Sitting here with Jaiden, singing softly in my lap "I'm singing Jesus Loves Me... she's singing Jesus Loves Me...and brocoli!
where does she come up with this...Too funny!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Has it really been two years....
7 familes sat in a "waiting room" in China, eagerly anticipating the delivery of our beautiful bouncing Tonguu girls. Their arrival caused quite a stir...and our lives were forever changed.
I knew it was her the moment I laid eyes upon her, she was second into the room and her long dark hair hanging to her shoulders gave her away long before I saw her face. I rushed across the room to get a closer look and nealt before her, sitting forelorn on her nanny's knee. She just gazed at me without a flicker of expression, but not a bit of fear. She did not cry, this brave little child dress in a green Minnie Mouse suit, pink sandals with strawberry barretts in her hair.
There was commotion; I could hear Li Ping calling out names in the background - I am not even sure when he called ours but suddenly the nanny stood up and brought Tong Min Se to us and placed her in my arms. She smelled so good, earthy and fresh. I remember the smell of grain, like a freshly threshed wheat field. Then she started getting a bit restless and I wanted photos so I handed her to Daddy. Her expression never changed those first few moments, she faced this whole new world and strangers with strange eyes with not a tear in those beautiful brown eyes. We sat down with her and lost ourselves in her immediately.
By the time they'd called our name to go complete the adoption paperwork, she was beginning to perk up and show us her personality. She sat upright and gripped the edge of the executive desk, looking very regal and sure of herself. Amusing herself and the room with her captive demeanor and vivacious personality.
Within moments we were wisked away by our directors, whom did an awesome job of keeping us all on track that day. It was a whirlwind after that and I don't remember much about what happened around us because I couldn't take my eyes off of Jaiden. She; this most perfect child and so full of life and vivid personality. As I write this today, two years later I still can't hold back the tears of wonder and awe that come bubbling up. How blessed we are to be holding such a wonder of life. I don't know how we ever lived before her. Our lives are so full of her, she lights up our days with joy and simple goodness. At times her headstrong demeanor challenges us beyond our years of parental knowledge and at these times I wish that she'd come with instructions...but even then I love her...with a deep strong emotion I didn't know I was capable of feeling. I know I would defend her with my very life and there is nothing that I wouldn't do to ensure her happiness. At times I wonder if it is us that is teaching her or her teaching us...to be stronger, braver, more assertive...in turn I hope we are teaching her unconditional love, kindness, strength of character, faith. We have so much to learn from each other. So many years of joy and fullfillment to share.
We forged a bond on this day. A bond with 7 families that live miles apart. Our bond runs deep and can never be broken. It is a bond of life, joined by the red thread of China that flows from the hearts our daughters and binds us together as one family. As our daughters share this bond, so we share it as their families. I am so grateful to God to have had the chance to travel to China, to meet these families and to grow to know each other, to laugh and cry together as we watched our daughters adapt to their new Mommies and Daddies. Although miles separate us now and we miss seeing them every day, I know when we meet again the years will melt away and it will seem as though we never parted.
So today I thank God, I thank China and mostly I thank a very special unknown someone who had the courage, the strength of character, the kindness and the faith to place her child under the archway of the orphanage and walk away. That first step must have been the hardest move she has ever made and yet she had the courage to take it. I've often heard it said "a hero lies within us" and looking into Jaiden's eyes, I know it is true.
I knew it was her the moment I laid eyes upon her, she was second into the room and her long dark hair hanging to her shoulders gave her away long before I saw her face. I rushed across the room to get a closer look and nealt before her, sitting forelorn on her nanny's knee. She just gazed at me without a flicker of expression, but not a bit of fear. She did not cry, this brave little child dress in a green Minnie Mouse suit, pink sandals with strawberry barretts in her hair.
