Kieren and Kelsey compare their new shoes today.
Saturday, March 31
Friday, March 30
Together Again!
Today was our 3rd Annual Shopping Adventure. While we were waiting for Kieren, we started a tradition of shopping at the Jeffersonville Outlets twice a year. Once in March and again in August. We've made some wonderful friendships through Kieren's adoption! The shopping trips give us a great chance to just hang out and enjoy each other while getting some serious shopping done!
It's amazing to think that in March 2005, we were just at the beginning of our wait. And now in March 2007, we have these amazing little girls!!! They aren't the babies we took shopping last year. They are truly little girls! Most of the girls got new sandals and sunglasses today. They were more than happy to model them for us (the little Divas!). Last year we were just buying clothes. The year before, we were trying to figure out what size clothes we should buy because no one would get their referral for months still! I can't wait to see what the next trip (in August) will bring!
These Shopping Adventures aren't just about the adults. They are about supporting each other and watching our kids grow. Everyone shares funny stories, joys and frustrations. Lots of hugs are shared too!! We are a family. Everyone is happy to lend a hand with another child without being asked. We all share a common bond - adoption. Yes, there are some of the group who don't have adopted children. They are special people who have supported us through our adoptions. They are part of this family.
While the adults did some major shopping today, the kids did play! Most of the girls haven't seen each other in a year. That's never an issue! The girls had a blast!!!! I can't wait to see their friendships develop and grow over the coming years as we continue this tradition.
Thank you to everyone who made this year's Spring Shopping Adventure a huge success!!!! It was wonderful to see you again! To those who couldn't make it this time, I hope we'll see you in August!
Emmy, Kelsey, and Kieren had a great time playing while the adults shopped!
Finding trouble.
Come on and play, girls!
Ya gotta walk the walk!
It's amazing to think that in March 2005, we were just at the beginning of our wait. And now in March 2007, we have these amazing little girls!!! They aren't the babies we took shopping last year. They are truly little girls! Most of the girls got new sandals and sunglasses today. They were more than happy to model them for us (the little Divas!). Last year we were just buying clothes. The year before, we were trying to figure out what size clothes we should buy because no one would get their referral for months still! I can't wait to see what the next trip (in August) will bring!
These Shopping Adventures aren't just about the adults. They are about supporting each other and watching our kids grow. Everyone shares funny stories, joys and frustrations. Lots of hugs are shared too!! We are a family. Everyone is happy to lend a hand with another child without being asked. We all share a common bond - adoption. Yes, there are some of the group who don't have adopted children. They are special people who have supported us through our adoptions. They are part of this family.
While the adults did some major shopping today, the kids did play! Most of the girls haven't seen each other in a year. That's never an issue! The girls had a blast!!!! I can't wait to see their friendships develop and grow over the coming years as we continue this tradition.
Thank you to everyone who made this year's Spring Shopping Adventure a huge success!!!! It was wonderful to see you again! To those who couldn't make it this time, I hope we'll see you in August!
Emmy, Kelsey, and Kieren had a great time playing while the adults shopped!
Finding trouble.
Come on and play, girls!
Ya gotta walk the walk!
3rd Annual Spring Shopping Adventure!
The ladies and children at the start of the day.(Front row from left: Hali, Kieren, Katie, Kelsey & her Mom Kim, Ian)
(Back row from left: Laura Jo, Krista, Qin, Sam, Mel, Sandi, Laurie with Jenna, Lisa with Emmy, Katie with Sarah, Heather)
The whole group finally together after lunch!!!(From the left: Qin, Laurie w/ Jenna, Kim w/ Kelsey, Jan w/ Helen, Krista, JJ w/ Rina & Juli, Lisa w/ Emmy, Sandi w/ Katie, Sam w/ Kieren, Heather w/ Ian, Mel, Laura Jo w/ Hali, Katie w/ Sarah)
The men who were brave (or is that stupid?) enough to shop with us! You are truly real men!!!(From the left: Tim w/ Rina & Juli, Kevin w/ Jenna, Mark w/ Helen, Andy w/ Kieren, Dave w/ Emmy)
And Mark, who thought he would escape the group shot by walking away, with Ian and Heather!
