100 years ago I had a car accident, where the truck ran a stop sign and I swerved to avoid being crushed underneath him, only to find myself sailing through the air, Dukes of Hazzard style, and landing in a field. I was carried out on a board and ever since have had issues with my back, especially with small repetitive movements.
This is my excuse as to why housework is difficult for me.
It's as good a reason as any not to want to clean house, I think.
So my guilty pleasure for the last few months has been to have a cleaning crew come once a month to clean house.
It is the one time during the entire month that every floor is clean, every mirror is polished, every sink is hygienic with no trace of toothpaste, and the beds are all made.
This lasts approximately, well, that depends, on how quickly the girls get in and the dogs make a mess. So for this brief moment, I am in my CLEAN house enjoying the smell of clean, I've locked the dogs in the backyard and Annabel and Grace are at their grandparents.
Ahhh!!!
In my previous life I would have spent this money on maybe a facial, or a pedicure, or maybe even a massage! Now I am so thrilled to have a clean house I've decided it can be my one and only vice, or excess, or guilty pleasure.
My time in this nirvana is almost over.
The dogs are barking madly and Annabel and her Poppa are outside the door!
Oh well, back to reality.
The deadline for getting the paperwork into the new school, North Hills is February 1.
I gathered all of our paperwork and took it to the school, fearing our postal system would let me down. I was sure I would be greeted with a warm welcome and congratulations on beating the deadline. Instead the secretary told me she would put it in the person's mail box, thanks.
Maybe it was her off day or everyone had bugged her with these applications. I hope!!
If I believed in Confucius, then I would be sure the "gods" were angry with me and showing their superiority to me, as I bragged one too many times about all of us staying well. The girls got out early yesterday or I am sure I would have gotten a call from the school to pick up Grace. She has her usual sinus infection that quickly goes into her chest and gets worse. She has enjoyed laying on her grandparents couch watching a record number of TV shows, falling into slumber from the high dosage of benadryl to help dry up the yuck.
This has left Annabel with nothing to do and very bored.
Yesterday afternoon I took Annabel to the grocery store. I guess it was the first time that we had done this together. I realize that Grace has to be the one to carry the conversation or just that go-between as Annabel and I continue to work our way into a relationship. I have realized a change where she is no longer a "guest" but becoming part of the family, carving her own little niche. I would never have thought it was possible to adopt a child from China who could be so much like my dad, but Annabel is very similar, in taste, personality, behavior. It is amazing.
Annabel and I had a good time at the store though and she enjoyed being the center of my attention. I know you are supposed to set aside time with each child to give them your attention and I have great intentions of doing that, but so far it rarely happens.
Annabel is still small enough that she grabbed the front of the cart and I whizzed her through the store, only to be stopped every few feet by either a crowd (what was that all about?) or someone we knew. Yet we successfully purchased our short list and came home to find that Grace had slept the whole time we were gone. Of course then she could not sleep last night and as I dozed off could hear her up in their room. My body just had to give up last night and I was out before the girls for once.
On Thursday at piano, I apologized tot he teacher that Grace had not practiced. It had been a crazy week, especially for me, as last Friday our office and everything else in the lobby of the hospital was under water. Then on Wednesday to have a snow day really threw off our routine.
But Grace sat down and played beautifully as if she had spent hours each day laboring on the keys to achieve perfection. She really seems to have an ability and I hope she will continue to develop it.
I continue to fight off a sinus infection knowing I have a Z pack of antibiotics ready for when I can no longer fight the infection. But while I have a chance to let my body heal itself, I think I should.
You have to love Texas weather, when you have ice and snow on Tuesday through Thursday and then on Saturday, it is 68 and sunny!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
No School!
When I got our gas bill last month I was shocked at the price and decided that I needed to adjust the thermostat down at night and keep it lower while we weren't here. Plus Annabel has been complaining about being hot at night. Probably I should have done it after this ice storm, but at 6:00 a.m. this house was cold!! But I got up and as soon as I turned on the TV the announcement that DISD had cancelled class was made.
It has to be pretty bad for DISD to close school, but all the other districts throughout north Texas had closed too. I read where the President was surprised that the Washington DC schools had closed. Obviously he has never been in Texas during an ice storm. If we don't close down, then the number of wrecks, and injuries is so high that it's not worth it!
But Grace and Annabel were not so sure that I was telling them straight.
I'm not sure how many times they asked me if everyone was out of school or just them. I wonder if they had snow days in China? Last year at this time most of China was hit hard with one of the worst snow storms in history. There were areas that were cut off from power and supplies and the need for support was huge. Yet Annabel thinks that it is colder here.
Tonight I was going through all my records on the adoptions trying to find what I need for registration for the new school. I had forgotten about some of the pictures I had received of Grace. Every picture of these little tiny kids show them so bundled up that their arms are sticking straight out.
I think I know why Annabel has been hot at night, she probably has 3 layers of clothes on! It certainly makes for a lot of laundry too. But this is what she is used to and actually how it is suggested that you dress. For me, I am just ready to hang up the coat and wait for summer!
I know I had some great plans for us to do if we had an ice/snow day, but instead I tried to fight off a cold? sinus infection? bronchitis? and slept most of the day while the girls watched TV non stop. Annabel got to see 2 of Grace's all time favorites, Lion King and Lion King 2. When we first got home Grace would watch Lion King up to 3 times in one day if I let her. She always had lots of questions to ask and now Annabel started the questions. Her big question was why did the little lion roar so softly an the big lion roar so loudly.
After a long quiet sedentary day, I knew that we needed to get out and move around. Since it was still so cold outside, I tried to think of a good indoor playground, so we went to McDonald's for dinner. I knew they had finally done enough when Annabel came over and told me her foot was tired. Not feet, but foot.
Annabel is still having problems with her pronouns and as she told me a story about her teacher, he switched from him to her to he and she. You really have to pay attention and make sure new characters were not thrown in.
It has to be pretty bad for DISD to close school, but all the other districts throughout north Texas had closed too. I read where the President was surprised that the Washington DC schools had closed. Obviously he has never been in Texas during an ice storm. If we don't close down, then the number of wrecks, and injuries is so high that it's not worth it!
But Grace and Annabel were not so sure that I was telling them straight.
I'm not sure how many times they asked me if everyone was out of school or just them. I wonder if they had snow days in China? Last year at this time most of China was hit hard with one of the worst snow storms in history. There were areas that were cut off from power and supplies and the need for support was huge. Yet Annabel thinks that it is colder here.
Tonight I was going through all my records on the adoptions trying to find what I need for registration for the new school. I had forgotten about some of the pictures I had received of Grace. Every picture of these little tiny kids show them so bundled up that their arms are sticking straight out.
I think I know why Annabel has been hot at night, she probably has 3 layers of clothes on! It certainly makes for a lot of laundry too. But this is what she is used to and actually how it is suggested that you dress. For me, I am just ready to hang up the coat and wait for summer!
I know I had some great plans for us to do if we had an ice/snow day, but instead I tried to fight off a cold? sinus infection? bronchitis? and slept most of the day while the girls watched TV non stop. Annabel got to see 2 of Grace's all time favorites, Lion King and Lion King 2. When we first got home Grace would watch Lion King up to 3 times in one day if I let her. She always had lots of questions to ask and now Annabel started the questions. Her big question was why did the little lion roar so softly an the big lion roar so loudly.
After a long quiet sedentary day, I knew that we needed to get out and move around. Since it was still so cold outside, I tried to think of a good indoor playground, so we went to McDonald's for dinner. I knew they had finally done enough when Annabel came over and told me her foot was tired. Not feet, but foot.
Annabel is still having problems with her pronouns and as she told me a story about her teacher, he switched from him to her to he and she. You really have to pay attention and make sure new characters were not thrown in.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
A cold, blustery, icey winter night
Mom and Dad had us over for dinner and we were back home with plenty of time and no kitchen to clean so I have a few minutes to catch up. We are waiting to see the extent of the STORM that is coming through and if there will be as much ice as they say. If we lose power I am claiming the two dogs to keep me warm! Actually if all 3 of us got into one bed we could stay plenty warm since both dogs would jump in too.
The girls got their report cards today.
Each six weeks I look at the grades and think "what did I miss?" Somehow they are significantly as much lower in one class as they are higher in another. I don't understand. I am not sure if there was one major assignment that did not go right or a lack of understanding of basic concepts or what?
Annabel came home with a 73 in PE. A 73? Now how did she do that and why wasn't I notified? Her simple explanation? "You mean gym? I not like that."
There you go! They are playing volleyball and she would prefer basketball. She has been talking about volleyball the last few days. She said she likes it OK until the ball comes to her. Now I don't blame her for that. I tried to explain the importance of team work, but that lesson seemed lost. Getting good grades wasn't much of a motivator either.
I offered to hire a tutor to help her with English. She wanted to know what I meant. To help her learn English. No thanks, her teacher was teaching her enough. I suggested a tutor could help her learn to read English. NO. Not interested in that at all.
Well the precipitation continues to fall but the school district will probably wait until the morning to make a decision, although all the others have. Oh well!
I found the list below on the internet tonight and thought others in the Dallas area might benefit. I hope we can go out to all of these!
AllGood Café
2934 Main St, Dallas
Tuesday: Buy one get one free entrees
Black Eyed Pea
Kids eat free Tuesday nights.
Breadwinners
3301 McKinney Ave. - Dallas
5560 W. Lovers Lane - Inwood Village
4021 Preston Rd., # 611 – Plano
Tuesday: 50% off appetizers
Wednesday: 50% off wine
Thursday: 50% off martinis
Sunday: FREE dessert
ButcherShop Steakhouse
808 Munger Ave, Dallas
Friday Lunch: $7.00 Sandwich Bar
Carino's Italian
Monday Night: Family-size entrée for the price of a single portion.
Wednesday: Half price bottles of wine.
Chick-Fil-A
Tuesday (6-8 pm): Free kids meal w/purchase of combo meal.
Chuy's
Happy Hour: FREE fully loaded 'Nacho Car' & $3.50 margaritas
Colter's BBQ
3904 W. Camp Wisdom Rd, Duncanville
Monday: 2 Can Dine for $13.99
Tuesday: All You Can Eat Ribs $11.99
Wednesday: Kids under 12 eat free w/adult purchase
Thursday: Famous Rib Plate $2.00 off
Friday: All You Can Eat Catfish $8.99
Sunday: 10% off entire purchase with proof of Church Bulletin
Cru Wine Bar
3699 Mckinney Ave., Dallas
50% off champagne on Thursdays
Deep Sushi:
2624 Elm St, Dallas
Lunch special: 2 for one sushi, Monday through Friday.
Happy hour 5-7pm Mon-Fri: 1/2 price drink and 2 for 1 sushi
Denny's
Tuesdays: Kids eat free 4pm-10pm
Dickey's BBQ
Tuesdays: Kids under 12 eat free w/purchase of adult entree.
Dream Café
2800 Routh St, Dallas
Mon-Sun 5pm-Close
3 course meal (soup or salad, choice of 4 entrees and dessert) $12.50.
Tues-Sat 8-9p: Half price wine and cocktails.
Eatzi's
3403 Oak Lawn Ave.
Buy one get one free entrees, bakery items and select items in the chef's case, every night after 9pm
El Chico
Thursday nights: $0.99 kids meal w/purchase of adult meal.
El Fenix
Wednesday: Enchilada special $4.99.
Golden Corral
Tuesday night: Kids eat free.
Humperdink's
1601 North Central Expressway, Richardson
Sat. and Sun.: Kids 12 and under are half price
Kathleen's Sky Diner
4424 Lovers Ln, Dallas
Sunday 5-10pm: Entrees are 1/2 price
Luby's
Kids eat for $2 on Wednesdays.
Monica's Aca Y Alla
2914 Main St, Dallas
Tuesday nights: 1/2 price nachos, burritos, tacos, enchiladas
Patrizio (FLower Mound, Cedar Hill, Plano)
Sunday-Thursday, 11am-10pm: Kids eat free.
RJ Mexican Cuisine
1702 N. Market Street, Dallas
Lunch Deals
Tuesday: Beef or chicken enchiladas $6.99.
Wednesday: Chicken, beef, or fish taco's $6.99.
Thursday: Seafood enchiladas $6.99.
Friday: Beef or chicken fajita's $7.99.
M-F Happy Hour, 11am-7pm $4.00 Margarita's.
The Rose Tattoo Grille & Wine
3610 Shire Blvd., Richardson
Monday: Half price on all bottled wine.
Scampi's Cafe
1057 W. Magnolia Ave., Fort Worth
Wednesday night: Kids 10 & under eat free.
Thursday: 6:30-8:30pm free wine.BYO beer and wine with $5 cork fee everyday.
