Mercury was the Roman messenger to the Gods, Hermes his Greek equivalent. You know the guys with the winged feet. Abate it seems is ready to join their ranks. He won both the 2400m and the 1600m races at the track meet on Tuesday. In the 2600 he lapped most of the competition, in the 1600 he won easily by at least 20 yards. His running form is a thing of beauty. He glides so effortlessly around the track. Abate makes it look so easy, and to think how fast he is running, well it's just amazing.
I think I had better double check his new track shoes, I think they must have wings.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
The Fastest 2 Minutes of My Life
Two minutes to describe how our lives had changed since Abate and Fantu became a part of our family. I think I could fill 2 hours, 2 days maybe more with all the great things that have happened.
Two minutes to talk about how to fund your adoption, I really needed more time.
My morning had it's usual start, get up, put the kettle on, fix my hair then do my make-up.
My Make-up! Normally a 2 minute job - I'm not a perfectionist. Not so this morning, I think I spent 5 minutes on it. ok, maybe 10. I have to hurry in the bathroom because the tub is filling for Abate to get a bath and still get to school by 7:00. This afternoon is their first track meet of the season, kids are nervous and excited. Luckily my hair is the same routine every day. No messing around with this short doo.
Now to get dressed. easy enough - new dress, a cute little shrug, jewelry - now which shoes? Cute sexy kitten heels? maybe not. Black patent wedge sandals - strong style statement but it's 40 f outside.So slim low heeled and sensible won the day. Feet won't probably show anyway!
Now I've to start getting kids off to school - Abate delivered by 7, Fantu at 7:45 (no early track for her today). Stop by the bank and off to Waco.
I arrive too early, so I sit in the car and start to get nervous, ok so I guess I'll go in. Once I'm buzzed in I'm taken straight back to the green room and guess what - it's painted green! It's a really nice tasteful sage green. On my way in I meet Emily Iazetti - the morning news anchor and the producer for the Mom's Everyday segments I am doing. She comes in and sits down and is just so friendly and chatty. Really puts me at ease. She pops on out and says they'll come get me in a minute, they are nearly ready to begin.
After about 5 minutes I'm escorted to the studio and wired up, I meet Meaghan Brown that will be doing the interview. We talk for a bit- I get instructions and we are ready to begin.
Q music....Introduction and cut - something not quite right. Start again.
This segment went smoothly. I got to say most of what I wanted except I had really wanted to point out to those that can't adopt that they could help by making donations to some of the foundations out there that fund adoptions or help to support those children while they wait for families. Now for the second segment.. I knew this one I'd have to really edit what I could say, I found out during part 1 that it is so incredibly short. Q music again intro and first question smooth, then they show pictures and she asks me about the kids names - oh no! I really don't want to be broadcasting their names, so I stumble and then try to recover - then we run over the allotted time. Start again. Only before we start I tell her I really don't want the kids names being mentioned - she completely understands so this time it goes much better. Still not enough time to say everything I'd like but I'm happy with it. Guess I'll just have to wait and see how it looks when it airs - maybe next week?
So I head off to work, at my desk by 10 am. I full day here then I'm off to the track meet where I have to work in the concession stand for two hours, this is to raise money to help offset the cost of cheerleading uniforms. Abate's second race won't be run till after 9, Fantu's race and Abate's first race are scheduled for sometime around 4 this afternoon, sadly I won't get to see them.
Heres hoping the rest of the week will be much quieter.
Two minutes to talk about how to fund your adoption, I really needed more time.
My morning had it's usual start, get up, put the kettle on, fix my hair then do my make-up.
My Make-up! Normally a 2 minute job - I'm not a perfectionist. Not so this morning, I think I spent 5 minutes on it. ok, maybe 10. I have to hurry in the bathroom because the tub is filling for Abate to get a bath and still get to school by 7:00. This afternoon is their first track meet of the season, kids are nervous and excited. Luckily my hair is the same routine every day. No messing around with this short doo.