Wednesday, March 28
Treehouse...
Cullen and Kieren love their treehouse. It has two decked levels and a large grass area underneath. (I'm standing on the lower level.) We built it in the fall of 2005, while waiting for Kieren's referral. The upper level is large enough to sleep 6 or more adults and has an escape hatch. The lower level is 12 feet long x 3 feet deep.
Now that the weather is warmer, these two are always playing in it. Last night all the neighbor's grandkids were in it too!
It has a really great view. Not that Cullen can tell!
I don't think Cull will do this again! What do you think?
Monday, March 26
**Update**
Yes, it is the flu. It is a mild case, but Cullen's stomach issues are making it worse. Cull's 4-month follow-up with the GI specialist is tomorrow afternoon. I will let you know what happens!
A quick cute moment for your enjoyment. Cullen was asleep on the couch this morning when Kieren and I got up. Andy said he got up puking so he told him to sleep closer to the bathroom Cull has a loft bed and can't get down and to the bathroom fast enough). Anyway, Kieren's speech is very limited, but her favorite word is "Cull", who is also her favorite person! So we walked into the Family Room this morning and Kieren starts calling for Cull. I told her he was sick so we had to be quiet. So she stopped calling his name and looked concerned. I put her in the chair and went to get her morning milk. As I came back into the room, Kieren is tucking her TMX Elmo under Cullen's arm!!! I told her no, Cullen doesn't need Elmo. She took Elmo and layed on the floor with him and cried. After a couple of minutes, she carefully climbed up onto the couch and layed between Cullen's feet and watched him sleep. As soon as Cullen woke up, Kieren jumped off the couch and brought him Elmo! Oh how she loves her big brother!!!
A quick cute moment for your enjoyment. Cullen was asleep on the couch this morning when Kieren and I got up. Andy said he got up puking so he told him to sleep closer to the bathroom Cull has a loft bed and can't get down and to the bathroom fast enough). Anyway, Kieren's speech is very limited, but her favorite word is "Cull", who is also her favorite person! So we walked into the Family Room this morning and Kieren starts calling for Cull. I told her he was sick so we had to be quiet. So she stopped calling his name and looked concerned. I put her in the chair and went to get her morning milk. As I came back into the room, Kieren is tucking her TMX Elmo under Cullen's arm!!! I told her no, Cullen doesn't need Elmo. She took Elmo and layed on the floor with him and cried. After a couple of minutes, she carefully climbed up onto the couch and layed between Cullen's feet and watched him sleep. As soon as Cullen woke up, Kieren jumped off the couch and brought him Elmo! Oh how she loves her big brother!!!
OY!!!
Another long day. My MIL came for a visit today. Yeah. While she was here, Cullen started not feeling well. He ate some dinner and then proceded to give it back. Because it was so warm today (and the house was darn hot thanks to cooking my butt off for a couple of hours), I sent Cullen to my room to rest in front of the fan.After MIL left, Cullen came out to the Family Room. He wasn't feeling any better (Maybe not enough chocolate, Heather?) and felt worse as the evening progressed. He made dozens of quick dashes to the porcelain god, mostly dry heaves but some were productive (TMI?). He has a cough, but it doesn't sound like he's bringing up a lung. He's stuffed up, but so am I. He isn't running a fever. He is feeling achy. Is it the flu that's wiping out the school? Or is it his stomach issues making a dramatic appearance? Sheesh! I don't know if I should keep him home tomorrow or tell him to suck it up and go to school.
This stomach disorder mimics so many things. The school nurse and Cull's teacher must think I'm the meanest Mom in the world. Every week I get a call that Cullen has thrown up. I ask him what happened and a number of other questions and then ask the nurse some questions. Nine times out of ten, I tell him he needs to get used to this and to go back to class. Yeah, I know it's not nice, but he can't miss school every week! I always feel so guilty about it. But, most of the time, when I pick him up at the usual dismissal time, he is fine and raring to go!