Souper Salad
Kids 5-12 years old eat for $2.49 (drink not included).
Spaghetti Warehouse
Monday nights: $0.99 kids meal w/purchase of adult meal.
Steak & Ale
Wednesday: Kids eat free.
Steel
3102 Oak Lawn Ave # 100, Dallas
Sunday 5:30-10: 1/2 off bottles of wine. Complimentary sushi, special on appetizers and cocktails. $4 import beers and $3 domestic. (2 drink minimum for free sushi)
Texas de Brazil
2727 Cedar Springs Road, Dallas
Everyday: Kids under 6 eat free (ages 7-12 are 1/2 price)
Texas Land and Cattle
Saturday, 11am-4pm: Kids eat free.
Texas Roadhouse
Early Bird Special, before 6pm: Two meals for $14.99.
Trece
4513 Travis St, Dallas
Family day on Sundays (3 course dinner menu for only $15.95, and kids eat FREE!)
The girls got their report cards today.
Each six weeks I look at the grades and think "what did I miss?" Somehow they are significantly as much lower in one class as they are higher in another. I don't understand. I am not sure if there was one major assignment that did not go right or a lack of understanding of basic concepts or what?
Annabel came home with a 73 in PE. A 73? Now how did she do that and why wasn't I notified? Her simple explanation? "You mean gym? I not like that."
There you go! They are playing volleyball and she would prefer basketball. She has been talking about volleyball the last few days. She said she likes it OK until the ball comes to her. Now I don't blame her for that. I tried to explain the importance of team work, but that lesson seemed lost. Getting good grades wasn't much of a motivator either.
I offered to hire a tutor to help her with English. She wanted to know what I meant. To help her learn English. No thanks, her teacher was teaching her enough. I suggested a tutor could help her learn to read English. NO. Not interested in that at all.
Well the precipitation continues to fall but the school district will probably wait until the morning to make a decision, although all the others have. Oh well!
I found the list below on the internet tonight and thought others in the Dallas area might benefit. I hope we can go out to all of these!
AllGood Café
2934 Main St, Dallas
Tuesday: Buy one get one free entrees
Black Eyed Pea
Kids eat free Tuesday nights.
Breadwinners
3301 McKinney Ave. - Dallas
5560 W. Lovers Lane - Inwood Village
4021 Preston Rd., # 611 – Plano
Tuesday: 50% off appetizers
Wednesday: 50% off wine
Thursday: 50% off martinis
Sunday: FREE dessert
ButcherShop Steakhouse
808 Munger Ave, Dallas
Friday Lunch: $7.00 Sandwich Bar
Carino's Italian
Monday Night: Family-size entrée for the price of a single portion.
Wednesday: Half price bottles of wine.
Chick-Fil-A
Tuesday (6-8 pm): Free kids meal w/purchase of combo meal.
Chuy's
Happy Hour: FREE fully loaded 'Nacho Car' & $3.50 margaritas
Colter's BBQ
3904 W. Camp Wisdom Rd, Duncanville
Monday: 2 Can Dine for $13.99
Tuesday: All You Can Eat Ribs $11.99
Wednesday: Kids under 12 eat free w/adult purchase
Thursday: Famous Rib Plate $2.00 off
Friday: All You Can Eat Catfish $8.99
Sunday: 10% off entire purchase with proof of Church Bulletin
Cru Wine Bar
3699 Mckinney Ave., Dallas
50% off champagne on Thursdays
Deep Sushi:
2624 Elm St, Dallas
Lunch special: 2 for one sushi, Monday through Friday.
Happy hour 5-7pm Mon-Fri: 1/2 price drink and 2 for 1 sushi
Denny's
Tuesdays: Kids eat free 4pm-10pm
Dickey's BBQ
Tuesdays: Kids under 12 eat free w/purchase of adult entree.
Dream Café
2800 Routh St, Dallas
Mon-Sun 5pm-Close
3 course meal (soup or salad, choice of 4 entrees and dessert) $12.50.
Tues-Sat 8-9p: Half price wine and cocktails.
Eatzi's
3403 Oak Lawn Ave.
Buy one get one free entrees, bakery items and select items in the chef's case, every night after 9pm
El Chico
Thursday nights: $0.99 kids meal w/purchase of adult meal.
El Fenix
Wednesday: Enchilada special $4.99.
Golden Corral
Tuesday night: Kids eat free.
Humperdink's
1601 North Central Expressway, Richardson
Sat. and Sun.: Kids 12 and under are half price
Kathleen's Sky Diner
4424 Lovers Ln, Dallas
Sunday 5-10pm: Entrees are 1/2 price
Luby's
Kids eat for $2 on Wednesdays.
Monica's Aca Y Alla
2914 Main St, Dallas
Tuesday nights: 1/2 price nachos, burritos, tacos, enchiladas
Patrizio (FLower Mound, Cedar Hill, Plano)
Sunday-Thursday, 11am-10pm: Kids eat free.
RJ Mexican Cuisine
1702 N. Market Street, Dallas
Lunch Deals
Tuesday: Beef or chicken enchiladas $6.99.
Wednesday: Chicken, beef, or fish taco's $6.99.
Thursday: Seafood enchiladas $6.99.
Friday: Beef or chicken fajita's $7.99.
M-F Happy Hour, 11am-7pm $4.00 Margarita's.
The Rose Tattoo Grille & Wine
3610 Shire Blvd., Richardson
Monday: Half price on all bottled wine.
Scampi's Cafe
1057 W. Magnolia Ave., Fort Worth
Wednesday night: Kids 10 & under eat free.
Thursday: 6:30-8:30pm free wine.BYO beer and wine with $5 cork fee everyday.
Souper Salad
Kids 5-12 years old eat for $2.49 (drink not included).
Spaghetti Warehouse
Monday nights: $0.99 kids meal w/purchase of adult meal.
Steak & Ale
Wednesday: Kids eat free.
Steel
3102 Oak Lawn Ave # 100, Dallas
Sunday 5:30-10: 1/2 off bottles of wine. Complimentary sushi, special on appetizers and cocktails. $4 import beers and $3 domestic. (2 drink minimum for free sushi)
Texas de Brazil
2727 Cedar Springs Road, Dallas
Everyday: Kids under 6 eat free (ages 7-12 are 1/2 price)
Texas Land and Cattle
Saturday, 11am-4pm: Kids eat free.
Texas Roadhouse
Early Bird Special, before 6pm: Two meals for $14.99.
Trece
4513 Travis St, Dallas
Family day on Sundays (3 course dinner menu for only $15.95, and kids eat FREE!)
Hair when you are a tween
This weekend, while getting ready to go to the Chinese New Year's dinner, Grace decided she wanted to do something with her hair. So while I was getting ready she got out my curling iron, which has a short in it and turns itself off all the time.
I checked on her and suggested she get the flat iron, maybe it would do what she needed.
I checked on her again and realized she was trying to make ringlets around her face. I got out the smaller curling iron.
After at least 30 minutes trying to get her completely straight hair into a curl I finally brought out the big guns! My hot rollers! The only trouble with those is I have lost most of the clips and by then Annabel decided she wanted to get in on the action.
So at the last minute I am trying to get enough hot rollers in both girls to be satisfied with the results and at 10 and 11 running out the door with rollers in their hair with a bag to put them in! I felt like I was having flashbacks to my own younger years. But I don't think I started that until junior high or high school.
On Sunday we started the process again and even though we had been up for hours almost were late to church trying to get the perfect 'do!
Monday morning Grace came into breakfast with her hair pulled back and the front part slicked down. She asked what I thought and said she had used the hairspray and hoped that it was ok. Sure, no problem. Thankfully before she left she changed it one more time.
I keep knowing I am having a glimpse of the future.
I checked on her and suggested she get the flat iron, maybe it would do what she needed.
I checked on her again and realized she was trying to make ringlets around her face. I got out the smaller curling iron.
After at least 30 minutes trying to get her completely straight hair into a curl I finally brought out the big guns! My hot rollers! The only trouble with those is I have lost most of the clips and by then Annabel decided she wanted to get in on the action.
So at the last minute I am trying to get enough hot rollers in both girls to be satisfied with the results and at 10 and 11 running out the door with rollers in their hair with a bag to put them in! I felt like I was having flashbacks to my own younger years. But I don't think I started that until junior high or high school.
On Sunday we started the process again and even though we had been up for hours almost were late to church trying to get the perfect 'do!
Monday morning Grace came into breakfast with her hair pulled back and the front part slicked down. She asked what I thought and said she had used the hairspray and hoped that it was ok. Sure, no problem. Thankfully before she left she changed it one more time.
I keep knowing I am having a glimpse of the future.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Wàn Suì (long life) and the blurring of memories
Happy New Year! The Year of the Ox - Annabel's year!
Yesterday we went to Denton to visit the Chinese church again. It seemed appropriate in light of today being Chinese New Year's and knew that Annabel would enjoy it.
Grace asked me tonight if I ever got embarrassed any more. I told her rarely because if I was brave enough to stand up in a church full of people all speaking a different language and introduce myself, I decided little can ruffle me any more!
The girls' music teacher and her husband were in charge of the music and I enjoyed singing so many songs I have always known in English, with everyone else around me singing in Chinese. It was wonderful to see how God transcends all languages and there is no barrier in expressing your love to God.
The whole service was in Chinese except the preacher would switch from Chinese to English at times. He was comparing the difference in perversity and pervasiveness of sins. Very interesting.
They have lunch together afterward and I think this is my girls' favorite part! It is their one opportunity to have home made Chinese food and sit and visit with a wide variety of ages of people from China.
The music teacher's parents were visiting from Hong Kong and while her mother did not speak English, her father did and very well. I enjoyed visiting with her father and husband and they were very curious about Grace and Annabel's history and adoption. At the same time our conversation was taking place, a woman from the church came to meet the music teacher's mom. Everyone had mentioned that they looked similar and that had been my first impression as well. Her mother had "lost" her younger sister. I've read so many stories about life in China through the 40's - 60's and know that life was so hard that it was not unusual to "lose" a family member due to poverty, relocation, family issues, and deaths. I compared that to what might have happened to Annabel and Grace's birth parents and honestly explained that we would probably never know the circumstances surrounding their births and the decision to place their daughters available for adoption.
On our way home we stopped at an Asian market. They had the most fabulous produce section with so many fruits and vegetables that I have never seen! I've been to lots of Asian markets, but this surpassed anything I had ever seen. Annabel insisted that she had eaten a LOT of the things when she was in China.
We had invited Marcie and Drew for dinner for Chinese New Year's. Since not everyone likes Chinese food and the important dish is noodles to indicate long life, we had spaghetti!
We were running late from spending too much time at the market and company was coming soon, but I had also committed to opening my office space for a meeting with the community gardening group.
I ran out of here and locked the girls in with instructions on making the salad and dessert. But when I returned, they had made not only the salad and dessert, but also the pasta, set the table, and were reading for the next step!
We had a good time at dinner and I was so proud of what the girls had done.
One of the things that seems to be happening to Annabel is blurring the memories of what happened in China and what has happened here. I don't know whether to correct her or not. She told us about the time her foster mother said, "Annabel", which caused Grace to promptly remind her that her foster mother would not have called her Annabel. That stumped her. But then yesterday she told us about taking a shower in China and I know that was probably not very likely. She has told us other stories and placed them in China, but I know they happened here. I feel like she is trying her best to hold onto her previous life and I don't want her to lose it, I want it to be a melding of both, but I also understand how delicate her ego is right now too. I guess I will wait a while longer before having the whole "confrontation" on the truth.
Yesterday we went to Denton to visit the Chinese church again. It seemed appropriate in light of today being Chinese New Year's and knew that Annabel would enjoy it.
Grace asked me tonight if I ever got embarrassed any more. I told her rarely because if I was brave enough to stand up in a church full of people all speaking a different language and introduce myself, I decided little can ruffle me any more!
The girls' music teacher and her husband were in charge of the music and I enjoyed singing so many songs I have always known in English, with everyone else around me singing in Chinese. It was wonderful to see how God transcends all languages and there is no barrier in expressing your love to God.
The whole service was in Chinese except the preacher would switch from Chinese to English at times. He was comparing the difference in perversity and pervasiveness of sins. Very interesting.
They have lunch together afterward and I think this is my girls' favorite part! It is their one opportunity to have home made Chinese food and sit and visit with a wide variety of ages of people from China.
