1st Day of School.

You will hear shouts of Yeah or Boo depending on who you ask.  But alas, summer is over and school is here.  We didn't do half the things we planned this summer, but that's the way it is.  Better planning for next year.  Obligatory first day of school pics.   First day was yesterday.  4th grade, 1st grade and pre-K.

 And while I'm at it.....I LOVE UNIFORMS!!!!  I've traveled around the world and almost everywhere you go, kids wear uniforms to school.  They are the great equalizer.  No one has nicer clothes than anyone else.  Kids are all the same.  AND parents don't have the hassle of buying "first day of school" clothes.  LOVE IT!  I will be supremely sad when I have to start worrying about that nonsense.

No Mo Fro

We've always struggled with Corban's hair.  It's hard to know what to do with it.  It's thick and tight and curly.  Not easy to style.  So we've kept it closely shaved mostly. 

So this past December when we were traveling to Ethiopia, I said to him, "Corban this is your chance to figure out what you want to do with your hair.  Let's look around and see what you wanna do".  He decided that he wanted to grow out an afro.  We were fine with that.  Marjorie read a lot about how to do it right....conditioners, spray, etc.  I liked to joke that I could guarantee that we had more hair products in our house than most girls his age.....but I was sort of serious. 

He liked his fro.  He was proud of it.  He didn't like all the work.  He definitely didn't like having to pick it out every morning.  But he liked when it was big and puffy right before school and looked cool.  He liked playing soccer with it.  He liked when it rained and the water just kind of rolled off.  He liked it in the pool when it was flow around and gather around his neck.

But summer is here and we told him it had to go.  Too much work.  It's like velcro for leaves, grass and twigs.  And we can't even imagine what the beach would look like. 

So tonight, we said good-bye to the fro.  It will re-appear again in September....and this time it'll be bigger!

Missing Piece Found!

Let's start with filling in the blank.  For a year and a half we were using a picture that had a missing piece of the puzzle.  We weren't totally sure who went in that spot. 

Now we absolutely know.

So we've changed our blog banner to show that.

I can't tell you how smooth the transition has been in almost every way.  We had some hiccups along the way, but this boys just fits with our family.  He loves the boys.  They are brothers through and through. 

Corban in Ethiopia: A Picture at the Spot

I meant to put this in the other post about Corban going to Ethiopia.....but just forgot. 

I posted this picture on Facebook when we landed at Dulles International Airport  in Washington DC.  The description I put "Ladies and Gentleman: As of this moment, the newest U.S. citizen is Elias Dereje Reinard. We made it! Just a car ride tomorrow morning between us and home."

So the deal is that because we already cleared the Embassy in Addis Ababa....as soon as we cleared customs in the airport, Elias becomes a citizen.  Pretty cool right? 

Here's where it gets cooler.  We didn't just randomly take this picture.  This picture is taken in (as close to the real) the spot where we first met Corban.  They've re-designed the waiting area....but we are standing where we met a little toddler Corban who was very afraid and confused at what was going on.  He had been on a plane for hours and hours and didn't know us at all.  The spot where this picture is taken, is part of our journey with both boys. 

How cool is that?

All the Poor and Powerless....Part 2.

If you've read this blog from the beginning of our journey to now, you might vaguely remember a post I did in the summer of 2012.  I mentioned a song that had captured our house called All the Poor and Powerless by All Sons and Daughters.  We sang that song almost daily for months.

The end of the song has these lyrics:


Shout it.
Go on and scream it from the mountains.
Go on and tell it to the masses.
That He is God.



So when we went to pick up Elias in Ethiopia our friend Desalegn took us to church Sunday morning...the day we were leaving.  The church he goes to is an international church.  They speak English.  We had been there in August.  It feels like going to church at home.