Well, I have taken the first "puke" shift tonight. If Cullen doesn't puke again, I won't wake Andy and go to bed at 2am. If Cull makes it through the night without incident and has no fever in the morning, I guess we'll send him to school. I think. On a positive note, Kieren hasn't had a night terror tonight!! YAY! Well, enough babble. I wonder what junk is on the TV tonight?!
Sunday, March 25
Love The Dress, Not The Attitude!
Kieren was so adorable in the new dress from my Mom!!! The attitude, however, needs an adjustment. Don't you love the shoes?! They are squeaky shoes!!!! Kieren was thrilled to wear them. The girl loves to squeak!
Saturday, March 24
Cullen's First Speech Meet
Today was Cullen's first speech meet! Cullen's school hosted the ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) Elementary Speech Meet. Cullen entered the Fourth Grade Poetry event. His poem was "A Boy and His Stomach" by Edgar Guest. How appropriate is that?! Cullen did really well and earned an "Excellent" rating!!! Way to go, Cull!!! We are so proud of you! Here's the poem and some photos from today:
A Boy and His Stomach
What's the matter, stummick? Ain't I always been your friend?
Ain't I always been a pardner to you? all my pennies don't I spend
In getting nice things for you? Don't I give you lots of cake?
Say, stummick, whats the matter, You had to go an' ache?
Why, I loaded you with good things yesterday; I gave you more
corn an' chicken than you'd ever had before;
I gave you fruit an' candy, apple pie an' chocolate cake,
An' last night when I got to bed you had to go and ache.
Say, what's the matter with you? Ain't you satisfied at all?
I gave you all you wanted; You was hard jes' like a ball,
An you couldn't hold another bit of puddin'; yet last night
you ached most awful, stummick! that ain't treatin' me jest right.
I've been a friend to you, I have! Why ain't you a friend O' mine?
They gave me castor oil becoz you made me whine.
I'm feelin' fine this mornin'; yes it's true;
But I tell you, stummick, you better appreciate things I do for you.
Edgar A Guest
Cullen and his teacher, Miss Betsy Linnell! She is as hyper as Cullen and just as fun!
Waiting for the Awards Ceremony. It was a long wait! This is the gym at Cullen's school, Emmanuel Christian Academy. Registration was at 8:30, opening comments at 9:00, Session 1 (Cullen's group) at 9:30, Session 2 at 10:40, and Awards from Noon-1:00. What a long morning! I'm sooooo glad we left Kieren with my folks for the day!!!
Cullen admiring his ribbon for "Excellence"! The woman announcing the awards behind Cullen is Mrs. Rose, Cullen's 3rd grade teacher.
All of the participants for the Fourth Grade Poetry event. Way to go, Cull!!!!
A Boy and His Stomach
What's the matter, stummick? Ain't I always been your friend?
Ain't I always been a pardner to you? all my pennies don't I spend
In getting nice things for you? Don't I give you lots of cake?
Say, stummick, whats the matter, You had to go an' ache?
Why, I loaded you with good things yesterday; I gave you more
corn an' chicken than you'd ever had before;
I gave you fruit an' candy, apple pie an' chocolate cake,
An' last night when I got to bed you had to go and ache.
Say, what's the matter with you? Ain't you satisfied at all?
I gave you all you wanted; You was hard jes' like a ball,
An you couldn't hold another bit of puddin'; yet last night
you ached most awful, stummick! that ain't treatin' me jest right.
I've been a friend to you, I have! Why ain't you a friend O' mine?
They gave me castor oil becoz you made me whine.
I'm feelin' fine this mornin'; yes it's true;
But I tell you, stummick, you better appreciate things I do for you.
