I look around today and see Zoie’s toys scattered around the floor, cracker crumbs in a crumbly pile on the couch and her favorite strawberry yogurt smeared on my green velvet pillow.  There’s a big box of size 4 diapers half empty, obviously an intense burst of curiosity for her pulling them out of the plastic wrap.  Our Zoie is a chatterbox.  She just learned how to say “Oie” and repeats her name over and over and over to me adding “mommy?” sprinkled in the mix.  How is it possible my tiny baby is turning 2 years old today.  I no longer feel like I missed out on the first 6 months of her life, but instead I’m grateful for each second we have been blessed to have her in our life.  She dances through her day and has energy to match her crazy curly hair.   I have to admit, I really love the craziness of two year olds.  They are unique, bundles of attitude- learning, growing, adjusting to life all rolled into adorableness.  Yep, their tempers are extraordinary, but that’s all part of the special package.  I’m feeling a little sad, too.  Zoie’s growing up fast, and I don’t have the heart to ask her to slow down.

Our love for Zoie is as intense as the first moment she became part of our forever family.  Today, I reminded her that there was nothing she could do or say that could ever change my love for her.  I love her from head to toe- no need to fix anything.  I really want her to grasp the belief at 2 years old that love conquers all.  I want her heart to believe that she is a gift and not a mistake- God made her beautiful inside and out.  Her life has a purpose and we’ll hold her chubby little hand as she runs into another year.  I know she can’t understand all of that right now, but I’ll keep whispering these truths when I rock her to sleep at night.
Thank you God for our daughter, Zoie.

Happy Birthday Zoie Senait Elise Gibson!!

I remember turning 13.

I was living in Waco, Texas and in the eight grade.  I wore big round “bug eye” shaped glasses and got braces mid-year.  It was the year 1980.  I was a new teenager living in the early 80′s.  My family was conservative, so I didn’t wear the Flashdancer digs, but I vividly recall my best friend, Jen buying me my first Polo shirt.  Looking back, I think I was an 80′s preppy nerd?  I went to a very small private school and was part of the “glove pep squad.”  I’ve been ridiculed by my children, so if you want to tease… I’m used to it.  Yep, I wore long green polyester culottes and flashed my hands back and forth, up and down at the football games.  If you are reading this and have a photo of me during my prime groovy glove days, please send me a pic!  I had a big crush on a boy name Steve.  Life was awkward and simple and fun.

Turning 16 was crazy!

I had my very first boy/girl birthday party and remember falling head over heels with a boy named Gibby who came to my bash.  He was a freshman, so I could ONLY share this secret with my best friend.  He sat on our family room couch in Phoenix, Arizona surrounded be cutie pie guests, but he caught my eye (OK he caught me starring at him)  I would have had no idea in a million jillion years we would fall in love someday, when it really counted and marry the man of my dreams.  My birthday party was the start of something really crazy!

It’s a pretty unique feat, I’ll admit to be the mom of a 16 year old, a 13 year old and an (almost) 2 year old!  I get a taste of 3 very different worlds, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.  I love that my 16 y.o. can drive and pick up my 13 y.o. now, so my 2 y.o. can take a long nap.  At 42, my 3 krazy kids keep me hopping and I’m so proud of them as individuals.  Every day I make sure I tell them I love them just the way they are.  I make sure when I mess up that I say I’m sorry.  I make sure to kiss them good-night and forgive them for their messes.  I love being a mom.  It’s the most challenging, rewarding, crazy job you could ever sign up to do.

My very favorite pic of me & Gibby before a football game (no glasses or braces)

Prom 1985

I just received a priceless gift from a dear friend, Lenka. She was in Ethiopia several months before our family, bringing home their daughter. She visited Kids Care Orphanage and took one photo that means more to us than she will ever know! Adoption has many challenges, but the hardest for me personally is the blank empty space of time that’s missing about Zoie life.  Many families choose to keep the personal information private, but what I will share with you is simply… Senait was loved by her birthmother, held in her arms for 2 months and relinquished at a police station in Addis Ababa, March 2008. Having a letter and testimony from her birthmother comes with bittersweet emotions. I will never personally be able to thank her for her love and sacrifice, but can honor her everyday loving Zoie Senait. Here is a never seen before, very first glimpse of our daughter taken on 3.20.2008 at 2.14 EST.

I have tears streaming down my face just looking at this beautiful orphan’s face knowing she did not have a mommy and daddy. She was all alone. Little did this tiny baby know that in less than a month, God would give her the family He planned before she was born.

“I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”  (Jeremiah 29:10b-11 MSG)

Kari, I am so happy it is Zoie!  She was so tiny. I remember I did not even wanted to hold the babies in that room. They were all so small. I remember standing in there and praying for all of them. It is amazing to know and see Zoie again this fall (she is not tiny anymore:) Love, Lenka

Many months ago I posted a few pics of Zoie having her “first” temper tantrums.  I’m the mom of 3, so I’ve had lots of practice dealing with these crazy, hair-raising episodes.  Zoie is now 22 months old and has started perfecting her tantrums.  She has her screaming fits down to the tee when she hears the word no, but really wants to hear yes.  She started in the past few days, throwing her chubby body down in the middle of Target, but eases her back and head in slow motion so she won’t hurt her self. Temper Tantrums are no funny business.  It’s been a long time since my 2 oldest have thrown a tizzy over a broken crayon or juice not being poured fast enough.  Hubby and I work hard on remaining calm and refocusing the bursts of rage to something fun or interesting.

I have to admit, the temper training all comes back (slowly, hey I’m 42) but it’s reassuring to know that no matter where our children are born… biologically or through adoption, they all express anger in extraordinary ways.  Wanting our own way, on our own terms is a universal display of emotions.  My biggest struggle right now, is redirecting her slapping.  Zoie shocked me when she started slapping her own face when she got super baby angry. (see Flip below-its a mild version, but you can see the change) I immediately let her know that was not OK!  In fact, now when she slaps her face… I say calmly, “No hit Zoie! We give Zoie loves!”  I showed her how to kiss her hands.  She has been giving her hands lots of kisses and hugs.  It’s working!!  Now when she wants to slap her face, she ends up giving hand kisses.  I think we are very close to bringing up the “time out” chair from the basement.  It’s a little dusty, but the chair is still in good condition (16 years old!) We let the kids paint and decorate the chair, so it will be a special and challenging teaching tool for Princess Zoie and her Temper Tantrums.  I can’t believe I actually “caught” her in the action. Enjoy my craziness.

I love learning from my bloggy readers, so any advice on taming tantrums would help this mom out.

We are so happy to celebrate all our Krazy Kid’s birthdays, but there are a few that are extra special! It’s really hard to believe we have a 16 year old in the house!  We are blessed to be his mom and dad.  Please leave him bday wishes.

We can’t believe our firstborn is turning 16 years old!!  Last night we celebrated with family and friends the coolest kid in the world! We can’t imagine spending a day without his joy and passion and love for life.  Happy Birthday Michael. We are so proud of you!

The b-day theme was the Masters!

Cool idea or what… I taped tons of pics all over the doors and fridge of Michael’s crazy fun life.

We love dressing up and going trick or treat, but the best part is carving pumpkins.

Large scary spider lost in a fro… spooky!

We love carving pumpkins!  It’s been a tradition for many years… the kids dig out the guts of the pumpkin and dad carves the face.  Now that they are older, they can make their own crazy carvings.  Zoie had so much fun sitting on the table watching in confused wonder.  Bloggy friends, I’d love to hear fun and crazy stories from your family archives at pumpkin season.