Day 11

Ok so we got the BlogSpot up and running, I apologize to all those that have not been getting the update, but we were limited on what we could sent to people.So today has been another amazing day, we had a pretty good morning. He woke up and the boarding school next door was singing and Ethan sat up and started clapping with them. It was so cute. He stayed in bed for about thirty minutes after that until mommy had to get up and then he wanted to get out the bed.We came downstairs and he ate eggs for breakfast. After eating he started walking around, and pushing his stroller. After about an hour of this I put him in the stroller and mommy pushed him around, however, he did not want to be pushed at a walk but instead she needed to run everywhere. After about 10 minutes mommy was done with this new game (the altitude is allot higher here, thinner air you know).After a little bit we realized that he was starting to get crabby so it was time to take a nap before lunch. We went up to the bed and for the first time mommy put Ethan down for a nap. It took a while but he eventually fell asleep. He slept for about an hour and half then lunch was ready and his tummy was telling him. He did not eat very much lunch, but he did drink the soup only and left the potatoes and carrots.After lunch we went down to Sam and Barb's house to play with their kids, but when we got there he became very inter-verted and did not want to play with the kids although mommy did play with them. We then made the journey back home, and as we were leaving there mommy told me that we will are not going to having any more boys, but girls only from now on.Once we got back home while Ethan opened and closed the door, mommy sat on the bed and cried out to God, "If you heal the heart of an orphan, I will take care of him." Not even 5 minutes later mommy is sitting on the floor and Ethan tackles her. They sat on the floor and played for a good 30 minutes, Ethan got all sweaty and mommy got really happy. Since that moment Ethan has been grabbing mommy more and more. It is truly amazing to the see the impact that God can have on a situation immediately after crying out for help.So now Ethan had finally figured out that he can go down stairs, we were safe letting him run around the house and play everywhere because the stairs was his stopping point, but mommy just watched him walk down the stairs like there was no problem. He is also starting to run around now, were prior to being with us he would only walk and sit in once spot. We just crawled up on the couch for the first time, so he is starting to realize that the physical limits are there to be pushed, what a boy he is...

Day 10

Another great night of sleep, and this morning when he woke up he just laid there waiting for daddy to get up. Finally, mommy got up and he was great getting up with her. He tried to get daddy to get up with both of them, but daddy refused to get to make him play with mommy. He did great, he let mommy take him potty, get him dressed and play with him. After he was ready then daddy ‘woke up’.
He let mommy feed him breakfast today too. Daddy did not sit down till he was eating and then he was ok sitting by himself and letting mommy fee d him. After half of his food was gone, he started feeding himself. So there we sat, mommy, daddy, and Ethan all eating at the same time.
After breakfast he has been doing great, we are giving him his space and then mommy just pops in to say I love you and give him a kiss or tickle him. He seems to be really enjoying it. There is no doubt that he is a two year old. We now thing that the biggest issue was that we were trying too hard and he was getting overwhelmed. We need to remember that he was not used to having any form of attention from adults at anytime.

Day 9

I was looking back through the status so far and it is definitely a roller-coaster. You can tell who is spending the time with Ethan. Looking back I realized that is has been less than a week since we have had Ethan. Thinking of that we are amazed at the progress that he has made. We are so proud and have to keep telling ourselves that it has been a week and he has been through a lot. So with that said we are so excited to see how great he will be next week.
After church we had two hour nap. It was funny because he did not want to take a nap, so he sat up in the bed and cried then he leaned against my leg and fell fast asleep. Then we were able to move him and he stayed asleep for the whole time. Mommy and Daddy slept for about an hour then were able to come down stairs, until he woke up and was hungry.
Mama Sheryl had made a pot roast with rice and peas and gravy. Ethan was not to big on eating right away so we keep his plate till he started to get hungry. This happened about 6 at night.
During the afternoon he was throwing a fit and hitting mommy and pinching her. Daddy stepped in and gave him a firm swat on the bottom and he knew exactly what it meant. He instantly straightened right up and now wanted to have mommy hold him and was great with her. After about 20 minutes he then wanted daddy again. You know the saying ‘spare the rod, spoil the child’ we had let him bond enough that he knows that we do it out love.
We did leave at 4 in the afternoon to go to the store to get more apple juice to try to counteract the 10 plus bananas that he eats every day. We then went to the clothing store to look for stuff for him to swimming in, since when daddy leaves mommy and Ethan will go to the local resort and go swimming. When we were there I seen a pair Chuck Taylors (converse all stars) and just had to buy them for him. He was so excited to get new shoes he wanted to wear them right away.
We then had a few neighbor kids come over and he shut down since daddy was playing with them and not him alone. After a while he finally warmed up the other boy and played with them. When they left we started to head to bed and he went down to sleep pretty easily. Today was the first day that he did not have any Tylenol or any pain killers. He is still on the malaria medicine but he is doing so much and not wanted to take his medicine since he realized how much better he is felling.

