His will for my family, and it's all good.

our FIRST week

I don't seem to have enough time in the day to get on here and document our journey like I would love to. I will soon. Here's a quick look at our first week in pictures.

Bekeh and Caleb's first step on American Soil First Bath time at home. Bekeh sang loudly in Kembataan and would splash Dereje and giggle, and then he would begin speaking Kembataan back to her. It was our first chance to hear them babbling back and forth in their native tongue.

First time to meet Great Grandma, or Gigi! They thought her wrinkly skin was cool. They'll get to meet their other Great Grandma this July when she comes down from Wisconsin. They can't wait!

I've made Bekeh a fashionista already. She especially loves all of her shoes and accessories. Every girl should have a pair of calf-high purple patent boots! Can I get an Amen?

Mimi's not afraid to be silly, and Bekeh has taken to her quickly because she loves to sing and dance around the living room with her. Mimi had her speaking and talking English back and forth all morning.
Later that day Nana came out and brought their cousin Carson to play. They love babies. Good thing, we've got several in the family! Mommy's the worst daughter in law, because Nana, Grandpa, Uncle David, Aunt Becky, and Uncle Kevin have all been out to meet them, and I don't have a picture of it anywhere! We'll fix that next time.
Papa, Grammy, and Aunt Kelly came out bearing gifts. Their first experience with opening presents. They caught on quickly. They loved their little people farm, giant my little pony, leap frog dogs, and blankets. Thanks guys! They were in need of some toys!
After dinner tonight, Brooklyn and Bekeh disappeared for awhile, and came out later all dressed up. Bekeh loved playing Fairy Princess dress up with her big sister. Brooklyn has been an absolute dream this first week home. Despite being exhausted and sick, she's gotten up with them in the middle of the night, in the mornings, and taken charge throughout the day without ever letting me know they needed something! I've had to assure her she doesn't have to do so much, but she doesn't seem to mind, for now.

Bekeh and Caleb sleep well at night as long as they can touch each other. Anytime she pulls away to turn over or reposition, he seeks out her arm or leg or whatever is close, and grabs hold again. He loves his sissy! More to follow at some point, I promise, but for now, Jason's calling me out of the office! The kids are all asleep and we're not, it's a rare moment this week! Gotta Go!

We're Home!

We survived the long trek home and were greeted by a large host of our friends and family. It was wonderful to be back among loved ones. The best was seeing my boys again though! I missed them so much. And finally being together as a family of SEVEN! Priceless! The tears were holding back until I saw my sister in law Amy. It's been a long journey together on this adoption road throughout the year. It was like seeing the one person in the world who actually knows what you're feeling at that exact moment, and knowing how they are feeling too. Thank You God for putting us on this path together. I couldn't have made it without her, atleast I'm glad I didn't have to. Thank you Dear friends and family for welcoming us home! It wouldn't have been the same without each and everyone of you who were there!!!!

• Mom and Bill (Mimi and Hobby)
• Dad, Linda, Kelly and your friend (Grammy and Papa)
• Ruth and David (Nana)
• Brian, Amy, Emily, Natalie, Ridgedon, Adiah and Rhett
• Emily Melson and Julie Newman
• Debra, Brian, Madison, Peyton, and Brianne Morel
• Kristi, Ricky, Josie, Lauren, and Merrit Lee
• Sarah and Christian Schultz
• Jennifer and Jordan Tarbett
• Susie and Madeline Grant
• Cindi, Matt, Madison, Abby and Max Koceich

We barely made it home without falling asleep and enjoyed takeout Mexican Food and homeade chocolate chip cookies, (thanks mom!) Apparently Jason and I fell asleep around 8:30pm, and when we woke up several hours later Brooklyn had changed everyone into pj's, and sung them to sleep, never trying to wake us or get our help. How did I get the best daughter on the planet? It's Sunday now, and we've had a great morning listening to the kids all play together. Until the newness wears off, the boys are enchanted with their new siblings and I'm hardly having to do anything!
Love yall, don't stop the prayers!

