When I originally heard the news a smile came over my face almost as big as the day I got "the call", but after watching this.....It's all pain.
I knew this day was coming. I was one of the people interviewed by the RCMP as part of their investigation a few months ago and was told that there would likely be charges brought against these individuals soon, but watching this reminds me of the pain my family and so many others went through. The days after the bankruptcy were some of the worst of my life.
By alas, I woke up this morning with my beautiful little boy smiling at me. We are one of the lucky families. Our son is home. I can't say that for everyone who went through this horror.
Hopefully some justice is done, although, it no amount of retribution or hopefully jail time will be enough if these individuals are found guilty. What they "allegedly" did was unthinkable.
CTV Toronto - Operators of bankrupt adoption agency charged - CTV News
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
Confession Friday
I confess.......
- that I have not been a very good blogger lately. I have been really busy, and just haven't found the time.
-today was a good day. The monsters that bankrupt Imagine Adoption have finally been charged. I know they won't get the punishment that they deserve, but finally they will have to face up to what they did, and with any luck will see some time behind bars.
-I am very excited about the things we have been working on for Chance for Change. I can't wait to share it with everyone.
-I just cut Tegegn's hair for the very first time, and I have decided that it's not as easy as I thought it would be. Faux hawk......NOT
-I am looking forward to our first family vacation in May. We are going to Florida for some fun in the sun.
- that I have not been a very good blogger lately. I have been really busy, and just haven't found the time.
-today was a good day. The monsters that bankrupt Imagine Adoption have finally been charged. I know they won't get the punishment that they deserve, but finally they will have to face up to what they did, and with any luck will see some time behind bars.
-I am very excited about the things we have been working on for Chance for Change. I can't wait to share it with everyone.
-I just cut Tegegn's hair for the very first time, and I have decided that it's not as easy as I thought it would be. Faux hawk......NOT
-I am looking forward to our first family vacation in May. We are going to Florida for some fun in the sun.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Confession Friday!
I confess
- I don’t understand road rage. I mean really… is it necessary to yell, scream and flip the bird to people because they accidental cut you off or took your parking spot unknowingly. Who hasn’t done that before and let’s face it, you really aren’t affecting the person in the car you are yelling at, your are just making a jack a$s of yourself and giving them something to laugh at because the sight of you is quite funny.
- The recent news, articles, updates ect… that have come from the Ethiopian Adoption community in the last week have made me mad, upset, thankful and non edge. I know a lot of people still in this process, some of which I consider my friends and the thought of the pain and unknowingness once again that they are going through are the reason for these feelings.
- That the last month has been a little hard. Darryl and I own some rental properties, and in the last month we have had issues with 3 of our units. We knew these months would happen when we decided to become landlords a few years ago, but I have to admit, there has been a day or two this past month when we question if it is worth it……IT IS!
- I am very relieved that after 2 months our shipment for Chance For Change finally left Ethiopia. We haven’t been able to raise much money these past few months, because we don’t have very much product in Canada at the moment. This was our first shipment we sent with our license and we now know all the red tape associated with a shipment. Let me tell you…. There is a lot.
- I have my finger, toes and legs crossed for all of my adoptive friends who are currently fighting for their children, leaving for Ethiopia to attend court and hoping that the next few months brings “the phone call”.
- I kiss my children good night every night when I go to bed. Most nights I stop for a minute and stare at them sleeping. It is usually in those moments that I realize that the greatest accomplishment I have in my life was becoming a mother.
- I can’t wait until summer. Every day the sun is shining I want to leave work and go and open our cottage. COME ON WARM WEATHER!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Every day is an Adventure!
Tegegn has been in our family for almost 9 months now. He adjusted so well, that most days I honestly forget that. It feels like he has always been here, and that he is just a regular 4 year old Canadian child that didn't spend the first few years of his life in sever poverty not having a toy to play with or a change of clothes.
There have been so many things I have watched him learn about over the past 9 months that I can't name them all. At the airport surprisingly the airplane wasn't the highlight. Honestly I don't really think he knew what it was, and we just kept telling him that it was like a beep beep car. That seemed to work. The things he was amazed by were chairs that were stuck together, of course the escalator and most shocking was the ceiling fan. Just another thing on a mile long list that we in Canada take for granted.
