we had a very busy week. Jia had soccer games on Monday and Wednesday, we went to the high school choir concert, Adam took the girls trick or treating and we had a bonfire. We are all pretty exhausted. The good thing is that we have no obligations for the weekend and can regroup and try to catch up.
The fall soccer season has ended so Jia can hang up her cleats for a few months. We will sign both girls up for the spring season. Schwen has been itching to get out on the field since she has been home. I'm considering signing the girls up for basketball as long as it does not interfere with their KCAP classes.
Two of the neighbor boys are in the school choir and show choir so we went to see their fall concert after Jia's game on Wednesday. Jia has been going to band and choir concerts for several years but we were not sure how Schwen would do...no worry...she loved the singing..however,when it came time for the dancing she wanted to go home...yikes..I just purchased tix for the Nutcracker...hope she will be able to sit through the performance.
Adam took the girls to Worthington to go trick or treating...the temp was close to 70 degrees and a perfect night. Schwen enjoyed it all. I took the opportunity to have dinner with my friend Barb and had a good time myself!
It's been like "old home week" for me. Last Sunday we met my friend Patty and her two daughters Kelly and Paige for lunch. They live in Bay Village and were in Columbus for a wedding. Patty and I have been friend since we met at the University of Toledo in 1979. Earlier in the week I had lunch with my friend Debbie who I went to Findlay College with and we had a good time laughing and convincing ourselves that we were not that much different from when we first met 32 years ago!
So far we have all been healthy, which is really good b/c we have not gotten our seasonal flu vaccines. We had planned to go to one of the clinics offered in November by the Delaware Health District. We found out this week that they ran out of the vaccine. The doctors office does not have it either. As far as the H1N1 vaccine...not sure when we can get that either. In the meantime due diligence on preventative measures. I do have two nephews who have or have had the H1N1 virus. One is over it and the other one, who is a college student, has it now.
Happy Halloween
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
citizenship papers!
Schwen's Certificate of Citizenship arrived today. We can now apply for her social security card and begin the process to re-adopt her in Ohio!
it's been raining most of the day and very windy in Delaware. We were supposed to have a bonfire and spooky trail but had to postpone..we probably could have ended up doing the bonfire but Adam could not get the spooky trail set up in the rain plus it was pretty darn cold and blustery...amazing..the girls and i were in columbus and they did not even need to have coats on...we got up to delaware and it was an entirely different ball game. we ended up staying home and watching Babe...yes the movie that came out in the mid-90's about a pig. The girls enjoyed it.
we are meeting an old friend and her two daughters for lunch on sunday-they were in columbus for a wedding. patty and i met at the university of toledo back around 1980 and she and her two beautful daughters live in Bay Village. it will be great to see them before they head back to the arctic zone!
we are following the blog of a family who is currently in china to adopt TWO children...the first is a boy who just two months shy of his 14th birthday. once a
child turns 14 they are no longer eligible for adoption. Adam met this young man when he was in Nanjing and we are so happy he now has a family. the family is also adopting a little girl from a different province. my hat goes off to this family who will have a total of 8 children.
it's been raining most of the day and very windy in Delaware. We were supposed to have a bonfire and spooky trail but had to postpone..we probably could have ended up doing the bonfire but Adam could not get the spooky trail set up in the rain plus it was pretty darn cold and blustery...amazing..the girls and i were in columbus and they did not even need to have coats on...we got up to delaware and it was an entirely different ball game. we ended up staying home and watching Babe...yes the movie that came out in the mid-90's about a pig. The girls enjoyed it.
we are meeting an old friend and her two daughters for lunch on sunday-they were in columbus for a wedding. patty and i met at the university of toledo back around 1980 and she and her two beautful daughters live in Bay Village. it will be great to see them before they head back to the arctic zone!
we are following the blog of a family who is currently in china to adopt TWO children...the first is a boy who just two months shy of his 14th birthday. once a
child turns 14 they are no longer eligible for adoption. Adam met this young man when he was in Nanjing and we are so happy he now has a family. the family is also adopting a little girl from a different province. my hat goes off to this family who will have a total of 8 children.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Making progress
It's been a week and Schwen is back to liking school again. Her class went on a field trip to a farm and she was able to experience riding on the bus...could be part of why she likes school again! She also has a good buddy-Jessica and the teachers all seem to enjoy her also.
I took the girls up north to visit friends and family. It was a whirlwind weekend but they had a fantastic time. We stayed at the home of a childhood friend-she has twin girls who are 10 and they were fantastic with my girls. Jia has always loved going to their house and now Schwen does also. She even cried when we left. I've known Mary since we were young children and her sister Tina has been my best friend since we were 3 years old. We were also able to visit with our friends the Gargacs whose daughter Hayley is one of Jia's best friends. Schwen met my niece Tammy and her husband Matt and two of her sons Josh and Chris and also her Aunt Judy and Uncle Tom. It was a good weekend.
