IAN Families

A useful website...

2011-08-31T06:16:00.000-07:00

AdoptionNutrition.com calls themselves "the go-to nutrition & feeding resource for adoptive & foster families."

They offer information on nutrition by country (including a page on Ethiopia), possible nutrient deficiencies, common feeding challenges (including hoarding), things to think about before your child comes home and a section on the first year home. They also offer a free global cookbook.

Six Things to Know About the Expanded Adoption Tax Credit

2011-08-29T06:18:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Charisa for providing the link to the FB group...

IRS Summertime Tax Tip 2011-10, July 27, 2011

If you are adopting a child in 2011, the Internal Revenue Service encourages you to familiarize yourself with the adoption tax credit. The Affordable Care Act increased the amount of the credit and made it refundable, which means it can increase the amount of your refund.

Here are six things to know about this valuable tax credit:

The adoption tax credit, which is as much as $13,170, offsets qualified adoption expenses making adoption possible for some families who could not otherwise afford it. Taxpayers who adopt a child in 2010 or 2011 may qualify if you adopted or attempted to adopt a child and paid qualified expenses relating to the adoption.
Taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income of more than $182,520 in 2010 may not qualify for the full amount and it phases out completely at $222,520. The IRS may make inflation adjustments for 2011 to this phase-out amount as well as to the maximum credit amount.
You may be able to claim the credit even if the adoption does not become final. If you adopt a special needs child, you may qualify for the full amount of the adoption credit even if you paid few or no adoption-related expenses.
Qualified adoption expenses are reasonable and necessary expenses directly related to the legal adoption of the child who is under 18 years old, or physically or mentally incapable of caring for himself or herself. These expenses may include adoption fees, court costs, attorney fees and travel expenses.
To claim the credit, you must file a paper tax return and Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses, and you must attach documents supporting the adoption. Documents may include a final adoption decree, placement agreement from an authorized agency, court documents and the state’s determination for special needs children. You can still use IRS Free File to prepare your return, but it must be printed and mailed to the IRS, along with all required documentation. Failure to include required documents will delay your refund.
The IRS is committed to processing adoption credit claims quickly, but it also must safeguard against improper claims by ensuring the standards for this important credit are met. If your return is selected for review, please keep in mind that it is necessary for the IRS to ensure the legal criteria are met before the credit can be paid. If you are owed a refund beyond the adoption credit, you will still receive that part of your refund while the review is being conducted.

For more information see the Adoption Benefits FAQ page available at www.irs.gov or the instructions to IRS Form 8839, Qualified Adoption Expenses, which can be downloaded from the website or ordered by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).

Links:

YouTube Videos:

Adoption Credit: English | Spanish | ASL

Source: IRS

Ethiopia: The Whole Picture

2011-08-26T06:08:00.000-07:00

This was originally posted a year ago, but is worth a second, or third, or fourth look...

Ethiopia: The Whole Picture from Paul Hassell on Vimeo.

Foto Friday

2011-08-19T06:19:00.000-07:00

The ABC Webinar

2011-08-17T06:36:00.000-07:00

You have been talking to your child about adoption since he came home. But what about the time he spends at school? What does his teacher know about adoption? About birth parents? Does she know how to help him answer why he doesn't look like his mom?

Join Debbie Riley as she discusses how adoptive parents can educate the educators. This webinar, co-sponsored by Adoption Learning Partners and JCICS, costs $15.

This webinar will help you:

Talk to teachers about creating an adoption-sensitive environment
Educate teachers on managing discussions about adoption in school
Discover how much of your child's story to share
Learn how to handle some standard school projects (family trees, baby pictures)

Thursday, September 22, 2011
7:00 - 8:00 PM Central Time
Q & A: 8:00 - 8:30 PM Central Time
(Start Time: 7:00PM Central, 8:00PM Eastern, 5:00PM Pacific)

Debbie B. Riley is the Chief Executive Officer of The Center for Adoption Support and Education, Inc. (C.A.S.E.), an independent pre and post-adoption organization in the Baltimore-Washington area and co-author of the book, Beneath the Mask: Understanding Adopted Teens.

Click HERE to register.

favorite items from Ethiopia!

2011-08-15T06:15:00.000-07:00

ORIGINALLY POSTED BY CHARISA ON FOR SUCH AS THESE

Below are some of my favorite items we brought back from Ethiopia on this trip. Shopping can be somewhat overwhelming! Lots of vendors, lots of items, and lots of haggling! I tend to pick out what I wanted and ran when the haggling came. I let the hubby handle that one—being he was the professional sales guy and all!

There were some items I didn’t get this time because I ran out of time/forgot or just plain couldn’t think. I will have a list of items to pick up next time (and as always more coffee!)

These pictures made out of banana leaves. There are pretty fragile and I was worried—but they made it back fine. There were lots of different scenes to choose from. We got those from the antiquities store in the big mercato.

Scarves. We bought lots of scarves for the girls and friends. The ones below came from the Former Women Wood Carriers Association. (I think that’s the formal name-I might have messed it up a bit) It’s at the bottom of Entoto Mountain.I asked and they said it takes about 2 hours to make on scarf. They had tons and they were beautiful.

One of the women carrying the wood down the mountain. From what I have read—they do this once a day for their own use and selling. They make about $3 from it. And it is HEAVY. and it is a STEEP mountain. Can’t imagine doing that every day.

We purchased some scarves from the Leprosy Hospital as well. These had a lot more elaborate designs and a sheen to them. They also had clothes there and table clothes.

One of my very faves. A basket made from the women at the Fistula Hospital. A very moving and humbling place to visit.

We just purchased the coffee set below from some random guy on the street. He kept following us and his price kept dropping—I finally told the hubby—“buy that!” And I am amazed we made it home without it breaking! We packed it with a bunch of our clothes in our carry-on.

Animals—we always bring animals home from the kids from our trips to Ethiopia and Zambia.

Of course, we need the coffee to go with that coffee set!

Some traditional clothing for our little man.

Some necklaces for the girls—there didn’t seem to be as much jewelry this time as the last time I was in Ethiopia.

They has these postcards all around. I wish I had bought more—they would be pretty in black frames in a grouping. Might put them on my list for next time!

Another fave—this is the story of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba on a canvas. They had quite a few of these and other pictures that were really neat in the antiquities shop as well. Not sure how I am going to hang it yet.

Close up of it.

And for Ab and Josh—their only request were soccer jerseys. Josh’s we paid too much money for and then found them cheaper and got Ab’s (first store only had adult sizes) and of course the sweatbands for Ab and his Mirinda.

Foto Friday

2011-07-29T06:15:00.000-07:00

Foto Friday

2011-07-01T06:27:00.000-07:00

More stunning IAN kids...many featured with their devoted dads!

ESFNA 2011 Event

2011-06-28T06:29:00.000-07:00

ESFNA stands for Ethiopia Sports Federation of North America. It was founded in 1984 and promotes soccer and cultural events to the Ethiopian communities within the US.

Every year, ESFNA hosts a week-long event that draws more than 20,000 participants. For 2011, the event will take place in Atlanta, July 3-9. In addition to soccer (men's, women's and children's), I believe there are also concerts, table tennis tournaments, vendors, golf tournaments and cultural activities.

For more information about this summer's event or ESFNA in general, visit their website.

And if you've attended one of these annual events, please leave a comment letting us know more about it and your experience. Thank you...

Family Journeys Cultural Camp 2011

2011-06-10T06:36:00.000-07:00

Registration is now OPEN!!

Date: August 8 to August 12th

3 to 6 year olds: 9am to 12:30

7 to 12 year olds: 1 to 4:40

Activities available for children over 12

About Camp:

We have outstanding Ethiopian teachers who will lead camp this year.

Activities include: Ethiopian language, dance, games, haircare, cooking, even a coffee ceremony!

Each child will receive an authentic Ethiopian outfit (*Must be registered by July 15)

A perfect opportunity for your children to meet friends and siblings with similar experiences!

