Melkam Lidet Little Man

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / 3 Comments

Yesterday Noah went to sleep 3 years old and woke up 4 years old today.  4 years ago in Debre Zeyit a 16-year-old girl, scared and alone gave birth to Hojawaka.  She loved him with all of her heart–I know that. I believe that.  We love him for you–you love him through us.  Four means a lot.  When we first picked Noah up in Ethiopia he was gravely ill–looked gravely ill.  He wouldn’t eat.  He was despondent and we didn’t know when we’d be able to bring him home.  If we’d be bringing him home.  It still saddens me to write that.  He was so sick.  But he bounced back beautifully through love.  He is amazing.  I am blessed each day that I am allowed to be his mother.  The one to raise him and nurture him.  I am also sad that his amazing birth mother (where ever she may be) doesn’t get this joy.  To know this amazing boy who will do amazing things.  This day isn’t only about Noah it’s about that scared teenage girl in Ethiopia.  We honor her today as well.

Four.  It is such a big number.  He is so excited to be four.  He has been waiting to be four since September when his best friend Sophie turned four.  Today is the day.  He wanted pumpkin muffins to share with his class. So, I baked late last night.  Tonight we are having a small family dinner at a local pizza place.  All and all it should be a great day.

Dear Noah,

Today you turn 4 (48 months old).  You have changed in so many ways since you were three.  You now can ride a bike (w/training wheels).  You can write your name.  You can spell some important words–you name, friends names, you sister’s name, zoo.  You can read STOP and we can no longer spell B.A.T.H without you whipping off your clothes and running to the bathroom.

You love to entertain and you enjoying attempting to tell a joke–which really are just silly little observances you make up and we are suppose to laugh at.  You are a sensitive boy who likes to please and doesn’t like to disappoint.  You want to be liked and don’t understand people who are mean.  You still won’t eat a vegetable unless it’s Imo’s salad at Grandpa Mikes house or Avocado.

I am in awe of the way you love your sister.  You two have such a special bond.  I hope it keeps growing in strength. You two are best friends.  I promise that at some point you two won’t be sharing a bed.  I do realize that it will be weird when your teenagers.  And because we are sending you to fancy private school–there is no money for therapy so we’ll get Bobo her own bed soon.

You have an affinity for sports–especially those that involve throwing–you have quite the arm on you for a little boy.  You love football, soccer, baseball and bike riding–first Ethiopian Tour de France winner?  Don’t tell your dad–he’s ready to pack you up and move you to England for proper football (soccer training).

These past 3 years and 7 months have been the most amazing years of my life.  To think how far you have come and how far you have to still travel.  I love you little man and am right there with you when you need me.

XOXO,
I love you
Mommy

All Things Fun

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / Leave a comment

I am reminded nearly everyday how fast my kiddos are growing.  This past weekend we went to our neighborhood Easter egg hunt.  I am reminded of how the first year we went to an Easter egg hunt I had to follow him around and help him put eggs in his basket.  Last year he was much better but then I had to follow Zoë around and put eggs in her basket and shield her from the Easter Bunny.  This year was totally different.  Zoë stalked the Easter Bunny and when it was time to get eggs–both my kids were off like a shot and filled their baskets.  Zoë even help little kids put eggs into their baskets because hers was full.  It was an awesome day but also a little bittersweet.  They are growing so fast and I’m not really sure that I like that.  Is there a way to stop that?

Noah got a new bike for his birthday and he rode it almost a mile yesterday.  My little boy who just last fall got tired riding it a few blocks.  Now–he’s all energy and boy.

It really makes me realize these are such moments to cherish as they will need me less and less as time flies on whether I want it to or not.  This is part of parenting that I just not a big fan of.

She Is Not To Be Messed With

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / Leave a comment

Zoë that is.  Or Bobo as she prefers to be calls.  I am reprimanded countless times a day when I actually address her by her name “NO.  ME BOBO.”  I laugh and tell her she might want to rethink that before she goes to school.  But she is happy to be Bobo.

To say that she is a spitfire is not adequate.  There is just not a word that I know that captures her personality, spirit, stubbornness, energy, etc.  She is amazing.  She is also super friendly, but super bossy.

When we’re at the playground she is the first one to tell someone–“No do that.  That bad.”  When they are doing something she deems unacceptable–like hitting the slide or putting rocks in the wrong place.  When we are shopping she will say hi to someone and then if they come down our aisle, she’ll forcefully say “No follow me. Me no like that.”  Most people laugh but I make sure to tell her that is not nice.  But cute at the same time.  She is a whirlwind and so full of life it is a bit scary but also refreshing.  I can’t imagine the trouble and laughter she is going to bring into our world as she gets older.  But right now she is not to be messed with.

Now He Thinks He Is Four

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / 3 Comments

Yesterday, Noah had his birthday party with his friends–just a mere 10 days before his birthday.  It is difficult planning a birthday party and ideally it would have been next weekend but the venue we had chosen was already booked for the entire weekend–they do 4 birthday parties on Saturday and 3 on Sunday.  It’s a popular place.  But the kids had a blast.  About half of his class was able to attend–his schools is on Spring break this week so many of his friends are out of town.  But it was perfect.  There were 13 kids total and it was the perfect amount for playing.

But now he is “4” and is so excited.  He has been waiting a long time to be 4.  Nearly all of the kids in his class are already 4 and his is one of the last ones.  There is one kids in his class that is younger than him–everyone else 4.  He lobbied hard in November that his birthday should be moved to December as that would be a better month.  March was just too far away.

I just can’t believe that our little man is four–is going to be four in 9 days.  I still remember it like yesterday picking him up in Ethiopia and looking at him just hoping and praying that he would make it–he was so sick and weak.  But our love helped him flourish and look at him now.  He’s amazing.  I couldn’t have dreamed up a more amazing kid. 

While in Louisville, I visited the Louisville Slugger factory and got Noah a real baseball bat–he’s been practicing baseball at home–he’s got a bit of an affinity for hitting and throwing–and he had asked for a real bat.  He was so excited and surprised to get the bat for his birthday. It’s a little big/heavy for him but I wanted to get him one he could grow into and not out off too quickly.

His real birthday is going to be a bit anti-climatic especially since the Easter Bunny comes 4 days after his real birthday.  But he certainly isn’t complaining.

On The Road

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / Leave a comment

I’m in Louisville. Attending my first 4C’s conference- the conference on college composition and communication. I hope to present my research here next year. It’s sureal to think that this world of conferencing is now a permanent part of my life. Networking and going to the right sessions, etc., are now somehow super important.

I love learning and love thinking about ways to make education better. I hope yo get a joint appointment-English/Education when I finish my PhD. Because of this Composition will be a part of this. I am finally starting to feel like I am getting a handle on this whole idea of “Academia.”