One Family

In one sense, Tihun and Solomon have joined a new family. They have lost their birth family, their birth country and culture, and everything they know, and they have become part of something new. This is simultaneously tragic and beautiful. Nevertheless, it is their story, and our family has chosen to become a part of their story. Our family is blessed to have them in our lives.


In another sense, we are happy to be able to keep them in the same family in which they were raised. Both Tihun and Solomon were baptized as Christians in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church a few days after they were born. Last Sunday, we were able to take vows before our church to promise to uphold their baptismal vows. We did not know them when they joined God's family, but it brings me joy that we are able to keep them in the same family. It's only one continuity in their transitional little lives, but it's the most important thing that I can think of to stay the same.

I can't show you too many pictures of the ceremony because I was weeping pretty quickly into it (which is not pretty). I didn't realize that we were taking vows, and certainly hadn't read them, so I was taking it in as they were being asked. Our pastor asked the simple question, "Do you take these children to be your own?" and I responded with a weeping yelp. Very embarrassing, but I am thankful for the emotional experience. It was good to stand in front of so many people, promising to love Tihun and Solomon and raise them as part of God's family. I felt the weight and joy of it, and let it all loose in front of hundreds of people :)

That evening we celebrated at an Ethiopian restaurant. Tihun was ecstatic. She ate a ton and ruined the beautiful Ethiopian dress I bought for her baptism (before I knew she had already been baptized). She also enjoyed speaking Amharic to the wait staff who were very sweet and kind. It was a special celebration!

New Creations

There's no way to adequately catch up on recent events in our family. A month ago we met and took custody of 2 beautiful children, Tihun and Solomon. We raised them for a week in Ethiopia, made a 24-hour trek to America, and introduced them to their brother and sister and home. They have experienced innumerable "firsts" and transitioned beautifully to our family. I can't begin to tap into the experiences we and they have had, especially in the limited time budget that I have these days raising 4 kids :) I can only reflect for a moment now and try to blog about life as it comes from here forward. Maybe one day I can go back and reflect on the trip to Ethiopia and the 1st month of life with our new children.

Tihun and Solomon have experienced so many new things since we have met them--first bath tub, first car seat (not a fan of the buckles), first stroller (thankfully big fans), first restaurant, first playground, first pool, first fireworks, many new foods...but perhaps the most poignant is the addition of a new brother and sister. Every other experience is just that, an experience. It comes and goes and they learn something new. But these new sibling relationships are constant and dynamic, both amazing and difficult. Tihun and Solomon are having the easier transition in this area, perhaps because they have had dozens of "siblings" to live with in various orphanages. Their worlds have certainly been turned upside down by moving and joining our family, but in this area, the twins' world is being transformed in a more dramatic way. Tihun and Solomon are not used to the attention of a mom and a dad. Arthur and Adaline are not used to sharing the attentions of their parents. Tihun is very independent and has had to navigate through relationships with all sorts of kids. Adaline and Arthur have had the house to themselves for almost 6 years.

It has been a huge stretch for A & A, and often quite difficult, but it has also been the cause of delightful new creations. Adaline is especially attaching to Solomon, even though she has rarely been interested in babies. We are now hearing a new voice and a new giggle that Adaline uses with her brother. She uses a tone when she speaks to him that we have never heard before. And she has a joy and laughter when she plays with him that is foreign and new. This relationship has created something all-together new and glorious. Arthur has never had a sister who needs and wants his help. He walks around with the Amharic translation book and works on phrases that allow him to communicate with her. In fact, our whole family is using dozens of new words all day long--not just when we speak to Tihun, but even with each other. We are creating a new Galt family "language," without even intending to do so. A & A interact differently on the playground now--instead of just playing, they are often pushing a brother or sister on the swings or introducing them to a new piece of equipment. New behaviors and patterns are being formed as a natural result of Tihun and Solomon joining our family.

New relationships and periods of transition produce growth that is full of friction and toil. We are certainly feeling the growing pains around here and are quite tired! But we are also witnessing new creations--new laughs, new roles, new voices--and we are thankful for these two wonderful creatures who are wildly blessing our family.