To Register:

Email Liz at FJCC@adoptioninternational.net

All children must be registered by July 15th. Sign up now to reserve your space!!

We can't wait to see you!!

Foto Friday

2011-06-03T06:22:00.000-07:00

This is the probably the last Foto Friday post for awhile so be sure soak up these IAN kiddos' beautiful smiles!

Children born of malnourished mothers may face long term metabolism problems

2011-06-01T06:14:00.000-07:00

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON THE WAYFARER

This post will begin on a bit of a personal note and end on a resource note. I don't really like to post much personal as it could feel sort of intrusive to my boys as they grow up and become aware of what mom is doing on the blog.... but, I feel that this is going to be helpful for others, so I make an exception.

Most of our kids are undersized when we pick them up. Most catch up and stabilize. Some are older or have health issues that prevent them from really catching up. Malnourishment can indeed prevent a child from growing to potential. One of my son's has had steady and normal growth since we brought him home. He is right on track for his age in every way. One of my son's was so tiny and had a huge belly and stick arms and legs when we brought him home. He was almost 4. He could wear size 2 comfortably. That is not extreme by any measure. That is common. Yep, malnourished as a young child. What happened next is not so common. By the time he was actually 4 (four months after we brought him home) he was wearing a size 3. Pretty good growth. A year later, at age 5 he was in size 5. He gained more than 10 pounds and about 8 inches in height in a year and 4 months. He had caught up. Problem was that big belly was still there. Not as hollow as it once was but still there. Shouldn't it have gone away? We looked into all sorts of things. Many ideas came across our radar and we looked at each one. Nothing really panned out.

The following year he continued his growth pattern. By age 6 he had gained over 10 pounds more and only a few inches in height. He is now stocky, husky, a little overweight. We pulled back and again looked at what we are feeding him. Looked at his energy and activity levels. All normal. We adjusted his food intake to be sure he is getting the right things in the right amounts for his age, without him feeling deprived (big issue for him). He continued to gain weight. This kid never horded food but his body seems to be doing it for him., he never ate until he puked either. No, none of that. Yes, he wants to eat everything he sees, but we don't really make that an option. No matter how balanced his meals, how carefully we monitor his snacks and the amount of exercise he gets, he gains weight. Right now he is just at the high end. But coming from his situation and the fact that he was not even on the chart at first, in just under 3 years this is somewhat astonishing weight gain and could lead to issues as he grows up if we do not understand it now. Dieting is a bad idea for a child who comes from an impoverished situation. Panic. Fear. Mistrust. You know that sounds bad for attachment, even three years into it.

So, I look some more, I ask around some more. I am given a very interesting and eye opening article. WOW! This is the answer to why. I am so relieved to know the source of the issue for my son. Turns out that there has been some research done on this. The research is showing that persons who were born of a malnourished mother become overweight and even obese when they are able to consume a normal level of calories in a healthy diet. In probing this a bit more it seems that there is some indication that this is because the child in-utero did not receive enough nutrients and so their system did not develop the ability to metabolize the caloric intake of a healthy diet. Instead it developed in such a way that it is only able to handle the caloric intake of a person in a state of malnourishment. In this way the child survives and lives and grows and does not need as much to live. No one is saying this is healthy, however, a child born in this state is much more likely to live than a child without this situation who faces malnourishment. Therefore it serves the purpose of survival. Very interesting. So, due to international adoption and immigration, persons who having this "condition" as it were, come to America or Europe and go from super skinny to .... well, I guess what they are staying is to... overweight. And that is exactly what has happened with my son. He was 28 lb when we picked him up and at almost 3 years home he is now 60 lbs. That in contrast to our son (who is younger) who has had normal weight gain who was 30 lb. and is now 46 lb. The boys are of different tribal backgrounds and we attributed much of this to that, but maybe have been mistaken in doing so. They are only 8 months different in age.

What do we do about it? Well, that remains to be seen. In visiting with a new and adoption savvy as well as international issues savvy Dr. in our pediatric office, he confirmed all this and said he feels that is a reasonable explanation to my son's interesting growth pattern. He also noted that they are seeing more and more of this in internationally adopted kids. Presumably because there are more of them. Our son will be going for blood tests to see if anything that can be helped is out of whack. Thyroid, etc. Not expecting much. So, the dilemma, how to get a child who LOVES his food (and he gets good for you food and still loves it) to eat significantly fewer calories than his age recommendation.

Why? Well, just as in-utero his body did not develop the metabolism to handle a normal intake of food, his body, if left unchecked in an overweight status by age 7, will have more fat cells to store fat and therefore it will be harder to loose the weight after puberty.
In a picture: babies are born with a "normal" level of fat cells. If they are overweight at around age 7, as well as by the onset of puberty (around 10), then they have multiplied their number of fat cells and they can not be decreased. They will have to shrink them and that is harder if there are more than the right number. This is the issue with juvenile obesity.
For a child who was born with not enough fat cells, they gain a few, up to the normal level and are then overweight. The issue for a child born from a malnourished mother is that he has too few and gaining the right amount puts them at jeopardy of becoming an obese adult as their metabolic system is already out of balance genetically. Quite the conundrum really.

Want to read the article for yourself? Check it out in The Economist.

Our sons are the two in the middle. The one in stripes with blue sleeves is 2 years 10 months old. He is a normal size for his age and has had normal growth. Our son in the pink is smaller and older, he is at this photo, 3 years and 6 months old. The clothing he was wearing a month later when we picked him up were size 18 months.

These are our boys at Easter 2011. You can see their growth. N (brown pattern tie) has had normal growth and is now 5 years 8 months. K (orange stripe tie) has had more growth than we ever expected. He is now 6 years and 4 months old. They are so very handsome!!!!

Ethiopian Chicken Stew (Doro Wat) Slow Cooker Recipe

2011-05-23T06:31:00.000-07:00

I really like introducing the kids to new flavors, and when I came across Mary Ostyn's Doro Wat recipe in her WONDERFUL book,Family Feasts for $75 a Week (and this is for a family of 12!) I knew I needed to try it.

This is a wonderfully spicy stew/soup, and I'm thrilled to use some of very-neglected spice bottles in the cupboard. I highly recommend giving this a go. Be adventurous! You've only got one Friday, October 22 2010 in your life. :-)

The Ingredients.

serves 8

1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons butter

3 large onions, diced (or 3 tablespoons dried minced onion flakes)

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 tablespoon paprika

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and more to taste if you'd like

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

2 cups water

8 hard-boiled eggs (peeled, to add later)

The Directions.

Use a 6-quart slow cooker. Empty the tomato can into your cooker. Put in the chicken thighs, and add the lemon juice. Now add butter, onion, and ALL of the spices. Pour in the water. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or high for 4 to 5. Your soup is done when the onions are soft and translucent and the chicken is cooked through and begun to fall apart. Ladle into a wide-mouth bowl and place a whole hardboiled egg into each dish.

The Verdict.

What great soup. The depth of spices is really unique---you get a powerful punch of tomato and lemon at first, but then the warmth from the spices fills your whole belly. Mary says to make it authentic you should really use 1 TABLESPOON of cayenne instead of 1 teaspoon. Holy toledo, I'm too much of a wuss for that!

Thank you so much, Mary, for sharing your recipe and your wonderful book.

SOURCE: A Year of Slowcooking

Saturday Snapshots

2011-05-21T06:15:00.000-07:00

More photos of smiling IAN kiddos!

Pop Quiz!

2011-05-18T06:23:00.000-07:00

How much do you think you know about Ethiopia? Want to test your knowledge? Take this interactive quiz and then study up on the answers you don't know.

Book Review: E is for Ethiopia

2011-05-16T06:27:00.000-07:00

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON THE WAYFARER

E is for Ethiopia is a great book. Using the alphabet as organization for an overview of interesting facts about Ethiopia the books it combines explanations and fabulous photographs of Ethiopia to share some of the wonder of the country with it's reader. I love this book because it is not a text book and is very interesting to my boys . They can see the culture of their birth in beautiful photos and words which helps them to connect to it. I also like that it is written by Ethiopians. They have the passion to pass along and I feel they do this well with this simple yet beautiful kids book.
Check it out on Amazon.