So the worship leader stand up and welcomes everyone and starts playing the first song of their set.  Guess what song they start out with?  All the Poor and Powerless.  Marjorie and I instantly go to tears.  Here we are in Ethiopia, holding our son who we've waited a year and a half for....who God specifically told us was part of His plan for our family....and the first song they play is a song that was on our families heart at the beginning of this journey.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME???


SHOUT IT
Go on and Scream it from the mountains.
Go on and tell it to the masses
That He is GOD!!!!

Corban goes to Ethiopia

So when we talk about our recent trip to Ethiopia, one of the first few questions that people ask is "What did Corban think of Ethiopia."....or some variation of it.

Let me tell you this brief story:   We bought my mother a scarf for Christmas while we were in ET.  When she opened it, my mom smelled it and said, "wow this smells good".  As Marjorie smelled it she said, "this is what Ethiopia smells like".  Corban smelled it and said, "Mmmm yeah that's Ethiopia."

I LOVE that my son knows what Ethiopia SMELLS like.

He had a great trip.  He thought traveling was a fun adventure.  He liked watching movies on the plane.  We forced him to sleep because he would've just watched movies until he was exhausted.  He was a great traveling companion.  Neither of us could've expected how well he would've done.  He was a trooper.  He didn't stress out.  He was patient.  He soaked things in.

We got to show him some of the things that we love about Ethiopia.  We ate yummy food.  We drove around the Addis Ababa  (which is where he was born).  He and I went on lots of walks around our neighborhood and talked about what he was thinking and experiencing. He is a really smart boy.

We are very open with the boys about adoption and where they're from.  Corban knows his story.  So nothing he saw there was "new" to him.....but I think it solidified his thinking.  He got to experience what he already knew.

One very important moment for him was completely unplanned.  While we were at E's orphanage for his going away ceremony, Corban was a little antsy so we told him to go out into the courtyard for a bit.  While he was there, there was a young man who started talking to C in Amharic.  Corban quickly said, "Sorry.  Only English".  The young man spoke perfect English so he switched over quickly.  He was amazed at Corban.  He had never met any kids who had been adopted and returned to Ethiopia to visit.  He had lots of questions for Corban....what's your favorite food in America...what makes you feel special about being Ethiopian....do you like Ethiopian food..do you like being here in Addis. 

In that conversation Corban was able to do two things.....on one hand he was able to be very proud of where he had come from.  He was proud that he was Ethiopian.....that this was his city.  Yet he was able to be proud of America.  He talked about his friends.  He talked about food he liked.  He was able to put the picture together fully.

My favorite Corban story (and he tells it better) is this:  Just before he met the guy and talked about living in America I was out in the courtyard with Corban.  Something fell down into the court yard.  He runs over and picks it up and says, "Dad this fell from the sky."  After looking up he says, "it must've come from that wash line up there."  (balcony).  Yep looks like it.  He holds it up and says, "Look it's a bib"   To which I say, "Um.....dude......that's not a bib.  That's a diaper."  To which he screams, hurls the diaper to the ground and runs away from it.  He's so dang funny.

While we were driving back to the airport to fly home, our driver asked Corban what his favorite part of the trip was.  Corban's answer was, "visiting my home town and my home country."  He said it with a sense of pride and joy.  Ethiopia isn't just a place he's heard about anymore.  He's already talking about "when we go back".  I like that.

Obligitory Christmas Pictures

So Christmas came and is went...and we participated. Here's proof.  For the record we stayed in our PJ's the day.  Marjorie and I called it a "Den of Slack", which is a reference to Reality Bites...a bad movie from the 90's.

Elias wasn't so stoked about taking pictures at first.

Tobiah got his own Nintendo DS for Christmas.....to stop the fighting.....we limit play time....except for on Christmas....so we didn't see the boys most of the day!

 Corban was probably the only boy in America who asked for sensitive toothpaste for Christmas.  His front adult teeth are very sensitive.....so that was an easy one.

