Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Monday, May 28, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Monday, May 21, 2007
Catching Up
Anna wrote me this note this morning. Needless to say, I gave her a hug for a long time.
My Secret Pal gift! I needed another tote bag. This is cute!
Some of the hairbows from a Hairbow Exchange.
Here's a picture of Jessica before the recital rehearsal on Saturday. Just before the recital, we found out hair needed to be in a bun for this dance. 2 braids for the next dance and then 2 ponytails for the third dance.
Rollercoaster
Well, I was feeling upbeat last week when the rumors pointed to a really big batch of referrals coming next. Now there's a rumor that CCAA does expect the wait to increase to 3 years. I really need something to keep me busy over the summer! I've started on the training required under the Hague Treaty - 10 hours. I know I may be exempt because I've already gotten my I-600a approval, but I'd rather be safe than sorry and do the training. I'd like to find something that doesn't require spending money, but that's the best thing to take my mind off the wait. It also gives me an excuse to buy stuff. The girls had their dance recital Saturday, so we're pretty much done with dance until dance camp at the end of July. I guess there's a potential performance on June 2nd, but that won't be an all day thing like recitals and performances tend to be. Probably not even as long as class. Language is now done. Religion classes are done. I am looking forward to summer and hopefully some free weekends. This weekend we're going camping. Our first trip of the season. Hope everything works out. It's always a learning curve after the winter to remember how to hook up and put up the camper. We have a popup camper.
So, back to projects. I'm wearing my pedometer every day as I have since the beginning of the year. I don't remember what I'm up to, but I definitely walk more in an average day than I did at the beginning of the year. I know even in 3 years that I can't walk to China. It's 6306 miles from Minneapolis to Beijing. But I want to see how many I can get. Even if the wait ends up being 3 years, I'd still need almost 6 miles/day to walk it by myself. Maybe with the other members of my yahoo groups who are keeping track, we'll make it.
I've proposed a hairbow and bib swap on a small list, but not many takers. I figure you can't have too many bibs, and even if Amanda is old enough to not need bibs, I can still bring them with me and donate them to the orphanage. I suppose I can start working on my tag blanket. I can always continue on the scrapbooks for the quilt squares. And I have some new fabric I need to wash, iron and cut. I should probably come up with another nice wish since I'm mostly participating in swaps and I think a lot of the same people are in the same swaps.
Anna's class is taking a field trip to a farm tomorrow. She's sure excited. Jessica's class will go to the nature center on Thursday. They only have 3 weeks of school left. I haven't heard from Anna's speech or DHH teacher. I thought we were supposed to have a meeting before school ended. I'll probably have to call them.
Thats all I can think of to add for today. Maybe I can get some pictures uploaded tonight as my blog seems to be so much better with pictures. :)))
Friday, May 18, 2007
Jessica's Day
We went to a restaurant for supper that has one of those machines with stuffed animals and the claw. Jessica actually won a stuffed bear from it!!! She brought her own money to play that and get a tatoo out of another machine.
Then after we got home, I pulled the bikes out of the garage and within minutes, she learned to ride without training wheels!!! Woohoo!
Then just before we went in the house, our neighbor called us over to show us a baby bunny, a fawn. If its still there tomorrow we might try to get a picture, but we didn't want to scare it. I wonder where it's mama went? We have a lot of wild bunnies around here.
Then after we got home, I pulled the bikes out of the garage and within minutes, she learned to ride without training wheels!!! Woohoo!
Then just before we went in the house, our neighbor called us over to show us a baby bunny, a fawn. If its still there tomorrow we might try to get a picture, but we didn't want to scare it. I wonder where it's mama went? We have a lot of wild bunnies around here.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Some Catching Up from Last Week
Last Friday Anna’s kindergarten classes had a musical program. It was called “Mother Goose on the Loose”. The kids sang some cute versions of popular songs. They rotated little ditties that the music teacher made up. It was very cute. They decorated sets, made their own shirts using the computer, and made hats. I know they spent a lot of time. It was nice that Anna knew almost all the words to all the songs and ditties. It’s taken years for her to learn all the words to Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, but only months to memorize all the words to quite a few others. I was very proud and so was she.
I’ve gotten gifts from my October secret buddy and my November cybershower. It’s so much fun to have these monthly or more projects to keep me going.
We’ve also gotten hair bows from the hair bow exchange and now ribbons to make tag blankets. I’ve got a lot of work to do this summer! I’ve signed up for some more quilt swaps, too. I still need over 100 squares to get enough for 3 quilts. With activities winding down for the school year, I’m hoping I’ll find more time to complete some things this summer.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
Happy Mother's Day to all mother's and mothers-to-be. Especially to my fellow adoptive moms. I saw this poem on another list and loved it. I'm sorry, I don't know who wrote it.
