3 Months Home

We are required to write a post placement report at 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and annually after we've arrived home with our adopted children from Ethiopia. These reports help the Ethiopian Government see that their children are thriving and doing well in America with their new families. Birth families are also allowed to come and request to see the reports, getting an update on their children. Here is to 3 months as a family - to the good and the bad!

3 Month Post Placement Report

8/22/2010

Redburn Family

Placement Date: 5/22/2010

Bizayehu Lincoln Redburn (Blake Bizayehu Gabriel Redburn)

Sintayehu Lincoln Redburn (Silas Sintayehu Gabriel Redburn)

Date of Birth: 2/23/04

	Bizayehu’s current height is 48 inches and he weighs 49.8 pounds. Bizayehu has been seen by his doctor on May 24, and June 17. He has seen the International Adoption Doctor on June 3. He has seen the dentist on July 20. He is currently healthy and doing very well. He has been treated for Giardia and it is currently gone. His hearing and vision have been screened and are both perfect.
Sintayehu’s current height is 48 inches and he weighs 49.8 pounds. Sintayehu has been seen by his doctor on May 24, and June 17. He has seen the International Adoption Doctor on June 3. He has had an Echo for his heart murmur on July 9 and the doctors have told us it is nothing to be concerned about. He has seen the dentist on July 20. He is currently healthy and doing very well. He has been treated for Giardia and it is currently gone. His hearing and vision have been screened and they are both perfect.

Both boys have wonderful appetites, and are adjusting to American food. We visit the local Ethiopian restaurant regularly, and they still adore their native foods! They have actually taught us about several new foods that our family now enjoys. They are both very active boys, who love to swim, jump on the trampoline, ride their two wheel bikes, play on the playground at school, and play on a local soccer team. They are quickly picking up on the English language.

		Bizayehu and Sintayehu have come home to their dad and mom as well as a brother (age 6 yrs), and a sister (age 2 yrs). Both boys are building an attachment to both of us, and their siblings. They are openly affectionate and enjoy spending time with all of us. They are comfortable with the many extended family members who live nearby. They are very social. They are smart and happy. They really enjoy playing with their new brother and sister.
	Sintayehu and Bizayehu are currently enrolled at the local elementary school and are attending Kindergarten five days a week. They are in separate classes, and are enjoying making their own friends and excelling at their own subject areas. Both boys’ teachers speak very highly of them. They are funny, well behaved children, both at home and in school.

We attend a Christian Church weekly and the boys are both active in the Jr. Worship program. We also have a weekly Bible Study group and the boys have become good friends with the other children in that group. I believe they are growing an understanding of Jesus Christ and the Salvation He offers us.

We completed the process to readopt Bizayehu and Sintayehu and our case was heard in US Courts on July 14. Their new names are Blake Bizyaehu Gabriel Redburn and Silas Sintayehu Gabriel Redburn. We chose the name Gabriel as an honor to their birth father. We kept Bizayehu’s birthday as February 23, 2004, and changed Sintayehu’s to February 24, 2004, as their birth mother told us he was born after midnight. We believe it is special to know such an intimate detail of their birth story and wanted to honor that.

We are very thankful to the Ethiopian Government for allowing us to adopt our sons. We believe the Ethiopian Government is making a good plan for children by allowing them to be adopted abroad. We have found a small community of local Ethiopian people and other Ethiopian adopted children to surround Bizayehu and Sintayehu with and intend to help our sons maintain pride in Ethiopia, in hope that someday, in some way, they might be able to give back to their birth country.

Sincerely,

Lincoln and Ashley Redburn

Sunday recap

...more of my vocal journal of our trip to Ethiopia

"Well, it's the end of Sunday, and I don't even know what all I want to say. I did shoot several emails home today.

The boys are just beautiful, they are so enthusiastic about life, which, you know, is wonderful, and I see that in Hunter, but, it's different seeing it in these boys, and knowing the hardships that they've had to face. I would think that they would be very down on life, but they're not at all, they're happy and they're smiling, and they are dancing and they're singing and playing.

It has taken a lot more energy than I had expected, mostly just the communication, more than anything else. Very, very little English, although Bizayehu, especially, will repeat anything that you say. Sintayehu is very quiet, but I can tell that he's taking it all in . He's very reflective, very thoughtful.

