Rovang Family Journey

Happy Easter

2011-04-24T16:25:00.004-05:00

New Baby in the Family

2011-04-21T16:15:00.003-05:00

A new baby grand piano that is. Hannah is going to be starting lessons soon and we didn't have anyplace to put an upright and we had plenty of space for the baby grand and it looks awesome in our living room. I think I will go insane trying to keep it fingerprintless.
Isn't she just grand!!!

violin recital

2011-04-04T06:25:00.000-05:00

Dunn's River Falls

2011-04-03T17:29:00.000-05:00

2010-12-25T06:21:00.001-06:00

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Violin recital

2010-11-20T16:54:00.000-06:00

Hannah's Violin Recital

2010-11-18T16:51:00.000-06:00

Pups

2010-11-14T17:19:00.000-06:00

Everythings Amazing & Nobodys Happy

2010-11-13T01:39:00.000-06:00

puppies

2010-10-08T16:32:00.000-05:00

Puppies

2010-09-27T19:15:00.000-05:00

Gotcha Day Anniversary

2010-09-26T08:27:00.001-05:00

We are celebrating Hannah's "Gotcha Day" anniversary. It was 5 years ago today that this precious little girl was put in our arms. We are so blessed.

Fire Pit Fun

2010-09-20T18:35:00.003-05:00

We are really loving our new house and the fire pit is a big bonus. Ron loves making fires and we enjoy spending time together making and eating smores.

Sister's enjoying yummy smores

A rare photo of just Ron and I

Dad and his girls

Wow it has been a while since I updated my blog but things have been a bit busy. We are enjoying our new house and location. The girls have so many friends to play with I almost never see them.

The girls are both enjoying school. Hannah says kindergarten is AWESOME. Molly is really adjusting to her new school well and is making friends. We are glad that we decided to retain her in 5th grade and moving to a different school district really worked out well (I like to call it a God thing). She is very intelligent and now after a year of ESL she is able to grasp what she is being taught.

The girls both have busy schedules: Soccer, violin, Kindermusik, swimming lessons, volleyball, Etc.

1st Day of School

2010-08-25T08:17:00.003-05:00

Today is Hannah first day of Kindergarten. Dropping her off was harder than I had anticipated...I started crying as soon as I walked out of the room and I can't seem to stop. She has grown up so fast. Molly started school yesterday but only had a half day. She is at a new school this year as we moved to different school district but I think she is going to really like it. This will be Hannah's only day this week as they are having the kids meet in small groups until Monday when they will go all day everyday.

Blessings,

Bliss

Teeth Pulled

2010-08-17T17:14:00.002-05:00

Braces

2010-08-09T19:16:00.002-05:00

Molly got her lower braces today. She goes back in about 2 weeks to get an upper expander to increase her jaw size to correct the crowding she has with her teeth. It will take about 4 months for her jaw to be corrected before she can get her upper braces.

Blessings,

Bliss

It's been a While

2010-08-03T16:07:00.025-05:00

The girls and I are back from China. So thankful that I got a chance to take Hannah back to her original SWI and share some of her culture with her. We had a great time with our team in China. I took about a thousand photos but have only so many I can share on my blog. Enjoy

Great Wall is a Challenge

Cute shot on the Great Wall

Sisters

The Great Wall is steep and tall...it is a work out

The girls & I on the Great Wall

Hannah and I on the very busy Great Wall.

Hannah at the Great Wall with the Olympic theme in the background

The girls and I at the Forbidden City

Waiting for our our guide as she went to get Hannah some mint for her raw throat

This is in the Forbidden City...it is a 4 star toilet...I didn't go in but I can just guess it stunk

Our guide Lilly and us at the Great Wall

Hannah and I on the Great Wall

Thumbs up for something Hannah would actually eat

One and only time on the trip Hannah ate some Protien...and it was this big huge rib

The team at the Yangtze River in Changsha (3,915 miles long)

Statue of Chairman Mao in his home city of Changhsha

The girls and I by the Yangtze River

Hannah insisted on taking my photo on the squatty potty

Squatty potties...suck but I couldn't resist a photo. Thank God you can't smell through the internet.

Tuckered OUT

Molly with our guide Lilly and the SWI director

Spoon Wars

The Chenzhou team...first mission team to visit the orphanage

Hannah with the SWI director...she is the woman that put Hannah in my arms nearly 5 yrs. ago

The team painted faces on the last day. As if Molly didn't already stick out in China

Molly with the Asst. SWI director

Molly as the Joker

Hannah with one of the nannies. Our timing was off as the nanny the cared for her was not there to see Hannah because she had just had a baby.

The girls at the entrance of the SWI (Social Welfare Institute ie: orphanage) This building also housed older Chinese folks...kind of like a retirement home for people without family.

Girls loved doing the chicken dance

A couple of the girls on our team organized a fun time of dancing with the children...so fun.

One of the Nannies looking at Hannah's referral photos. They all remembered her and were so excited to see how well she is doing. All we had to say was this is Chen Wen Shu and they got great big smiles and hugged her. She was the first child to return to the orphanage.

Hannah became fast friends with the oldest girl (12).

Molly and I ate a pigeon egg and it tasted like a sweet egg yolk

Room where Hannah's crib was

The old Chenzhou orphanage just behind the new one...this the building where Hannah was

Gate to the old orphanage where Hannah was abandoned at 1 day old

Molly with our guide Lilly and her nephew Carrie

Hannah with her favorite baby...she looked a lot like Hannah as a baby and was very content

It was so danged hot everyday...Hannah just about melted

Molly with her favorite baby in the toddler room.

The new Chenzhou SWI...it was gorgeous

Hannah in the baby room

Molly and I loved the chicken feet...they were like a sweet buffalo wing with lots of bones

Chicken feet...Molly and I had them for breakfast everyday

Molly's first experience with chopsticks and it was a bowl of noodles...challenging

Boarding the plane to Changsha

Bicycle

2010-06-28T18:04:00.000-05:00

Becoming a Mother

2010-06-28T08:04:00.003-05:00

Five years ago today I became a mother. We received these referral photos of our baby Hannah waiting for us in China. I would have to wait nearly 2 months before I got to hold her on Sept. 26th. I am so blessed by both of my girls.

Dance Recital

2010-06-10T12:13:00.001-05:00

Little House on the Prairie

2010-06-07T20:53:00.004-05:00

We had fun in Sioux Falls this past weekend. The girls and I enjoyed Little House on the Prairie the musical starring Melissa Gilbert as Ma. Mahlet loves watching the series on DVD.

There were some fun cutouts and displays set up in the Pavillion that the girls had fun with.

Could you imagine if I had to run the girls around to there activities in this thing...I guess I would save a lot of cash on gas. What a different time we live in.

My girls faces give this cutout a very interesting look. It jogged my mind that in the TV series the Ingalls took in Albert as part of their family so the show was adoption friendly.

It was fun to take the girls to Sioux Falls. This is where Ron and I spent the 1st five years of our marriage. I showed them the first house we owned and we walked our first puppy dog to Falls Park almost everyday.

Blessings,

Bliss

Memorial Day

2010-05-31T18:25:00.002-05:00

The girls and I spent a good portion of the day in the van on our way to and from my hometown (Mitchell, SD) to see my dad, visit my mother's grave and get the girls hair cut. My cousin Julie was kind enough to cut the girls hair (no charge...is really cool). Our regular hair dresser just had rota tor cuff surgery and will be out for a while.

Mahlet & Hannah with Julie.

Finally a picture with a decent smile from Hannah...Mahlet never takes a bad photo.

