Gavin speaking in Benchi

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Gavin has been sharing some words in Benchi with us the past 2 weeks. Benchi is the dialect spoken in his village of Benchi Maji, Ethiopia. It is a remote village 20 hours southwest of Addis Ababa. It's amazing, though, as his English improves, his memory of Benchi is quickly leaving him. As you can see, he had to be reminded of some of the words he told us just last week. You might wonder why some of these words are included, like avocado-- he has told us that the kids would get avocados out of trees and eat them. It's one of his favorite foods.
We made this video as a way to help him remember some of his words and help other children, adopted from Benchi communicate with their parents. We'll keep working on it over the next few weeks. Here's our attempt at spelling these words the way he tells them to us.

Cow: dyant
Horse: par
Dog: kan
Snake: sahmbaht
Chicken: ahch
Cat: clue
Fish: oru
Bird: cop
Mouse: oots
Water: soh
Egg: gamool
Milk: Keej
Avocado: abacada
Sky: char
Tree: inch
Lake: Dahma
Store: Gahmahmenenohay
Car: mahkin
Grass: tarap
House: khet
Light: mahbrot
Chair: gahleep
School: tamoorahnaway
Pencil: payna
Fire: tahm
Sit: wogo
Dad: Habaou
Mom: Hiyouay
Potty: bo (short o)
Throw up: hallapnenoway
Rock: Chyee
Eyes: Op
1: Mot
2: Nam
3: Koz
4: Old
5: ooch
6: sapam
7: napan
8:niertan
9: ursen

Gavin has told us that there aren't words for "I love you, goodnight, I'm sick." We're excited for his very good friend K*** to pass court on October 8 (Please join us in prayer for successful court on the 8th- this sweet boy has been waiting for a long time for his parents to come and we all love him), come to the United States and webcam, so maybe they can maintain their Benchi language with each other.

Growth,looking different and Dr. Bowers

As I said before, all of the kids will be seeing or have seen Dr. Bowers before we move. I still remember the day we met. I had just moved home with my three 10-month-old babies, one of whom contracted RSV on the flight from San Diego to Sheridan. I was staying with my parents, while Mike finished up his last month in the Navy. She managaed to weed through their histories: preemie delivery, reactive airways, Kael's cardiac surgery and follow-up, and jump quickly into keeping my little ones out of the hospital. Since then, we have come to know each other VERY well and we love her.



At the time of that first visit, Elli was the biggest, strongest, most verbal baby. She still is the most verbal, but as you can tell from the picture, she is definitely not the biggest anymore!! It's amazing to me that three kids the same age can be sooooo different in every part of their being. Who would have thought that at 11 years old, there would be a 30# weight and 4.5" height difference between 2 of my 3? I haven't even talked about personalities, which are just about as far from the east to the west. These differences make me smile....

Sometimes, though, differences are hard for kids. Yesterday, I was reading an Uncle Wiggly story to Layne and Gavin. It was about a freckled face girl who was trying to wash her freckles off because she didn't like how they looked. Layne kept snuggling into me, closer and closer. I stopped and asked her if she was okay. She said, "I wish I had freckles and skin like your's Mommy." Being different is hard for her and I find myself wanting to shout out to everyone how much I love my little girl, so she knows, the differences in her make me smile...Adopting Gavin has been such a neat thing for Layne as she has a best bud to hang out with all day, but it has stirred up lots of questions in her own mind, as people ask, "Are they both from Ethiopia?" or "Where did you get her from?" Adoption is such a wonderful gift, but it's not always easy, on everyone involved.

Every night, we sing, Jesus Loves the Little Children. I feel like God has truly given me the picture of His love for all of His children, by putting these 5 unique, wonderful children in my family. As we sing, red and yellow black and white, I can look at each one of my children and know that they are indeed precious in HIS sight, as well as my own. I'm sure the differences make HIM smile.

Circle back to Dr. Bowers. It was through her encouragement that we were able to adopt Layne, through her encouragement and reference that we were able to adopt Gavin. It was through her encouragement that I had the pushiness to take Kael to Boston Childrens Hospital 3 years ago where he had the best cardiac interventionalist in the country. My kids LOVE her and can't wait to hug her when they see her. We are blessed.
The next two pictures are of her nurses, Stephanie and Cameo. These two ladies have also taken great care of the Sweeneys while we lived in Sheridan and will be missed when we move...(as soon as I have a picture of Megan, we'll post that too).

It's been awhile...

My sister reminded me that I haven't posted in awhile so here's a brief update on what has been happening at the Sweeney house the past 2 weeks.

1. The Jaegers visited. Their daughter, Mieheret, is from the same village as Gavin. She took the same journey, from Benchi Maji, to Addis Ababa, to America World's Transition Home, to the United States. We were in the same travel group, so it was fun to see the kids together again.




2. Gavin loves his glasses!!! He is experiencing all kinds of "firsts" and loves to wear them. He is much more outgoing and adventurous, now that he can see.