The music teacher's parents were visiting from Hong Kong and while her mother did not speak English, her father did and very well. I enjoyed visiting with her father and husband and they were very curious about Grace and Annabel's history and adoption. At the same time our conversation was taking place, a woman from the church came to meet the music teacher's mom. Everyone had mentioned that they looked similar and that had been my first impression as well. Her mother had "lost" her younger sister. I've read so many stories about life in China through the 40's - 60's and know that life was so hard that it was not unusual to "lose" a family member due to poverty, relocation, family issues, and deaths. I compared that to what might have happened to Annabel and Grace's birth parents and honestly explained that we would probably never know the circumstances surrounding their births and the decision to place their daughters available for adoption.
On our way home we stopped at an Asian market. They had the most fabulous produce section with so many fruits and vegetables that I have never seen! I've been to lots of Asian markets, but this surpassed anything I had ever seen. Annabel insisted that she had eaten a LOT of the things when she was in China.
We had invited Marcie and Drew for dinner for Chinese New Year's. Since not everyone likes Chinese food and the important dish is noodles to indicate long life, we had spaghetti!
We were running late from spending too much time at the market and company was coming soon, but I had also committed to opening my office space for a meeting with the community gardening group.
I ran out of here and locked the girls in with instructions on making the salad and dessert. But when I returned, they had made not only the salad and dessert, but also the pasta, set the table, and were reading for the next step!
We had a good time at dinner and I was so proud of what the girls had done.
One of the things that seems to be happening to Annabel is blurring the memories of what happened in China and what has happened here. I don't know whether to correct her or not. She told us about the time her foster mother said, "Annabel", which caused Grace to promptly remind her that her foster mother would not have called her Annabel. That stumped her. But then yesterday she told us about taking a shower in China and I know that was probably not very likely. She has told us other stories and placed them in China, but I know they happened here. I feel like she is trying her best to hold onto her previous life and I don't want her to lose it, I want it to be a melding of both, but I also understand how delicate her ego is right now too. I guess I will wait a while longer before having the whole "confrontation" on the truth.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Chinese dresses, Chinese New Year's, and bullies
Chinese Dresses
Back when I adopted Grace, buying Chinese dresses for her was a HUGE priority for me before we left China.
I had this dream of surprising her each year with one more beautiful dress that she would ooh and aah over and would insist on getting her picture made in. Probably use them as gifts for Chinese New Year's or for class pictures.
So after a very full day, Jana and I and the girls made our way to one of the favorites for Chinese souvenirs, Jennifer's. This store is what you imagine a store in China to be, packed from floor to ceiling, with very narrow aisles. It had to be 102 degrees in there and the brightest light was about a 20 watt bulb.
I was sweating to death and still had very little experience being a mom, much less buying clothes for my little dumpling. So I dug through stacks of these beautiful dresses, holding up colors and trying to ask Grace if she liked it. Her attention span was about as long as a gnat's and I am trying to get her to choose colors and styles of dresses that she will want up until she is 18 years old!
So I have more than enough help from the store personnel, who spoke limited English, and trying to pick these dresses, and when I got home and started looking through what I had bought, I realize that I have several in some sizes, and nothing in others!
Then Grace outgrew all the dresses I bought within the first 2 years and showed little interest in any of them! She maybe wore two of them, maybe....
Chinese New Year's
Last year on Chinese New Year's when Grace came home, I asked how she liked my hair cut.
"Mom! you are not supposed to get your hair cut on Chinese New Year's! It is very bad luck!!! At least you did not sweep the house!"
Oh my! Of course I just had swept. I had swept the whole house to get rid of the mud the dogs had tracked in!
Whether I had a year of bad luck might be questionable. Some of the best things in my life had happened this year, but every time something bad happened, Grace chalked it up to my year of bad luck!
This year I am determined not to make the same mistakes, so i got my hair cut Tuesday and today cleaned house, since Chinese New Year's is Monday!
Tonight we went to Grapevine for a Families with Children from China Chinese New Year's dinner.
But before we could go selecting just the exact right thing to wear gave me a glimpse of the future of having 2 teenagers.
Annabel decided she would LOVE to wear a Chinese dress and so Grace decided she also wanted to wear one.
I began looking for all these dresses and then trying to find the right size for Annabel. She decided to try on every single one of these dresses and there are a lot. She finally chose one and we started on Grace. The chance that one would fit, since she really outgrew them two years ago! She found a top to wear with jeans and I thought we were on our way. But there was a need to do hair too. So everyone got some curl in their hair, even though it fell out before we got to the car.
We had a great time and it was wonderful to see so many happy families as a result of their adoption.
I should have learned the last time when we were faced with a raffle not to buy tickets again! Annabel feels that winning shows that you are lucky, which is very important! Thank goodness on the very last item she won! That cute little bear only cost $21!!
Tomorrow we are going to Denton to visit the Denton Chinese Church. When Annabel was feeling low this week I suggested we go. She has been so excited all week and prayed for their church every day. Her teacher gave her instructions on what time we should leave and what they should wear. Thanks!
Bullies
One day this week Grace greeted me with the news that her friend said two girls in 4th grade were saying bad things about Annabel. Annabel immediately asked me what Grace said. I glared at Grace and made up something about what she might have said.
Later I talked to Grace about our previous conversation. I asked her what benefit would it be to repeat something bad about anyone. I also questioned a "friend" repeating something bad about your sister to you. We talked about this and looked at it a lot of different ways. I explained that if anyone else was talking bad about either of them that I did not mind coming up to the school and laying a bunch of whup *ss on them!!! It burns me up for anyone to pick on my girls and then for "friends" to share this info makes me even madder. I know I can't fight all of their battles so I have to make sure they are prepared to handle them on their own. Probably offering a bunch of whup *ss wasn't the best though!
Back when I adopted Grace, buying Chinese dresses for her was a HUGE priority for me before we left China.
I had this dream of surprising her each year with one more beautiful dress that she would ooh and aah over and would insist on getting her picture made in. Probably use them as gifts for Chinese New Year's or for class pictures.
So after a very full day, Jana and I and the girls made our way to one of the favorites for Chinese souvenirs, Jennifer's. This store is what you imagine a store in China to be, packed from floor to ceiling, with very narrow aisles. It had to be 102 degrees in there and the brightest light was about a 20 watt bulb.
I was sweating to death and still had very little experience being a mom, much less buying clothes for my little dumpling. So I dug through stacks of these beautiful dresses, holding up colors and trying to ask Grace if she liked it. Her attention span was about as long as a gnat's and I am trying to get her to choose colors and styles of dresses that she will want up until she is 18 years old!
So I have more than enough help from the store personnel, who spoke limited English, and trying to pick these dresses, and when I got home and started looking through what I had bought, I realize that I have several in some sizes, and nothing in others!
Then Grace outgrew all the dresses I bought within the first 2 years and showed little interest in any of them! She maybe wore two of them, maybe....
Chinese New Year's
Last year on Chinese New Year's when Grace came home, I asked how she liked my hair cut.
"Mom! you are not supposed to get your hair cut on Chinese New Year's! It is very bad luck!!! At least you did not sweep the house!"
Oh my! Of course I just had swept. I had swept the whole house to get rid of the mud the dogs had tracked in!
Whether I had a year of bad luck might be questionable. Some of the best things in my life had happened this year, but every time something bad happened, Grace chalked it up to my year of bad luck!
This year I am determined not to make the same mistakes, so i got my hair cut Tuesday and today cleaned house, since Chinese New Year's is Monday!
Tonight we went to Grapevine for a Families with Children from China Chinese New Year's dinner.
But before we could go selecting just the exact right thing to wear gave me a glimpse of the future of having 2 teenagers.
Annabel decided she would LOVE to wear a Chinese dress and so Grace decided she also wanted to wear one.
I began looking for all these dresses and then trying to find the right size for Annabel. She decided to try on every single one of these dresses and there are a lot. She finally chose one and we started on Grace. The chance that one would fit, since she really outgrew them two years ago! She found a top to wear with jeans and I thought we were on our way. But there was a need to do hair too. So everyone got some curl in their hair, even though it fell out before we got to the car.
We had a great time and it was wonderful to see so many happy families as a result of their adoption.
I should have learned the last time when we were faced with a raffle not to buy tickets again! Annabel feels that winning shows that you are lucky, which is very important! Thank goodness on the very last item she won! That cute little bear only cost $21!!
Tomorrow we are going to Denton to visit the Denton Chinese Church. When Annabel was feeling low this week I suggested we go. She has been so excited all week and prayed for their church every day. Her teacher gave her instructions on what time we should leave and what they should wear. Thanks!
Bullies
One day this week Grace greeted me with the news that her friend said two girls in 4th grade were saying bad things about Annabel. Annabel immediately asked me what Grace said. I glared at Grace and made up something about what she might have said.
Later I talked to Grace about our previous conversation. I asked her what benefit would it be to repeat something bad about anyone. I also questioned a "friend" repeating something bad about your sister to you. We talked about this and looked at it a lot of different ways. I explained that if anyone else was talking bad about either of them that I did not mind coming up to the school and laying a bunch of whup *ss on them!!! It burns me up for anyone to pick on my girls and then for "friends" to share this info makes me even madder. I know I can't fight all of their battles so I have to make sure they are prepared to handle them on their own. Probably offering a bunch of whup *ss wasn't the best though!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Mom, can we talk?
Last night, Grace urged Annabel to come and talk to me.
While they had been playing, Annabel had opened up about some things that were bothering her.
She had lots of questions about the how and why of our family, maybe a clearer definition of each other's roles? She also knew and could recall each and every time I knew I would be losing "Mother of the Year" due to my ineffective parenting skills!
She began to open up about life in China. Sometimes it went so quick it was difficult to keep up with who she was talking about, but I think I understand.
And after 24 hours of thinking about it, I realize she was wanting to know why I did not act like her "moms" in China, although she had seen that I could.
Family life here does not consist of her being spanked or slapped daily, being required to take care of the younger children, older adults, etc. Here she does not have to wash her own clothes, cook her own food, go to school, and have tons of homework. She admitted that she rebelled against doing so much homework after cooking, cleaning, and caring for all the younger children. And the amount of homework was "huge". And if she did ANYTHING wrong she was hit.
She told me that when she moved to the "hospital" (which is the same thing that Grace always called the orphanage) that she refused to call her foster mother "mom".
I sat and listened quietly, asking a few questions to ensure that I understood. I tried to explain some of my actions and apologized for my failures. I told her I knew that I was not perfect and that I tried hard each day, but some days just did not turn out like I planned.
We also talked about how much we all had grown to know and understand each other, much more than we did in August.
I told her that it had been difficult at first but was so much better now.
Last night I thought about all the times that I had failed because she could remember each one, but I know that the reason she could remember each is because there have not been that many. That actually life here was SO different that instead of pointing a finger at me for my wrongdoing, I think she wanted assurance that it would be this way.
Our prayer together last night included each of us asking God to help us and to help me be a better mom each day and for us to be more aware of each other's feelings. And that my hair cut mmake my hair longer.
She let me kiss her good night. And again tonight.
While they had been playing, Annabel had opened up about some things that were bothering her.
She had lots of questions about the how and why of our family, maybe a clearer definition of each other's roles? She also knew and could recall each and every time I knew I would be losing "Mother of the Year" due to my ineffective parenting skills!
She began to open up about life in China. Sometimes it went so quick it was difficult to keep up with who she was talking about, but I think I understand.
And after 24 hours of thinking about it, I realize she was wanting to know why I did not act like her "moms" in China, although she had seen that I could.
Family life here does not consist of her being spanked or slapped daily, being required to take care of the younger children, older adults, etc. Here she does not have to wash her own clothes, cook her own food, go to school, and have tons of homework. She admitted that she rebelled against doing so much homework after cooking, cleaning, and caring for all the younger children. And the amount of homework was "huge". And if she did ANYTHING wrong she was hit.
She told me that when she moved to the "hospital" (which is the same thing that Grace always called the orphanage) that she refused to call her foster mother "mom".
I sat and listened quietly, asking a few questions to ensure that I understood. I tried to explain some of my actions and apologized for my failures. I told her I knew that I was not perfect and that I tried hard each day, but some days just did not turn out like I planned.
We also talked about how much we all had grown to know and understand each other, much more than we did in August.
I told her that it had been difficult at first but was so much better now.
Last night I thought about all the times that I had failed because she could remember each one, but I know that the reason she could remember each is because there have not been that many. That actually life here was SO different that instead of pointing a finger at me for my wrongdoing, I think she wanted assurance that it would be this way.
Our prayer together last night included each of us asking God to help us and to help me be a better mom each day and for us to be more aware of each other's feelings. And that my hair cut mmake my hair longer.
She let me kiss her good night. And again tonight.
Monday, January 19, 2009
What a beautiful day!
Today was fantastic! I actually got to take a whole day off and did not check my email or voice mail (until now :)).
But I feel like I need to start with Sunday first.
