parenting a child who speaks a different language while living in a foreign country.

I never have really posted a whole lot on parenting, mainly because I'm still learning but I thought this was important to talk about. While I had dreams of what this time would be like, we magically bonding and having no language barriers, I scarcely understood the reality of what would happen.Let me first say that we are able to get across a lot of what we need to say and there are times when I'm amazed at how much we've learned about each other, but then there are times when i see a long road ahead of us. Exactly how do you explain to a child (who speaks a language I do not know fluently) that even while we are in his home country that the parent is still the one in charge? How can I effectively say that I will take care of HIM and make the decisions on day to day activities? Well the truth is you can't...I tried and it only came across as me being a mean mommy. Now, we are silent towards one another and it's breaking my heart. I've tried talking with him but he turns away. Did I make a mistake by asserting myself? I don't know. He needs me and I need him, but mainly I need to be his mother all of the time despite however mad it may make him. I want him to just be a child and have no worries but I'm seeing that may be easier said than done. Ugh, it feels like we've taken a few giant feet backwards.

quality time with my boy

mia

I apologize for not having updated my blog in a while. We passed court on July 24th and it was official Natinael is a Miles!!! We spent some great time with him which I will chronicle more when I am home. Leaving him was the hardest thing I think I've ever done. It wasn't long after being home that I decided to come back to Ethiopia early. I wanted to be with him while we wait for embassy clearance. As of Aug 22nd I have had custody of him. There have been some truly great moments and some moments where I want to cry out in pain for him. This update will be brief but again I will update more when I'm home. I am hoping that is within the next 2-3 weeks some photos from before our gotchya day!

Our first meeting.

Today we met our first son for the very first time. It was a surreal moment. He was crying as we're we. I couldn't have asked for a better day. I am more in love with him then I ever thought possible. He is amazing and I don't ever want to spend another day apart from him. From his adorable accent to his glowing sincerity he is a gift. It's safe to say there has never been and never will be a day where we feel disconnected from him. Ptl.

Tonights the night!

Tonight son while you sleep we begin to fly. Fly to Washington DC where we spend one night before we take flight to Ethiopia!!! Then on Monday if all goes well we will be meeting you and hugging you!!!! I told you we were coming for you. Soon son, soon!

fly, fly away!!

In exactly 12 days we will be appearing before the judge in Ethiopia!!! That's right, our court date is July 24th!!!!! We love you son and were coming!!

such a bad blogger...

Ok, so I am such a bad blogger. I forgot to write about how our first court date went. It went..well!! Our sons birth relative showed and we were given a favorable outcome. Now we continue to wait for our federal mowa letter and pray we get our travel date before the courts close for two months. We desperately want to see and hold our son. Please help us in praying for a speedy court date.