The boys got Marjorie the new girls Nerf gun.  We figured if she has to live in a house full of boys, she should be able to defend herself properly.  Later in the day Tobiah decided to shoot Daddy in the temple from 2 inches away with this very device.

Marjorie has been asking for a La La Loopsie doll for a year now.  Again, since she has to live in testosterone world, I thought it was middle ground.  She's now looking for play dates with little girls.

He was pretty content sitting inside the boxes playing with other things.  His little bum fit nicely.

 Checking out what big brother is doing.

Wherever you are....Blessings to you and your family in the coming year from the Reinard family.

Catching Up to Christmas

Funny things happen when you finally come home with your child that you've been waiting for.
1.  It doesn't seem as important to tell everyone what it's like to be waiting......since we're not waiting any longer.
2.  You instantly become busy with things you either didn't know you had to deal with or totally forgot that came along with little kids.

So forgive us....but I'm sure you understand.

So here is an update and a bunch of random information for you.


E is doing great.  I think his adjustment is going exceptionally well.  There are still some little glitches from time to time...a couple minor meltdowns....but I couldn't have imagined that the transition would be going this good this quickly.

Coming home on the 10th of December didn't leave us a ton of time to think about Christmas.  I'm typing this on the 21st and we just put our tree up.  So we're a little behind.....we were kind of hoping everyone else would agree to just push Christmas back a week this year for us?

I (Aaron) have been across the country quite a number of times.  I've been around the world a few times too.  I've never dealt with jet lag.  When people talked about jet lag, I've always thought "you're a wuss".  For whatever reason, the return trip home kicked my BUTT!  We're finally getting back to normal sleeping and eating habits, but we were seriously messed up for awhile there.

That being said, E sleeps like a champ.  We put him down at night and don't hear him until the next morning.

His big brothers are amazing.  As I type this they are all in the living room playing.  He's hugging Corban.  Corban particularly is extra protective and caring.

E drinks out of a regular cup like a champ.

Tickling 3 boys is harder than just 2.

Marjorie having maternity leave until February is AWESOME!!!!

We COMPLETELY appreciate everyone respecting our nesting.  He is doing great and we're going to start venturing out more in the next week or two.  You're gonna love this little dude.  Just don't get between him and food and you're safe......because he gets cranky when it's time to eat and he doesn't have food in his mouth.

HOME!!!!!

Yes.  We're home.

It was a great trip.  We have our son.  FINALLY!

We have lots to tell you about.  LOTS.  We plan on having a bunch of posts here over the next little bit to fill in some of the story that is important.

We're all pretty tired.  E is a bit sick.  There is LOTS of adjustment that is going on....for all of us. 

I would encourage you to re-read a post we put up at the beginning of November called Nesting and Cocooning.  The Cocooning part is particularly important right now for us.  We know you're all excited to see us and E....we are going to need some time and space to work on our attachment. 

We promise to take pictures and keep you as updated as we move throughout this coming weeks. 

Nesting and Cocooning

Most pregnant women go through "nesting"  to prepare for their child.  The idea of "nesting" has actually been studied and there's some evidence that lead some to believe it's an actual instinctual behavior much like birds.  The need to get things ready, to fix and clean things.

I can tell you, without a shadow of a doubt in my mind, that nesting is not limited to pregnancy.  With each of our adoptions Marjorie has nested.  I mean MONTHS ahead of any possible time a child could come home, she's getting things out, putting up decorations, getting out blankets, and toys and clothes.  We have to get ready.  She couldn't wait for me to help set up the crib, no it had to be done months ago, and all the blankets she and others made for Elias went immediately into the crib. Little toddler toys were out weeks ago. 

But there's something else that is written about in the adoption community-it's a little different.   Cocooning.  Cocooning is a period of time where intense care and bonding happen.  The idea is to kind of close up social shop and just spend very very intentional time with your new child.