Saturday Snapshots

2011-05-14T10:57:00.000-07:00

Stunning IAN kids, happy and healthy with their families!

Foto Friday

2011-04-29T06:34:00.000-07:00

Beautiful IAN kids and families!

Saturday Snapshots

2011-04-09T06:10:00.000-07:00

A little late but so worth the wait...more IAN cuties!

Foto Friday

2011-04-01T06:22:00.000-07:00

Happy, healthy, loved and loving IAN kids!

Foto Friday

2011-03-18T06:15:00.000-07:00

It's Friday and I'm in love...with these beautiful, smiling, happy IAN kids!

How to make Injera Video

2011-03-14T06:27:00.000-07:00

ORIGINALLY POSTED BY THE LITTLE FAMILY ON A LITTLE ANGEL

Ok, as a certified Chef I have to say I was equal parts frustrated and embarrassed to admit that I was unable to figure out how to make Injera. I know everyone always says " just buy the injera - you don't make your own bread, why make your own injera!"

However, the truth of the matter is I do make my own bread! I love making bread, my mother loves making bread and my Grandmother loved making homemade bread. It is a tradition in my family that has been passed down, generation after generation, mother-to-daughter. Now that I have a daughter (!) I really want to be able to pass on this tradition to her as well. Of course I will show her how to make French Baguette, American White, Italian Foccacia, and Ethiopian Spiced Honey Bread (which I am happy to report I was able to master)...but I also really want to be able to teach her how to make Injera. It is the staple item of the Ethiopian diet for goodness sake! I want Shibire to grow up and know how to make Injera, as well as Gomen, Wot, Tibs....

If she decides to grow up and marry an Ethiopian man I want her to be able to walk into her mother-in-law's kitchen and surprise her that even though she was raised by a white American family she can still make a kick-ass Ethiopian meal for her family! Who knows, maybe she will grow up and hate cooking, but it won't be because I didn't try to pass this tradition on to her.

So here I sit...greatly desiring to be able to teach Shibire how to make Injera and I can't even figure out how to make it myself! However - I have recently scoured youTube and found a video from an Ethiopian restaurant where they show you how to cook it, and also, a link to the recipe they use. So I guess it will be another 4 day journey of trying to make Injera! Wish me luck! (and if any of you have been successful making Injera, please send me your tips!)

Mesob Ethiopian Eats Injera Recipe

How to Make Injera Video - Mesob Ethiopian Eats with Hot from the Kettle

Foto Friday

2011-03-11T06:28:00.000-08:00

TGIF...because that means cute kids on the IAN Families blog!

Foto Friday

2011-03-04T06:30:00.000-08:00

These smiles are sure to keep you warm when it's cold out! More gorgeous IAN kiddos:

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What Was Court Like?

2011-02-28T06:11:00.000-08:00

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY MAMA M:

This is a question I've gotten quite a few times since I've been back from our trip to Ethiopia. I thought it might be helpful for others who follow my intermittent blogging to have at least one perspective of what that day is like.

On December 23, we woke early and had another wonderful breakfast at our Guest House. Tsebaye's mom makes great buna, eggs, injera and some other oatmeal-type thing that I never got the name for. After breakfast, we gathered with the other families we were traveling with and waited in the courtyard for our van to come pick us up. I wore a dress I'd bought for D & K's wedding in Jamaica - it had a happy aura! I also wore a beautiful scarf that my dear friend T let me borrow. We all wanted to be sure that we were dressed in a way that would show our respect for the traditions of our children's heritage. Everyone looked bright and shiny!

Once the van arrived, the drive to the court building felt like it took forever. I think it was 30 minutes. We spent another 15-20 minutes standing on the sidewalk waiting for something, though I'm still not sure what. There is a lot of putting your trust/faith in others required on this journey :-). Then we headed into the building...and that's where it hit me.

The second my foot set down inside the courthouse, the emotions that must have been building inside of me the entire week just rushed to the surface. I couldn't breathe, the tears just came. It only lasted a few seconds, but the enormity of what we were about to do...what S's aunt was about to do if she had made it...it was all so overwhelming. Scott was amazing and helped me get centered enough to climb the three floors to the waiting area for the judge's chambers.

At first we lined the hallway...there were so many people there all the seats in the waiting room were full. This is when we started to look around and wonder if S's aunt had made it. We knew that it was a very real possibility that she wouldn't. Gambella is a 3-4 day journey away from Addis. It is not easy for these families to make the trip - financially or emotionally. I was braced for the disappointment that she wouldn't be there and we would miss the opportunity to meet her.

After about 20 minutes, we were able to file into the waiting room and find a seat. As I walked in, I couldn't look around. It seemed like the energy in the room was so conflicted - pain and heartache mixed with anticipation and joy. Then Scott told me to look across the room. I did. On the chair at the end of our row sat a beautiful, young (very young) woman with S's eyes...I knew it had to be her. It had to be S's aunt. This was confirmed when the judge's clerk called her into chambers along with the birth mother of a little boy whose family we'd gotten to know so well over the last few days. Then, so quickly, they came out and our names were called...we went into the chambers with the parents of little E. This was unexpected, to go in with another family but given the number of people waiting outside, I guess it was the only way to get everything done.

We sat in chairs across and next to the judge's desk. She was a lovely young woman with a soft voice. In a matter of 2-3 minutes she asked us just a few questions -
Judge: Do you have other children?
Us: Yes
Judge: Have you discussed the adoption with them?
Us: Yes
Judge: Do you understand that this adoption is permanent and cannot be undone?
Us: Yes
Judge: Congratulations
Us:
Well at that point, there were no words. My dear friend and I burst into tears...I still don't know why other than they just needed to come out. The dad's shook hands, and I think there was a man hug there too. We filed out into the waiting room and then into the hall (my tears felt inappropriate for that room). After a minute or two I was able to get control and stop crying. They were definitely tears of sadness for how S had arrived at this place in her life, for her aunt for the most difficult task she'd had to do in the two years she'd been caring for her, and also joy knowing that we would be here for S for the rest of her life - loving and supporting her.

The rest of the day was equally emotional, but that will have to wait for another post...here's another photo from our amazing trip.

Foto Friday

2011-02-25T06:19:00.000-08:00

So much cuteness for Foto Friday!

Book Review: Yafi's Family

2011-02-23T06:24:00.000-08:00

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON THE WAYFARER

Yafi's Family is a great book. These are the things I love about this book:
1. the child is a boy
2. he is adopted as an older child
3. he is orphaned by death
4. he is Ethiopian
5. his parents retained his birth name
6. He has siblings in his adoptive home

I like these things because my boys can relate to each of these things very very well. It is a story about another boy, yet a story about themselves as well. The story is unique in that there are very few books about Ethiopian adoption, few books about older child adoption and even fewer about children who were orphaned by death rather than relinquished or abandoned. I would highly recommend this book for your home library. I think we will read this one over and over. As a note, I would suggest talking about feelings after you read this book and giving lots of affirmation. It triggered some sad feelings of loss the first time we read it for one of my sons. He likes this book, because it helps him feel like he is not alone in his loss. That is valuable.

Foto Friday

2011-02-18T06:21:00.000-08:00

Hope these pics of adorable IAN kids keep you warm this wintry Friday!

Guest house review: Yebsabi & Ethiopia Guesthouse

2011-02-14T06:26:00.000-08:00

From an IAN mom:

We have stayed at both the Yebsabi (Feb. 2010) and the Ethiopia Guesthouse
(Jan. 2011). I would choose the Yebsabi if I were to go again, but it is more
expensive.

