Julie Gumm - Author

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American Girly Girl

03.28.2009 by juliegumm@yahoo.com //

I was surprised that it took this long, but finally about two weeks ago Beza asked if she could get her ears pierced. I explained a little about the process and that it hurts a bit to make sure she understood. She vowed she still wanted them. I was hoping we wouldn’t have a repeat of Natalie’s experience. I told her we would get them done during Spring Break.

Then last weekend I was watching some Jon & Kate Plus 8 on the DVR and there was an episode of their 8 year old getting her ears pierced. It included tears and finally smiles. Perfect. I set Beza and Natalie down to watch that little clip for one last reassurance that she was ready. She was a little more skeptical but remained determined.

She vascillated between saying she would cry and she wouldn’t cry. Natalie was not helping at all with repeated “It really hurts Beza.”

So Thursday we did the deed with a quick trip to Claire’s. (After I spent close to 45 minutes on the phone with 4 different places trying to see when one would have 2 workers on hand.) She chose little red earrings to match Natalie (big surprise – NOT) and sat in the chair with her eyes half squinted close in anticipation of the pain – while I was still filling out paperwork.

When it finally came time to do the deed she squeezed my hands, the pulled the trigger and there were absolutely NO tears. I think there was a sharp intake of breath and a “ow” and some head shaking but she did really great.

 

Categories // Family Matters Tags // pierced ears, Red Letters Campaign - Adoption Journal (Julie), sisters

Forgot to buy that…

03.26.2009 by juliegumm@yahoo.com //

All four kids spent the night at MeeMaw and Pa’s house last night.

This morning I got a call from MeeMaw.

“Julie, how am I supposed to fix Beza’s hair? You didn’t send any Ethiopian water.”

Huh?

I guess she asked Beza what I use to fix her hair in the morning. She said water.

Natalie added “Yeah, Ethiopian water.”

I guess she thinks I brought home some special water that I’ve been using in that spray bottle. (It’s really just a 1 to 6 mixture of hair oil and water.)

Categories // Family Matters Tags // Red Letters Campaign - Adoption Journal (Julie)

Full House

03.14.2009 by juliegumm@yahoo.com //

Well the hubby departed early Tuesday morning for a trip to Africa with his new job at World Orphans. They are spending about 5 days in Ethiopia and then several days in Kenya as well. We waited until last week to tell the kids. We weren’t sure how they would react to the whole idea of dad going back to Ethiopia. He’s had to go on one other short trip and although this one is longer I was most concerned that the idea of him going back there would cause problems. It didn’t really seem to phase them. They didn’t even ask if he was going to see Grandma. (He tried but didn’t connect – was able to see the family friend and give him some things for her.)

None of the kids have had that much time to miss him because my best friend Kristen and her 3 kids (Kaity, Lexie and Jacob) arrived the next day. So it has been a full house with 7 kids (that would be 9, 9, 9, 8, 6, 6, and 3 – whee).

The kids are all having a blast. Of course, coming from Pittsburgh, they are enjoying our 85 degree weather and we are spending lots of time outdoors.

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Categories // Family Matters Tags // Red Letters Campaign - Adoption Journal (Julie)

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About Me

Writer. Wife. Mother. Traveler. Coffee-addict. Book-lover. Television-Junkie. I love stories. Hearing them, watching them, telling them, living them.

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