This was Mahlet's 1st hair cut since she joined our family...should I have saved some hair? Is she not just too beautiful to be 11. Yikes...She is already too crazy about boys.

I couldn't help but snap some photos of the majestic SD clouds...it probably wasn't safe while I was driving...but I could not resist.

Pictures never do justice to the beauty we see in South Dakota.

Blessings,

Bliss

So Much to Do

2010-05-23T18:46:00.002-05:00

We have so many projects to get done before we put our house on the market. The driveway is a big one. Destruction began on Friday and it was loud as some of the garage floor had to be torn out. The girls and I enjoyed watching the men tear out big pieces of concrete and haul them away. This move is a big one because it is by far the longest we have ever been in one place (13 years). Before that we seemed to move about every 2 years so it was easy to keep our junk edited. Thirteen years gives you a lot of time to gather a lot of crap but I can tell you it is liberating chucking so much junk. The only problem is my allergies...I am allergic to almost every airborne allergen there is. From the dust we are creating in the house mixed with the dust from the driveway project mixed with me trying to attend Molly's soccer games has me miserable. I have the worst reaction at Molly's soccer games and it ticks me off the most as I love cheering for her and her team. They have had a undefeated season and I just got a call from Ron and they came from behind and won their game tonight and will play in the championship tomorrow night. Way to go SL Athletica.

This nice piece of equipment was parked in front of house all weekend...I think Ron wished they would have left the keys so he could play.

Hannah wanted to take my photo in the bucket

My safety girl Hannah insisted on having her helmet around the heavy equipment...but girl it needs to be on your head.

Hannah love to ride her bike but could care less if she rides with training wheels forever...

Land Fill Fun

2010-05-19T18:04:00.004-05:00

Hannah's preschool spent their last day visiting the land fill. Who knew it could be so much fun.

Hannah's Preschool Graduation

2010-05-12T16:28:00.003-05:00

Hannah the happy graduate

Receiving her diploma from Mrs. Walberg

Hannah helping out Andrew with his cap

She got to be the Panda (how fitting)

Class of 2010

Dance

2010-04-28T17:23:00.010-05:00

Hannah's dance class will be dancing to "Tip Toe Through the Tulips" so I snapped this photo at the church after preschool yesterday.

We got to video tape and take photos of the class so the kids can practice at home.

Look at her...up on her toes.

Pointing her toes...she is good

Jamaica

2010-04-19T20:26:00.000-05:00

Meetcha Day Anniversary

2010-04-09T11:48:00.002-05:00

We will be in Jamaica celebrating our 1 year Meetcha Day Anniversary so I thought I would post this a bit early.

Violin Recital

2010-04-08T08:46:00.000-05:00

Easter 2010

2010-04-04T15:03:00.004-05:00

Last year we spent Easter on a plane on our way to get Mahlet. It was funny because we were actually in Rome on Easter but never got off the plane. Something is so wrong about that. This will be the last firsts for Mahlet...meaning this is the last holiday that will be her first with us. Happy Easter to all.

Ants on the Ground

2010-04-02T08:43:00.000-05:00

This & That

2010-02-28T16:53:00.002-06:00

Not much has been going on or maybe a lot and I have just gotten used to it.

Let's start with Hannah. She caught a cold from her sister and got very sick. This is the first time Hannah has every really been sick since we got her. I mean a fever and cough like you wouldn't believe that went on for days. But I have to say she is the most pleasant sick kid to be around. With a fever of nearly 103 she was still happy Hannah.

Mahlet, as you know if you read my blog or are related to us turned 11 last Sunday. She is well on her way to being a tween. Issues...Issues...Issues. We were very proud of her this morning at church as all the 5th graders had to recite the Apostles Creed from memory in front of all 3 services. Mahlet knew it and actually got a big prize for reciting it all by herself in her class. I think she got extra points because some of the words are very hard for her to wrap her tongue around.

As for me I am entering stressful month of being on Jury duty. There are 5 cases on the docket this month. That makes me as a mom...stressed.

Happy Birthday Mahlet

2010-02-21T15:26:00.003-06:00

I straightened all of Mahlet's hair for her birthday party today and I found this photo on my camera. I think she likes her hair.

We had a little family party last night so got some shots with the girls and grandpa

A little birthday kiss from little sister (Mahlet calls Hannah this a lot)

Birthday wishes....

Mahlet is having her party with her friends this afternoon. It is kind of noisy with 5 10/11 yr. olds.

Blessings,

Bliss

My Mother

2010-02-19T19:15:00.001-06:00

I made quick trip to my home town to visit my mother's grave. Feb. 19th 2007 is when she went to her home in heaven. I just wanted to share some photos of my mother as a child. I really like the last one as she is yelling her brains out...just how I remember her. She was a women and she let her roar be known... I Miss her.

Mens Cross Country Skiing: Robel Teklemariam(Ethiopia)

2010-02-16T20:58:00.001-06:00

I am a Promise

2010-02-14T17:09:00.001-06:00

Hannah performed with the Cherub Choir this morning and did the best job yet. She tends to get a bit distracted when she performs.

We are celebrating Valentines Day and Chinese New Year today. So you guessed it...Chinese food for supper.
Blessings,
Bliss

Referralversary

2010-02-03T17:00:00.002-06:00

Today (Feb. 3rd) marks one year since we received our referral call for Mahlet. Wow, the time has just zipped by so fast.

Cross Dressing

2010-02-03T16:43:00.003-06:00

We brought a Lenten cross home to decorate. This is how Hannah thought it would be best to decorate the cross. Complete with tiara on the top of the cross. This gives a whole new meaning to cross dressing.

Stuff

2010-02-02T17:11:00.002-06:00

If you saw my last post you saw that we (Ron & I) straightened Mahlet's hair. Wow it was work but she totally loves it and I have received so many comments about it. She looks so different to me. I miss her curls as the straight hair makes her look so much older.

I apologize for this post it is just a bunch of stuff that is going on in my life.

We applied for Mahlet's US passport today and should have it in time for our trip to Jamaica.

We are really missing Grandma Rovang today as it would have been her birthday.

I'm on jury duty and sent in a request to be excused...the judge called me today and said he would excuse me but then talked me into sticking it out. What is wrong with me???

Blessings,

Bliss

HAIR!!!!!

2010-01-30T16:57:00.005-06:00

Ron and I worked on Mahlet's hair for almost 3 hours last night.

She was pretty patient through the whole process. What a girl that wants straight hair so much will put herself through????

She was very happy with the results...

She is a beauty...but I still like the curls as the straight hair makes her look so much older than 10.

She is an Aida (Ethiopian Princess)

Rock Star want to be

This photo will probably show up when she graduates.

This one too.

This kid never takes a bad photo

I love this photo!!! Hard to explain why unless you have seen these two together and the strong sisterhood they have.

I love my girls!!!

Blessings,

Bliss

2010-01-28T10:06:00.000-06:00

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Who knew we could skate?

2010-01-22T10:36:00.001-06:00

Hannah's Big Day

2010-01-15T17:51:00.006-06:00

Hannah had her 1st violin lesson today. She was up at 6AM telling me she was too excited to sleep anymore.

Her instructor has some fun techniques. Hannah got to bring this mock violin home to practice on. I was really impressed with Hannah at her lesson tonight as she really has a hard time being still and she was excellent. Next time you see her ask her to bow for you...first thing the teacher taught her.