*****
Being an adoptive mother is not for every woman. She must possess not only the natural mother instinct but an understanding and appreciation of the situation that brought a child into her arms making her a mother. The adoptive family comes to be by choices made, choices made by the first parents and by the adoptive parents. This bond the adoptive mother has with her child grows over time, like the child did within his first mother's womb.
Day by day, touch by touch, with each tear, kiss, and memory made they became a family. Adoptive mothers have that special knack to let love grow.
Adoptive mothers know that she's a mender of wounds, not just of the physical skinned knees with a band-aid and a kiss, but of the heart. She gives love, acceptance, and permission to ask and talk about the day he was born and of his first parents.
Adoptive mothers are embracers, not only of the child with many hugs and kisses, but of the child's heritage and history. She embraces the facts of her child's past with strength for herself and the child. She's not only a memory maker planning family vacations, activities, and birthday parties, but also a memorykeeper.
She's a tier of shoelaces and of hearts. She weaves lives together into a tapestry of a new family, with many different brightly, colored threads showcasing their individualities and family origins. Together they create one unit attached to each other.
Adoptive mothers are experts at finding lost objects, but understand and validate the profound, deep loss left by adoption. She allows the tears to fall and grief to be felt, allowing the mourning of the mom not there. She is secure in knowing that she's not a replacement, but a finisher of a race for someone who, for whatever reason, could not run any longer.
This role is not for the weak of spirit, or the easily wounded. Loving a child not born to her but calling him her own, but this is what she does, it is her calling. She is a mother.
Author Unknown
*****
Being an adoptive mother is not for every woman. She must possess not only the natural mother instinct but an understanding and appreciation of the situation that brought a child into her arms making her a mother. The adoptive family comes to be by choices made, choices made by the first parents and by the adoptive parents. This bond the adoptive mother has with her child grows over time, like the child did within his first mother's womb.
Day by day, touch by touch, with each tear, kiss, and memory made they became a family. Adoptive mothers have that special knack to let love grow.
Adoptive mothers know that she's a mender of wounds, not just of the physical skinned knees with a band-aid and a kiss, but of the heart. She gives love, acceptance, and permission to ask and talk about the day he was born and of his first parents.
Adoptive mothers are embracers, not only of the child with many hugs and kisses, but of the child's heritage and history. She embraces the facts of her child's past with strength for herself and the child. She's not only a memory maker planning family vacations, activities, and birthday parties, but also a memorykeeper.
She's a tier of shoelaces and of hearts. She weaves lives together into a tapestry of a new family, with many different brightly, colored threads showcasing their individualities and family origins. Together they create one unit attached to each other.
Adoptive mothers are experts at finding lost objects, but understand and validate the profound, deep loss left by adoption. She allows the tears to fall and grief to be felt, allowing the mourning of the mom not there. She is secure in knowing that she's not a replacement, but a finisher of a race for someone who, for whatever reason, could not run any longer.
This role is not for the weak of spirit, or the easily wounded. Loving a child not born to her but calling him her own, but this is what she does, it is her calling. She is a mother.
Author Unknown
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Some Inspiration
"When you get to the end of all the light you know and it's time to step into the darkness of the unknown,
faith is knowing that one of two things will happen:
Either you will be given something solid to stand on,
or you will be taught to fly."
(By Edward Teller)
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Where are the Hidden Cameras?
I feel like I’m having a bunch of practical jokes on me (and I don’t like practical jokes), or that someone will jump out soon and say "Look, you're on Candid Camera!".
Sunday was Jessica’s First Communion. We were at the church from 9:00-11:20. Anna started whining and crying and getting sick about half-way into our time there. I had 21 people, a mix of kids and adults, in my house afterward for an open house. I figured I’d just put Anna to bed and let her watch a movie until she hopefully fell asleep. I walk into my house and no lights were on. Evidently there were some really high winds around 11:00 that knocked down trees and branches, knocking into and down power lines. So here I am, having an open house, and I have no power! Luckily it was a relatively nice day. Cloudy, but a nice temperature, so I opened up all the blinds to let some light in. All the food I was serving was cold (sandwiches, veggies, fruit, chips, salsa), so I didn’t have to worry about that. Anna of course never w
ent to sleep because she couldn’t watch a movie, but the Tylenol kicked in and she was feeling better. At 8:20 p.m. I finally decided to call the power company since I was starting to worry about the food in my freezers and refrigerator and they told me they were estimating noon the next day for power to be restored! Luckily about 5 minutes later it all came back on. I was too tired to do much at that point so just went to bed. Here's a picture of the cake. I'll get a picture of Jessica in her pretty dress and veil later. Notice, too, that the package I bought that was supposed to say "1st Communion", only had letters for "1st Communin".
