Christmas Letter 2010

Winter Wrapping

The Ethiopian name Bereket means Gift from God. Adding an "e" to the end of a word in Amharic personalizes it. Samuel's caregivers in Ethiopia called him Berekete. His name rolled off their tongues in a thick, beautiful accent, full of affection. Berekete! "God's gift to me!" they exclaimed as they threw him in the air and covered him with kisses.

CHRISTMAS DAY, 2009.  Dodd and I board a plane to Detroit to Amsterdam to Khartoum, Sudan and finally to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. There in Addis, a 5 month old baby boy living in an orphanage has no idea who we are, that we are coming, or that earlier that month an Ethiopian judge declared him our son and changed his name to Bereket Dodd Miller. On December 27, around 4 in the afternoon, he is placed in our arms for the first time. God's gift to me.

NEW YEAR'S DAY, 2010.  After 28 hours of travel, 3 tired Millers arrive in Milwaukee. Samuel, who lived in Ethiopia a day earlier, is now home in Hubertus. God's gift to me.

WINTER, 2010.  Samuel's personality is irrepressible. He is a gregarious, strong, smart little boy with eyes that sparkle when he smiles which is often. He is clearly here to live life. He and I bond during my 3 month maternity leave, while wisconsin Winter goes through its motions outside. He goes mobile in February, scooting around the house, and goes vertical in March, standing and reaching for new heights. He gets stronger, taller, heavier, healthier. All four of his grandparents as well as his aunt and uncle travel to Wisconsin to meet him. All parties seem generally crazy about one another. God's gift to me.

SPRING, 2010.  The Miller Family transitions as I return to work and Samuel begins daycare. Daycare is good for him as it provides the activity, social interaction, and padded floor and walls that a busy boy needs. Daycare is hard for me, but returning to work helps me find a rhythm again that helps our entire family. It seems that each new day brings new abilities, words, or expressions. Teeth appear in his mouth. This boy does not wear out. He is go go go. I catch my chubby 8 month old sitting on the floor wiggling his shoulders to jazzy music. He's got rhythm. God's gift to me.

SUMMER, 2010.  We travel from East coast to West coast to Kansas and Oklahoma to celebrate 3 weddings. Two cousins are now married and one dear friend. Samuel gets to travel and meet more of his family, who shower him with love. In July we celebrate his first birthday. While getting ready for the party, he decides it's time to get serious and begins walking. We turn his car seat around. He is now a front facer. He loathes shoes and socks. He spends lots of time outside in the yard with Dada. His eyes now sparkle with smiles and mischief. God's gift to me.

FALL, 2010.  Somewhere between summer and fall, Samuel transitions from baby to toddler. Sounds of wild giggles and pounding little feet fill the house. His extreme mobility causes the house to come alive. Not a dusty corner anymore to be found. We frequently find our shoes in the trash or a toothbrush in the sock drawer. In pursuit of more work/life balance, Dodd and I both make professional transitions. We have the same employers, just different responsibilities. In October a Wisconsin judge changes his name to Samuel Bereket Miller and he receives a Wisconsin birth certificate. This will result in US citizenship. Somewhere between summer and fall he also becomes a Daddy's Boy. We say goodbye to our kitty Merl (nicknamed Muh by Samuel). Samuel knows how sad we are and gently rubs his daddy's arm to comfort him. God's gift to me.

DECEMBER, 2010.  We shake our heads. How can it be that a year has passed since he came home? There is life and love again in our home. Gifts don't seem necessary. It feels a little like we've been unwrapping gifts all year.

Thank you for your patience with us this year. We send this to you because we're thinking of you this Christmas with warm thoughts and smiles. Gifts of peach and joy to you friends!