The other exciting thing Hannah got to do was go to the Museum with her preschool. They were supposed to do this las Thursday but school was canceled because of the blizzard so today was a makeup day. I had signed up to be a helper so it was fun for me to tag along...we actually walked from the church to the museum...brrr

Unlike most little girls Hannah is not a screamer...she is a sushhhher. This girl doesn't like it loud. Her preschool teacher got several photos of Hannah trying to quiet the kids.

Hannah playing with a shoe stretcher...I guess they needed their shoes to last as long as possible back in the day.

The kids really liked all the animals. It was tricky for the teacher to explain the museum since some children have seen "Night at the Museum"...nothing is going to come to life.

Like in the olden days when their was an operator using phone plug-ins to connect your call. The kids had fun playing with this system and talking to each other once the connection was made...they loved it.

The one big added bonus for the girls. Just after we got done looking at the Snow Queen exhibit who should they see but a group of Snow Queens. They were snow queens from MN visiting for our Snow Queens festival this weekend. The girls saw the tiaras and that's all that will be remembered from visit. Hannah talked about it all day.

Some of you may know that we sponsor a teenage boy in Haiti...just want to let you know we heard word today that he is safe...PTL.

Blessings,

Bliss

In The News

2010-01-12T17:09:00.003-06:00

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Tuesday, January 12, 2010

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Fresh start in America

New language, home for Ethiopian girl adopted by Hub City couple

BY Elissa Dickey, edickey@aberdeennews.com

Published on Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Molly Rovang watches as English as a Second Language instructor Tracy Norman grades her spelling test. (American News Photo by Anita Meyer)

Molly Rovang turned down three families before the right one came along.

"She's got a strong faith," said her mom, Bliss Rovang of Aberdeen. "...She always would tell them, 'My family is in the U.S. I have to wait for them.'”

Bliss and her husband, Ron, adopted Molly, 10, from Ethiopia last year. At first, Molly - who signs all her schoolwork in her Ethiopian name, Mahlet (pronounced Ma-ha-LEET) - knew very little English.

But you wouldn't know that today, thanks in big part to the Aberdeen Public School District's English as a Second Language program.

The program - which started last year in C.C.

Lee Elementary and moved this year to the District

Service Center - aims to help English language learners

develop language proficiency (reading, writing, speaking

and listening) while maintaining academics at grade level.

The 15 elementary students involved in the English as a

Second Language program are enrolled in their home

elementary school and bused daily to and from the district

service center. One middle school student and two high

school students are receiving direct English as a Second

Language services - meaning the services are part of the

students' daily schedule, said Assistant Superintendent

Becky Guffin. Another two students are being monitored

in the classroom, Guffin said.

At the District Service Center, grades K-5 start together

each morning with instructor Tracy Norman, but then

kindergartners go to a different classroom. The group joins

again at the end of class.

Many languages

The students' native tongues include Chinese, Hmong,

Russian and Spanish. And Molly's native language is

Amharic. She started with the English as a Second

Language program officially this fall, Bliss Rovang said.

"Her English is really, really good compared to

what it was," Rovang said. "...She really adores Tracy."

On Monday, Molly, a fifth-grader at C.C. Lee, acted as

Norman's helper, passing out the markers for a game of

bingo. But it wasn't a typical bingo game: The squares

contained pictures of common objects, such as foods.

Other language teaching tools that are used along with the

curriculum include computer programs, flashcards

and one-on-one reading with the teacher. Also, most Fridays, the

students read to District Service Center staff members in a

"reading buddy" program, Guffin said. Building the students'

trust is also an important component, Norman said.

'Very capable' students

Norman said English as a Second Language instructors don't

want the students to lose their native language. But it's easy

for some of the students to fall behind in learning English

over the summer and long breaks if they don't speak it at

home, she said. It's just one of the differences between the

English as a Second Language classroom and other

classrooms, she said, and it's why summer school is offered.

"They're all very capable students," Norman said. "It's just

that English gets in the way."

Norman, who has been an educator for more than 30 years,

said as a language instructor, she gets more opportunities to

work with students one on one. She knows their needs

better. Having a small group helps.

"I've really enjoyed it. I've learned a lot," she said. "I really

have gotten attached to my kids and my families." Molly is

quite attached to school, her mom said - she hates to miss a

day.

Ethiopian family

Molly was born north of Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa.

Her birth parents are both deceased. She never knew her

father; her mom died when she was about 7. She lived with

her grandmother until the woman wasn't able to care for

Molly anymore. Molly had been in an orphanage in Addis

Ababa for about 11/2 to two years before the Rovangs

adopted her. When they flew home, it was Molly's first

airplane ride - a 22-hour flight. "She slept the entire time,"

Bliss Rovang said, except when her mom woke her up to

see the lights of Rome at night.

It was hard for Molly right away leaving behind her home

country and everything she knew. At first, her mom had to

sleep with her, and Molly would cry every night before

falling asleep. "I couldn't imagine putting myself in her shoes

for one second," Bliss Rovang said. "Just visiting another

country is scary enough." Now, she has transitioned well,

her mom said. And she has had several firsts: Snow and

extreme cold are new to her.

Loves spicy food

Also, "It took a long time for her to get used to the food,"

her mom said. Ethiopian food is very spicy, she said, and

Molly loves spicy foods. She also ate a lot of pasta with red

sauce at the orphanage, and spaghetti is still her favorite.

The Rovangs want Molly to hold onto her language. She

keeps in touch with some of her Ethiopian friends from the

orphanage who were adopted into families in other U.S.

cities.

This summer, Rovang is taking her daughters to China on a

mission trip, where they will visit the former orphanage of

the Rovangs' younger daughter, Hannah, 5. Hannah was

adopted when she was 10 months old, so when she goes to

school, she won't need to use the English as a Second

Language program, her mom said.

Bliss Rovang said her daughters adore each other. Molly is a

great kid, she said. Not that there was ever any doubt that

Molly would fit in with her family.

The Rovangs at first were going to try to adopt an infant

from Ethiopia, Bliss Rovang said. But then they saw Molly's

face on the list of waiting children. "We decided she was

supposed to be our daughter.

Rovang Family Violin Practice

2010-01-08T19:20:00.003-06:00

We all took turns practicing with Hannah's violin.

Blessings,

Bliss

Snow Day Discovery

2010-01-07T16:58:00.005-06:00

WeW, What a day. It began with Mahlet being very angry that she didn't have school because all the snow. I'm not kidding she was very angry and she made it seem all my fault...Lord have mercy. This kid hates to miss school, but yet is very lazy when it comes to learning. It's all about seeing her boyfriends. We were able to go to lunch as a family at McDonald's. It is a crazy family tradition we started way back when Hannah was just little...blizzard=lunch at McDonald's. The other highlight of the day was Hannah got her 2nd dose of H1N1 flu mist so she is covered. We went to pick Ron up at his office and one of his nurses said she had one she could give Mahlet (Mahlet's Dr. didn't have the mist) so both girls are vaccinated...Yeah.

My big snow day discovery was that my old digital camera that I thought was broken (and talked my husband into a very expensive new upgrade) still works. So now I have four digital cameras...if you know me I am all about photography so having 4 cameras is not unusual but recovering one from what I was thought to be from the dead is like BONUS!!!!

Just to show that the camera works...this was taken totally in a darkened room starring Ms. Mahlet.

Hannah with her Barbie scooter....I'm #1

Just to show my camera is great at macro focus

Cool new controls on my dryer...I actually don't mind doing laundry with my new appliances.

Very annoying toy from McDonald's but it was sitting on my Washer to test my camera's focus

Another test of my camera's focus in very low light...dark closet. I think we are fine.

