Maima's Official Gotcha Day # 1

One year ago on August 28th Maima came to live with us. I remember that scared and angry child coming to live with us. She came off the plane in her pretty dress and her white dress shoes that must have really hurt walking through the airport all day. As she was released to me by the airport personnel her face was frought with fear and uncertainty for a new family and the unknown. That long and most certainly scary day is her official "Gotcha" day! It seems a million years ago now as she is so much a part of our family we could not imagine it any other way today. I am pleased to say these days her face is mostly filled with smiles (and braces).

In celebration of Maima's special day we took the quads and ventured beyond our backyard for the first time with the kids. To make it even more daring we went somewhere we have never been before. When we lived in California (pre-kids) we knew all the great places to go and even though we did not have kids we knew the trails well enough to know those that would be great and safe for kids. Here in Oklahoma, it is all foreign and foreign trail riding is scary, especially with kids! Today was filled with a lot of emotion, fear and tears, joy and laughter and victory as the kids conquered things they have only dreamed of before. Lorea and I were both like mother bears protecting our young. Sometimes that included growling a bit to get them to listen (Akins seems to be especially challenged with this lately)so as not to get hurt. In all, we came away unscathed with the kids bragging a bit about how well they did!


A group shot!

Akins looking pretty tough

and all grown up. Okay, maybe not!

All that ridin', dirt and fresh air makes one hungry for bananas!

Gotcha Day # 3

On August 7, 2010 we celebrated our 3rd year with Akins. This is the day Mom and I arrived in Liberia and in the dark I took this scared little boy away from all he had ever known. It is impossible to explain all we have been through and all that has been learned or accomplished. A friend recently reminded me of the Santa letter I wrote the first year. The letter was intended to support the requests of me and all the other Mom's of kids from Liberia. It was rittled with things like stopping the constant flushing the toilets and incessant needs to flip light switches (without going into detail everyone with kids from Liberia or likely any other 3rd world country know what I am talking about). I have taken that list and revised it to what is remaining on there. Here it is...

• I wish for just 10 minutes each day to elapse without hearing the
bleating cry “Mommy come”.
• I wish to be able to take a shower or use the toilet without an
audience. (working on this one)
• I wish for all hand dryers to be made the same in public restrooms to
eliminate the curiousity as this would be a definite time saver for me.
(we really do need to speak with the manufacturers of these things)

We definately have made much progress!!!



He has gone from.....this sad, scared little boy

to embracing me willingly for our first hug!

to leraning how to ride a scooter during the first week in America

to getting to see friends from Africa all safe and sound in South Dakota just a few weeks after getting here

to becoming an impressive swimmer who can hold his breath forever

to that funny, entertaining boy we all now know

to....this handsome young man!!!

Death by Karaoke

I gave Lorea a Karaoke machine for her birthday. I know sounds cheesey, but she likes to sing! Of course she is usually willing to share her toys. The singing bug seems to run in the family as the kids will complain when she says she is going to do it, but the next thing I know is I am subjected to 2 to 3 hours of ummmm.... let's call it family entertainment. Akins is below after a long, hot rockin' living room concert.



Being a rock star is hard work!

MUAA Reunion 2010

Once again we had the pleasure of hosting the annual MUAA reunion. This is my sanity week. The week that I get to find out if I have fully lost it or if things are right on schedule. It turns out I am as sane as the rest of the MUAA members. That puts me in very good company!

The week started out with Tarry (Maima's sister) coming for a little one on one time before the reunion got into full swing. The greeting was frought with anxiety, fear and uncertainty. Both girls were very cautious and it took a little time to warm up. After a quiet start in the car with no one talking I cranked on Disney Radio and soon they were talking music...


A little shy and scared...


Cooling off and having fun!

Silly putty is always good for fun

Sharon's clan arrived first.... and off to the pool they go to do some great tricks

The next morning Sue and Scott and the rest of the group arrived

The kids are funny... pool, tramp, bikes, pool, tramp, bikes, pool....

The little guys hanging in bed

Fashion show night - Left to Right - Princess, Maima, Jemama, Abegail and Tarry

Kids everywhere!

Eman the Muscle Man

Lotion anyone?

Mathew the tour guide on his row boat

Group shot - Left to Right - Tarry, Abegail, Akins, Eman, Matthew, Jemama, Maima and Princess

Scott and the boys playing with the DS

The little guys getting in a few last hugs and punches

Sue trying to sneak one more big sloppy kiss from Akins

Then time to say until next year.....

and one final hug before the doors close and the car drives away... see ya soon!

Family Reunion July 4, 2010

As is now a tradition we hold a family reunion each year over the 4th of July. My sister comes down with a pack of nieces and nephews and we play and play and play. The story starts with a plan for Tammy to bring Claudia, Shayne, Landon and that's it. But.... when Tammy arrived at my niece's house there stood Aleyia with her packed suitcase. Basically, Aleyia had her own plans, and they were "I'm going". So. there were four! Even still a milder version of last year's events. Amanda is in school so she and her youngest Haley stayed behind and my cousin Paula's son had a baseball tournament the same weekend and well Del and Sondie said "uhhhh, I think we will pass". I think all the kids last year about did them in.

Here are some of the highlights....



The first day it rained, but hey who cares! It's hot. It's wet. Duh!

Shayne and Landon chillin' lookin' like they are wearing lipstick

Tammy and Mom havin' a moment. Mom lookin' like she is ready to make the big escape

Karaoke Night

Shanye looks like he would rather be about any where else

One of the many feasts

How many kids can one fit into a house?

Well, that all depends.

If every couch and chair in your house folds out....

LOTS!

Quads are always a highlight and now we have 4 of them...

Ready for the firework display!

and just plain ole' being silly!

It's Official!

Maima Hawa Knupp - Born May 9, 1998!

Adoption complete, check....
Birth date changed, check....
Name changed, check...

Valerie mother of two, check..... (two kids I can thoroughly screw up. yikes!)


Now all we have is re-do passport, get new birth certificate that reflects all the changes and order a certificate of citizenship and we are DONE!!!!!

Zachary 12/15/93 - 5/27/2010

It came time to say good-bye to my dear friend and long-time companion. The kids and Lorea had all grown to love this little man. Until the very last moment he had a free spirit and unbelievable positive outlook. Needless to say we are sad and I will miss him terribly.

As a young man!

Christmas 2009

May 26, 2010

May 26, 2010