Now to get dressed. easy enough - new dress, a cute little shrug, jewelry - now which shoes? Cute sexy kitten heels? maybe not. Black patent wedge sandals - strong style statement but it's 40 f outside.So slim low heeled and sensible won the day. Feet won't probably show anyway!
Now I've to start getting kids off to school - Abate delivered by 7, Fantu at 7:45 (no early track for her today). Stop by the bank and off to Waco.
I arrive too early, so I sit in the car and start to get nervous, ok so I guess I'll go in. Once I'm buzzed in I'm taken straight back to the green room and guess what - it's painted green! It's a really nice tasteful sage green. On my way in I meet Emily Iazetti - the morning news anchor and the producer for the Mom's Everyday segments I am doing. She comes in and sits down and is just so friendly and chatty. Really puts me at ease. She pops on out and says they'll come get me in a minute, they are nearly ready to begin.
After about 5 minutes I'm escorted to the studio and wired up, I meet Meaghan Brown that will be doing the interview. We talk for a bit- I get instructions and we are ready to begin.
Q music....Introduction and cut - something not quite right. Start again.
This segment went smoothly. I got to say most of what I wanted except I had really wanted to point out to those that can't adopt that they could help by making donations to some of the foundations out there that fund adoptions or help to support those children while they wait for families. Now for the second segment.. I knew this one I'd have to really edit what I could say, I found out during part 1 that it is so incredibly short. Q music again intro and first question smooth, then they show pictures and she asks me about the kids names - oh no! I really don't want to be broadcasting their names, so I stumble and then try to recover - then we run over the allotted time. Start again. Only before we start I tell her I really don't want the kids names being mentioned - she completely understands so this time it goes much better. Still not enough time to say everything I'd like but I'm happy with it. Guess I'll just have to wait and see how it looks when it airs - maybe next week?
So I head off to work, at my desk by 10 am. I full day here then I'm off to the track meet where I have to work in the concession stand for two hours, this is to raise money to help offset the cost of cheerleading uniforms. Abate's second race won't be run till after 9, Fantu's race and Abate's first race are scheduled for sometime around 4 this afternoon, sadly I won't get to see them.
Heres hoping the rest of the week will be much quieter.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Inspire
On Wednesday afternoon while looking through my facebook postings I noticed that our local CBS affiliate was looking for stories for their Mom's Everday segment that airs every morning during the local news. I sent an email in reply suggesting a story about adopting older children and how to fund those adoptions. When I arrived at work the next morning and checked my inbox I had a email from their morning anchor telling me that they'd love to have me on to talk about it. Could I come in next Tuesday to tape it.
Surprised doesn't even describe what I felt just then. I've done television interviews before and I know the nerves that come with it. Could I really sit and talk about this in a calm and coherent manner. I really hope so. This is something I feel passionate about. I know that there are others out there that feel that adoption is beyond them. Alan and I were there once, but we found a way to make it happen. I want to let others know that yes they can do it too. So I checked with my boss to see if I could have Tuesday morning off (of course she said yes) and then replied to the anchor that I would be happy to come. She would be sending me a list of questions so I could be prepared. I must admit that really helps knowing I can get prepared.
So this morning I received another email from her outlining how the interviews would go, Yes that is plural interviews. They will be airing two segments on consecutive mornings. The first day will be about how our lives have changed since Abate and Fantu joined our family. Also what they have taught us about Ethiopia and how they have inspired members of our community. The second day we will be discussing how to fund adoptions. I will talk about low interest loans, grants, employer benefits and the IRS adoption tax credit.
My hope in doing this is that maybe just one family will be inspired to adopt a child that is waiting for a family.