3. We have been seeing alot of Dr. Bowers lately. We're having all of the kids' physicals done before we move. Yesterday, she confirmed again, that the result from Kael's stent placement in Boston 2.5 years ago is fantastic!!! She said his heart sounds "normal," no murmur, no SWOOSHING that he always had. He's grown so much, catching up the last 3 years, that she thinks he may reach 6 feet in height!!!I can't hear that news enough. Praise the Lord for his healing touch and the doctors he used in the process!


4. Last, but CERTAINLY not least-- Layne asked Jesus into her heart two nights ago!!! I had to leave for an appointment, so Kael did some of the little one's school with them. He read several stories in the Bible to both Layne and Gavin. After he read the stories, he talked to them about living in God's big house with Him, when they died. He then explained how they get to do that. Layne called me and asked me to pray with her when I got home. What a joyous day! One of my kids helped lead another one to an eternity with our FATHER. 9/08/09 will be remembered in our home as the day Layne became a permanent member of God's family.

1st day of school and other big news

Today was the first day of homeschool this year. I was met by very excited Layne and Gavin, as they both said, "School today?" Layne's been looking forward to "real" school for the past year. Gavin loved the songs associated with our phonics lesson, wanting to sing them over and over. It was a very good start to our year.

The big kids also started, a little less excitedly, but I did hear my favorite schooling words, "Please, Mom, one more chapter!!" I love homeschooling!

Gavin needs glasses. For the past few weeks, when we pointed to something in the distance, he would say, "I no see." I thought we were dealing with a language barrier, each time, but then at Dr. Bileyu's today, she confirmed my boy is VERY near sighted and probably can't see much if it's more than a foot in front of his face. It's been so fun the past two months, to see him experience new things. I bet we'll get to see a lot more "firsts" when he can actually see things (leaves on trees, birds, animals in the distance). His vision also explains why he gets so scared and cries after church. I don't think he can differentiate all of the faces. His new glasses will be here next week...

Our offer on a house in Williston, ND was accepted today!!! I guess this is my formal announcement that we are moving. Mike started there today and we hope to join him by Oct. 1, if the house deal moves ahead. We are so excited. Mike will be the Regional Manager for Enercrest and should be HOME EVERY NIGHT!!! After 6 months of having him only home on the weekends, I can't wait to live together again.

Finally- a huge PRAISE and thanks to Pastor Tony. He felt called to ask for those of us who needed healing to stand yesterday in church. I have no idea how many people laid hands on me during that prayer time, but today I woke up feeling better than I have since before we went to Ethiopia! I'm officially off my meds (for 2 days) and so far so good. We will definitely miss our Cornerstone Family, in Williston- what an amazing Body to be a part of these past 4 years.

I think that's about it- it was a very full day and full of so much joy! God is good!

Happy Friday!

We are rejoicing today with yet another family who passed court and will travel to bring their son home. Congratulations Phillips!

Today Gavin is playing with our dear friends, Timmy and Sylvia Brown. He met them last night and is having the time of his life running through the sprinklers with them. We love the Browns and have missed them terribly when the were in Alaska all summer-- so nice to have you all home and see how warmly your kiddos embrace Gavin!!

How adoption has blessed us TWICE!

This video gives you a glimpse of why we love adoption. First, without us knowing it, God put plans in place for us to become foster parents. 5 days after certification, we brought Layne home and our lives were forever changed. Loving her so much gave us a tiny glimpse into our Father's heart. Fast forward 3 years-- I begin to hear God's gentle prodding to bring home another child. When we started the process, I thought we would be bringing home another baby. God changed our hearts and we are forever grateful to welcome home Gavin, an orphan no longer.

My heart is so full, with love for all of my kids. I would be lying if I said the road to Ethiopia was completely easy. Compared to what other families have had to endure to bring home a child, though, our ride was smooth. However, it was a complete leap of faith that brought us to the point we are at today. (5 great KIDS!!)
Our new friends, Billy and Cindy Foote recorded the original version (Billy wrote it) of the song used on the video and to me completely sums up the heart of adoption. It is a surrendering to God's will and his commandment to take care of the widow and orphan.
"If I say I love You, I will do as you say. I will Obey you, and surrender all." Surrendering to His will is not always easy, but is always worth it!

Obviously, the Mama is going to brag a little here...the lead vocal on this version is my Elli, with Janika playing the guitar and singing back-up. Thank you Billy and Cindy for being on this journey with us and loving orphans like you do. Thank you for the amazing music you write that helps us worship our Lord and thank you for sharing the chords with Janika so she could learn to play the song!! You are a gift to us.

If anyone wants to hear more great Foote music go to billyfoote.com You can purchase any of their CDs there and hear them sing "If I say I love you." It's on the CD, All the World to Me.

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Coffee Factory In Ethiopia

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It's taken us awhile, but we finally got the Coffee Factory pictures up for all of you to see. Now that the girls know how to put these videos together, we'll let you all see a glimpse of Ethiopia.

Ethiopia is the birthplace to coffee and our field trip to the coffee factory was one of our best trips all week. It was fascinating to see all of the women sorting coffee beans, and watch the roaster roast the beans. You can almost smell the beans through the pictures!