I realized the last time I posted it was six weeks before the wedding..now I think it has been six weeks SINCE the wedding...what a fabulous day...the bride was stunning, the groom handsome and the flower girls were enchanting. It was great to have some of my closest friends present to help celebrate the day.
Since then...life is just busy. I used to have a friend who had at least 6 kids and I remember asking her "how do you do it??" ...her reply-it was toughest going from 1 child to 2 children...yes...I can see this....b/c while S is my 3d child the difference b/t #1 and #2 is 20+ years and I did not raise them together. It is more than double the work, double the laundry, double the food. We've had a few rough weeks but each day gets a bit better. A few weeks ago S was really a tyrant...then I found out she hurt her foot in soccer-and never bothered to tell us...kind of explains why she was so irate-she was in pain. We still have the daily crying for no apparant reason but the tantrums have subsided a little. She graduates from kindergarten next week and will go to firt grade next year and possibly the year after that as well. She is looking forward to riding the school bus.
For the previous 2 summers and winters J has attended acting classes at the local arts center...she has been in at least 5 plays...we attended the christmas show at the Marion Palace Theater and she stated that she wanted to be in a big show. We sw that auditions would be held for children for the summer musical "Guys and Dolls". We asked her if she wanted to audition and she said yes. Luckily a friend auditioned the day before and gave us the lowdown on what to expect. I took her there this past Sunday and she sang and danced and loved seeing all the adults audition as well. She will be in the show as part of the chorus. No speaking parts for the children but what a great experience. The rehearsal schedule will be a bit grueling for a few weeks but since she doesn't have school it is ok. She will attend LaPetite during the day but can sleep on the way there and the way home.
Both girls played on the same soccer team this past spring and loved it. Next year they will be on different teams as J will be on the 2nd/3rd grade team.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Six weeks
Six weeks from today my first child will be getting married. Wow. At first it seemed like such a long way off and now it will be here in just six short weeks. I did not lose the weight I had hoped to lose but I did join a 5:30 a.m. jazzercise class...finally found a time I can fit in my schedule to work out!! I did find three dresses and two pair of shoes and will make the final decision a week before the wedding...and after I purchase the infamous SPANX...all my young friends swear by them...I keep telling them we had the same thing years ago and they were called GIRDLES!!!
Schwen had her first birthday celebration last week. She was on excellent behaviour the two weeks leading up to her birthday-she used it all up because the week after was very trying. We said she was 6 going on 4...it was more like 6 going on 3. She did have a really good time at her birthday party and at Disney on Ice and visiting with friends on Saturday.
February was such a busy month with chinese new year, daddy/daughter dance and Schwen's birthday. The next six weeks are busy with wedding preparations and then we are full into soccer season with soccer games 2x a week. I'll be glad when the summer is here and the only thing the girls will participate in is having fun and a week long drama camp. We do have a few fun things planned also and Schwen will visit the beach this year.
It's nice to see sunshine for a change..of course I can now see all the dust build up and also how filthy the windows are...oh well..can't worry about those little things.
Schwen had her first birthday celebration last week. She was on excellent behaviour the two weeks leading up to her birthday-she used it all up because the week after was very trying. We said she was 6 going on 4...it was more like 6 going on 3. She did have a really good time at her birthday party and at Disney on Ice and visiting with friends on Saturday.
February was such a busy month with chinese new year, daddy/daughter dance and Schwen's birthday. The next six weeks are busy with wedding preparations and then we are full into soccer season with soccer games 2x a week. I'll be glad when the summer is here and the only thing the girls will participate in is having fun and a week long drama camp. We do have a few fun things planned also and Schwen will visit the beach this year.
It's nice to see sunshine for a change..of course I can now see all the dust build up and also how filthy the windows are...oh well..can't worry about those little things.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Our Love girls
Our little valentine "love" girls...they were thrilled with their balloons, candy and high school musical plates..spent a few hours with NeiNei so we could go on a date. Saw the movie "Crazy Heart" and out to dinner..
busy week...Jia has not been to school at all-first President's Day and two snow days..about 20 inches of snow the past week.
had our first post adoption follow up visit with social worker today...girls were wound tight but pam won them over. then the girls and i danced to Sweatin with the oldies...they were tired out!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
double trouble
So many fun activities in February-Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year and Schwen's birthday. I had the girls try on the dresses Adam bought for them in China. Schwen was so happy with her dress and just kept giggling while looking at herself in the mirror.
