TBG Happenings

One Year

2008-09-10T05:51:00.000-04:00

One year ago our family grew by one. A scared but sassy little girl would in a flash become part of our family. Her first year with us would teach us that love has no limits, that strength can be demonstrated by a baby in a strange place and that smiles and kisses are worth the wait. We love you Sophia June XuCan, from the moment your were born God placed you in our hearts and from their our love for you grew. The moment that we all saw you we experienced so much love and joy that we would never again be the same. Thank you our darling Sophie for changing us into a family of five.

* Chris thought I should post here since TBG is where we started.....

Cha Cha Cha Changes.....

2008-08-02T11:19:00.003-04:00

Making a Move

Don't forget to update your bloglines!

Doing a Little Cleaning Up!

2008-07-31T21:10:00.001-04:00

I want to edit my blog links...many of the blogs are not around or have gone password protected. If you would like for me to add you to my blog links just leave me permission to do so....I am such a polite blogger:) If you comment here on a regular basis I have been to your blog and have probably added you to my bloglines.

Thanks!

Not Much Going On.....Thank God!

2008-07-31T09:31:00.005-04:00

After a crazy month of July filled with family visits (my mom first then my sister and her crew), and a fun road trip to Georgia I find that I am just a wee bit tired!

The good news that there isn't much left on the calendar before we head back to school....the bad news is that I head back to school in three weeks. Can you hear my sobs??? Although I do love my job....part time would be perfect for me. Well perfect if I could make the same chump change they pay me to work full time! I need to work, not just to pay my bills but for my sanity. I need something to get me up and out of bed or I will be in my pj's all day shopping on the internet!

Hmmm well here is a kiddo update:

Sophie is perfecting whining. Please make it stop. Her newest thing is if we are in a public place and a stranger stops to talk to her, she points to me and says "Mommy". I guess she is making sure they know she isn't leaving with them! It also seems that every man is Dada and any picture that she sees with a woman holding a baby is Mommy. She is hopping, running and climbing....looks like I might need to sign her up at the L*ttle Gym this fall.

Ben is huge. Ok well huge for Ben:) He went to his friends’ lake house for a few days (Hannah response to this "man, why don't I have any friends with summer houses???"). I can't believe that he is going in to the 8th grade. He recently was headed to a friends house when the mom of the boy he was walking with informed that there was a possibility that a girl was at the other boys house where they were heading to hang out.( Did ya follow all that??) She wanted to know our "policy" on this.... hmmmm 3 boys and 1 girl in a house with no parents home.....sounds like a future clinic appointment to me!!! I asked Ben to please call and make sure that the nice girl had gone home, explaining to him that if I found out that there was a girl at the house and that he lied to me that the rest of his summer would suck. He called to verify that the girl had gone home. Fine with me. I have to believe that he is telling the truth....but I did call 30 minutes later to check with Ben that if fact "there were no boobs in the house". Ahhhh I just love adolescents.

Hannah is busy getting ready for middle school. Getting ready for middle school includes shopping. Endless evaluations of book bags, and wanting to leave the county to go shopping so "no one has the same outfit on". (Can you imagine your first day of middle school and someone has on the same exact outfit as you!! The horror) I am pretty sure that dear ol'dad is going to have to get a second job to support her need for up to the minute fashions! I think this will be my last summer with Hannah wanting to hang out with me at the pool, I am sure next summer will be filled with middle school friends.

Well, it is 10:00 I probably she get out of my pj's!

"Now Back to Our Regular Program"

2008-07-28T22:06:00.002-04:00

*Sigh* My sister and her brood are on their way home after a nine day action packed vist! It was great to see everyone and I know the girls were anxious to get home to get some rest!! It really is amazing how quite my house is right now....

Wicked Busy!

2008-07-27T20:33:00.005-04:00

As they like to say in Massachusetts....we have been wicked busy! My sister and family are heading home tomorrow evening. It has been a nice visit. In the midst of their visit Hannah had her summer swim championships. She placed first in each of her heats, but unfortunately did not place in her events. We think that her relays probably placed. She had a great season and improved her times at each meet. More importantly she had a good time! On Saturday night the girls broke out the 3D glasses to watch the Hannah M$ntanna special concert in 3D. The girls have all seen this concert live, but were excited to watch it anyway. (the 3D glasses gave me a headache!

She's a Swimmer!

2008-07-25T18:17:00.007-04:00

Helen is 6 and had a serious fear of the water. This week she overcame that fear and we can all safely say that she is a beginner swimmer! Last week she would have dreamed of sticking her face in the water never mind going down the pool slide. We are all so proud of her!! This is for you Papa and Oma!

Camp TBG

2008-07-24T21:24:00.004-04:00

On Wednesday the gang plus cousins headed to the science and nature center. We all had a great time. The big kids went to see a space movie in the Omni theater which they all reported "was very cool". The animal exhibits at the nature center were great! You could get close enough to the tiger exhibit that they had signs posted warning people not to stand in certain spots because of the possibility that the male tiger would "spray" ( yuck...glad I read the sign and stood elsewhere!!!). Hannah took the tiger picture...pretty good. When Sophie saw the tigers she said "Oh no mama....tiger...scared!" How about the picture of Helen milking the plastic cow. Sophie was confused by that one! We visited the goats and sheep. Saw the Meerkat exhibit which was also very cool. We were all amazed by how big the tortoise were! It was a fun visit! We all had a great time!

Baseball, Family,and More Baseball

2008-07-23T09:21:00.006-04:00

I guess it is Wednesday and I should post about our weekend:) Friday night the hubs company hosted their company picnic at a local baseball park. I think the team is in the Appalachain league. Everyone had a good time and I didn't have to cook!

On Saturday my sister, her husband and two girls came down for a week long visit. They made a special trip here so Helen could take swimming lessons from a woman in town who "guarantees" that your child will be able to swim in 5 days! Sunday we went to another baseball game! (this one I think is a minor league team) The home team won, and the kids were able to go on the field and run the bases after the game. It was hot, hot, hot but the beer was cold and thankfully we were in the shade!On Monday my sister and her husband headed to Ashevill* for a couple of days...and Auntie M (thats me) was in charge of getting Helen to swimming. I am happy to report that Helen was jumping off the diving board at the end of her first lesson! Helen is going in to the second grade and before Mondays swimming lesson would not put her face in the water never mind jump off the diving board! We are all so proud of her!! I hope to have video of her on Friday jumping off the diving board and swimming across the pool!

We also went for a hike on Tuesday. Ben had to work so he missed it...he was sooo disappointed *snort* We hiked about a mile and a half and stopped to have lunch at the waterfall....that was no longer falling water due to the drought. I carried Sophie in my Ergo carrier and only thing I can say is that it is the best carrier ever! Sophie is 25 pounds I am soft and out of shape and my back and shoulders did not hurt from carrying her! If you plan on carrying your little one while you are in china this is the only carrier I would bring!

And because just hanging around the house doesn't seem to be a fun thing to do....we are heading to the science museum. I am going to need a vacation.....

Photographic Proof ........

2008-07-18T22:07:00.005-04:00

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Thanks so much to PM and BD for hosting again this year! It was so great to see new faces (Doris, Kristin, Kim, Robin)....but it sure seems like I have known you all forever!! And as always it is good to hang out, drink, swim and laugh with some of the WORLDS most amazing women! I am truly lucky to have met all of you!

**Smooches to Tracy for going through the zillion pics to make such a great video....but I don't remember signing a release for that bathing suit pic!!

Just Cuz She is Too Stinkin Cute!

2008-07-17T00:08:00.000-04:00

***Thanks again for the hat Maia!***

Eat, Chat,Laugh, Drink, Sleep......Repeat

2008-07-16T21:38:00.003-04:00

I am still trying to recover from our Georgia trip. I was so busy
eating, chatting, and laughing that I never once took out my camera!
It was great to see everyone and Pugmama and Big Daddy (those are their
ad*lt film names....) are the best host and hostess in the state of
Georgia! Here is our weekend Georgia bullet style....

* Rule number one...don't drive to the sticks in Georgia without your handy dandy Garm*n GPS. I would have gotten lost for sure! Thanks MoM:)

* One never knows what can be found on the side porch after an afternoon of eating, chatting, laughing and drinking!

* Hannah wants a horse, a camper and an in the ground pool.....that's the last time I bring her with me!!!

* Hannah wants to know when we are finishing the cornhole tournament

* There was a Blog Ho among us.....who knew???

* Mike makes the best chocolate covered chips evah.

* Stacy can talk some serious trash when playing cornhole...but she might need to focus her attention on the game:P

* Angela was no help in talking Hannah out of having a horse!

* Maisie takes a nap anywhere as long as she has this

* Lisa makes the best brownies....seriously people they are insane! She needs to post the recipe again...pretty please lisa.

* Sophie covets Maddy's shoes.

* Pugmama can NEVER have enough Pug stuff!

* Tracy read your blogs and pulled questions from your old post to crown the Blog Ho

* Alison and Mali are HUGE High S*hool musical fans! Who would have thunk it???