So happy my camera is out of remission. I'm telling you I am so happy that it works but a little baffled about the whole situation.

Blessings,

Bliss

Post Christmas/New Year

2010-01-04T20:42:00.005-06:00

We had a good post Christmas/New Years with Ron's family in the Twin Cities. Hannah absolutely loved her princess chest and scooter. Don't have many photos of Mahlet as she ran away from the family to try out her new Wii game.

Don't all princess get around on a Barbie scooter?

Such a princess

Blessings,

Bliss

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T16:41:00.004-06:00

We had a very wonderful and quiet Christmas this year. Just the four of us. It was actually kind of nice. The only bummer is we didn't get to go sledding because of the blizzard. And it is a doozy. I don't remember in my whole life having a blizzard on Christmas day.

Wow look at all the presents...and we actually missed a few that were in Hannah's pile.

Hannah made out pretty good too.

Yes, Hannah got a violin for Christmas. She has been wanting to play the violin since she was 2.

Hannah's quote of the day. I am so impressed with my gifts but especially my violin.

I got Ron a kids race car set. We were all so bumbed as it required

C cell batteries and we had none and it is like the worst blizzard in forever so no racing today.

Do you think he liked it????

Blessings,

Bliss

Dance

2009-12-23T09:14:00.001-06:00

Hannah's Mini Dance Performance.

Happy Readoption Day

2009-12-22T15:33:00.003-06:00

Today was our day in court to readopt Mahlet. She is now officially a U.S. citizen and recognized as our daughter by the U.S. courts. Her name was changed from Mahlet Ronald to Mahlet Maleah. In Ethiopia the child take the dad's first name as their middle. This caused a little confusion with our attorney as he thought we had adopted a boy. It was so funny as neither our attorney of the judge could pronounce her name correctly. But it doesn't matter the decree is signed and it's a done deal. We will now get a U.S. birth certificate and can apply for her passport so we can go to Jamaica in March.

We had the same judge we had for Hannah's readoption a few years ago.

It was kind of funny timing as I got my reminder letter today that I begin jury duty Jan. 1st and I ended up in the very court room I will be serving in.

Blessings,

Bliss

Ho Ho Ho

2009-12-19T16:20:00.003-06:00

Mahlet & Hannah had visiting with Santa last night.

I was impressed with this Santa. He really looked the part. Some Santa's can look so cheesy.

After the Santa visit we checked the lights at the big park by our home.

I just thought this was a cool pic.

They had live animals for the kids to enjoy at the visitors center.

The camel doesn't seem to too impressed with little Ms. Hannah

Blessings,

Bliss

Stuff

2009-12-17T17:01:00.005-06:00

Mahlet's Scchool had it's Christmas program today. It was fun seeing all the children so excited to perform.

The gym was decorated with art projects. The 5th graders made gigantic snowmen.

Mahlet with her teacher. Mrs. O

Hi MOM!!!

The girls had fun playing in the snow yesterday. The temps finally warmed up to above zero so they could actually get outside.

Blessings,

Bliss

FUMC Cristmas Program

2009-12-13T20:11:00.001-06:00

Busy Busy Busy

2009-12-12T16:37:00.003-06:00

Things have been so busy this month it has been hard to keep up with the blog. I finally finished the Christmas letter and this year's was by far the hardest to write. So much has changed in our family over the past 8 months I didn't know how to edit it all. But it's finally done and the cards are in the mail.

I feel like have spent almost the whole half of this month at the dentist/oral surgeon. I feel like I should just get a room there. Between me, Mahlet and Hannah we have been to the dentist 6 times in the last two weeks. I had a few cavities to be fixed, Mahlet had two (which I was really worried about how that would play out...laughing gas is our friend), Hannah had a check up and X-Rays which she was a super star at sitting still (if you know Hannah you know what I mean). I also finally got my dental implant put in. I have been trying to get this done for almost 2 yrs. and something has always stopped it from happening. The last being our travel to Ethiopia. But am so thankful that it never happened as now insurance will cover some of the cost...it is very expensive. OK enough about boring stuff.

One of Hannah's preschool friends (Jenna) hosted a Gingerbread House making party today. Mahlet was invited to help. Shh the houses are really made of graham crackers.

This is Mahlet's house. I looked for a door but found none...I think you would have to crawl throuh the life saver??????

Hannah's GB House

Reminder that she is a gift from GOD.

Funny photo of Ron decorating the tree. It looks like it wants to fly out the window.

Happy Birthday Hannah

2009-12-02T16:55:00.003-06:00

I cant believe my baby is 5 years old. She had a great day sharing treats with her friends at preschool. I surprised her with some balloons as the end of her class and took her to McDonalds for a birthday lunch. We are just doing a quiet family party tonight with Pizza and cake. We had a party for her in the Cities this past weekend with Aunts and Uncles.

Blessings,

Bliss

Upward Cheerleading

2009-11-23T21:44:00.002-06:00

It was a big UPWARD celebration tonight. So much fun. Molly loved cheerleading and she was the loudest voice. We had our name drawn for a free season for UPWARD. We are blessed and maybe will have to find a family that needs it more than us...but it was fun to finally win something.

Stuff

2009-11-18T20:01:00.003-06:00

Hannah was the leader at preschool today and she was so happy that she got to take her Aunt Trish who is visiting from Lexington, KY.

Hannah in her Christmas dress (Molly has a matching one). We took family pictures yesterday and the girls looked so pretty. I can't wait to see the proofs. Molly was little Ms. model the entire time...that child never takes a bad photo. Hannah on the other hand, is a nightmare...can't sit still and is nearly impossible to give a natural smile.

Last night Molly had Jump Rope for Heart. She came home with the top fundraiser trophy for 5th grade city wide. I was so impressed with this kid. When she came home with her fundraising packet. She couldn't wait to hit the streets (our neighborhood) asking for pledges. I'm an adult and speak English and am afraid to ask for money from people I know. This kid went out all by herself and and raised in amazing amount of money. Way to go Molly!!!!

The following is an email I received from Molly's teacher...brought tears to my eyes. I am so proud of this child.

Molly did an excellent job of explaining her Winter Count of her first 10 months here. She did all the talking herself and explained every picture. Katy only helped her with the word flag. The children all understood her and I was so proud of them as they all spontaneously clapped for her when she finished. It was such a wonderful moment, I wish you both could have seen it. She grinned from ear to ear. She shared her pictures with me also and was able to explain everything in them. She has come so far already. I thought this might make your day. :)

Wanda Ottenbacher

Yes that made my day!!!!

Blessings,

Bliss

What's Up

2009-11-14T16:16:00.002-06:00

So what's been going on with us lately. Ron's sisters were able to visit Molly's school on Thursday. Molly was so excited to introduce them to whoever was around after school. They visited her classroom and met her teacher and saw all the projects she is working on. I actually learned a little more about Molly's days at school than when we had conferences. It was kind of funny because there were a couple of pictures on front of the teacher's desk that Molly had drawn for her and one had something written in Amharic. I asked Molly what it said and she wouldn't tell me and her teacher said she won't tell her either...hmmm?

Today was a big day for Hannah at swimming lessons. She got to jump off the diving board. And if you know Hannah she is little Ms. NO FEAR. She went up and jumped with all her might and them swam back to the wall (the instructor wasn't even in the water to help out). Her big sister and the other moms were so impressed at how brave she was as she is the youngest by far in the class and the only one that wasn't scared to jump. So she did it 3 more times. I asked Molly if she would jump and she just screamed like a baby "NO...Hannah so good". Hannah is the star student of her class. She only has one lesson left in this session. I'm so proud of her.