Surprised doesn't even describe what I felt just then. I've done television interviews before and I know the nerves that come with it. Could I really sit and talk about this in a calm and coherent manner. I really hope so. This is something I feel passionate about. I know that there are others out there that feel that adoption is beyond them. Alan and I were there once, but we found a way to make it happen. I want to let others know that yes they can do it too. So I checked with my boss to see if I could have Tuesday morning off (of course she said yes) and then replied to the anchor that I would be happy to come. She would be sending me a list of questions so I could be prepared. I must admit that really helps knowing I can get prepared.
So this morning I received another email from her outlining how the interviews would go, Yes that is plural interviews. They will be airing two segments on consecutive mornings. The first day will be about how our lives have changed since Abate and Fantu joined our family. Also what they have taught us about Ethiopia and how they have inspired members of our community. The second day we will be discussing how to fund adoptions. I will talk about low interest loans, grants, employer benefits and the IRS adoption tax credit.
My hope in doing this is that maybe just one family will be inspired to adopt a child that is waiting for a family.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Definitions of a Parent
Abate and Fantu have their ideas of what a parent is, and should do. This doesn't always align with what type of parent I am, and the things I do.
I try to put myself in their shoes. They had little experience with being parented by Mom and Dad. They were cared for by an Aunt and Uncle - but I can see that there wasn't a deep bond in that relationship. What gave them the ideas of what parents and family are like? Television. American television and movies that they viewed on DVD. Oh boy, too many perfect families, living in perfect houses, with problems solved in less than 30 minutes. When Mom or Dad get angry usually a joke is made and the laugh tract cranks up. It's not real, it's not realistic.
I can understand that they expect to be the center of our lives. Most children do. But in their eyes we wanted them, we purposely picked them and brought them into our family. So shouldn't we want to spend all our time with them, spoil them, give them a life they dream of? Our role as a parent, is to love, protect, meet their needs and to prepare them to one day go out and make their way in this world. We have to educate them to be a successful adult and to achieve their own dreams. If we were to spoil them, do everything for them, they wouldn't learn the skills they need to live independently.
Saturday evening Alan and I were planning dinner out, just the two of us. This would be the first time in over 20 months that we would go out to eat without the kids. This did not go down with them. I had to bribe Abate with a trip to Academy for new track cleats. Fantu also got new ones. But she was still resisting. Finally she relented and granted us permission to go out to dinner alone. I thanked her for that and wondered how many other parents have this much trouble trying to plan a evening out. I fixed an Ethiopian meal for them before we headed out on a 90 minute date. Dinner and wine, and oh yes adult conversation. On the way home a stop at Dairy Queen to pick up Blizzards for the kids. They were watching TV when we arrived home and seemed to enjoy their evening to themselves. I'm thinking we may get to do this again before another 20 months passes.
Something I have been struggling with lately has been the kids (mainly the boy child) wanting to be waited on constantly. Asking for help with homework, then trying to get me to do it for him - No. Paying his sister to do the dishes when it's his turn, well that's not going to last long since he wants to save for a nice IPOD. Mom's taxi is expected to be ready to roll 24/7 with only minutes to get somewhere. I'm trying to teach them that trips need to be planned and driving kept to a minimum. I'm not having much luck. But our biggest battle lately is the expectation that I run a 24/7 grill and snack bar that only I know how to operate. I know they both know their way around a kitchen. They know where everything is kept. And they can cook, Fantu quite well. But one certain child thinks it's Mom's job to feed him whenever he is hungry. I try to get him into the kitchen and help with the preparation, but he just moans. Sunday night he would not get off the sofa and fix himself a sandwich even though he had been complaining for an hour that he was hungry. I offered to go help and get out the things he's need to make it. He didn't budge. So I put everything away and sent him off to bed. He was not happy.
On Monday his dad had a talk with him about not expecting his Mom to be a servant. If he's hungry go fix a sandwich, or find something to eat. He's 14 years old now and he has to learn these things. I discussed this again with him last evening. I am not being lazy, I am not being mean. I just need him to learn to do these things for himself. Some day he will leave to go off to college and work. He will have to look after himself. He will need to be independent and it is my job as a parent to make sure he has the skills to do this.
