Seek The Substantial

This is a short preview of Fitsum’s Halloween costume, which is a penguin. The first photo is just Fitsum in a hat.

Even more towards the tail end of September, we went to Randy’s farm in Bogata, which means no internet access and a few photos.

No big deal yo, just hanging out on the zip line.

Hello.

Zoey.

Happy.

There is also a photo of Sweet Sweet on my phone that isn’t online and I’m not sure why. Will update when I can.

Found it.

Let’s do some catching up.  The homecoming parade was from the tail end of September. I have no idea who Kaufman even played. Mom and Dad were both there.

Going after candy.

On September 25, 2013, the DGM, the agency in charge of issuing exit letters for adopted children, was shutdown for a year. The DGM initially stated that they would not be issuing exit letters so that children could leave the DRC for a period of 12 months in order to control adoptions in the Democratic Republic of Congo. That 12 month period has now passed and the DGM is now stating that they will not be issuing exit letters until further notice. This is a little unsettling but we are just trying to stay positive, have faith that eventually we will bring “Y” home, and remain patient.

We were told that we have passed court in the DRC but we have not received the “Act of Adoption” which is a document needed for us to apply with the US government in order to bring “Y” home from the DRC. We did receive word a few weeks ago that “Y” had malaria but he was put on antibiotics and is feeling better.

So for now, we wait and pray for a little boy that is an ocean away and in our minds, is our son.

Last weekend was Miranda’s birthday and she wanted to go shopping for supplies for her new school room, fabric shopping, lunch at Ali Baba’s and then hanging out at Klyde Warren Park. You should not be surprised to know that there are not any photos of shopping for school supplies or fabric shopping.

We had no extra clothes, but if he’s cool with it, then we’re cool with it.  

My beautiful wife.

Happy.

This was take-1.  Fitsum still likes to make this an issue.  I also realize now that I should have framed the photograph better, but I didn’t.

And take-two.

For the first time in about two years, neither Miranda nor I were going to be with Fitsum for the night. We decided that it was time to spend a night away from Fitsum.  We’re not all that sure about whether or not two years is normal or whether or not a two year time period is appropriate.  We both felt like that if we didn’t take a night away, it might never happen. Thanks to Miranda’s good-thinking, we booked a hotel room at the Magnolia Hotel in downtown Dallas and we were on our way to a day away. As an aside, I decided it would be best for me to mow that morning, so I was on the mower from 7:30 am until 9:45 am, complete with weed eating.  We were to be at my parents’ house at 10:00 am.  It was quite the rush just to fit all of that in before we left.

Our first stop was to Pecan Lodge in Deep Ellum.  When we arrived shortly after 11:00 am, there was already a fairly substantial line and it was already hot outside.  It wasn’t that big of a deal, but it was still pretty darned warm for 11:00 am. We shared lunch, which consisted of some divine brisket, pork ribs and sausage that was fantastic.

Next stop was the Deep Ellum Brewing, Co. We were expecting a real tour of the facilities, but it was really just a guy on a microphone talking about the process of making beer, so that part wasn’t that great. The real fun involved the $15 entry fee, which included a glass and we each received 3 beers. This was more than enough beer and we ended up having a pretty fantastic time talking and people watching.  We don’t get out that much, but we saw a ton of folks that we just don’t normally get to see in Kaufman. As mentioned about waiting in line at Pecan Lodge, the worst thing about this was that it was over 100 degrees that day and we stood and sat in the shadow of what looked like a place to store some water. It was crazy hot, but we still had a good time. This would be pretty stinking awesome in the fall when the weather is a bit cooler.  We talked to some guys that were in college and speaking for myself, I felt old.

We arrived at the Magnolia Hotel. We were on the 21st floor and the views were pretty amazing.

Later that night, we had dinner reservations for Hattie’s in the Bishop Arts District. We’ve lived our entire lives in Dallas area for the most part and neither one of us had ever been to this area. This was the appetizer, fried green tomatoes and a crab cake.

This is Miranda and I’m a lucky guy.

This is the rest of dinner, which was fantastic.

Pretty cool.

The difference is amazing.   After two short years, you look at me to take a picture.  You’ve never trusted me with your eyes.  You’ve always looked away.  Even now, you look away from me.  And don’t get me wrong.  It’s okay. I understand. I still have to earn your trust.  We’re not done bonding just yet.  This really though was typical of what we could expect when asking you to smile at me to take a photo.  You always looked down and you always looked away

That is until recently.  You look me in the eyes and you smile at me and it makes me happy.  This happened within a week.  

You smiled at me. You posed for me and that’s a really good thing.  You can see those teeth and you can see your smile.  As an aside, the legos on the chair are what you call “RejectaBots” and it is from the movie Wall*E.  One day, we decided that we would build RejectaBots and so you did.  

The first and most current photo is from earlier this week where we had, of all things, the most pleasant two days in the month of July that I can ever recall.  The temperature was in the 80’s and we sat outside and watched you play for two days.  You played in the mud and the dirt and you smiled at me.

It rained the other day, which means that the dirt pit has become a mud pit, which makes Fitsum even happier.  Truly, he loves to play in dirt and mud.

As you can see, he has decorated his rock wall with mud because that’s what he likes.  He adds the mud and dirt there purposely.  One day, I’ll have to ask him why he likes to do this. For now, it’s pretty cool.

Yesterday afternoon the weather was simply delightful.  There was a nice breeze and the temperature when I arrived home was near 85 degrees.  So, after dinner, we headed outside to play.  I should preface this by saying that Fitsum has decided to make the area under his fort a pig sty.  He likes being in and covered with dirt.  He likes putting mud (when it rains) on the walls and posts.  I have no idea why, but it makes him happy.

And then we played soccer for a bit.  Fitsum is generally left-footed, but he seems to have no issue kicking with either foot.  He is also becoming long and lean.

Well, this isn’t actually just one photo, but one photo from the past few months.

T and Fitsum.

Sweet Sweet receiving Teach of the Year.

Fitsum and Sweet Sweet at Fitsum’s 4th Birthday party.

On a boat, in San Antonio.

TJ, Mia, Sweet Sweet and Fits at the Thinkery.

Easter.

At the Dallas Zoo.

TOTS Awards.

The horse races with the love of my life.

Father’s Day.

Riding bikes.

Holding hands.