If we're honest, we weren't the best Cocooners with Corban.  We were new to parenting and adoption.  We didn't realize how much one on one time he needed with us.  We didn't do horribly....but we could've done better.  We didn't want to say no to people when they asked if they could stop over to see him....or just showed up at our door.  They had waited with us too.  He needed way more alone time to adjust to being a family and new stimulation.  Once when our parents were visiting, Corban had enough of visitors, so he took Marjorie's hand and led her to his room.  What he wanted was to sit in the rocker with her for awhile and have alone time.  So she did that with him till he was ready to visit again.  With Tobiah we had a week alone with him in the isolation room at the hospital, so it happened naturally.  

We are preparing you now for cocooning.  When Elias comes home, be prepared to see us less.  We are going to be bonding with our child, meeting his every need as best we can, making up for the past 2 years, growing trust and making sure he knows we are here for him.  Just because he is home, doesn't mean he is prepared for all the new things in his life.  He needs time to adjust to a lot of new things.

We will be limiting visitors.  Elias might not go on all the outings right away, like to the store or library or church with us right away.  We might need to miss some events and large gatherings.   Please understand and respect that as we move forward. We'll be coming out of our cocoon slowly and tentatively, trying out the new surroundings and sometimes retreating.  This time for him could last anywhere from 2-6 months.

We can't wait for you to see him!  We know you've waited and prayed for him to come home for a long time.  We'll make sure to post pictures, so you too can rejoice in him being home.
And while we need to be the primary caregivers for Elias, we'll need breaks too, to refresh from intensive parenting.  Thanks for supporting us in this stage of our adoption journey as well!

Corban's Gotcha Day

 July 13th is Corban's Gotcha Day.  For those who don't know what that is....it's the day we "gotcha".  So 7 years ago this past Saturday, Marjorie and I met a scared, tired, hungry Corban in Dulles Airport in Washington DC.  The first few days were rough.  I seriously can't believe he's been part of our family for 7 years....it seems like yesterday.  I can't imagine our family without him.  He went away a few weeks ago for his first overnight camp for two days....and the house just wasn't the same....the energy level was decreased by A LOT.

So every year we celebrate our boys Gotcha Day.  Different adoptive families celebrate in different ways.  We don't give presents.  We "do something" together as a family.  Usually this has meant a fun relaxing day with some mini-golf and ice cream and a nice dinner.  This year we did something different.

(This is kind of in two parts so make sure you follow all the way down.)


So last year my parents were given a gift certificate to the Gateway Clipper fleet in Pittsburgh for a river cruise....for the entire family.  It's taken all of us more than a year to coordinate schedules and make it happen.  So my parents, my brother and his family, my aunt and uncle, and my roudy brood, set off on one of their boats for lunch and tour up and down the rivers around Pittsburgh.

IT WAS AWESOME.  The kids had so much fun on the boat.  Corban, our creative one, was a pirate, firing cannons at every water craft out on a gorgeous afternoon.  The kids touched every corner of that boat.  In fact Marjorie and Tobiah almost were in the control room....that they were suppose to be in.

One thing I learned was that the fountain at the point doesn't use water from any of the three rivers but from an underground glacial aquafer.  How cool is that?

Now....my parents are looking for a new home.  My dad retired back in January, and their entire married life (39 years) they've lived in a home provided by the church that they've served.  So they're looking for their first house.  Which means....that this is probably Corban's last Gotcha Day at Grandma and Pa Pa's.  This is significant because his very first Gotcha Day was at Grandma and Pa Pa's....so we have some special photos of that first day or so at their house.  So we decided to recreate those pictures this weekend (we also did two pictures of Tobiah from when he came....you'll remember that we immediately went to Children's Hospital with him....so we don't have many at my parents house.....we're gonna hold off on Tobiah's pictures till later.)

So below is the original picture, then the new picture.  We did our best.

This next picture is significant because it's the first time Corban felt safe enough to let anyone other than Marjorie or I hold his hand.

Love you C-digs.