* A Georgia blogger movie should be popping up in blogland soon...

Thanks again PM and BD your are always so generous! The company and food could have not have been any better!

Thank You!

2008-07-10T16:54:00.005-04:00

Dear Mike,Mia and Flynn,

I just love getting mail....especially presents!! I do love my new hat, thank you so much for thinking of me! My Mom and brother couldn't get me in the back yard fast enough to snap some pictures of me with my new hat. I know that you are very busy getting ready to go to China to bring your baby Flynn home.....we are all so excited for you! Thank you again for taking the time to send me such a cute hat when you are so busy getting ready to travel.

Hugs and Kisses,

Sophie

July 2007............Oh The Memories!

2008-07-10T08:49:00.002-04:00

Getting Ready.......

2008-07-08T22:36:00.001-04:00

3 Words

2008-07-06T09:11:00.001-04:00

July 4th 2008

2008-07-05T09:58:00.004-04:00

We had a busy July 4th! Our day started with a kids 4th of July parade. All the kids decorated bikes, scooter and wagons and paraded down the street with their police car escort. A competition for the best decorated went to.......Hannah! Hannah and her Oma were up late the night before decorating her scooter. Parents and kids all headed to the park for water balloon toss, corn hole, and lunch.

The TBG gang has a tradition of attending a baseball game on the 4th of July, and this year was no exception! The hopper's won.....but they had to play in the rain. The TBG crew found shelter under the stairs and waited out the rain to see the fireworks. It finally stopped raining just in time for the fireworks display. Sophie wasn't sure of the fireworks but just held on tight to mom!

I hope you all enjoyed your 4th of July!

2008-07-03T22:43:00.003-04:00

I can't remember on which blog I saw thissite but it is pretty cool. For those of you wanting to add text to your 3 word pics this is the place to go! It is free, but they do offer an "upgrade".

My mom is here for a week. I am sure I will have some pics to post tomorrow. Everyone enjoy the fourth and for you year round workers out there enjoy your long weekend.

HOLY SHITakke Mushrooms it's JULY!

2008-07-01T10:51:00.003-04:00

Seriously people I can't believe that it is July! The month of July is insanely busy for me this year. My mom comes in this week for her annual summer visit. The TBG girls have a road trip planned right after Oma leaves. When we get back from our girls only trip Sophie has a doctors appointment at Duke.... which will take an entire day and then my sister and two nieces come for a ten day visit!! Then July is over and I will only have two weeks before I have to go back to work:( I know that I have a two day training some time this summer, I hope that it is some time in July between visits! Just looking at our family calendar for July makes me a little dizzy. So what do you guys have going on this month???

Back From The Beach Bullets

2008-06-30T08:13:00.004-04:00

* The beach was great....it is nice to be with my husband and kids without having to worry about where we are going or work.

* NEVER let Hannah put your sunscreen on for you....especially if you don't tan and it is a windy day at the beach!(notice the big white spots where she actually put sunscreen surrounded by scorched skin)

* Sophie was walking around our room saying "beach" but it sounds more lik......."b*tch". It took me awhile to figure out what the heck she was saying. Although I do not claim to never swear this naughty word in not one I use.

* Ben went and stayed at a friends house last night. I said to him "Ben, don't you want to sleep in your own bed?!?!?" his response "Gaaaaw I spent the entire weekend with you guys....can I please go stay over Jacks???"

* Hannah really misses Jazzie. I can't fix it. I wish I could.....

* Why do vacations send you home more tired than when you left??

* We found these t-shirts at the beach. I do like the "life is good" t-shirts, but you have to admit that these are funny. Ben and Hannah both picked one up....just a little insight to our wacked TBG sense of humor:)

* Getting ready for July. It is going to be the busiest month of the summer for the TBG gang!

Beach Pics...

2008-06-28T23:35:00.003-04:00

Another great day at the beach. The waves were pretty big and Hannah did great in the ocean....even after a night with dreams filled with sharks! Sophie still wouldn't get close to the water, but enjoyed the pool. We head home tomorrow:(

Beach Day 1

2008-06-28T15:36:00.004-04:00

The beach is great! The weather is perfect. Sophie likes the beach....well not the ocean. The picture of Sophie running away from the ocean is funny when you take another look and notice that her feet aren't even touching the sand! The ocean is too loud and to big for our little pool girl. Our other pool girl, Hannah is enjoying the sun but the water was a little too rough. Ben had a great time in the water and promised to show Hannah how to ride the waves. More pictures later!!

Just One More Thing......

2008-06-26T20:36:00.003-04:00

I can't even take the cuteness!! Sophie had her bangs trimmed today and she is looking even cuter.....if that is even possible! Couldn't you just eat her up!!??!

Photographic proof that my kids can actually get along. Yup, that is all three of them playing leggos. They played for about an hour without killing each other.

All Over The Place

2008-06-24T20:59:00.003-04:00

* We brought our girls to go see K*ng Foo P*anda. Sophie did great and was saying "Hi-Ya!" during all the battles! Then as we were leaving the movies she was running around the lobby doing her best Kung Foo moves. The kid cracks us up!

* I just read something about "Fake Adopters".......seriously people steal referral pics and post them on their own adoption blogs....but they are really not adopting. I don't get it???? Who the heck has that kind of time??? I have not been to one of these fake blogs, I don't think I have......

* Sophie is talking up a blue streak! She is saying two word phrases and repeating everything. Tonight in the car Ben in his teenage frustration said OMG....which Sophie quickly repeated. GREAT......

* I would love to adopt again...... Chris and I talked about it this weekend. A boy under two or a girl three. Dreams my friends.......no $$$$

* Referring to the above bullet....I could win the lottery.

* Ben started work this week and we have locked his X-box so that he can only play 3 hours a day. He had a limit per week, but limiting his time each day is working out the best. He is much nicer to live with.

* Sophie is singing as I write this. Have a said how much I love that little girl! She makes my heart swell.

* Sophie got 3 vaccines today. Hannah got 2. They both have enjoyed their T*lenol today.

* Ben and Hannah are in charge of preparing dinner 2 nights per week. Monday they made pizza. It was pretty good. I am trying this to see if they can stop fighting every two minutes. So far it seems to be working.......

* We are heading to Emerald Isle this weekend. We have not been to the beach as a family in ages. Ok we have never all gone to the beach together. I took the kids to Bald Head Island a few years back, we visited my Dad in Florida, but he took the kids to the beach. Sad. I loooove the beach. Chris is not one to hang out on the beach all day, which is ok.....the kids will need someone to entertain them so I can read my book:)

* I'll try to post some pictures of my super tan kids tomorrow.

Sophie the Fish!

2008-06-20T16:55:00.004-04:00

The temps outside were perfect for the pool....but the pool water was COLD! This past week the temps at night have dipped into the 60's so the pool is a little chilly for these southern biscuits. Sorry not as many pics as I had hoped to get, but there is still the weekend:)

***I can't see the video in S*fari, but I can in F*refox?? How about you?

Hannah's Roses

2008-06-20T08:22:00.003-04:00

Hannah loves roses and this summer she decided to plant a rose garden where our Magnolia tree once stood. Unfortunately the Magnolia was a casualty of the drought here in NC. Here are some pics that Hannah took of her rose garden in progress.

We are heading to the pool today for fun in the sun! I hope to have lots of pics to post later.

Thanks for stopping by to smell the roses:) Sorry I couldn't help myself!

Donations Needed

2008-06-18T13:46:00.002-04:00

Do you have an outfit or baby item that you purchased during the wait that you did not use? Or are you a crafty, artsy girl with lots of talent? If so please go to One Child at a Time and contact the blog owner to make your donation. The money raised is being used to help fund much needed surgeries for waiting children in China. Right now the money being raised will be used to fund a surgery for a child with Spina Bifida. If you don't happen to have anything to donate, click on over anyway and do a little shopping:)

Who Are You People????

2008-06-18T09:42:00.003-04:00

I get almost 80 hits a day on this blog....but few comments. When I check to see who has been visiting there are people from all over the place checking in! I love checking the commments and visiting your blogs. So if you don't mind say "hi" so I can journey over to your slice of cyber space.

HAPPY SUMMER BREAK!

2008-06-16T17:31:00.005-04:00

This is our niece Helen...minus her 2 front teeth! ( I love toothless smiles on munchkins!) Unfortunately for Helen she still has some school left, but the TBG gang in officially on summer vacation! Gaaaw I love having the summer off. Ben is going to a lax camp week, so it is just the 3 TBG girls during the day. I am hoping for another sunny day so we can head to the pool. Sophie is a little fish; the little girl who screamed when I tried to give her a bath in China is jumping off the diving board! I hate that I didn't have me camera with me....unfortunately after she jumped off a few times the guards told us that she really shouldn't be using the diving board because she wears a floaty. Sorry, no digital documentation of our two year old dare-devil:(

Happy Father's Day!

2008-06-15T10:31:00.007-04:00

Ben 5 months with Daddy at a beach in South Carolina.

