This is our very own reality show. We might not be as exciting as TV, but we have lots to share about our home, family, pets, and friends. This blog started with our journey to bring home our son from Ethiopia. We have now brought home another sweet boy from Ethiopia.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
One Year Home...
Today marks the one year anniversary of Muluken's arrival home in America! What a very special and blessed event for the Rucks family.
Things we know for sure:
* We made it! Not that it was horrible or terrible. Just that we brought a new member into our family and for the most part, we have all grown and adjusted to have a little five year old boy become our son or brother.
* I really don't think we could love him anymore than we do. Most of the time, it feels like Muluken has been with us for much longer than a year. But then an event comes up and we are reminded that Muluken does not have that previous experience and we need to explain and introduce new things to him. (Example: Muluken has NO IDEA what a Super Bowl is or why everyone is talking about his beloved Packers maybe going to the Super Bowl)
* He has made huge strides in his communication in English. It's just amazing to think we only had a few words that we all could understand at this time last year and now, we can hardly keep up with the motor mouth! LOL! Muluken doesn't remember much Amharic but we've been asking him more words lately, knowing we need to refresh our memories for Tinsae's arrival.
* He's willing to try anything. It can be a game, dance, song, food, sport, etc. It really doesn't matter. If he gets the approval of his Mom (if it's OK to try it) he is more than willing to give it a whirl. He's found out that he LOVES soccer, football, swimming, bike riding, fishing, boating, lego building, hunting, and four-wheeling!
* We would be a VERY RICH family if we were given a dollar for every time somebody tells us what a great smile Muluken has. Since Muluken came home, people would come up to us all over, in church, restaurants, sporting events, stores, etc., and just tell us how cute he is. Nothing we didn't know...LOL!
* He loves to draw pictures, write words and numbers, read books, and continue to learn everything he can get his hands onto. He is somewhat of a perfectionist and prints everything perfectly. He likes to get his homework done and makes corrections before we can even see the mistakes.
* Muluken likes to watch football, baseball, and basketball on television the most. He will watch some tv, but nothing like the other kids. He would rather play with his legos or draw while the tv is on. He does like to snuggle with Noah under a blanket on the love seat to watch special shows or movies.
* Muluken is a very "routine" type person. I don't know if this is from the care center in Ethiopia or just his personality, but he's very particular on how and when he does things. An example of this would be his bedtime routine. He gets his pajamas from his room, takes a bath, lotions his body, gets dressed, brushes his teeth, throws down his dirty clothes, puts lotion in hair, and then goes to the bathroom right before he goes to bed. Now if only the older three would be able to remember to do all of that every night, my life would be so much easier!
* Every now and then, Muluken will tell us something new about his life in Africa. It can be something that he did or something that he had seen. You never know what he's going to tell you. Sometimes it just rips your heart out and tears it into pieces and other times, it just warms you all over. It's amazing all of the things this little boy has experienced in his short life. He's just amazing!
* Muluken's Stats after the First Year:
Favorite Color: orange
Favorite Food: spaghetti
Best Friend: Bailey
Favorite Sport: football
Favorite Sports Player: John Clay - Badgers #32
Favorite Number: 17
Favorite Toy: trucks
Favorite Subject at School: art
Favorite Season: Winter
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Favorite Day of the Week: Saturday
Favorite TV Show: Tom & Jerry
Favorite Drink: Dad's Juice
Favorite Game: Cars' Nintendo DS
Favorite Sports Team: Packers
Future Occupation: Bus Driver
Wow, he's come SO FAR in just one year! It's been a fun ride and hope to see him follow his dreams...wherever that might take him!
How can you not LOVE that smile! We LOVE you Muluken and are so thankful that you joined our family. You are a blessing to us all!
Things we know for sure:
* We made it! Not that it was horrible or terrible. Just that we brought a new member into our family and for the most part, we have all grown and adjusted to have a little five year old boy become our son or brother.
* I really don't think we could love him anymore than we do. Most of the time, it feels like Muluken has been with us for much longer than a year. But then an event comes up and we are reminded that Muluken does not have that previous experience and we need to explain and introduce new things to him. (Example: Muluken has NO IDEA what a Super Bowl is or why everyone is talking about his beloved Packers maybe going to the Super Bowl)
* He has made huge strides in his communication in English. It's just amazing to think we only had a few words that we all could understand at this time last year and now, we can hardly keep up with the motor mouth! LOL! Muluken doesn't remember much Amharic but we've been asking him more words lately, knowing we need to refresh our memories for Tinsae's arrival.
* He's willing to try anything. It can be a game, dance, song, food, sport, etc. It really doesn't matter. If he gets the approval of his Mom (if it's OK to try it) he is more than willing to give it a whirl. He's found out that he LOVES soccer, football, swimming, bike riding, fishing, boating, lego building, hunting, and four-wheeling!
