The Cracked Pot

Here's a poem/parable from India although in the version a friend just emailed me, it was a Chinese woman, not a water bearer from India.

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.

At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his house.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After 2 years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you. I have been able to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house. Because of my flaws, you have to do a lot of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you've watered them.

For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."

Moral:

Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are, and look for the good in them. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape. Remember to appreciate all the different people in your life!

Busy Weekend

And I'm exhausted! Jessica has been running a low-grade fever, but has been fine with some Tylenol or Advil. I keep waiting for it to either get better or worse. She's kind of the queen of low-grade fevers. When Anna is sick, she has a high fever and it's over. Jessica rarely gets sick, but if she does, it's always that low-grade fever that lingers. Both girls have colds now, too.

Anyway, the girls had their usual dance classes on Saturday that seem to occupy the whole day. Anna's is from 12:45 - 2:15, and Jessica's is from 2:10 - 4:10. We need to leave our house by 12:15 and we usually don't get home until after 5:00. Saturday night we went out to eat and didn't get home until after 7:00.

Sunday the girls were each involved in the Girl Scout International Tea. Jessica's troup did France and Anna's did Japan. Each troop researches a country, prepares maps, collages, questions, etc. about their country and then serves something representing that country. France had croissants and faux champaign. Japan had rice and green tea. I helped with Anna's troop since Jessica's troop had more parents and the girls were older. The girls had fun. For me, it was just a lot of noise, but I did get to talk with some of the moms from Anna's troop more which I don't normally do, so that was my favorite part.

After the tea, a scouting event at a Jr. high, we went to another scouting event and another Jr. high. Only this time it was a Cub Scouts event in a suburb on the other side of the metro area. Jessica's class was dancing for their Chinese New Year dinner. Our usual class coordinator had sick kids and wasn't there, but we managed to be effective coordinators without her.

The girls had fun, but it was another day when we left the house shortly after noon, and didn't return until closer to 7:30. I think all three of us were dragging today.

15 Months

My dossier has been logged in 15 months as of today. I still expect another 2 year wait, but knowing I've passed through review makes it a little easier (today anyway).

All this by 8:10 a.m.

I don't really have anything exciting to write about, so I'll just write about our morning. I actually was up and ready on time. Got my garbage out since it's garbage day. Then Anna's hearing aid quit working. I tried 4 different batteries and no response. It's the same one we had fixed in December. I was able to take it to the audiologist this morning and she confirmed it was dead and has to be sent in for repair - again.

And, the girls came really, really close to missing the bus this morning. In fact, they would have had we opened out door any second later than we did. The bus driver stopped in front of our house and waited for them to throw their coats on and grab their backpacks. Jessica dawdled enough that she didn't even get her hair brushed this morning. I hope this is a lesson learned for her that when I say "get dressed or you'll miss the bus!", that I mean it.

WooHoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just Received:

"Hello November LID families,

I wanted to let you know that we received word from our Beijing office that the CCAA has finished the review of the adoption application documents registered with their office before November 30, 2006. Yeah November 2006 is out of review!!!!!! Congratulations to all of you."

Yeah! I made it through review with no questions asked. CCAA says I can adopt again! I'm so relieved!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! It was with Valentine's Day approaching back in 1999 that I dared to believe I would actually adopt a baby girl from China one day. A few days before Valentine's Day I actually took the plunge and bought 2 size 9 month outfits. I hung them on my bedroom door as inspiration so that when I woke up each morning, one of the first things I would see were those outfits. That helped me believe that one day I would have a daughter to wear them. I sent my application in to adopt on March 2nd that year. This time of year I always think of how I dared to believe and my wish came true! Not only once, but now I'm waiting for my third daughter from China.

Blog Anniversary

I started my blog one year ago today. I'm so glad I did. Some days its hard to think of something to post, but it really is therapy for me.

Happy Anniversary to JourneyToAmanda.Blogspot.com!

I've Been Tagged!

I was tagged by Nikki to list 7 random things that many of you out in blogland may not know about me. The rules are to link the person who sent this to you and leave a comment on their blog so their readers can visit yours. Post the rules on your blog. Share 7 facts about yourself. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, linking their blog. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. I broke my leg rollerskating my senior year in high school. Crutches in late January in Minnesota – not fun!

2. I went to a taping of The Price is Right my senior year in college when I was taking a course in Redlands, CA.

3. I traveled overseas twice with the Neenah [WI] Community Band, but after I had moved back home to Minnesota. Once to Greece and Yugoslavia in 1987. And once to Czechoslovakia, Poland and Berlin, Germany in 1990, the summer after The Wall fell. Yes, I have pieces of the wall.