When we were in China and would go out to a nicer restaurant, Annabel jumped up and down and wandered all through the restaurant during the meal. The guide would laugh and say what a great spirit she had or how bright she was. To me it was just reinforcing bad behavior.
When we got home, this continued for a while, especially eating out and at Mom and Dad's house.
Yesterday we had lunch at Mom and Dad's with some long time friends. One was a man I have known the majority of my life, who is now 96 and can still out work me on any project. The other is our missionary/friend who is in Iowa.
Annabel and Grace sat so quietly during the entire meal, eating their food quietly, and asking and answering in quiet tones. I was so impressed! They were perfect dolls. They whispered and asked if they could be excused to go play. I didn't blame them.
But I really enjoyed talking to our friend from Iowa about the weather there. He said they had snow drifts that were as high as their car hood. He told stories about getting stuck in snow drifts and basically disappearing and how important it was for each to watch out for the other. It made me shudder to think about. He explained that it was law to clear your sidewalks and driveways. He had lots of stories about someone going to rescue someone and them getting stuck. School is rarely called off because the kids would just be playing in the snow if there wasn't school! I'm sure the kids see advantages to that.
We ended the day working and playing outside. It was such an incredible day here you almost feel guilty for those in places like Iowa.
Today was great!
The priority for the day was to take Annabel to see our minister in the hospital.
But first Grace decided to cook breakfast. I am very impressed with her hard work and diligence to get a variety of things prepared. Annabel thought she might starve to death in the meantime and told everyone that it took Grace a "huge" time to cook.
But Grace had soup and bacon for them with hot chocolate and for me a bagel and coffee. Wow! I felt like I truly was having a vacation day. I can't believe she cooked bacon all on her one. She would not allow us into the kitchen until she was ready.
Then we had to get flowers to take to hospital. After a lot of discussion we made our purchase and headed to the hospital. At that point Annabel asked what the flowers were for. OK, is it just to keep me on my toes?
Once we found his room, Annabel basically parked herself. She had asked how long we would stay. I suggested 5 minutes. She wanted 20. I said maybe 10, so she bargained for 12.
We found him trying to eat lunch but seeing the girls meant much more than trying to eat while in a semi reclined position. He had three guest come in right after us and I suggested that we leave, but Annabel said no. Thankfully his wife came in and suggested we go see the display in the lobby.
The display is of bronze hands a famous people from around the world. It was very interesting to see the variation in those who do similar tasks. Van Cliburn's hands looked exactly how you would expect a pianist's hands to look, long and slender fingers. Roger Staubach's little finger had a big lump on one side where it had been broken. Your hands definitely show your age as we looked at some where the veins were so prominent and the hands looked so frail and delicate.
We had a quick lunch at the hospital and returned hoping to find some solutions to our storage crises. This house is great but I think our stuff is more than it can hold sometimes. It doesn't help that the closets are very small and I have one filled with treasures that I can't part with for now.
Instead the girls began playing and I made a quick trip to Home Depot. I have a beautiful sunroom that I wanted to make as my retreat. It has instead become the docking station for all bikes, skates, skateboards, and plasma cars. We have a garage and a shed, but both have dirt floors and doors that are very difficult to open. Anyway we are still working on a way to keep those bikes safe yet easily accessible so they will be ridden!
We are all off again tomorrow!
I have an appointment to get my hair cut but changing my mind! Annabel prayed that my hair cut would make my hair long. We'll see!
But I feel like I need to start with Sunday first.
When we were in China and would go out to a nicer restaurant, Annabel jumped up and down and wandered all through the restaurant during the meal. The guide would laugh and say what a great spirit she had or how bright she was. To me it was just reinforcing bad behavior.
When we got home, this continued for a while, especially eating out and at Mom and Dad's house.
Yesterday we had lunch at Mom and Dad's with some long time friends. One was a man I have known the majority of my life, who is now 96 and can still out work me on any project. The other is our missionary/friend who is in Iowa.
Annabel and Grace sat so quietly during the entire meal, eating their food quietly, and asking and answering in quiet tones. I was so impressed! They were perfect dolls. They whispered and asked if they could be excused to go play. I didn't blame them.
But I really enjoyed talking to our friend from Iowa about the weather there. He said they had snow drifts that were as high as their car hood. He told stories about getting stuck in snow drifts and basically disappearing and how important it was for each to watch out for the other. It made me shudder to think about. He explained that it was law to clear your sidewalks and driveways. He had lots of stories about someone going to rescue someone and them getting stuck. School is rarely called off because the kids would just be playing in the snow if there wasn't school! I'm sure the kids see advantages to that.
We ended the day working and playing outside. It was such an incredible day here you almost feel guilty for those in places like Iowa.
Today was great!
The priority for the day was to take Annabel to see our minister in the hospital.
But first Grace decided to cook breakfast. I am very impressed with her hard work and diligence to get a variety of things prepared. Annabel thought she might starve to death in the meantime and told everyone that it took Grace a "huge" time to cook.
But Grace had soup and bacon for them with hot chocolate and for me a bagel and coffee. Wow! I felt like I truly was having a vacation day. I can't believe she cooked bacon all on her one. She would not allow us into the kitchen until she was ready.
Then we had to get flowers to take to hospital. After a lot of discussion we made our purchase and headed to the hospital. At that point Annabel asked what the flowers were for. OK, is it just to keep me on my toes?
Once we found his room, Annabel basically parked herself. She had asked how long we would stay. I suggested 5 minutes. She wanted 20. I said maybe 10, so she bargained for 12.
We found him trying to eat lunch but seeing the girls meant much more than trying to eat while in a semi reclined position. He had three guest come in right after us and I suggested that we leave, but Annabel said no. Thankfully his wife came in and suggested we go see the display in the lobby.
The display is of bronze hands a famous people from around the world. It was very interesting to see the variation in those who do similar tasks. Van Cliburn's hands looked exactly how you would expect a pianist's hands to look, long and slender fingers. Roger Staubach's little finger had a big lump on one side where it had been broken. Your hands definitely show your age as we looked at some where the veins were so prominent and the hands looked so frail and delicate.
We had a quick lunch at the hospital and returned hoping to find some solutions to our storage crises. This house is great but I think our stuff is more than it can hold sometimes. It doesn't help that the closets are very small and I have one filled with treasures that I can't part with for now.
Instead the girls began playing and I made a quick trip to Home Depot. I have a beautiful sunroom that I wanted to make as my retreat. It has instead become the docking station for all bikes, skates, skateboards, and plasma cars. We have a garage and a shed, but both have dirt floors and doors that are very difficult to open. Anyway we are still working on a way to keep those bikes safe yet easily accessible so they will be ridden!
We are all off again tomorrow!
I have an appointment to get my hair cut but changing my mind! Annabel prayed that my hair cut would make my hair long. We'll see!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
More on prayers
I hope that all the "church" people did have a good day today!
Annabel keeps wanting to go to the hospital to visit our minister. He had back surgery and really has not been up for a lot of visitors, but each day Annabel asks Dad if he is going and can she go too.
Now when has this child actually ever visited a person in a hospital and has the ability to know and understand what it means? I don't think she has, so it is pretty funny. Today Grace wanted to know if his wife had seen his back and could tell how big the scar was. I'm so glad we have plenty to talk about.
Speaking of talking, we went to Costco today. Annabel went with Mom to get her glasses adjusted and Grace went with Dad to look at TVs. I made it through the grocery area all by myself.
We met back up in the snack area, one of Dad's favorite restaurants! Just kidding. But as soon as I was in sight, both girls had to start talking and telling me all that they had seen, the people, and the number of big TVs they had. Pretty much the conversation was non stop. I love that they missed me and filled me in on all I missed.
Our prayers again tonight included prayers for the church people, that Annabel might find her clock (watch), and she might have help cleaning house tomorrow. OK, sometimes it is really difficult to keep a straight face.
But it did remind me of when Grace first started praying.
It never seemed to fail that whatever she prayed for happened. A good friend's mother and father were going through a difficult time. One night Grace prayed that their furniture would be ok and that her father could get a job. She called the next day to say her dad got a job and there was something else about their house and furniture that did happen so we were convinced that Grace had a straight line up to heaven!
I have promised Annabel that we will go visit our minister Monday since we have the day off!
Annabel keeps wanting to go to the hospital to visit our minister. He had back surgery and really has not been up for a lot of visitors, but each day Annabel asks Dad if he is going and can she go too.
Now when has this child actually ever visited a person in a hospital and has the ability to know and understand what it means? I don't think she has, so it is pretty funny. Today Grace wanted to know if his wife had seen his back and could tell how big the scar was. I'm so glad we have plenty to talk about.
Speaking of talking, we went to Costco today. Annabel went with Mom to get her glasses adjusted and Grace went with Dad to look at TVs. I made it through the grocery area all by myself.
We met back up in the snack area, one of Dad's favorite restaurants! Just kidding. But as soon as I was in sight, both girls had to start talking and telling me all that they had seen, the people, and the number of big TVs they had. Pretty much the conversation was non stop. I love that they missed me and filled me in on all I missed.
Our prayers again tonight included prayers for the church people, that Annabel might find her clock (watch), and she might have help cleaning house tomorrow. OK, sometimes it is really difficult to keep a straight face.
But it did remind me of when Grace first started praying.
It never seemed to fail that whatever she prayed for happened. A good friend's mother and father were going through a difficult time. One night Grace prayed that their furniture would be ok and that her father could get a job. She called the next day to say her dad got a job and there was something else about their house and furniture that did happen so we were convinced that Grace had a straight line up to heaven!
I have promised Annabel that we will go visit our minister Monday since we have the day off!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Annabel's prayer tonight
After now I lay me down to sleep, she says quite loudly, just in case God is hard of hearing, I think:
And please help all the church people have a good day tomorrow.
And the man who gives us the quarters (Mom, what's his name? Wes) and please help him have a good night's sleep and be ok tomorrow and what else, Mom?
(That he gets well? His back feels better?)
Yea, and please help her have a good day tomorrow. (pronouns are still tricky)
And that all the people have good day.
For Annabel, like with Grace, learning that God does not require you to kowtow and beat your head on the ground to hear your prayers must be a huge relief. I love how they are eager to learn about God and the Bible. I know that Grace was taken to the Buddhist Pagoda and taught to burn incense, as she showed me how when we were there. I'm not sure about Annabel but will be glad when she can tell me more.
And please help all the church people have a good day tomorrow.
And the man who gives us the quarters (Mom, what's his name? Wes) and please help him have a good night's sleep and be ok tomorrow and what else, Mom?
(That he gets well? His back feels better?)
Yea, and please help her have a good day tomorrow. (pronouns are still tricky)
And that all the people have good day.
For Annabel, like with Grace, learning that God does not require you to kowtow and beat your head on the ground to hear your prayers must be a huge relief. I love how they are eager to learn about God and the Bible. I know that Grace was taken to the Buddhist Pagoda and taught to burn incense, as she showed me how when we were there. I'm not sure about Annabel but will be glad when she can tell me more.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Not sure I know why I feel compelled to post this
Parents Reject China Milk Settlement By ANDREW JACOBS
BEIJING ¡X A group of Chinese parents whose children were poisoned by tainted domestic dairy products said they would reject a government-sanctioned compensation package.
Instead, they said they would press for long-term health care for the victims and demand medical research into the illnesses that still afflict tens of thousands of children.
The parents, who have gathered 250 signatures since Sunday, have become an irksome challenge to officials seeking to quell public anger over the widespread contamination of the nation's dairy supply.
Nearly 300,000 children became sick and at least six infants died after consuming milk products laced with melamine, an industrial chemical often used in the manufacture of plastics and fertilizer.
Melamine, which causes kidney ailments, was added to watered-down milk in an effort to falsely indicate the presence of protein.
Zhao Lianhai, 37, the father of a 4-year-old boy made ill by the milk, said the $160 million compensation plan announced last month was inadequate and failed to address the medical needs of children whose health had been profoundly damaged.
"Our biggest demand is not the compensation, but medical treatment and academic research on the influence that melamine will have on the health of our children," Mr. Zhao, a former journalist, said in interview. "We want to know what kinds of lives our children will face."
The current offer, which is to be financed by 22 dairy companies, provides about $29,000 for each family that lost a child and about $4,400 for each child who suffered serious kidney damage.
The families of children with relatively minor health problems would receive about $290. That is about three months of the average worker's salary.
In recent months some of the parents have filed lawsuits against the companies, although the courts have refused to accept the cases.
On Jan. 1, five people, including Mr. Zhao, were detained by the authorities shortly before they were to hold a news conference in Beijing. They were held overnight and released.
Last week, the former chairwoman of Sanlu, one of the nation's largest milk producers, pleaded guilty to selling adulterated baby formula. The executive, Tian Wenhua, could be sentenced to life imprisonment or death.