Yebsabi: Super, super clean and the staff are very helpful. The food is
amazing-and a large variety. We stayed in the single room (smallest they have).
All rooms have private baths and we never had a problem with hot water! We
spent a lot of time downstairs in the lobby area talking with other families and
playing outside. We had a few days with power outages while we were there and
they always asked us if we needed the generator on for anything. Laundry
service is fine-our clothes were returned in one day. Programmable safes in
every room. They have a computer in the lobby with internet access. We were
able to skype in the lobby without problem.

Ethiopia Guesthouse: They have a nice grassy area for kids to play (well, maybe
not all of the buildings do, but ours did). I enjoyed the Ethiopian food there,
but not the western food that they made. Breakfast was minimal (plain oatmeal
one morning). There is one bathroom for the floor (sharing with 3/4 other
rooms). We were without water at times, and most of the time had no hot water.
No safe in the room. Small lobby area and they had toys for children. The staff
was very helpful. They also have computer in the lobby for use, and we were able
to skype without problem.

I would stay at both of these places again, it just depends on what you are
looking for!

Saturday Snapshots

2011-02-12T10:02:00.000-08:00

Sweet IAN kiddos!

Foto Friday

2011-02-04T06:30:00.000-08:00

Baby, it's cold outside...but hopefully these sunshiny sweet IAN faces with add warmth to your day!

Biographies/Autobiographies featuring Ethiopia

2011-02-02T06:06:00.000-08:00

There is No Me Without You by Melissa Fay Greene

From Publishers Weekly: Not unlike the AIDS pandemic itself, the odyssey of Haregewoin Teferra, who took in AIDS orphans, began in small stages and grew to irrevocably transform her life from that of "a nice neighborhood lady" to a figure of fame, infamy and ultimate restoration. In telling her story, journalist Greene who had adopted two Ethiopian children before meeting Teferra, juggles political history, medical reportage and personal memoir. While succinctly interspersing a history of Ethiopia, lucidly tracing the history of AIDS from its early manifestation as "slim disease" in the late 1970s to its appearance as a bizarrely aggressive [form] of Kaposi's sarcoma in the early 1980s, and following the complex path of medication (a super highway in the West, a trail in Africa), Greene rescues Teferra from undeserved oblivion as well as rescuing her from undeserved obloquy (false accusations of child selling). As with her previous books (Praying for Sheetrock; The Temple Bombing; Last Man Out), Greene takes a very close look at what appears to be the fringe of an important social event and illuminates the entire subject. Ethiopia is home to "the second-highest concentration of AIDS orphans in the world"; even as some of the orphans find happy endings in American homes, Greene keeps the urgency of the greater crisis before us in this moving, impassioned narrative.

Held at a Distance by Rebecca Haile

From Booklist: Haile's parents fled Ethiopia in 1976, two years after a brutal coup and the beatings that resulted in her father's paralysis. Her family relocated to central Minnesota, her father regained professional status as a scholar, and she eventually went to law school. The coup ended a centuries-old monarchy, replacing it with a dictatorship that was ousted by rebels in 1991. Twenty-five years after departing Ethiopia, Haile returns with her husband to explore the effect of the revolution and the upheaval that took away a sense of community. Although her family was reconstituted in the U.S., it was never the same. She gauges the change and measures the extent of her loss, even as she learns of her uncle's valiant efforts to maintain his engineering business and create jobs in a nation suffering from a faltering economy. Haile also sees firsthand remnants of timeless tradition and culture as well as a multicultural nation torn by ethnic divisions that threaten its sense of nationhood. This is a riveting and personal look at a nation still in turmoil.

My Fathers' Daughter by Hannah Pool

From Amazon: In 1974 Hannah Pool was adopted from an orphanage in Eritrea and brought to England by her white adoptive father. She grew up unable to imagine what it must be like to look into the eyes of a blood relative until one day a letter arrived from a brother she never knew she had. Not knowing what to do with the letter, Hannah hid it away. But she was unable to forget it, and ten years later she finally decided to track down her surviving Eritrean family and embarked upon a journey that would take her far from the comfort zone of her metropolitan lifestye to confront the poverty and oppression of a life that could so easily have been her own.

Notes from the Hyena's Belly by Nega Mezlekia

From Publishers Weekly: "Hyenas are the most common, notorious predators in Ethiopia," notes Mezlekia, thus their power in local myth and as a metaphor for the forces that have torn Ethiopia apart in recent decades. This lyrical memoir of an Ethiopian childhood echoes both the myth and the violence of the hyena. In the first third of his literary debut, Mezlekia intersperses accounts of his mischievous, rebellious childhood with the magical tales told by his family to interpret various experiences: magic and spirits were part of everyday life for young Mezlekia. He also carefully delineates the customs of and relations between the Christian and Muslim communities in his hometown of Jijiga. (Mezlekia's mother, though a Christian, took her son to a Muslim medicine man to cleanse him following a series of boyish escapades.) But a third of the way through the text, the material world supplants the world of the spirit and innocence that governed Mezlekia's early childhoodAsocial and political upheaval ruled Ethiopian life in the late 1970s and '80s. At times, Mezlekia, who now lives in Canada, does not clearly describe the various factions that wrestled for power when he was a teenager and college student. But he treats the chaos and famine that enveloped his country with seriousness and styleA"The revolution was eating Ethiopian children at an alarming rate"Aand even while recounting famine and war, he never loses the wit that no doubt helped him to survive some of the worst humanity has to offer. (Jan.) Forecast: This lovely and terrible memoir will undoubtedly be well reviewed and thus reach readers interested not only in the fate of Africa but also in a lyrical account of a foreign childhood,

This is a Soul: The Mission of Rick Hodes by Marilyn Berger

From Amazon: Dr. Rick Hodes arrived in Africa more than two decades ago to help the victims of a famine, but he never expected to call this extremely poor continent his home. Twenty-eight years later, he is still there.

This Is a Soul tells the remarkable story of Rick Hodes's journey from suburban America to Mother Teresa's clinic in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. As a boy, Rick was devoted to helping those in need, and eventually he determined that becoming a doctor would allow him to do the most good. When he heard about famine in Africa, that's where he went, and when genocide convulsed Rwanda, he went into the refugee camps to minister to the victims. When he was told that Ethiopia was allowing its Jews to emigrate to Israel, he went to help. While there, he was drawn to Mother Teresa's mission in Addis Ababa. It was there that Rick found his calling when he began caring for the sickest children in one of the world's poorest countries. But he did more than that—he began taking them into his home and officially adopted five of them.

This Is a Soul is also a book filled with great joy and triumph. When Rick's kids return from surgery or life-saving treatments, he is exultant. "Seeing these people after surgery is like going to heaven," he says.

Marilyn Berger went to Africa to write about Dr. Hodes, but while there, she became involved with the story. When she came upon a small, deformed, and malnourished boy begging on the street, she recognized immediately that he had the exact disease Rick could cure. She took him to Rick, who eventually arranged for the boy to have a complicated and risky surgery, which turned out to be incredibly successful. The boy's story—intertwined with Rick's, and Marilyn's as well—is unforgettable in its pathos and subtle humor.

This Is a Soul is not just a story of the savior and the saved, it is a celebration of love and wisdom, and an exploration of how charity and devotion can actually change lives in an overcrowded, unjust, and often harsh world.

If you've read any of these books, please feel free to review them in the comments. Know of other bios or autobiographies featuring Ethiopia? Please leave a comment too!

Initial adjustment of a school-age internationally adopted child to the new family

2011-01-31T06:13:00.000-08:00

Source: PAL

It is difficult to imagine something that could be comparable to the complexity of the adjustment experience of a school-age child adopted internationally. Try to envision yourself amid a completely unfamiliar social/cultural milieu, being bombarded by thousands of novel auditory and visual experiences, and, on top of this, being handed over to adult strangers who are now part of something you may have never experienced before, called "family." That is what internationally adopted (IA) children are going through as soon as they land on American soil.

