The 3rd Year in Review

We are quickly approaching our 3rd anniversary with Abate and Fantu. As part of our agreement with the Ethiopian Government we have to send yearly updates until the kids are 18. I thought I'd share the one I am sending this year. It's kind of a year in review... May 2011- April 2012 Yearly Report Alan and Carol Hennessy Abate Alan Mekonen Hennessy 15 years old (Abate Mekonen) Fantu Asnaku Hennessy 13 years old (Fantu Mekonen) Adoption final - April 16th, 2009 Gatesville, Texas The past year is one that saw Abate and Fantu grow and mature into two lovely teenagers. They both continued to be active in sports and school activities. They are both very respected and admired within our community. Abate now in the 9th grade at Gatesville High School, continued to be an A & B student. He excels in his computer courses and in History. Science continues to be his least favorite subject. On the athletics field he continues to astound with his talent. In Cross Country he ran on the varsity team as a ninth grader, this is a team composed primarily of 11th & 12th graders. The team won their district and competed in Regional’s in November, for this he earned his Varsity letter jacket his freshman year. He also during this time played (American) Football. He was the field goal kicker for the freshman team. In December he joined the varsity soccer team and plays forward. He is a starter and is one of the top goal scorers. He has also earned his Varsity Letter (Patch) for Soccer. He was also named to the 2nd Team All-District. This spring he qualified for the varsity track team and is running the 1600m and 3200m. Again he has earned a letter (Patch) for making the Varsity Team! It takes a talented athlete to earn a letter jacket their freshman year – Abate lettered in three sports, a feat almost unheard of. Fantu still struggles a bit in her classes. She makes A’s B’s and some C’s. Science and Math are her two most difficult classes. She does well in English and History. She is in the 8th grade this year at Gatesville Junior High. To help her to improve her grades she is also taking an extra Reading class. It is a small class where she gets more attention and help. Her reading skills have really improved this year. Just recently we also had her placed in an extra Math class as she was really struggling in her Algebra class. She is starting to improve. Fantu also participated in Cross Country running and likes sports. She was also a cheerleader at her school. She did develop problems with her knee that kept her out of some of the sports she loves. Her knee pain became so bad that she had to have an MRI in which they found she had a Discoid Lateral Miniscus (a condition she was born with) that had become damaged over time and required immediate surgery. This led to quite a few absences from school that also caused her grades to suffer. She was on crutches for eight weeks and is still seeing a physical therapist to help her regain full use of her knee and leg. She also has the same condition in her other knee, although it isn’t as serious yet. She will not require surgery on it as of now. Fantu is a beautiful young lady and has many friends and admirers. She continues to be full of joy and laughter and keeps us entertained with her wonderful sense of humor. Abate and Fantu are both healthy children. Injuries from sports have been the only cause for concern during the past year. They both have healthy appetites and eat a wide variety of foods. They are adventuresome eaters and will readily try new foods. They both help out in the kitchen and are learning to prepare some of their new favorites and also like to cook many of their favorite Ethiopian meals. They also help with the cleaning up after meals. Abate and Fantu both have weekly household chores to do. When they complete these they earn an allowance that gives them a bit of money to spend on extra things. They both also have the opportunity to do additional chores to earn extra money when they are saving for something special. They are both excellent savers and have a bit of money saved away. They have both done very well at learning wise spending habits. They consider purchases carefully, compare prices and features of what they are wanting to buy. They would rarely buy anything on impulse. Abate has just received his learners driving permit and is learning to drive. He is doing very well and shows caution and respect while driving. He will take a driving test to get his driving license in September when he turns 16. Abate grew the most growing 4 inches in about 6 months. He was outgrowing shoes every six weeks and went from a 7.5 to a 9.5 before they finally stopped. He has also gained weight, but is still very fit and trim. He is still below average size for his age, but has closed the gap somewhat. He is now 5 ft. 4 in and weighs around 109 lbs. Fantu didn’t grow as much in height this year, only just about an inch. She is nearly 5 ft. 2 in. She weighs 132 lbs. During the past year we have traveled to New Mexico and Colorado. We visited Carlsbad caverns where we watched the bats come out at dusk and also hiked down into the caves. We visited Roswell New Mexico made famous by the legends of Aliens crash landing there. We went to Ft. Sumner and visited the museum and gravesite of the infamous outlaw Billy the Kid, and traveled up to Sante Fe and toured the oldest Catholic Parish Church in the USA. We also spent several days in the mountains of Colorado. While there we went hiking and whitewater rafting. It was an exciting and fun adventure. During the summer Fantu also had the opportunity to return to the Teen Music camp. She was able to work on her songwriting skills and performing. Fantu also travels the 80 miles to Austin to visit regularly with her older sisters and nephew. Abate spends his summer training for his many sports interests. He participates in many of the camps that are offered and then in the weeks before school starts he will begin his summer training for Cross Country running. Abate and Fantu are doing so well. They are happy, busy, typical teenagers. During the past year they have reconnected with several of their good friends from The Kidane Mehret Childrens Home. The often speak on the phone and are friends on Facebook. It is so great for us all to watch these old friends grow and share their new experiences here together. Abate and Fantu bring much joy and laughter to our home and keep us very busy with all of their interests. They are generous and kind and have many people that know and love them. We are so blessed to have them be a part of our family. class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">

What a Year!