Parents are not servants,
Parents are teachers.
I try to put myself in their shoes. They had little experience with being parented by Mom and Dad. They were cared for by an Aunt and Uncle - but I can see that there wasn't a deep bond in that relationship. What gave them the ideas of what parents and family are like? Television. American television and movies that they viewed on DVD. Oh boy, too many perfect families, living in perfect houses, with problems solved in less than 30 minutes. When Mom or Dad get angry usually a joke is made and the laugh tract cranks up. It's not real, it's not realistic.
I can understand that they expect to be the center of our lives. Most children do. But in their eyes we wanted them, we purposely picked them and brought them into our family. So shouldn't we want to spend all our time with them, spoil them, give them a life they dream of? Our role as a parent, is to love, protect, meet their needs and to prepare them to one day go out and make their way in this world. We have to educate them to be a successful adult and to achieve their own dreams. If we were to spoil them, do everything for them, they wouldn't learn the skills they need to live independently.
Saturday evening Alan and I were planning dinner out, just the two of us. This would be the first time in over 20 months that we would go out to eat without the kids. This did not go down with them. I had to bribe Abate with a trip to Academy for new track cleats. Fantu also got new ones. But she was still resisting. Finally she relented and granted us permission to go out to dinner alone. I thanked her for that and wondered how many other parents have this much trouble trying to plan a evening out. I fixed an Ethiopian meal for them before we headed out on a 90 minute date. Dinner and wine, and oh yes adult conversation. On the way home a stop at Dairy Queen to pick up Blizzards for the kids. They were watching TV when we arrived home and seemed to enjoy their evening to themselves. I'm thinking we may get to do this again before another 20 months passes.
Something I have been struggling with lately has been the kids (mainly the boy child) wanting to be waited on constantly. Asking for help with homework, then trying to get me to do it for him - No. Paying his sister to do the dishes when it's his turn, well that's not going to last long since he wants to save for a nice IPOD. Mom's taxi is expected to be ready to roll 24/7 with only minutes to get somewhere. I'm trying to teach them that trips need to be planned and driving kept to a minimum. I'm not having much luck. But our biggest battle lately is the expectation that I run a 24/7 grill and snack bar that only I know how to operate. I know they both know their way around a kitchen. They know where everything is kept. And they can cook, Fantu quite well. But one certain child thinks it's Mom's job to feed him whenever he is hungry. I try to get him into the kitchen and help with the preparation, but he just moans. Sunday night he would not get off the sofa and fix himself a sandwich even though he had been complaining for an hour that he was hungry. I offered to go help and get out the things he's need to make it. He didn't budge. So I put everything away and sent him off to bed. He was not happy.
On Monday his dad had a talk with him about not expecting his Mom to be a servant. If he's hungry go fix a sandwich, or find something to eat. He's 14 years old now and he has to learn these things. I discussed this again with him last evening. I am not being lazy, I am not being mean. I just need him to learn to do these things for himself. Some day he will leave to go off to college and work. He will have to look after himself. He will need to be independent and it is my job as a parent to make sure he has the skills to do this.
Parents are not servants,
Parents are teachers.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Give me an F..A..N..T.. U.. What's that spell?
Cheerleader!
Yes Fantu is going to be a Cheerleader next year for the Gatesville Hornets Jr. Hi. Oh boy what fun! Cheer camps, practices, juggling football games and schedules with both kids. Next Autumn is going to be wild. I can't wait though to see her in her uniform and chanting 2 bits 4 bits 6 bits a dollar, all for the hornets stand up and hollar! YEAAAAAA!!! She is so excited she made the squad. Yea Fantu!
