The biscuit gang

Lifebooks and other Inspirations...

2011-12-27T21:04:00.000-08:00

by Liz

While I sit on the couch, house quiet as baby Ru sleeps, I'm working on Ru's Lifebook. A challenge that has teased and nagged and eluded me as I work on finding my wings as a first time parent.

Now its time to try on my wings as an Adoptive parent. I've filled out paperwork, gone to classes, read blogs, listened to professionals but now is the litmus test... I must make a book that answers, interprets, predicts and soothes. That fills in the question marks that can never really be filled in... see why I lag?

I've found my guru in Beth O'Malley's guide "Creating a Treasure for the Adopted Child." I recommend its step by step outline. But filling in the missing photos, links, stats, whys and what-ifs... well, I'm on my own.

I will post a series of links I've found useful for other adoptive parents in this project... hopefully I'll save someone a few late night minutes!

Life Books:

Beth O'Malley's Guide: Creating a Treasure for the Adopted Child
My Designs (see samples below) for Lifebook Covers

Adoption & Ethiopia Background Info:

IRIN Africa: Ethiopia Coping with increasing Orphan numbers through adoption
Times Online: Ethiopian Orphans Face a Life of Hardship
Washington Post: Ethiopian Girls Run for their Life
Ethiopia on Wikipedia

Maps & Photos:

Listing of maps: click here
Photos from TrekEarth
Photos from Away.com

Creating Traditions & an Ethiopian Nativity Scene

2011-01-13T12:13:00.000-08:00

(by Liz) I bought an Ethiopian nativity set while at the Toukoul orphanage. It was the last one in the gift store.

Made of crude earth colored ceramic, the simple scene was sweet and rustic. I gave it to our parents that Christmas we returned. It was a lovely gift.

Ethiopian Clay Nativity set like mine. From seller Addisview on Ebay

Then, as we started to try and counter Santa's team of marketers with the real story of Christmas, I decided I needed a nativity set of our own for our little girl to enjoy. Although the Grandparents offered theirs back, I didn't think ceramic was going to last long with a toddler; so I thanked them "amesegenalu," and searched the web. And searched and searched.

"Pendant Icon [Ethiopia; Amharic] (1997.81.1)"Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Ethiopian nativity sets are sure to be found on Ebay right? Isn't everything on Ebay? No luck at the time... now I've been updated that a seller named Addislive carries them (see above). I searched African shops, the international festival in Dayton, the culture camps (I even asked the visiting Ethiopian guests if they knew where to look). I was a woman on a mission. I emailed people I barely knew traveling to Ethiopia to keep an eye out for me. No one could seem to turn one up. Thanksgiving was approaching.

If you did a little search back there, you'll see that there are plenty of beautiful carved wood sets on Ebay from Africa... BUT I couldn't just buy an "African" one. . I was specific. It had to be, in some way, Ethiopian. As if there aren't enough competing distractions for the holiday season, I decided that my best chance was to make my own set.

Of what? Why, closepins, ribbons and paint... in an Ethiopian style.

Ethiopian Closepin Doll by Barkhaus Design

So, I got to work; I researched Ethiopian ecclesiastical art, I fretted in the trimming aisles of Hobby Lobby and Jo-Anns, I compared spray browns (Krylon Gloss "Equestrian") and figured out ways to spray without turning myself "Equestrian," I pinned, repinned and glued. I whiled away two 16 hour legs of a road trip, countless late night hours and stolen minutes too many to log... and then I had the start of the set. Enough to set the stage for our three year old for the first Christmas where the traditions will start to be recognized.

Mary, Joseph, Jesus, the three kings tilt their classic Ethiopian oval eyes and strong noses toward an angel in an Ethiopian kehmees. Crude, a bit comical, some inconsistencies in style...I can rip it apart... but the set was a hit.

By Barkhaus Design

Each day her advent calendar contained a slip of paper with something kind, giving or just nice that she could accomplish that day. Each night she put that paper into the baby Jesus' cradle to make it "soft" for him. We hid the baby Jesus on the tree for her to find and place in the cradle on Christmas morning before we ate the "Birthday Cake."