This afternoon we spent some time with Grandpa & Aunt Trish. Hannah danced, Molly and Trish practiced some cheer leading and we all sang Hannah's songs she will be singing in church tomorrow. Of course Aunt Trish (retired teacher but always in teacher mode) had to make a lesson out of the songs (Pledge of Allegiance & God Bless America). It was kind of funny as she was trying to explain to Molly what the words meant because she would use one word to describe another and it was a word that Molly still didn't understand...ie Allegiance means loyalty...What???? Do you see the picture I'm painting for you? I don't know how much Molly got out of the whole patriotic lesson...but that's OK as she's still not a US citizen.

That is about it for now so you all have a great weekend.

Blessings,

Bliss

I Need Africa More than Africa Needs Me

2009-11-11T17:03:00.001-06:00

What are you willing to do to make a difference?

Veterans Day

2009-11-10T17:07:00.001-06:00

Hannah's Cherub Choir honored the Veterans at church on Sunday. Hannah has known the pledge since she was two but when she gets up on that stage with 3 huge projection screens to watch herself on she gets a bit distracted.

This & That

2009-11-05T19:45:00.003-06:00

Halloween 2009

The week is winding down to what is supposed to be a beautiful weekend with highs hopefully in the 70s (YES). We so need some nice weather. October was one of the most sunless, rainy and gloomy months I've ever experienced in South Dakota.

This past week found us in our first parent/teacher conferences as we are now parents of a 10yr. old that is in the 5th grade. We heard very good comments about Molly. They are amazed at her progress. Her ESL teacher also had wonderful things to say about Molly which didn't surprise us. Molly is the oldest student in the ESL program in the school district so she tends to be the mother hen on the bus they all take to ESL. We were told by the ESL teacher that Molly always reports how the other children are feeling (emotionally) that morning.

Today brought good news that I've been stressed about for over a week. I had a mammogram last week that didn't come back with clear results. So today I went back and had my right tata squished/compressed like a pancake from every angle that I can recall from geometry, and I'm happy to say I'm OK.

Blessings,

Bliss

Fun Fall Weekend

2009-11-01T16:52:00.005-06:00

Monster Mash

2009-10-31T10:35:00.001-05:00

Happy Halloween from the Rovangs!!!!

drums

2009-10-30T10:45:00.001-05:00

Hannah gave us a drum concert last night. She also sang her ZYXs.

Pumpkin Carving

2009-10-26T08:01:00.003-05:00

Hair Cut

2009-10-21T12:14:00.003-05:00

Hannah got her hair cut. She finally let me get it cut short.

Hair Issues/Update

2009-10-17T16:32:00.005-05:00

My hands and arms are so sore today. I spent 2 hours combing out Molly's dreadful hair. If you know AA hair you will get my play on words. It was such a mess. I wish she would take better care of it. So after I got it all combed out I put some conditioner and hair oil on it and made her wear a shower cap to bed. We will be doing this every night from now on. I am still looking for the right product for her type of hair. Her curls are so very tight and dry. But I know one thing I won't spend 2 straight hours combing it out again.

This is Hannah's newest doodle. She drew this while Molly, dad and I played Wii last night. I think it is pretty good for a 4 yr. old.

We spent yesterday morning running between kids activities. Hannah had swimming lessons that end just when Molly needs to be at the church for cheer leading. Ron was on call but was able to get away and pick Molly up and take her to cheer leading. Hannah is the youngest and by far the littlest kid in her swimming lessons but she swims circles around them all. This kid is going to have a tough time choosing what she wants to be in because she is good at everything. As far as Molly's cheer leading, she LOVES it and is by far the loudest cheerleader out there...Go Molly.

Just a quick update on how things have been going lately I have to say give me a G, give me a R, give me a E, give me a A, give me a T. What's that spell? GREAT. I really can't explain it, but it is like a switch has been flipped and things are just normal. Molly's behavior has been very pleasant. I am no longer anxious about how she might react to our saying no to something or asking her to do something that previously would have turned into a Molly meltdown. Yes, she still has 10 yr.old moments but she recovers extremely quickly and we are all happy again. All things considered are transition has been pretty smooth. I know that there are a lot of families that have had to tackle way more issues than our minor, very short lived and very easily corrected with simple discipline. I have to say Molly is a great kid and I have such respect for how she has adjusted in such a short time. I truthfully at her age, thrust into her circumstances over the last few years, would be a big bawling baby everyday mixed in with a bit of anger. Molly is a lovely young lady and is very affectionate. Her and her sister love each other to pieces and it is so wonderful to see. What can I say except we are very blessed by the gift of adoption.

Blessings,

Bliss

6 month Gotcha Day anniversary

2009-10-14T17:46:00.002-05:00

Six months ago Mahlet said goodbye to the transition house and became a part of our family forever. It was such an emotional day. I was happy that she was finally joining our family forever but I was also crying as I watched her say goodbye. She had grown very close with all her nannies, staff and children. Many tears were shed throughout the day. But I remember the worst was when it was time to leave all the families were on the bus and all the staff and children were gathered outside to say goodbye. Everybody was crying as they watched Mahlet say goodbye and kiss and hug every child (I'm crying now as I think back). She cried almost all the way back to our hotel. But she recovered quickly once we reached our room and she saw all her new clothes. It is fun remembering our time in Ethiopia. Can't wait to go back some day.

Yesterday we had our 6 months post placement visit with our social worker. It was nice seeing her again. She has been on this journey with us since 2005 when we adopted Hannah and we love her. I did request she visit prior to Molly getting home from school as she has issues about us talking about her behavior in front of other people. It went really well even after Molly arrived after school. So once she gets her report done we can start the process of re-adopting Molly. This is required so she can become a U.S. citizen.

As of tonight I am sicker than a dog. Body aches, lungs hurt, neck hurts, throat hurts, can't breathe. And guess what...MY STUPID TOE IS STILL HURTING.

I know that God is good and am so thankful for my children and the best husband.

Blessings,

Bliss

Meetcha Day

2009-10-13T16:28:00.001-05:00

Celebrating 6 month Meetcha Day.

Soccer is done for the season

2009-10-05T19:18:00.003-05:00

Molly finished her soccer season this past weekend. Her team got beat both games on Saturday so didn't have to play on Sunday. Molly was pretty happy about it as the weather sucked this weekend...cold and rain make for miserable soccer games for everyone involved.

A little update on how things are going with us. Molly's behavior is improving each day although we still have a Molly meltdown from time to time it is much better than it used to be. She has really become close with Ron as she never knew her birth father and he is not replacing anybody. It has been harder for her with me. She knew her birth mother until she was nearly 7 yrs. old and loved her dearly. So our relationship is taking a bit more work. It has been kind of strange as the first 3 months home she was really tight with me and then the behavior became very disrespectful. I was not really understanding it until I sat down and had a few talks with her about her birth mother. After each talk her behavior toward me has improved. She is really missing her birth mother and having a hard time with me being her new mother. I completely understand how hard it is for her but at the same time I have to be honest, I feel hurt and jealous of her relationship with Ron. That being said I am also happy about the relationship that she is cultivating with her father, and it makes me happy to see Ron being such a good father to a this young girl. I can accept that Molly needs time to develop a mother/daughter relationship with me it is just hard. Don't get me completely wrong she is a wonderful girl and I get lots of love and affection from her and I give back. I guess losing my mother gives me a better understanding of what Molly is experiencing.

OK Gotta leave it at that....bed issues with the girls.

