For the families who have adopted "older" Ethiopian kids through AGCI know how incredible the men are at Hannah's Hope. They're funny and endearing. Most importantly, as men, they play a VERY important part in the lives of these kids -- for plenty of different reasons.
Anyway, while in Ethiopia, there was so much that we didn't GET to experience, photograph, and/or video because our hands were FULL! As a result, I am so appreciative of the families who were able to capture great moments and share. The Dunlap family was one of the first to fall under the two-trip rule and posted a video of Was, one of the men who works at HH, dancing at the cultural dinner. The boys asked me to play this video over and over and over and over...and every once in a while I get "Mommy, more Was please!" Here's video of our little dancing Derbe. LOVE his moves toward the end. If you're busy, FF to about 50 seconds, but watch to the end. Enjoy!
Was and Derbe Dancing from smith on Vimeo.
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Friday, October 22, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
ADOPTION...IT'S LIKE A HUG AND A PUNCH
I've been thinking about something for a while now. It's been dwelling just beneath the surface and as my love for the boys grows, so does my understanding of loss, pain, redemption, and hope -- all of which play a role in everyday life for adoptive families.
I just couldn't quite describe what it was until I heard these seven words in a Matthew West video. These words were used by someone he knew to describe adoption. It's like a hug and a punch.
Yes, it is actually more complicated than that, but I can't think of a more succinct way to accurately describe adoption.
The reality of what these kids and babies have been through is just unfair and should really make everyone angry. When a child is orphaned every 14 seconds due to HIV/AIDS alone, it should move us to action. Honestly though, I can't say I really "got it" until recently. That, among many others staggering statistics, were just numbers in my head. And now, it's an imtimate part of my life. I have two boys for whom I thank God each day, but loving them means, like any parent, my "ME" is expanded to include my innocent children and all of the pain they've been through.
For the sake of their privacy, I don't want to go into details about our punches. I'm sure it's different for every family...now that we are home, ours is mostly based on loss. It breaks my heart as we slowly get tidbits of information about things that most parents never have to wonder about. I HATE what they've been through. It saddens me to the depth of my soul that so many little ones deal with disease, starvation, and death as a fact of life.
Outside of our home though, (which is less important, but still hurtful) the biggest punch comes from those who criticize adoptive families for choosing to adopt internationally because we are suppose to help our "own" first. Or that all of us "bleeding hearts" and our new "future problems" should be shipped off to Ethiopia. I'll take it from someone who has adopted or fostered, but to be criticized by people who aren't doing anything about the orphan problem here or abroad...ugh. I know too many children who would be dead by now if not for adoptive families looking abroad. Not saying it's more important, just saying that EVERY child is valuable, not just "real" Americans. So please, until you adopt yourself, withold your judgment.
Our hugs are limitless...
-coming downstairs in the morning and the first thing I see is Derbe patiently sitting in his bed with a smile waving at me.
-being forever connected to another culture and country.
-learning how to be less self-centered.
-giggles.
-seeing the obsession over food and stuff fall away.
-have you seen how adorable they are?!
-witnessing the wonder and excitement that fills our boys with every new experience.
-figuring out what in the heck they are actually saying!
-cuddle time.
-growing! Derbe's gained 12 lbs and grown almost 3 inches and Chernet has gained 8 lbs and grown 2 inches. Chernet's off the charts teensy, but still...thriving.
-sharing in the hugs and punches of other adoptive families.
Really, there's no end...to the hugs or to the punches. But that's life. Quite honestly, those punches often turn into hugs. There's such beauty in seeing hope where there was once hopelessness, OTHERS where there was once ME, joy where there was such pain, family where there was once loss, understanding where there was once confusion...so thankful for all of it!
I just couldn't quite describe what it was until I heard these seven words in a Matthew West video. These words were used by someone he knew to describe adoption. It's like a hug and a punch.
Yes, it is actually more complicated than that, but I can't think of a more succinct way to accurately describe adoption.
The reality of what these kids and babies have been through is just unfair and should really make everyone angry. When a child is orphaned every 14 seconds due to HIV/AIDS alone, it should move us to action. Honestly though, I can't say I really "got it" until recently. That, among many others staggering statistics, were just numbers in my head. And now, it's an imtimate part of my life. I have two boys for whom I thank God each day, but loving them means, like any parent, my "ME" is expanded to include my innocent children and all of the pain they've been through.
For the sake of their privacy, I don't want to go into details about our punches. I'm sure it's different for every family...now that we are home, ours is mostly based on loss. It breaks my heart as we slowly get tidbits of information about things that most parents never have to wonder about. I HATE what they've been through. It saddens me to the depth of my soul that so many little ones deal with disease, starvation, and death as a fact of life.
Outside of our home though, (which is less important, but still hurtful) the biggest punch comes from those who criticize adoptive families for choosing to adopt internationally because we are suppose to help our "own" first. Or that all of us "bleeding hearts" and our new "future problems" should be shipped off to Ethiopia. I'll take it from someone who has adopted or fostered, but to be criticized by people who aren't doing anything about the orphan problem here or abroad...ugh. I know too many children who would be dead by now if not for adoptive families looking abroad. Not saying it's more important, just saying that EVERY child is valuable, not just "real" Americans. So please, until you adopt yourself, withold your judgment.
Our hugs are limitless...
-coming downstairs in the morning and the first thing I see is Derbe patiently sitting in his bed with a smile waving at me.
-being forever connected to another culture and country.
-learning how to be less self-centered.
-giggles.
-seeing the obsession over food and stuff fall away.
-have you seen how adorable they are?!
-witnessing the wonder and excitement that fills our boys with every new experience.
-figuring out what in the heck they are actually saying!
-cuddle time.
-growing! Derbe's gained 12 lbs and grown almost 3 inches and Chernet has gained 8 lbs and grown 2 inches. Chernet's off the charts teensy, but still...thriving.
-sharing in the hugs and punches of other adoptive families.
Really, there's no end...to the hugs or to the punches. But that's life. Quite honestly, those punches often turn into hugs. There's such beauty in seeing hope where there was once hopelessness, OTHERS where there was once ME, joy where there was such pain, family where there was once loss, understanding where there was once confusion...so thankful for all of it!
Friday, October 8, 2010
A SMALL GLIMPSE INTO OUR JOURNEY - VIDEO
Both Aaron and I have to say that we feel incredibly blessed...what a ride it's been so far! We are so thankful! May we NEVER forget to defend the orphan and fight for the rights of the widow. May our hearts always "hurt" badly enough to propel us into action.
The world IS our neighborhood. ENJOY!
Our FIRST family of four photo -- taken at HH!
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