Edgar A Guest
Cullen and his teacher, Miss Betsy Linnell! She is as hyper as Cullen and just as fun!
Waiting for the Awards Ceremony. It was a long wait! This is the gym at Cullen's school, Emmanuel Christian Academy. Registration was at 8:30, opening comments at 9:00, Session 1 (Cullen's group) at 9:30, Session 2 at 10:40, and Awards from Noon-1:00. What a long morning! I'm sooooo glad we left Kieren with my folks for the day!!!
Cullen admiring his ribbon for "Excellence"! The woman announcing the awards behind Cullen is Mrs. Rose, Cullen's 3rd grade teacher.
All of the participants for the Fourth Grade Poetry event. Way to go, Cull!!!!
China - Land of Diversity and Innovation
This has been a really long week. Cullen's research paper on China was due on Monday. It was the longest in the class (and the best if you ask me!). Cullen gave his oral presentation on Thursday. What a day!! Andy took him to school, attended a special chapel service led by the boys from Cullen's class, and rushed home to pick me and Kieren up! We grabbed the steamed dumplings and an order of mushu (for the teacher's lunch!) and got to the school just in time for Cullen to give his presentation. Cullen did a great job!!! The kids were required to choose four topics within their chosen country and give a factual research paper, with bibliography. Cullen chose China (DUH!). He then chose geography, landmarks, inventions, and food. It was a lot of fun watching him teach the class about China. He loves this topic and is very passionate when he talks about it. Kieren decided to assist Cullen at one point, but Cullen just scooped her up and continued his talk without any problems! Too funny!!!
Great job, Cullen!!! We are so proud of you!
Cullen's presentation board. (Geography in blue. Landmarks in orange. Food in red. Inventions in purple.) Pretty darn impressive!
Cullen giving his oral presentation. Notice the kids are eating. Cullen included steamed dumplings and chopsticks as part of his report. The kids also enjoyed the non-Chinese food, fortune cookies!
Great job, Cullen!!! We are so proud of you!
Cullen's presentation board. (Geography in blue. Landmarks in orange. Food in red. Inventions in purple.) Pretty darn impressive!
Cullen giving his oral presentation. Notice the kids are eating. Cullen included steamed dumplings and chopsticks as part of his report. The kids also enjoyed the non-Chinese food, fortune cookies!
Friday, March 23
What Has This World Come To?
Two weeks ago, a letter came home with Cullen from school. No, Cullen wasn't in trouble (this time!). It was a letter from Dr. Simon, the school Super. He just wanted to let the parents know that the kids would be practicing lock-down procedures the next week. The local police and fire departments would be assisting. The State of Ohio has mandated that all schools must have lock-down drills in case someone loses it and enters the school with a gun or other weapon. The situation had been explained to the kids. The kids thought it was kind of fun!
What has the world come to?! We have to teach our children from preschool through high school how to survive an attack on their school! We have to show them how important it is to lock the classroom doors, turn off the lights, hide in a safe place, and stay completely quiet until they have been rescued by the police! School used to be one of the safest places in the world for a kid. Yes, there are always the bullies and usual dramas, but school was a safe place. I'm not even talking about the gangs, the drugs, or all the other nightmares some schools have to deal with. Today's reality is that there are people, some of them even kids, who think the only way to be heard, or get attention, or get even, or their only "choice" is to go into a school with the intent to kill others. This situation is happening more and more. We are starting to be less effected by it on the news.
Cullen goes to a private Christian school. It is located in the country, but still close to the edge of the city. The city is growing closer to it all the time. This year we noticed that all doors except for the set near the office are locked after the kids are safely in the school. These doors take everyone right to the reception area. The kids are rarely visible from this location, except at class-change times. Anyone entering the school would be seen. The youngest kids have their classes on the first floor, but it is a hike to get to them. The fire/security doors to their wing is the next line of defense. These doors get locked too. It shakes you to realise that this wonderfully safe school is just like any other. It could one day need these lock-downs for real.