4. I’ve been to Hawaii 6 times – actually 6 years in a row at Thanksgiving time.

5. Donny Osmond was my teen idol crush. I still like both Donny & Marie. I think because they were “good” and so was I, a rare thing in those days. I’m the same age as Marie.

6. I had Jessica’s name picked out since I was in high school only it was Jessica Lynn then, not Jessica Lin as it is now. My boy's name was Christopher.

7. Obviously the fact that I can knit surprises people. My grandma taught me. She was very crafty and loved to bake.

I now tag:
Joyce
Brandi
Angie
Cyndi
Pam
Kris
Ashley

Faith

Here is a quote that always helps me feel better when I'm feeling down, so I thought I'd pass it along. I've seen a few variations credited to other authors, but here is the original written by Patrick Overton:

When you walk to the edge of all the light you have and take that first step into the darkness of the unknown, you must believe that one of two things will happen:

There will be something solid for you to stand upon, or, you will be taught how to fly.

I've Got The Best Secret Buddy!

My not-so Secret Buddy from my October yahoo group got me the best gift. The theme was "something for the parent(s)". Pam got me a subscription to International Skating Magazine. After a very stressful week and especially stressful day when I didn't get home until 8:30 because Jessica had a dance performance, it was so nice to see something just for me to enjoy.

Happy New Year! The Year of the Rat.

THE YEAR OF THE RAT, 2008

February 7, 2008 - January 25, 2009 (Earth)

According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2008 is a Year of the Rat (Earth), which begins on February 7, 2008 and ends on January 25, 2009.

First in the cycle of 12 Animal signs, Rat Year begins the sequence and recurs every twelfth year. It is a time of renewal in so many ways. From New Year to Valentine's Day, to the arrival of spring, may all the blessings and delights of the New Year be yours.

A Rat Year is a time of hard work, activity, and renewal.

This is a good year to begin a new job, get married, launch a product or make a fresh start. Ventures begun now may not yield fast returns, but opportunities will come for people who are well prepared and resourceful. The best way for you to succeed is to be patient, let things develop slowly, and make the most of every opening you can find.

People born in an Earth Rat are said to be logical realists, shrewd, charming, ambitious, and inventive. Of course, the entire horoscope must be considered when making any personality assessment.
In Chinese, the Rat is respected and considered a courageous, enterprising person.

People born in the Year of Rat are clever and bright, sociable and family-minded. They have broad interests and strong ability in adapting to the environment and able to react adequately to any changes.
They are gifted in many ways and have an easy going manner.

They are active and pleasant, tactful and fantastic, and are able to grasp opportunities.

They seem to have interests in everything and hope to participate in doing it and usually do it very well.

Caucus & Physical

I had my physical this morning. I'm glad it's over. I really don't like going to the doctor. I made the appointment thinking I'd need another physical form filled out to renew my I-171H, but it turns out I don't. Oh well. I'm still healthy for a fat person.

Last night I went to a caucus for the first time. It was fun. So many people turned out and there was standing room only in our room. I got to shake Al Franken's hand. He's running for state senator. I still remember him from Saturday Night Live and really wanted to say "you're Al Franken and I'm not", but resisted the urge. He's definitely has a lot of support here. I stayed for the whole caucus meeting and signed up to be an alternate delegate. A definite learning experience.

Stork Landing Today

Referrals were received today for dossiers logged in from December 20, 2005 - December 27, 2005. They are ALMOST done with 2005 LID's. I'll be so glad hopefully next month when they start on some 2006 LID's. Let's hope!

It Feels Good to Have FINISHED Something!

Here's Jessica modeling the scarf I knitted for myself and a baby blanket I knitted for Amanda. I guess I was motivated by the really cold weather we were having as I finished the scarf in 3 nights. It's warm and very soft.



And then I decided to use the same yarn to make a winter baby blanket. I guess I made it more for a toddler. Actually Jessica wants it, but I think I'll save it for Amanda unless I get motivated enough to make one for her and Anna. The yarn is a little spendy or else I'd be making them for my Pay-it-forward project.

Anyway, it feels really good to have finished something. When you have kids, especially more than one, laundry and dishes are a never ending project. You may finish either one, but by the next meal or by bedtime, there's more to do. The house never stays clean for more than a day either. Same with the yard. I hope to continue my current obsession with knitting for awhile. Then I hope to move on to re-doing the playroom and the girls' bedroom. We're going to change the playroom from a Cinderella theme to Harry Potter. Jessica wants her bedroom to loose the pink (even though she chose it) in favor of blue or green and pandas. Now I need to start looking for more panda stuff for the walls and where in the world do I find panda bedding? I bought a panda quilt in China when I was at the Great Wall, and I put rings on it so I could hang it on a curtain rod on the wall. I hope to take colors, etc. from there. On the other hand, Jessica has some definite ideas about what she wants, too, so I need to see what she and Anna can agree upon.