Today was a good day, it was awesome. I'm very thankful to God for bringing us this far on this journey and I pray that He will continue to see us through. I know that the journey is not nearly over yet.

The boys are tucked in bed, in the room right next to us, it's just an open doorway between the rooms and Lincoln is taking a shower ( a very cold one with no water pressure...) and I've just crawled in bed. Tomorrow morning Gail is supposed to be here at 9. There is another family coming in tonight. We need to do some paperwork she said and then we'll head back over to Layla, probably the boys will go to school, and we will do some shopping or something of the sorts tomorrow.

Everything was good, the Ethiopian people for the most part have been very, very kind, especially the employees of places - The Ritmo, Layla, the restaurant we've been eating at. Very kind, so I've been grateful for that. Walking the streets with the boys we've had a few people smile and wave, and be very kind, but mostly they just avoid us.

The country is horrible and beautiful all in the same breath. I don't know it's definitely a developing country. You can see construction and people working hard, but you can also see the extreme poverty surrounding us. Very heartbreaking.

We should explore more in the city tomorrow, today was basically just a day to get to know the boys. I feel like we did pretty well today. I think we made some progress and I think they're beginning to trust us. I know that is going to be a long process and I don't think that they fully grasp the concept that they are coming home with us forever, but I think they're starting to get it. We've looked at lots and lots of pictures today over and over again talking about what each one is. I think that's helping, but anyway, I am going to turn in for the night and I will report some more tomorrow!"

Arriving in Addis!

...more from my voice recorder on our trip to Ethiopia.

"We are about 1/2 an hour away from landing in Addis, and that means that we're about 16 hours away from meeting the boys!

All we can see out the window is clouds, but we're getting ready to start our decent, and eeekkkk,I can't believe we're here! I can't believe we did this, it's pretty awesome.

Anyway, I will probably talk more when we get into the guest house. We met Sheryl and her sister in Frankfurt. They are both very nice. Gail (one of the in country staff members) is sending a driver to pick all of us up. Getting our luggage and all of us in one vehicle might be humorous, I'm sure we'll have stories to tell after we land. I'll talk again then.

I can now see Addis, or at least part of it. Maybe it's the outlying areas of Addis. It's very lush, lots of patches of farmland. You can tell the soil, um, but very green, very beautiful. There's one winding dirt road that runs for as far as I can see. The houses are very spread out. It's beautiful. It's much different than the US. Much, less populated, less, overgrown. Looking out the plane window right now at it as we fly over, we've got about 5 minutes until we land. Several huge mountains that are very green with lots of trees.

Wow. Oh, wow, there's a, maybe a church or something, it's got a bright blue roof and it's made in a circle. Okay, now we're getting into Addis I'd say. It's a lot more, a lot more buildings, a lot more crowded, again just a few streets, they look, maybe paved this time.

Lots of colors, even from here you can see all of the blues, purple, green, red on the buildings. Pretty awesome. I wish Hunter and Graysen were here to see it.

There's lots of little groups of maybe 5 story tall buildings. All facing different directions, but all in a group together, there's like 3 or 4 of those, not sure what those are.

Oh yeah, they're paved, oh yeah, lots of traffic. Pretty cool, orange, wow.

It's neat to see it this close, but on top of it. Some real tall skinny trees, not many leaves on them. And we are touching down! There we go, oh yeah, we're on the ground...

There' s a little red shack with clothes line drying. I can tell that there's going to be a lot to take in on this trip (crying). Alright, I'm going to get our stuff ready..."

On the way to Frankfurt...

I took my voice recorder with me to Ethiopia and am just now (3 months later) getting around to listening to what I recorded and writing it down. Some of it may not be interesting at all, but it's part of our journey and I want to make sure it's documented.

"It is now sometime after 6:00, which would be sometime after 5:00 back home. We are in the plane on the way to Frankfurt, Germany. We are having some detours. There's some storm over the Atlantic Ocean and we can't find airspace, so we're headed up toward NY for no apparent reason. This plane is the most cramped plane I have ever seen in my entire life. The guy in front of me has laid his seat back and literally my knees are jammed in the seat...so, uh, this should be a very encouraging 9 hours. I'm trying real hard to stay positive, trying to keep my eye on the long term goal. We're going to get the boys, and whatever it takes to get there, we'll do, so...