Hannah 6 months with Daddy on their way to an UNC football game.

Sophie 16 months old with Daddy at a Elon football game.

Happy Father's day Chris! We love you! We hope you enjoy your day at the soccer field:) XOXOXO

Any ideas???

2008-06-13T17:04:00.003-04:00

Crap. Crap. Crap.The Big plan today was to take my three gorgeous kiddos and get their pictures taken for Father's Day. Yeah, I know this is a little last minute but it was going to be a surprise and well, I can't do the picture surprise thing on the weekend without my husband finding out. Hannah looked beautiful, Ben handsome and Sophie as cute as a stinking button......that cries and does not want to get her picture taken so badly that she almost pukes! Sophie was literally screaming crying on the floor and gagging. We left, she waved bye bye. I was doing the "counting to ten thing that Moms do in public so they don't totally flip their shit" WTF. Pre photo checklist included a good nap, yummy lunch, plenty of play time and a snack.

Looks like it is Polo shirts for all the dads....unless you guys can give me a better idea.

Back to Blogging and Bullets

2008-06-11T12:06:00.004-04:00

• The last day of school was Tuesday for the kids. I have two workdays and then I am off for the summer! Yahoo!! The sad part is that I only worked half the year and I couldn’t wait for summer break.

• I will have two kids in middle school next year. God help me!

• Ben will be working two days a week down at his Dads. I don’t make enough money to support Bens social life.

• We joined a different pool this summer.

• Both kiddos will be doing swim team this summer…..we wouldn’t want to take a sports season off or anything.

• Hannah will be playing soccer in the NC State Games this weekend. We are giving Chris endless hours of soccer in the hot sun for Fathers day.

• My June calendar is so busy it kind of makes my stomach turn.

• July isn’t looking much better.

• I am working on Sophie’s TBG day video. There are tons of pictures to go through, oddly enough Ben is hardly in any of them??!?!?

• I am hoping to get my blog made over soon. I love my blog design and designer but I want something a little less soccer mom and a little more sassy.

• Sophie is talking up a storm. She is putting two words together and repeating EVERYTHING!

• I am thinking of seeing if Sophie is ready to give potty training a try. She does pretty good, I am just not sure she can tell me when she needs to go.

• I hear someone in our house say “Sophie you are so cute I could just eat you up!” at least once a day, this includes Ben and Hannah!

• Looks like Sophie and I will be heading to Cincy in October. All you Ohio girls I’ll keep you posted on the dates. We will be there for a week.

So What Did You Think???

2008-06-09T20:05:00.006-04:00

***Spoiler Alert****

I went to see the new "Sex and the City" movie yesterday with some friends. We were celebrating one of the girls birthday. I liked the movie...mindless entertainment. After the movie we went out for dinner and here I am surrounded by smart, confident women and they are all so happy that Carrie and Big get married at the end of the movie. Really??? This was a good ending??? True love my ass! " They have been through so much"....yea because Big is a jerk. He has serious commitment issues.... and he treated her like crap. I wouldn't want my daughters ( when they are old enough) to see this movie and think that a man can LEAVE YOU AT THE ALTAR and still be your "true love". I cried when Carrie beat Big with her beautiful wedding bouquet, screaming " I knew you would do this to me!" and Charlotte protecting her friend. Loved that scene.

How about Carrie's new assistant "Louise from St.Louis". Was this the best African American woman character the writers could come up with?? Never mind the acting was awful....

I liked Miranda's story line. I loved how it ended...cried then too!

I guess it is good to be Charlotte. Only thing that really bugged me was the line "I'm pregnant, can you believe it?? Everyone says that once you stop trying or you adopt then you will get pregnant!" Really....ya think???

Samantha was well Samantha. Cracked me up that she ate so she wouldn't cheat. I would have been happy to see Samantha be happy in a relationship, but I liked how she decided to leave for "herself". I liked the part where Samantha says that she is staying with her boyfriend because he stayed with her through her chemo...and Carrie said "sweetheart you just compared your relationship to cancer...."

I liked the movie it was a fun time with the girls! So what did you think???

Quilt, pigtails and NFL players Ahead!

2008-06-08T11:13:00.011-04:00

Here is Sophie's 100 Wishes Quilt! I wish I could take credit for putting this together but that would be a vicious lie!! A woman that I met at a local craft show made it for me at a VERY reasonable price. Sophie's quilt is about 52x52. I wanted a size that she could snuggle with on the couch. Robin can make any size and design you would like. I got the design from this book. You can ship your squares to Robin and she will lovingly make your son or daughters quilt. I love Sophie's!! Please email Robin and be sure to put quilt in the subject line. Here is her email addy and tell her I sent you! Sewwcrazee@aol.com

Now on to pigtails. Sophie has enough hair for Hannah to put her in little Whoville pigtails. The first picture is her crying because she is not feeling this new hairstyle. I took them out because once she stopped crying she was so pissed she wouldn't eat! Thats my girl! Of course Hannah would not give up...thats my girl too! The next day Hannah was able to put Sophie's hair up and take some pictures of her liking her new style.

Last but not least here is a picture of Hannah with David Garrard. He plays for Jacksonville and he came to our field day last week. His nephew is a student at our school. He was very nice and "one of the good guys" in the NFL.

One Year Already!

2008-06-05T22:26:00.006-04:00

A year ago today we got "the call" from our agency....hard to believe that it has been a year. We just love this little munchkin to pieces. She is perfect for our family. She is a loud, funny, dog lovin', sassy girl and we couldn't imagine our lives without her!

We love you Sophia June XuCan....we are so happy that you found us!!

Many Thanks!

2008-05-25T09:50:00.003-04:00

Thank you to all.....for your encouraging words and concern for Hannah. I have been so touched by emails, the posts on her story, and how quickly you posted links to the story to get it bumped to the homepage. It truly is an amazing community of smart, supportive, funny and feisty women we have here! I am grateful for each and every one of you!

China Still Needs our Help!

2008-05-24T07:48:00.003-04:00

I know that many of you have sent in donations already in response to the earthquake in China. Chris has found another group that donates 100% of the donations to assist those impacted by the earthquake.

Silicon Valley Tsinghua Network (SVTN) is a non-profit organization registered in Northern California with IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, formed in 1999. SVTN is a public charity non-profit organization.

On May 12th, 2008, an 8.0 magnitude earthquake in China's south-western Sichuan province has killed more than 40,000 people. SVTN setup the "China Earthquake Relief Fund" to help victims suffering from this massive earthquake within 24 hours of the quake.

The Sichuan Earthquake Relief Committee (SERC) was originally formed by some organizations to promote and support "SVTN's China Earthquake Relief Fund" efforts. SERC was initiated by Silicon Valley Tsinghua Network, MITBBS, and Legal Immigrant Association (LIA). Now, there are about 30 organizations in United States joined the SERC efforts to help victims.

SVTN's China Earthquake Relief Fund is entirely volunteer-based, with zero overhead and completely transparent accounting methods of operations. SVTN's China Earthquake Relief Fund provides a fast and convenient donation platform to channel funds from all individuals, corporations, and organizations eager to help in this mission of outreach and good will to earthquake victims.

All donations to SVTN's China Earthquake Relief Fund will be 100% transferred to Red Cross Society of China, as they have the established infrastructure to render direct and immediate disaster relief to earthquake victims in Sichuan province of China.

Tsinghua Challenge Education Foundation (TCEF) is a subsidiary foundation under SVTN. The mission of TCEF is: To promote Tsinghua educational development and academic research; To help create equal opportunities for fellow Chinese students and facilitate overseas charitable efforts for China during emergency.

Silicon Valley Tsinghua Network (SVTN) EIN: 77-051-4995

Click here to donate

2008-05-22T18:24:00.001-04:00

I can't even begin to imagine their loss.....I can only offer prayers for comfort and peace.

God bless

Still Looking and Need Your Help....

2008-05-17T10:52:00.010-04:00

Hi all. We continue to hope to find Jazzie. Our local paper posted an online article about Hannah and Jazzie the week we lost Jazzie. I am reluctantly posting a link to the article in the hope that readers of our blog will link, join the "community" and recommend the story. (it has our last name. If you are a freak who is going to stalk my family...be warned I will kick your ass. nuff said) It takes 2 seconds to join the community so you can vote. The news paper changed the format so all of those who voted to recommend the story last week, I need you to vote again if possible. If we get enough votes the article will move to the newspaper homepage. Roselee, the writer who posted Hannah's story is working on another story about lost pets. If Hannah's story gets enough recommendations she will have an easier time convincing her editor to run the story.

****LEAVE A COMMENT ABOUT THE ARTICLE TO HELP MOVE IT TO THE MOST COMMENTED STORIES LIST*****

Thank you for all your prayers, good wishes and emails. This has been hard for all of us. We have not lost hope. We believe someone has Jazzie and just doesn't know how desperate we are to find her.....