Its not perfect, but I'm pleased, a little light-headed perhaps from the Krylon fumes, but we did start to make some memories with our little craft project.

Usually just one Wise Man is Ethiopian...

Happy Ganna!

Future Penpals at SOS Children's Villages!

2010-11-24T09:37:00.000-08:00

(by Liz) For Ru's "Homecoming Day" we wanted to honor her birth country and find a way to give back; one that she could be involved with as she grows up. We were thrilled to find out that the SOS Children's villages program works in Ethiopia. This group, which started in 1942 to address the orphan crisis in Europe after WWII & has been nominated for a Nobel Peace prize 14 times, describes their mission this way:

"We build families for children in need.
We help them shape their own futures.
We share in the development of their communities."

In Ethiopia they have villages in Addis, Awassa, Dire Dawa, Harrar, Bahir Dar & Gode. Here is a link to a page describing more specifically SOS' work in Ethiopia. > SOS in Ethiopia

What is really rewarding about their program is that you can sponsor an individual child in Ethiopia who will grow up in the care of their Village program. You can write, receive photos and letters and, if you're able to travel to Ethiopia, you can even arrange to meet them. What's more amazing is that when you sign up to sponsor a child, you can ask for a certain age or gender too; our little Habesha penpal is exactly 2 months younger than Ru - to the day!

I hope that their friendship as they grow will help span the distance from Ru's home culture and shared orphan background. Already Ru talks about "her friend" and brings the photo to show her friends at daycare.

So, if you're looking for a way to stay engaged in Ethiopia and give your children a real live connection to their culture and background, look into sponsoring a child through SOS! Add your request for Ethiopia/gender & age to the "special requests" field in the "Additional Information" part of the form.

Want to Sponsor a Child in Ethiopia? Here's the link:
Sponsor a Child | SOS Children's Villages

Inspiration Gondar

2010-09-28T17:58:00.000-07:00

View the rest of the line at Zazzle

(By Liz) I've been meaning to designed a line of stationary inspired by the very stylized aesthetic of the religious mural paintings of Debre Birhan Selassie in Gondar. Finally, I've gotten it off the "to-do" list and into the "done" one!

>>See the new line here on Zazzle.

We were told at the National Museum of Ethiopa in Addis Ababa that the Ethiopian style emerged out of religious illuminated manuscripts that were influenced by early Italian clergy. Can you see it?
Also, we were told that if the characters depicted have two eyes they are good, while if they're shown in profile with just one eye, they're evil. Bet you'll be looking twice now too!

While researching photos I came across this blog for an adventurous couple the Goodboons who've caravanned across East Africa in a Scarlet Toyota...

Enjoy!

Ethiopian Incense - Frankincense and/or Myrrh?

2010-09-28T13:24:00.000-07:00

by Liz

The smells were such a profound part of our experience in Ethiopia; the burning eucalyptus, the burning trash piles, the burning incense, the roasting coffee, the berbere. I brought back some incense and some berbere. It was a good start but I wish I'd thought it through a bit more.

For one, I had nothing to burn this resin incense in. I also had no charcoal. Now, I'm trying to put it all together with an exhaustive internet search taking up my precious few hours of baby nap time. The goal - to make a presentation on Ethiopia to a local group here in town. I have music, I have berbere, I have art and crafts and books... the incense is a bit harder task.

From what I've found (and I may be wrong)... Frankincense is the primary incense used. Here is what one source said:

click herefor Ethiopian Frankincense @ the Hermitage

Frankincense is a sap or a gum of a tree and plays a big part in Ethiopian life. It is burned to clean the spirit in one’s house and to have tranquility and calmness. It is often used during meditation and prayer.
Frankincense can also be used as a breath freshener. Chewing Frankincense cleans one’s teeth and gums.
It is said that Frankincense was offered to Jesus Christ when he was born since the stable in which he was born was unclean.
Ethiopian’s also use Frankincense during cold and flu season. It is often burned to relieve cold and flu symptoms such as runny noises.