Day 8

Well progress finally. He did not wake up last screaming. He woke up once last night, with his legs in pain and we rubbed it them and he went back to sleep and then he slept till 6 this morning. He is a typical boy though when it comes to waking up. He is still half asleep when he is awake and tries to get up but still is so tired.
Breakfast was the first time he was not super hungry and is finally not eating as much as he can. He now trusts us that we are going to provide food for him when he needs it and he does not need to stuff himself. This is great because additionally his stomach is starting to go down. It is a lot softer and for the first time this morning when he was laying in bed it actually looked flat.
After breakfast, it was time to get a bath. So we went up the room and then he picked out his clothes that wanted to put on right away so we set them aside and started to draw the water for the bath. Well after I filled the tub, then took off his pull-up he then figured that if there is water and I am naked, I should pee in the water. So after we finished with that we bathed him. He was not sure about sitting in the water at first but once he sat down he was great. He splashed in the water then when we got the cup to rinse him off we wanted it and decided that mommy and daddy need to get rinsed off as well. So mommy and daddy got all wet as well. He splashed and played in the water for a long time and then we finished and put the moisturizing gel. He loves the gel because he gets his hands and feet rubbed. He then helped us clean up from the bath.

Day 7

well he was acting better but then got worse..so we took him in to a clinic I was not going to take the chance even though we were told with the natral med we gave him the told us it would get worse..becuse it is killing it off...I still thought even it the stuff the doc may give him will be stronger it will make him fel better sooner...20 minutes after meds he was knocked out...but they told us in 4 hours he will get worse but then he will be fine...sure enough right at 4 hours he was screaming agian but 2 hours later he back fast asleep...this was so hard seeing him in pain and him not allowing mom to hold or comfort him he would push me away...he wont let me touch him when he is tiered or hurting or if daddy is not in the room and he cant get to him he will claw,bit and pinch..this is just him mourning his old life..even though I heared it for myself that the gaurden said she nor any one would take Him...I get to be his punching bag right now..Iam so great ful is bonding to daddy with ease..but when dad is at his wits end I cant even take over....I thought I prepeared myself for this possibility but having him the first couple days accceped me and then now reject me is hard...I should be greatful I had a glimse of what is to come but it doesnt help...I cant get frustrastrated about it..I just have to be patient with this little man God has brough in to our lives...when he is playing and interacting he is a really good boy..yes he still has his two moments but he is such a joy...I cant wait for the day he will know I am not going any were no matter what... and will let daddy have a break!!!
So great news, Ethan slept till 9 this morning. I was able to take a shower and take my time getting ready. Tiffany and then talked and we decided that we would try to see what happened if I slowly pulled back emotionally and force him to rely on her more for the needs that he has. It seems that it might be working he is warming up to Tiffany. So he is now an awake only because we brought breakfast into the room. Something about food smell woke him up faster than I have ever seen. This kid sure has a sense of smell. Yesterday we tried to sneak some Advil in his snacks and he picked out the ones that had the medicine on them on it. When we asked him why he said they smelt funny, or that is what he told the interpreter. So after a big breakfast we got a phone call from David, he told me that his day was not going well and that he needed us to come into Kampala and meet him at the lawyer’s office. I asked him what was wrong and he said he did not want to tell me over the phone but instead I needed to be there in about an hour. So I told Tiffany and we both jump to worse cause scenario, but then we talked and we both know that God has us here for a purpose and He has entrusted us with this child and he would not take him away from us. With the grace that we have had throughout the whole process there is no doubt that Ethan will be going home with us.