Last night something happened that made me remember that he is a boy who grew up in a developing country and he is still figuring things out (something that I can honestly say that I sometimes forget). Tegegn does not like his hands and feet being cold. The first time we realized this was in Ethiopia when he had ice in his drink for the first time. We don't think about it but ice is a luxury, and one that most of the world doesn't ever get to experience. We were out for dinner and his drink came. We had forgotten to ask for no ice, but we realized that Tegegn was use to the water of Ethiopia so thought we would just let him drink it. Well that was not happening. Even though we didn't understand a word he was saying, it was very obvious that he had no idea what that was and was having no part of it. After taking the ice out of his drink he picked it up. The reaction was hilarious. It was something he never felt before, and I could tell he didn't like it. He has grown accustom to ice now and has no problem with it, but he doesn't like to hold it. In the summer I had to wrap his freezes up in paper towel for him to eat it because it is "too cold mommy".
Well last night Celine asked if she could have a piece of ice. I'm not sure why all kids like ice, but they do so I let her have one. Now Tegegn is in the stage that he wants to do everything his big sister does so he wanted one as well. Totally forgetting about his cold hand issues I handed him a piece. Well you can guess what happened "no good mommy. Ice is cold. Tegegn needs a napkin". So I put his ice on a paper towel. About a minute later he was saying it was still to cold. I asked him what he wanted me to do, and he pointed to the microwave and told me that he wanted me to warm it up. I tried to explain that that would melt the ice, but 4 year old's know better so the paper towel and ice went into the microwave. After 30 seconds it was half melted and I took it out and gave it to him. He couldn't understand where half of it went but it was ok for a minute. Then it was cold again, so into the microwave it went. 30 seconds later I opened the door again, and WOW surprisingly it was gone. Tegegn's response "where did it go mommy?". After explaining with disbelief he asked for another piece. So again I gave it to him on a paper towel. Once again he told me that it was to cold and it needed to go into the microwave. I tried and tried to explain that it would melt again, but once again 4 year old's know best. This time he wanted to press the button. I think he thought I did something wrong. So I picked him up, showed him the 30 second button to press and away he went. 30 seconds later I fully expected him to question why the ice was half melted and the process to start again, but NO. The microwave stopped, he pulled it open to find a half melted piece of ice and a soggy paper towel. He took it out and said "Tegegn's done". I put him down. He proceeded to start to walk away with his ice in his hand, but first he turned around and said......" See mommy Tegegn knows".
Everyday is an Adventure
There have been so many things I have watched him learn about over the past 9 months that I can't name them all. At the airport surprisingly the airplane wasn't the highlight. Honestly I don't really think he knew what it was, and we just kept telling him that it was like a beep beep car. That seemed to work. The things he was amazed by were chairs that were stuck together, of course the escalator and most shocking was the ceiling fan. Just another thing on a mile long list that we in Canada take for granted.
Last night something happened that made me remember that he is a boy who grew up in a developing country and he is still figuring things out (something that I can honestly say that I sometimes forget). Tegegn does not like his hands and feet being cold. The first time we realized this was in Ethiopia when he had ice in his drink for the first time. We don't think about it but ice is a luxury, and one that most of the world doesn't ever get to experience. We were out for dinner and his drink came. We had forgotten to ask for no ice, but we realized that Tegegn was use to the water of Ethiopia so thought we would just let him drink it. Well that was not happening. Even though we didn't understand a word he was saying, it was very obvious that he had no idea what that was and was having no part of it. After taking the ice out of his drink he picked it up. The reaction was hilarious. It was something he never felt before, and I could tell he didn't like it. He has grown accustom to ice now and has no problem with it, but he doesn't like to hold it. In the summer I had to wrap his freezes up in paper towel for him to eat it because it is "too cold mommy".
Well last night Celine asked if she could have a piece of ice. I'm not sure why all kids like ice, but they do so I let her have one. Now Tegegn is in the stage that he wants to do everything his big sister does so he wanted one as well. Totally forgetting about his cold hand issues I handed him a piece. Well you can guess what happened "no good mommy. Ice is cold. Tegegn needs a napkin". So I put his ice on a paper towel. About a minute later he was saying it was still to cold. I asked him what he wanted me to do, and he pointed to the microwave and told me that he wanted me to warm it up. I tried to explain that that would melt the ice, but 4 year old's know better so the paper towel and ice went into the microwave. After 30 seconds it was half melted and I took it out and gave it to him. He couldn't understand where half of it went but it was ok for a minute. Then it was cold again, so into the microwave it went. 30 seconds later I opened the door again, and WOW surprisingly it was gone. Tegegn's response "where did it go mommy?". After explaining with disbelief he asked for another piece. So again I gave it to him on a paper towel. Once again he told me that it was to cold and it needed to go into the microwave. I tried and tried to explain that it would melt again, but once again 4 year old's know best. This time he wanted to press the button. I think he thought I did something wrong. So I picked him up, showed him the 30 second button to press and away he went. 30 seconds later I fully expected him to question why the ice was half melted and the process to start again, but NO. The microwave stopped, he pulled it open to find a half melted piece of ice and a soggy paper towel. He took it out and said "Tegegn's done". I put him down. He proceeded to start to walk away with his ice in his hand, but first he turned around and said......" See mommy Tegegn knows".
