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!
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