It requires charcoal and some sort of charcoal resistant burner. I remember having the opportunity to buy ceramic ones in Addis. Stupidly I did not. Its not an easy task finding either an attractive one or an Ethiopian one now that I'm back in the States. Add that to my wishlist with the Ethiopian Nativity set. I guess I'll just have to go back!

There are lots of places to buy incense; many of them cater to stoners and witches... I was looking for something a bit more authentic... so it came down between the Absynian Market which didn't look like it had been updated recently and the Greek Orthodox Holycross Hermitage of West Virginia. The father responded very promptly to my web inquiry so... the monks win.

Its so authentic it makes me feel just a little... unorthdox! Well, wouldn't be the first time!

I'll let you know how it goes!

Of Black Babes & Barbies

2010-04-09T08:51:00.000-07:00

by Liz

I've always been a fan of Barbies. That shade of vibrant pink still hits an instinctual pang of joy. Why did I love them? I now know it was the early yearnings of my inner interior designer. I didn't like baby dolls much and I didn't do what I now know is called "role playing" but I did build Barbie houses. Houses, and apartments, mansions, garages, tree forts, cabins, swimming pools, islands, boats - you name it - anything that I could imagine decorating or dressing.

Looking at Barbie now with her impossible figure lending credence to a life of Barbie botox & boob jobs, I'm caught between a mother's protective instincts and a deep sentimentality for my own Barbie time. Was she a good influence in my formative years or bad? With one Better Homes and Gardens feature under my belt (see the May 2010 issue - last page!) and a career in graphic design, I'd have to say she was an early inspiration.

So, I've decided to bestow one upon my little girl and carry on the pink banner to another generation.

Next wrinkle; my daughter is black. And I'd like her Barbie to reflect her color, beauty and natural hair. So I set out upon a quest that has rankled millions of moms before me as I discover just how hard it is to find diversity in our culture; Barbie is no exception. Although each store has one or two pink boxes labeled "African-American Barbie," a quick glance shows most of them to be the same old Barbie in a different dye lot; long straight hair and all.

I've found two good exceptions, and the search wasn't easy. I wonder if Chris Rock has the energy to set upon the Barbie industry next?

Barbie Basics #004 (above to the left, found on Amazon.com) is a long-legged gal ready for the catwalk with a tight short 'fro. And the Barbie South Africa (to the right, found on Amazon.com) is truly regal with bronze lips no less!.

If only they had bigger hair!

Anyone else out there had better luck? Please let me know!

By the way... I bought the South African one. She loves it and named her "Tia." The "Pink Afflication" has begun in House of Robertson.

Below are some links to the Barbies mentioned above and new ones too as I come upon them. Enjoy!

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Wonderful wonder & Easter Outfits

2010-04-08T21:42:00.000-07:00

by Liz

These are the things that make memories...

...hunting Easter eggs with the "quasi-cousins,"
...rolling down the hill and getting grass stains on the new yellow leggings,
...getting balloons in church
...ice cream sundaes at the kids table
...chocolate eggs
...coins in the basket
...bubble wands
...trying out the scooter with "aunt Bethany,"
... jelly beans.

As she'd say; "want more."

And the dress, delightful... Mama wants more (hint: Target Genuine Kids clothes can help!)

Skin Saviour

2010-03-26T06:48:00.000-07:00

by Liz

Went to Florida with my Habesha babe. Logged some pool and sun time (yes even in these chilly days) and got some dry dry baby skin.

Found Cetaphil in my Momma's cabinet. Slathered down the babe and Wow! I'm a big convert. Her skin has never looked so great. It doesn't smell as delicious as my previous Sally Beauty Coconut Oil lotion (in fact it doesn't smell at all)... but she just glows! Thought I'd share the secret. Oh, and the cheapskate in me also found out that the Walgreens store brand works wonderfully too! Shine on Sisters!

