Looking Lovely in Red
The BIG Event!!!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
We did it, finally, after much hesitation...
Yup, this weekend was it. I've hesitated, fretted and hesitated some more. LL was given the cutest little ladybug earrings months ago and has been YEARNING to wear them. Of course, what she didn't realize, is what it takes to get them done. I, of course, did and finally got the courage to have her ears pierced today. So, in short, she did GREAT! Not a peep, just a look as if to say, "Hey, um, no one explained the hurting part of this!" But once she looked in the mirror she was very pleased, and that was it. No fuss, no muss! Praise the Lord for all blessings, great and small! Also this weekend we had a special dinner out with Ke-ke and her friend Constable C. They took us to a beautiful Chinese restaurant called the Plum Blossom. I just cannot say how amazing the decor is. I truly felt like I was in China. In fact, I'm not sure we even witnessed a restaurant as lovely in China! All in all we had a great time, thank you Ke-ke and Constable C!
Looking Lovely in Red
The BIG Event!!!
Looking Lovely in Red
The BIG Event!!!
Friday, November 14, 2008
Four quiet little words...
Today as LL settled down for her nap she was particularly snugly. Most days she goes from total busyness to complete sleep in about 5 minutes flat. Such is my busy toddler. But today she was particularly snugly so I wrapped her in her quilt and sat in the rocking chair with her. This was a regular routine when she first returned home as I felt it critical in the bonding process. Besides who doesn't LOVE the feel of a sleeping baby in their arms! But as time has gone by we both have stopped doing this and I miss it.
As we sat there in the silence just rocking, she snuggled tight up against me and settled down under her quilt, hugging her "Asher Kitty". She took a deep sigh, opened her misty eyes and lovingly in a very sleepy voice said, "I love you Mama".
I know these may seem like routine words to some. But in my heart they will always feel like a gift straight from God. When you have waited for a child through adoption, and I can imagine infertility is much the same, you feel as though you've been given a miracle. We were blessed with two healthy biological sons whom I just "expected" would arrive on time, healthy, and all would be well. They were indeed and I Praise the Lord for His goodness. During those long 659 days that I waited to hold LL for the first time there was not a day that went by that I did not long to see her face, yearn to hold her in my arms and pray unceasingly for her well-being as she lived out her days in an orphanage a world away. So now to hear her speak, in English so clearly, those beautiful words that I waited SO LONG to hear, is still a miracle to me.
I can almost see the Angel wings :)
LL has been home now for nearly 15 months and I find something in her everyday that amazes me. She has opened her little heart to five strangers (and many more now!) and taken us as her own. She has left all that is familiar behind and now we are all she'll ever remember. Some days this grieves me so. I feel badly that we have removed her from the culture that God birthed her in. Though I realize that in her staying, she would never know even a shadow of the life she has now. My commitment to her in this regard is to help her hold tight to her Chinese heritage. We are doing this by attending programs, visiting museums, reading books, and even attempting to learn some Chinese. And most importantly adding some of her Chinese customs to our "old" family customs. This is the best I can do, though I realize it will never be enough to replace what she left behind.
Everyday I find such joy in seeing the relationship grow between her and her brothers. Today in the car she said, "I miss my boys at school". How sweet is that! BW, in his 18-year-old stage in life that is largely all about him, has this special voice he uses--just for her. He has a few pet names too. When he hugs her and nuzzles her, she giggles and squeals with this special laugh that only he can evoke. And there's BB, to her he is the source of all good fun. They run around together, they snuggle and watch movies, and she looks to him to solve her troubles saying, "Mitchell fix it".
I will forever feel we've been given a far greater blessing in adopting her than she will ever receive from us. God is good, all the time He is faithful and good.
Delivering the post
Picking the Perfect Leaves
A Card for Daddy
As we sat there in the silence just rocking, she snuggled tight up against me and settled down under her quilt, hugging her "Asher Kitty". She took a deep sigh, opened her misty eyes and lovingly in a very sleepy voice said, "I love you Mama".
I know these may seem like routine words to some. But in my heart they will always feel like a gift straight from God. When you have waited for a child through adoption, and I can imagine infertility is much the same, you feel as though you've been given a miracle. We were blessed with two healthy biological sons whom I just "expected" would arrive on time, healthy, and all would be well. They were indeed and I Praise the Lord for His goodness. During those long 659 days that I waited to hold LL for the first time there was not a day that went by that I did not long to see her face, yearn to hold her in my arms and pray unceasingly for her well-being as she lived out her days in an orphanage a world away. So now to hear her speak, in English so clearly, those beautiful words that I waited SO LONG to hear, is still a miracle to me.