We are taking the girls to Disney on Ice on Schwen's birthday. She will have a little party at school the day before and is so excited since many of her classmates have already celebrated their birthdays.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
the yuk is here
We all have it ..the dreaded YUK...Adam is the sickest...the girls still manage to function. I had a few very restless nights of waking up with a sorethroat every 4 hours to take more ibuprofen. I was supposed to have a "girls weekend" this weekend with friends coming to town and we had hotel reservations...with the big great white blizzard (about 10 inches up here)..and the Radloff YUK it was best to postpone. Adam did not even feel good enough to get in the skidloader to clear out the driveway until close to 4:00 pm. I was forced to stay inside and was able to clean the two downstairs bathrooms (much overdue)...the girls played outside for about 40 minutes until Schwen's hands were too cold (why she took her mittens off I'll never know)...they came inside and took an hour and a half nap...they've been getting along pretty good today and with no prompting Jia said that she loved Schwen and Schwen said she loved Jia...
Monday, February 1, 2010
Happy February
the long month of January is now past and lots of things to look forward to in February...Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year, a shower for my future daughter in law, a weekend with some of my best friends and Schwen's birthday!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
78 days
In just 78 days my baby boy will be getting married...at this time I cannot help but to think about my parents...my mom and dad (especially my mom) thought the world revolved around Justin. I have a sister who is 15 years older than me and the youngest grandchild at the time Justin was born was 15 years old and when the other grandkids were young I was also so my mom was raising kids and had grandchildren and did not get to enjoy the others being babies. My parents were excellent grandparents-when we lived in Tennessee they would come to visit for a week and stay at a hotel and keep Justin with them and take him to all the sites. He would spend a week with them at christmas and at spring break and also for a few weeks in the summer. When we lived in Cincinnati they would make the almost 4 hour drive down to watch him run cross country and track and would also drive to other parts of the state to watch him run. I am glad that they were able to meet Justin's fiance' Jill before they died. When my mom was dying she said she hoped they would get married so as the weddign date is approaching I cannot help but think of them.
Monday, January 11, 2010
I have long hair
Every day Schwen asks when will her hair be long and we tell her by next christmas...well, since we still have our christmas tree us she thinks that will be at any time...so I now tell her when she is 7 her hair will be longer. It appeases her for a day or so and then the same question....long hair christmas? Several years ago Jia was into the princess stage and I found many of the princess wigs at Big Lots...she never liked wearing them and I remembered I still had a Snow White wig still in the packaging. I gave it to Schwen and she was elated and all night long she kept saying "I have long hair"...she even put it on after her shower and wanted to wear it to bed. She can't wait to wear it to school and show her teachers.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
It's beginning to look a little like Christmas
the lights are on the outside of the house, the decorations are up and we do have a tree-it just isn't decorated yet.
We took Schwen to church for the first time-she did OK...not great but ok and we did not have to leave the service. I will take them to the christmas cantata on Sunday but not even attempt christmas eve services b/c they do not begin until 7:30 and it is way too crowded, plus I will not get home from work until 6:00 or so. We will do our traditional appetizer dinner on Christmas Eve and then drive around and look at the lights.
Last weekend was a busy weekend-way too busy. Beginning in January things ARE going to slow down and we will turn down many opportunities. The girls go to school during the week and we only have two hours from the time I get home to eat, do homework and get ready for bed. We need to start spending QUALITY time at home with just the four of us. Beginning in 2010 we will only do ONE activity a weekend,if they have chinese class on Saturday then that is it..we will not do nothing else other than church on Sunday. Life just has to slow down for us..it's going by way too fast.
On a humorous note..Schwen walked into the bathroom with a necklace and bracelet and asked if she could wear them to school. I said yes to the necklace but no to the bracelet (it was one she got in China) and told her I was afraid she would lose it at school. She walked into the other room and Adam asked where her bracelet was...she told him "Mama loser"...ok that is what is SOUNDED like...he was cracking up...I then explained what had happened...her english is coming along but still not 100%...what she actually said was Mama lose ah meaning I said she would lose it...oh well.. I'm sure in 10 years she will actually be saying Mom is a loser...and Dad too!