The cute, the clever and the downright creepy

2010-02-22T20:02:00.001-08:00

by Liz

A little surfing tonight on YouTube turned up some cute Ethiopian kids songs and this Ethiopian kid's animated character which is just creepy! It looks a little like the Ethiopian doll I bought in Addis... just a little flabbier...

1) the cute children's song

2) the classic Teddy Afro

3) the creepy Senzero show

Ethiopia & adoption on my mind... again

2010-02-22T16:06:00.000-08:00

by Liz

Oops, I did it again.... I read Melissa Faye Greene's "There's no me without you."

It started out innocently enough to fulfill my book club's book review obligation. A quick re-read accompanied with photos from our trip to adopt little Ru in July 2008. This will be a breeze. Right?

Well, except that its so heart-wrenching, compelling and packed with facts and beautiful description that I couldn't pay it the injustice of a breeze-through.

I hadn't read the book since way before we'd submitted our dossier to adopt from Ethiopia in 2007. Now, as I am (still) wrestling with writing her Lifebook, I was struck with the realization that, for our little girl, this is the closest thing I have to explaining how she ended up here in rural Ohio with us.

As I'm sorting this all out, our social work agency, Catholic Social Services of Miami Valley asked me to participate in their Adoption Fair as a representative adoptive parent. Sitting in that room surrounded by adoption agency tables... it was almost too much to bear and I'm pondering the leap again.

That book should come with a warning label... "those who read this book may just end up pushed off the adoption ledge!" Yes, I'm teetering...

Latest Designs

2010-02-22T15:21:00.000-08:00

by Liz

I'm tickled with these latest designs I just posted on zazzle.

They're based off a pair of statues we bought in Ethiopia. The word "Konjono" means beautiful. I'm thinking of making some parents to go along with these little kiddies... but for now I rest! Enjoy.

Ethiopian Art by Dereje Dimissie

2009-12-09T07:34:00.000-08:00

by Liz

I saw Dereje Dimissie's work in Addis at the Makush Gallery (I think) while we were there but didn't have a chance to make a purchase. Luckily I found him again online and was able to get in touch with him (when the power grid allowed!) and we purchased this amazing painting from him through the mail.

I really admire his depictions of Ethiopian women. Strong, noble, beautiful. His work speaks for itself. If you're looking for something beautiful to grace your walls and inspire your family contact him (I hope he doesn't mind my shameless plug)!

His email is: ddereje2003@yahoo.co.uk

We all Love Shoes!

2009-09-24T21:53:00.000-07:00

by Liz

I can't say it enough. I LOVE ZAZZLE.com! It keeps the creative juices flowing and out of trouble. If not for Zazzle, I'd be spending time and m

oney surfing for more home decor, which

Dan keeps reminding me we

definitely don't need.

So, Zazzle does a social service in addition to letting me design fun and frivolous tshirts, mugs and now, yes, SHOES! What girl doesn't love shoes? And

what designer doesn't love a new medium?

Here's mine:

http://www.zazzle.com/adopttees*

These were all inspired by my latest line of Jungle Safari birthday stationary which I designed for the Communities United Benefit Auction. Another women donated her cake-making services and we put together a cute little set. I think I'll donate one to the Ethiopian Orphan Relief auction as well (http://www.ethiopianorphanrelief.com).

Music Across the World

2009-08-05T15:52:00.000-07:00

by Liz

I just came across this song and then the site. The song Stand by Me was profoundly moving. Ru was mesmerized.

The music is wonderful. Street musicians from across the world playing the same song separately were mixed together into one song that weaves, bobs, unites, transcends.

The metaphor of music dissolving boundaries plays well upon the soul. Please enjoy it too at playingforchange.com

Pass it on.

Language, Language

2009-08-01T05:51:00.000-07:00

by Liz

Been thinking about language alot lately.

As my 20month old (!) tests her increasing vocabulary and I hear my colloquialisms in baby tones I can't help to ponder my long term effect on her language place in the social realm of communication.

