Eman Bakes

We had a family gathering for Eman's birthday today. We went to Funland in Fredericksburg. Funland is translation for don't leave the Excedrin at home. We went there though because it was the only place I could find with go-karts and I thought Eman would have a ball with them. Not so much. Too loud for Eman. He kept his fingers in his ears the whole time.I brought a cake to Loudland. Eman

Abegail's Personal Heroes

At Abegail's school, they have two different teachers. One for math and science and the other for social studies, reading, and writing. Abegail liked them both but her afternoon teacher, Ms. Pixton had a baby in February and was out for the rest of the year.Abegail came home one day and said, "We got a new teacher, Mr. Sullivan. He is very strict. He calls us young lady and young man."Every

Annie's Funny Farm

Have you ever had an alpaca in your front yard?? It is a very strange feeling.We figured since we already lived on a funny farm that we'd bring a miniature zoo to the house to make the picture complete. So for Annie's birthday party we had "Squeals on Wheels" come to the house. I have never had a miniature pony (named Little Jack) and 25 kids at my house before. 25 kids, you would think Annie

Annie's Animal Cakes

This year we got smart, OK take that with a grain of salt. But we decide to have Annie's birthday party before school ended so everyone would be able to come and no on would be out of town. 25 kids later, we will go back to original plan of having it in the summer next year. But there's nothing like having that many kids come to your house to motivate you to unpack and put away all the nails,

If I had the power to change something....

Abegail had to write an essay in Social Studies, "If I had the power to change something I would change.."This is what she wrote. Yes, She got an A++If I had the power to change anything I would change Liberia because it had a war in 1989 and it ended in 2003. I was only three. I would make better schools and better houses. I would make sure everyone has a job. Another thing I would change

Annie & Eman's Room

Eman came up with the idea for his room all on his own. A Liberian flag on one wall, an American one on the other, decorated in red white and blue.Annie's room is all pink and it is awesome!Abegail had her first strings concert last week. 120 kids, they did great. The teacher is a gem.

Juxon Place

Annie and RubiHector and Eman(they are playing lift the basket with the rope, must be an African game)We have been in our new house two weeks now. And it is NOT photo ready. Unpacking this time is much slower than last time. I was wondering why it was taking us so long and it occurred to me, last time I wasn't working. Both Scott and I are anxious to be done and we are over it.Also we realize

Abegail's Colonial Days

Yes, we moved this weekend. I will write more about that later but first, on Friday Abegail had Colonial Days at school. It was really fun and as you can see everyone went to the same website to get their costume. After a day in the 17th century Abegail painted her new and own room turquoise with three of her friends..the carpet looks almost as good as the walls. It is her room and she is

Moooooving Again...

Because we had so much fun doing it the last time, we are moving again! But we are very happy about this move, we go from renting to being homeowners in a great house for our family. We are in the same neighborhood just down the street but in a cul de sac with tons of kids and lots of friends from school as neighbors. Eman has a new friend Hector who he is obsessed with. I'm not sure Hector

Eman's First Game with the Travel Team

This is quickly moving from an adoption blog to a soccer blog and Scott and I are extremely proud of that fact. To us it means progress. Eman had his first game with the U9 travel team today and he scored two goals!!! They tied 2 to 2. Scott said he played well. I was with Abegail who had a scrimmage today and she also scored two goals. We are proud of all the kids, but with Eman, the

Spring Soccer Season

First grade Soccer, it's all about seeing the friends from your class!While some of us view every season as soccer season, Annie began her spring soccer league today. It opened with 40 degrees and a downpour, but the kids had a blast. Eman and Abegail have their first regular season games tomorrow. Eman's team had a kick off party tonight and he got his new uniform which he was just a tad

The Jonathon Letters

I just finished a book I would recommend to anyone who has adopted or is going to adopt. "The Jonathan Letters" By Michael Trout and Lori Thomas is a collection of e-mails between a therapist and a mom who adopted a troubled African American boy at four years old. The two did not meet til half way through their correspondence but were connected by a relative of Michael's. The descriptions of

Help Michelle's Dreams Come True....

Meet Michelle Hedges. She is the sister of A&E's biological cousins Martu and Mackie. They live in Minneapolis and Michelle is a star skater. Check out her video and help her if you can.http://www.rockethub.com/projects/1183-help-michelle-skate-to-regionals-beyond

Eman's Makes Fairfax United U9 Travel Team

Me For President

Both Annie and Eman have been learning in school about what it would be like to be the President. They both filled out their own worksheets with their ideas of what kind of President they would be.Here's Annie:1. What should you learn in school to prepare as President?I should learn how to read. I should learn the states.2. What kind of qualities should a good President have?A good President

My Meeting With Michelle

The White House wanted to help the little people.That includes reporters like me in bureaus working for local news stations.So they offered to let us interview the First Lady on her "Lets Move" one year anniversary. How fitting that I was actually running on the treadmill when the press person called, "Would you be interested in interviewing the First Lady?" Sure.So the interview was confirmed

Disney World 2011

Our hotel, the All Star Sports Resort, complete with x's and o's to play on outside, great for energetic soccer playersDay 1 at the Hollywood Studios at the "Honey I shrunk the kids park."One of the few time Eman stood still and smiled at the park!Magic Kingdom on Day 2. My sister and her boys had a roller coaster all picked out for the first thing to do. Annie had other ideas, "didn't you know

Kick It! In Orlando, Florida

We believe soccer is the best thing for Eman. To us, it's better than any counselor. The coaches we have found who are willing to put up with him are better than any anti-psychotic medication (although we don't leave home without the pills). But this is why we took Eman and the rest of the family to Florida and Disney World for the Kick It 3 on 3 World Championships. It was exhausting. Eman

Abegail's Red Carpet Slumber Party

Walking the long red carpet, red carpet courtesy Auntie Caroline Christmas giftPinatas in the winter, blindfolded, next to the china cabinet. Great. When it burst more shriekingThe girls had to grab a partner, find something around the house, and make a gownYes, I did move all my furniture and made both the dining room and living room an entire red carpet with Christmas lightsThe results of the