There are physical, cultural, and emotional/behavioral aspects of the adjustment that the IA children need to make. First, it is indeed a total adjustment to physical environment (water, food, air) and the cultural/social environment. Second, there is a new language, mediating the whole process: language acquisition and communication difficulties are intrinsic parts of the adjustment period. Mix patterns of institutional behavior of a child and various parental techniques and the dynamic of the adoptive family, and you will get an incomplete list of behavioral/emotional factors to cope with. It is only reasonable to expect the adjustment period to be an intense and difficult time for everyone in the family.

In this short article I will dwell only on behavioral/emotional issues that an average family will normally go through during the adjustment period with the internationally adopted school-age child. Behavioral/emotional adjustment has several phases:

Honeymoon phase

This is usually a rather short period of elevated sympathy in people who are new to each other and who have certain expectations of and attitudes towards each other. Many older children have the idea that if they misbehave they may be returned to the orphanage, so they try to control their behavior to the best of their ability. Adoptive parents try to be as nice as possible to their newly obtained children. Again, this period can be so short that some adoptive parents may not notice it. Some children while just traveling to their new home may have tantrums, crying fits, etc., which can be due to the frustrating inability to communicate wishes and needs. Some children may have had not enough sleep, be tired from the excitement of the departure, be scared by the sometimes frightening experiences of being restrained by a seat belt in an airplane, by the series of doctor's examinations, etc. and act out right in the middle of the "honeymoon."

Testing of the limits phase

For IA children, the only way to explore their new reality is to test it with whatever repertoire of behavior is available to the children: it may be angry rebellion, autistic-like behavior, and hectic hyperactive examination of their surroundings by touching, pulling, throwing, etc. It will not necessarily be typical of this child after the adjustment is over. By the same token, parenting techniques to manage these behaviors may also be different. "Testing the limits” means that limits and routines are to be established by parents and learned by the child. Cultural differences (at times no less than “culture shock”) mediate the testing-of-limits process in both parents and children.

Gradual mutual acceptance phase

Although this may be a part of the initial adjustment, it is a relatively long period of reciprocal accommodation and adaptation. This is the period of adjustment when the orphanage behavior will be tried again and again and will be gradually replaced by more functional adaptive behavior. This is the time when intense feelings of anxiety, grief, anger, and other emotional turbulence might take place. This is the time when a new post-institutional way of life (routines, values, attitudes) is being gradually acquired by an IA child. The beginning of acceptance of a new way of life is the end of the initial adjustment period.

How to manage behavioral issues during the initial adjustment period

In order to make the initial adjustment manageable and productive, adoptive parents should follow certain "dos" and don'ts":

• Keep stimulation to a minimum. No welcome parties, no trips to the mall within the first three weeks, no stream of relatives to see your new addition to the family. Limit toys, choices, outing, etc. Plan no more than one stimulating activity per day (such as the park, store, etc.).

• Concentrate on establishing a daily routine. Your key words from day one should be structure, consistency, routine. Develop a set of rules and procedures as quickly as possible and stick to them rigorously. Post-orphanage children's personal experience with discipline needs to be changed. The orphanage regiment has, in general, an adverse effect on a child because it does not nurture self-discipline. The child learns to be an object of externally exposed discipline. In the new family the child must learn self-discipline as the base for behavior and social interaction. The discipline should be shared and understood by everyone in the immediate family. Only then it will teach an IA child (probably for the first time) how to belong within a family.

• Parents should understand that there are things upon which they cannot compromise and there are things upon which negotiation and mutual "steps back" are possible. The first are issues of safety and health: no compromise on those. All the rest may be negotiated. Start working on safety skills and rules, such as crossing busy streets, walking around parked cars, asking owners before petting dogs, finding the way home, if lost asking for help, dealing with strangers, etc.

• The initial adjustment can be a very stressful time for everyone in the family. Parents should remember the basic rule of airplane safety: put an oxygen mask on yourself first and after that on the one you are going to take care of. Give yourselves breaks from the stress whenever you can. Take care of yourselves.

Most IA children are immature and will demonstrate behavior expected from a much younger child. It will especially be noticeable during the adjustment period. A 5-year-old may behave like a 3-year-old and an 8- year-old will test the limits through behavior that is expected from a preschooler.

Language acquisition has its own dynamic during the adjustment period. Both parents and children become very frustrated due to a mutual inability to understand each other, and children may end up in a temper tantrum.

Parents should not expect older children to be impressed with what is available for them now or to be immediately appreciative and grateful to their parents for that. Actually, just the opposite should be expected due to cultural shock. Parents should be ready for ungrateful, unimpressed, and resistant children in order to avoid disappointment.

The initial adjustment may significantly alter the child's "normal" behavior and produce symptoms usually associated with different psychiatric diagnoses. However, patience is needed: it would be a mistake to jump to conclusions about the presence of a specific disorder and begin treatment right away. Some parents with no parenting experience and elevated anxiety may think the way a freshman in medical school thinks, going through the list of symptoms of different diseases: "My God, I had this symptom just yesterday; sure, I have this disease!" There are so many "behavior checklists" freely floating around (mostly through the Internet) those adoptive parents may read one of those and decide that the child has "all of these." Remember that this is still an adjustment period; certain patterns of troubling behavior may have a transitional nature. There should be a balance between a "wait and see'' approach and an "immediate response" approach.

There is an effective and useful method to reduce parents’ anxiety and structure their experiences: write a diary describing the child's behavior and parents’ reactions, feelings, and attitudes. For this you must be a keen observer of your child's behavior and be honest about your own frustrations and fears. Describe any progress or lack of progress that you see in the child. You should focus on the present moment (here and now) while learning all you can about the issues your child might have. This diary can be an invaluable resource later, if and when you decide to seek a professional consultation.

Novels that take place in Ethiopia

2011-01-26T06:12:00.000-08:00

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

From Publishers Weekly: Lauded for his sensitive memoir (My Own Country) about his time as a doctor in eastern Tennessee at the onset of the AIDS epidemic in the 80s, Verghese turns his formidable talents to fiction, mining his own life and experiences in a magnificent, sweeping novel that moves from India to Ethiopia to an inner-city hospital in New York City over decades and generations. Sister Mary Joseph Praise, a devout young nun, leaves the south Indian state of Kerala in 1947 for a missionary post in Yemen. During the arduous sea voyage, she saves the life of an English doctor bound for Ethiopia, Thomas Stone, who becomes a key player in her destiny when they meet up again at Missing Hospital in Addis Ababa. Seven years later, Sister Praise dies birthing twin boys: Shiva and Marion, the latter narrating his own and his brothers long, dramatic, biblical story set against the backdrop of political turmoil in Ethiopia, the life of the hospital compound in which they grow up and the love story of their adopted parents, both doctors at Missing. The boys become doctors as well and Vergheses weaving of the practice of medicine into the narrative is fascinating even as the story bobs and weaves with the power and coincidences of the best 19th-century novel.

Beneath the Lion's Gaze by Maaza Mengiste
From Publishers Weekly: Ethiopia's 1974 revolution tears a family in half in this striking debut. Drought, famine and mutiny in the military are stretching Emperor Haile Selassie's regime to the breaking point, and when it finally tears, Hailu, a skilled and respected doctor in Addis Ababa, must find a way to shepherd his extended family through the ensuing violence. His task is made no easier by the fact that his son Dawit's fiery youthful convictions place him at odds with his more circumspect older brother, Yonas, a university professor with a wife and child. But when soldiers request Hailu to treat a gruesomely tortured political prisoner, he makes a fateful choice that puts his family in the military junta's crosshairs. Mengiste is as adept at crafting emotionally delicate moments as she is deft at portraying the tense and grim historical material, while her judicious sprinkling of lyricism imbues this novel with a vivid atmosphere that is distinct without becoming overpowering. That the novel subjects the reader to the same feelings of hopelessness and despair that its characters grapple with is a grand testament to Mengiste's talent.