Yesterday, Anna still had a low-grade fever in the morning, so I kept her home from school. She says the Ramen Noodles she ate for lunch made her hurt tummy, leg and head all better, so bad mommy, I let her go to swimming lessons. After swimming, I was going to bring the girls out to eat since it was almost 7:00 and when we get to the restaurant, Anna goes “ew, Mom, you have sticky stuff on your back!”. Seems my almost 8 year old thought the proper place to dispose of gum was the back of my carseat. She tried to claim it was my fault for not looking where I was sitting.. Needless to say, we went home instead of the restaurant, and gum is banned for an indeterminate amount of time. She finally at some point during the evening spelled “s-o-r-r-y”.
This morning I was having some female troubles, so we got going really late. Anna gets all mad at me because she sees the clothes I laid out for Jessica on my bed, but hers fell to the floor and she thinks I only love Jessica. Jessica thinks I only love Anna because I got mad at her for the gum incident! THEN, guess who spills her instant breakfast on my car seat? Yup, my almost 8 year old. Then, to top it all off, earlier I had written permissions to her teacher and a friend’s bus driver so that she could go to that friend’s house after school, we get to school and Jessica goes “do you have those sheets of paper?” Boy, you think they’re growing up and then they prove you wrong on the worst possible days.
So, I ended up getting to work an hour late after having missed the previous 2 days, and I felt like someone had played a bunch of practical jokes on me just to see how I’d handle it. And, to top it off, I keep forgetting to mail my gift to my cybershower recipient and I was supposed to do it by April 30th! I hope she’s understanding. It’s going overseas so I have to take it to the post office, and I forgot again to go at lunchtime!
But, my house is clean, or at least most of it is, and maybe that’s why I’m taking it all in stride. Let’s hope these incidents don’t keep happening.
Sunday was Jessica’s First Communion. We were at the church from 9:00-11:20. Anna started whining and crying and getting sick about half-way into our time there. I had 21 people, a mix of kids and adults, in my house afterward for an open house. I figured I’d just put Anna to bed and let her watch a movie until she hopefully fell asleep. I walk into my house and no lights were on. Evidently there were some really high winds around 11:00 that knocked down trees and branches, knocking into and down power lines. So here I am, having an open house, and I have no power! Luckily it was a relatively nice day. Cloudy, but a nice temperature, so I opened up all the blinds to let some light in. All the food I was serving was cold (sandwiches, veggies, fruit, chips, salsa), so I didn’t have to worry about that. Anna of course never w
ent to sleep because she couldn’t watch a movie, but the Tylenol kicked in and she was feeling better. At 8:20 p.m. I finally decided to call the power company since I was starting to worry about the food in my freezers and refrigerator and they told me they were estimating noon the next day for power to be restored! Luckily about 5 minutes later it all came back on. I was too tired to do much at that point so just went to bed. Here's a picture of the cake. I'll get a picture of Jessica in her pretty dress and veil later. Notice, too, that the package I bought that was supposed to say "1st Communion", only had letters for "1st Communin".Yesterday, Anna still had a low-grade fever in the morning, so I kept her home from school. She says the Ramen Noodles she ate for lunch made her hurt tummy, leg and head all better, so bad mommy, I let her go to swimming lessons. After swimming, I was going to bring the girls out to eat since it was almost 7:00 and when we get to the restaurant, Anna goes “ew, Mom, you have sticky stuff on your back!”. Seems my almost 8 year old thought the proper place to dispose of gum was the back of my carseat. She tried to claim it was my fault for not looking where I was sitting.. Needless to say, we went home instead of the restaurant, and gum is banned for an indeterminate amount of time. She finally at some point during the evening spelled “s-o-r-r-y”.
This morning I was having some female troubles, so we got going really late. Anna gets all mad at me because she sees the clothes I laid out for Jessica on my bed, but hers fell to the floor and she thinks I only love Jessica. Jessica thinks I only love Anna because I got mad at her for the gum incident! THEN, guess who spills her instant breakfast on my car seat? Yup, my almost 8 year old. Then, to top it all off, earlier I had written permissions to her teacher and a friend’s bus driver so that she could go to that friend’s house after school, we get to school and Jessica goes “do you have those sheets of paper?” Boy, you think they’re growing up and then they prove you wrong on the worst possible days.
So, I ended up getting to work an hour late after having missed the previous 2 days, and I felt like someone had played a bunch of practical jokes on me just to see how I’d handle it. And, to top it off, I keep forgetting to mail my gift to my cybershower recipient and I was supposed to do it by April 30th! I hope she’s understanding. It’s going overseas so I have to take it to the post office, and I forgot again to go at lunchtime!
