Resolute
So, let's be honest.  Most of know when something is wrong with us.  Our hair is a hot mess...we have a zit that we have tried too hard to cover with concealer...our house is not picked up, much less clean....we are overweight...when we mess up words or mis-speak.. You name it.  We do not need someone to remind us of it...kind of like junior high teasing... The chubby girl knows she is chubby and does not need reminding.....

Anyways, I have decided to take hold of what I have known for awhile (more like a lifetime).... I have a made a resolution.  I did this before, January 2006 to be exact... the infamous weight loss resolution.  I lost the weight in 2006 while living in the Caribbean alone during med school but gained it back.  Well, I have decided now is the time..five years later, to make the change once and for all.  The motivation of wearing a black cocktail dress from White House Black Market as a bridesmaid in July does not hurt...but more than that, I need this for my self confidence.. I need this because I must be a good example as a mother in this regard. 

I am putting this on my blog more for accountability than anything else.  This will not be easy...especially when I am on call (my weakest months) because I justify eating badly and being lazy by being exhaustion and working 80 hour weeks....But these are excuses... what I learned most in high school was from my basketball coach who said "Excuses are a sign of weaknesses." I now know I have weak moments, but I am learning, one day at a time, to conquer them. 

Anyways.  There it is.  My one resolution.  There no exact numbers attached at this time.  But hold me accountable, and please don't judge my missteps.   Thank you in advance.

2010

in pictures

Since I started blogging my med school adventure in 2006, I have tried to do a year in pictures.  Though I know all of you have seen most of these pics...I probably enjoy these posts more than anyone.  I hope you enjoy!  There will be a lot of pictures

January 2010:

We were in the midst of our adoption fundraising as January began....both finishing up ornaments and starting to plan our tshirt sales.  We welcomed home our friends' child, Hensley Hannah, who happened to be the first Ethiopian child we held in our arms.  The best day, though, was January 23 (my mom's bday)...was the day we first saw Tedi's face and fell in love!

 Hensley Hannah on Jan 2, his second day home

 JT shoveling up the multiple inches of snow we got last January.

February:

We continued our fundraising, working and waiting to find out where I would do my residency.  I celebrated my birthday and we enjoyed my grandmother's 80th and last birthday.

 from an Africa exhibit we attended in Somerset

 an Africa decal we purchased from another family

 our T-Shirt order arrived!!!!

 babysitting Hensley as he sported our shirt!

 Celebrating my 27th birthday at El Taxco, my favorite Somerset Mexican joint

March:

Unfortunately, I could not find any pics from March.  However it was a big month.  I found out that I matched into residency at the University of Louisville and we received two grants for our adoption. 

April:

What a busy busy month!  JT built Tedi's headboard with our good friend, Jason Fox.  Several of JT's cousins organized a big cookout fundraiser for our adoption... Two of my dear friends from med school got married in Chicago and we enjoyed Derby festivities with friends!

The Louisville Slugger headboard

 RiverBats game on the day of Thunder

 with my dear friend Sarah at O'Shea's after a baseball game

 so many of the people that attended our cookout

 at the Derby Festival balloon glow

 with Sarah's boyfriend Zach

 in a Chicago hotel room with a new picture of Tedi....he was finally smiling

 Lindsey, Jason, Lisa and me at the rehearsal dinner in Chicago

 the lovely bride and groom

 Hensley also got a sister...meet Hollis Hannah

May:

During the fifth month of 2010, many beginnings and endings occurred.  One of my dear friends, Jacqueline got engaged.  I finished working with the neurosurgical practice in Somerset, KY and we moved to Louisville.... AND WE PASSED COURT IN ETHIOPIA

 Jacqueline's engagement

 flowers from my dad the day we passed court for TEDI

 Tedi's furniture that I refinished with Sarah

  

 Goodbye party at work

 ByeBye Somerset

June:

We traveled to NYC for my medical school graduation....FINALLY.  We settled into our new Louisville home and I started residency orientation.  Most importantly, JT traveled to Ethiopia to bring Tedi home...what a busy, blessed year.

 wearing my Simply Love shirt in the LOVE sign on 6th Ave

 with JT's fam at graduation

 with my fam at graduation

 my good friend Eunice and me at graduation

 Tedi's bedroom finally finished

 our shower for Tedi

 JT and his buddy Salom in Ethiopia

 MEETING for the FIRST TIME

GO TOPS....ETHIOPIA STYLE

 July:

I started residency and we were a family of three... there is not much more to say

family of three at the airport

eating Ethiopian with mommy and the family for the first time

 August:

The lake, swimming, time alone with mommy... a busy but very fun month

 first jump off the diving board

 on Granpa Kevin's boat for the first time

 with my Grandma Morris, one month before she passed away.

 Ethiopian party with many of his friends from the orphanage

First Day of Pre-School

 September:

First Football games, and mommy working a lot...Though we did not get many pictures, September was a month of continued bonding and adjusting as JT got aquainted with his new job at Family and Children's Place.

 at the Louisville vs Kentucky football game

with mommy

 October:

Halloween, Huber Farm, Stella's Bday party and getting to see old friends.  The most rewarding part of September was when Tedi was able to meet his friend, Isaac Meseretu, who was in his orphanage in Ethiopia.  They loved playing together!

 with Stella, trick-o-treating at the Louisville Zoo

 Huber Farm

 with Isaac Meseretu

Tedi really thought this was "Woody"

 November:

Tedi's "4th" birthday, new friends, Lightening McQueen, and seeing Grace Hiwot again

 with Grace Hiwot, his favorite girl from Ethiopia

 Loving his new car

Awesome birthday cake

December:

I can say that I have never never enjoyed Christmas more than watching the pure joy that Tedi showed this Christmas.It was truly a blessing and was the BEST Christmas gift I could have been given. 

 

 with Santa

 first Christmas with Granny Sylvia

 Christmas tree at home

 Christmas with Granna and Pop....gotta love Handy Manny's Flicker

Christmas Morning with Lots-O and Porkchop