So we called Sam and about 30 minutes later we are heading into town. We go straight to the attorney's office and the Slovaks’ are in there, and David quickly closes the door as to prevent us from hearing anything. After about 5 minutes they walked out with Junior. Ethan and Junior said hi to each other in passing. We then go right in to the lawyer’s office. The lawyer tells us that there is an issue with the guardians and that they are heading to Kampala and he will talk with them. Out first thought was to get out the room with Ethan to prevent the regress that we had seen before, but he then goes to tell us that they will not be in town till 2 pm and at this point it is 10:30ish. So David says that there is no point in us sticking around and waiting from them. But that he would deal with it and then call us and let us know if we needed to come back into town later. We then left and stop to take care of some other things for people here at the house, Ethan actually for the first time when number 2 in the toilet. We are so happy. We were warned that when they say potty trained it does not mean the he knows how to use a toilet but just knows to pull his pants down before he goes. So after that we headed home, and he fell asleep. We then got a phone call from David that the lawyer talked on the phone with the family and that all was good and that we should just have a good weekend. So needless to say that was a huge relieve and we are praising God for that. We got home and laid him down for his nap since he was already asleep and then Tiffany and I were able to have some down time to pick up. Although the down time was ruined when he woke up and we realized that for the first time he had actually pooped his pull up.
tonight was awesome are strategies is working...he is accepting me more and let me take him outside to play without daddy...also we learned the word in lugandan for say this and he is really picking up things fast..

Day 6

Today was a lot better we treated him for malaria a couple hours later he threw a huge fit and was so un consolable..we were told it was the meds killing it of it he would feel worse before better...so we started giving him pain meds he since then has been much better..also there was a man here the speaks luganda great he warmed up to ethan and told him what was going on and that we are his new mommy and and daddy..he also taught him his name..he told him when he hears his name to say yes momma...after that he warmed up to me agian..some one asked him were his mamma was and he pointed to me and asked were daddy was and he pointed to aaron..he is such a smart boy..he also is picking up english very well. he still wants aaron over me when he is tiered..but much better ...he still has his moments of attacking me..but it might be him..he also will hit aaron but not out of frustration..we are working on it..the malaria comes and goes..so somtimes we dont know if he is crying because he is sad or in pain or just being two... in all we are alot happier today.. he also took right to a potty chair so no more going out side to squat..he is also listening more and communicating more with us...we are so exited for what is ahead for our family...we also got to meet up with one of the boys his age that he grew up with..he also is being adopted and they live in LA..his friend was crying last night and when they asked him why he said that they took him from his friend bosco..their faces were price less when they seen each other...