Blessings,

Bliss

Chinese Beauty & Melody

2009-10-02T09:30:00.002-05:00

Beauty & Melody

2009-10-02T09:10:00.002-05:00

Beauty & Melody a Chinese performance group visited our city this past week.

The girls got to go up and try out some of the instruments.

gotcha day

2009-09-26T20:57:00.001-05:00

Gotcha Day video

Gotcha Day

2009-09-25T19:41:00.002-05:00

We are celebrating Gotcha Day. It was 4 years ago on Sept. 26 when our baby Hannah was put in our arms. I love taking a photo each year on the anniversary to see how much we have changed. This year's photo was fun because we have a new daughter that was able to take the photo.

Gotcha 09

Gotcha 08

Gotcha 07 (photo taken in our jammies because dad had to work really late)

Gotcha 06

Original Gotcha Day Sept. 26, 2005

We are so thankful for our baby girl. She has been the biggest delight from the day she was put

in our arms (mine were screaming after that first day...0lbs t0 17 lbs. in one day). God is good.

I am trying to post the video from gotcha day but not having much success.

Blessings,

Bliss

School Photo

2009-09-24T18:16:00.003-05:00

Molly got her school photos back today. I think she is so dang pretty. But I might just be biased.

We have really stepped up the discipline with Molly lately. Her behavior had gotten so disrespectful we had to do something. We took all electronic privileges away for a whole week and each time she talked back or stormed off mad she lost another day. Taking away the electronics has worked so well. She understood that she had to quit yelling at us and respect us. I'm not kidding her behavior has improved 95%. We come home from school and I put her to work cleaning or we all do a project. She is such a happy girl since TV has been taken away. I think she just enjoys spending some quality time with me but I do know she still wants to watch her TV. I say this as today was supposed to be her 1st day with 1 hour of TV but she messed up and she lost another day. She was excited after school thinking she would get to watch TV once we were home and I said "No TV". She instantly was upset and tried her best to control her anger (which I was so impressed with....our system is working). Once we got home she looked at the calendar that we marked what days she loses stuff she loves. She cried and acted out so I told her that cost her 1 more day of no TV. I then sent her to her room to clean it and she did and by the time she was done she was little miss happy. So this is my question for other mother's that read my blog. Do I just take away TV all together?

As for Hannah she had her first field trip with her preschool today. It was to a local park and I'm sure she had fun. She made it perfectly clear that I was not welcome on the trip.

Blessings,

Bliss

Sunflower Day

2009-09-23T18:36:00.003-05:00

It was Hannah's turn to be leader at preschool today. The leader is in charge of bringing treats and it was sunflower day so we made sunflower cookies last night.

Hannah loves Mrs. W. (do the cookies look like sunflowers????)

Aunt Becky was in town and Hannah was so excited to take her to preschool.

Tomorrow the kids have a field trip to a park. I told the teacher I could help out but Hannah informed me when we got in the van that I was not welcome on the field trip. She said "Mommy you will just take my car seat into the school because you are not coming with us." WHAT???? It was such a funny moment. She is only 4, but very politely expressed that she didn't need her mother around cramping her style. How ironic that I have a 10 yr. old that wants me at every function.

Blessings,

Bliss

Upward Cheerleading

2009-09-21T19:48:00.004-05:00

Molly got her Upward cheerleading uniform at practice tonight. She is loving it!!!

Maybe I'm biased but she is a beauty!!!

Hannah will join the Upward cheerleading ranks next year.

These two girls love each other to pieces. God is Good!!!!!!!

Blessings,

Bliss

SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS!!!

2009-09-20T18:34:00.003-05:00

The girls and I and their Aunt Bonnie all went to Mary Poppins this weekend. It was an awesome production. It was a little bit different than the movie but may have followed the book which I have never read. We all loved it.

The Curtain on the stage

The Theatre is absolutely beautiful...check out the gorgeous chandelier.

Blessings,

Bliss

First Day

2009-09-15T18:24:00.008-05:00

Hannah attended her 1st day of preschool. She has been telling everybody she sees that she is going to be starting preschool at Sonshine & Rainbows and finally the day came. She was so very excited and loved every minute of her class.

Molly was excited for her sister's 1st day of school but a little jealous of Hannah's cool backpack.

Hannah's little cubby at school

Hannah won't have any problem with the Pledge of Allegiance...she has known it since she was 2. Check out the video below.

Munchkin Run

2009-09-12T19:21:00.001-05:00

Run Munchkins Run!!!!!

Happy New Year Ethiopia

2009-09-10T16:24:00.002-05:00

They are celebrating the New Year right now in Ethiopia (year is 2002). The following is a description of how they traditionally spend the day.

Selamta Every One!

Melkam Addis Amet lehulachin - a Happy New Year for all of InI!

Celebrating the Ethiopian New Year Ethiopia celebrates New Year’s Day in its own colorful way. The Ethiopian new year begins on Maskaram, corresponding to September 11 on the roman calendar. New Year’s Day marks the end of heavy rain and its associated dangers. Floods are over, and there is no more fear of thunderstorms. The foggy, gloomy climate gives way to a bright one. Fragrant flowers cover the muddy fields. Greenery is everywhere, and there is no shortage of food. The Maskal birds that migrated during the rainy season re-appear. Hibernating frogs come to the surface and sing.

On the eve of the New Year, children leave their homes to assemble in groups. With the traditional song Abebaye hoy (Oh! My Flower), they herald the New Year to village inhabitants by going from house to house. Carrying special grass called engicha, mixed with adey abeba (fragrant wild flowers), children knock at each home in the village. They sing and present the grass to anyone they find at home or along the way. The people to whom the song is addressed do not immediately respond; instead they listen to the New Year’s message

for a considerable time. The song continues until the person gives presents to the children, such as dabbo (homebaked bread) or coins. After receiving the gift, the children bless the giver, saying, “May the Almighty God bless you with longer age!”

After performing the evening’s festivities, the children return home to begin the lighting ceremony. Each member of the family fastens together small sticks to serve as torches. In the late evening, family members light their torches

and raise them into the air, while others run around the house and touch the ground with their torches, accompanied by ululation. This ceremony is believed to chase away the old year with its old spirit, and welcome the new. If you look at a rural village from a distance in the late evening, you would see that it looks like a sky full of stars.

Early in the morning on New Year’s Day, families go to the river to have a bath. It is believed that New Year’s water is holy water. People go to the river early in the morning to bathe before birds or other creatures “taste” the river. It is also believed the water cleanses evil sprits that might have been in the community in the past year. With a clean body and new spirit, people put on new clothes. Depending on the family’s economic condition, sheep or chicken may be slaughtered. In wealthier families, sheep are bought in advance to be fattened for the day. Poorer families group together to buy and slaughter a heifer or bull, and share the meat.

New Year’s Day is a time when children are full of joy. The day satisfies their physical and psychological needs, and liberates them from the fear of natural calamities, for there is little or no rain. Children also know that in three days, schools will re-open and friends who have not seen each other during the summer vacation will meet again.

On New Year’s Day, families invite each other for lunch or dinner. In each house, villagers eat and drink Tella, a locally brewed beer. A coffee ceremony follows. At the end of the ceremony, elders bless the children and other family members. This marks the end of the celebration of the Ethiopian New Year.

Branson

2009-09-09T07:22:00.001-05:00

We had a great time at the AW African families reunion!!!

Headed to Branson

2009-09-03T08:54:00.002-05:00

We are headed for Branson, MO this weekend for a reunion with other AWAA families that have or are in the process of adopting from Africa. So excited to meet these families that have shared this journey with us. Not excited about the loooooong drive. We are going to leave after Ron gets done with work today and drive down to Sioux Falls spend the night and then tackle the remaining miles in the AM.