Sweetness in the Belly by Camilla Gibb

From Booklist: Lilly, a young white Muslim woman, is eight when her British parents are killed in Morocco, and she is placed in the care of a Muslim disciple, who fills her days with the teachings of Islam. She later moves to Ethiopia, where she becomes a nurse, teaches local girls to recite the Qur'an, and falls in love with Aziz, a medical student who supports the overthrow of Emperor Haile Selassie. Lilly's tenuous ties to the monarchy force her to flee to London when Selassie is deposed, in 1974; there she immerses herself in a refugee support group and waits to be reunited with Aziz. Gibb adroitly flips back and forth between prerevolution Ethiopia, where Lilly, though a foreigner, is admired for her knowledge of Muslim teachings, and London in the 1990s, where she feels stronger ties to Muslim refugees than to the British, who feel increasingly threatened by the refugees' presence. Gibbs' novel is a gripping and provocative addition to the post-9/11 genre of fiction exploring the many facets of Islam

If you've read any of these books, please feel free to review them in the comments. Know of other novels featuring Ethiopia? Please leave a comment too!

Doing taxes

2011-01-24T06:17:00.000-08:00

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON THE WAYFARER

There are a lot of questions about the adoption tax credit laws and how to file. It has been easy for us to file for the last two years. I think there is only one year left for us. Fortuantely it has been extended. And I think that the limit is about $13,170 this year for 2010 taxes.

Here's the official IRS document that explains it:

http://www.irs. gov/pub/irs- drop/n-10- 66.pdf

A section to note for carry over credits is on page 3 at the bottom - section 3

1. Amounts Carried Over from Earlier Taxable Years to a Taxable Year Beginning in 2010
An amount of an adoption credit claimed in an earlier taxable year that a taxpayer carries forward to a taxable year beginning in 2010 is allowable as a refundable tax credit. An amount that a taxpayer carries forward to a taxable year beginning in 2010 is not subject to an income limitation in that taxable year.

The following examples illustrate these rules.
Example 1. (i) In 2008, Taxpayer pays $2,000 of QAE to adopt an eligible child who is a citizen of the United States. In 2009, Taxpayer pays an additional $8,000 of QAE and the adoption becomes final. The adoption credit for $10,000 of QAE is allowable in 2009.

(ii) Taxpayer's tax liability for taxable year 2009 is $6,000, and Taxpayer applies $6,000 of the $10,000 credit against Taxpayer's 2009 tax liability. Taxpayer carries forward $4,000 of the credit to 2010.
(iii) In 2010, Taxpayer's tax liability is $3,000. Taxpayer applies $3,000 of the $4,000 carried forward adoption credit against Taxpayer's 2010 tax liability. Taxpayer is entitled to a refund of the remaining credit.

other links:
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-10-66.pdf
http://www.thompson.com/public/newsbrief.jsp?cat=BENEFITS&id=3137
http://taxes.about.com/od/deductionscredits/qt/adoptioncredit.htm
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=228301,00.html
http://www.cwa.org/taxcredit.htmhowever you feel about CWA this is one of the best posts on this I have read.

Foto Friday

2011-01-21T06:07:00.000-08:00

Friday! Time for happy, healthy kids and families through IAN!

Foto Friday

2011-01-14T06:20:00.000-08:00

Beautiful, happy, healthy IAN kids!

Shortcut Injera

2011-01-10T06:23:00.000-08:00

I haven't tried this yet but I will be soon...

RECIPE COPIED FROM MY RECIPES

A traditional injera batter may ferment for days, but this streamlined version comes together quickly. Yogurt adds sourness, while the club soda creates bubbles for a lighter batter. To use the same amount of whole wheat flour in place of teff flour, add 1/2 cup water to the batter; the characteristic tangy flavor may be subdued.

Ingredients:

9 ounces teff whole-grain flour (about 2 cups)
4.5 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1 cup)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups club soda
3/4 cup plain yogurt
Cooking spray

Weigh or lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flours, baking soda, and 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl; stir with a whisk. Combine club soda and yogurt in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Add the yogurt mixture to the flour mixture; stir with a whisk until smooth.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Pour about 1/3 cup batter per flatbread onto pan in a spiral, starting at the center; cook 20 seconds. Cover the pan; cook an additional 40 seconds or just until set. Transfer to a plate, and cover with a cloth to keep warm. Repeat procedure with remaining cooking spray and batter, wiping the pan dry with a paper towel between flatbreads.

Foto Friday

2011-01-07T06:30:00.000-08:00

Merry (Ethiopian) Christmas! Wishing all the IAN families a wonderful day!

Christmas in Ethiopia

2011-01-06T06:29:00.000-08:00

ARTICLE COPIED FROM SANTA'S NET

The Ethiopian Christmas known as Ganna is celebrated on January 7th. This celebration takes place in ancient churches carved from solid volcanic rock and also in modern churches that are designed in three concentric circles. Men and boys sit separately from girls and women. Also the choir sings from the outside circle.

People receive candles as they enter the church. After lighting the candles everyone walks around the church three times, then stands throughout the mass, which may last up to three hours.

Food served at Christmas usually includes injera, a sourdough pancake like bread. Injera serves as both plate and fork. Doro wat, a spicy chicken stew might be the main meal. A piece of the injera is used to scoop up the wat. Baskets decorated beautifully are used to serve the wat.

Gift giving is a very small part of Christmas celebration. Children usually receive very simple presents such as clothing.

In Ethiopia Christmas day is January 7, so on Christmas Eve the city is crowded with pilgrims from all parts of the country. They remain outdoors all night, praying and chanting. In the morning, a colorful procession makes its way to a nearby hilltop where a service is held. Three young men march at the head of the crowd, lashing whips from left to right to keep the people in line. Those who worship are fed with bread and wine that has been blessed by priests. After the service is over the rest of the day is spent dancing, playing sport and feasting.

Foto Friday

2010-12-31T06:28:00.000-08:00

Wishing everyone a wonderful and happy new year!

Ethiopian Spiced Honey Bread

2010-12-27T06:32:00.000-08:00

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY CHARISA ON FOR SUCH AS THESE

Okay friends…here is the recipe!!

As much as I would like to be---I am not an organized, take beautiful pictures baker. I feel a HUGE accomplishment to even bake!!

Recipe:

Yemarina Yewotet Dabo

(Ethiopian Spiced Honey Bread)

1 package of yeast, active dry
1/4 c lukewarm water
1 egg
1/3 cup honey
1 Tbsp. ground coriander seed
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1 cup lukewarm milk
6 Tbsp butter melted
4-5 cups flour, all purpose

In a small bowl, sprinkle yeast over warm water. Let stand for 3 minutes, then stir to dissolve. Set the bowl in a warm place for about 5 minutes; mixture should double in volume. If it does not, repeat procedure.

Combine the egg, honey, coriander, cinnamon, cloves, and salt in a deep bowl, mixing until smooth. Add the yeast mixture, milk , and 5 tbsp of melted butter. Beat until well blended. Stir in the flour 1/2 cup at a time, until becomes to stiff to stir.

On a lightly floured board, knead the dough, adding a small amount of flour when necessary to keep from sticking. Knead for about 5 minutes. Place dough in a large, greased bowl. Cover with a damp cloth and let sit in warm place for about 1 1/2 hours.

Grease a cookie sheet with remaining butter. Punch down bread and knead it again for a few minutes. Shape dough into a round or a braid and place on sheet. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Let bread rise again while oven is preheating. Bake bread for 1 hour or until the top is crusty and light golden brown.

Enjoy!

I found this recipe somewhere but have no idea where now It is a good one!

Foto Friday

2010-12-24T06:18:00.000-08:00

Wishing everyone a very happy holiday season full of hugs, laughter, love and cheer!

Foto Friday

2010-12-17T06:10:00.000-08:00

It's beginning to look a lot like...the holidays with gorgeous IAN kids!