Anyway, our trip so far has been pretty uneventful. We talked to Mom and Kara for the first time in DC, probably won't talk to anyone on the phone again until we get back to DC, uh next Saturday the 22nd with the boys in tow. I will send emails as soon as I can, aside from that, I'm listening to some Norah Jones and I'm going to try to get some rest, so I'll talk to you some more later!"

Happy Birthday Grammie!

My Mommy. She has sacrificed so much over the last (almost) 27 years, and I am thankful each day for all that she's given and done. I am so blessed to have my Mom close by. We are lucky to have a close relationship, I know I can count on her! Here are some fun pictures to show you a bit of her personality!

Another reason I am blessed by my mother is that she has a great relationship with my husband! She really has welcomed him as a part of the family, he's nothing less than the son she never had!
Laying with Lincoln in my hospital room during the long hours of labor with Claire.

She always makes it a priority to be around for special events.
Here she is with Graysen for her 1st Halloween.

She takes us on fun adventures and helps TONS with my kids so that I can enjoy as well.
Apple picking at Ekhert's Farm.

Taking Hunter to his first Sesame Street Live Performance.


She's always the first to congratulate me when I've accomplished something in my life.
Getting my first hug and kiss from my momma after giving birth to Graysen.

She's a good example for my children.
Posing to show Hunter how I wanted him to sit for a picture.

She is happy when I am happy and sad when I am sad. She is supportive and encouraging when I need it the most.
Holding her granddaughter Claire just after her birth.

She's not afraid to make messes when it means that the kids are having fun or learning something!
Teaching Hunter how to make popcorn balls.

She takes an interest in whatever interests those she loves. She has always been interested in dancing for my sake, and sports for Hunter's!
Cheering with Hunter at a local High School Football game.

She loves to teach and show my kids new things! She shares in their excitement and makes the feel very special.
Popping popcorn on the stove for the first time.

She puts her family first. She has learned well from her mother and has taught her daughters and granddaughter well.
Maybe my favorite picture of all time. This was taken at the end of November and Grandma went to Heaven 3.5 months later.

She helps us through tough parenting times. She tries to ease the pain for both parents and children!
Helping us strip Hunter down after an afternoon of playing in the mud. He wasn't so happy play time was over.

She accepts us for who we are. She shows her love for us by supporting our decisions and helping (in more ways than I can mention) to make our dreams come true.
Meeting her new grandsons Silas and Blake for the first time at the STL airport.

She loves our kids unconditionally.
Grammie and Hunter at his 6th birthday party.

She plays football with our boys and paints our daughter's nails. Whatever it is they enjoy, you'll find her doing!
Painting Graysen's toenails at the beauty shop one afternoon.

She makes sure our kids feel special and important. She even takes them to do all kinds of super special and fun firsts.
She and Papa took Hunter on his first airplane ride and first trip to the beach!

She gives great, genuine hugs.

She loves me and my kids without fail.
Giving Graysen kisses the night we announced we were pregnant!

She can be silly with the best of them!
She and Hunter are quite the pair, let me tell you!

She is a devoted daughter and sister.
My Grandma with her three daughters.

She loves to give surprises, but hates to receive them!
Escorting Grandma into her surprise 80th birthday party.

Thank you Momma for being the best. Simply the best.

He inspires me.

A short update on the new routine in our house...

Today is day 5 of kindergarten.
Today is the first day that Hunter didn't cry!
Yippy!

Unfortunately, Mommy still cried.
I don't know when it will end.

When will I be able to send my kids to school without feeling sad and empty?
When will I not miss them during the day?

I have been tucking a special rock inside of Hunter's pocket each morning.
It's a stone that my Mom gave me when I was getting ready to give birth to Claire.
I held that stone all the way through her birth.
It's a special stone.

It helped to give me strength when I thought I had none.
I have prayed Hunter will feel the same way.
Strength where he doesn't think there is any.

Today a Kindergarten aide shared a story with me.
She told me the stone has really helped Hunter.
Yesterday he shared the stone with a little girl who was crying.
"My Mommy says this might help. I hope it helps you."