There was commotion; I could hear Li Ping calling out names in the background - I am not even sure when he called ours but suddenly the nanny stood up and brought Tong Min Se to us and placed her in my arms. She smelled so good, earthy and fresh. I remember the smell of grain, like a freshly threshed wheat field. Then she started getting a bit restless and I wanted photos so I handed her to Daddy. Her expression never changed those first few moments, she faced this whole new world and strangers with strange eyes with not a tear in those beautiful brown eyes. We sat down with her and lost ourselves in her immediately.
By the time they'd called our name to go complete the adoption paperwork, she was beginning to perk up and show us her personality. She sat upright and gripped the edge of the executive desk, looking very regal and sure of herself. Amusing herself and the room with her captive demeanor and vivacious personality.
Within moments we were wisked away by our directors, whom did an awesome job of keeping us all on track that day. It was a whirlwind after that and I don't remember much about what happened around us because I couldn't take my eyes off of Jaiden. She; this most perfect child and so full of life and vivid personality. As I write this today, two years later I still can't hold back the tears of wonder and awe that come bubbling up. How blessed we are to be holding such a wonder of life. I don't know how we ever lived before her. Our lives are so full of her, she lights up our days with joy and simple goodness. At times her headstrong demeanor challenges us beyond our years of parental knowledge and at these times I wish that she'd come with instructions...but even then I love her...with a deep strong emotion I didn't know I was capable of feeling. I know I would defend her with my very life and there is nothing that I wouldn't do to ensure her happiness. At times I wonder if it is us that is teaching her or her teaching us...to be stronger, braver, more assertive...in turn I hope we are teaching her unconditional love, kindness, strength of character, faith. We have so much to learn from each other. So many years of joy and fullfillment to share.
We forged a bond on this day. A bond with 7 families that live miles apart. Our bond runs deep and can never be broken. It is a bond of life, joined by the red thread of China that flows from the hearts our daughters and binds us together as one family. As our daughters share this bond, so we share it as their families. I am so grateful to God to have had the chance to travel to China, to meet these families and to grow to know each other, to laugh and cry together as we watched our daughters adapt to their new Mommies and Daddies. Although miles separate us now and we miss seeing them every day, I know when we meet again the years will melt away and it will seem as though we never parted.
So today I thank God, I thank China and mostly I thank a very special unknown someone who had the courage, the strength of character, the kindness and the faith to place her child under the archway of the orphanage and walk away. That first step must have been the hardest move she has ever made and yet she had the courage to take it. I've often heard it said "a hero lies within us" and looking into Jaiden's eyes, I know it is true.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Daddy's Home!!!!
You know how most times you know someone has pulled up to your house or is coming to your door if you have a dog that barks..... well we have a daughter that SQUEALS out "YAYeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee DADDY'S HOME!!!!" Whenever she hears his car in the drive, or if we are in another room and she hears the front door...when the garage was clean enough that Daddy could park in it she would do this everytime she heard the garage doors going up. It is an ear piercing scream so he can usually hear her well beyond the closed door so each day as he comes home he is greeting with a smile....and a SCREAM! Can't beat that for a homecoming!
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Bubbye Slippers
Jaiden was very upset this morning when I had to put SOCKS and SHOES on her for the day. She pitched quite the fit and its not so easy to get socks on a two year old that is holding onto their foot with a death grip. She's my girl, what can I say? :) She likes to go barefoot just as much as her mom. It almost broke my heart to have to take her from the beloved flip flops...aka "slippers" which she has worn since spring...she is on her second pair. Its not easy to find flip flops in her size either so the ones she currently wears is rather large on her feet but she doesn't care...they are "sparkley" You should see her run in them...you'd think she was wearing running shoes. She is a girly girl with a tomboy attitude :)
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Monday, July 07, 2008
What would you do?
....If your child used her lip gloss to create art on the TV screen?
Yes, this happened here tonight...
Yes, this happened here tonight...
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Consolidation
I have really enjoyed this blog, it has been my outlet throughout the adoption process...even though I didn't get hooked onto blogging until midway through I've met a lot of great people that have shared this journey and made me a part of a really great community. I hope to continue to keep up with you as time goes by, getting to know you better, seeing your dreams come true, your days of disorder and chaos, the laughter, the tears and all the in betweens.