Comfort items for your carry on bag, international flight packing list

2010-12-13T06:09:00.000-08:00

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY DAISY J ON THE WAYFARER

I just returned from Australia. This is my fourth LONG flight trip in my life and I just can not seem to get it together for the comfort items needed for such a long flight. I have now created a list. So, thought I would share since many of you are about to take a long flight. :)

For more on packing lists and things for kids see the packing list post here.

But, now here is a list for comfort items.

Empty water bottle, they will fill for you and it is really nice to get a sip whenever you want it. Kids too.
whisp tooth brushes, these are those little one time use things you can put in your purse or lunch box. make sure everyone has one for there and home again. Invaluable.
mini travel deodorant *
body or facial wipes (baby wipes do the same for face, body and personal use)
mini purell **
mini lotion **
mini tissues
extra pair of underwear for there and home again
comb or the fold up one with a mirror
chap stick *
breath mints or gum -sugar free-, also good for take off and landing
energy bars for those in between flights with no snacks and the airport delays and lay overs and when the meal time is just off with your body schedule and you just can not wait. DO NOT take nuts, many countries do not allow the transfer of "seeds" and nuts falls into that category.
pencil and paper for those little notes you just might forget
u shaped neck pillow or something like that.
carabeaners (metal clip) to clip pillow to bag during transfers
your own ear buds the ones on the plane are not great.
that flimsy cardboard/foam nail file (no clippers or mini pocket knives)

The items with a ** need to be put in a quart sized zip lock bag and scanned through security separately. I have not had any problem with any of these. The items with * are not a required item to be packed separately, but one security person did suggest that I include them in the bag, just in case..... whatever, not hard to do.

Ok anyone else want to add?

Foto Friday

2010-12-10T06:08:00.000-08:00

So sweet, sometimes silly and always loved...IAN kids!

New Ethiopian doll at Target

2010-12-08T06:22:00.000-08:00

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY DAISYJ AT THE WAYFARER

There is a new doll being sold at Target. Rahel from Ethiopia!!!!!! What a smart doll maker to come up with this. Ethiopia is the number one country for international adoptions and with the adoptions comes the parents to market to . Well, I would buy one! She is part of a collection of dolls from around the world. They also include Asia and Hispanic dolls among others. $24
See her here. Rahel.

Ethiopia on TV

2010-12-06T06:01:00.000-08:00

I've set my PVR/DVR to record any show that has the word Ethiopia in the title or description. So, on occasion, I'll turn on my PVR and be pleasantly surprised to see a program about Ethiopia. Below is a listing of some of the shows I've seen in the past couple of months. If any sound interesting you can probably do a search on your local programming provider's website or on the specific network's website to see when they are playing next.

Six Vs. The World: Ethiopia on Discovery - Athletes travel to Ethiopia for a Suri stick fighting challenge.

Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern: Ethiopia on The Travel Channel - Andrew explores Ethiopia, an African country famous for its cuisine. But the food he eats is not on the menu at your neighborhood Ethiopian restaurant. Watch as he tastes a real Ethiopian delicacy -- raw meat.

Adoption Stories: The Matthews Family on Discovery Health - A family decides to adopt an Ethiopian girls after losing two babies to a genetic disorder

Adoption Stories: The Koochin Family on Discovery Health - A couple plans to adopt Tsega, an Ethiopian girl

Globe Trekker: Ethiopia on PBS - The oldest church in Ethiopia, resting place of the Ark of the Covenant, Timkat, Bahar Dar and Blue Nile Falls, Addis Ababa

NOVA: A Walk to Beautiful on PBS - Three Ethiopian women with childbirth injuries find solace at a special hospital in Addis Ababa

Earth: The Biography: Volcanoes on National Geographic - Dr. Stewart rappels 100 feet into the lava lake of Ethiopia's Erta Ale volcano

On the Volcanoes of the World: The Horn of Africa on The Science Channel - Three tectonic plates intersect in the Horn of Africa; Erta Ale and Dallol in Ethiopia

Art Wolfe's Travels to the Edge: Ethiopia, The Omo Valley on PBS - In this episode, Art ventures into the Omo Valley, Ethiopia's nearly inaccessible and richest tribal zone. After enduring muddy, impassable roads and swollen rivers, he makes his way to the Hamer, Karo and remote Surma tribes. He documents the tribes' unique body painting, elaborate adornments and timeless ceremonies.

Making the Crooked Straight on HBO - Dr. Rick Hodes treats the sick and poor in Ethiopia and provides a foster home for more than 20 children

Cooking in the Danger Zone on Current TV - Cameroon and Ethiopia: Examining how the local diet is affected by environmental concerns

Anybody else know of any Ethiopian based programming?

Foto Friday

2010-12-03T06:05:00.000-08:00

I can guess what these beautiful kids' families were saying they they were thankful for on Thanksgiving!

A Beautiful Walk

2010-12-01T06:18:00.000-08:00

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY KELLY ON OUR JOURNEY TO THREE

A few weeks ago Steve and I watched an amazing documentary calledA Walk to Beautiful. It follows the journey of 5 Ethiopian woman who suffered horrific childbirth complications that resulted in them being shunned from their villages and forced to lives of shame and loneliness. When they hear about the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, they each decide to make the long journey to the capital city in hopes of regaining their dignity. The story is told through their eyes and with their voices.

While people in the US argue over natural vs. drugs vs. c-section, it's a reality check on how truly blessed we are here. It's really an interesting and eye opening (and yes, short) film that I'd highly recommend everyone see. It's on PBS occasionally, but we got it from the library.

Though the hospital has over a 90% success rate, there are some cases that require long-term care. These women are invited to live at Desta Mender (Village of Joy), a gorgeous 60-acre farm village at the foot of a mountain. There they are given not only treatment, but trained in a variety of income producing trades...from nurses aides, to gardening, to sewing, etc.

Recently Desta Mender created Juniper Cafe, an outdoor restaurant, where the women who were trained in cooking/catering serve lunch to convention meetings and visitors. Some other adoptive parents have said it's an amazing place and we definitely have it on our (growing) list of "must-dos"!

Foto Friday

2010-11-19T06:03:00.000-08:00

Giggly, sweet, funny, silly, dancing-fools...love those IAN kiddos!

Foto Friday

2010-11-12T06:12:00.000-08:00

More beautiful, loved and loving IAN kiddos!

Guest house review: Ethio Comfort Guest House

2010-11-08T06:07:00.000-08:00

From an IAN mom who traveled in October 2010:

We are planning on staying at the Ethio Comfort Guesthouse for our Nov. 22nd
court date. We just stayed there last month for a week and loved it. Plus, you
cant beat a decent sized room for $25/night. Since we are staying from court to
embassy, we get our room for $20 per night. This includes breakfast. They have
super hot water that never seems to run out, internet, a driver available at all
times, and you can book a room on the second or third floor with a BEAUTIFUL
balcony. When we were there, they were just opening a second brand new guest
house on the same street for the same prices I believe. Also, it is super quiet
at night. We never heard a thing.

Foto Friday

2010-11-05T06:28:00.000-07:00

Costumes, soccer, roaring fires...fall photos of our beautiful IAN children!

Foto Friday

2010-10-29T06:07:00.000-07:00

A lovely fall Friday and photos of some IAN lovelies!

Himbasha Recipe

2010-10-25T06:18:00.000-07:00

ORIGINALLY POSTED BY CHARISA ON FOR SUCH AS THESE

Ingredients:
1 cup water
around 4 cups of flour--more or less to make it a dense dough..not real sticky
1/4 cup oil
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup (or more depending on how sweet you want it) honey
2 tsp yeast (don't put salt in next to yeast...put the yeast in with your honey)
2 tsp of black sesame seeds
2 tsp fenugreek
2 tsp thyme
2 tsp cardamom (next time I will probably use 2 1/2 of the cardamom)
Let is rise and then take and put it on a round pan. Make it into a circle and let rise more (not huge) then back at 350 until light golden. I brushed with butter afterward.

It may not look the prettiest…but it tastes good and it makes Ab happy!

Coming up….Doro Tibbs :) one of my faves!