Day 5

well we didnt get much rest last night ethan kept crying and kicking in his sleep and scraching his feet,we thought it was bug bites so we treat it for that ,but then his feet would get really hot and the only way he would stop crying was if we were rubbing his legs and feet. I got up to google what may be wrong the only thng i cant think it might be is water retention so we kept his feet elivated and they cooled down.I cant wait for him to see the doctor and find out what is wrong so we can fix it.
well it was another tear jerking day. We went to court today my heart dropped when the judge was acting and playing devils advocate he sounded as if he was not going to give us a positive ruling all I could do was pray in the spirt .bosco was a sleep for half of the hearing but when he woke up and saw his guardian he cryed and wanted to go to her this was not helping . then when they were asking the guardian question and she answered in lugandan we didn’t have one clue what she was saying .I knew God had to take over any time. Then the judge just said the ruling will be final on the 8th aaron then raised his hand to move it up I freaked out thinking the judge would get mad. He grated our ruling for the 1st . I busted in to tears as soon as we got out of the judges chambers. Then Ethan (bosco) started crying for his guardian again and did not stop until we got back to the house..He is no longer mommies boy he is all daddies boy.he will let mom feed and play with him but only if day is right there. So we had some regression but he is coming back around. It took three day for him to be happy when we first brought him back to the house .he is already playing after a 5 hours after our traumatic event. Ester the cook here has helped out a lot since she speaks some of his lauguage. when he was playing today he was saying Iam going to beat you which is what they sat to the kid to get them to obey. It breaks my heart. But I know he will come around just fine. So this is one rollercoaster Iam glad to be on. Even if there is some pain involved . he his just mourning his old life no matter how bad he had it .it is still the only thing he knew and we are the ones who took that from him... little break throughs here and there. every day he his a different boy... I hope tommorow he is better..he was doing so good before court today..regession sucks!!! but is part of the process. at least durning this time he has never rejected both of us at the same time.daddy got it first now it is mommies turn..he is reacting as any child would being taken away from what they know..I know God has us here for a reason and Ethan (bosco) has a great future ahead of him! all of the kids that were living with ethan wich were 10 pluse adults were soo lethargic no happiess or joy just existence never knowing what was out side there little village .Boscos grandfather was still there. he lived his whole life there. his grandparent were glad to see the photos of his new home and family. that was the only time I seen any emotion from any of them... they were very greatful we were going to care for him...tommorow is a new day to get to know our son and watch him grow into a great man of God!!! We are going to call him Bosco but his legal name will be Ethan John...
Well our night has not even began it is only 10pm Bosco feel asleep a 7 so we went down stairs and every time any one talked to us we would cry we are just on emotion over load…we then got our self distracted playing games on the computer then once we were fully recovered from the events from the day we decided to go to bed …then Bosco thew up in his sleep..Daddy did not handle this well. Bosco amazingly stayed asleep while we took the sheets of the bed which is great because daddy would have had a meltdown if Bosco started to scream again…well this is the final piece of the puzzle he has all the symptoms of malaria…we will get meds tomorrow..this once again break my heart..because if it took us and everyone else around us this long to figure it out then chances are high he would have died from it..This little man who Gods sent us around the world has one big destiny….his symptoms are joint pain ,yellow eyes sleepy and sick stomach…he did like his tummy rubbed but we didn’t but two and two together…well daddy and Bosco are back to sleep…for now…

Day 4

Well the day started at three in the morning when Ethan woke up kicking, pinching and hitting. We let him stand up on the tile floor were he sat down, with daddy, and we gave some snacks and after about an hour he fell back asleep. We got up at 6:30 and headed off to see were Ethan John lived for the first two years of his life. It took forever because we made several stops along the way. When we first arrived we toured the school and the drove 30 min more through the village then we finally arrived there were tons of little ones walking around. We then went to see were Ethan lived, which was behind the house along the road where the kids were playing. After we looked at his house they asked us into the biggest of the house and asked that we sit down. They then served us a meal which was rice and chicken. The chicken was two or three real chickens which is a real honor because the don't even eat their chickens, the sell them to buy things they really need. The rice was also a real treat as they normally only have it at Christmas time. Ethan's sisters got to join us on the meal, which is most likely the only time they ate all day today. The kids were not allowed to have any chicken but instead were allowed to have the broth and beans. The family also gave us soda as well which was an indication that the day was truly special day. With all that said it was meal that you pray extra hard over. We then exchanged pictures of Ethan's new home and family along with gifts for the guardian which was his auntie. They real wanted us to adopt his sister as well but first off it is not feasible, and second she tried to follow us Ethan boldly told her in lugandan to go back. He was happy to leave with us by himself, as we jumped in the car he said lets go. You can tell he knows he with us now. It just breaks my heart to see so many children living with no hope they were so lethargic and just there. On the way home we started to see him smile more and more. The other major thing is that when he cries he doesn't cry for his auntie, now it is just a cry, Praise the Lord!! We stopped to get his passport pictures and the last flash he gave the biggest smile ever, which they couldn't use for his Uganda passport because the government will not allow them to smile in their pictures. Now after a camera flash he then turns to smile so big it make my heat melt. We also get him to laugh now, yeah!!! We are back at the house they asked him to take something to mommy and he brought it to me then I told him to go see daddy and he ran right to him. Ethan and daddy are sitting across from me now read a book and learning new words. He is a completely new boy, he just went to bathroom in the toilet for the first time. He would not go in his pants. We learned that when he said fuga (lugandan for I need to relieve myself) he had to go potty. The first time he went we took him in the bushes because there was now were else. Also the word toganda means lets go which he kept saying when we were pulling away from the village, I think I am in love! Tomorrow is court and I have no worries.