In the Air on our way!

I was having such withdrawals from blogging and checking email that Jason agreed to pay for in flight wifi so I could get on! He's such as sweetheart! The 17 hour flight went really well all things considered. The kids slept for a good 8 hours and then Jason was the trooper with Dereje the second half of the flight keeping a two year old occupied in his little seat. We are on our flight to Atlanta and looking forward to seeing all of our friends and family at baggage claim E14 at 4:40pm!
We're almost home Nathan and Corban! I can't wait to see you! I miss you desperately!

On their way!!

This is Emily again just letting you all know that the newly expanded Root family is in the air and on their way home!

If all goes according to schedule they should arrive into DFW at 4:40pm Saturday, January 23rd on Delta flight 1923 from Atlanta. Right now they are scheduled to be coming in to gate/baggage claim E14. This could change, so, make sure you check it before you arrive at the airport.

Praise God for bringing them this far already and let's pray them on home!!

**ETA: Carol checked their flight info leaving Ethiopia and their flight has been delayed until 3:30am Ethiopian time (6:30pm our time), however they had a 6 hour lay-over at WASH/DULLES so now it will just be 3, allowing them to HOPEFULLY still arrive on time at DFW!

Embassy Appointments

From Jason's Facebook page: "passed successfully through the American Embassy so we will be getting their Visas on Friday and coming home on time!!!!!"

We were 10 for 10 today at the Embassy. All 10 families passed the lady at the window and will be receiving their visas! Praise God!

After our long morning of waiting in line at the Embassy we headed over to lunch at the Lucy, we ate there our first meal in Addis, but does that seem like forever ago, whew!

Afterward we took them shopping with us in town, and bought a few things for them and for our loved ones back at home. By the end of the day we were all exhausted and ready to get home and chill.

Back in the room Caleb once again found the bubbles and tried so hard to blow them himself. But as you can see, he wound up spitting all over the place rather than blowing air!!

Gotcha Day!

Today was the day we've been working all year towards. They are in our care, our kids from now on and forever. We had such a wonderful time giving out care packages to five families who are waiting to come to Ethiopia and bring home their children. I cried especially over the precious babies whose moms I've gotten to know well here in Fort Worth.
Once again when it was time to leave, and the nannies came out to this time say Good-bye to the kids, Bekelech's silent tears began rolling. But then, Jason picked her up and turned to walk to the gate, away from the transistion home. She immediately broke out into the biggest smile. She knew that she knew that she knew she was leaving with us. You are an orphan no longer sweet baby girl, you are our daughter.
This is one of the kids favorite nannies and when they see this picture they get very excited and scream out her name. She stopped us to let us know that Bekelech loves to sing, we can't wait to hear her sweet voice.
As soon as we got back to the guest house it was time to play with our new toys and to grab dinner. They immediately recognized all the duplicates of the toys we had sent in their care packages. Bekelech plopped that My Little Pony between her legs and began braiding its mane! Caleb grabbed his Elmo car, a favorite obviously and began driving it all around the room. He loves cars!!!! We then began the long process of bathing them for the first time. They absolutely loved the water and laughed and giggled the entire time. We had to change the bath water repeatedly, they were dirty little boogers. The Transistion Home does an amazing job of keeping them clean, but Addis is a dirty city and we were all filthy by the end of each day!
They both fell asleep quickly without much of a peep, it was an easier day than I was expecting, but I'm sure the challenges will increase in the days to come! Thank you Lord for this blessing!

Update!

This is Gina's friend, Emily. I just wanted to log in to let you know that Gina is having trouble getting blog posts up or email out which is why she hasn't updated the blog.

If you aren't on Facebook her latest update just about an hour ago was:

"We have them! They are sleeping upstairs with Jason and Brooklyn and the evening could not have been more perfect! They are happy and so far - adjusting superbly! We're having so much fun!"

Just wanted you to know that Gina hasn't forgotten about her loyal family, friends and prayer partners. Keep those prayers coming as they finish up their time in Ethiopia and travel HOME!

Emily