a wonderful life

Readoption Day.

June 2nd twenty-eleven.

The day everything became officially official.

Yemeserach Zahara became a U.S. citizen.

And we signed away on every last piece of paper necessary to finalize our adoption here in the states.

You see, Yemi actually became a Harrington back on May 10, 2010 when we passed court in Ethiopia.

Between that day and now let's just say there have been a whole lotta hoops to jump through to get every last document signed, stamped, filed, etc.

I understand that it just takes a while. Adoption can easily be summarized with one word, paperwork.

Whew.

I am happy, SO HAPPY to say, WE ARE DONE!

Our readoption day was a very special day for our family.

We started with an early morning appointment at the courthouse. It was a closed hearing where the judge just heard from us and our attorney. It was kind of weird to be sitting in the courtroom and hear the words, "All Rise" and then we all stood up as the judge entered the room. We had to be sworn in. It was the real deal. It felt as if it could be a little intimidating but the judge was a really nice lady. She mostly just asked us questions about our experience, our time in Ethiopia, how everyone in the family is adjusting, etc. She made us feel very comfortable and she smiled a lot, which was a good thing.

To make it extra special, our attorney had documents prepared for Kiki, Jake, & Brady to sign and date. It basically stated that they love having Yemi as a part of our family, that they love her very much and will always be her sister/brother. She is forever a part of our family. The judge asked each of them a few questions and then they signed their document. It was awesome and so tender to see them in that moment and how proud they each were to be able to take that responsibility. They have walked with us throughout our entire adoption journey and it still feels surreal at times to have our sweet Yemi right here with us.

My kids all looked so beautiful.

In the holding area before entering the courtroom.

Siblings forever.

 

I'm pretty sure their dad was making them laugh. Probably showing them his abs of steel or something.

Big sister making it official.

 

 

Brady signing away.

 

Jake in deep concentration.

 

A picture with the judge. Our hearing was short and sweet.

 

The perfect celebration afterwards...

Donnie Macs Trailer Park Cuisine.

Who doesn't want trailer park food to celebrate readoption day?

We got the best seat in the house. Inside the car!

Daddy and his girls.

Momma and the boys.

 

Yemi ordered spaghettios. She was delightfully surprised when they brought it out to her still in the can.

I think her sis may have been a little bit jealous. Kiki loves spaghettios. I'm pretty sure she'll be ordering that next time.

And of course, how could it be a celebration for Yemi without french fries?

 

 

My trailer park models.

 

 

It was a great day.

Schools out!

This was a day worth celebrating.

The first day of summer break.

Oh yeah!

We count down the days until school is out.

We LOVE summer time!

For us it means going to the farm in Kansas, going to the beach, going to Yakima, boating, camping, long lazy days, late nights, tons of swimming & tons of sunscreen, family time, bbq's, picnics, popsicles, and lots more.

It's fabulous.

We made the kids a banner to get them in party mode...because summer is one big party. It worked. First up, a "schools out" celebration. After the school picnic we went where any good parents would take their kids for sweet treats, Maverick. We loaded 'em up on sugar with candy & coke icees. Next stop, Gameworld. Nothing like partying in an arcade and doing a little bowling. Oh, and we threw in some funny photo booth pictures as well. We spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing at home, getting us ready for some nice lazy days.

Welcome to summer kids!

My wonderful husband did help out with the banner. He ran into Zurchers and cut the paper off the roll. Apparently, he thought I would cut off the ripped part. I knew it wouldn't be wide enough if I did, so I left it. Plus, it made me laugh and made for a better memory that way. It was a team effort. Thanks for your help babe!

Ugh!

I'm trying to blog a new post, but typepad is being very difficult! It won't let me upload any pictures and the formatting is all messed up. Just wanting to give you all something new to look at and read. Although, Yemi's 10 months home picture is adorable, it's time for a change. Hopefully I'll be back later with a new post.

10 Months.

This ray of sunshine and color brightens my everyday.

 

This little sweet pea has been home for 10 months.

10 months home baby!

That calls for a little celebrating.

In honor of 10 months home I thought it would be fun to share 10 things.

So, I asked her, "What are 10 of your favorite things?"

Well, that may have been a little more than this peanut could handle.

Her list went on and on and on.....

I guess I'll be sharing with you 13 things she loves.

So much for the 10 things @ 10 months home.

Yeah, that would've been too predictable.

After about 27 I had to cut her off and tell her it was bedtime. I have a feeling we would've been going all night long.

