Bringing Macy Home: Hannah

Why Ethiopia?

• One in six children die before their fifth birthday
• 44% of the population of Ethiopia is under 15 years old
• 60% of children in Ethiopia are stunted because of malnutrition
• The median age in Ethiopia is 17.8 years
• 1.5 million people are infected with AIDS (6th highest in the world)
• 720,000 children have been orphaned by AIDS alone, and there are 4.6 million orphans in Ethiopia.
• Per capita, Ethiopia receives less aid than any country in Africa
• In the 90s the population (3%) grew faster than food production (2.2%)
• Drought struck the country from 2000-2002 (first year no crops, second year no seeds, third year no animals)
• Half the children in Ethiopia will never attend school. 88% will never attend secondary school.
• Coffee prices (Ethiopia’s only major export) fell 40-60% from 1998-2002.
• Ethiopia’s doctor to children ratio is 1 to 24,000.
• In 1993, after 30 long years of war, Eritrea broke from Ethiopia and became an independent nation leaving Ethiopia landlocked without any major seafaring ports.

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Dancin' the Night Away

Last night Jason took the girls to a local "Daddy - Daughter Dance". He took Hannah last year and she vividly remembers how much fun it was. So she's been literally counting down the days until Friday night. After work last night Jason came home presenting each girl with a tiny wrist corsage. They helped Daddy pick out his suit and tie (notice:pink), I got everyone prissied up, took pics, and off our little princesses went with their prince.
Hours later when they returned Hannah ran in and at the top of her voice screamed, "MOMMA, I ATE STRAWBERRIES AND I DANCED LIKE A CHICKEN". Thus, telling me they had her favorite food and did the Chicken Dance. Apparently, this combination of activities made her night.
It was especially sweet to see Macy all excited about spending the evening with her Daddy. He's the first Daddy she's ever had, and OH HOW SHE ADORES HIM! A far cry from how scared she was of him just five months ago.
Everyone had fun. But GOOD GRIEF is there not such a thing as a "Mommy-Son Dance". Because I know a certain five year old (oh, and ummm...me!) that would REALLY like to go to one.

Showing off their corsages.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Where'd it go?

If someone could please tell me where the past 4 years have gone, I'd be eternally grateful.

Yes, our Hannah turns 4 years old tomorrow. When my mind thinks back to the night she was born 4 years ago, I get chills from head-to-toe. You see, it wasn't that sureal experience that women dream and hope for. It was scary and painful. And painful. (Oh, did I already mention that one?) To hear the story of Hannah's birth and first few weeks of life, click HERE.

I was determined for Hannah to have her picture taken with Santa for her first Christmas, but she was in the NICU. Anyone recognize this Santa? (Yes, I have a precious, precious husband.)