We took Schwen to church for the first time-she did OK...not great but ok and we did not have to leave the service. I will take them to the christmas cantata on Sunday but not even attempt christmas eve services b/c they do not begin until 7:30 and it is way too crowded, plus I will not get home from work until 6:00 or so. We will do our traditional appetizer dinner on Christmas Eve and then drive around and look at the lights.
Last weekend was a busy weekend-way too busy. Beginning in January things ARE going to slow down and we will turn down many opportunities. The girls go to school during the week and we only have two hours from the time I get home to eat, do homework and get ready for bed. We need to start spending QUALITY time at home with just the four of us. Beginning in 2010 we will only do ONE activity a weekend,if they have chinese class on Saturday then that is it..we will not do nothing else other than church on Sunday. Life just has to slow down for us..it's going by way too fast.
On a humorous note..Schwen walked into the bathroom with a necklace and bracelet and asked if she could wear them to school. I said yes to the necklace but no to the bracelet (it was one she got in China) and told her I was afraid she would lose it at school. She walked into the other room and Adam asked where her bracelet was...she told him "Mama loser"...ok that is what is SOUNDED like...he was cracking up...I then explained what had happened...her english is coming along but still not 100%...what she actually said was Mama lose ah meaning I said she would lose it...oh well.. I'm sure in 10 years she will actually be saying Mom is a loser...and Dad too!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
All I want for Christmas.....
is a cookie..yes, this is what Schwen told Santa...of course she had NO idea that Santa actually brings TOYS...Christmas will be so much fun this year with both girls. Jia is such a sweetie...she only asked for Littlest Pet Shop and Ponieville toys and a Buckeye Valley (her school) sweatshirt. And, as you can see from the picture...Jia lost her first tooth...she was SO excited.
Have I mentioned that working full time stinks? Of course I have...I hate that I don't get home until 6:00 pm. Luckily Adam is home and can have dinner close to being ready when I get home and we are usually sitting down to eat by 6:20...dinner is finished at 7:00 then it is homework, showers, etc. Jia's teacher wants her to read out loud a minimum of 15 minutes a night, plus she has to practice her lines for the play...just never never enough time. It's already December 8th and the Christmas decorations are NOT up yet and of course NO tree yet. I'm hopeful that it will all be taken care of by this weekend...and if you come over to our house in the month of January and the decorations are still up you now know why.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
December
Happy December! I decided I would try to update at least 1x a month...it's getting harder and harder to do so. It 's been so long since I've been on the blog I forget how to change the colors so bear with me.
November flew by. We had Thanksgiving at our house with Justin and Jill, Adams Mom and Dad and his brother Dave. The girls really enjoyed having everyone over and it was a nice day. I did end up going shopping on black Friday and was able to get most of the items for the girls for christmas. This is the first time I've had my shopping done this early. It may be the only thing I get accomplished early! We brought all the boxes of christmas decorations up from the basement and they will sit until sunday. There just is not enough time during the week to get anything done. I need a day off but have used up all of my time off for the year and we cannot afford for me to take a day off without pay.
I'm trying to get into the holiday spirit, especially for Jia and Schwen. I want to bake cookies with them, I want to make christmas ornaments with them, I want to make their teachers presents, I want to take their picture and send out christmas cards. In the end we'll be lucky to do slice and bake cookies and that will be the extent of it. We do have a few upcoming fun events. This week is the COFCC Holiday party and then the girls, Nei Nei (Adam's mom), her friend Nancy and I are going to see a production of The Nutcracker. After having been the the Balletmet's production of The Nutcracker the past 6 years I had decided I was taking a break. Then we had an opportunity to see a different production for half price, plus the role of Clara being performed by a girl from our COFCC chapter. Our only other holiday event (other than dinner for my work) is that we are going to see the holiday production at the Marion Palace. We have friends who will be performing and I think the variety of the performances will keep the girls (and us) entertained.
