Sweetness

It has been so interesting watching Lacy become a big sister this last year. We were all a little apprehensive (especially before Aaron came home) considering how she had the basked in all the attention that comes with being the youngest for eight years.

Turns out Lacy is an amazing big sister! She is absolutely smitten with Aaron. She thinks everything he does is incredible and constantly exclaims over how unbelievably cute he is.

And Aaron adores Lacy too!

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Blogger Beta

**~~UPDATE~~**
Now people with accounts other than beta CAN comment--I'm so happy they fixed that. What if I had offended someone?? That person would have no means to post an angry response!! :)
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Don't ask me why...but I signed up fpr blogger beta and it is driving me crazy. It says I can't revert to classic blogger, so apparantly I'm just out of luck. I know some people have been able to switch to wordpress bringing all of their archives with them, but I have no idea how to do that. IIf anyone knows what I can do please email me at kelcctsn22 at yahoo.com

Exciting News!!!

After fourteen years, Isaac has made contact with his birth family for the first time! My mom was able to find his birth-grandfather's number, and he was very excited to hear from us. Since then Isaac has talked to numerous birth siblings and his birthmother. He and one of his birthsisters seem to be getting to know each other very well, and they have been on the phone A LOT. This connection is so important for Isaac to have, as his birth family is frequently on his heart.

Isaac wasn't at home when he recieved the call from his birthmom (she called his cell phone), so after talking to her he called our mom to see what she thought about everything.

Isaac: "Are you sad?"
Mom: "No Isaac, I'm very excited for you"
Isaac: "Don't worry, you're still my mom."

Sometimes I wonder...

Will he be familiar enough with the traditions and people of Ethiopia that he does not feel like a stranger within his culture?

Will he be equipped to handle the grief of losing his birth family?

Will he be at peace with his past?

Will he ever feel like a piece of him is missing?

Will he seek to reconnect with Ethiopia, or will it simply be the place he tells people he was born?

I know that adoption was the best option for Aaron. God couldn’t have made it more clear that he was meant to be with us. The circumstances bringing him from the brink of starvation to a thriving, joyful, and cherished member of our family are miraculous. We needed him and he needed us. However, it doesn’t negate the losses he experienced early in life. It breaks my heart that he will have some serious issues to navigate as he grows up. I just pray that we can equip him to the best of our ability, and be there to support and love him through everything.

A-A-A-A-A-A-A

Aaron LOVES music. His favorite genres are gospel, raggaeton, and hip-hop. Multiple times a day he will come into my room and request a specific song.

The website below should link you to a video of Aaron dancing to his favorite Cherish song. He thinks she's spelling his name in the beginning of the song when she goes 'A-A-A-A-A-A-A-". (Sorry the lighting is so bad--this was filmed with a digital camera)

http://eyespot.com/blogs/kelseychristines

You'll see on the video that he does not hesitate to say "NO!" if you dare to play the wrong music.

I don't know how much I like my sweet little siblings looking so hard, but I have to admit it's cute! (Isaac is starting to love the digital camera as much as me).

Looking For a New Look

Can anyone tell me how to get a new blog layout (other than the options listed under "Template")?

I'm getting tired of this one..

Seven Brothers and Sisters?! How Do You Survive?

Yeah, over the years we’ve had to be pretty creative about sleeping arrangements…

No, I’ve never received any Christmas presents even remotely close to the IPOD price range …

Yup, I get stuck baby-sitting on Saturday nights once in awhile…

Yeah, kids come and jump on my bed at 7:00 in the morning most weekends.

Yes, I’ll have to take out student loans and work through college…

Naw, my parents haven’t bought me a car…

But honestly,

I couldn't feel more BLESSED!!!!