Molly LOVES school. She actually is upset that she will miss school tomorrow because of our trip. She also doesn't understand why there is no school on holidays (Labor Day). Today is picture day and I was able to talk her into wearing an outfit that I liked (she is very head strong). She has been getting up early everyday to do her hair (very particular about her hair) but this morning Ron woke her up at the she has been requesting and she said "No not 7". I have no idea how she knew it wasn't 7 because she has no clock in her room. She finally got up, got dressed came down with her hair a complete mess. What is she thinking...this is picture day. I took her back upstairs and put a ton of conditioner in her hair and combed it out. She then decided that she would take over and fix it the way she wanted. She wears her hair so many different ways and she always looks like million bucks. Today's hairstyle was different than any that I've seen her in before...not sure it is my favorite but she seemed to like it.

OK that's all I have time for...many things to get done before we leave. Hope you all have a great holiday weekend.

Blessings,

Bliss

Fun Weekend

2009-08-31T07:42:00.004-05:00

Took the girls go karting...Molly loved it!!!! Hannah's always up for a thrill.

Enjoyed annual outdoor church service where several kids were baptized...very cool.

Hannah enjoyed the bubbles she got during the children's minute

Molly and Hannah ended the weekend playing some games on the computer

Blessings,

Bliss

Fun at the park

2009-08-28T20:11:00.004-05:00

We had fun at the park this evening.

Molly finished her 1st week of school. It went well for the most part. Her ESL teacher did call me late this afternoon to let me know about a few issues. Lunch time is the main problem. Not surprised by this as it has taken months to convince her that she does like things she says no to at first. This might take some time but until we get to know what she will eat at school we will send a lunch with her.

Blessings,

Bliss

Hannah Relaxin' in the Sun

2009-08-27T16:49:00.002-05:00

Hannah and I spent some time relaxing in the hot sun this afternoon...finally warm temps and the water park is closed

Hannah decided she needed her shades and a book

She loves this Spanish book we got in Mexico. She also loves her Mandarin one that is kind of similar

Just a quick update on Molly. She is loving school. She told me she has lots of boyfriends. We had the best night and morning (today) since she has been home with us. Yesterday morning was a different story. She didn't like the outfit I had picked for her (she doesn't really know how to match up clothes) and it was just a big melt down (picture a 3 yr. old). She was totally mad even though I gave her other choices. Oh the drama. She finally dressed in something I suggested but was not happy when she left the house. We all get together as a family and say a prayer before Ron and Molly leave for the day. It must have worked because she acted unhappy when I picked her up but came around before we got home and was totally fine the rest of the night. This is where it gets funny to me. Molly has been allowed to watch a lot of TV this summer as I know it is a great way to learn English. I know this to be true because we had a foreign exchange student a few years back and he didn't speak much English when he arrived but was very fluent by the time he left. He told us it was because of TV. Anyway back to Molly. I decided now that she is in school TV time will be limited so I let her watch about an hour after school and then I turned it off. I thought this was going to be very ugly as she loves to watch it. I told her it is time for you to do some chores around the house and put her to work cleaning. She was so happy and went to town. She was like a cleaning machine and I am kind of a control freak when it comes to cleaning but I was totally impressed at how thorough she was...Oh boy is this a win win situation for me.

The other thing that has made a difference in her behavior is that I found a way to get her to eat breakfast (or rather drink it). Since we have been home she has not been interested in eating breakfast. This really bothered me once she started school. One of my YG friends suggested smoothies. I now give Molly a yogurt/fruit smoothie in the morning and after school. What a difference this has made. I believe part of her bad behavior has been low blood sugar.

Toe update. Pretty soar today because I did a 15 mile bike ride last evening. It felt so good to just get some exercise...but I think I over did it. I don't care because the JOY of the bike ride is well worth the little pain today.

Gotta Run (you all know I can't) Molly has soccer practice.

Blessings,

Bliss

Surprise your Man

2009-08-26T16:50:00.001-05:00

This is too Funny!!!

What a Day

2009-08-25T20:24:00.005-05:00

Molly had her first soccer game this evening

My bad toe injury

Hannah's loves her dance class

Blessings,

Bliss

Birthday/1st day of School

2009-08-24T16:59:00.003-05:00

Molly started school today...loved it except the getting up at 7AM

I love my girls...

My birthday ended in a bad way. I took Molly to the water park after our feast (more about that later) to do the water slides one last time before the park closed for the season. I ended up with one big ugly mess with my big toe. I went to urgent care today and it is not broken but the bad news is that it is way worse than a break as it involves the joint and may never heal completely. This photo was taken about a day after I injured it. I will share a photo on my next blog post of how bad the bruising and swelling got. My Dr. said I might not be able to run again. So frustrated.

Ron preparing my birthday feast (grilled shrimp and the last of our fish from Alaska.

My card from my BIL. It cracked me up because as I received a few cards but a ton of greetings by e-mail and FB.

Big B-Day hug from Molly...she is the best hugger

Smiling through the pain....my toe is so hurting at this point.

The girls made me cards...I will cherish them forever.

I guess Hannah my little prophetess was trying to warn me in some way that I would have toe issues. She put all these stickers on her toes just before we left for the water park. (If you would like to know why I call Hannah my prophetess leave a comment).

Gotta go fix some supper,

Blessings,

Bliss

Braids

2009-08-22T16:42:00.005-05:00

My friend Merleen braided Molly's hair yesterday

Look at the remotes Molly needed to keep herself entertained for almost 2 hours

Merleen brought her daughters and the girls had a blast

They are so cute!!!

Where's the smile...OK she has been sitting for almost 2 hours I would be sporting this look too!!!

The finished product

This is the Molly I love

This is the Molly I sometimes get (you know I will use this photo when she graduates HS). She really wasn't being nasty but kinda messing with me. I still think it is funny.

How stunning are these two???

Gotta go as it is my birthday and the celebration dinner is about to begin. Will share photos with my new digital tomorrow.

Blessings,

Bliss

BTW: Molly has lost her two eye teeth this week. In ET they the children throw their teeth on the roof and a bird comes and takes it and another bird brings them a new tooth.

Gymnastics

2009-08-21T16:42:00.009-05:00

Hannah had her last gymnastics class last night. My life is IS SO BUSY with these girls and if you know me I love to take photos. So on this blog entry I will just share some photos of Hannah's last gymnastics class.

Fair Photos

2009-08-20T20:41:00.006-05:00

Hannah had her last gymnastics session tonight but will post the photos tomorrow as I have so many fair pics to share. I love my new camera (birthday present...thanks Ron).

The girls had a blast

Here comes Hannah

Molly loved all the rides and slides

Ron and I were able to go on the Big Wheel while the girls entertained themselves on rides

Ron got a little anxious with me rocking the seat trying to see if I could find the girls

I loved this ride!!!! And I really like the following photos of it.

Cool!!!

Blessings,

Bliss

My Birthday present!!

2009-08-19T17:16:00.004-05:00

I received my birthday present early. It arrived this morning. It is a Canon PowerShot SX200 IS. Awesome digital camera. If you know me you know that I managed a camera store for almost 10 years. I read every manual under the sun so I could sell a camera. So today I spent time reading through the manual (it worked out pretty good because the weather was pretty icky) Enjoy some of the photos...I did take some video too but that takes a little more work to share.

practicing the balance beam

Hannah is a pretty good photographer

Sisters

Molly loves her dad

"Girls I am trying to pay bills"

Gotta Run...DH has supper on the table and then off to the fair.