* We would be a VERY RICH family if we were given a dollar for every time somebody tells us what a great smile Muluken has. Since Muluken came home, people would come up to us all over, in church, restaurants, sporting events, stores, etc., and just tell us how cute he is. Nothing we didn't know...LOL!
* He loves to draw pictures, write words and numbers, read books, and continue to learn everything he can get his hands onto. He is somewhat of a perfectionist and prints everything perfectly. He likes to get his homework done and makes corrections before we can even see the mistakes.
* Muluken likes to watch football, baseball, and basketball on television the most. He will watch some tv, but nothing like the other kids. He would rather play with his legos or draw while the tv is on. He does like to snuggle with Noah under a blanket on the love seat to watch special shows or movies.
* Muluken is a very "routine" type person. I don't know if this is from the care center in Ethiopia or just his personality, but he's very particular on how and when he does things. An example of this would be his bedtime routine. He gets his pajamas from his room, takes a bath, lotions his body, gets dressed, brushes his teeth, throws down his dirty clothes, puts lotion in hair, and then goes to the bathroom right before he goes to bed. Now if only the older three would be able to remember to do all of that every night, my life would be so much easier!
* Every now and then, Muluken will tell us something new about his life in Africa. It can be something that he did or something that he had seen. You never know what he's going to tell you. Sometimes it just rips your heart out and tears it into pieces and other times, it just warms you all over. It's amazing all of the things this little boy has experienced in his short life. He's just amazing!
* Muluken's Stats after the First Year:
Favorite Color: orange
Favorite Food: spaghetti
Best Friend: Bailey
Favorite Sport: football
Favorite Sports Player: John Clay - Badgers #32
Favorite Number: 17
Favorite Toy: trucks
Favorite Subject at School: art
Favorite Season: Winter
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Favorite Day of the Week: Saturday
Favorite TV Show: Tom & Jerry
Favorite Drink: Dad's Juice
Favorite Game: Cars' Nintendo DS
Favorite Sports Team: Packers
Future Occupation: Bus Driver
Wow, he's come SO FAR in just one year! It's been a fun ride and hope to see him follow his dreams...wherever that might take him!
How can you not LOVE that smile! We LOVE you Muluken and are so thankful that you joined our family. You are a blessing to us all!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Dad Takes the Boys to the Barber...
Noah had the biggest adjustment when Muluken came home from Africa. Noah had to give up being “the only boy”, “the youngest child” and “daddy’s shadow” all in one day. That’s rough. Noah liked the idea of having a little brother and grew fonder of having a little brother do anything he said. Noah would have Muluken help him with his chores, get up early together, play rough and tumble games, take showers together, watch television together on the couch, ride the four-wheeler together, and play the Wii and Nintendo DS games together.
One of the best things about getting a new little brother from Africa though, has to be the haircuts. Brad and I are not able to cut Muluken’s hair and it took quite a long time to actually find the right person that knew what a little chocolate brown boy’s hair should look like.
So, after attending UMOJA in Green Lake this past October, we found our new barber for the boys. The man who cut their hair at UMOJA actually has a shop in Appleton. Yeah for us! So, about three weeks ago, I ventured out with Muluken and found the shop. I was the minority. That would be the ONLY white person in the place. The man who cut Muluken’s hair before remembered us and welcomed us. We had to wait for about 20 to 30 minutes, but the smile on Muluken’s face was priceless. When it was his turn, he was all smiles. $5 later, we were all done and it looked awesome.
So, on New Year’s Eve, Brad took the two boys to the shop, Executive Cuts. Both boys got their haircuts with designs. Noah was so excited and can’t wait to go again for another new design. Check out the new hairdos:
One of the best things about getting a new little brother from Africa though, has to be the haircuts. Brad and I are not able to cut Muluken’s hair and it took quite a long time to actually find the right person that knew what a little chocolate brown boy’s hair should look like.
So, after attending UMOJA in Green Lake this past October, we found our new barber for the boys. The man who cut their hair at UMOJA actually has a shop in Appleton. Yeah for us! So, about three weeks ago, I ventured out with Muluken and found the shop. I was the minority. That would be the ONLY white person in the place. The man who cut Muluken’s hair before remembered us and welcomed us. We had to wait for about 20 to 30 minutes, but the smile on Muluken’s face was priceless. When it was his turn, he was all smiles. $5 later, we were all done and it looked awesome.
So, on New Year’s Eve, Brad took the two boys to the shop, Executive Cuts. Both boys got their haircuts with designs. Noah was so excited and can’t wait to go again for another new design. Check out the new hairdos:
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