Everyday is an Adventure
Monday, February 28, 2011
It Has Already Started
When we decided to adopt we bought our daughter Celine some books on adoption. We wanted her to be a part of the process and understand exactly what adoption meant. We read them often at bedtime It was a great way to open the doors of communication. One of these books is Rosie’s adoption. It is a story about a dog who is adopted into anther breed of dog’s family. It was one of Celine’s favorite.
Since we have been home with Tegegn we have occasionally read him these books and others about the differences of people. We really want to prepare our kids the best we can to the inevitable cruelty that will one day fall upon them.
A few nights ago we were all sitting on Tegegn’s bed reading Rosie’s adoption at bedtime, and when we got to the part of the story that talks about how Rosie’s friends sometimes question if her family is her “real family” Celine said “that happened to me at school”. I took a deep breath, prepared myself and asked her what happened. Now you should know a little about my children’s school. They go to a French immersion school in a predominantly Caucasian neighbourhood. It is a very small school in today’s world, so everyone knows Tegegn.
Celine started explaining how last week a boy in her school asked if Tegegn was her brother, to which Celine replied yes and thought nothing of it. Then recess came. She was playing with a group of her friends and another little girl ran over to her yelling “Celine come here”. I guess the little boy who originally asked her about Tegegn was telling other kids that Tegegn’ wasn’t really her brother. At that moment my heart sank. I think the knowledge of the questions, hurtful comments and ridicule that could possibly happen is the greatest fear for parents of multicultural families. As parents we do our best to bring our children up to know that all families are different in their own way, and ours is beautiful, but we would be naive to think that the entire world thinks the same way as us and that they will never feel the hurt of the words of racism or ridicule. This day was not that day though. I asked Celine what she said. She looked at me as if Duh mom…..”I said he was”. And that was it. As plain as that. Here’s hoping it will always be that easy…..
Since we have been home with Tegegn we have occasionally read him these books and others about the differences of people. We really want to prepare our kids the best we can to the inevitable cruelty that will one day fall upon them.
A few nights ago we were all sitting on Tegegn’s bed reading Rosie’s adoption at bedtime, and when we got to the part of the story that talks about how Rosie’s friends sometimes question if her family is her “real family” Celine said “that happened to me at school”. I took a deep breath, prepared myself and asked her what happened. Now you should know a little about my children’s school. They go to a French immersion school in a predominantly Caucasian neighbourhood. It is a very small school in today’s world, so everyone knows Tegegn.
Celine started explaining how last week a boy in her school asked if Tegegn was her brother, to which Celine replied yes and thought nothing of it. Then recess came. She was playing with a group of her friends and another little girl ran over to her yelling “Celine come here”. I guess the little boy who originally asked her about Tegegn was telling other kids that Tegegn’ wasn’t really her brother. At that moment my heart sank. I think the knowledge of the questions, hurtful comments and ridicule that could possibly happen is the greatest fear for parents of multicultural families. As parents we do our best to bring our children up to know that all families are different in their own way, and ours is beautiful, but we would be naive to think that the entire world thinks the same way as us and that they will never feel the hurt of the words of racism or ridicule. This day was not that day though. I asked Celine what she said. She looked at me as if Duh mom…..”I said he was”. And that was it. As plain as that. Here’s hoping it will always be that easy…..
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Every Little Bit Helps
This weekend was a fun one. My husband and some friends went to our cottage for a weekend of ice fishing, beverages and whatever else is entailed in the annual male bonding rituals while myself and the kids enjoyed a weekend with my step sister and nieces. We took the kids to an indoor playground one afternoon and just had a lot of fun. All the kids are so close in age that it is really fun to watch them interact.