Looking back I have gone through a multitude of emotions and sharing them and connecting with others out there that share the same has been a blessing.
I feel it is time to grow a little more and sometimes before you grow you have to prune so in order to dedicate more time to the entire family I am going to focus on our family blog. I've come to realize that I've begun adding more and more "other stuff" to what originally started out as Jaiden's page (with the intention of scrapbooking the comments) I would like to try to just highlight her on here so on occasion I may add a photo update or a tidbit of news...there is always something happening around our place and I will try to start doing a better job of documenting everything so please stay tuned...and update your bookmarks :)
Snowball Fight!!!
We had our first warm day yesterday!!! It got above freezing! The sun melted a lot of the snow and softened the hardpak so it was slushy. I taught Jared how to make snowballs and then turned my back on him....SMACK right in the back! Then I turned and gave his dad a kiss...SMACK he got BOTH of us at the same time! Ha! Beware of what you teach your children ;)
We went to Best Buy to look at cameras again...still haven't found "the one", and we saw 6 deer in our neighbors yard!!! As we drove by I thought to myself...hmmm they didn't have any animated deer in their yards before...thinking they were statues...then I glanced back and realized they were REAL! There were 3 of them in the front yard and 3 of them on the side. I've never seen them that close before. We do see a lot of deer in fields around here but never in other peoples yards. They were gorgeous! All fat and fluffy with their soft winter coats. I wish I'd had my camera at that moment.
Today is going to be another warm day (high 30s) we are starting to see DIRT!!! YAY!!! Spring is on its way!!!!!!
We went to Best Buy to look at cameras again...still haven't found "the one", and we saw 6 deer in our neighbors yard!!! As we drove by I thought to myself...hmmm they didn't have any animated deer in their yards before...thinking they were statues...then I glanced back and realized they were REAL! There were 3 of them in the front yard and 3 of them on the side. I've never seen them that close before. We do see a lot of deer in fields around here but never in other peoples yards. They were gorgeous! All fat and fluffy with their soft winter coats. I wish I'd had my camera at that moment.
Today is going to be another warm day (high 30s) we are starting to see DIRT!!! YAY!!! Spring is on its way!!!!!!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Snowy Spring
This is our street (to the left) on Saturday morning...before 3 more inches of snow fell.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
New Camera Suggestions?
My battery died in my camera and I can't find the charger...again. This happens repeatedly around here. I lose things all the time but they usually pop up somewhere. I haven't been able to find it anywhere. I've done this in the past and reordered a new charger, gotten the wrong charger, then found the charger. It's a vicious cycle.
In the meantime of trying to find the charger (again) I would like to get a backup camera that takes regular batteries. Something that takes a really good picture but fairly inexpensive. My current camera is a Sony and I love it alot (when it's charged) its lightweight and compact, fits into my pocket and easy to snap pics on the go. I would like another Canon but I can't decide which one...anyone have any suggestions or helpful advice?
In the meantime of trying to find the charger (again) I would like to get a backup camera that takes regular batteries. Something that takes a really good picture but fairly inexpensive. My current camera is a Sony and I love it alot (when it's charged) its lightweight and compact, fits into my pocket and easy to snap pics on the go. I would like another Canon but I can't decide which one...anyone have any suggestions or helpful advice?
Monday, March 03, 2008
Lion or Lamb?
March is one of my favorite months of the year, the daffodils pop their heads out and say HELLO SPRING!!! This has always, always been my "sign" that spring is right around the corner....
well, this morning I got a different kind of sign. As I was pulling out of the driveway I saw a bird. I have not seen a bird since fall so this has to be a sign right??? I'm not sure what kind of bird it was...it was fat and gray, kinda small and round like a robin. But robins are red aren't they? I don't know very much about birds, and guess I should as much as I love nature.
uh oh, I keep hearing this nasty word again...SNOW is coming our way. From my viewpoint at my desk, all I see is blue sky...I would love it very much if it would stay that way. Please oh please God, no more snow!