Yes Fantu is going to be a Cheerleader next year for the Gatesville Hornets Jr. Hi. Oh boy what fun! Cheer camps, practices, juggling football games and schedules with both kids. Next Autumn is going to be wild. I can't wait though to see her in her uniform and chanting 2 bits 4 bits 6 bits a dollar, all for the hornets stand up and hollar! YEAAAAAA!!! She is so excited she made the squad. Yea Fantu!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Bugs Bunny or Micky Mouse?
Looney Toons or Disney? Which is your favorite? Well I'm a Looney Gal! Bugs, Sylvester, Coyote, I never missed a Saturday morning watching them until I was well into my teens. I still will watch them whenever I see them on the telly, which nowadays is rarely. I have to usually pull out episodes on DVD. Bugs Bunny singing opera has always been one of my favorites. Barber of Seville, What's Opera Doc - Kill the Wabbit a interesting twist on a Wagner composition. It's not that I don't like Disney, it's just that it was just , well, boring. Would Mickey ever do a take on AA. Sylvester and his buddies went to Birds Anonymous in one episode, such a strong parallel to AA. Looney toons had layers of comedy in it that just opened up as I matured. Politics, social issues - I mean look at how often Bugs dressed up as a woman. Bugs was my first love. I still adore him.
Bunny or mouse? One evening a few months back a mouse ran across the floor. Abate yells MOM A RABBIT JUST RAN ACROSS THE FLOOR! I'm like what? A Rabbit? How? I then realize it was a mouse. I laughed harder than I did watching Bugs on a Saturday morning.
Bunny or mouse? One evening a few months back a mouse ran across the floor. Abate yells MOM A RABBIT JUST RAN ACROSS THE FLOOR! I'm like what? A Rabbit? How? I then realize it was a mouse. I laughed harder than I did watching Bugs on a Saturday morning.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Snow Day
When we went to bed last night it had just started snowing, a light dusting on everything. This morning it was still lightly snowing and it was starting to cover things quite nicely. Schools closed down and so did my work. SNOW DAY! We didn't venture out until 10:30 am, waited for the temp to rise to a balmy 27f. /-3c. The sun is starting to shine and the snow is starting to melt :(
We are all now back snuggly inside. I think I'll catch up on some netflix movies I've had in my queue for awhile. Fantu is camped out watching tv and Abate is playing wii.
We are all now back snuggly inside. I think I'll catch up on some netflix movies I've had in my queue for awhile. Fantu is camped out watching tv and Abate is playing wii.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Bean Sprouts
Have you ever planted beans? Notice how quickly they sprout and grow? It's as though you can almost see them grow.
Well that's how I've been feeling lately with Abate. T-shirts that he had been wearing for months were just overnight too small, his jeans too short, and his shoes too small. I look at him in his bed and almost daily he seems to be catching up to it in length. He also seemed to be catching up to his sister. Just 2 months ago she was 2 inches taller.
Yesterday we all stayed home due to ice on the roads. No school. No work. So at one point they decided it was time to get measured again.
Fantu came in at 5ft. 1 1/2 inches.
Abate at 5 ft. 1 1/4 inches.
That's an increase of 1/4 inch for Fantu and 2 inches for Abate. We last measured them in early December. It's no wonder we never have any food in the house. He's definitely eating more than bean sprouts.
Well that's how I've been feeling lately with Abate. T-shirts that he had been wearing for months were just overnight too small, his jeans too short, and his shoes too small. I look at him in his bed and almost daily he seems to be catching up to it in length. He also seemed to be catching up to his sister. Just 2 months ago she was 2 inches taller.
Yesterday we all stayed home due to ice on the roads. No school. No work. So at one point they decided it was time to get measured again.
Fantu came in at 5ft. 1 1/2 inches.
Abate at 5 ft. 1 1/4 inches.
That's an increase of 1/4 inch for Fantu and 2 inches for Abate. We last measured them in early December. It's no wonder we never have any food in the house. He's definitely eating more than bean sprouts.
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