 

Drum roll please...

"13 Things Yemi loves in honor of 10 months home."

(in my little munchkin's words)

 

1. "I love that you make me food and I love beans & rice and that's my favorite."

2. "I love to color and make you stuff and make stuff and give it to someone."

3. "I love my bed and my blanket."

4. "I love my piggy bank that Nana got me."

5. "I love books, like Pat the Bunny."

6. "I love my family & I have a sister like Kiki & my daddy & my brothers like Jake & Brady & my mommy." 

7. "I love McDonalds & hamburger & french fry."

8. "I love dresses and I really love my blue dress."

9."I love my cousins...is that what they called? I love all of my family. And I love my Nana & Papa and my Nanna & Bobby. And sometimes I miss someone when I leave."

10. "I love watching movies, like Patty Cake, or Bedtime Stories, or Matilda."

11. "I love what you do to my nails."

12. "I love to swing & jump & to spin."

13.  "I love my name...all of um...Yemeserach & Yemi & Zahara & Harrington...all of um."

Off they go.

Here's Yemi,

watching the kids get on the bus in the morning and probably dreaming of the day she gets to join them.

 She misses the other 3 during the days here.

When monday rolls around she asks me to count how many days until it's Saturday again so the kids will be home.

She makes me want to kiss all over that sweet face.

 

I love her mismatched pajamas.

She has so many cute pajama sets. Do you think she picks those?

No.

She always picks the most random things and puts them together. Usually it's a pajama top and leggings.

She loves them that way. It's the little things that make her so happy. Things like reaching into a drawer full of pajamas to choose from.

She has now pretty much mastered the skill of putting clothes on the right way, instead of backwards. When she first came home she would just put clothes on whichever way they would fit. Even her underwear. There were many days when I would find that she had the leg hole around her waist. There were also many days where I would find her underwear-less. Something she just forgot. Didn't even phase her.

She loves clothes and is not at all picky with what she wears. She is crazy about it all!

She looks so cute in everything she puts on.

She rocks the silk head wrap.

It's part of her nightly apparel every.single.night.

African hair is very dry and cotton is really hard on her hair. It can actually cause breakage. To prevent this she sleeps in a head wrap and on a silk pillowcase. We probably don't need both of these, but what can it hurt? It's been helpful if the wrap falls off, which happens occasionally. It also helps to not have such a matted head of hair to work with in the morning. It saves many tears from being shed.

Anything I can do to protect that beautiful curly hair, I will do.

Laughing together.

This just makes me smile.

 

It amazes me the way these two can make each other smile and giggle.

It's with the simplest of words or looks and they are hysterical.

They share a very unique sisterly bond.

So thankful for that.

Sweet, crazy boys of mine.

After a quick trip to the store last night...

the 3 Harrington boys came home with these.

 

What a lovely surprise.

Flowers for us girls, from the boys.

The yellow ones are mine and the pink ones are Kiki and Yemi's.

They sure know how to make us girls happy and feel so special.

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I tucked the girls in bed while the boys hung out on the couch eating and watching a little basketball with their dad.

They were being goofballs in their usual Jake & Brady fashion.

After showers I caught them in the bathroom flexing in the mirror.

Seriously.

They make me laugh, so hard.

 

Daddy helping Jake brush his teeth. Or should I say, clean his face.

They make everything a game.

Hmm, let's see if we can touch our armpit with our tongue. 

Flex those muscles, baby.  

Don't even ask.

I think they were imitating a scene from "Diary of a Whimpy Kid". 

Then Jake passed gas and Brady said, "I'm outta here." 

 

Never a dull moment.

It's a heart.

This girl has a love for croutons.

She also has a love (and a gift) for finding random objects that are heart-shaped.

Today it was a crouton.

She takes after her Nana in that way.

 

Morning hair.

Hello world!

 

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Lovin' me some Yemi hair.

The fun in having siblings.

Permanent friends that get to experience life together.

 

They will always have...

Someone to build lego creations with.

Someone to laugh and be silly with.

Someone to wrestle with.

Someone to play dress-up with.

Someone to be creative with.

Someone to play basketball with.

Someone to swing with.

Someone to play in the rain and snow with.

Someone to catch bugs with.

Someone to run through the sprinklers with.

Someone to eat popsicles with.

Someone to do crafts with.

Someone to ride bikes with.

Someone to play school with.

Someone to do music shows with.

Someone to play make believe with.

Someone to share toys with.

Someone to talk with.

Someone to love.

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They will always have each other.