On Monday my other niece who is 10 and nephew who is very close to 9 came over to play in what I hope is some of our last snow of the year (wishful thinking I know). When they walked into my house they handed me a Tupperware. Inside was some change. They told me that they were inspired by one of my last posts in which I told the story of how Celine gave me her money from creating a store to send to Ethiopia. After reading that post, they went around their house and collected all the change they could find. This included pennies, nickles, dimes and a couple of quarters. They told me that they wanted me to add it to the next cheque I send to Ethiopia to help the children there. After they left I counted the money. It totaled $4.61. I started thinking what you could do in Canada for $4.61. Well you could buy a coffee and a bagel at Tim Hortons. That would give you a few hours of hunger relief. You could get your car washed, your car would look nice for a total of a few hours if your lucky. You could buy one beer at a restaurant.... yummmmmm tastes good. Or you could send it to Ethiopia and help a child have an education.
My niece and nephew have briefly heard me talk about helping the children in developing countries, but not at any great lengths so I find it amazing that one little post and they would decide to do this. What they probably don't know is that the change they collected from around there house is almost enough to change a child's life for a year. School fees in Ethiopia are 100 Birr a year. At today's exchange rate that is $5.93 Canadian. It's amazing to think that the money that is lying in our couch cushions, in our junk drawers and on our dressers could do so much.
So, thank you so much Lauren and Hunter. I will proudly add your $4.61 to the next amount of money that I send to Ethiopia. It will change a child's life.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Challenges
When we decided to start a charity in Ethiopia I knew it was going to be a challenging undertaking, but I think I underestimated it a little bit.
Some of the challenges I knew I would face were the language barriers, differences in processes between two completely different countries, technology challenges and of course cultural differences.
Chance for Change International Outreach received our charitable status in Ethiopia on December 6, 2010 after jumping over many hurdles, but that was just the beginning and looking back the easy part. Because the model of our charity is based around sales of goods as apposed to strictly collecting monetary support there is additional challenges. Developing countries do not have systems in place like we do here in Canada. In order to import products for sale purposes in Canada there is a few steps that have to be taken. These steps are clearly outlined in a number of different governmental organizations. It’s not a simple task, but one that if you follow the steps and talk to the right people you are able to achieve without too many swear words coming out of your mouth in the process. Ethiopia is a different beast. Getting an export license wasn’t that difficult because I have some good people working for me there, but the process after that has been a nightmare. Every time we think we are days away from our shipment leaving there is another form that needs to be filled out, another process that needs to take place, another place to bring the shipment to get authorization to allow the shipment to leave……ahhhhhhhhh (insert swear words). Anyone who has travelled to Ethiopia or I would assume any developing country knows that electricity comes and goes at will with no notice and with it Internet service. Adding this to the time difference, and cultural differences in the fundamental ways in which Canadians and Ethiopians do business means I go days and days without knowing what is going on and thinking that everything is fine, only to find out that once again we are stalled usually because of one more piece of paper that is needed. My hope is that once we have this processed ironed out, every shipment from here on will be a piece of cake and looking back it will just be the story of the beginning of a great Charity.
I know the shipments will get here, and with them we will be able to continue with our goal of helping educate and employee some of the people in Ethiopia but for right now the frustration mounts.
Some of the challenges I knew I would face were the language barriers, differences in processes between two completely different countries, technology challenges and of course cultural differences.
Chance for Change International Outreach received our charitable status in Ethiopia on December 6, 2010 after jumping over many hurdles, but that was just the beginning and looking back the easy part. Because the model of our charity is based around sales of goods as apposed to strictly collecting monetary support there is additional challenges. Developing countries do not have systems in place like we do here in Canada. In order to import products for sale purposes in Canada there is a few steps that have to be taken. These steps are clearly outlined in a number of different governmental organizations. It’s not a simple task, but one that if you follow the steps and talk to the right people you are able to achieve without too many swear words coming out of your mouth in the process. Ethiopia is a different beast. Getting an export license wasn’t that difficult because I have some good people working for me there, but the process after that has been a nightmare. Every time we think we are days away from our shipment leaving there is another form that needs to be filled out, another process that needs to take place, another place to bring the shipment to get authorization to allow the shipment to leave……ahhhhhhhhh (insert swear words). Anyone who has travelled to Ethiopia or I would assume any developing country knows that electricity comes and goes at will with no notice and with it Internet service. Adding this to the time difference, and cultural differences in the fundamental ways in which Canadians and Ethiopians do business means I go days and days without knowing what is going on and thinking that everything is fine, only to find out that once again we are stalled usually because of one more piece of paper that is needed. My hope is that once we have this processed ironed out, every shipment from here on will be a piece of cake and looking back it will just be the story of the beginning of a great Charity.
I know the shipments will get here, and with them we will be able to continue with our goal of helping educate and employee some of the people in Ethiopia but for right now the frustration mounts.
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