With the whirl of activity from the past two weeks, I am very behind in writing about our super-happenings! Fourth of July, boys at Grandma's for a week, a Spa Weekend with my sisters, a refreshing trip to the chiropractor, and a float trip....all waiting to be chronicled.
Hopefully I'll feel like writing and catch up soon. Despite all of the fun, I've been in a slump. "Blogger's-block"? No time? Nothing worthwhile to say? Or perhaps can't come up with an interesting blurb.... :) So, maybe just pictures. Whatever it is, I hope it's coming soon...I'm feeling a little lost without my words.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Swimmers
Well, I spoke too soon in saying that the swim meets were easier this year. By the second meet, Benjamin remembered about the concession stand and howled the entire first quarter about candy. Lydia floated around the patio, bumping into people or climbing the fence. At least when it's time to watch the boys race, she is content and loves to yell for them...which I think is SO interesting. Proud parents and team mates holler and cheer, despite the fact that the swimmers hear nothing but muted cacophony! Makes me laugh...
But finally, after enduring 20 events-worth of Ben's howling about outrageously priced suckers, I couldn't take it anymore. As I trudged past my dear friend (who also has 4 kids, one from China) I muttered something about my swim meet fate, my temptation to run away from home, and maybe also offering a "kids-for-sale" slogan? She offered me sympathetic condolences and Mommy-encouragement. I think that knowing my friend truly understands my plight is the only thing that kept me from sticking the kids in the basement and returning to the pool! (you know I'm just kidding right?) I left with her words to put them in bed and "do something I enjoy"---I wondered what that could be....the only thing that came to mind was the clutter, laundry, and dishes glaring from my house.
I dragged a howling Ben and flopping Lydia through the crowd...most people staring pathetically at us...feeling sorry for them or me (I'm not sure). I tossed a few words to Jason at the grill, and stormed home, missing the other 3/4 of my kids' swimming. I put little people in bed and curled up with a book, again feeling sorry for all of the Mommies in the world whose events are ruined by 3-foot, irrational, cute people.
Before I toted the two pre-schoolers home to bed, I did manage to get some video footage! By last week's 3rd meet, I decided to save myself the grief and sent the boys and Daddy alone. Ben actually perked up when he realized that he did not have to endure the 3 hours of lame-ness at the pool and we relaxed at home. My swim meet optimism has been a bit crushed, but I have decided to be content savoring any snippet that I get to watch, looking forward to the day when they are all four swimming and I'm not herding Oompa-Loompas and experiencing a Willy Wonka nightmare!
But finally, after enduring 20 events-worth of Ben's howling about outrageously priced suckers, I couldn't take it anymore. As I trudged past my dear friend (who also has 4 kids, one from China) I muttered something about my swim meet fate, my temptation to run away from home, and maybe also offering a "kids-for-sale" slogan? She offered me sympathetic condolences and Mommy-encouragement. I think that knowing my friend truly understands my plight is the only thing that kept me from sticking the kids in the basement and returning to the pool! (you know I'm just kidding right?) I left with her words to put them in bed and "do something I enjoy"---I wondered what that could be....the only thing that came to mind was the clutter, laundry, and dishes glaring from my house.
I dragged a howling Ben and flopping Lydia through the crowd...most people staring pathetically at us...feeling sorry for them or me (I'm not sure). I tossed a few words to Jason at the grill, and stormed home, missing the other 3/4 of my kids' swimming. I put little people in bed and curled up with a book, again feeling sorry for all of the Mommies in the world whose events are ruined by 3-foot, irrational, cute people.
Before I toted the two pre-schoolers home to bed, I did manage to get some video footage! By last week's 3rd meet, I decided to save myself the grief and sent the boys and Daddy alone. Ben actually perked up when he realized that he did not have to endure the 3 hours of lame-ness at the pool and we relaxed at home. My swim meet optimism has been a bit crushed, but I have decided to be content savoring any snippet that I get to watch, looking forward to the day when they are all four swimming and I'm not herding Oompa-Loompas and experiencing a Willy Wonka nightmare!
Enjoy...Jack's new butterfly stroke and Sam's freestyle :))
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Fuling Girls
Here are two GREAT links to our Fuling friends.