Taking a Break

2008-05-12T06:06:00.002-04:00

I need to take care of things with my kiddos. We are still looking for Jazzie....and this has been difficult for everyone. We are still looking, hoping and praying that she finds her way to someone who knows we are looking for her...She was spotted last Tuesday night around 11:00.

We have 4 weeks left of school. The last month is always crazy. I hope you are here when I come back....

Peace,Love and Prayers

Maryellen

2008-05-11T13:25:00.002-04:00

Happy Mothers day to all you mom's out there! I hope you enjoy your day!

For those moms that are waiting, my wish is that during a quiet moment that you feel your child’s presence and experience a renewed sense of hope and love for your child.

Guess Who is Two Years Old Today!?!?

2008-05-04T22:18:00.006-04:00

We Had Sophie's birthday party at the city park on Saturday. She was a little overwhelmed but had fun riding the kiddie rides with her big brother and sister! Everyone had a nice time....even as we all continue to hope,pray and look for Jazzie.

Continue to Pray.....

2008-05-03T23:04:00.002-04:00

Father
We ask you to help us find Jazzie,
our dear pet who is now lost.
We know that you placed animals on the earth
for many reasons, including companionship for man.
We therefore ask you to help us find our lost companion,
and pray that You will keep Jazzie safe
and protect her from harm until she is found.
We join our prayers with St. Francis,
St. Anthony of Padua, and all the saints,
and pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

prayer written by David Bennett

STLL NO JAZZIE......

2008-05-02T11:09:00.002-04:00

Still no Jazzie. Someone called and said they saw her Wednesday night towards downtown...not such a great thing. I am hoping that the dog catcher picks her up, or if someone gets her that they see one of 100 fliers that we have posted and handed out Thursday. Hannah and I are having a hard time. Keep praying and hoping that Jazzie finds her way back home to us soon.

Prayers Please

2008-04-29T23:43:00.004-04:00

Prayers needed please. Murphy bent/broke one of the stakes on the chainlink fence (Chris put these all the way down the fence when Murphy and Daisy got out in November) and he and Jazzie have been gone since 4:30. Worse yet the kids had been playing with their collars (switching them) and neither one has their ID. Please pray. I can't lose another pet. I have posters all around our neighborhood and up the street at the lights. I am not going to work so I can go to the vets, pet stores, and hit parking lots with fliers. I have placed an ad in our local paper but it won't be printed until Thursday.

Please pray.

**UPDATE**

We found Murphy. Still no Jazzie. We have posted 100 fliers. The newspaper ad will run tomorrow.

KEEP PRAYING!

Busy Weekend!

2008-04-27T08:46:00.006-04:00

Ben #6

Whew! We have been busy this weekend! Hannah and I were saying that we wished Krista was here this weekend! Saturday morning we woke up and headed out to a street festival in the small town where I teach. Hannah and the clogging team performed their last show. As soon as Hannah finished performing we jumped in the car to head back to Burliwood for her 12:00 soccer game. In the meantime Ben had a lacrosse game at the same sports complex where Hannah was having her game. We all met up and watched Hannah's game before heading home. It might have been a good idea if I had brought some sunscreen....ouch. My little brown kids were fine but Chris cooked the back of his legs!

Saturday night we headed to the park to ride the kiddie rides. Although I tend to make fun of the"burbs" where we live it really is a great place to raise a family. The park has one of the oldest carousels in the country, there are also a park train and a few kiddie rides. Sophie loved all of them....except the carousel. She rode it but she wasn't lovin' it. It could have been the music, it was pretty loud. Sorry no pics of our rockin' Saturday night at the park.

Carolina Girls!

Bill C and Middle School Talk

2008-04-26T21:37:00.005-04:00

What can I say about Bill that hasn't already been said....the man is an amazing speaker! He is funny and easily connected with the mostly college "republican" crowd. I know college and republican kind of don't go together, but this is a pretty small, well- to-do university. Bill's ( I call him Bill now:) bottom line message was that if you liked how things were going when he was in office vote for Hillary. As you can tell from Hannah's photo's we were pretty close. Glad we were able to make it in time to hear him speak.

My chat with the 7th graders at planet middle school went well. The kids all asked great questions and each class was so different from the last! I had one class that really was just interested in the emotional part of our adoption. They asked things like, how did I think Sophie felt about being adopted,how we going to be sure that she knew about Chinese culture, how would we explain how she came to be part of our family. They wanted to know where she slept ( with us) and why we chose to have her sleep with us. I told Mr.social studies teacher that this was the group of future social workers and counselors! Ben's class asked some really good questions. This was the only class that asked why we did not adopt domestically and one student towards the end of the talk shared that he didn't think that he could love a child the same if he or she were not blood related. I told him that it was ok to feel that way and then I hit him with one of my favorites from Melissa " Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother". Love that.
Every class asked "how much" and at the end of each class at least one student came up to me to tell me that they wished that their family would chose to adopt from China or that when they got older that they hoped to be able to adopt.

My work there was done:)

Wednesday is Going to be Big....

2008-04-21T21:53:00.002-04:00

Two big things happening this week in TBG land. First I have been asked to come and talk to Ben's social studies class about our trip to China and Sophie's adoption. (They are studying China) The kids are going to watch N.G. China's Lost Girls on Tuesday and hopefully come up with some good questions to help move the discussion along Wednesday when I visit. I was going to try to come up with some fanch shmancy little power point....but I am hoping that it is more of a discussion than a lecture. I hope to cover China's family policy, our adoption journey (preparations etc.) ,our trip to China, and Chinese culture. I'll let you know how it goes.

In other big happenings Bill Cl*nton will be speaking at an area college! Stop rolling your eyes...I know he was a dog. But I will be able to bring my two big kids to go hear a former president speak! I am very excited about this and can't wait to bring Ben and Hannah with me! It is going to be close since I will be speaking with Ben's class, but I hope to be able to make it in time. He is only scheduled to speak for 30 minutes. Getting there might be tricky but we can walk from a few different friends homes that live near campus. Wish us luck!

Hannah Clogging

2008-04-20T11:33:00.005-04:00

Hannah is a member of her school clogging team. Clogging is the official NC state dance...who knew?!? She really enjoys it, all the girls are smiling because their teacher told them that if they smiled and didn't look at their feet she would buy them ice cream:)

I tried uploading the video but it didn't work so I had to upload it on to you*tube...not sure what I am doing wrong. I didn't get the entire dance my battery died!

3 Words...

2008-04-20T11:14:00.002-04:00

MAGIC....

2008-04-17T17:06:00.003-04:00

I love this little cartoon...love that Blind Melon is singing it! Maia and Mike are the proud parents of baby Flynn. A little baby girl waiting for them in China who will share with them the magic of "three". I love referrals....its like being in the delivery room! Congrats Maia and Mike!

Just Taking a Moment.....

2008-04-16T17:11:00.001-04:00

xo
Maryellen

The Real Krista Revealed.......

2008-04-07T14:27:00.008-04:00

Krista is on her way home after being stuck in the burbs for a rainy weekend of chatting and chocolate! Of course being stuck in the house for the weekend with Krista has given me some insight to the mysteries of Krista......

* She claims to be low maintenance....but her hair HAS to take a hour to look so fab!

* She really is happy just to hang out on the couch. (good thing because everything that I had loosely planned was rained out)

* She is Hannah's long lost chocolate lovin' sister!

* She flips around a lot in her sleep.

* She can hang and talk with anyone...including my father-inlaw.

* She is way over "March Madness"

* She will happily hang out and wait while I take care of "Sophie business"

* She likes to stay up late and sleep in....the staying up late works in our house....but the sleeping in....forgetaboutit!

* She enjoyed the scenery at Wal*mart and La Fiesta.

* She really needed a Margarita Friday night!

* She "rolls with the punches"....airline goes out of business, not a big deal... just find another ticket home.

* Stressful movies like "I am Legend" will cause her to ask lots of questions....during the movie.

* Believe me when I tell you she has been to your blog....I have seen her bloglines!

* If she has just found your blog,she has read through most of your archived posts!

* She only has nice things to say about you and your blogs.

* For a tough cop she is an emotional girl.

* The person you "think" Krista is from her blog...is pretty much who she is in "real life"

* She thought I "was" a dorky soccer mom. ( she is right about the dork part though...)

* She is a good friend and values all of her friendships... especially those made along the way to Mia.

* She is well rested for her next weekend of fun as she travels her way through the wait!

3 Words...

2008-04-06T14:32:00.004-04:00

Krista brought these yummy chocolate covered chips with her from Ohio. I have to confess that the above picture is a picture of an empty box. The TBG gang has never eaten so much chocolate in one weekend ever! Hannah is in chocolate heaven! Krista and Hannah had the chocolate fountain going last night, we were all dipping marshmallows, strawberries, pound cake, chips and bananas. We may need to mix in a salad tonight:)

Permanent House Guest???

2008-04-05T00:35:00.006-04:00

NEWS FLASH!

