Goodbye March!

It has been awhile since I have posted and in a moment you will understand why. March started out great with our annual weekend trip to Kalahari an indoor waterpark. The boys really love Kalahari and so do the adults! It really is a fun mini getaway and the boys always look forward to it. The Monday morning after our Kalahari weekend was typical of any other Monday morning. Dan left for work and the boys left for school. I was pulling out of the driveway to get to the gym after my overindulgence over the weekend and my cell phone rang. Dan was calling and told me "I have some really bad news. I just got laid off." This is never news that you want to hear and it was particulary devastating considering how "close" we are in this adoption among other things. Anyway I won't go into all the boring details because March does end on a high note but it was a very difficult month for us. I called our agency and we went on hold until he could find another job. Remember that high note? He did find another job and he started today! We are back on track with the adoption! Also when I talked to Sarah at our agency she said there are "fewer than 10 families ahead of us!" Great news!

We could not have gotten through any of this without God and the love and support of our families and friends. I know that being out of work for a month is not a long time given how things are in the economy but it was a very stressful time for us. Dan and I as a family feel renewed in our faith. We know it was Him who really carried us through and opened doors of opportunity for Dan to get a new job. It wasn't that we didn't have faith in Him but the way things were orchestrated it could only be Him. Praise God!

You might be adopting from China if......

I found this on an adoption forum and had to laugh about how very true these statements are. Anyone adopting from China can surely relate.

You Might Be Adopting From China If...

~You know that I-600 & I-171 aren't highways...

~You've been expecting a baby for over 3 years...

~You understand that it's 2006 in some parts of the world...

~You've "paid for" 3 citizenships, but never brought anyone into the U.S...

~You know that waiting for China has nothing to do with Dillards or dishes...

~Your homestudy is followed by a number (i.e. #3 or #4)...

~You never know how many days next month will have...

~You know that babies come in batches...

~You've been fingerprinted four times, but never committed a crime...

~You automatically assume everyone who is expecting is having a girl...

~You own new clothing in 3 little sizes for all 4 seasons (because you don'tknow when or how big)...

~You look twice when you see a lady bug...

~You're more interested in what will happen in March 2006 than in March 2009...

~You know people who understand when you talk about 2 day months & 5 day months...

~Your due date hasn't changed by days, but by years...

~You know who the Rumor Queen is ... AND ... you don't know who she is...

~You know that forecast doesn't have anything to do with the weather...

~You've waited so long, they re-checked your fingerprints to see if they changed...

~Trying to understand why they're printing you again, you study your own fingerprints and wonder if fingerprints grow wrinkles...

~When you speak of "that time of month" you're talking about CCAA updates & referrals...

And finally...You might be adopting from China if you love someone you've never met with all your heart!

Weekend plans

for this kid will hopefully consist of alot of this. We went to the doctors today after a week of what we thought was a cold and she put him on antibiotics for walking pneumonia. So R&R are his only weekend plans.

Much to his dismay this will NOT be part of his weekend plans. He asked the doctor if he could try and play on Saturday. I think you know her answer but it was not the answer he wanted to hear despite feeling miserable!

We are the champions!

That's right! Logan had is championship basketball game last night and they won 33 to 21! The basketball season has officially come to an end! At the end of the game they all got trophies and had their pictures taken to be placed in the gym. Did I have my camera? Nope. Being a first time basketball mom I had no idea that they would get trophies. Also at last weeks game the lighting was horrible and my pictures came out really dark. I either need a better camera or the gym needs better lighting! Actually I think both scenarios are true! One of Logan's friends moms came to the game better equipped than myself (meaning she had a camera) and she graciously agreed to make copies for us.

*This is not a picture from the championship game but after some editing it is decent.

My Valentines

No exciting plans for Valentine's Day for us unless you consider an indoor soccer game followed by a casual dinner exciting. I don't mind at all. Dan wants to choose another charm for my latest obsession~my Pandora bracelet! Now that sounds kind of exciting to me! Happy Valentine's Day!