Jia's soccer season is winding down-just two games left which is good because it is starting to get dark a lot earlier. We'll have a week break after soccer and then she begins practicing for the winter play at the Arts Castle.
Weather permitting we are having a bonfire this weekend. Adam will set up a spook trail for the girls and their friends. The weekend will be busy. We have friends from Cleveland who will be in town for a wedding and we plan to meet them for breakfast on Sunday and then meet our friends Deb, Austin and McKala for an afternoon at Circle S farms. I don't know how it happens but we rarely have any free weekends. It seems to be this way with so many people nowdays. The girls were invited on a playdate this weekend and we could not make it. Their friends mother and I were trying to find a free weekend for the girls to play and we could not find one between now and christmas. I'm going to have to find a remedy for this. In the meantime I'll enjoy this beautiful fall weather!
I took the girls up north to visit friends and family. It was a whirlwind weekend but they had a fantastic time. We stayed at the home of a childhood friend-she has twin girls who are 10 and they were fantastic with my girls. Jia has always loved going to their house and now Schwen does also. She even cried when we left. I've known Mary since we were young children and her sister Tina has been my best friend since we were 3 years old. We were also able to visit with our friends the Gargacs whose daughter Hayley is one of Jia's best friends. Schwen met my niece Tammy and her husband Matt and two of her sons Josh and Chris and also her Aunt Judy and Uncle Tom. It was a good weekend.
Jia's soccer season is winding down-just two games left which is good because it is starting to get dark a lot earlier. We'll have a week break after soccer and then she begins practicing for the winter play at the Arts Castle.
Weather permitting we are having a bonfire this weekend. Adam will set up a spook trail for the girls and their friends. The weekend will be busy. We have friends from Cleveland who will be in town for a wedding and we plan to meet them for breakfast on Sunday and then meet our friends Deb, Austin and McKala for an afternoon at Circle S farms. I don't know how it happens but we rarely have any free weekends. It seems to be this way with so many people nowdays. The girls were invited on a playdate this weekend and we could not make it. Their friends mother and I were trying to find a free weekend for the girls to play and we could not find one between now and christmas. I'm going to have to find a remedy for this. In the meantime I'll enjoy this beautiful fall weather!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
reality time
Adam and Schwen have been home for almost four weeks and the newness is gone. Schwen had decided she no longer likes school...great...we think that she may believe that Adam stays home with Jia since Schwen and I leave early in the morning and Adam and Jia are still here and are also here when we get home. Or it could be that she is no longer the "celebrity" at school and realizes she actually has to work. Hopefully we'll figure it out soon.
So far no sickness here. In the past Jia has gotten bronchitis around this time. She goes to my doctor next week for a new patient exam. I switched both her and Schwen to go to the same clinic where I go to. Schwen has appointments with the audiologist and eye doctor in the next few weeks. Then we should be finished until her well child check next year! (I hope)
Jia's school had a reading program last night. The four of us were sitting in the auditorium listening to an author read her book and I reached over and tried to hold Schwen's hand..nope...she pulled it away..wow, I should have been prepared for that but wasn't. She can be loving and want hugs/kisses but it has to be on her terms. Jia loved the program and her enthusiasm is contagious. We then divided into groups and the parents went to the multi-purpose room while the younger children stayed with the author and a musician. Schwen and Jia had a great time and this could be part of her problem with her school also...she likes the big kids school.
I'm still struggling with the balance of working full time. I think I could do ok if I actually arrived home at a decent time or even worked part time every day or 4 days a week from 9-3 (so that I did not have to leave the house until 8:15 and could be home before 4:00). Now we get home, eat dinner and then a few minutes for homework and time to get the girls ready for bed. Very little free and quality time with them. We dont' even have much time on the weekends for this and once we get through commitments for the next 4 weekends things are going to change. If we have something planned for one weekend day the other weekend day will be spent at home..it's just the way it has to be. We may miss out on a fun activity or dinner but our family time is just more important (and so is my sanity).
Christmas is right around the corner and I started picking a few things up for the girls. It is going to be a very light and simple christmas here, the girls and I will make gifts for their teachers and I already advised family that I will no longer buy for nieces and nephews-we have 11 on both sides and with all of our expenses this past year and the upcoming year I had to cut back. It will be interesting to see how Schwen reacts to Christmas and also looking forward to spending the day at home with the girls and perhaps Justin and Jill can make it as well. Luckily Christmas is on a Friday so I actually get a three day weekend! Since I have no more paid days off other than the holidays I especially look forward to the holidays!