Yup, Krista is a proud owner of a SKYBUS ticket......which according to tonights news is worth nothing! WTF??? Her bargain flight to NC has turned in to a mad rush to purchase a return ticket home before her fellow Skybus passengers find out that their tickets are worthless!! Her cheap weekend in the burbs is going to end up costing more than a trip to Disney.....I guess going to the mall is no longer an option.

I Think She Has Adjusted Pretty Well...

2008-04-03T14:57:00.003-04:00

Sophie just cracks me up...all of us up! Today she had a post surgery MRI. Everything looks great. She is a strong girl, she fought those nurses trying to put an IV in with all her might. I think she even surprised them a little. Her MRI went faster than we expected because she was so good, of course:) While we were talking to the doctor I noticed that Sophie was mimicking the doctors hand motions, it was pretty funny. Monkey see Monkey do! We all had a good laugh with that one! Other than that I really should be getting ready for my visitor.

A Visitor....

2008-04-02T22:12:00.003-04:00

A beautiful, smart blogger babe is headed to the burbs this weekend for a little rest and relaxtion. Can you guess who this fab girl is???

* She is a waiting mom...duh

* She is currently single ( well I think so unless she "hooked up" with someone last weekend)

* She is devoted friend. The kind of friend that one hopes to have at least once in a life time!

* Well, there is a man in her life....he is a little on the small side and a little hairy.

* She is passing the last months of her wait traveling here and there.

* If you are in the hospital or really under the weather she will come visit you.

I have 2 other clues but they will totally give it away....

Maryellen....Wild Life Photographer

2008-03-29T09:44:00.004-04:00

We had a great day at the zoo on Thursday (sunny 74 degrees). My Dad has been visiting this week and he has not seen Sophie since we were all in China. He can't believe how crazy she is:) and how much healthier she looks. "all nice and rosy"

He also can't believe how big Ben and Hannah are since he last saw them in China. He is also wondering if Ben will make it to 15 years old....Mom's of 7th graders out there know exactly what I am talking about!

Another Birthday....

2008-03-24T21:49:00.003-04:00

Happy birthday to my sister Patti! (the cute blond girl in the picture) We are a year and a day apart. This picture is so funny to me, it really shows how different two sibs can look, me with the darker skin and hair and Patti with her light skin and hair. For the record she is younger:)

Spring Break "To Do" List

2008-03-24T21:01:00.002-04:00

I wish my list included things like sleep late, have lunch with the girls....but I guess I will just have to put those two things on the top of my summer break list!

* Get rid of some junk! We used to move about every 5 years which was great because I would have to pack and get rid of junk. We have been in our house for 6 years and it is time to get rid of some stuff.

* Clean. And then clean some more.

* Take the kids swimming at the Y.

* Go to the zoo when my Dad is down for a visit.

* Eat at Friendly's* near the zoo with my Dad and the kids. (I grew up going to Friendlys, but the only one that I know of in NC is near the zoo).

* Clean out Hannah's closet.

* Bring Jazzie to the vet.

* Move weight bench to storage, I am pretty sure Ben won't need it until high school.

* Hound, I mean call local SW to check status on our application for "nonrecurring adoption costs". Check with your state to see if they offer this program. This is for families adopting children with SN's and your application must be submitted before your adotion is completed. You can receive up $2000 to offset medical or other adotion costs.

* Blog. I have had 2 posts floating around my head for some time....need to get them posted.

* Write an IEP for a student/parent meeting for Monday when we get back from spring break. (what was I thinking!)

*Make an appointment for Sophie's re-adoption...before our homestudy agency(which is also an adoption agency) goes out of business. They sent all their clients letters stating that they are in dire financial need due to Guatamala and Vietnam suspending adoptions.

* Submit application to have student loan forgiven. (if you are a teacher with student loans and have worked for 5 years of more in a low income school in a high need area such as math, science or special education you can have up to $17,500 of your student loan forgiven!)

* Get Sophie's blood work done for her April MRI

* Last but not least.....Enjoy time with my kids:)

3 Word Sunday...

2008-03-23T17:04:00.005-04:00

Happy Easter! I have to say that I love Easter Mass. I love the part in the Easter Mass when we renew our Baptismal promise, brings tears to my eyes every year.

I tried to bring Sophie to go and visit the Easter Bunny this week.....but she looked at me like I was crazy trying to get her to sit on the lap of an over-sized rabbit! So no Easter Bunny picture this year...maybe next year.

Yep, that is my first year baby picture on the bottom. I can never remember having my birthday so close to Easter. I think the next time that Easter will be on March 23rd will be in the year 2228! The last time Easter was this early was in 1913, and I assure you I was not born yet!

Just My Two Cents...

2008-03-19T16:44:00.006-04:00

I guess what really bugs me about our fellow countrymen slamming another country, in our case our daughter's birth country, is their egocentric perspectives and need to impose American opinions, politics and culture upon other countries.

Chris and I were discussing China’s one child policy looking for a way for me to handle “those questions” better. We both agree that limiting the number of children a person can have is a major “human rights” offense. Having said that and after reading this paper and other recent articles on China’s population control policy, Chris made some interesting points. One of which is that China’s policy to limit family growth is in part born out of necessity, we do not agree with it, but there is no social structure to support those who cannot support their families. In the paper from Harvard the writer indicates that in China it “pays” not to have more than one or two children, having more than that will cost the family money in the form of a fine and payment for registration and education of the additional child. As we were discussing China’s policy, Chris pointed out that here in the U.S. the government will actually PAY people to have more children than they can afford to support. No you say?? Sure we do…..we provide subsidies for housing, medical care, mental health, dental, childcare, education, food stamps, etc. The more children you have in America that you can’t take care of the more the government will pay you to help take care of them…you don’t even need to leave the house!

People question how China “treats” their children. Really, how well do we treat our children here in the United States?? Even with “supporting” parents, children in one of the wealthiest countries in the world are neglected, unloved and die every day. Our foster care system…please... it fails children daily.

Every year I encounter children at school who require a flow map to explain who lives with them and how they are related to one another. Every year I wake up a parent of one of my students at 11:00 AM in the morning to come get their sick child, and they are not asleep because they worked second shift either. I have parents who do not have jobs, but can’t seem to make it to a meeting at school once a year. There are parents that have 5 or 6 kids and they are not even 30 years old yet. They can’t seem to figure out birth control but they certainly know how to fill out the free and reduced lunch forms.

I don’t disagree that as a society we should support those who are in REAL need. Poverty in America is a vicious cycle. But we have to be honest in saying that the system fails. It fails to instill hope for something better than a hand out, it takes away desire to succeed and care. Here in America it does pay to have more children than you can care for, it just doesn’t in many other countries.

Advice Wanted

2008-03-18T21:59:00.002-04:00

I am at a loss on the best way to handle questions about Sophie's journey to us. Most questions are harmless.

But then there are the others.....the ones trashing birth parents in China for not keeping their children. Accusations of " how could they!" "I wouldn't even do that to my dog!" "What is wrong with those people!?" (For the record when someone, and lets be honest it is usually a stranger or an acquaintance, I usually become a little offensive in my rebuttal. Usually I just say...."well in the U.S. people abort unwanted children every day, I like to think that Sophie's birth parents chose life for her.....") Sometimes that works....but it is not something I would want Sophie to hear. I need something better. Something kinder, but to the point. I am not about to educate everyone about China's one child policy. I guess I could try the "Why do you ask?" But they really aren't asking me at this point they sharing their "opinion" about China.

I feel like I have to defend Sophie's birthparents. I honestly believe they chose to hope for a better life for her. Her SN would have likely gone unrepaired. I believe that her birth parents hoped that by leaving her to be brought to the SWI that she may have surgery in China or be adopted.

Share your wisdom with me....

3 Words...

2008-03-16T16:35:00.001-04:00

Time Flies....

2008-03-10T19:29:00.006-04:00

"We witness a miracle every time a child enters into life. But those who make their journey home across time & miles, growing within the hearts of those who wait to love them, are carried on the wings of destiny and placed among us by God's very own hands." Kristi Larson

September 10, 2007

March 10, 2008

I have tried to write something, but I am having a hard time finding the words.These are truly the only words that matter anyway..... She is our daughter and we love her to pieces.

3 Words Sunday...

2008-03-09T18:03:00.004-04:00

Springing Forward

2008-03-07T21:48:00.003-05:00

I hate that I (we) are losing an hour of sleep this weekend, but lucky for me I will be with my handsome husband here. Chris and I love Asheville. The food (this is where we will be having dinner Saturday night), the galleries, just being able to walk around and duck into a pub for a locally brewed beer is just our speed. I am a little nervous about being away from Sophie, but it is only for one night, we will be only a few hours away and Grandma and Pada (thats TBG for grandpa)will be hanging out with Ben, Hannah and Sophie.

We have finally found our groove as a family a five. Chris and I have tried to take time for ourselves, but as many of you know it is hard. It is hard to find the time for a romantic dinner between soccer, lacrosse and school. But we also know that it is essential for us as a couple to stay connected. This is a special treat for us from Chris's family. Matter of fact this was Chris's 40th birthday present, which works out pretty good for me! I am looking forward to spending time with my husband, sharing some great food,beer,conversation and for about 24 hours...uninterrupted time together.