I have a love/hate relationship with the holidays. It is difficult b/c I no longer have my parents. It is difficult b/c there is so much to do. It is difficult b/c there are usually additional demands made on our time. But then there is the joy in giving and seeing the happiness all around. I am goign to have our family sponsor a family this year and Jia's school is having a week of giving to People in Need. This is a good opportunity for teaching.
November flew by. We had Thanksgiving at our house with Justin and Jill, Adams Mom and Dad and his brother Dave. The girls really enjoyed having everyone over and it was a nice day. I did end up going shopping on black Friday and was able to get most of the items for the girls for christmas. This is the first time I've had my shopping done this early. It may be the only thing I get accomplished early! We brought all the boxes of christmas decorations up from the basement and they will sit until sunday. There just is not enough time during the week to get anything done. I need a day off but have used up all of my time off for the year and we cannot afford for me to take a day off without pay.
I'm trying to get into the holiday spirit, especially for Jia and Schwen. I want to bake cookies with them, I want to make christmas ornaments with them, I want to make their teachers presents, I want to take their picture and send out christmas cards. In the end we'll be lucky to do slice and bake cookies and that will be the extent of it. We do have a few upcoming fun events. This week is the COFCC Holiday party and then the girls, Nei Nei (Adam's mom), her friend Nancy and I are going to see a production of The Nutcracker. After having been the the Balletmet's production of The Nutcracker the past 6 years I had decided I was taking a break. Then we had an opportunity to see a different production for half price, plus the role of Clara being performed by a girl from our COFCC chapter. Our only other holiday event (other than dinner for my work) is that we are going to see the holiday production at the Marion Palace. We have friends who will be performing and I think the variety of the performances will keep the girls (and us) entertained.
I have a love/hate relationship with the holidays. It is difficult b/c I no longer have my parents. It is difficult b/c there is so much to do. It is difficult b/c there are usually additional demands made on our time. But then there is the joy in giving and seeing the happiness all around. I am goign to have our family sponsor a family this year and Jia's school is having a week of giving to People in Need. This is a good opportunity for teaching.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Two months ago
It has already been two months since Adam and Schwen returned from China. In some ways it seems like much much longer. Schwen has come a long way from those first few days....the fits are fewer, the language much better and there are times I just wonder what is she thinking about all of this?
Adam's surgery was successful. He is fighting a cold which makes recovery grueling. So far the girls have been healthy; Schwen had a bit of a runny nose last week but no coughing or sneezing. Usually by this time of the year Jia has had the "ick" at least twice but so far so good.
Jia's school is having a book swap...the kids get points for each type of book they take, ie. hardcover is worth 3 points, paperback 2 pts, magazine 1 pt...they trade in their books and get points to spend. Jia took in three bags full of books and is going to share her points with children who did not have any books for the book swap.
It's a Wednesday...my favorite day of the week since I work until noon. I can't pick Schwen up until 3:00 so I have a few hours to myself. There are some days I end up working until 3:00 but today I have lunch plans with Justin. It is the last time we will meet at their apt in German Village as they move into their house next week. My little boy is a grown up now with responsibility. He's always been pretty responsible but will now be a homeowner. Wednesday is also the day I actually get to spend more than a half hour of quality time with the girls. I hate the other nights of the week when I don't get home until 6:00 and we are not finished with dinner until after 7:00. By the time we get the table cleared it's 7:15 and we catch the last of Jeopardy then it's homework time, have Jia read or do Chinese homework, read to the girls and then time to get the girls to bed. My goal is to have them in bed by 8:30. I hear stories of others who have their kids in bed by 7 or 8....Schwen could certainly use the extra sleep as could Jia but there just isn't any way to get them in bed earlier with having to work full time. Did I mention I hate working full time??
So hard to believe the holidays are coming up so fast. I hear friends talke about their plans for christmas and I haven't even thought that far ahead. Holidays are a tough time for me. My parents both died 4 years ago, my dad on September 25 and my mom on November 16, and even though I didn't always see them on the holidays they are still difficult. Thanksgiving is next week....I suppose I'll be ready by then. Hopefully Adam will be on the mend a bit more and can do the shopping next week. The weekend is busy and no time to clean or shop. Bottom line is-we will have dinner, just nothing fancy...only food, family and football. What more could we ask for?