In testimony late last month, Ms. Tian said the company knew about the contamination as early as last May, but had failed to notify the authorities.
Mr. Zhao said that the parents posted a version of their letter online on Saturday demanding greater compensation, but that it had been blocked by government censors. Among the parents' complaints, he said, is a rule that withholds compensation for children over 3 years old. He added that the package provided no assistance to the families that incurred tens of thousands of dollars in hospital bills.
He added that his own son still vomited, and that many parents were worried that unforeseen health care problems could emerge over time. "The compensation is really not the most important thing," he said. "Money won't help if our children are still sick 10 years later."
Huang Yuanxi contributed research.
BEIJING ¡X A group of Chinese parents whose children were poisoned by tainted domestic dairy products said they would reject a government-sanctioned compensation package.
Instead, they said they would press for long-term health care for the victims and demand medical research into the illnesses that still afflict tens of thousands of children.
The parents, who have gathered 250 signatures since Sunday, have become an irksome challenge to officials seeking to quell public anger over the widespread contamination of the nation's dairy supply.
Nearly 300,000 children became sick and at least six infants died after consuming milk products laced with melamine, an industrial chemical often used in the manufacture of plastics and fertilizer.
Melamine, which causes kidney ailments, was added to watered-down milk in an effort to falsely indicate the presence of protein.
Zhao Lianhai, 37, the father of a 4-year-old boy made ill by the milk, said the $160 million compensation plan announced last month was inadequate and failed to address the medical needs of children whose health had been profoundly damaged.
"Our biggest demand is not the compensation, but medical treatment and academic research on the influence that melamine will have on the health of our children," Mr. Zhao, a former journalist, said in interview. "We want to know what kinds of lives our children will face."
The current offer, which is to be financed by 22 dairy companies, provides about $29,000 for each family that lost a child and about $4,400 for each child who suffered serious kidney damage.
The families of children with relatively minor health problems would receive about $290. That is about three months of the average worker's salary.
In recent months some of the parents have filed lawsuits against the companies, although the courts have refused to accept the cases.
On Jan. 1, five people, including Mr. Zhao, were detained by the authorities shortly before they were to hold a news conference in Beijing. They were held overnight and released.
Last week, the former chairwoman of Sanlu, one of the nation's largest milk producers, pleaded guilty to selling adulterated baby formula. The executive, Tian Wenhua, could be sentenced to life imprisonment or death.
In testimony late last month, Ms. Tian said the company knew about the contamination as early as last May, but had failed to notify the authorities.
Mr. Zhao said that the parents posted a version of their letter online on Saturday demanding greater compensation, but that it had been blocked by government censors. Among the parents' complaints, he said, is a rule that withholds compensation for children over 3 years old. He added that the package provided no assistance to the families that incurred tens of thousands of dollars in hospital bills.
He added that his own son still vomited, and that many parents were worried that unforeseen health care problems could emerge over time. "The compensation is really not the most important thing," he said. "Money won't help if our children are still sick 10 years later."
Huang Yuanxi contributed research.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Mash and a hug
If you were wondering what Annabel learned at school yesterday she will be glad to tell you she played all day.
I asked this afternoon if she had played again today.
No, she had to do some mash (not sure if she was working in the cafeteria or doing math), then she watched somebody do something, then she watched somebody else doing something else, and then she did something.
The school is doing "benchmark" tests, which I think determines who needs additional assistance to pass the final TAKS tests later this year. But thankfully Annabel is exempt from taking these tests, so she has been doing other things.
She shocked me Monday afternoon when she came running from the house as I pulled into the driveway after work.
Her first question was if we were going to ride bikes. Sure, I had promised the day before.
When she received the answer she was hoping for, she grabbed me and hugged me around the waist. A FIRST!
She actually did it again tonight.
She still covers her head and refuses to let me kiss her good night, so I have just started hugging her through the comforter and kissing through it.
I meant to take time yesterday and jot down all of the questions that I was asked before they could leave for school. I know one thing that was bugging Grace was the meaning of "stale".
Since Annabel discovered donuts, I bought a dozen donuts to have this week. Yesterday Grace wanted to know if she could have a donut for breakfast. I told that I thought they were stale. So she wants to know what is stale. Before I can answer that question Annabel has a few questions and trying to come up with a definition for stale kept getting pushed back so the question kept coming. Sometimes by the time I get to work I am just tired!
We have a book club at work and for the month of January I suggested we read something by a Chinese author in honor of Chinese New Year's. The leader of the group suggested that we read Amy Tan's Joy Luck Club. I tried to find a different book because it has been difficult for me to read anything by Amy Tan as she was Jana's favorite author. But after trying a lot of other books, by a lot of other Chinese women, their stories were all so difficult and so sad, that I agreed to go with Joy Luck Club. Not that it is not sad and difficult! It tells the story of 4 Chinese mothers and their 4 daughters who were born in the US.
But it has made me really think about being the mother of Chinese daughters.
Every one of those mothers instilled ancient Chinese wisdom into their daughters. I feel like the only wisdom I have imparted is to wash your hands! Of course every one of the daughters rebels against what their mothers teach, which also worried me.
These women had long histories to share, recipes to teach, and a passion to drive their children to achieve their best. I don't know. I just worry that I can do the kind of job that a Chinese mother would. I know that they would insist that Annabel continue with Chinese school. I met a lot of mothers whose children were not only in Chinese school, but music lessons, math clubs, chess clubs, and that it was expected that they would participate and succeed in all. Somehow I think my daughters need a chance to play, to bond, to visit, ride bikes, and be kids. I think I am right, but it does worry me.
I asked this afternoon if she had played again today.
No, she had to do some mash (not sure if she was working in the cafeteria or doing math), then she watched somebody do something, then she watched somebody else doing something else, and then she did something.
The school is doing "benchmark" tests, which I think determines who needs additional assistance to pass the final TAKS tests later this year. But thankfully Annabel is exempt from taking these tests, so she has been doing other things.
She shocked me Monday afternoon when she came running from the house as I pulled into the driveway after work.
Her first question was if we were going to ride bikes. Sure, I had promised the day before.
When she received the answer she was hoping for, she grabbed me and hugged me around the waist. A FIRST!
She actually did it again tonight.
She still covers her head and refuses to let me kiss her good night, so I have just started hugging her through the comforter and kissing through it.
I meant to take time yesterday and jot down all of the questions that I was asked before they could leave for school. I know one thing that was bugging Grace was the meaning of "stale".
Since Annabel discovered donuts, I bought a dozen donuts to have this week. Yesterday Grace wanted to know if she could have a donut for breakfast. I told that I thought they were stale. So she wants to know what is stale. Before I can answer that question Annabel has a few questions and trying to come up with a definition for stale kept getting pushed back so the question kept coming. Sometimes by the time I get to work I am just tired!
We have a book club at work and for the month of January I suggested we read something by a Chinese author in honor of Chinese New Year's. The leader of the group suggested that we read Amy Tan's Joy Luck Club. I tried to find a different book because it has been difficult for me to read anything by Amy Tan as she was Jana's favorite author. But after trying a lot of other books, by a lot of other Chinese women, their stories were all so difficult and so sad, that I agreed to go with Joy Luck Club. Not that it is not sad and difficult! It tells the story of 4 Chinese mothers and their 4 daughters who were born in the US.
But it has made me really think about being the mother of Chinese daughters.
Every one of those mothers instilled ancient Chinese wisdom into their daughters. I feel like the only wisdom I have imparted is to wash your hands! Of course every one of the daughters rebels against what their mothers teach, which also worried me.
These women had long histories to share, recipes to teach, and a passion to drive their children to achieve their best. I don't know. I just worry that I can do the kind of job that a Chinese mother would. I know that they would insist that Annabel continue with Chinese school. I met a lot of mothers whose children were not only in Chinese school, but music lessons, math clubs, chess clubs, and that it was expected that they would participate and succeed in all. Somehow I think my daughters need a chance to play, to bond, to visit, ride bikes, and be kids. I think I am right, but it does worry me.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
I haven't completely lost my mind, maybe
I labeled the last entry as Basketbaaallll but forgot to explain why.
Our good friends gave Annabel an MP3 player before we even left for China. For some reason i thought this was a MUST have, probably because every little girl here has one, but wasn't important to Annabel until recently.
On it was a great mix of Disney favorites including several by Hannah Montana.
Just recently Annabel has taken an interest in these shows on Disney and recognizes the names and voices and UNDERSTANDS what they are saying.
For all the Hannah Montana fans, you know her theme song, "The Best of Both Worlds" but if you aren't sure of the words, then you put in words you do know which makes the song's words "Basketbaaaalllll!" at the top of your lungs since you have on headphones. It was quite entertaining.
We had a great time at our friends' house last night with a good dinner and great company.
They sent a bag of movies, books, cds, and another bag of clothes.
I think they hit the jackpot as two of the movies have already been watched, Annabel is sleeping in new warm pajamas, and Grace was reading one of the books.
It's great to have good friends who will share!!
We were late getting to our friends' house because of all the primping and fashion going on.
One of the main reasons I got nothing accomplished yesterday is because Grace and Annabel got into their room and started really playing. I just can never break that up. I was explaining to someone else today that Grace really did not know how to play. I think her foster mother must have used the TV as her only entertainment. She does well if someone else initiates the play but has trouble playing creatively on her own. So with Annabel the two come up with new games and pulling out toys that have sat for a while and don't realize how much bonding is going on.
When it was time for their shower, Grace announced that she had helped Annabel put together an outfit. I should have grabbed my camera as both had their hair up and "inspired" outfits. They repeated it for church today too. I had to brag on how great they looked after all the work that went into it!
Annabel and I talked at length about Chinese school.
She mentioned that they gave too much homework.
I refuted her point with the fact that she always got it completed on Sunday.
She went a little further and said sometimes she did not do too well on her homework. I would not know because I cannot help her out, but evidently her teacher did not mind pointing out her faults and she felt that he was "mad" at her, not mean, but mad.
At that point I knew what she meant. It seems there is a level of achievement that most Chinese families expect their children to reach and that is why they are so successful, because they work so hard. But, I am afraid, we don't quite push as much.
It has been difficult at times when we run into someone who speaks Chinese and they engage Annabel in a lengthy conversation. I don't know what is being said and only rarely does the adult translate for me. But the other day Annabel asked if I would not introduce her to people and tell them she can speak Chinese. She does not like these long conversations.
Back to my point, these people who pull her into these conversations as well as perhaps her teacher, set the standards that a typical Chinese family have for her as well. They have a tendency to chastise her and scold her about things, which if I could understand what they were saying, would never allow. I think they feel it is their obligation to impress on her their "standards".
And so she is tired of it.
I think part of what she is discovering about her new life is the ability to self monitor, that I trust her to make good choices, but will continue to provide guidance and direction when and where she needs it, but I want her to also get to be a child and enjoy this time of her life.
I explained part of that to her last night and we agreed that we would not pursue Chinese school for now. Maybe later when she is in 6th grade. Who knows, maybe never. I pushed Grace into going to Chinese school for 2 1/2 years and she hated every minute of it and in the end did not have much to help her in communicating in China.
Prayers tonight included asking God for a good week. My prayer too.
Our good friends gave Annabel an MP3 player before we even left for China. For some reason i thought this was a MUST have, probably because every little girl here has one, but wasn't important to Annabel until recently.
On it was a great mix of Disney favorites including several by Hannah Montana.
Just recently Annabel has taken an interest in these shows on Disney and recognizes the names and voices and UNDERSTANDS what they are saying.
For all the Hannah Montana fans, you know her theme song, "The Best of Both Worlds" but if you aren't sure of the words, then you put in words you do know which makes the song's words "Basketbaaaalllll!" at the top of your lungs since you have on headphones. It was quite entertaining.
We had a great time at our friends' house last night with a good dinner and great company.
They sent a bag of movies, books, cds, and another bag of clothes.
I think they hit the jackpot as two of the movies have already been watched, Annabel is sleeping in new warm pajamas, and Grace was reading one of the books.
It's great to have good friends who will share!!
We were late getting to our friends' house because of all the primping and fashion going on.
One of the main reasons I got nothing accomplished yesterday is because Grace and Annabel got into their room and started really playing. I just can never break that up. I was explaining to someone else today that Grace really did not know how to play. I think her foster mother must have used the TV as her only entertainment. She does well if someone else initiates the play but has trouble playing creatively on her own. So with Annabel the two come up with new games and pulling out toys that have sat for a while and don't realize how much bonding is going on.
When it was time for their shower, Grace announced that she had helped Annabel put together an outfit. I should have grabbed my camera as both had their hair up and "inspired" outfits. They repeated it for church today too. I had to brag on how great they looked after all the work that went into it!