I can almost see the Angel wings :)
LL has been home now for nearly 15 months and I find something in her everyday that amazes me. She has opened her little heart to five strangers (and many more now!) and taken us as her own. She has left all that is familiar behind and now we are all she'll ever remember. Some days this grieves me so. I feel badly that we have removed her from the culture that God birthed her in. Though I realize that in her staying, she would never know even a shadow of the life she has now. My commitment to her in this regard is to help her hold tight to her Chinese heritage. We are doing this by attending programs, visiting museums, reading books, and even attempting to learn some Chinese. And most importantly adding some of her Chinese customs to our "old" family customs. This is the best I can do, though I realize it will never be enough to replace what she left behind.
Everyday I find such joy in seeing the relationship grow between her and her brothers. Today in the car she said, "I miss my boys at school". How sweet is that! BW, in his 18-year-old stage in life that is largely all about him, has this special voice he uses--just for her. He has a few pet names too. When he hugs her and nuzzles her, she giggles and squeals with this special laugh that only he can evoke. And there's BB, to her he is the source of all good fun. They run around together, they snuggle and watch movies, and she looks to him to solve her troubles saying, "Mitchell fix it".
I will forever feel we've been given a far greater blessing in adopting her than she will ever receive from us. God is good, all the time He is faithful and good.
Delivering the post
Picking the Perfect Leaves
A Card for Daddy
Sunday, November 9, 2008
A Musical Weekend...
The past few weeks we have been keeping very busy with house projects, homework, yard work, homework, jobs, errands, homework and family logistics. Did I mention homework? So my posts have been sparse.
In fact we've been so busy that I forgot to post a picture of BW, who recently turned 18, yes 18. Man, I just don't feel old enough to have a child that old. YIKES!
So this weekend we all decided to goof off and just enjoy ourselves. SO MUCH NEEDED! I'd even dare to say that the boys were acting bored this afternoon. Good for the soul I'd say in this busy world we live in.
On Saturday night BW treated us to some babysitting services for LL so DB and I went to see one of our favorite Adirondack artists in concert at a local coffeehouse. A very nice evening. He even read some beautiful poetry before performing each song. Such a nice touch. Hearing his music just lifts my spirits and makes me SO appreciative of the wonderful childhood I had in the glorious ADK mountains. What a privilege to share them now with yet another generation.
Then after church today we went to a Fiddler's Jamboree. It took a little convincing but both boys came along too. After all, they both have learned to play the violin and viola from Mom and had lessons at school. But somehow I've lost them to the drums and guitar. Guess those instruments are much cooler in the guy world, LOL! There is still hope that I may get a violinist yet, LL has yet to discover her talents. I can wish! Nonetheless, we enjoyed hearing some talented musicians and LL had a ball dancing to the fiddle tunes. She even made a new friend who equally enjoyed dancing too.
It is now Sunday evening and we are all curled up into our favorite corners of the house. The fire is burning, the lights are dimmed, all are in their jammies. I love Sunday nights...
Happy 18 Big Guy, where does time go?
Snuggling with Daddy on Saturday Morning
Beetleboy's Cute Photo of Little Ladybug
Twirling to the Fiddle Tunes
In fact we've been so busy that I forgot to post a picture of BW, who recently turned 18, yes 18. Man, I just don't feel old enough to have a child that old. YIKES!
So this weekend we all decided to goof off and just enjoy ourselves. SO MUCH NEEDED! I'd even dare to say that the boys were acting bored this afternoon. Good for the soul I'd say in this busy world we live in.
On Saturday night BW treated us to some babysitting services for LL so DB and I went to see one of our favorite Adirondack artists in concert at a local coffeehouse. A very nice evening. He even read some beautiful poetry before performing each song. Such a nice touch. Hearing his music just lifts my spirits and makes me SO appreciative of the wonderful childhood I had in the glorious ADK mountains. What a privilege to share them now with yet another generation.
Then after church today we went to a Fiddler's Jamboree. It took a little convincing but both boys came along too. After all, they both have learned to play the violin and viola from Mom and had lessons at school. But somehow I've lost them to the drums and guitar. Guess those instruments are much cooler in the guy world, LOL! There is still hope that I may get a violinist yet, LL has yet to discover her talents. I can wish! Nonetheless, we enjoyed hearing some talented musicians and LL had a ball dancing to the fiddle tunes. She even made a new friend who equally enjoyed dancing too.
It is now Sunday evening and we are all curled up into our favorite corners of the house. The fire is burning, the lights are dimmed, all are in their jammies. I love Sunday nights...
Happy 18 Big Guy, where does time go?
Snuggling with Daddy on Saturday Morning
Beetleboy's Cute Photo of Little Ladybug
Twirling to the Fiddle Tunes
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