Friends’ Adoption Progress

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Our friends Jeff and Chris called with news that they have a court date in Ethiopia!  Their court date is December 4.  In addition to our rejoicing with them, the significance for our home is huge – they are adopting two friends of our precious Daniel and David.  The boy they are adopting is absolutely the BEST FRIEND of Daniel and David and the girl was also close to them (boy, I wish I could post names – but I can’t).

Two nights ago, Daniel shared with us that when they first met the boy, he “no love Jesus” (that is, he was not a Christian).  But that, over time, he came to love Jesus.  Daniel said he was present when “he” prayed to invite Jesus into his heart!  What a joy (and I wish I had that story on video to share with Jeff and Chris).

When we traveled to Ethiopia we were privileged to meet these two beautiful children and to share with them that we would see them again – in America.  I believe they understood us and I can’t wait to see them again and to see the joy on Daniel’s and David’s faces as these best friends are reunited here.  If court goes as hoped, Jeff and Chris will most likely travel in January.  Please join us in praise to our loving God for moving this long-awaited adoption forward in His own perfect time!

Ethiopian Food in Seattle

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Our friends (see the link to Fun Faith Filled Family blog) invited us to join them for lunch at an Ethiopian restaurant in Seattle.  Despite the fact that Sary-Jo could not join us, we had a good time and I think everyone thoroughly enjoyed the food.  Tim and Katie are preparing to travel to Ethiopia in just a few weeks to bring their new kids home, so we talked about travel, the embassy appointment, etc.  Daniel and David really loved food from their birth home (especially the injera).  And of course, all the kids got along great.  Click the picture to see more from the restaurant.

Randy, Daniel & David

Randy, Daniel & David

Names

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The boys’ ability to communicate in English continues to grow at an incredible pace.  We are able to tackle subjects that we did not imagine we would be addressing so soon.  Tonight at dinner we started talking about the boys’ names and I really don’t recall how the conversation moved on to the topic, but along the way we asked them each what names (Ethiopian or American) they would like us to use at home.  We had assumed they would prefer the names they had used all their lives, but they each asked us to call them by their American names.  So from now on, we will refer to the oldest as Daniel and the youngest as David.  Except when we forget!

Halloween 2009

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Heading out for goodies

Heading out for goodies

With over 200 costumes to choose from, the boys stuck with what was familiar to them – Spiderman… in duplicate. They enjoyed their matching costumes. On the 30th, we went to the carnival at Karshner School and played games, ate a corn dog, and met many of the kids and staff. On the 31st, Dad took the kids (including Sarah and Ilaria) Trick or Treating while Mom stayed home to hand out treats to the many dozens of Trick or Treaters who came by. Click the picture to see more.  And watch the video.

Batting Practice

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Randy and the boys spent some time at the park hitting whiffle balls.  It was quite interesting because the boys had not seen baseball a month ago.  You can see that they have natural eye-hand coordination, but they need some coaching on technique.  We had a blast and captured some video.  Please note that they took turns running the video camera and they need more practice on that as well.  It’s worth watching.

David Behayelu:

Daniel Fraol

Pumpkin Carving

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We had our first experience carving pumpkins!  The boys enjoyed the experience as each designed the face for their pumpkin.  Dad did the carving at their direction.  They got a bit gooey cleaning out the insides.  Click the picture to see a few more.

Finished Product

Finished Product

Randy’s Birthday

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We had a family day together for Randy’s birthday on the 15th, including some time at the park and a visit to the oral surgeon for Behayelu.  We had dinner with Sarah, Kyle, Ilaria, Chris and Paul at our favorite Mexican restaurant, Playa Azul.  Thanks for all the cards, phone calls and online greetings!

 

Randy and the boys

Randy and the boys

Birthday Thank You Notes

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The boys are doing very well in “Mom School” as they learn about life in America.  They are learning what school will be like and developing their reading and writing skills.  Sary-Jo is doing an amazing job with them as she varies the activities and keeps them happily engaged in the mornings.  Here is a sample of their writing and it shows that “school” time is also quite practical since they had many thank-you notes to write following their birthdays.