Enjoy your weekend!

Saturday Night...

2008-03-01T22:33:00.004-05:00

As I write this there are seven 13 year old boys sprawled out in my family room making way to much noise (really what was I thinking). So far they have eaten me out of house and home, they have had a bon fire out in the fire pit, ate burgers and brats, ordered pizza, drank two 12 packs of caffine free Dr.Pepp*r, the police have stopped by ( the boys went for a "walk" and we just a little to loud for our neighbors.....it was only 7:00), I have made my threat of lights out if I have to come out of my room more than once....or they can get in my car and I can bring them home. I thought that 4 hours at the paint ball park in the fresh air would make them tired....wrong again. Happy Birthday Ben, we love you.....tonight proves it!

On the other hand I have purchased a special doll for Sophie's first family day. We are not planning on making a big deal every year of her "TBG day". I remember reading on ApC a post about a child that was adopted and just hated celebrating her gotcha day because it reminded her every year that she was adopted and different than her other sibs. It just made sense to us, but I do want to mark her first year here home. These dolls are so lovely it was hard to chose, but Lucy just seemed to be the doll for Sophie. Please go and visit the newest additions to Stephanie's store, but be prepared, they are hard to resist!

Whats on your ipod??

2008-02-25T18:24:00.002-05:00

I want...well need to get excercising again. My stress level and my weight keep on rising! I need a new playlist for my ipod, and I thought that you all were just to the people to ask to help me out. Leave me your favorite workout song or the song that just gets you moving. I will make a new playlist and post it here for everyone. I like all kinds of music I just need some suggestions to get me going!

3 Words Sunday...

2008-02-24T17:51:00.007-05:00

Pug*mama has gotten all started on posting pictures/words that sum up your week. From Pug*mama's blog "The pictures can be funny, sad, poignant but most of all it has to be honest". I can't link to her blog but you should start seeing others posting their 3 words.

There is a "13 Year Old" in the House!

2008-02-23T17:08:00.004-05:00

Then...

Now...

Happy birthday Ben! We love you! You make us laugh, crazy and proud! We can't believe that you are 13 years old today. You are so lucky to have such young, great looking parents:)

xoxoxo

*** thanks for agreeing with the "great looking parents" part of our birthday greeting to Ben.....but what happened to the YOUNG part???? :P

I Surrender....

2008-02-20T16:10:00.005-05:00

I have taken down my "Welcome" flag and replaced it with a white flag of surrender. I am home with Sophie again , she started running a fever on Monday. Chris and I split the day Tuesday and I stayed home today. She didn't have a fever and all seemed like we would all be heading back to school tomorrow. But no dice folks. Ben called he had a headache and a fever, Sophie woke from her nap with a fever of 102 degrees and puked all over the kitchen floor. So needless to say I will be wiping down door knobs etc with Cl*orox wipes and taking yet another day without pay. No sick days left between my maternity leave and sick kids.... Care to join me in my pity party, y'all are invited, I would wear a mask and gloves if I were you.....

The Gift Of Maia Faith......Vietnam 2008

2008-02-19T21:44:00.003-05:00

Congratulations D & J and the rest of your crew back here in NC! She is beautiful! Happy Family:)

Odds and Ends

2008-02-17T09:12:00.006-05:00

I love this picture of our kids. It is from CNY weekend. Sophie fell asleep in the car and we didn't want to use the stroller because the festival would be crowded. Ben wanted to carry Sophie in the carrier. Hannah is trying to keep the sun out of her eyes so Sophie can sleep. (We have an ERGO carrier and love it. It isn't the cutest carrier out there but it is the most comfortable one we have ever had!)

This is my favorite place to shop lately.

Can you honestly tell me congress has nothing better to do than to worry about baseball players using steroids?? Really?? And who really cares??? I love baseball. I think that any athlete who uses steroids is cheating and the governing bodies of those sports should deal with it....but congressional hearings??? I don't think so!

This has been a nice quite weekend her in TBG land. Basketball is wrapping up and soccer and lacrosse are starting next week. I am ready for spring, it has been pretty mild here lately (except for the snow on Thursday that melted by 3:00). We want to put our winter stuff away and start wearing spring clothes!

Only about 4 months until summer vacation! We are planning on joining a different pool this summer. The pool that we have gone to the last 3 years is nice, but none of the kids friends belong to this pool. I can't wait to take all 3 of my kids to the pool this summer!

I brought Sophie to get her picture taken at one of the quick "professional" places. She was not very co-operative:) I only planned on buying the promotional package anyway. I think it was worth the zillion pictures I got for $10

Valentine's Day and Snow Day!!

2008-02-14T10:17:00.002-05:00

I woke this morning to a surprise snow day! In the district that I work in, the kids often will have school canceled but teachers have an "optional work day". You can opt to take a sick day ( which I have used taking care of sick kiddos), a personal day or a day without pay....nice options huh???? The roads have cleared up so I am heading in to work for awhile, and bringing my trusted helper Sophie:) Ben and Hannah have some chores to "give" me for Valentine's day and Sophie will be back in time for her afternoon snooze.

Hope everyone has a great Valentine's Day!

Cue the Birthday Cake....

2008-02-13T20:26:00.006-05:00

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear Dear Friends
Happy Birthday to ALL of you!

Sorry for the late birthday wishes girls...you know I love Ya!

Have a great weekend!( Wish I was going too....)

Happy Friday Eve

2008-02-07T17:16:00.000-05:00

Hannah ready for cotillion

We are very happy to see Friday just around the corner! Sophie is feeling better. The al*buterol gives her a little "boost" but it hasn't been bad. We are all looking forward to going to local Chinese associations CNY celebration this weekend. We are going to have our CNY dinner tonight since everyone is feeling a little better. We wish all of you a happy year of the Rat filled with happiness, good friends and referrals!

Things are Looking up....Well Kind of

2008-02-06T13:40:00.000-05:00

Well Wedneday has not been the day I hoped it would have been but it could always be worse!

* Sophie woke up early this morning with a fever. She had started wheezing the night before but did not have a fever. So off to the doctors we went...

* Sophie's doctor is treating her for RSV. Not good. She is feeling better once her Tyle*nol kicks in, but she still is feeling pretty yucky.

* Sophie's medice will help clear out her lungs.....but al*buterol is a stimulant. She will be taking it 3 times per day until the yuck is all out of her lungs. It should be interesting to see how reacts.....

* The good news is that we have insurance to pay for doctors visits and medicine (so many people don't), and any day that I can be a stay at home mommy is a good day.

Looking Forward to Wednesday..

2008-02-05T21:20:00.000-05:00

OK, I was optimistic about Tuesday I really was until......

* Sophie whined in her sleep all night, waking me several times. No fever, not wet, just snotty. We have been running the humidifier every night for a month.

* Woke up at 4a.m. to the sound of Ben crashing out of his room so he could FINISH throwing up in the bathroom.

* Fed Sophie breakfast at 4:15 am . She kept signing she wanted to eat PLEASE! Maybe that is why she was whining she was hungry? She ate a good dinner and had her bottle before bed????

* Tried to fall back to sleep, but my alarm went off at 5:30 anyway.

* Chris in his sickness haze forgot to give Sophie her daily medication. Not a huge deal...unless of course you have been up since 4 am and wonder why YOU have to take care of everything! ( he of course wonders why he has to pay for everything:)

* Pretty calm day at school....thank you Jesus!

C,mon Wednesday bring it......I'm ready!

Is it REALLY only Monday......

2008-02-04T16:29:00.000-05:00

Seriously folks. We have all had Monday's when you leave work and can't believe that it is only FREAKIN Monday. This was my Monday:

* Woke up just as tired as I was on Friday....WTH. I need to find a way to recharge my battery on the weekends.

* Sophie has "daycare nose"....you know the runny nose that won't go away. I expected her to catch everything, but really her nose has not stopped running since January 2nd! Tried antibiotics, didn't do a thing.

* I was in the office waiting to get a meeting started when my principal told me to come with her; "one of my students" was having a problem in her kindergarten class. ( student is six with significant autism). I am thinking that she is throwing a tantrum, or something. WRONG. Her teacher comes around the corner with her limp body in her arms telling us "there is something not right! She is not responding!" Our principal immediately turns and runs to call 911, and I grab the student to get her on the floor to make sure she is breathing (holy sh*t), which she is thank God. We figure out that she is probably having some type of seizure, and pick her up to bring her to the office. The EMT's arrive quickly after, about the time she wakes up. After someone has a seizure that are usually pretty exhausted, and she was, but she is echolalic, and when I called her name she repeated it back. Her parents came and picked her up and I won't share their odd behavior with you....