But, my house is clean, or at least most of it is, and maybe that’s why I’m taking it all in stride. Let’s hope these incidents don’t keep happening.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
As You Journey Through Life
“As you journey through life, choose your destination well,
but do not hurry there. You will arrive soon enough. Wander
the back roads and forgotten paths, keeping your destination
in your heart like a fixed point on a compass. Seek out new
voices, strange sights, and ideas foreign to your own. Such
things are riches for the soul. And if upon your arrival you find
that your destination is not exactly as you had dreamed, do not
be disappointed. Think of all you would have missed but for the
journey there, and know that the true worth of you travel lies
not in where you come to be at journey’s end, but who you came
to be along the way.”
Author Unknown
I've used this on most of my wishes for my 100 Good Wishes Quilt Square swaps.
but do not hurry there. You will arrive soon enough. Wander
the back roads and forgotten paths, keeping your destination
in your heart like a fixed point on a compass. Seek out new
voices, strange sights, and ideas foreign to your own. Such
things are riches for the soul. And if upon your arrival you find
that your destination is not exactly as you had dreamed, do not
be disappointed. Think of all you would have missed but for the
journey there, and know that the true worth of you travel lies
not in where you come to be at journey’s end, but who you came
to be along the way.”
Author Unknown
I've used this on most of my wishes for my 100 Good Wishes Quilt Square swaps.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
A Poem
The Adopted Child 
The Gift of Life
I didn't give you the gift of life,
But in my heart I know.
The love I feel is deep and real,
As if it had been so.
For us to have each other
Is like a dream come true!
No, I didn't give you
The gift of life,
Life gave me the gift of you.
The Gift of Life
I didn't give you the gift of life,
But in my heart I know.
The love I feel is deep and real,
As if it had been so.
For us to have each other
Is like a dream come true!
No, I didn't give you
The gift of life,
Life gave me the gift of you.
--- Unknown
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Maybe Referrals Today for the end of October, 2005 LID's
Sounds like those with LID's from the end of October and up to November 1, 2005 will be receiving referrals today or tomorrow. They've finally made it to November 2005. So now just a year plus early November, 2006 families must get referrals before I'm due. A little more progress. Hopefully CCAA will continue to refer a little bit larger batches. I'm still thinking that a referral by the end of 2008 is optimistic.
We've just been busy with life. The girls had swimming last night. I'm looking forward to activities ending for the season. Anna's done with Sunday school. Jessica will be done after Sunday. Language class ends on the 11th. The girls' dance recital is the 19th. It'll be nice to have a break from all of those. I did sign the girls up for morning mini-camps put on by the school during the summer. It'll give them something to do and since busing is also provided, it makes it easy.
No word yet from the school on the exchange student. I don't know whether to pursue it or just let it go. I sort of want to let it drop, but then Jessica asks me if I know whether we'll get to have her here. Guess I'm just tired. I haven't posted too much to my DTC/LID groups. I think we're all in a funk. I'm looking forward to the end of some activities end and school getting out and the time we start camping again. Swimming lessons and dog obedience training (or Lucy's school as we call it) will all end about the same time school ends (June 11th). Wish I could get a big break like that. I guess I have to wait for my family leave. I wish I was independently wealthy and could stay home when I want. Several mornings last week and this morning, we got going late and Jessie missed her bus, so I had to bring her to school. It's kind of nice to be able to drop her off and wish her a good day. I know I can do that at daycare, too, but its kind of nice to bring her to school. Somehow it makes me feel like a good mom.
Anyway, I didn't have any pictures to post, but still didn't want to go too long without a post. Here's to hoping referrals come today.
We've just been busy with life. The girls had swimming last night. I'm looking forward to activities ending for the season. Anna's done with Sunday school. Jessica will be done after Sunday. Language class ends on the 11th. The girls' dance recital is the 19th. It'll be nice to have a break from all of those. I did sign the girls up for morning mini-camps put on by the school during the summer. It'll give them something to do and since busing is also provided, it makes it easy.
No word yet from the school on the exchange student. I don't know whether to pursue it or just let it go. I sort of want to let it drop, but then Jessica asks me if I know whether we'll get to have her here. Guess I'm just tired. I haven't posted too much to my DTC/LID groups. I think we're all in a funk. I'm looking forward to the end of some activities end and school getting out and the time we start camping again. Swimming lessons and dog obedience training (or Lucy's school as we call it) will all end about the same time school ends (June 11th). Wish I could get a big break like that. I guess I have to wait for my family leave. I wish I was independently wealthy and could stay home when I want. Several mornings last week and this morning, we got going late and Jessie missed her bus, so I had to bring her to school. It's kind of nice to be able to drop her off and wish her a good day. I know I can do that at daycare, too, but its kind of nice to bring her to school. Somehow it makes me feel like a good mom.
Anyway, I didn't have any pictures to post, but still didn't want to go too long without a post. Here's to hoping referrals come today.
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