So far no sickness here. In the past Jia has gotten bronchitis around this time. She goes to my doctor next week for a new patient exam. I switched both her and Schwen to go to the same clinic where I go to. Schwen has appointments with the audiologist and eye doctor in the next few weeks. Then we should be finished until her well child check next year! (I hope)
Jia's school had a reading program last night. The four of us were sitting in the auditorium listening to an author read her book and I reached over and tried to hold Schwen's hand..nope...she pulled it away..wow, I should have been prepared for that but wasn't. She can be loving and want hugs/kisses but it has to be on her terms. Jia loved the program and her enthusiasm is contagious. We then divided into groups and the parents went to the multi-purpose room while the younger children stayed with the author and a musician. Schwen and Jia had a great time and this could be part of her problem with her school also...she likes the big kids school.
I'm still struggling with the balance of working full time. I think I could do ok if I actually arrived home at a decent time or even worked part time every day or 4 days a week from 9-3 (so that I did not have to leave the house until 8:15 and could be home before 4:00). Now we get home, eat dinner and then a few minutes for homework and time to get the girls ready for bed. Very little free and quality time with them. We dont' even have much time on the weekends for this and once we get through commitments for the next 4 weekends things are going to change. If we have something planned for one weekend day the other weekend day will be spent at home..it's just the way it has to be. We may miss out on a fun activity or dinner but our family time is just more important (and so is my sanity).
Christmas is right around the corner and I started picking a few things up for the girls. It is going to be a very light and simple christmas here, the girls and I will make gifts for their teachers and I already advised family that I will no longer buy for nieces and nephews-we have 11 on both sides and with all of our expenses this past year and the upcoming year I had to cut back. It will be interesting to see how Schwen reacts to Christmas and also looking forward to spending the day at home with the girls and perhaps Justin and Jill can make it as well. Luckily Christmas is on a Friday so I actually get a three day weekend! Since I have no more paid days off other than the holidays I especially look forward to the holidays!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
a busy week
I took Schwen to the International Adoption Clinic at Nationwide Children's Hospital on Monday and also to the family doctor for her school physical. We found out that she is in the 25% for weight and 50% for height. She really entertained the translator with her stories and was very charming to the doctor as well. School started full time on Tuesday as I returned to work. She really seems to enjoy school (much more than I enjoy working). She is pretty tired though and we thought she was getting used to the new schedule until we found out today when she told our friend Julia that we never let her sleep! She was used to 12 hours of sleep a night and an hour and a half nap! Now its 10 hours a night and no nap.
Jia is enjoying school as well and was very happy that their class now has a gerbil named Jumpy. Her reading is improving and she is still waiting for that first tooth to get a bit looser!!
So I returned to work on Tuesday. By Friday the house was a mess, non-perishable foods (and one bag of missed frozen peas) has been sitting in bags on the floor since Wednesday, plus 3 baskets of folded laundry to be put away and 3 baskets to be folded. Whoever said you can work full time, have a husband who works full time, raise a family and keep it all together lied. There is just no way to be able to do it all...if someone knows how please let me know.
Tomorrow is Adam's birthday. The plan is for the girls and I to make him breakfast, make a cake, go to Yellow Springs to enjoy the fall colors and then go to his moms for dinner. Another exhausting day for the girls and we have to find time for homework in there also.
Fall is upon us. I enjoy the changing leaves and cooler temps...could do without all the rain. Hope to post new pics soon.
Jia is enjoying school as well and was very happy that their class now has a gerbil named Jumpy. Her reading is improving and she is still waiting for that first tooth to get a bit looser!!
So I returned to work on Tuesday. By Friday the house was a mess, non-perishable foods (and one bag of missed frozen peas) has been sitting in bags on the floor since Wednesday, plus 3 baskets of folded laundry to be put away and 3 baskets to be folded. Whoever said you can work full time, have a husband who works full time, raise a family and keep it all together lied. There is just no way to be able to do it all...if someone knows how please let me know.
Tomorrow is Adam's birthday. The plan is for the girls and I to make him breakfast, make a cake, go to Yellow Springs to enjoy the fall colors and then go to his moms for dinner. Another exhausting day for the girls and we have to find time for homework in there also.
Fall is upon us. I enjoy the changing leaves and cooler temps...could do without all the rain. Hope to post new pics soon.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
the kiddo's
a pic of three of the best things about my life-being a mom to these great individuals. Justin, the oldest was such a fantastic kid I never wanted to have another b/c I was afraid I would not be as lucky the second time around. However, my family did not feel complete and in 2003 we began the process to adopt our daughter Jia. Wow, we hit the jackpot with her...another great child...so..we took a leap of faith and decided to get a sister for Justin and Jia. Schwen is a great addition to our family...she is the one who will keep us on our toes though!
Schwen did attend a full day of kindergarten and did great. I took her to Jia's school to give a presentation on the Autumn Moon Festival and she loved being in the classroom with Jia. We went to recess with the class and had lunch and she was the main attraction..a "celebrity"...of course she did NOT want to leave and I hope that no one from the school looked out the windows when I picked her screaming, kicking body off the ground and put her in the car! Jia was the protective big sister at school and really enjoyed having us there.
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