Foto Friday

2010-10-22T06:27:00.000-07:00

Cheerful and happy IAN kiddos...a wonderful way to start Friday!

Foto Friday

2010-10-15T06:11:00.000-07:00

A lovely fall Friday and wonderful IAN children!

I Love My Hair

2010-10-13T06:19:00.000-07:00

This is too cute not to share...

...From Sesame Street

Foto Friday

2010-10-08T06:02:00.000-07:00

Fridays are always so sweet with smiling IAN kiddos!

Foto Friday

2010-10-01T06:14:00.000-07:00

Smiles and some silliness from more stunning IAN children!

Foto Friday

2010-09-24T06:31:00.000-07:00

Stunningly gorgeous, happy and healthy IAN children!

Foto Friday

2010-09-17T06:40:00.000-07:00

What's a Friday with out photos of amazingly gorgeous IAN kiddos?!?!?!?!?!

Post Adoption Depression

2010-09-13T06:07:00.000-07:00

ORIGINALLY POSTED BY DAISYJ ON THE WAYFARER

Post adoption depression is real. I am really glad that I came upon this article
on Melissa Fay Green's site before we traveled. I needed that assurance that it
is normal, what it is and that it goes away. And it did! A lot of moms and even some dads experience this and so it is good to come out and talk about it. It is not something you expect with child birth, although it is more talked about, let alone with adoption. But, it does happen and it is real and it does go away! Thank God it goes away! But, it is normal, so if you are feeling this way, you are in the company of many, talk about it and don't be afraid.
http://www.thereisnomewithoutyou.com/blog?op=view&id=18
another woman who has blogged about her experience with post adoption depression. It is good to know you are not alone. Julie Gumm http://juliegumm.com/wordpress/?p=1608 and http://juliegumm.com/wordpress/?p=1632

Here are a few more articles on it:
http://www.thebabycorner.com/page/1165/
http://www.wdxcyber.com/post-adoption-blues.html
http://www.epigee.org/depression-after-adoption.html
http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/articles.php?aid=705
Connecting with kids
Rainbow Kids:
Confessions of an Adoptive Parent with Attachment Issues

Book:
Post Adoption Blues
http://www.amazon.com/Post-Adoption-Blues-Overcoming-Unforeseen-Challenges/dp/1579548660/ref=sr_1_167?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1267916709&sr=1-167

Foto Friday

2010-09-10T06:24:00.000-07:00

More beautiful IAN children...
Enjoy your New Year's celebrations this weekend!

Gift of Jewels

2010-09-06T06:08:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, September 11th, is Ethiopian New Year.

From Wikipedia:

Enkutatash is the first day of the New Year in Ethiopia. It occurs on Meskerem 1 on the Ethiopian calendar, which is September 11 (or, during a leap year, September 12) according to the Gregorian calendar.

Ethiopia still retains the Julian calendar, in which the year is divided into 12 months of 30 days each and a 13th month of 5 days and 6 days in leap year. The Ethiopian calendar is 8 years behind the Gregorian calendar from January to September and 7 years behind between September 11 andJanuary 8.

Enkutatash means the "gift of jewels". When the famous Queen of Sheba returned from her expensive jaunt to visit King Solomon in Jerusalem, her chiefs welcomed her bolts by replenishing her treasury with inku or jewels. The spring festival has been celebrated since this early times and as the rains come to their abrupt end, dancing and singing can be heard at every village in the green countryside.

The date traditionally marks the end of the season of heavy rains and is more recently or historically set by the return of the Queen of Sheba to Ethiopia after her visit to King Solomon in Jerusalem.

Large celebrations are held around the country, notably at the Ragual Church on Entoto mountain. But Enkutatash is not exclusively a religious holiday. Today's Enkutatash is also the season for exchanging formal new year greetings and cards among the urban sophisticated - in lieu or the traditional bouquet of flowers.

In 2007 on the Gregorian calendar, it became 2000 on the Ethiopian calendar.

Ethiopia Kids has a great article about how the holiday is celebrated in Ethiopia.

Foto Friday

2010-09-03T06:17:00.000-07:00

Backpacks, books and beautiful IAN kids...It's time for school!

World Heritage Sites within Ethiopia

2010-08-30T06:03:00.000-07:00

Within Ethiopia there are eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, equal to or more than any other country in Africa. UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) selects sites that are of special cultural or physical significance.

Below is a listing, by category, of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ethiopia with the dates that they were inscribed.

CULTURAL:

Askum, Tigray Region, 1980

The ruins of the city of Aksum, dating from the 1st to the 13th century, mark the heart of ancient Ethiopia and what was the "most powerful state between the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia". It includes monolithic obelisks, giant stelae, royal tombs, and ruins of former castles.

Fasil Ghebbi, Gondar, Amhara Region, 1979

The fortress was the residence of the Ethiopian emperors during the 16th and 17the century. The city remains, surrounded by a wall and featuring buildings with a Hindu and Arab influence, later transformed to a Baroque style by Jesuit missionaries.

Harar Jugol, Harari Region, 2006

The city is located on a plateau and surrounded by gorges and savanna. It contains 82 mosques, three from the 10th century, 102 shrines and exceptional interior design in the townhouses. It is said to be the fourth-holiest city of Islam.

Lower Valley of Awash, Afar Region, 1980

Palaentological findings from at least 4 million years ago, such as Lucy, give evidence of human evolution.

Lower Valley of Omo, Southern Nations, Nationalities and People's Region, 1980

The prehistoric site near Lake Turkana is the location of many fossil findings, such as Homo gracilis.

Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, Amhara Region, 1978

The site contains 11 medieval monolithic cave churches from the 13th century.

Tiya, Southern Nations, Nationalities and People's Region, 1980

The archaeological site contains 36 monuments, including 32 carved stelae covered with symbols.

NATURAL:

Simien National Park, Amhara Region, 1978

Massive erosion on the Ethiopian plateau has created a spectacular landscape of jagged mountain peaks, deep valleys and sharp precipices dropping some 1,500 m.

Saturday Snapshots

2010-08-28T06:38:00.000-07:00

A day late but these IAN cuties are so worth the wait!

School, letters to teachers, ELL

2010-08-23T06:01:00.000-07:00

Foto Friday

2010-08-20T06:15:00.000-07:00

Rain or shine, IAN kiddos are happy, healthy and loved!

Ethiopia: The Whole Picture

2010-08-16T06:01:00.000-07:00

Ethiopia: The Whole Picture from Paul Hassell on Vimeo.

Foto Friday

2010-08-13T06:09:00.000-07:00

Happy, healthy, smiley IAN kiddos!

Grief, acting out and anniversaries

2010-08-09T06:31:00.000-07:00

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BY DAISY J ON THE WAYFARER

Well, I am once again reminded of the good advice so many parents and therapists give adoptive parents. Watch out for anniversaries. Why? Well, the anniversary of the adoption and the anniversary of their arrival in the orphanage or any other significantly traumatic event is likely to trigger a reaction. No, they don't know it, they are totally unaware. But, if your son or daughter is suddenly acting a bit jittery, not sleeping well, extra needy, or just plain naughty with no apparent cause........ ask yourself if this is a significant anniversary time frame for them. They likely just need a bit of extra attention, love and care and a good dose of security, attachment and encouragement.

I was just musing over the sudden and unexplained naughty and jittery (minor stuff, but more than usual) behavior of my boys and asked my Bible Study ladies to pray for us as there is just something up, but what. Well, in saying it out loud I realized that we are a week away from the day we picked them up from the orphanage two years ago. Joyful event for us, certainly traumatic for them. Either way, a big huge change, a good change, for them also a scary change. They did this last year, so why did I not expect it this year? Silly me. One of our sons also does this in January, which is the month he was taken to the orphanage. I had a little chat with them about how they may be feeling and why and gave them more encouragement and reassuring. They were pretty good the rest of the day. They just need an overdose of love and affection twice a year and they are fine. If I can just remember this next time!