What I'm saying is that yesterday she responded to my question about bananas for breakfast with the painfully New England response of "yup." (cringe or cute?)

As we've been trying so hard to curb our tongue from more offensive utterances we overlooked the small sentence punctuations. I wonder how often the valley girl in me still says "like." I imagine I'll find out soon.

In the bigger context there's looming my responsibility to keep all her options open in regards to her homeland.

Amharic is the main language in Ethiopia - at least in Addis Ababa, the capital (which she's not originally from). I don't even know what the reigning language in her hometown of Tepi would be. And Amharic is hard. Different alphabet, tongue-twisting words, sentence structure based on the gender or social standing of the audience, lots of subtleties... I like the challenge of trying out new languages but I admit that Amharic really intimidates me.

Usually while traveling I make sure to arm myself with the basic words of polite social interaction; please, thank you, hello, goodbye... I still can't get through "thank you" without a tongue trip up. "Am-eh-say-ge-nah-lo". I feel my Ugly American-ness is glaring loudness every time.

But, I owe it to my daughter to give her a fighting chance if she should want to explore her culture more fully as an adult. I know you need the language to do this. I know I can't teach her myself, so I must find something that can. For now I've been trying to keep Ethiopian music and the one Ethiopian kid's DVD in constant rotation in hopes that her ears will form a familiarity to the words that will imprint themselves for later learning. I'm looking for more help in this audio training. Here are some links to my current research into Ethiopian language:

1) Tsehai Loves Learning:
http://www.tsehai.com
A cute DVD of puppets singing and dancing to Amharic lessons (with written english translations). Really for Amharic speaking kids, and not something that even an adult could learn from despite the subtitles. I play it so the language will sound familiar to her. She has loved it since we got it at 12 months.

2) Amharic the EZ-Way-
www.Amharic.com
I've been considering this program of conversational Amharic for travelers. It looks approachable. Its made for PC platforms. I have a Mac. I wrote the owner and he responded promptly promising a 30day guarantee. I think I should try it out.

3) Teddy Afro - Ethiopian Pop artist. We picked up several of his CDs in Ethiopia. Probably hard to find here based on a quick search of Amazon. They have several compilation discs

4) Rosetta Stone - not available in Amharic. I posted a request for the language but based on the size of the language group I'm doubting that Amharic is high on their development list, despite requests from noisy adoptive parents like yours truly. (but I still encourage noisy adoptive parents to put their 3 cents in...) http://www.rosettastone.com/global/contact

Any other ideas? please send them my way!

Finding our rhythm

2009-04-21T20:35:00.000-07:00

by Liz

There are days that pass in a flurry of routines, errands, meals, diapers, laundry, work, diapers and then its bedtime and we lay down to start all over again.

And then there's the shining moments that sneak up when you least expect, maybe pass undetected at first but tap on the shoulder of your conscience later... those moments of finding a rhythm as a Mom, as a family, and watching your little one find a rhythm of her own... when she lifts up her knee to walk up the front step like a Papa, when you ask her to point at a snake in the book and she can - three pages back, when the baby monitor exposes her trilling a song of her own during naptime... when she just has to wear your favorite pair of boots... when she watches an African drum show enraptured and then approaches the drum and finds it will sing for her too... when you arrive at the daycare and she jumps from her chair with glee...when she wins yet another friend at the playground and then takes your hand to toddle back to the car.

Our baby is stepping into the parade from observer to participant.

Little things wrapped in big things. Moments that hint at futures. Isn't it thrilling to imagine the songs she'll sing?

