Recap - The weeks funniest moments

#1 - Akins was playing outside and decided to grab the tree limb that hangs low to the ground. He shook it because there were caterpillars on it then completely freaked out when he realized that they may have fallen on him. Lorea had him convinced they were on his head on around his neck. Even hours later he still runs if you make him think so.

#2 - At the beginning of the week Akins saw his first wild turtle (the big ones at the zoo don't count). It was casually walking through the yard. We proceeded to look at it hold it and think it peed on him because of the water they store in the shell. He thought the turtle had a rock on his back trying to make him understand that turtles have shells is not the funny part. Today, he comes running in an grabs me Mommy, hurry Mommy BIG TURTLE he says. So, I proceed to go with him thinking there is another turtle in the yard that must be bigger than the one we saw the other day. I nearly laughed my butt off when I realized the turtle he had found was a statue that sits beside the Koi pond. He thought it was real and I had to try to explain to him what a statue is and why on earth anyone would have such a thing.

#3 - The school had a clown come this week. I asked Akins if he liked it and he proceeded to tell me the clown had big hair, big shoes, big eyeballs, and big yellow teeth. I don't know about you but that is about how I picture clowns. Never did really like them.

#4 - Lorea has a pretend sneeze that she does and it she makes a noise that sounds like a horn she'll do it spontaneously and the first time she did it Akins - jumped with a start and said "Oh" real loud. Now, we can almost predict that the "Oh" will come as it scares him every time and it is almost like he thinks it is inappropriate. It cracks us up every time.

Barber or Butcher? - I am in big trouble...

Akins asked me to cut his hair which was getting a little long but certainly not out of control. Now, keep in mind I've never used those clippers before but hey how hard can it be? Well, let's just say it's almost 9:00pm and we are waiting for Lorea to get home before taking a bath, but the real reason is so that the boy will not look like he is undergoing chemo tomorrow. It is officially determined I will not be cutting hair again in this household, next time Akins asks he can wait for Lorea or a barber. I am definately more of a butcher, should have known after all once upon a time in another life I was an active member of a meat packing union. I was 17 and managed to stay on the packing side rather than the cutting side of the business, even then someone knew.

Most frequently asked questions

Q - Is he harder to understand than you thought?
A - No, I thought he might not speak any English so 1/3 English, 1/3 Liberian and 1/3 3 year old is great!

Q - Does his age seem accurate based on the birth date that was given to him?
A - According to both the Doctor and Dentist - yes we are dead on.

Q - What are potato greens?
A - Basically, spinach and other greens can not be substituted. We've tried mustard greens, collard greens etc.

Q - What name does he call himself?
A - Usually, Junior but recently he did refer to himself as Akins.

Q - How have other kids reacted to him?
A - They are a bit puzzled by his accent and so comunication is a little challenged. The next door neighbor kid is a little confused by what interests him as there are things that little boy takes for granted and Akins is still experiencing them for the first time. His cousins seemed to have no issues with him and within 30 minutes were in full swing 3 year old speak.

Q - What will you do when you go back to work?
A - Akins started daycare on a reduced schedule this week and he is doing great. Today there will be a clown visiting - we'll see how that goes.

Q - What will you tell him about his birth family?
A - Exactly what I know. Unfortunately, not much.

Q - What does he call you? Lorea?
A - I am definately Mommy and sometimes Mommy-O. We are working on Lorea being Mamma.

Q - How is he doing with the dogs?
A - Good, now. He definately has a preference for the "small" dog - Zachy. But, he loves them all.

Q - Was the process of international adoption hard?
A - Yes, very - but in part because of the agency communication being so weak.

Q - Do you feel complete?
A - Hello - I am still Valerie. Will I ever feel complete? Do, I feel more complete? Yes.

Domesticating the Adoption

After the International adoption is complete it is recommended that the adoption be redone in the U.S. The most notable reason is in the event the child grows up and commits a crime (let's hope not) he/she could be deported as not being 100% U.S. Citizen. There are two sides to this story as when we entered the U.S. through customs/immigration in Chicago the authority there told me for all intents and purposes Akins is now a U.S. citizen. Others including the agency director have advised to readopt in the U.S. Just when you think the nightmare is over it starts again.

It was no cake walk to find an attorney that specializes in this and so here is what I have been told so far. The retainer is $1500.00. The cost will vary depending on how well the Liberian adoption was handled (those of you using the same agency...well I think you know where my head is on that one).

Possibilities -

1)The adoption must first meet OK laws. So if any have changed since my homestudy was complete there could be some more work to do on this part.
2)The next most important aspect is meeting the desire of the specific judge. My attorney will conference with him or her prior to going to court to understand what he/she wants this way the leg work is done ahead of time. That will be a refreshung change.
3)If the judge is not satisfied with the documents from Liberia and specifically because Akins was abandoned and not relinquished by his parents or guardian there may be a stipulation that we will need to run ads in an effort to fine his birth parents. (GREAT :( )
4)I think I am missing a page of the adoption decree so I have emailed the adoption agency director inquiring about this. It seems there should be signatures on it and possibly a notary but that page is not there. Staple marks indicate it once was...
5)All of this may take a few months (Lovely!)
6)Official name change will be requested as part of the adoption - then SS card and U.S. passport can be applied for.
7)Once this is all done then I can file the U.S. citizen documents with the USCIS.
8)We meet tomrrow so more will be revealed.

It's all in the pronunciation

Okay further update on Junior's name. Here's the deal. Being American and thinking that we know it all, I had decided that despite the proper way to pronounce Akins which by the way in Liberian is AH-KEENS, we would say it A-kins and it would be easier on everyone. What I didn't consider is the one person who matters and that is the person who will forever be called this name and that he is Liberian and speaks Liberian. So, imagine my surprise when I tried saying it the right way one day and he answered to his name when it was pronounced the RIGHT way! Further update, after all he has been through and the fact that he is very attached to the name Junior we have decided that his name will offically be Akins (AH-keens) Junior Knupp. Sorry for all of the confusion but, this like all other things has been a part of the journey in learning and understanding this incredible little boy. Yesterday for the first time when someone asked him his name he said Akins (AH-KEENS). Eyebrows raised!

The weekend with Sue and Scott!

Wow! What a great experience. We just spent the last 24 hours or so with Sue and Scott and Eman and Abegail. On Saturday night they came over to my sister's house for a BBQ and the kids played until they were ready to drop. When Sue and Scott left for the hotel Akins cried for Eman for about 45 minutes. Bittersweet I guess. Then he finally fell asleep. This morning we met up again and first went to The Falls park here in Souix Falls and walked around the rocks for a while, then off to Thunder Road to ride the Go Karts play at the playground and climb the rock wall. For all you MUAA sisters Sue is exactly like you would expect her to be from all we know and everything she has done. It was wonderful to share thoughts, ideas and issues with someone who "gets it". Eman and Abegail are great kids and seem to be adjusting to American life and their wonderful parents really well - they are definatley keeping Sue and Scott busy! Junior and Eman had a great time playing together often holding hands and chattering away as if not a moment had passed.

First introduction to my sister's dogs, it went well.

The kids on the floor playing together. Abegail laughs constantly.

Group shot at The Falls park.

Valerie and the boys

Watching the waterfalls.

Sue and Mom hanging out.

Anxiously waiting for Go-Karts

Abby grinning from ear to ear as the Go-Kart comes to it's stop.

Lorea and Claudia headin' for the finish line.

Sue and the boys playing on the swings.

Scott and Abby

Abby and Junior swing

Junior and Eman

Abby climbs high!

Junior goes for broke.