My Creole is improving. I know just enough to communicate most of what I need, in cryptic directives. I’ve figured out a pretty decent system, between searching for things on google translations, and reading out full phrases from my handbook for adoptive parents. The problem is, Kembe now thinks that I can fully speak Creole. When he first came home, I was impressed with his understanding of the language barrier, and at his attempts to communicate with me through signals and gestures. Now, . . .
goodbye Keanan, hello Kembe
I know our son's name has thoroughly confused many of our friends. We had every intention of calling him Keanan, and referred to him by that name for the past two years. However, at the orphanage he was still called his birth name (Kembert), which I was reluctant to keep for fear of sentencing him to a lifetime of spelling and pronunciation issues. But now that he's home, it just doesn't feel right for us to change his name at this point.So, we've settled on Kembe. It's pronounced the way . . .
te veo
My friend Dionne just shared this letter with me. She is a teacher at a school primarily composed of under-privileged kids, and she was moved to help raise funds for Heartline Haiti. I love this story of children helping other children, and what they learned about themselves:Woodcrest Elementary School is a small school of about 500 students, located in one of the roughest parts of Fullerton-- the barrio so-to-speak . We are a predominantly Latino school. We weren't sure how a fund drive would . . .
two weeks in pictures
These past two weeks have been fun, insane, exciting, challenging, sleep-deprived, painful, chaotic, loud, hilarious, joyful, difficult, wonderful, confusing, tender, entertaining, and anything but boring. . . .
nomination: world’s best use of skype
We've gotten to skype with four of the other boys from Kembert's orphanage in Haiti (two different sets of brothers). I love that all of the parents are in touch. I know these kids miss each other tremendously. They didn't say much to each other - I'm not sure they really understood that it was "real time" and that they could converse this way. But they made faces at each other and laughed and laughed. It was pretty cute. We're looking forward to skyping with more of his friends . . . . . . .
if you like free stuff . . .
I don't usually post our giveaways here, but we are having a really good one at Mama Manifesto right now and the entries are curiously light for such a great prize. Maybe people aren't familiar with Ridemakerz since it's a brand new company - but it is SO COOL. You should go enter, because we're giving away $50 gift cards! Ridemakerz is like the Build-A-Bear for remote-control cars. It is really fun (even for adults). So click over and enter, because it ends tonight! . . .
the twins
I was filling out some paperwork for these two - trying to get them on the waiting list for preschool next year. I was laughing about them having the same birthday, and how confusing it will be for the teacher, who sees two kids, born on the same day, and same last name . . . and then sees these two walk in together. Perhaps not what she will expect? . . .
guess who’s on the way home?
Ernest and Ronel! I am so happy for their family. Hop on over to Debra's blog - I'm sure she will be posting photos soon.I have to admit, I have not understood the appeal of Twitter since it started. I am seeing the light. Reading Ernest's tweets from the last week at the embassy and then up to today was like watching a high-speed car chase. But more emotional and exciting. Even today, my heart was racing as they had to run to catch their plane to make it home to mama tonight. Refresh, . . .
things I don’t need to hear from strangers at Target
"Wow, you have your hands full" (#1)"Are those all yours?""Are they siblings?""Wow, you have your hands full" (#2)"You are brave to even leave your house""Were did you get those two?"Wow, you have your hands full" (#3)"You know, my sister was a missionary in Africa. The Natives weren't very friendly to them""Wow , you have your hands full" (#4)"Oh my GOSH you have your hands full" (#5)Not helpful, people. Not helpful.And while I'm ranting - mom of only children: how about NOT swiping the . . .
unbelievable
Ronel still waits. His dad has a cell phone, and has been texting to his twitter account, but the US embassy staff just threatened to confiscate cell phones. Perhaps they don't want this story being told? This is their 7th night sleeping at the embassy. There is a group of 60 adoptive parents and children who have been lied to and ignored for days. They were told their papers to leave were signed. They were shown the papers. They were told they just had to secure their own plane. . . .
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