I have to thank my friends. You are like my favorite blankie - one that I love to wrap myself up in when I'm feeling cold or tired or down-hearted. Having all of you to be there and support me is a great feeling.
I love that people from our adoption group read the blog and post their support.
I love that others who share an interest in raising their children (bio or adopted) read the blog and share their support.
I love that other Chinese around the world read this blog and give me so much insight into our children's heritage and what it means to be Chinese. I can't give them that, but I can share your perspectives and messages. They will get some idea, at least.
You are all such a blessing.
As my blood relations dwindle in size through death or insufferable differences in philosophies and opinions, I find my family resides in you. I don't need blood to make a family...
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Monday, December 29, 2008
What a great day!
First, I want to say congratulations to John and Lisa for their new referral! Their long- awaited referral for their daughter Lucy came today - and it looks like Anna is going to be a big sis after all!
Lucy is just precious! You can see Lisa's blog HERE.
Next, Jia got her first dental exam. When Kenzie went, all she wanted to do was sit in that chair and have the dentist examine her teeth. We made her appointment for today, but had to try to find a way to explain to her that we weren't going to have the dentist look at her teeth right away. We got a calendar later that day, and told her it was hers. I circled the date that Kenzie had had her appointment on, then the date she would be having her dental appointment on. I showed her how many days had to pass before she got her appointment.
That didn't quite work... so I explained how many nights we had to go to sleep before we woke up and went to the dentist. That did the trick. She could recite "Go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep .... DENTIST!" We left one "go to sleep" off every day, until by the 3rd day before the appointment, she could figure it out for herself. She did a great job. They tried to do an xray of her full mouth, but she is so short that they couldn't get a good xray. What they saw was that there appeared to be four teeth buds missing for her permanent teeth. For what her age is supposed to be, they should be developed by now. In 6 months when we return, we'll have them do this again to see if they can make some determination of her actual age - if she really is five, or is she younger.
Then (for a treat) I took them to a local park. The weather was very warm today for the time of year. Normally, we'd see temps in the 30's to 20's... but today must have been about 50 degrees. The kids were incredibly excited to be able to play outside. I found out Jia can swing herself once she gets going. But for a kid that seems to be unafraid of a lot of things, she was petrified of some big stepping stones that were on the playground. This is where Kenzie became Super Sister to the rescue! She helped Jia walking across the stones... I wouldn't exactly say Jia overcame the fear, but she was more assured as Kenzie held her hand and helped her go from stone to stone. And the kids were loving the outdoors. I can't wait for spring and nice weather. I want them to get out every nice day we can. Here are pics from the day.
Lucy is just precious! You can see Lisa's blog HERE.
Next, Jia got her first dental exam. When Kenzie went, all she wanted to do was sit in that chair and have the dentist examine her teeth. We made her appointment for today, but had to try to find a way to explain to her that we weren't going to have the dentist look at her teeth right away. We got a calendar later that day, and told her it was hers. I circled the date that Kenzie had had her appointment on, then the date she would be having her dental appointment on. I showed her how many days had to pass before she got her appointment.
That didn't quite work... so I explained how many nights we had to go to sleep before we woke up and went to the dentist. That did the trick. She could recite "Go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep .... DENTIST!" We left one "go to sleep" off every day, until by the 3rd day before the appointment, she could figure it out for herself. She did a great job. They tried to do an xray of her full mouth, but she is so short that they couldn't get a good xray. What they saw was that there appeared to be four teeth buds missing for her permanent teeth. For what her age is supposed to be, they should be developed by now. In 6 months when we return, we'll have them do this again to see if they can make some determination of her actual age - if she really is five, or is she younger.
Then (for a treat) I took them to a local park. The weather was very warm today for the time of year. Normally, we'd see temps in the 30's to 20's... but today must have been about 50 degrees. The kids were incredibly excited to be able to play outside. I found out Jia can swing herself once she gets going. But for a kid that seems to be unafraid of a lot of things, she was petrified of some big stepping stones that were on the playground. This is where Kenzie became Super Sister to the rescue! She helped Jia walking across the stones... I wouldn't exactly say Jia overcame the fear, but she was more assured as Kenzie held her hand and helped her go from stone to stone. And the kids were loving the outdoors. I can't wait for spring and nice weather. I want them to get out every nice day we can. Here are pics from the day.
Friday, September 05, 2008
I need to thank so many people...
How do I go about thanking all the people who have been supportive of our journey? A mere thanks couldn't go far enough. There are people coming out of the virtual woodwork to offer help, suggestions, and support.
I've had numerous people contact me in regards to what to expect when adopting an older child. Their advice is being absorbed into my very soul and being. It's great to hear from others who have adopted older children and to know what works... and doesn't work. Not understanding why a child does one thing or another makes it very difficult to know what the right thing to do is. It's hard enough when you have a child that is "normal" in their adjustment and then they act out of character or do something you don't approve of, and there are no instructions to being a parent (bio or adoptive) - so getting help from others is so very important to me. Keep all the information and suggestion coming. If anyone out there has a great book on attachment and methods to help an older child adjust to their adoptive family - I'm all ears!
I think overall, Roy and I do well with children... but we've never had to deal with a child that has been institutionalized for this long. We'll be presented with special challenges, I'm sure. But then, when the attachment begins to form and the bond grows - and it finally clicks with our little one that SHE IS HOME WITH HER FAMILY FOREVER - it will be all the sweeter for having gone through all the challenges.
I've had lots of people ask when we will be traveling. We aren't quite sure yet. However, our agency is hoping by the end of October through the first couple weeks of November. It will be chilly and probably snowing in Harbin at that time. Packing some warm coats, hats, and mittens will be a must. I hope to know something by mid to late September. In the meantime, we are redoing our fingerprints (got the request in to schedule an appointment) and are sending off to get our visas.
God bless you all for your help. I don't take any of this for granted. I do believe that what goes around, comes around - so you will end up doubly blessed for all your efforts to shore me up and you've been such a good friend to someone who has done nothing to really deserve it... but is so grateful none-the-less.
I've had numerous people contact me in regards to what to expect when adopting an older child. Their advice is being absorbed into my very soul and being. It's great to hear from others who have adopted older children and to know what works... and doesn't work. Not understanding why a child does one thing or another makes it very difficult to know what the right thing to do is. It's hard enough when you have a child that is "normal" in their adjustment and then they act out of character or do something you don't approve of, and there are no instructions to being a parent (bio or adoptive) - so getting help from others is so very important to me. Keep all the information and suggestion coming. If anyone out there has a great book on attachment and methods to help an older child adjust to their adoptive family - I'm all ears!
I think overall, Roy and I do well with children... but we've never had to deal with a child that has been institutionalized for this long. We'll be presented with special challenges, I'm sure. But then, when the attachment begins to form and the bond grows - and it finally clicks with our little one that SHE IS HOME WITH HER FAMILY FOREVER - it will be all the sweeter for having gone through all the challenges.
I've had lots of people ask when we will be traveling. We aren't quite sure yet. However, our agency is hoping by the end of October through the first couple weeks of November. It will be chilly and probably snowing in Harbin at that time. Packing some warm coats, hats, and mittens will be a must. I hope to know something by mid to late September. In the meantime, we are redoing our fingerprints (got the request in to schedule an appointment) and are sending off to get our visas.
God bless you all for your help. I don't take any of this for granted. I do believe that what goes around, comes around - so you will end up doubly blessed for all your efforts to shore me up and you've been such a good friend to someone who has done nothing to really deserve it... but is so grateful none-the-less.
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