Blessings,

Bliss

Finally Hannah gets to dance!

2009-08-18T19:56:00.006-05:00

Ever since Hannah could speak she has wanted to be a ballerina and a gymnastics girl. She started gymnastics at the beginning of summer and tonight she had her first dance class. She is lovin' life!!!

One happy girl. She has been waiting over 2 yrs. to begin dance. She came out of class and said she was excellent.

We were actually supposed to be on vacation in the Black Hills this week to celebrate my birthday. We decided to cancel and just stay home. I guess we are doing the "staycation". Fine with me as we have traveled so much in the last 6 months (March to Jamaica, April to Ethiopia, many 6 hr. drives to Minneapolis over the summer and we have a trip planned to Branson, MO for and African family reunion 18 hr. drive over Labor Day and then another trip to the to the Cities). It was probably a wise decision as this is fair week and there is so much to do and Hannah would have missed her first dance class and gymnastics. We would have also missed Molly's ESL teacher's open house.

Molly striking pose

Just Molly

Cool South Dakota Clouds

Where I have been in my life

2009-08-17T16:04:00.002-05:00

Shopping

2009-08-15T16:31:00.003-05:00

Molly had her first soccer practice last night. I wish I would have video taped her putting her shin guards on...too funny. She did pretty good considering she really hasn't played before ( just a bit with the neighbor boys) and most of the girls on her team have played since they were five. But I was just happy to see her exercise. She tends to be a pretty lazy kid...loves to just sit around. I can't stand it. She complained about how tired she was and I was like Yeah. I explained to her that she needs to exercise more and she will have more energy the more she does it. I know she was happy to be with some girls her age. Molly really looked like a giant amongst the other girls. I know her doctor said she was tall but I really had not seen her with other 10 yr. old American girls also her great big hair made her look even taller.

We took Molly to get her school supplies today and few clothes and shoes. I can't say I enjoy shopping with Molly at this stage of our transition. She is 10 but often acts more like a spoiled 3 yr. old. The behavior baffles me. I know we have been spoiled by Hannah (I'll explain more about that later). I've been told children in ET are never told NO. I believe this is probably true as Molly has a fit if we say NO to something or she doesn't get her way instantly (doesn't that sound like a 3 yr. old?). I have to admit her fit recovery is getting better. The other thing that really bothers me is that we have been buying her all kinds of things and she doesn't seem to be appreciative of it (I can't stand this).

This is my explanation of Hannah being nearly the perfect child. I know some of you reading this are probably rolling your eyes, but go ahead. I'm not trying to brag about anything...she is not from my DNA and I am not bragging about our parenting. I'm just saying from the day she was put in our arms it has been EASY!!!! She never cried the whole time we were in China, she instantly bonded and attached to us, slept 12 hours a night, took 2 2 hours naps a day until she was two (then naps were history), has never thrown a tantrum, was potty trained in a day, will share anything, will actually ask to be put to bed if she is tired....the list could go on and on. She is soooo content. I swear she not a real child.

This is why I think God gave us Hannah. He knew he had Molly planned for us. God is so funny. We have never had to deal with toddler behavior with Hannah...Hello Molly.

Any advice or comments won't offend me.

Blessings,

Bliss

This & That

2009-08-13T20:58:00.003-05:00

Hannah loves swinging on the high bar and falling into the pit.

She is the only one in her class that would monkey walk all the way to the middle of the bar

She got to swinging quite high so her dismount was a little out of control. All the other kids just hung on the bar right by the coach and just dropped straight down. Some of the kids pretty much climbed down the coaches body. Hannah loved it and when she got out of the pit she said "Mom I was very brave". This truly has no fear. The photos were taken a couple weeks ago by a friend so I just got them. Tonight the kids got to jump from the vault into the pit. Hannah's leap into the pit was pretty impressive. On the way home she asked if we would put a beam and pit in her room. I said I didn't think there was room for all stuff to which she replied "well just get me a bigger room."

I guess it has been a few days since I have blogged so I'll get you all caught up on what has been happening during the last days before Molly begins school.

On Tuesday we all went to Molly's school to meet with her principal (she has already met as she spent the month of May at the school with her ESL teacher and he is a family friend). He walked us around the school showing Molly where all her different classes would be and where she would go each morning when she arrives at school. We then met her teacher. There are three classes of 5th graders at her school. I really liked her teacher and I think she will be really good with Molly. I know Molly is excited to start school. Only 10 more days.

Finally the weather has started delivering summer type temps so we have been at the water park a lot. Molly and I have actually gone both afternoons and evenings a few times this week. It is fun for me because during the day I can't do any of the slides with Molly because I can't leave Hannah. It was really nice today because my friend's daughter who is 9 was there and Molly and her hung out and did the slides and lazy river. It was nice to see Molly with a girl friend. She really hasn't made friends with any girls her age and I can tell she really wants some friends. So it is good school is starting soon.

Molly has her first soccer practice tomorrow so we went and got soccer shoes and shin guards today. I hope she likes soccer and is able to understand what her coach is asking her to do. I know she knows how to play as she has played with our neighbor boys.

Molly and I have really been butting heads this past week. It seems like I can do nothing right. It doesn't help that we (her and I) were dealing with raging hormones. Boy is this a lethal combination. Today was so much better. I could tell we were both in a better place hormonally. Poor Ron...but he wanted girls.

Next subject: Allergies...mine are so bad and I am on everything. My left eye won't quit watering and my face is so red and sore. If it doesn't quit by tomorrow AM I am going to go to Ron's office and get a shot.

OK, I think that is about it.

Blessings,

Bliss

Not enough summer weather

2009-08-08T21:10:00.003-05:00

Mommy rode her bike to the water park to meet up with the family...Hannah felt she needed my helmet to get home with daddy's driving.

Blessings,

Bliss

Chokecherry Pickin'

2009-08-04T18:44:00.005-05:00

Our day started with Molly and Hannah's babysitter showing up with her new kitten.

Meow!!!

Molly had her third visit to the DR. today. She had to return for one vaccine (polio) and to get more ear wax removed. Finally her right ear is clear and we our done with ear drops. The shot was so dramatic. She actually did better at her last visit when she had three (which she will have on her next visit). She freaked out seeing the needle but once they stuck her she just actually smiled. It did take two nurses and her sitting on my lap trying to keep her still. This is not easy as she weighs barely 15 lbs. less than me and is as strong. Her Dr. did recommend her being involved in sports that require vertical action (basketball or volleyball) that will help her grow more. She said it could actually add an additional inch to her height.

After we got home from Molly's Dr. appointment the girls helped dad pick some chokecherries from our trees. We will make massive amounts of chokecherry jelly this weekend. Anybody want some jelly? We still have some left from last year.

I neglect my rosebushes so much but I do enjoy when I see a pretty rose.

Blessings,

Bliss

Sweet Reunion

2009-08-03T19:39:00.009-05:00

Molly was happy to be reunited with her friend Almaz. She just arrived in the States with her new family Wednesday.

Almaz's brother..James

Of course braiding had to be part of the reuion.

It is hard to find Molly without bubblegum...

Hannah had fun with the Korson Chinese Boys.

Thanks Sue P. for helping Hannah on the playground equipment.

Molly, Almaz with her brothers

Little James tackled the gang

All you see of Almaz is her legs.

Ice cream mess at Aunt Becky's

Crazy Cousin Brit thought it be fun to encourage Miss Hannah.

How sweet is that????