As the holidays draw near, we are feeling reflective and thankful.  A year ago, we were heartbroken because we felt that we could not be farther away from bringing Emme home.  We went through the Holiday motions.  Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas Tree etc. but there was a huge empty hole in our hearts for Emme.

Here we are a year later and we are at the completely opposite end of the spectrum.  Emme is home, our family is complete and we are about to begin creating years of happy family Holiday memories.  Our hearts are completely full.  We are a family.

This year, we already feel the magic of the season.  For the George’s simply the fact that we are together is cause for celebration.

Happy Holidays Everybody!

Weekly play date today with our friends the Kuba’s.  Abeni is 3 weeks older than Emme.  It is so neat to know that these girls will have each other as they grow up.  It is especially neat to see them start to interact.

It is also good for Mommies!  Thanks for being there Carrie.

Emme and I came across a baby that obviously was around the same age as Emme.  After her Mom and I chatted for a moment we realized that these two babies were born 1 day apart.  At the time, I did not think that much about it.

However, the more I reflect on it the more it touches me.  It really is something to think of these two souls that have been on this earth for exactly the same amount of time.  Emme’s journey has been so hard, miraculous, amazing, long and most of all meant to be.  That same little girl has not even began to experience the type of life that Emme has already overcome.  It makes me think about her future journey.  She has come so far and has done so much in these last nine months.  I can only image what her future holds.

A woman, renewing her driver’s license at the County Clerk ’s office,
was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

“What I mean is, ” explained the recorder,
“do you have a job or are you just a ….?”

“Of course I have a job,” snapped the woman.

“I’m a Mom.”

“We don’t list ‘Mom’ as an occupation,
‘housewife’ covers it,”
Said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself
in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.
The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised,
efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like,
“Official Interrogator” or “Town Registrar.”

“What is your occupation?” she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know.
The words simply popped out.
“I’m a Research Associate in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations.”

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and
looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.
Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written,
in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

“Might I ask,” said the clerk with new interest,
“just what you do in your field?”

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice,
I heard myself reply,
“I have a continuing program of research,
(what mother doesn’t)
In the laboratory and in the field,
(normally I would have said indoors and out).
I’m working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family)
and already have four credits (all daughters).
Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities,
(any mother care to disagree?)
and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).
But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers
and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.”

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk’s voice as she
completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career,
I was greeted by my lab assistants — ages 13, 7, and 3.
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model,

(a 6 month old baby)  

in the child development program,

testing out a new vocal pattern.

I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!

And I had gone on the official records as someone more

distinguished and indispensable to mankind than “just another Mom.”

    Motherhood!

What a glorious career!

Emme just told me for the first time that her diaper was messy. I had laid her down for a nap and she was being very verbal, I went in to check on her and sure enough, it was her diaper.

This is a really big deal, because she has never told me previously. I figured it to be a left over orphanage thing. For the first 5 months of her life, she just had to deal with her messy diaper, so she got used to the feeling.

When we first brought her to the guest house form the orphanage, while still in Africa, the only time we got a positive reaction from her was when we changed her. We thought at first she likes to “be free”. We quickly realized that getting her diaper changed was the only time she received the one on one attention.

So today, 4 months later, it is so exciting for her to have the confidence in her character to say, “Hey Lady! Change my diaper!”

I think I can do it on my own

Maybe like this?

No, thats not right..

Wait a minute, maybe it goes like this??

Yeah!!!!  I did it, I am such a big girl!!

I took Emme to the Veteran’s Day parade yesterday. I was a little worried about how she would handle all of the loud noises but she did great! For me it was exciting to be starting a new tradition with her. I told her about Veterans and what they mean to our country. She may have not got it this year but she will in the future. In the meantime, it was a neat thing to do together.

Emme turns 9 months old today. I have to say I am excited but a little sad. We have had 3 1/2 months with our darling who is 9 months old. I feel like the baby stage is already almost gone. If we had a money tree, we would start the adoption process all over again and bring Emme a sibling home. It is sad that this is not a reality.

In the meantime, watch how big she is. She can stand supporting herself, talks all the time (mostly ba, ba some da da) and has two teeth! She has such a happy spirit. I look forward to every moment together.