Hello to all from the Grant Family! It's hard to believe that we have been a family of eight for three weeks now, and it's also amazing how quickly the boys have begun adjusting to American life in such a short time. Here are some highlights from the last week...

The biggest thing us stay-at-homes accomplished was to take the boys to go see Dad's work- the CHP office at Benton airport, which included a tour of the helicopter, police car, and a look at the airplane. The boys  enjoyed pointing at and trying to push every possible button on the control panel. They liked the loud siren on the police car and Ethan is now a Jr. Cadet with a siren on his bicycle at home. While we were there one of Dad's co-workers drove up in his Corvette. I guess all boys love of sports cars is universal because, when the man drove away, Ethan proclaimed in an admiring voice, "Car go fast!"

Here are some pictures of the visit...

One happy little five-year-old!

Levi loved pointing out the airplanes coming up or down the runway

Future pilot in the making?

Like father, like son!

'

First "family of eight" photo op by the helicopter

Ethan, who has particular clothing ideas, was very eager to wear a tie he saw in his dresser drawer. After Mom bought him a dress shirt, both Ethan and Dad decided to dress up for church this week. Ethan seemed quite pleased to match his daddy.

The real 'Grant' coming out!

Our new 'normal' family! The boys love being outside, but the heat wave this week might make them reconsider. 106 degrees today!

Levi Yishak is a stubborn little stinker sometimes, but GOLLY is he cute! Today I handed him a cup of water, which he immediately dumped all over the recliner, ottoman, and wall. I told Levi in a serious voice, "Levi, you know better!" He responded by looking at me with a charming grin, threw his hands around my neck and gave me a wet kiss on my cheek (For the record, be careful when this one smooches you. His kisses are a mile wide and twice as slobbery!).  As the picture below exemplifies, he takes his punishments with a grin and a happy-go-lucky attitude. Not very penitent looking, is he?

Levi on his 'time out' mat

Mom snapped this because she said Levi looked like Ray Charles

So far the Grants are doing better with every passing week. Please continue to pray for good sleep, as the entire family has been lacking in that area, and thank you so much to all who have been praying for us! We appreciate all who have supported us in so many ways during this adoption!

Thanks again to everybody...

Savannah for the Grants

What we take for granted

Levi

Ethan modeling his new swim wear

The last two and a half weeks have been full of moments where I watch the boys experience something fun and new as they get used to their new life here in America. As I see their reaction to these things,  I am reminded how blessed my life has been and reminded of the "privileged" upbringing our girls have had... as just about everyone in America has been privileged to enjoy also. We take for granted that our kids will be involved in swim lessons, music lessons, have the opportunity to play on safe playground equipment, etc. These are all luxuries our new boys have not had in their lives thus far. Yesterday we were able to introduce the boys to a pool... a small inflatable pool for Levi (until we make sure he has no intestinal issues to pass along), and an above-ground pool for Ethan. Both boys took to the water like fish, joyfully putting their faces in, rolling around,blowing bubbles and giggling with delight over the entire experience. Watching their delight made me realize that I take so many blessings for granted. I desire to continually go through my life with an attitude of thankfulness, but that attitude is so easily lost in the details that make up our days. Today I am particularly thankful for: clean water, abundant access to healthy and delicious food, a clean and safe home, air conditioning on a hot day, a husband who has a job which provides for all our needs, four happy children who have not had to experience tragedy and grief, two new boys who have had to experience tragedy and grief and yet continue to press on courageously, laughter, the never-ending mercies and blessings of God.

With a thankful heart, Alison

Family Meal Time Funnies

 Mannerly meals have been the source of much parental instruction in our household, and all members of the pre-adoptive Grant Family prepared themselves to set the finest example in Emily Post-style eating for our new siblings.Unfortunately, mealtime manners are considered highly overrated by our new brothers.

Levi Yishak particularly enjoys the delicate art of seeing how much dinner (or breakfast or lunch or snack) he can get on him, on his tray, or on the floor. Despite this interest, however, he has been the source of many (suppressed) giggles around the table due to his cute antics. Although he isn't usually initially willing to taste anything new, he does partake of favorite foods with zest- e.g., loudly proclaiming "Mmmm-MMMMM-Mmmm!" repeatedly. Levi also likes holding or touching Dad's arm during meals (a preference which the latter may not necessarily care for due to the formers grubby paws!). Last night this little guy reached out, grabbed Dad's hand, held it to the side of his head and proceeded to rest quietly on Dad's hand for the next several minutes. After that Levi took to exuberantly kissing Dad's hand and as far up his arm as he could reach. The rest of us could hardly contain our giggles!

Ethan Gezahegn is better at keeping his food on his plate but hasn't been instructed in the finer points of manners either. Nonetheless, he too has been keeping us giggling with funny expressions in responses to different foods (ranging from "yummy!" to severe puckering of mouth and eyes) as well as his adorable accent and use of English words. While he quickly has picked up mealtime words such as "please", "thank you","yummy", and "excuse, please", we are unaware of exactly how fast he is learning and were surprised at dinner a few nights ago. It was the first meal he seemed to really enjoy... BBQ chicken, homemade macaroni and cheese - the first cheese product he has eaten/enjoyed -  and green beans. He cleaned his plate for the first time, and when Oreos and banana bread were passed around for dessert, he cried out, "Oh, yummy! Please, give me these!" Bread continues to rank as the boys' favorite, and Ethan will usually call out, "Dabo - YUMMY!"