He inspires me.
He motivates me.
I am captivated by him.

When won't 2:50 be my favorite time of day?
Summertime I guess...

Come on summer break!!!!!

My Little Dancer

May 15th Graysen had her very first dance recital! I was on the plane on my way to Ethiopia, so I missed it, but I did get to see her in her costume on picture night.

Grammie was a life saver taking Graysen to dress rehearsal and recital! It had been several years since she had done that with me, so I'm sure it brought back lots of memories for her. Thanks Mom for filling in when I couldn't be there!

She loved getting dressed up, hair done, and make up on and can't wait for classes to start again in September!

Hunter's 6th Birthday Celebrations

We had a small birthday party for Hunter at Kokomo Joe's Mini Golf a few days before his real birthday. For anyone looking for someplace to have a great birthday party, I would highly recommend it! It was very reasonable, easy for me, laid back, and lots of fun!

Britt and I are so blessed that Hunter and Ally are so close. They are only 8 months apart, and I love seeing their relationship bloom. They can play together, but also love to just lay on the bed and chat about life. I pray God will continue to cultivate their relationship forever!

This year's birthday cake. GI Joe themed. Kelley made it, she's so great!

Our four blessings in their matching birthday shirts!

Gift time...Yea, Sissy got him the skateboard he so desperately wanted!

He got a HOLE IN ONE! This is the second golfing visit in a row that he's gotten a hole in one, I think there's hope for a future in golfing.

Time for cake and singing!

My four with their favorite people. (I think the feeling is mutual!)

6 years old!

The birthday boy with Grammie and Papa. He came over on his dinner break, what a good Grandpa! Somehow I didn't get a picture of Hunter and Marcinda!

Daddy and his 6 year old boy!

Our annual birthday picture. I just can't believe our firstborn in six!

Birthday Day:

August 5th Hunter woke up and was contemplating what we should do for the day. (The kids get to pick all the activities for their birthdays)

When he saw a NEW TRAMPOLINE in the backyard! Decision was made! Hunter's happy birthday present from Grammie and Papa.

We literally spent 6 hours on the trampoline that day! Hunter mastered the front flip within the first hour I think...

We all went out to breakfast at the Diner together. Here's our big boy, with a big appetite...a pancake, 2 eggs, toast, hashbrowns, and juice!

I wish this picture wasn't blurry. Graysen just kept giving him the biggest birthday hugs ever!


Unfortunately, after some more trampoline fun, Hunter sprained his ankle - pretty badly! It was huge and black and blue. We really tossed around the idea of taking him to Urgent Care, but in the end decided to give it a few hours and see...

Blake thought he could Dr. him up.

Hunter spent the rest of the evening in the recliner with his foot propped up. Kara and Chad, Britt and the girls, and Ashley came over to help celebrate with ice cream cake.

I sure love you sweet boy, and I hope you made some great memories on the start of your sixth year. I can't wait to see what it holds for you...

Ethiopia's National Anthem

Here are some Ethiopian cuties singing the National Anthem at the start of one of their school days.



Ethiopia land of our fathers
the land where our God wants to be
like bees to a hive swiftly gather
God children are gathered to thee.
With our red, gold and green floating for us
and our Emperor to shield us from wrong
with our hope and our future before us
we hail and we chant and we sing
God bless our Negus, Negus I
who keeps Ethiopia free
to advance with truth and right, truth and right
to advance with love and light, love and light.
With righteousness pleading
we hail to our God and King.
Humanity pleading - one God for us all
Ethiopia the tyrants are falling
who once smote thee 'pon thy knee.
Thy children are heartically calling
from over the distant seas.
Jahoviah - the great one has heard us.
He has come to protect us from wrong.
He has sent his holy angel to guide us
and to protect us in this time
God bless our Negus, Negus I
who keeps Ethiopia free....
to advance with truth and right, truth and right
to advance with love and light, love and light.
With righteousness pleading
we hail to our God and King.
Humanity pleading - one God for us all


And here are MY Ethiopian cuties singing it 3 months after getting home. I think it's just such a beautiful song, I would like to learn it and I never want the boys to forget it!