More Shopping & Souvenirs from Ethiopia

2009-03-23T05:38:00.000-07:00

by Liz

My last post got me to recalling how in the pre-travel days when I had nothing to do but worry about details large and small of our trip to Ethiopia, in my lighter moments my thoughts would turn to "the souvenirs." The less selfish side of me wondered what type of gifts I could find to give our little girl on the yearly celebration of her adoption day. Special little things to remind her of the culture, arts and life of her homeland... it was definitely one of the more pleasant things to contemplate. It occurred to me that other adoptive parents may enjoy the same diversion. So, for all those other families out there waiting; here's a list and some photos of my shopping successes in Addis. Most of the items were from the shops in Post Office Square (mainly from my favorite stand on the main corner across from the parking lot), and from the gift shop at our orphanage, Toukoul. The Toukoul gift shop sold a great assortment of woven scarfs, handmade quilts, table cloths, cloth animals and dolls, doll outfits (on the famous Ethiopian doll- the only one made in Ethiopia - see him/her in the photo - yes its gender neutral!) and the proceeds go back to the orphanage to help fund their Werku program to teach job skills to single moms so they can keep their families intact. So, on to the booty:

1. Ethiopian Jewelry - I like the colorful chunky kind (ie. not the really expensive fine gold kind - its available at the Hilton but its not my style). Some of my favorites shown here came from the gift shop of the museum at the University of Addis Ababa (which I'd recommend - not just for the shopping mind you!). The rest is from the Post Office Square market. The finer silver items which look like Ethiopian Orthodox crosses are sold by the weight. One of the necklaces has a Haile Selassie coin on it.

2. Wood Carvings: Widely available but more expensive than I'd anticipated are the carved wooden animals. While you can find them here in the States (for about the same price), I like to know they're straight from the source. The male and female figures, which I love, came from the gift shop at the Hilton which has some surprisingly competitive prices. I always like to check their wares, go out and compare against the market and then know I could get them there if all else failed. I really liked the sculptural quality of the wooden hair pick. I think it may be better as decor than in use... its pretty sharp! The biblical painted piece is a reproduction and was described as what the early priests used to illustrate their stories since paper was not available. The art on it is representative of stylistic trends we saw in much of the Ethiopian art in galleries and museums. We were told the early painting styles were introduced by early Italian missionaries. Another piece not shown here is a small stool hand carved out of a single piece of wood, it was a bit of a challenge to pack - but once we need a "time out" spot it will be worth every bit of the effort! There were many many great household items carved from wood - trenchs, game boards - all beautiful... if I'd only had more room!

3. Textiles - Embroidery and woven goods made great gifts for all my friends (in addition to the wooden salad spoons that pack easily and have a great modern look with their black and

white bone handles). The traditional clothing we saw in Addis and during our trip to Awassa was mainly white with embroidered edges. We had hoped to go to Harrar which is known for the more colorful textiles but since it was rainy season we didn't make it. The women of

Werku who work for the Toukoul gift shop had made the very colorful scarfs shown in the photo with the molded plastic "original Ethiopian doll" dressed in their handmade male or female dress (at top of this post). I didn't see this doll available anywhere else in my travels so I felt lucky that they had them available, they also made the rag doll shown here. Each plastic doll has a tuft of molded hair on top and could easily be male or female (or hobbit...look at those toes!). The quilt, backpack, giraffe and rag doll in the photo were also from Toukoul. Some other items I found for my little girl were a cloth purse and a tshirt with Haile Selassie on it for her teenage years.

4. Woven goods - colorful woven baskets and serving trays were easy to find and pack and a

good way to store and present all the great jewelry. The leather items will be fun to send her off to kindergarten with.

5. Artwork - We bought only three souvenir type pieces while we were in Ethiopia although we'd hoped to find a piece from a local contemporary artist. We did visit a couple nice galleries in downtown Addis but with limited funds ended up with our custom-ordered angel (see previous post), a historical style (repro) piece on an aged wood panel, and the biblical triptych shown in the photo with the carved items. There were paintings available in the markets on stretched leather and parchment which some of our friends purchased. The frames made the packing process difficult. Our angel was able to be rolled and traveled well.

6. Other Shopping Adventures - One of our favorite spots was a grocery store called Bambis. It was a relatively large one with a fascinating selection of local snacks, tea, chocolate, candy, liquor, coffee and some gift items. The italian pretzels were addictive! There was also a very nice but small grocery at the Hilton accessible from the parking lot.