Annabel and I talked at length about Chinese school.
She mentioned that they gave too much homework.
I refuted her point with the fact that she always got it completed on Sunday.
She went a little further and said sometimes she did not do too well on her homework. I would not know because I cannot help her out, but evidently her teacher did not mind pointing out her faults and she felt that he was "mad" at her, not mean, but mad.
At that point I knew what she meant. It seems there is a level of achievement that most Chinese families expect their children to reach and that is why they are so successful, because they work so hard. But, I am afraid, we don't quite push as much.
It has been difficult at times when we run into someone who speaks Chinese and they engage Annabel in a lengthy conversation. I don't know what is being said and only rarely does the adult translate for me. But the other day Annabel asked if I would not introduce her to people and tell them she can speak Chinese. She does not like these long conversations.
Back to my point, these people who pull her into these conversations as well as perhaps her teacher, set the standards that a typical Chinese family have for her as well. They have a tendency to chastise her and scold her about things, which if I could understand what they were saying, would never allow. I think they feel it is their obligation to impress on her their "standards".
And so she is tired of it.
I think part of what she is discovering about her new life is the ability to self monitor, that I trust her to make good choices, but will continue to provide guidance and direction when and where she needs it, but I want her to also get to be a child and enjoy this time of her life.
I explained part of that to her last night and we agreed that we would not pursue Chinese school for now. Maybe later when she is in 6th grade. Who knows, maybe never. I pushed Grace into going to Chinese school for 2 1/2 years and she hated every minute of it and in the end did not have much to help her in communicating in China.
Prayers tonight included asking God for a good week. My prayer too.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
It's BASKETBAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL!!!
I feel like Suzie Homemaker with a peach cobbler in the oven, my order of organic fruits and vegs by me, and my two girls getting showered and ready.
I love a day like today even though I have not gotten my long list of things accomplished.
Last night Dad answered my call for a drill by doing the work rather than just loaning the equipment! I had bought a closet system to put in the girls' closet. It had been just this big square with no shelves or hanging rods. Now it has both and with Dad's help, it was a easy project. I know if I had done it I would still be on the first page of the directions.
We started going through the girls' clothes to find what needed to be hung up, folded, clean, dirty, too big, too small. Lots of stacks without finding an end in sight. Yes it was a priority to finish today but too many other things ended up being more fun, so it was pushed till tomorrow.
We picked up our first organic produce order this morning. A wonderful person on an email group offered her organic russet potatoes at Thanksgiving. I was lucky enough to get them. I had no idea how much the REAL taste of vegetables had been lost through the processing they now go through. These reminded me more of what we would "dig" from Grandmother Locke's garden.
So when the opportunity to join the organic coop came up, I jumped at it.
The girls grabbed the very heavy container to carry to the car. It is so nice to have help sometimes.
Now I have to make a brief aside.
This week, my co-worker Gloria bought donuts for the office. For some reason they were not all eaten and she sent them home.
I offered Annabel one and she said she did not like donuts. But without stopping for a breath, asked what donuts were. She tried a sugar covered one and found her new favorite food. She had a second on her walk to school and asked if she could have one when she came home.
This morning she had the last one with her "good morning soup" then asked why we no more donuts. Best guess is it is not something we normally buy, but since I knew we had errands to run promised one at the grocery store.
So the vegetable stop was tolerated with the anticipation of choosing her own donut.
I reminded her of the "cake" we had in China that was actually more like biscuits with chives and other assorted vegetables. Not sweet for sure.
We dropped off half of the produce order to our new sweet friend who sent her husband to repair my dishwasher a couple of months ago. She has the sweetest baby and the girls were very entertained with him and their two dogs.
All I really wanted to eat today were tater tots from Sonic. I could just taste them!
But I felt rather guilty having good fresh ingredients knowing the girls and I could benefit more from them, so I made a big pot of spicy chicken noodle soup. Annabel pronounced that she did not like it and then ate 3 bowls.
The rest of the day has been spent in the kitchen and cleaning and washing.
We are on our way to our friends' house for dinner.
Annabel has announced she does not want to return to Chinese school, so more later.
I love a day like today even though I have not gotten my long list of things accomplished.
Last night Dad answered my call for a drill by doing the work rather than just loaning the equipment! I had bought a closet system to put in the girls' closet. It had been just this big square with no shelves or hanging rods. Now it has both and with Dad's help, it was a easy project. I know if I had done it I would still be on the first page of the directions.
We started going through the girls' clothes to find what needed to be hung up, folded, clean, dirty, too big, too small. Lots of stacks without finding an end in sight. Yes it was a priority to finish today but too many other things ended up being more fun, so it was pushed till tomorrow.
We picked up our first organic produce order this morning. A wonderful person on an email group offered her organic russet potatoes at Thanksgiving. I was lucky enough to get them. I had no idea how much the REAL taste of vegetables had been lost through the processing they now go through. These reminded me more of what we would "dig" from Grandmother Locke's garden.
So when the opportunity to join the organic coop came up, I jumped at it.
The girls grabbed the very heavy container to carry to the car. It is so nice to have help sometimes.
Now I have to make a brief aside.
This week, my co-worker Gloria bought donuts for the office. For some reason they were not all eaten and she sent them home.
I offered Annabel one and she said she did not like donuts. But without stopping for a breath, asked what donuts were. She tried a sugar covered one and found her new favorite food. She had a second on her walk to school and asked if she could have one when she came home.
This morning she had the last one with her "good morning soup" then asked why we no more donuts. Best guess is it is not something we normally buy, but since I knew we had errands to run promised one at the grocery store.
So the vegetable stop was tolerated with the anticipation of choosing her own donut.
I reminded her of the "cake" we had in China that was actually more like biscuits with chives and other assorted vegetables. Not sweet for sure.
We dropped off half of the produce order to our new sweet friend who sent her husband to repair my dishwasher a couple of months ago. She has the sweetest baby and the girls were very entertained with him and their two dogs.
All I really wanted to eat today were tater tots from Sonic. I could just taste them!
But I felt rather guilty having good fresh ingredients knowing the girls and I could benefit more from them, so I made a big pot of spicy chicken noodle soup. Annabel pronounced that she did not like it and then ate 3 bowls.
The rest of the day has been spent in the kitchen and cleaning and washing.
We are on our way to our friends' house for dinner.
Annabel has announced she does not want to return to Chinese school, so more later.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Update on Annabel's ears
Today was our follow up with the otorhinolaryngologist who did the surgery repairing Annabel's ear drum. First was a hearing test which showed normal hearing in her ear!
Then the doctor said that everything had healed and looked good and we did not have to come back unless there was a problem!
Thank you LORD!!
I knew it was better because she speaks more in a conversational tone all the time. I am so thankful that this was easy to fix and brought back such an important thing as hearing.
While being at the doctor, she missed some classes.
A friend told her that she had to complete a worksheet from science.
The worksheet was on electromagnetic fields!
It seems like the one daughter who has a pretty firm grasp of English could explain it, but she wasn't even sure.
So this afternoon Dad tried to replicate the experiment on the worksheet to be able to answer the questions.
Annabel didn't bring it up to me until 8:50!! Right as I was trying to talk to mom.
So I had Mom's version, Annabel's version, Dad's version, and Grace's version.
Finally it was determined that her friend Carl (Coral) told her to do the worksheet.
Coral's word seemed to carry a lot of weight, but I think there was an error there somewhere.
I wrote the teacher a note and explained the situation. If she is supposed to do the assignment, then more later!
Then the doctor said that everything had healed and looked good and we did not have to come back unless there was a problem!
Thank you LORD!!
I knew it was better because she speaks more in a conversational tone all the time. I am so thankful that this was easy to fix and brought back such an important thing as hearing.
While being at the doctor, she missed some classes.
A friend told her that she had to complete a worksheet from science.
The worksheet was on electromagnetic fields!
It seems like the one daughter who has a pretty firm grasp of English could explain it, but she wasn't even sure.
So this afternoon Dad tried to replicate the experiment on the worksheet to be able to answer the questions.
Annabel didn't bring it up to me until 8:50!! Right as I was trying to talk to mom.
So I had Mom's version, Annabel's version, Dad's version, and Grace's version.
Finally it was determined that her friend Carl (Coral) told her to do the worksheet.
Coral's word seemed to carry a lot of weight, but I think there was an error there somewhere.
I wrote the teacher a note and explained the situation. If she is supposed to do the assignment, then more later!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
FOUND or abandoned
This morning, without even thinking, I grabbed one of my calcium pills that had been laying on the table for several days and swallowed it.
Afterward I commented that I was reminding myself of Mom.
Annabel asked, "You mean Grammy? Or another mother? Do you have more than one mom?"
No, I only have one mom.
Annabel - "Then why do Grace and I have so many moms?"
OK, good question and a very difficult one to answer in a short amount of time while they were having their good morning soup. One that we will need to come back to, probably time and time again.
Last night Grace had a nightmare.
Against my better judgment I laid down with her for a little while in hopes that she would go back to sleep.
While we were laying there I thought about what a sweet little baby she is for me and my mind wandered back to China.
I thought about the many families who seek out the location of where they child was found, probably with less emphasis on where they were abandoned, but rather FOUND!
My thoughts continued to drift, as we had discussed going to see the pandas in China some day, and from there I wondered about trying to locate where my daughters had been FOUND.
But it was late and instead I began to think about where they had been abandoned.
There is a lot of difference in the idea of FOUND and abandoned, the difference of hope and future, of love and life. For abandoned it is all uncertainty. None of us know the circumstances that led the birth mothers of these two sweethearts to make such a difficult decision as to abandon their babies.
It gave me some comfort to know that Grace was found in May and Annabel in July, so hopefully the weather was warm.
I hope they were placed just before they knew someone would discover them.
Were they put there by a family member or the mother? Where was the father? Did the birth parents have a choice? Was this a child that they loved and cherished but could not care for? Was the mother too young? The father lost?
I think about a tiny baby and how vulnerable they are, how open to risks and dangers their little bodies must have been.
But God took care of these two darlings.
He watched when no one else could and saw that they were FOUND!!! not just abandoned. And while I did not know what my future would hold even 5 years ago, God was with me and perhaps nudged me or maybe just pushed me to be the mother who FOUND her daughters.
Afterward I commented that I was reminding myself of Mom.
Annabel asked, "You mean Grammy? Or another mother? Do you have more than one mom?"
No, I only have one mom.
Annabel - "Then why do Grace and I have so many moms?"
OK, good question and a very difficult one to answer in a short amount of time while they were having their good morning soup. One that we will need to come back to, probably time and time again.
Last night Grace had a nightmare.
Against my better judgment I laid down with her for a little while in hopes that she would go back to sleep.
While we were laying there I thought about what a sweet little baby she is for me and my mind wandered back to China.
I thought about the many families who seek out the location of where they child was found, probably with less emphasis on where they were abandoned, but rather FOUND!
My thoughts continued to drift, as we had discussed going to see the pandas in China some day, and from there I wondered about trying to locate where my daughters had been FOUND.
But it was late and instead I began to think about where they had been abandoned.
There is a lot of difference in the idea of FOUND and abandoned, the difference of hope and future, of love and life. For abandoned it is all uncertainty. None of us know the circumstances that led the birth mothers of these two sweethearts to make such a difficult decision as to abandon their babies.
It gave me some comfort to know that Grace was found in May and Annabel in July, so hopefully the weather was warm.
I hope they were placed just before they knew someone would discover them.
Were they put there by a family member or the mother? Where was the father? Did the birth parents have a choice? Was this a child that they loved and cherished but could not care for? Was the mother too young? The father lost?
I think about a tiny baby and how vulnerable they are, how open to risks and dangers their little bodies must have been.
But God took care of these two darlings.
He watched when no one else could and saw that they were FOUND!!! not just abandoned. And while I did not know what my future would hold even 5 years ago, God was with me and perhaps nudged me or maybe just pushed me to be the mother who FOUND her daughters.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Annabel's really huge big story and an icey day
Most schools started back today but not Dallas, so the girls had one more day off. The weather was really rotten today. I've decided I would like to be a meteorologist. I might have already said that. But you just kind of guess and then when it isn't right, everyone accepts it and you go on.
The forecast for today included rain and freezing rain, but no accumulation on trees and streets, so no concern about power outages, etc.
Well at work today the power went out and when you work in an office with no windows, it is REALLY dark. And if you work at a hospital any power outage seems LONG!
On the way home I was shocked to see the trees covered with ice! Many bent down with branches broken. It was nasty.
So the girls spent the day being rather lazy at Mom and Dad's. Bedtime was early in preparation of getting back to school tomorrow.
