Today was the third year that the Wizards participated in the FLL Robotics Competition. They have been working diligently since September designing, redesigning, programming, tweaking and practicing making their robot do all it is programmed to do. They named the robot "The Praying Mantis". The competition involved 23 other teams this year. It is held at a prominent engineering college. The boys are very fortunate to have these bright, ambitious college students to mentor, train and coach them throughout the day. I should add that their regular coaches, Daddybug, Mr. N and Uncle Fix-It, are to be given equal credit for seeing them through these past three months of sponsoring, mentoring and preparation too!
The day was already a success as their robot performed just as they expected and all had a great time and learned a lot. But the highpoint of the day came as they took Third Place for the Robot Design. Yup, that's a real honor and we are very proud of the whole team. In addition to the win, they also had the opportunity to rub elbows with the founder of the First Lego League, the Regional Director of Intel and Congressman Paul Tonko who presented the boys their trophy. I also should add that they will again be written up in our local paper. Must be those cool hats and their team spirit...Go Wizards!!!
It's hard to believe that our mini-vacation is already over! We've all been off since Wednesday and here it is Monday already, humpf!
Our Thanksgiving was very nice as always but there certainly was a void at our first family holiday without Papa here. Many times during the day I swear I could almost hear his voice. We all miss him so much. Life on the Lane just isn't the same nor will it be ever again.
After our feast at Uncle Fix-it and Aunty Ess's house we returned home to become basic couch potatoes for two days. This is SO uncommon for us. But I have to say it was very enjoyable.
On Saturday night we did something fun with our friends from Vischer Ferry Station. We went to see a holiday train arrive at the Delanson Depot. It picks up food for local food banks and on board are performers who entertain along the train route. This is the 10th anniversary of this special train; we've only seen it two times. But it certainly is memorable. Both young and old really get excited when those lights begin to flash and the train can be heard just around the bend. It is a grand, impressive sight to behold.
I have made a slide show of the performers because the Santa Claus that rides this train is NOT your typical Santa--no siree!! This Santa can rap, yup, you heard me right, he RAPS! It was so great! The train doors open, the bass begins to thump, the theatrical smoke billows, and out of the darkness comes Santa like you've never heard him before. I only wish I had brought my video camera. Words will never do justice to the performance, LOL! It was great!
After Santa left the stage the band began to play and they were terrific too. The woman who plays the electric violin/fiddle was awesome. She had everyone dancing the street. LL had her first close encounter with Santa that night too (and I missed getting it on film!!) Thank you for trying Paul, darn those dead batteries! Santa hand-delivered candy canes to the children in the crowd. Apparently she did fine and was quite amused by this stranger in red. All in all it was a nice night out. Not too cold, yummy hot cocoa, Christmas cookies, good friends, good music and a beautiful holiday train delivering good cheer. I'd say that's a darn good way to kick off the holidays wouldn't you?
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!
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
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...
Yes, this little one is HARD to get a good photo of. I mean you REALLY gotta work to get this smile. So, I had to post it, well just because she's so darn cute. I'd do ANYTHING for that smile! Thank you God for this precious child!
Last weekend we traveled north to view the fall foliage in our beloved Adirondack Mountains. As always Mother Nature did not disappoint. It was not quite "peak", perhaps a week shy but it was glorious nonetheless. We took along Chatterbug, who had not yet made a journey northward with us. Sharing something old with someone new always makes it seem in some way as you too are seeing it again for the first time. We find great pleasure in introducing these mountains to yet another generation.
Before I go on I must share a tense moment that happened just as we arrived. On Friday night we had a surprise visitor. It seems we took our neighbor off guard because we arrived at 10 pm, much later than normal. Setting up an RV is not really a quiet task either. Backing into position, removing the tow bars, four kids and a dog, you get the idea. So, looking out for our best interest, he called the State Police thinking we were vandals or burglars. Poor Daddybug! Just as he was coming around from behind the RV, hands in pockets because it was chilly, an officer shines a light directly in his eyes and says with hand on his pistol, "Would you mind removing your hands from your pockets?" You can only imagine both their thoughts right? Well DB quickly did so and asked the officer what the problem was. No sooner did the officer see our set up and realized we belonged there and the situation quickly de-escalated, WHEW!!! Of course, all this happened and I had no idea as I was in the RV setting up, tending to Little Ladybug and making snacks. Real threatening group we are right, LOL! In short it's good to know we have a neighbor who looks out for our property, be it ever so humble, in our absence.
So after the excitement was over, we decided it was too late for a fire and made ourselves cozy in the RV. LL and Beetleboy were tired from a long day. Boll Weevil and Chatterbug huddled in their tent, chatting till the wee hours I'm sure. That gave DB and I time to unwind. This has been much needed as I have been back in school, both of us working, and DB assuming much of the family care on the two nights I'm gone. He has been SO supportive and I tell him "Thank You" all the time.
Saturday morning we awoke (not so early) and made our way north to Tahawus near Newcomb. It is a beautiful area for viewing the mountains and the leaves. The boys had a great time exploring, LL did too.
So Saturday night was rather low-key after dinner. We made S'mores, chatted a bit by the fire and then retired.
On Sunday morning we decided to hike to the top of the ridge on our property, hence the name Cedar Ridge. This is by no means a true hike, but it's more than a walk so that's what I'll call it. At the topmost point of our land, years ago, my father carved his initials is a grand, stately birch tree. We've made this a destination point over the years. Likely and mostly because I was so surprised to have literally stumbled upon this tree many years ago. My father never told me this tree was there but I found it, God willing I'm sure. One time when I mentioned this special tree, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law must've made a mental note of it. On my birthday they gave me a beautiful copper leaf embossed with a face. Attached to this leaf is a poem called, "The Spirit of the Forest". Sadly I don't know who it is written by as it is not listed. Otherwise I would gladly give credit for these beautiful thoughts. When I received this there was great debate in the family as to where it should be placed. After a season or two of pondering it was decided that this special tree deserved such an adornment. Hence, our treks to the tree began. That was about 12 years ago I guess and we are still hiking there today.
Here is that poem:
It’s peaceful and calm, the trees seem endlessly reaching upward to touch the sky. Branches sway slowly, creating an orchestra of leaves bustling together as a gentle breeze passes by. This is the “Spirit of the Forest” whose watchful eye provides peace and a safe haven for all who enter.
It so beautifully sums of our little slice of the Adirondacks. Praise be to God for making these glorious mountains.