The neglected blog

Update:Here is the one and only basketball picture. As for Thursday's game we were in a rush to get to the game and I thought I put the camera on the front seat only to realize when we got to the game that I had indeed forgotten it~AGAIN! I do have indoor soccer pictures from Christian's game this morning but his school name is on his shirt and I am not computer savvy enough to figure out how to hide it. I will also post Ethan's game pictures on facebook too because as a parent I would hate to post pictures of another person's child without their permission on a public site. If you are a friend on facebook you can find them there.

Welcome to the "neglected blog"! I seem to have these spurts that I post often and other times that a couple weeks will past before I post. Let me just confess right off the bat that not only have I neglected the blog but I also realized that I have neglected to take pictures of the boys in quite awhile. It is totally pathetic considering Ethan and Christian are both playing soccer and Logan has been playing basketball for a couple of months and yet I have no pictures to share! I did take the camera to Logan's basketball game on Thursday night and as I went to take my first picture the camera battery died! I think I might have got the shot but I don't know how good it was! If it came out I will post it later. Speaking of the game it was a great game! They won 21 to 22! I promise to take the camera to the game this Thursday and to the soccer games on Saturday! Stay tuned for pictures!

Last week the boys all had their yearly doctor's appointments. Ethan weighs 73 lbs, Logan weighs 59 lbs, and Christian weighs 56 lbs! It is funny that Logan and Christian are almost 2 years apart in age yet almost weight the same! Christian has hit a growth spurt recently. All my boys have usually stayed in about the 70-75th percentile (with Christian being a little higher) when it comes to their weight. All is well with Ethan and Logan but Christian will be going to see and ENT for his tonsils. His tonsils have always been larger than average but his left tonsil is so big it is almost goes to the center of his month. He also snores alot so their pediatrician thought with both those issues combined his tonsils may need to come out.

So there is a brief update until I can get some pictures up! This week will be another busy week with practices, church, Valentine's day parties, and volunteering at the school book fair. The boys all have practice tonight. Same time but in three different locations. Not to mention Dan works until 8:00pm tonight. Thank God for my parents who offered to help me shuttle the boys to their various events!

It's coming.....again

Tonight starts yet another winter storm warning for our area. Yep more snow is on its way! Could this mean a snow day for the kids tommorow? At least there will be three people excited for snow! As for me I say "bring on Spring!"

A little bit of this and a little bit of that

My blogging has been a little slow due to there not being much to report except the hum drum of everyday life. Surely there has to be something going on that is worth reporting in our household! So here goes~bullet style!

~ Ethan and Christian started indoor soccer on Saturday at a local soccer dome. Oh it was so cold! The dome is not heated and it was maybe 10 degrees out. Christian played at 8am so 10 degrees is probably being generous and Ethan played at 1:00pm. They both loved it and both scored the one and only goals for their teams even though they lost. Unfortuantely I forgot my camera but it would have been difficult to take any pictures with my glove covered hands shoved in my pockets the entire time!

~Logan is still playing basketball and made his first basket this week from the free throw line. This is his first year playing and he is playing with a team of fourth graders (he is in third grade) and this team has already played a year before together. He is at a slight disadvantage but is catching on and enjoying it though I think his true passion is of course football, with basketball coming in second, and soccer a distant last.

~Ethan just finished working on a report on China. Over the last couple of weeks he has been working on it at school. When I asked him why he can't work on it at home he said "Mom the teachers do not want the parents doing the report for us so we have to do it all at school." I have the tendency to be "that mother" who some may say helps a little bit too much when it comes to reports and visual aids. I couldn't resist the urge to print out the various pictures he needed for the report and to strongly suggest "my ideas" on how the poster should look even buying the materials that "I" thought would make is look good. Of course when the poster board was complete I did manage to keep my mouth shut when the words weren't quite straight or the pictures weren't as neatly cut out as I thought they should have been.