Packing tips - We were lucky to be at our guesthouse with some seasoned travelers who advised us to save our plastic water bottles and any newspaper or shopping bags we received. When it came time to pack, we cut the tops and/or bottoms off the bottles to make tubes to pack delicate items like the wood carving in. It was genius! We had brought a spare duffle bad and was able to get all the bulky items in it padded with clothing and the very thick quilt we'd bought. The only casualty was one carved wooden candlestick.

Start making your lists!

One of my Favorite Souvenirs of Ethiopia

2009-03-21T09:09:00.000-07:00

by Liz

Our stay in Ethiopia afforded us some travel time to the city of Awassa, a drive around the legendary Mercato in Addis and many trips around the hills and streets of Addis mainly from the viewpoint of our chauffered Landcruiser - (we're sad to say it was our gilded cage).

Still, we did manage to grab some time to gather some treasures to bring home for our little one's yearly celebration of her homeland - which we've yet to find a good name for. The best contender so far (and far better than "Gotcha Day" is the Amharic word "mels" which I found in Rebecca Haile's book "Held at a Distance." She defined it as "literally a homecoming." In the context of her story it applied to a party being thrown for newlyweds... that's the best I've found yet... let me know if you've come across anything better?

Our favorite souvenir is this painting of an angel- an iconic image referrencing the fresco artwork from the church at Gondar. We had admired similar paintings on the ceiling of a small shop in the Post Office Square and the owner offered to have his friend, the artist, make us our very own version. We picked it up a couple days later; custom made just for us!

Tribute to Toukoul Orphanage in Addis Ababa Ethiopia

2009-03-10T16:54:00.000-07:00

by Liz & Dan

(For more photos click on our slide show at the top of the page)

A photo tribute to Ru's first home in Ad

dis Adaba Ethiopia and the nannies, nurses, staff and doctors who held her, calmed her fears, wiped her nose, rocked her to sleep and taught her that the world is not such a bad place. To a staff that held her in their arms and in their hearts (some even had photos in their wallets)... there were tears shed on both sides as Ru took her leave. We will be forever grateful for your kindness.

Writing the Story

2009-03-10T11:04:00.000-07:00

-by Liz

A lifebook, adoption story, birth album - a great creative project no doubt... but oh, the pressure! We had dutifully uploaded all the photos from our trip to Ethiopia onto the Walmart site ... and each time I logged in the ads to "Create a Memory book" winked at me...

For months now I've been tweaking, retooling, noodling, wondering... whats the best way to tell the story to a toddler, a child, an adolescent?... what pictures would I most want to see if I was in her shoes, how would I tell a story with so much meaning and so little detail? What could I tell her about her homeland when I'd seen so little from the confines of our daily gilded cage of a commute to the Toukoul Orphanage?

In the end I settled on a poem I found on an adoption site (below), a brief narrative and a hope that the pictures we have will tell a thousand words. Ultimately the story will be hers to create and to tell. We titled it "Rukiya comes Home"

We didn't give you the gift of life,
but in our hearts we know,
the love we feel is deep and real,
as if it had been so.

For us to have each other
is like a dream come true.
No, we didn't give you the gift of life,
Life gave us the gift of you.

Take a look and tell me if you think its ready to print?
Click Here to view our Ethiopian Adoption Memory Book

Imported & Moved

2008-10-21T23:10:00.000-07:00

by Liz

The silence is deafening right? Ok, maybe just to me, but its been months(?) since my last post. New parenthood, work, renovations and moving... we bit off a bit much! I just thought I'd post this photo that I'm quite fond of. Someone actually asked a friend of ours if "that's the box she came in?" I just hope they were kidding! So, now we're moved into our new castle just down the street from our old one (don't forget to update your address books!). Next step; baby-proofing; this gal can cruise!