On a happier note, I have sprouted tomato seeds growing under a grow light in my dining room...we may be eating artificially grown tomatoes if this nasty weather continues. I am trying on that I've never even seen before a "yellow pear" grape tomato. Anyone heard of this? The kids LOVE tiny tomatoes so if I can get all 72 plants to survive (half of those are red grapes) we will be in the 'maters'...:)
well, this morning I got a different kind of sign. As I was pulling out of the driveway I saw a bird. I have not seen a bird since fall so this has to be a sign right??? I'm not sure what kind of bird it was...it was fat and gray, kinda small and round like a robin. But robins are red aren't they? I don't know very much about birds, and guess I should as much as I love nature.
uh oh, I keep hearing this nasty word again...SNOW is coming our way. From my viewpoint at my desk, all I see is blue sky...I would love it very much if it would stay that way. Please oh please God, no more snow!
On a happier note, I have sprouted tomato seeds growing under a grow light in my dining room...we may be eating artificially grown tomatoes if this nasty weather continues. I am trying on that I've never even seen before a "yellow pear" grape tomato. Anyone heard of this? The kids LOVE tiny tomatoes so if I can get all 72 plants to survive (half of those are red grapes) we will be in the 'maters'...:)
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Farewell February
It is with much joy and anticipation that we turned the page of February off our calendar this year...at least for me it was exciting. I am glad to get that month behind me and have the promise of spring around the corner. We have lots more cold weather to come but I am praying that the snow is done. I soooo can't wait to see the earth donned once again in all its brown and green splendor. The white gets very very old after a while and you begin to wonder if you aren't really locked up inside a medical facility going mentally insane...everything is so white.
I took Jaiden and Jared out for another spin on the dike the other day. I wish I could figure out how to add video, I took one of the three of us sledding downhill at a pretty good clip. It was fun, yes I know I can't believe it myself, I actually had a fun moment out in the cold. Jaiden was really loving riding on the sled - I pulled her along all the way there and back. Guess there is one nice thing about our roads being covered in ice, pulling kids on sleds is easier....but it makes driving a car a bit tricky.
Not much going on today, Jared is playing outside in the backyard, Cody is at work, I went grocery shopping, Jaiden is playing with playdough, Scott is doing the laundry. And we're having a roast for dinner :) I have been craving roast beef lately for some weird reason.
Hope everyone is doing well. Have a great week!
I took Jaiden and Jared out for another spin on the dike the other day. I wish I could figure out how to add video, I took one of the three of us sledding downhill at a pretty good clip. It was fun, yes I know I can't believe it myself, I actually had a fun moment out in the cold. Jaiden was really loving riding on the sled - I pulled her along all the way there and back. Guess there is one nice thing about our roads being covered in ice, pulling kids on sleds is easier....but it makes driving a car a bit tricky.
Not much going on today, Jared is playing outside in the backyard, Cody is at work, I went grocery shopping, Jaiden is playing with playdough, Scott is doing the laundry. And we're having a roast for dinner :) I have been craving roast beef lately for some weird reason.
Hope everyone is doing well. Have a great week!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Now or Later?
Jaiden luuuuuvs her bubble baths. I promised her a bubble bath Fri night and got busy and it was past her bedtime before we knew it....so the next morning she reminded me of her missed bubble bath. I asked her "Do you want to have it now or later?" She gave me a quizzical look, thought about it for a second and said "Now!"
She got her bubble bath
She got her bubble bath
Saturday, February 16, 2008
She's a quick one
This morning at breakfast Jaiden had some syrup on her forhead so I ask her "what's that on your head?" Her quick reply was "my hair"
She has a quick wit!!! At only 2 years old! Amazing!
She has a quick wit!!! At only 2 years old! Amazing!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