Adam's surgery was successful. He is fighting a cold which makes recovery grueling. So far the girls have been healthy; Schwen had a bit of a runny nose last week but no coughing or sneezing. Usually by this time of the year Jia has had the "ick" at least twice but so far so good.
Jia's school is having a book swap...the kids get points for each type of book they take, ie. hardcover is worth 3 points, paperback 2 pts, magazine 1 pt...they trade in their books and get points to spend. Jia took in three bags full of books and is going to share her points with children who did not have any books for the book swap.
It's a Wednesday...my favorite day of the week since I work until noon. I can't pick Schwen up until 3:00 so I have a few hours to myself. There are some days I end up working until 3:00 but today I have lunch plans with Justin. It is the last time we will meet at their apt in German Village as they move into their house next week. My little boy is a grown up now with responsibility. He's always been pretty responsible but will now be a homeowner. Wednesday is also the day I actually get to spend more than a half hour of quality time with the girls. I hate the other nights of the week when I don't get home until 6:00 and we are not finished with dinner until after 7:00. By the time we get the table cleared it's 7:15 and we catch the last of Jeopardy then it's homework time, have Jia read or do Chinese homework, read to the girls and then time to get the girls to bed. My goal is to have them in bed by 8:30. I hear stories of others who have their kids in bed by 7 or 8....Schwen could certainly use the extra sleep as could Jia but there just isn't any way to get them in bed earlier with having to work full time. Did I mention I hate working full time??
So hard to believe the holidays are coming up so fast. I hear friends talke about their plans for christmas and I haven't even thought that far ahead. Holidays are a tough time for me. My parents both died 4 years ago, my dad on September 25 and my mom on November 16, and even though I didn't always see them on the holidays they are still difficult. Thanksgiving is next week....I suppose I'll be ready by then. Hopefully Adam will be on the mend a bit more and can do the shopping next week. The weekend is busy and no time to clean or shop. Bottom line is-we will have dinner, just nothing fancy...only food, family and football. What more could we ask for?
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tired or testing
or maybe a little of both....it's been a rough couple of days. Schwen has been whiney and totally uncooperative at home and at school. We had a busy weekend and the girls got to bed pretty late on Friday and Saturday and busy days on Saturday and Sunday so I'll be generous and say that she is tired. I'm working on getting her to bed a bit earlier, which meets with resistance because Jia is not going to bed then. We've also had the issue of Schwen trying to boss Jia around and Schwen clearly does not enjoy being the mei-mei (little sister)..lots of trying times the past few days which I'm struggling with.
We did take Schwen to the pediatric eye doctor and her rx needs to be changed. We will order glasses this week and try them for a few months to see if they correct the crossing. We were there for 3 hours and she had to sit on my lap the entire time. I was happy to have the interpreter and Adam there for the appointment.
Adam is scheduled to have surgery on Friday and his mom will come the night before to spend the night and get Jia off to school. Schwen does not have kindergarten that day and will stay home.There is no sense in driving 2+ hours to take her back and forth. We have to be at the hospital at 6:00 am.
Both girls go to the doctor today. Jia's is for a new patient evaluation and Schwen has to get re-vaccinated on shots that the titers showed she needs. Hopefully we will not need to visit the doctor anymore this fall or winter!
Happy Veteran's Day to all those who have served this country.
We did take Schwen to the pediatric eye doctor and her rx needs to be changed. We will order glasses this week and try them for a few months to see if they correct the crossing. We were there for 3 hours and she had to sit on my lap the entire time. I was happy to have the interpreter and Adam there for the appointment.
Adam is scheduled to have surgery on Friday and his mom will come the night before to spend the night and get Jia off to school. Schwen does not have kindergarten that day and will stay home.There is no sense in driving 2+ hours to take her back and forth. We have to be at the hospital at 6:00 am.
Both girls go to the doctor today. Jia's is for a new patient evaluation and Schwen has to get re-vaccinated on shots that the titers showed she needs. Hopefully we will not need to visit the doctor anymore this fall or winter!
Happy Veteran's Day to all those who have served this country.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
happy that the weekend is here
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
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 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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