Remember what it was like when we were kids? We played all over the neighborhood. We went to the park without adults. We yelled "good-bye" every morning as we went running out of the house to find someone to play with, only to hear a parent (if there was one at home) tell you to be home by a certain time. We never worried about being kidnapped or worse. Our parents never worried about it either. It just didn't really happen.
What has this world come to?! I'm nervous letting Cullen ride his bike alone in our small village. He takes my cell phone with him in case something happens. I remind him not to talk to anyone he doesn't know and to never get into a car or go into someone's house. I worry until he gets home or gets to Aunt Heather's house. No, I'm not being overprotective. I'm being a Mom in 2007.
Everyone wonders why our kids are so out of shape. Part of it is because we are scared to let them go where we can't see them. We can't protect them out there anymore. It scares the crap out of me that Cullen has to take three busses to school. He has to change busses at two other locations. There are two more opportunities for something to happen. I'm not being paranoid. I'm being a Mom in 2007.
What has this world come to? I can't do anything but hope and pray that nothing will happen to my children. We teach them all kinds of rules. We teach them what to do in an emergency. We teach them that this world is scary. What else can we do but pray nothing happens.
What has the world come to?! We have to teach our children from preschool through high school how to survive an attack on their school! We have to show them how important it is to lock the classroom doors, turn off the lights, hide in a safe place, and stay completely quiet until they have been rescued by the police! School used to be one of the safest places in the world for a kid. Yes, there are always the bullies and usual dramas, but school was a safe place. I'm not even talking about the gangs, the drugs, or all the other nightmares some schools have to deal with. Today's reality is that there are people, some of them even kids, who think the only way to be heard, or get attention, or get even, or their only "choice" is to go into a school with the intent to kill others. This situation is happening more and more. We are starting to be less effected by it on the news.
Cullen goes to a private Christian school. It is located in the country, but still close to the edge of the city. The city is growing closer to it all the time. This year we noticed that all doors except for the set near the office are locked after the kids are safely in the school. These doors take everyone right to the reception area. The kids are rarely visible from this location, except at class-change times. Anyone entering the school would be seen. The youngest kids have their classes on the first floor, but it is a hike to get to them. The fire/security doors to their wing is the next line of defense. These doors get locked too. It shakes you to realise that this wonderfully safe school is just like any other. It could one day need these lock-downs for real.
Remember what it was like when we were kids? We played all over the neighborhood. We went to the park without adults. We yelled "good-bye" every morning as we went running out of the house to find someone to play with, only to hear a parent (if there was one at home) tell you to be home by a certain time. We never worried about being kidnapped or worse. Our parents never worried about it either. It just didn't really happen.
What has this world come to?! I'm nervous letting Cullen ride his bike alone in our small village. He takes my cell phone with him in case something happens. I remind him not to talk to anyone he doesn't know and to never get into a car or go into someone's house. I worry until he gets home or gets to Aunt Heather's house. No, I'm not being overprotective. I'm being a Mom in 2007.
Everyone wonders why our kids are so out of shape. Part of it is because we are scared to let them go where we can't see them. We can't protect them out there anymore. It scares the crap out of me that Cullen has to take three busses to school. He has to change busses at two other locations. There are two more opportunities for something to happen. I'm not being paranoid. I'm being a Mom in 2007.
What has this world come to? I can't do anything but hope and pray that nothing will happen to my children. We teach them all kinds of rules. We teach them what to do in an emergency. We teach them that this world is scary. What else can we do but pray nothing happens.
Thursday, March 22
Wednesday, March 21
Two Years Ago...
...You were left to be found on this step. I thank God for you and your China Mommy every single day.
Tuesday, March 20
Happy 2nd Birthday, Kieren!!!
How I love this little girl!!!
She is worth every minute we waited, every trip to Columbus, every phone call to the INS, every piece of paper we signed and copied, and every prayer we prayed.
I cannot imagine life without her.
I love you, Kieren!!!! Happy Birthday!!!!!
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