First, a link to the photo album of girlies adopted from the Fuling SWI, Lydia's "Fu Sisters," who share the common bond of the Fuling orphanage as their first home. Lydia is on page 42.
http://www.fulingkids.org/1Fulingers.htm
Next, a heartwarming story of two Fulingers who discovered that they are biological sisters...what a great story! They really look alike in the eyes. I often look through the Fuling photo album and see girls that "look like" Lydia. To me, many of them do; but, a few really catch my eye and I wonder..... :))
http://www.fulingkids.org/families.htm
Lydia has recently begun to notice other children who "look like" her...meaning they are Asian. She just stares. Ben yells loudly about anyone Asian (including adults), "Look Mom, he's/she's from China!" It's embarrassing, but what can you do? They are proud to have a "connection."
Lydia is also starting to understand a bit about her beginnings. Not nearly a comprehension, I guess, but a 2 year-old start. I look at her adoption blog and reunion trip pics with her, chatting about her nannies and "the baby house." Lately, I can ask her "Where were you born?" and she cheerfully replies "In China!"
She now routinely requests 'her song' at night-time. The one I made up about how we got her---it is simple and childlike, but with the undertones of an amazing story....her in China, needing a family; us here, needing a daughter; and our journey to bring her home. When I sing it, she gets serious and quiet, as if she understands the enormity of the words.
Often I wonder if it is right to paint these pictures in her mind....of her living without us for 14 months, being taken care of by other ladies, and eventually about her birth parents. But, I have learned that it IS the right thing to do---all adoptive adults report that it is essential to talk about it...from the time they are little...matter-of-fact, with no mysterious/fantasy images. It just seems so deep...too difficult for a little person to handle.
I guess the process of understanding is gradual, and absolutely necessary for her to realize who she is and who she has become. Heavy, heavy stuff. I just hope to make it easier for her, and my constant prayer is that she loves who she is, accepts her path, and wouldn't change a thing....despite the sadness, the questions, and "the story". I want to make it so "real" and "true" for her that she never misunderstands the steps that God has planned for her life.
Romans 8:28 "And we know that ALL things work together for good to those that love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
First, a link to the photo album of girlies adopted from the Fuling SWI, Lydia's "Fu Sisters," who share the common bond of the Fuling orphanage as their first home. Lydia is on page 42.
http://www.fulingkids.org/1Fulingers.htm
Next, a heartwarming story of two Fulingers who discovered that they are biological sisters...what a great story! They really look alike in the eyes. I often look through the Fuling photo album and see girls that "look like" Lydia. To me, many of them do; but, a few really catch my eye and I wonder..... :))
http://www.fulingkids.org/families.htm
Lydia has recently begun to notice other children who "look like" her...meaning they are Asian. She just stares. Ben yells loudly about anyone Asian (including adults), "Look Mom, he's/she's from China!" It's embarrassing, but what can you do? They are proud to have a "connection."
Lydia is also starting to understand a bit about her beginnings. Not nearly a comprehension, I guess, but a 2 year-old start. I look at her adoption blog and reunion trip pics with her, chatting about her nannies and "the baby house." Lately, I can ask her "Where were you born?" and she cheerfully replies "In China!"
She now routinely requests 'her song' at night-time. The one I made up about how we got her---it is simple and childlike, but with the undertones of an amazing story....her in China, needing a family; us here, needing a daughter; and our journey to bring her home. When I sing it, she gets serious and quiet, as if she understands the enormity of the words.
Often I wonder if it is right to paint these pictures in her mind....of her living without us for 14 months, being taken care of by other ladies, and eventually about her birth parents. But, I have learned that it IS the right thing to do---all adoptive adults report that it is essential to talk about it...from the time they are little...matter-of-fact, with no mysterious/fantasy images. It just seems so deep...too difficult for a little person to handle.
I guess the process of understanding is gradual, and absolutely necessary for her to realize who she is and who she has become. Heavy, heavy stuff. I just hope to make it easier for her, and my constant prayer is that she loves who she is, accepts her path, and wouldn't change a thing....despite the sadness, the questions, and "the story". I want to make it so "real" and "true" for her that she never misunderstands the steps that God has planned for her life.
Romans 8:28 "And we know that ALL things work together for good to those that love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
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