* Our school speech pathologist is awesome. She would not let up on a pre-k student (who does not speak English) effectively taking the hearing test. This student had difficulty taking the test, for example raising her hand when she heard the beep. Our SLP pushed and pushed and the system audiologist came out and tested her using some $8000 machine and discovered that the child has a significant hearing loss! Not a little hearing loss, she is likely deaf. She is 4 years old. She also failed the vision test.

* Chris is home sick in bed. He never stays home sick. This is not a good thing. Lets be honest here, men are not good patients.

I hope the rest of my week is quite and uneventful.....one can hope!

2008-02-03T18:23:00.000-05:00

I obviously have nothing to blog about...

2008-02-03T16:09:00.000-05:00

Jazzie Before.....

Jazzie after her $38 haircut?!!!?

How is it that Jazzie's haircut cost more than my haircut?? (ok granted not including color etc.) Hannah pointed out that Jazzie has hair all over her body... I do have to admit that she looks really cute all cleaned up:)

Bullet-o-Rama

2008-01-28T21:00:00.000-05:00

I am having a hard time coming up with snappy titles....can't ya tell??

* This is going to be my first full week back to work. So far I have had holiday, teacher work days and bad weather.

* Sophie went to her first birthday party on Sunday at G*ymboree. She spent most of the party trying to get away from this little girl who kept pinching her cheeks...WTH???

* Chris felt the need to point out that the parents at the party "had to be AT LEAST 10 years younger than us!"

* I hadn't noticed. Kinda wished he had kept that little observation to himself!

* Sophie tried out her new little toddler bed ( so cute) last night. I went in to check in on her and Hannah before I went to bed and found Sophie sleeping on the floor! I had the monitor on..... I guess she just kind of slipped out and never woke up!

* I would have missed her sleeping next to me anyway. We will give it a try for naps, and try again around her birthday in the spring.

* We are planning on going to our local Chinese associations New Year festivities. Our FCC is more of a playgroup than a "cultural connection". It would be nice to meet some local families with kiddos from China though....

* Hannah is doing a nice job with Jazzie. They went to puppy school this past Sunday.

* Ben is going to be 13 years old next month....holy crap! That is all I have to say about that!

* Sophie is saying more words. She is FUNNY. She was yelling for Ben in church on Saturday, which cracks us up, because she never just says "Ben" she always yells it! I guess because we are always yelling for him to come to dinner, get out of bed, etc. Hannah and I were cracking up and she wagged her pointer finger at Hannah and told her "no, no" which of course sent us into a fit of the giggles. I just can't imagine our lives without her!

Hope you have a good week!

Weekend Part 2

2008-01-25T18:18:00.000-05:00

We had sooo much fun tubing. It was definitely a little hill but we all had a great time! You can go pretty fast, and the "big" boys were spinning the kids tubes when they sent them down the hill. I have to say that when I stepped out of the car I thought I was going to freeze! But walking up the hill kept me moving and warm. Of course we didn't have any winter gear so we had to borrow from my mom and sister. Ben is wearing a "vintage" snowmobile suit...we told him it was cool. LOL:) It was lots of fun and it might just become a tradition.

Weekend Part 1

2008-01-23T22:21:00.000-05:00

We had a great time and were lucky enough to get a 2 hour delay on our first day back to school! Here are the highlights from our first day.

* Our plane was delayed due to weather, but so were all the other flights. We got out in time for dinner. Skybus was awesome I am sure we will fly them again and again...especially with $20 round trip tickets!

* It was great to finally meet baby Hannah. Connely (moms dog) was sad to see her leave...she gave him lots of snacks.

* It was also so good to see Colleen again....happy with her girl and her crazy dog at home. Love ya girl!

* Watched the Pat's play on Sunday at my brothers house. There was enough food for 3 days! It was fun to see my TBG kids outside playing with their cousins.

* The Patriots won! The Packers lost:(

* The kids played outside every chance that they could and never complained about being cold....and it was freakin cold!

* Our nephew Michael cracked us up all weekend. He is very serious about his "Dorla" doll that he sleeps with and that "lasterday" is a real word for yesterday...and don't even try to tell him anything different!

* I miss my nieces and nephew. They are great kids!

* I don't miss the cold weather or the super dry skin that goes with it!

* I am glad that skybus tickets are soooo cheap I can visit more often!

* Apparently I love taking pictures with my new camera I must have taken 200! Day 2 pics and update will get posted later this week!

Heading North

2008-01-17T15:21:00.000-05:00

We have dug out our boots, scarves,gloves, long johns and hats are are heading North this weekend. We are looking forward to visiting with family and friends. We bought our bargain airline tickets here. We are ALL flying for $150 bucks round trip! And it is a direct flight! I'll let you know if we have to sit next to livestock...:) We are taking all the kids, except Sophie and Michael tubing. My little southern babies are going to freeze there little biscuits off! I can't wait to see my nieces and nephew,it has been a year since we visited. This will also by the first time Sophie meets her Massachusetts cousins and Aunts and Uncles. It should be freakin freezing but lots of fun.
I can't wait to see Colleen again and to meet her Hannah. I know that she is getting her new baby Carter this weekend too. It has been a year since I saw Colleen! She was my first blogger "date", I can't wait to see her in her Mommy mode!

Thanks....

2008-01-14T21:26:00.000-05:00

Thanks to I-Con and Robin for nominating our little family blog for the "Blogging with Purpose" award. Our blog started out like the most of yours, just a way to keep family and friends up to date on our adoption progress and little things we were up to during the wait. Now it has become a way for me to document the crazy things that our kids do, the sweet things that they do and just post pictures of their sweetness. I wish I was a better writer, but thanks for taking the time out of your busy lives to stop by and see what the TBG gang is up to!

It is hard to come up with 5 blogs that have yet to be nominated but here are two of my favorites:
Paula at Heart Mind and Seoul writes so honestly as an adoptee and as an adoptive parent. She is smart, witty and honest.

Maia's blog is filled with beautiful photo's and stories of her very cool childhood. I have yet to read anything negative on her blog...well there was the home schooling debate:) She almost makes me want to move to Colorado with all that snow!

Paula and Maia you can keep this thing rolling by posting your favorites on your blogs. There are rules...but since I didn't come up with them or follow them for that matter I am not going to ask you to! If you are interested in the rules you can check here

So How Was Your Weekend???

2008-01-13T17:13:00.000-05:00

Forty and Sporty!

2008-01-12T17:58:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Chris! We are going to celebrate Chris turning the BIG 40 watching football and hanging out with friends. There will be lots of food, beer and fun. Can't ask for more than that on your birthday:)

A Special Need

2008-01-11T20:58:00.000-05:00

Sophie's referral picture June '07

What a week in the China adoption world! Let’s hope that with the CCAA removing their information box agencies will get more information…..one can hope.

With the wait getting longer I wanted to talk to all you waiting families about special needs adoptions. First let me say that it is perfectly ok to consider adopting a special needs child because the wait has become insanely long. There I said it. Do I think that should be the only reason, certainly not, but if the wait has given you pause to consider a child with a special need …..Why not! In some ways I think that the wait has been the best thing for children in China who will NOT be adopted domestically because of a special need. More families around the world have opened their hearts to children with various special needs. Many of these children may not have found their family had the wait stayed at 8-9 months. We were added to our agency waiting family list one month after our LID backing ’06. The climbing wait definitely was a factor, but it was also something that we had talked about and gone back and forth discussing. I can’t imagine not having our Sophie. If the wait had been shorter this crazy, funny, smart and loving girl would not be sleeping next to me. Sophie was on another agency list back in December of last year. Her information was posted several times on the WC yahoo board. Unfortunately she had to wait longer for us to find her and bring her home, and I hate that. But I am grateful that we found each other. Her file was sent back to the CCAA in January ’07 and in June her file was sent to our agency.

Only you can decide what special needs you can handle. Only you know if you would be able to handle the costs of surgeries and therapy if that is needed. We carefully considered each special need on our agency list, and were honest about what we could handle as a family and as parents. We considered Sophie’s special need to be manageable for our family. It has not been easy, but it certainly has not been harder than we expected. Her prognosis for a long and healthy life is excellent.

Love without Boundaries has produced an informational CD about the various special needs most commonly found in China adoptions. The disc is $10 and once LWB gets their site up again you should be able to order the disc.

Adoption like birth provides no guarantees. If you feel the tug of your agency special needs program, take a chance….you may just find your daughter.

Sophie’s special need was us; our special need was Sophie.

An Interesting Week in Politics

2008-01-10T18:01:00.000-05:00

A friend emailed methis. It was interesting to see which presidential candidates policy and views were inline with my own. I have to say that none of the front-runners were my highest percentage of agreement; it was some candidate I never heard of.... Interesting. Check it out I bet you will be surprised.

Back to Normal....

2008-01-05T11:17:00.000-05:00

Well as normal as we get around here! The kids and I all headed back to school this week. Thank God in Heaven that it was only a 3 day week! I am exhausted. Sophie is doing well at daycare. Has her runny nose back, but I am guessing she will have that until there aren't any snots in the one year old room! I brought her on Friday and she cried when I left....for like 2 seconds! I scooted in to the observation room and she had already stopped crying and was playing. Granted she was being redirected by her teacher, but I was happy to see that she wasn't freaking out.