~Is it spring yet? Ugh I am tired of this incredibly cold weather and snow we have been having! As I sit here I find it hard to find the motivation to leave my warm house and truck off into the cold weather to the store. Can't we just have cereal for dinner tonight?

~For Christmas Dan bought me a Pandora bracelet and added some charms. It is a "family bracelet" with each of the kids initials and a charm representing their interests beside their initial. For example Ethan has a soccer ball next to his initial. As I sit hear looking at it I think I need some new charms. Hmm Valentine's Day is right around the corner~hint hint.

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

The ladybug

This week has been very difficult for me emotionally in terms of our adoption. As everyone who reads this blog knows and from a previous post I am really struggling with the wait. Some days are better than others but this week has been pretty hard. As I struggle I find myself asking God to "give me the strength and patience to get through this wait." On Wednesday night I asked God to "please just give me a sign so I can continue to hold on." In the China adoption community the ladybug is a sign of good luck and also symbolizes that referrals are on their way.

As I walked into the living room yesterday I noticed a small red speck on the floor. I assumed it was one of the holly berries from a Christmas wreath. As I bent down to pick it up I noticed that is was a LADYBUG! Ladybugs definitely are not common around this time of year when it is 30 degrees out and there is snow on the ground. I believe it was a sign for us to continue on in this journey and have FAITH that He will carry us through.

Sled riding

On Sunday we took the boys sled riding for the first time this year. I was a little unsure if I would be participating because I had hurt my back from shoveling the driveway on Saturday. I told Dan "it is definitely time to invest in a snow blower(though we say this every year and every year we end up shoveling hence me hurting my back!). The weather was perfect for an afternoon of sled riding. It wasn't too cold if you were bundled up and bundled up and "I" sure was! Before leaving my mom offered me an extra pair of snow pants to wear. After putting them on and realizing my extra "size" I debated about wearing them. I looked about 50 lbs heavier and just hoped against all hope that noone I knew would be there. Logan was the first to comment saying in a timid voice "mom, umm, your legs look well kinda big." Great I officially felt like the Michelin woman! I swear these were not your "normal" snowpants. These had extra insulation and I noticed they were a bit too short!

Back to the sled riding which is the real focus of this post! As I watched the boys have fun sledding down the hill I couldn't help but remember a couple years back when there would be no way that Ethan would go sled riding. He hates roller coasters or anything that makes his stomach "drop" as he puts it. I can remember in the past him standing there and watching everyone else have fun and I would think to myself "I know he wishes he could be sledding and having fun like everyone else." It was sad to see him stand there. This year was completely different! He couldn't get enough of going up and down the hill! He even tried going on his stomach which is something he never would have tried in the past! Maybe he will try roller coasters next. We all had a great time and with winter just approaching here I am sure we will have many more opportunities to sled ride again!

* In case you are wondering~ no you will not find many pictures of the "Michelin" woman!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Yes I know I am a few days late but I am happy to say that our "routine" finally returned to normal today with the boy's going back to school. Logan was ready, Christian was ready, and Ethan well, he will never be ready to see his vacation end. In honor of the new year Ethan decided well, okay, I decided that he needed to start the new year with a "new look." He loves his longer hair and I deal with it. Yesterday I had had enough and told him he needed to get it cut. Yes cut not trimmed like I usually let him do. I felt as if I had let him sport his unruly longer look long enough and now we needed to come to a compromise. I am very happy with his new look. It is still a "longer" look but it has a style to it which was very much lacking in his previous "style." Does he like it? Well let's just say he is still getting use to it. I will have to take a picture later but you can see from the previous post his previous "style."

So back to the New Year. I was very ready to say goodbye to 08. Obviously it did not end how I had hoped it would end. So we are looking forward to 09 knowing with a high amount of certainty that this will be the year that we see Mia's face for the first time! That will definitely be the highlight of 09 for us! What could possibly top that? So stay tuned for what I am sure will be a very exciting year!