A Model Baby

2008-09-03T19:43:00.000-07:00

by Liz

Dove International, our agency, called and wanted to profile our Ethiopian Adoption t-shirt and announcement designs for http://www.zazzle.com/adopttees*.

They needed photos...so it was time for Ru's first "commercial" photo shoot.

Wardrobe: I suited Ru up in her "mimi" onesie and thought to try it with a jean skirt (ummm, nope) and then a plaid skirt (still nope)... they "bound" her up like a rich mans' sausage. Not wanting to undermine her Ethiopian authenticity we settled on the straight onsie.

We waited for the sun to sallow out around 7pm and readied to head down to the neighbors with the idea of getting a family photo with all of us in our "We are family" coordinated shirts.

It was hot out. 93 degrees... Africa hot. We called for the Diva, and she had a whole list of demands before she'd "step out of her stroller" for the photo shoot; there was a mandatory swim session in the plastic pool, then a bit of a crawl to work out the kinks... then a big 10 oz bottle was requested (she was afraid she'd look a little too lean) and so we finally went to work.

Denise, our star photographer had clocked out for the evening and her dutiful assistant, Mike struggled to work a smile out of the little lady. After a brief discussion, Papa and Mama, the other two "props" stepped out of the photos... it turns out that rolls only look cute on babies... and took turns alternatively shooting or flailing madly at the

Diva to elict a smile... you see the best of the efforts here with the agent's signoff. 80 shots for three winners. Let the public enjoy... and as Ru would say (if she could say more than "Di Da) "eat cake!"

Its all about Ru

2008-08-19T18:41:00.000-07:00

by Liz

I'm sure I could wax on about the small joys of parenthood; the special delight she shows when I come home, rocking her to sleep in the creeky rocking chair, the smell of her hair after a bath, the way she curls her toes when she smiles... but I know y'all just want to see the photos... so here goes:

Ru styling in a "little Miss Trouble" t-shirt from the Moss crew - yes - cell phone courtesy of our own favorite "Early adopters..." its a "retro" model (Brett; when are the kiddie I-Pods out?).

Ru, dressed for dinner at Fiesta Charra - Ole! Nothing like changing diapers on the floor of a Mexican Restaurant bathroom. Three cheers for hand sanitizer!

Rubber Ducky, Ru's the one. We all love to splish splash in the bath!

Got Rice?

And yes, Thank Heaven for little girls like Ru.

We're back as three

2008-07-29T11:35:00.000-07:00

by Liz

She's a peach. A total peach. We're so very lucky and so very in love. She just sparkles and you feel lucky to be in her presence.

Ethiopia gets in you. Its intoxicating, beautiful, perplexing, haunting and elusive. Something about it gets lost in translation and leaves you feeling a bit incomplete. I know we'll never get over it, but we'll definitely go back. The pictures don't describe it; they leave out the smell of the eucalyptus fires and the lilt of the traffic, livestock and prayer chants. Its modern and ancient, current and rustic, welcoming and disconcerting. Through our daughter we'll be forever related to it, but never truly a part of it; always ferenge (foreigners).

We are forever grateful to the people of the Toukoul Orphange, admins to nannies to guards who daily open their hearts for the children who live there. They are as happy and secure as you could hope. The grounds echo with the happy sounds of a summer camp; hardly a place of last resort.

The staff truly cares and there were tears when Ru left her nannies. We'll have to send more photos for their walls and wallets.

Nap time is ending... mama's gotta run!

Day of departure

2008-07-09T04:27:00.000-07:00

(by dan)

up before the alarm!

I'm sure that does not surprise anyone? not even me and I'm a sleep junky.
A habit that I understand will end cold turkey with baby Ru's demands.

I wanted to leave enough time this morning to spoil my dog Lola as I understand she'll be taking a back seat for attention when we get back...

and she's responding very well to the bologna that I've decided to eat for breakfast. Should we eat the entire package?

Must load up now on coffee and get crackin! Selam!
See you soon grandma and grandpa!
xo dan and liz