Before we went to China I paid to have a camera sent to her to take pictures. She finished up the camera after we arrived and it has been sitting around since we got home. I finally took it to Walgreens last week while they had $.10 per picture developing. In one of them, Annabel turned the camera on herself and snapped her picture. Of course it came out distorted and made her face appear "HUGE". She cannot seem to get over this and continues to talk about the picture of her HUGE head.
So last night while painting my nails, she grabbed the camera and made some pictures to show her "client" (me) other parts of her life that were HUGE!
Here is her HUGE face!
Here are her HUGE eyes and nose!
Here is her HUGE mouse (mouth)!
Here is her HUGE dog, Nina!
The forecast for today included rain and freezing rain, but no accumulation on trees and streets, so no concern about power outages, etc.
Well at work today the power went out and when you work in an office with no windows, it is REALLY dark. And if you work at a hospital any power outage seems LONG!
On the way home I was shocked to see the trees covered with ice! Many bent down with branches broken. It was nasty.
So the girls spent the day being rather lazy at Mom and Dad's. Bedtime was early in preparation of getting back to school tomorrow.
Before we went to China I paid to have a camera sent to her to take pictures. She finished up the camera after we arrived and it has been sitting around since we got home. I finally took it to Walgreens last week while they had $.10 per picture developing. In one of them, Annabel turned the camera on herself and snapped her picture. Of course it came out distorted and made her face appear "HUGE". She cannot seem to get over this and continues to talk about the picture of her HUGE head.
So last night while painting my nails, she grabbed the camera and made some pictures to show her "client" (me) other parts of her life that were HUGE!
Here is her HUGE face!
Here are her HUGE eyes and nose!
Here is her HUGE mouse (mouth)!
Here is her HUGE dog, Nina!
Here is her HUGE bread!
Here is her HUGE bowl!!
Here is her HUGE dog Ollie!
Our stair step beautiful girls!
They all looked so pretty I had to take 2! I wonder if they will stay stair steps??
I did not know I had that much STUFF on my porch!
OK, here is the whole gang! The snowman is my secret boyfriend. Just kidding!!!Packing up the girls to meet their Daddy.
I am so sad my GiGi is leaving!
OK, just a few more things to pack!
Who me? Imma Annabel!
Why is Grace crier? (crying)Annabelism - words you learn from your daughter
Annabel came into the bathroom this morning to get her boots. Don't know why my bath has to be the place to store boots, but whatever.
She showed me her socks and then said,
"Mom, these socks you franken them."
"Huh???"
"Mom, these socks you franken them to me."
"Those socks are scary? huge (word that is constantly used)? Frankenstein?"
"MOM, YOU FRANKEN them to me."
I explained that I was sorry but did not know what franken meant.
Annabel, "Franken? Mom, what you talkin' bout? I said your friend gave them to me."
She showed me her socks and then said,
"Mom, these socks you franken them."
"Huh???"
"Mom, these socks you franken them to me."
"Those socks are scary? huge (word that is constantly used)? Frankenstein?"
"MOM, YOU FRANKEN them to me."
I explained that I was sorry but did not know what franken meant.
Annabel, "Franken? Mom, what you talkin' bout? I said your friend gave them to me."
Sunday, January 4, 2009
I hate science fair projects!!!!
Yesterday afternoon I seemed to run out of energy. My legs felt like lead weights that could not take another step. I finally gave up and slept in today.
The girls got up and got dressed for church. I should have supervised this more. The temperature had dropped about 40 degrees over night but they were dressed for the 80's like it had been on Saturday. At least they had their nice warm coats that Audrey gave them for Christmas.
When they got home from church, Mom sent over a bowl of chicken and dumplings. What a lifesaver! That is one dish I have never learned, but today didn't even feel like preparing toast, so I was very glad to get this delicious meal, especially coming from just next door!!
Grace came in to tell me she loved me and that her science fair project was due on Friday.
Oh my goodness.
We have known about this since the first of December.
I really wish my daughter was not so much like me!
They have been out of school for two weeks and today she remembered it was due Friday!
When I was in school, science fair projects done by me were minimal. I will never forget the time I completely forgot and at the last minute cut up food to test for what? I don't even remember, but I think you put iodine on it. We found a scrap of corrugated cardboard and I used toothpicks to attach the food and then covered with saran wrap. Completely professional! I think majoring in elementary ed for my bachelors was a great idea. The only science I had was science for Elementary teachers, so I never had to learn much more. I worked in the physics department at college but understood NOTHING!!!
When Grace was trying to pick a project I told her about a test I had done for speech, not science. I can't remember if we had to do an experiment or what the topic was for that speech, but Mark, my brother, and I each had a pepper plant at the time, that seemed to be affected by the type of music we both listened to. Mark listened to Black Sabbath and other rock groups of that era (my memory has failed me) and I listened to The Carpenters, etc.
Mark's plant was tall but had scrawny leaves. Mine had big full leaves. I used the two plants to prove the effect of different types of music on the plants.
So Grace decided this was perfect.
I guess I wasn't planning very well because I didn't think about the LACK of plants available in December/January.
It didn't matter, I had to get off my sick bed and we went to Lowes looking for plants that would grow in one week and recorded for the purpose of science.
There were very few plants, of course, mostly succulents. I have no success with this type of plant and know it is a slow growing species, so that would not do.
We met the sweetest lady who worked there and she took us from plant to plant and made suggestions. We settled on buying amaryllis bulbs, but there weren't enough left.
On top of this, Annabel was told she needed to do one. Oh my! It reminds me of Grace's first grade project and how we did it with her lack of English.
Annabel kept asking if I would buy her a plant and what was an experiment. We settled on calling it homework but she was sure she did not have any.
So in the middle of trying to determine a proper species I am also trying to explain the concept of a science fair project to Annabel. It does get confusing.
We settled on forcing hyacinth bulbs for Grace which would each be subjected to one hour of a different type of music. And for Annabel, three crocuses that would be forced in three different types of water.
Since I did not feel like cooking, we made our way to the Chinese buffet and each girl ate their weight in crawfish and octopus! YUCK!!!
When we got home I discovered a terrible mistake on my part. I left my bedroom door slightly ajar and our miscreant dogs had left their mark on my bed that they were not pleased with being left home alone!
We got all of the bottles labeled and the music playing for the plants. Annabel borrowed fertilizer from Dad for her experiment and Grace worked on the rest of her holiday homework. School for us doesn't begin again until Tuesday so she has another day to get it all done. I stripped my bed and cursed our dogs!!
While Grace worked on her homework, Annabel decided she would paint my nails. She asked if she could call me Jerri during this time. She was so funny trying to make small talk as the manicurist. She asked me if I worked a lot, had kids, and dogs.
I will have to share her stories she told me tomorrow. They were quite hysterical!
The girls got up and got dressed for church. I should have supervised this more. The temperature had dropped about 40 degrees over night but they were dressed for the 80's like it had been on Saturday. At least they had their nice warm coats that Audrey gave them for Christmas.
When they got home from church, Mom sent over a bowl of chicken and dumplings. What a lifesaver! That is one dish I have never learned, but today didn't even feel like preparing toast, so I was very glad to get this delicious meal, especially coming from just next door!!
Grace came in to tell me she loved me and that her science fair project was due on Friday.
Oh my goodness.
We have known about this since the first of December.
I really wish my daughter was not so much like me!
They have been out of school for two weeks and today she remembered it was due Friday!
When I was in school, science fair projects done by me were minimal. I will never forget the time I completely forgot and at the last minute cut up food to test for what? I don't even remember, but I think you put iodine on it. We found a scrap of corrugated cardboard and I used toothpicks to attach the food and then covered with saran wrap. Completely professional! I think majoring in elementary ed for my bachelors was a great idea. The only science I had was science for Elementary teachers, so I never had to learn much more. I worked in the physics department at college but understood NOTHING!!!
When Grace was trying to pick a project I told her about a test I had done for speech, not science. I can't remember if we had to do an experiment or what the topic was for that speech, but Mark, my brother, and I each had a pepper plant at the time, that seemed to be affected by the type of music we both listened to. Mark listened to Black Sabbath and other rock groups of that era (my memory has failed me) and I listened to The Carpenters, etc.
Mark's plant was tall but had scrawny leaves. Mine had big full leaves. I used the two plants to prove the effect of different types of music on the plants.
So Grace decided this was perfect.
I guess I wasn't planning very well because I didn't think about the LACK of plants available in December/January.
It didn't matter, I had to get off my sick bed and we went to Lowes looking for plants that would grow in one week and recorded for the purpose of science.
There were very few plants, of course, mostly succulents. I have no success with this type of plant and know it is a slow growing species, so that would not do.
We met the sweetest lady who worked there and she took us from plant to plant and made suggestions. We settled on buying amaryllis bulbs, but there weren't enough left.
On top of this, Annabel was told she needed to do one. Oh my! It reminds me of Grace's first grade project and how we did it with her lack of English.
Annabel kept asking if I would buy her a plant and what was an experiment. We settled on calling it homework but she was sure she did not have any.
So in the middle of trying to determine a proper species I am also trying to explain the concept of a science fair project to Annabel. It does get confusing.
We settled on forcing hyacinth bulbs for Grace which would each be subjected to one hour of a different type of music. And for Annabel, three crocuses that would be forced in three different types of water.
Since I did not feel like cooking, we made our way to the Chinese buffet and each girl ate their weight in crawfish and octopus! YUCK!!!
When we got home I discovered a terrible mistake on my part. I left my bedroom door slightly ajar and our miscreant dogs had left their mark on my bed that they were not pleased with being left home alone!
We got all of the bottles labeled and the music playing for the plants. Annabel borrowed fertilizer from Dad for her experiment and Grace worked on the rest of her holiday homework. School for us doesn't begin again until Tuesday so she has another day to get it all done. I stripped my bed and cursed our dogs!!
While Grace worked on her homework, Annabel decided she would paint my nails. She asked if she could call me Jerri during this time. She was so funny trying to make small talk as the manicurist. She asked me if I worked a lot, had kids, and dogs.
I will have to share her stories she told me tomorrow. They were quite hysterical!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Saturday
Today I was just sure that Annabel had reached a whole new level - I thought she said "thank you for lunch". I answered "how very sweet of you, you're welcome".
Grace said, "Uh, Mom, she said, 'Is this lunch?'"
They were watching Kung Fu Panda and the "master" turtle had just said, "There are no accidents."
Perfect timing, right?
As we were packing, getting the girls ready to meet their daddy in Waco, my cousin called and said they were on their way over.
While growing up, we lived one block from my aunt and uncle and their four kids, so it felt like we all grew up together. Our moms were best friends and we spent lots of time together.
Now everyone is scattered as far away as Missouri. OK, not like it is all the way to China or something, but it might as well be!
Gillian texted her dad and asked if we could meet 30 minutes later so we could see everyone.
We always called my cousin, Dubby. Dubby is my age, despite his constant reminder that I am two weeks older.
Annabel misunderstood.
She asked if that girl, pointing to a picture of my sister, Lisa, was coming and bringing her dog.
What????
First I am confused that she is still pointing and calling Lisa "that girl", which I know is going to go over well with her. She also calls her my sister. In some ways I think she still feels this is temporary and no need to learn all of this.
But I digress, so unusual for me.
Lisa coming and bringing her dog???
Oh, her dog, Buddy.
No, this is my cousin, Dubby.
It was great seeing my cousins even though it was for a short time. I wish I would follow through and start making road trips and go see them.
They were headed to El Fenix after we left. YUM!!!
We loaded up and hoped that we had all of their stuff.
It is so difficult to hand Gillian and Darcey off to their dad. We all miss them so much but thrilled over the time we had together.
I, being the pragmatic mother that I am, drove through Burger King, even though we had just been in using their facilities, bought bags of chicken fingers, and headed home. This is when I was just sure that Annabel had said thanks for lunch!
The girls took a nap on the ride home, but Annabel had asked if we were taking the dogs to get a hair cut.
This is one of the great things about the changes in Oak Cliff, now there is a dog groomer who will take our dogs at the last minute for grooming on a Saturday. The Dip and Clip is great! So I called and they said yes, so as soon as we got home we took the dogs to the groomer and on to the library where we paid the huge fines we had amassed from DVDs.
Annabel did surprise me again when she read the sign that said, "Please do not slide, thank you" on the hand rails.
It is still a few days away from being home for just five months! She only speaks in English, rarely gets stumped by a word, but will ask now when she doesn't understand something.
Another huge surprise is that Dad has learned to cook out on the grill. And does an excellent job at it! So even though Mom and Dad were exhausted from this week, they made sure we had a nice dinner together before calling it a night. Which is exactly what I need to do now.