Christmas pictures

The boys were very excited on Christmas morning! I heard Ethan wake up at 5:00am but decided to stay in bed hoping he would go back to bed. Of course his excitement kept him from being able to go back to sleep. Logan and Christian did not wake up until 7:30am! I was surprised they stayed in bed so long because it was Christmas morning! I can remember my brother and I waking up at 2am and waiting for our parents to get up(of course we waited quite awhile).After all the presents were opened I made breakfast and the boys enjoyed their gifts. We went over to my parents' house for Christmas dinner. It was a wonderful Christmas and now I am ready for 2008 to end and 2009 to begin!

Tired

......of this wait. Christmas was less than a week ago and as expected I am really struggling with this endless wait. We had a wonderful Christmas and I am thankful that is was so busy that it kept my mind of of the wait but today I am tired of it. I am so ready for this phase of this journey to end that it is begining to hurt. I am tired of hearing "it will all happen in God's timing" (even though I know that is true). It doesn't lessen the pain of this wait and I am at the point that it doesn't help. I almost forget what life was like before we started this adoption. I am tired of waking up every day wondering "could this be the day" only to end the day without "the call." People have said that once you hold your child "the wait will disappear." Here is what I think. I think the pain of the wait will lessen and I will understand why we had to wait and I will feel peace in that but I don't believe the pain of the waiting will ever completely fade from my memory. This "wait" and all the highs and lows it has brought will always be with me. As long as there are parents waiting for their child and struggling with this process I will remember the wait. I think the memory of the wait will always come back to me like a bolt of lightening. I hope when I am finally on the other side of this unbearable wait I am able to offer the encouragement and support so many have offered to me.

I know I should be posting about our Christmas but I will save that for another day. A day when this wait seems more bearable but today is not that day.

Christmas giving

True Christian Christmas

Christmas isn't showy gifts Or glittering decoration;

It's honoring our Savior, Jesus Christ In humble adoration.
It's serving those less fortunate, Meeting their needs before our own;

It's making sure at Christmas time That no one is alone.
It's taking what we would have spent On things that no one needs, And using it to help someone With service and good deeds.

Our Savior showed us how to live With charity, faith and service. It makes the holidays a joy, More peaceful, and less nervous.

So let's remember Christmas is About our Savior's birth;

That's the way to happiness, The way to peace on earth.

By Joanna Fuchs

This year during the Christmas season we decided as a family to reach out and help others in need. During this time in our world when there is so much hardship, worry, and confusion we wanted to help to make Christmas a little more "merrier" for those in need. As a family we feel so blessed despite the difficult times we are living in. It is so easy to get caught up in gift buying, the tree trimming, the parties, the wrapping of the gifts, and holiday baking. Sometimes we can forget the true meaning of Christmas~the birth of Jesus! Of course Christmas is also about giving. We realize there are so many families that are truly struggling and it is our job as Christians to be a blessing. It is especially important to Dan and I that we teach our children that there are many people who have far less than we have and that is important that we show God's love to them and be a blessing."For everyone whom much is given, from him much will be required." Luke 12:48

~As a family we have decided within our extended family that instead of exchanging gifts we would sponsor a family through the Salvation Army. My sister and I went shopping for our family over Thanksgiving weekend and it was especially hard to see some of the "gifts" they were asking for. A warm coat for their children, pajamas, sheets for the bed, socks, shoes etc. The things that way too often we take for granted and will buy for ourselves without thinking twice.

~The boys have received Christmas money from relatives and they choose a boy or a girl to buy for and bought a winter coat and gloves with their Christmas money instead of spending the money on themselves. We also talked about what it would be like to not have a warm winter coat or gloves to put on in this cold weather. Our church is collecting winter items and we will donate the coats and gloves knowing that a few more children will now be warm this winter season.

~We have a family member that is going through a very difficult time and will be unable to provide Christmas for their children. Along with my parents we bought clothes and toys for this family member and were able to send a big box filled with clothes to them. Just today I got a phone call from this family member in tears thanking me because she was so grateful! These are the moments that warm your heart to know that you have made the season a little brighter for someone else.