There is rarely a dull moment these days around the Grant Farm, and mealtimes are no exception! 

Bon Appétit!

Victoria for the Grants

Hello all! Here is a 'photo update' of week two...

Cute little boys!

Ethan Gezahegn helped us out with some gardening in the front yard

Ethan loved his new pool floaty- he held onto it for at least an hour before we even got in the pool!

Ethan Gezahegn discovering the joys of shaving cream

This little guy loves the outdoors

Enjoying the slide...

We love this boy's grin!

Levi Yishak learning how to drink out of a drinking fountain

Silly face!

Levi Yishak loves to help... here is him helping Victoria with the horses

 

One week and counting!

It is difficult to believe one week has passed since Mom, Dad, Ethan Gezahegn and Levi Yishak walked into the Sacramento Airport terminal and we were suddenly a family of eight. And we are so encouraged that we have survived the first week! Hurrah! Here are some pictures and an update from week one...

Levi Yishak has been improving a little bit every day in the eating department. He is becoming more loving every day towards Mom and Dad- today he willingly ran to welcome mom with a big hug when she arrived back home from taking all the girls to a piano recital. He is napping well every day but has been having some troubles staying in bed at night, both before he falls asleep and waking up in the middle of the night or early morning and wandering around the house. One night Levi had apparently gotten up and was walking around the house. Dad heard him so he got up out of bed to go find him. What with it being the middle of the night and dark, however, he couldn't see Levi until Levi ran out from behind the sofa giggling!Yikes!

Ethan is also improving with regards to eating... he is learning to try 'just one bite' to see if he likes things, and generally, he does. We've been surprised how both boys will not be willing to try so many things on looks alone, and then end up saying "yummy!" after just the first bite. We've also been impressed with how many  English words Ethan is learning by just listening. The first few nights at bedtime he would lay in his bed solemnly and just cover up with his covers. Two nights ago when we started singing our final bedtime song, Ethan began to sing the song all by himself, in English with an adorable Ethiopian accent...

"Good night Yishak! Good night Yishak! Good night Yishak! It is time to say goodnight!" and then he proceeded to sing the rest of the song with us, naming the different family members, all in English. It was cute! 

Ethan is pretty moody, especially when he doesn't get what he wants. He switches very quickly between being very cute, giggly, and agreeable to pouting and becoming very sullen, but he is beginning to learn how respond properly to disappointments. He is a bright, silly, fun boy most of the time and is quickly becoming a part of the goofy Grant Gang!  

Ethan saw a picture of Levi sleeping on an earlier post and wanted me to take one of him going "mata-mata"- so I did!

Is that not the cutest face ever?!

Our handsome little boy!

Here is Ethan 'helping' us 'wind' up the hose :o)

Both boys have been having fun playing in the sand with new toys

Please continue to pray for our family -  the adoption process is wonderful, but also difficult, and we appreciate the continued support and prayer from all our friends and family!

Savannah for the Grants

Day 4

Hello all! Here is the latest and greatest news from the Grant clan:

Ethan Gezahegn, who loves dipping his hands and arms in the pond to splash water, leaned a wee bit too far over the edge and fell into the pond!He managed to keep his head above the water and was quickly pulled out without any permanent damage. He was not happy for a quite a while in spite of the fact he was quickly rescued by Victoria and given a warm shower by Dad.

Ethan has taken a liking to riding the small electric car (a hand-me-down meant for Levi), which makes an amusing sight- his knees come up to his chest but he manages to drive it with the motor straining.

The boys are continuing to explore new foods...tonight's favorites were hamburgers, corn on the cob and baked beans. We also have to teach what NOT to eat- we had to pull out a long strip of pink construction paper from Ethan's mouth last night which he was contentedly munching on.

We are hearing some more English words from Ethan, such as his rendition of American numbers this afternoon while playing hide-and-go-seek: "One, two, twee, four, five, six, seben, eight, nine, eleven, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty!"

Levi Yishak has been keeping us amused with his antics. For those of you who know the Barney "clean up" song you can appreciate Levi's Ethiopian rendition... "Clean up! Clean up! Ebey ebey ebey ebey! Clean up! Clean up! Ebey ebey ebey ebey ebey!"

At some point during his stay at America World, Levi learned some American numbers, which he recited as he stood on the ottoman. As he stood there, preparing to impress us all with a mighty jump off the ottoman, he yelled "One, twoo, twee!" (Once again, you must picture this in an adorable, hard to understand, Ethiopian accent). It was pretty darn cute!

Of course, not everything has been rosy... we've had some arguing, a couple fits, and one complete melt down, but we're (or in all fairness, Mom and Dad are) working through these things, and it's been neat how fast the boys are learning. Thank you for all your prayers!