SIX MONTHS HOME

It is hard to believe 6 months have flown by since we brought Betty and Jeri home.  It has been amazing watching them progress from toddler stages of actions and behavior to that of 7 and 9 year old little girls, all in the matter of a few months!  They went from playing games such as the Memory Game, Chutes and Ladders and Candy Land to games like Battleship, Phase 10, Life and Skipbo.  They went from barely being able to balance themselves in the water to obtaining their green band at the YMCA that allows them to swim in the deep end of the pool and not have a parent attending them!  They went from riding tiny tricycles and scoot along toys at the church playground to riding bicycles without training wheels.  They went from speaking very little English to speaking complete sentences and and cracking jokes using play on words.  Sad to say, they have lost their Amharic language though.  Betty grew 2.75 inches and gained 6 pounds.  Jeri grew 2.25 inches and gained 12 pounds.  They both grew in clothing sizes and shoes!

Their personalities have become more apparent too.  Betty is a vivacious, very stubborn, determined little girl.  She wants to be able to do everything the big kids get to do and is highly competitive.  She has a bright, captivating laugh that everyone loves.  Jeri is my little helper.  I can always depend on her to do something for me and she loves to work beside me in the kitchen.  She is kind and giving but also has a mischievous, playful side to her too.  Betty is a deep thinker and very fearful of loss.  Not surprising since she has seen much loss in her short life.  After seeing a movie where a character died of a heart attack, she told me that she would do all the work so I would not have to work hard and have a heart attack and die also.  One day I was explaining something about the Revolutionary War in America.  The next day she said "Let's pray that there is not a war here again so we don't have to leave our house."  It is usually a day or two later that I find out something I said or something she heard elsewhere has caused her worry.

Both girls are very frugal with their money.  They get a small allowance and instead of spending it on instant gratification, they keep saving and saving it.  Betty did break down once and spend hers on some candy.

Both girls are shy around others but have come a long way in using social manners.  They earned points for each effort of politeness and then we had a "Kid's Night" party when they reached their goal.  They had been wanting a kid's night for some time because they thought it unfair when they had to play outside while David and I had a few date night dinners at home.  We made a menu and waited on them while they enjoyed their favorite foods.  I love to here Betty's little "You're welcome" behind me when a stranger has thanked her for holding the door open.

They are both smart as a whip.  They catch on to games in no time at all and are easy to teach.   Betty will be attending a cottage school two half days starting next week.  Jeri is still on a waiting list.  I will be using the "Five in a Row" unit study with her at home.

The girls have had a taste of camping this summer, ranging from primitive, dispersed camping, to a national park to a state park with toilets.  They did great with all three.  They have become pretty good fisherwomen too.  Just last week they caught several little sun fish by fly fishing at a local lake.  Both girls also did wonderfully in the car for a 2 day drive to visit David's parents.  They were great travelers.  Last week they enjoyed a visit from my parents.  They were sad to see them go and could not understand why they could not stay forever.

Betty celebrated her 7 year old birthday in August.  She was so excited and exclaimed "It is the first birthday party I have ever had!"  Jeri will celebrate in September.

We have been truly blessed by these little girls.  God certainly knew what He was doing when He selected them for our family as their personalities blend in so well.  They bring us great joy.

Jumping on the Salt Flats

First roasted marshmallow.

Betty's birthday

Our little dare devil!