~Logan's class collected personal items for a behavioral health facility. Dan took him to pick out items to donate. He was able to donate three bags of needed items.

During this holiday season may we all look for ways to give. May we find ways to help those that are in need. May we help to make someone else's Christmas a little brighter. In doing this may we show the love of Jesus to someone else and be a blessing!

Happy Birthday Logan!

Yesterday we celebrated Logan's 9th birthday by going to dinner at a hibachi grill. The boys have never been to a hibachi dinner before so we decided to give it a try. It was pricey but I think it is a dinner the boys will always remember. The boys were amazed to see the fire on the grill as they cooked our food. At the end of our meal they brought Logan out mango ice cream with a singing flower on top that sang "happy birthday." As Logan looked at the pink flower on his ice cream that just kept singing and singing he said to us "I am not taking that flower home." As we received the bill and noticed that they charged us $4 for the singing flower we joked with him and said "For $4 you will take your pink flower home." I couldn't believe they charged us $4 for a flower/candle! It was cute but not $4 cute! As we left the flower remained on the table untouched by the birthday boy!

Bowling with Santa

Every year my parents take the boys to and event called "Bowling with Santa." Before leaving to go Christian told us that he had a couple questions he wanted to ask Santa. He wanted to know "Santa were you born with that long white beard?" and "Santa why do you have to wear those fancy clothes?" I don't think he found out the answers to his questions but thought they were funny!

My boys love to bowl and with Christmas vacation starting next Monday (yes I said NEXT Monday) and the cold weather begining I know we will be bowling alot more. The boys really enjoy going because not only do they get to see Santa and bowl they also get a goody bag with a Toys R Us $10 gift card. Dan and I also look forward to the day because we go out to lunch and finish up any last minute Christmas shopping.

Surgery update

Well it is over and went very well. Logan did great but we had a rough start. To use his expression he was "freaked out." To the point that he was in tears numerous times before surgery because he was so nervous. It broke my heart to see him so upset and unsure. His tears turned into my tears. I promised myself I would be strong and not cry in front of him but I couldn't help it. I reassured him that everything would be okay and it was. Tonight he is laying on the couch recovering and watching Sports Center. All is right in his world.

Surgery

Logan will be having surgery this Monday to remove a mass on his arm. In May he was playing football on the playground with his friends and he ended up getting tackled and hurt his arm. A few days later a bump appeared on his forearm on top of his elbow. When this first happened I was angry and called the school to find out what was going on on the playground. This was the third time in one week that he was injured playing "two hand tap" football on the playground. I understand that playground monitors cannot see everything but when your kid is injured three times in one week it is cause for concern. One of the times he got hurt the secretary called me to tell me someone had stepped on his leg and bruised it pretty badly. They iced it and he seemed okay.

Back to "the bump" as Logan refers to it. We saw an orthopedic surgeon in the summer and he felt that we could wait to have it removed or we could just leave it alone. It doesn't bother Logan unless someone bumps it. The doctor thought it was possible that it could "rupture" on its own. Once football season began Logan was not interested in missing football to have it removed. The doctor felt it was probably just a cyst due to its location but could not say that with 100% accuracy. The only way we will truly know what it is is to have it removed. He also said it isn't entirely fluid filled and that there is something solid in it. Dan and I both feel that since we can't know exactly what it is until it is removed it must come out which obviously means surgery for Logan. After it is removed it will be sent to pathology and about a week later we will get the results.

Logan does not seem nervous at this point. The only thing he has told us is he does not want to have to wear "those hospital pajamas." Unfortunately that is out of our hands. I think I am more nervous than him. My children have never had surgery of any kind. Ethan had ear tubes but that was not under general anesthesia. The surgery should last about an hour and we will be able to go home that day. So after Monday "the bump" will be gone and all that will be left is a tiny scar.