The kids both have basketball games today, neither of which I am attending. (see exhausted reference in previous paragraph) Instead seeing all of Burlywood at the YMCA this Saturday I am cleaning. This is what happens when I go back to work, my weekend is spent cleaning. That sucks. I need a cleaning lady ( really I need an asst. wife), but apparently China, maternity leave, hospitals stays, and Christmas have used up the cleaning lady cash. Oh well, guess I better get moving on this housework. We have friends visiting tomorrow afternoon, my house is a wreck.

Have a great weekend!

2008

2008-01-01T10:03:00.000-05:00

Last year I wrote a letter to Sophie, this year I decided to write a letter to my blogger friends’ daughters.

Dear Mia,

Your mom will always be there for you, just like she is always there when a friend needs her. She will show you how to be a good friend. She will love you always. She has waited for you to come with a positive attitude and words of encouragement for other waiting moms. She has missed you and thinks of you every day. She has been sad but not for very long though, because she has never doubted for one second that she was meant to be your mom.

Love Mommy’s Friend,
Maryellen

Dear Ava,

So much going on with your family! You are going to have a big sister, two big brothers, 3 dogs, and horses! Your Mom is a professional mommy. There is nothing she takes more seriously than her life as a mom. She will hug you and kiss every day. Your mom and daddy will always love you and keep you safe; they have whispered this promise to you many times. Your sister and brothers will teach you so many new things. They have waited for you too and can’t wait for you to come home.

Love Mommy’s Friend,
Maryellen

Dear Jadyn,

What a strong and determined Mom you have! She is so smart and funny. She will show you that there is nothing that you can’t do once you put your mind to it! Waiting for you has been hard for your mom too, but she has never given up hope that you will be a family. She has prepared so many places in your new home for you. Wait until you see your playroom! Your Mom did that just for you! Your mom has helped so many waiting mommies with her funny stories. They all miss her when she takes breaks; she makes waiting a little easier for so many people. She has a generous heart. She will always love you and you will always be the most important person in life.

Love Mommy’s Friend,
Maryellen

Dear Victoria Grace,

This letter is one of the hardest for me to write. I have seen the tears in your Mom’s eyes. She loves you so much and aches to hold you. She is going to be such a great mom. She is kind and will teach you so many things. She has waited such a long time to be your mommy! She will read you stories, she will act silly and make Christmas cookies with you every year. She will teach you to be strong and believe in yourself. She will love you always; I have seen it in her eyes.

Love Mommy’s Friend,

Maryellen

Dear Baby E,

Your family has waited so long for you! Waiting has not been easy for your mommy or your daddy, but they know that you are waiting for them too. They have prepared a beautiful room for you, that you won’t have to share with any of your brothers! Speaking of your brothers you will have three to teach you so many cool things. They will protect you and love you the only way big brothers can! Your mom will love you always, she has loved you for such a long time already and she hasn’t even held you yet. Her love for you is endless and she will always be there to hold you and keep you safe, but more importantly to remind you that you are loved.

Love Mommy’s Friend,

Maryellen

Dear Gracie Mae,

What fun you are going to have with your Mommy and Daddy! Your home is filled with love, music and lots of laughter. Your mommy will teach to love unconditionally, because little Gracie that is how she loves you. She will show you that you can be strong and still cry. She will sing you songs, read you stories, play dress up and shower you with hugs and kisses. She will love and treasure you always.

Love Mommy’s Friend,

Maryellen

Dear Macey,

Be prepared to have your picture taken! Your Mom can’t help but capture beauty around her, and you Macey will add so much beauty to your Mommy’s life. She is waiting for you and praying for you every day. She will share her love of God and her faith with you each day. She will show you that love is boundless by how much she loves and cares for her patients, friends and pets. She will show the simple yet amazing things all around. She will love you forever, she has promised that in her heart.

Love Mommy’s Friend,

Maryellen

And last but not least I wish all of you a Happy New Year! I hope and pray that this is the year that your daughters come home to the love that waits for them in each of your hearts.

Christmas Pics Finally...

2007-12-30T11:02:00.000-05:00

I admit to being a little slow.I have the best intentions but then my life gets in the way! We had a great Christmas. Our children were spoiled rotten by "Santa". Hannah got the electric scooter and boots she "wished for", Ben finally got a 360 (we found our that it has parental controls so you can set time limits. When the time is up the 360 shuts off automatically!)Sophie loooves her kitchen and it matches our family room. Santa also brought Sophie her very first Maclaren stroller. Auntie Tracy will be so proud. Santa brought me a fabu Sony Cybershot camera that I just Looooove! The necklace in the slide show was made by my talented hubs. It has the year of the dog Chinese stamp on one side for Sophie's birth year, and then the year of the Pig on the other for the year she joined our family! Chris got some nice new running clothes to keep him warm (the man will run in the sleet, rain ,snow doesn't matter the man will go for his morning run!)It was a nice relaxing day enjoyed by all!

Sad News.....

2007-12-28T15:38:00.000-05:00

A man called our house the other day to let us know that he found Daisy, but it wasn't good news. Unfortunately I wasn't home and for some reason he felt it was ok to share the difficult and graphic news with Hannah. Needless to say she called my cell phone screaming and crying. After I got home I calmed Hannah down I called the man back.....to tell him" thank you" for taking the time to call but what the hell was he thinking telling my 10 year old such horrible news! It was horrible. Some might think that now at least we know, but to be honest I was happier thinking that someone just wanted her so badly that they kept her for themselves. I am thankful that Hannah has Jazzie to soothe her heart, it has been difficult for all of us, but especially Hannah.

Happy Birthday Hannah!

2007-12-27T22:14:00.000-05:00

I love this picture of Hannah. She is in first grade in this picture. I think it is the only picture I have where she is smiling without her front teeth! Now our sweet Hannah is eleven years old today! She is a smart, strong and kind girl and we are so proud of her. We love you Hannah!

Merry Christmas

2007-12-24T08:34:00.001-05:00

This is our Christmas card picture for the cards I ordered last night and will mail next week. Have a great holiday and I will post pictures of our spoiled children tomorrow after Santa leaves.

Meet Jazzie

2007-12-22T19:20:00.001-05:00

This is Hannah's new baby girl Jazzie ( she chose the name, it was a toss up between Jazzie or Cassie). Hannah is our "dog girl" and has been very sad ever since Daisy ran away. I started looking this week for an older miniature schnauzer, a female around a year old. I emailed a couple a breeders and one contacted us that she had a 6 month old available. Hannah used her First Communion money to buy Jazzie....seriously Hannah has held on to $$ since second grade! She also chose not to have a birthday party and put that money towards Jazzie. Hannah was so happy she looked like she was going to burst! Jazzie is a sweet, calm little dog. Jazzie and Murphy are getting along great and she has figured our that our cat Sasha is to be avoided. All you girls out there will laugh when I write this but......this is Hannah's dog. She is responsible ( she did receive the responsibility award last month at school) for feeding the dog and taking care of little Jazzie. She is all signed up for puppy school at P*tsmart starting in January. My girl is very happy....that makes me happy.

Home Sweet Home

2007-12-20T08:38:00.000-05:00

Sophie and I were "sprung" from the hospital yesterday. It was a rough couple a nights with little sleep. Sophie was a trooper and really did spend 3 days either on her tummy, side or back. I put my laptop in her crib so she could watch some of her DVD's, and that seemed to help a little. She is still a little wobbly but that is getting better each day and is only taking tylenol for pain. Any of us big kids would still be in the hospital with a morphine drip! It is just amazing how quickly children bounce back!
Of course things couldn't go smoothly back on the home front, although I am happy to report that no dogs were lost and there were no emergency room visits. Ben ( our weakest link of late) had been home sick last week with a fever that lasted 5 days, he headed back to school on Tuesday healthy and ready for Christmas break. Hannah on the other hand stayed home having puked all over my bed Monday night! It was the classic "daddy my tummy hurts......" So Chris found himself changing the bed, comforter and all at 2am and trying to help Hannah settle back in to bed after throwing up a few more times! Go ahead an laugh I did! Poor Hannah. When I spoke with Chris all he could say was " I can't wait for 2007 to be over!" Every one is healthy and on winter break, looking forward to Christmas, presents, some rest......and 2008!!

Update

2007-12-17T18:52:00.000-05:00

Just a quick update on Sophie. Her surgery went well and the doctor was pleased with everything. She has to stay on her back, tummy or side for the next 2 days.....that should be interesting. She tried to stand up in her crib while she was having a fit and the resident came in...I got in trouble for picking her up! (in an effort to get her to lie back down) So they are VERY serious about her on her being on her back. The pain meds are working better this evening and she seems to be more comfortable than she was earlier. It is hard to see her in pain and not be able to hold her to comfort her, but I know she/we will be ready to go home for Christmas and anxious to put all this surgery stuff behind us!