Day 3

Today we got Ethan!!!!!!!!!!! We are so excited yet disappointed. You know how they say plan for the worst and hope for the best. Well we got the worst. We first of all meet with the lawyer and he sound so optimistic about the whole process. When we finished there after watching David argue with the lawyer's receptionist over payment and receipts we went and exchanged money to the Ugandan Shilling. With an exchange rate of 1 USD to 1620 UGX we exchanged 400 and are close to being a millionaire, weird. We Then went over to David and Jamie's house and waited for the longest 15 minutes of our life. Then Ethan John Bosco showed up. The transition was the hardest part of the whole day. First off he doesn't speak English nor does his guardian. Nothing had been explained to Ethan so all of a sudden these white people were there trying to get him to sit down with them. After giving him a ball and sweets he was OK with us sitting next to him, but not touching him. Finally after much time and stress we were able to pick him up with him crying the entire time. We then took him outside to see if he would maybe play with us and his new ball. He would have nothing to do with that and continued to try to head back into the house. After about 15 minutes of him balling, hitting, pinching and doing everything he could to get back inside we went inside. He calmed down a little but still refused to let us touch him. We sat there with him and his guardian, and pastor for about 10 more minutes, while his pastor tried to explain to us that he had a 3.5 year old sister and tied to lay a quilt trip on us to take her instead of Ethan, which at this point is not feasible with the paperwork and process. Then he tried to get us to take his guardian's back to the house we are staying at for three night to help with the transition. At this point Jamie stepped in and said that would only delay the detaching and bonding process. We then had to leave and since we all left, us (with Ethan) and his guardian, although they were in a separate car, he was OK. When we left the compound where we meet him he was crying still but after about 10 minutes in the car he was fast asleep.
By the time he woke up we were back at house here, this is when he would cry for his guardian, unless Tiffany was holding and she was walking around. If anyone other then Tiffany tried to take him or hold him he would cry. After a while we were talking with the ladies that take care of the house here and they recommended a bath and change of clothes. We started to bathe him and he freaked out because were took off his pink shoe, most likely because these are his only pair of shoes. When we stood him in the tube he cried until he started to pee then he was fine. We then found that he had a really bad case of diaper rash and once we finished bathing him we took him and put some jelly on his behind and he was 100 times better, we are not sure if this was the jelly, new clothes, or new shoes but I think was a trifecta. We then brought him downstairs and he enjoyed the air for a while then Tiffany decided to try to the carrier. He fell asleep and he was out.
We went over to Sam and Barb's house, the couple that takes over for Rick and Sarah as needed, for dinner. Brenda had made a Americanized version of an Ugandan dish. I cannot remember what it is called but it is basically mashed potatoes made out of a banana plant. Tastes like it too. The dish is served with rice and chicken or beef broth. By this time realizing that Ethan will not scream or cry if I hold him while he is asleep, I held him and Tiffany fixed a large plate for her, the first real meal that she doesn't need to run to the toilet after. When she came back with the food, I had woken Ethan up. We decided to try to feed him the food. He ate almost the entire plate, except the chicken when he started to get full. And drank almost an entire glass of water with dinner. This was great since all day all we could get him to eat was mini sweet bananas and he only had 2 of them at 1pm.
After we finished eating he was curious about the boys outside playing so we ventured out there to see if he wanted to play. We walking to the grass and he threw his ball at me. I then tossed it back and he quickly figure out how to play catch. After a while of getting bored with that he deiced he could just kick it. So Tiffany and I played catch and kick with him for about an hour and then it was time to head home.
Once we got him we fought with him for about 10 minutes in bed before we realized he was not tired after sleep so much this afternoon so we brought him downstairs and he sat on the cold floor cooling off for about an hour then Tiffany picked him up and in about 15 minutes he was out like a light. What a exciting and hectic day, but I would not trade it for anything.

Day 2

we were happy to show up at Rick and Sarah's and the first people we met was a couple that was adopting a 6 month old girl she is a doll.the house is full with people here for mission trips and it is always a buzz in especially when the meal bell rings...they were very welcoming and kind people. we are blessed to be staying with them.
we went to Sunday service..the worship was amazing..mid worship I got really hot and started to sweat and thought to my self it was not that hot out side.i the quickly got dizzy and every thing got muffled it freak me out...we then rushed out of the church I then threw up and then we made the clime up this mass hill back to our room..which is were i stayed the whole day close to the bathroom..by 6 pm I was feel much better..with the help from the medicine I thought we would not use.. Monday we meet with the lawyer and then at 12 we get to meet Ethan and bring him back to Rick and Sarah's..Tuesday we go meet his guardians and then Wednesday we go to court.

Day 1

So today we arrived in Uganda, we left for Uganda two days ago. We flew out of LAX at 5:30 in the evening and flew through the night to Amsterdam. The doctor had given us sleep medicine for the plane right but it seemed to only put us in a half asleep stage and we were not able to get comfortable. So we were still tired when we landed in Amsterdam. We stayed there in airport for hours tried to sleep a little but only go 30 minutes at one time at the most. After walking around the airport for a number of times we finally boarded the plane and head off to Africa. Unfortunately, we had another layover in Kenya but this one was only for an hour and a half. We then had a short little flight to Entebbe. We landed and got our visas and then our luggage. We then were looking for the people that were to pick us up but could not find anyone white person at the airport. We then bought a cell phone and about 180 minutes. With that we called Sam and after no one answering we called Jamie and once again no answer. So here we are at the Entebbe airport being followed around by Taxi drivers and not even sure of where we are suppose to go if we did get a cab. So I tried Sam again and his daughter answer who handed the phone off to her brother who informed me that Sam had not mentioned anything about picking us up. He told me he would call back in ten minutes when he found Sam. I then tried Jamie again but no answer. Sam then called me back and had told me that he had in his head that we were landing at 9:30 in the evening not in the morning. So he would have to round up a vehicle and a drive and come pick us up, but it would be 30 or 45 minutes.
So while we are waiting I called David, who answered first time. David said then informed me that we would not be able to get Ethan today but that we would need to wait to probably Tuesday to see him as they had another family that was flying in tonight and had a court date on Monday. So he would not be able to do anything with us till they were taken care of. He then asked me how I was doing after the long flight and I said we were doing great and felt good. David said that if we wanted to, that we may be able to go pick up Ethan today. That is alot better then Tuesday. But he would need to call and talk with his guardian's first. David then called back in about 5 minutes and said that the family had left to go in the field for the day and would not be able to be reached and that it was 5 km into the field. And that if we showed up unannounced to the family that it would be a huge embarrassment for the family. So he said that we could then go out first thing Monday and meet him then. This is alot better then Tuesday but not near as good as today, but it is what it is. So we wait till Monday.
Sam then calls me back and tells me that he had just found a vehicle and drive and that he would be there in 30 or 45 minutes to pick us up. So now we wait for a total to 2.5 hours at the Entebbe Airport. But finally Sam shows up and he brings us back to the guest were are staying for our trip here in Uganda.