Grace said, "Uh, Mom, she said, 'Is this lunch?'"
They were watching Kung Fu Panda and the "master" turtle had just said, "There are no accidents."
Perfect timing, right?
As we were packing, getting the girls ready to meet their daddy in Waco, my cousin called and said they were on their way over.
While growing up, we lived one block from my aunt and uncle and their four kids, so it felt like we all grew up together. Our moms were best friends and we spent lots of time together.
Now everyone is scattered as far away as Missouri. OK, not like it is all the way to China or something, but it might as well be!
Gillian texted her dad and asked if we could meet 30 minutes later so we could see everyone.
We always called my cousin, Dubby. Dubby is my age, despite his constant reminder that I am two weeks older.
Annabel misunderstood.
She asked if that girl, pointing to a picture of my sister, Lisa, was coming and bringing her dog.
What????
First I am confused that she is still pointing and calling Lisa "that girl", which I know is going to go over well with her. She also calls her my sister. In some ways I think she still feels this is temporary and no need to learn all of this.
But I digress, so unusual for me.
Lisa coming and bringing her dog???
Oh, her dog, Buddy.
No, this is my cousin, Dubby.
It was great seeing my cousins even though it was for a short time. I wish I would follow through and start making road trips and go see them.
They were headed to El Fenix after we left. YUM!!!
We loaded up and hoped that we had all of their stuff.
It is so difficult to hand Gillian and Darcey off to their dad. We all miss them so much but thrilled over the time we had together.
I, being the pragmatic mother that I am, drove through Burger King, even though we had just been in using their facilities, bought bags of chicken fingers, and headed home. This is when I was just sure that Annabel had said thanks for lunch!
The girls took a nap on the ride home, but Annabel had asked if we were taking the dogs to get a hair cut.
This is one of the great things about the changes in Oak Cliff, now there is a dog groomer who will take our dogs at the last minute for grooming on a Saturday. The Dip and Clip is great! So I called and they said yes, so as soon as we got home we took the dogs to the groomer and on to the library where we paid the huge fines we had amassed from DVDs.
Annabel did surprise me again when she read the sign that said, "Please do not slide, thank you" on the hand rails.
It is still a few days away from being home for just five months! She only speaks in English, rarely gets stumped by a word, but will ask now when she doesn't understand something.
Another huge surprise is that Dad has learned to cook out on the grill. And does an excellent job at it! So even though Mom and Dad were exhausted from this week, they made sure we had a nice dinner together before calling it a night. Which is exactly what I need to do now.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Who is this child?
I don't know what happened while I was at work today, but something changed.
Annabel has continued to keep me at arm's length. She doesn't mind hugging others, holding hands, being touched. But if I come close, she immediately withdraws and sometimes even gives me an "EWWWW!" to ensure that I understood my touch was not acceptable.
But tonight I commented on a picture that she had colored and how well she had done. She really has improved dramatically in her artistic ability. The first drawings she did had people with very stunted arms with hands protruding from the side of the body. It looked more like a 3-4 year old's drawing.
This was her Hello Kitty poster that she bought with her money from the games. It was done with a bright selection of colors, done within the lines, and completed.
She decided it was for me! Wow! That was a huge change!!!! Grace suggested she give it to Gillian and Darcey since they were leaving tomorrow, but she insisted that it was for me.
Then we were going to play Clue. It is difficult for Annabel to play games like this since a considerable amount of reading is involved.
She decided she and I would be partners! I was so surprised! We didn't win. Actually no one did. It was a very strange game of Clue! I'm not sure if they have really read the instructions or not!!
It has become a game at bedtime for her to hide under her covers to avoid a good night kiss. The only time she allowed me to kiss her was when she had her surgery. I think at this point she would be very disappointed if I didn't try!
Today was such a change from yesterday when she seemed grumpy and hard to please.
Last night she had called me into the bathroom when they were getting ready for their shower. "Mom! What's this?" was the question as she showed me her underwear. Oh NO, am I going to have "THE TALK" on 1/1/09???? I wasn't quite prepared for that. With a little more questioning it was determined that she needed more fiber in her diet. Whew!
We went to Golden Corral for lunch/dinner(?) tonight.
One thing for sure, those four girls get their money's worth! They really work well together - when one wanted to go back to the buffet, there was always a "partner" that wanted to go with them.
I am still trying to find a car to buy. I've leased so long and have decided it is time to actually buy something and have some collateral, like Dad suggested. I had seen some good buys at a dealership close to downtown.
As we went through downtown we saw the protesters outside the federal courthouse. The girls were very interested, as we all were. When I tried to explain, I realized I didn't know how to. How to explain the Israel/Palestinian conflicts? Mom jumped in and did a beautiful job explaining the conflict and the girls seemed to understand.
I didn't buy the car and dread shopping for one!
On our way home we took a side trip to drive Gillian and Darcey by Neiman's. They had seen a program on TV about the window displays and were anxious to see it in real life.
The girls are going home tomorrow. It doesn't seem like a week has passed. Gillian continues to amaze us at her creativity, hard work, and caring personality. She was very sensitive to Annabel when she felt left out, she found ways to include her in "special" ways. Darcey continues her sweetness. She can ask more questions than anyone I know, but her vulnerability is so endearing, you just want to hold her close so no harm can come to her.
We haven't decided who gets to drive the girls to Waco tomorrow. More on that later!
Annabel has continued to keep me at arm's length. She doesn't mind hugging others, holding hands, being touched. But if I come close, she immediately withdraws and sometimes even gives me an "EWWWW!" to ensure that I understood my touch was not acceptable.
But tonight I commented on a picture that she had colored and how well she had done. She really has improved dramatically in her artistic ability. The first drawings she did had people with very stunted arms with hands protruding from the side of the body. It looked more like a 3-4 year old's drawing.
This was her Hello Kitty poster that she bought with her money from the games. It was done with a bright selection of colors, done within the lines, and completed.
She decided it was for me! Wow! That was a huge change!!!! Grace suggested she give it to Gillian and Darcey since they were leaving tomorrow, but she insisted that it was for me.
Then we were going to play Clue. It is difficult for Annabel to play games like this since a considerable amount of reading is involved.
She decided she and I would be partners! I was so surprised! We didn't win. Actually no one did. It was a very strange game of Clue! I'm not sure if they have really read the instructions or not!!
It has become a game at bedtime for her to hide under her covers to avoid a good night kiss. The only time she allowed me to kiss her was when she had her surgery. I think at this point she would be very disappointed if I didn't try!
Today was such a change from yesterday when she seemed grumpy and hard to please.
Last night she had called me into the bathroom when they were getting ready for their shower. "Mom! What's this?" was the question as she showed me her underwear. Oh NO, am I going to have "THE TALK" on 1/1/09???? I wasn't quite prepared for that. With a little more questioning it was determined that she needed more fiber in her diet. Whew!
We went to Golden Corral for lunch/dinner(?) tonight.
One thing for sure, those four girls get their money's worth! They really work well together - when one wanted to go back to the buffet, there was always a "partner" that wanted to go with them.
I am still trying to find a car to buy. I've leased so long and have decided it is time to actually buy something and have some collateral, like Dad suggested. I had seen some good buys at a dealership close to downtown.
As we went through downtown we saw the protesters outside the federal courthouse. The girls were very interested, as we all were. When I tried to explain, I realized I didn't know how to. How to explain the Israel/Palestinian conflicts? Mom jumped in and did a beautiful job explaining the conflict and the girls seemed to understand.
I didn't buy the car and dread shopping for one!
On our way home we took a side trip to drive Gillian and Darcey by Neiman's. They had seen a program on TV about the window displays and were anxious to see it in real life.
The girls are going home tomorrow. It doesn't seem like a week has passed. Gillian continues to amaze us at her creativity, hard work, and caring personality. She was very sensitive to Annabel when she felt left out, she found ways to include her in "special" ways. Darcey continues her sweetness. She can ask more questions than anyone I know, but her vulnerability is so endearing, you just want to hold her close so no harm can come to her.
We haven't decided who gets to drive the girls to Waco tomorrow. More on that later!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve certainly has changed for me. I was sure it was the ultimate "date" night, but none really sticks out! And none were as much fun as they are now.
Nowadays it means running to get your discount on gas before your "rewards" ends and getting your prescriptions filled one more time before you start over again with your deductibles!
After I got those important things handled, then we started our "party"! Annabel was not sure what the party was for and when it began and ended. I don't think we quite do up New Year's like they celebrate in China for New Year's.
Our first stop was for the get together at church. I am so proud to take these four beautiful girls anywhere. They always are so sweet and well behaved. But they were also wound up and excited about the "party" and staying up late. And hungry, so even though we had just eaten, we stopped at KFC on our way home to "round" out our meal.
It's funny to get a bucket of chicken here. It's not something we eat often here either, but it certainly was nice to have in China! Both trips saw us buying buckets of chicken with the bonus Pepsi. I hadn't thought about that in a while.
Even though Christmas was just a week ago we seemed to be at a loss on what to do. How do you fill 5 hours to ensure you can be awake at midnight? My first thought was we scap the idea and go to bed. But that wasn't quite what they had in mind.
Thank goodness I had a secret box of fun!
When my friend Lori had given us all those clothes and toys recently, one box was full of craft kits, spa kits, and other goodies to make and play with. The girls had so much fun with all of these things. I snuck in a quick nap knowing there was NO way I could stay awake until midnight.
Mom and Dad went off to bed after the news, so we turned to the Dick Clark New Year's Eve show since our favorite group, Jonas Brothers were performing. These girls are just at the really cute stage, where they recognize that boys are cute, but really don't know what to do with it, so they just giggle! There was lots of giggling last night.
Somehow we stayed busy and awake and right before midnight we ran outside with our horns, confetti, and streamers and greeted the new year. Grace kept asking if we were waking everyone up. The only ones we woke up were Mom and Dad! They had also asked how we would know when it was midnight. I knew we would know, there is just too much noise in our neighborhood at midnight to miss it!
Today these sweethearts helped me get all of our Christmas decorations down, packed, and into the garage.
From there we went to Walgreens. A very sweet lady at church had bought the girls four different games. Unfortunately she bought the Spanish version of most of them, so we had to return them. They didn't have English, so the girls got the cash. In the last week they have had access to so much more money than they have ever had in their entire lives. Usually they are really careful in their spending, but today they were just sure they had to spend their money quickly. I wouldn't let them buy another Webkinz or any other stuffed animal, which was their first choice. We finally ended up with the school/office/art supplies. There they found bargains on mechanical pencils and sketch books.
We still had to go to Wal Mart, but I had promised everyone ice cream for all their help. So we stopped at Sonic for treats first. It is easy to treat everyone if you make it between 2-4 since the really good treats are half price!
We made a speedy trip through Wal Mart, but that didn't stop me from spending a LOT of money. Length of time does not seem to affect the amount of money you can spend at Wal Mart!
Tonight we celebrated my brother's birthday, even though his birthday was Monday. 50 years! Hard to believe. Mom cooked a delicious dinner and the girls made him a cake.
There were no arguments on going to bed early tonight!
Nowadays it means running to get your discount on gas before your "rewards" ends and getting your prescriptions filled one more time before you start over again with your deductibles!
After I got those important things handled, then we started our "party"! Annabel was not sure what the party was for and when it began and ended. I don't think we quite do up New Year's like they celebrate in China for New Year's.
Our first stop was for the get together at church. I am so proud to take these four beautiful girls anywhere. They always are so sweet and well behaved. But they were also wound up and excited about the "party" and staying up late. And hungry, so even though we had just eaten, we stopped at KFC on our way home to "round" out our meal.
It's funny to get a bucket of chicken here. It's not something we eat often here either, but it certainly was nice to have in China! Both trips saw us buying buckets of chicken with the bonus Pepsi. I hadn't thought about that in a while.
Even though Christmas was just a week ago we seemed to be at a loss on what to do. How do you fill 5 hours to ensure you can be awake at midnight? My first thought was we scap the idea and go to bed. But that wasn't quite what they had in mind.
Thank goodness I had a secret box of fun!
When my friend Lori had given us all those clothes and toys recently, one box was full of craft kits, spa kits, and other goodies to make and play with. The girls had so much fun with all of these things. I snuck in a quick nap knowing there was NO way I could stay awake until midnight.
Mom and Dad went off to bed after the news, so we turned to the Dick Clark New Year's Eve show since our favorite group, Jonas Brothers were performing. These girls are just at the really cute stage, where they recognize that boys are cute, but really don't know what to do with it, so they just giggle! There was lots of giggling last night.
Somehow we stayed busy and awake and right before midnight we ran outside with our horns, confetti, and streamers and greeted the new year. Grace kept asking if we were waking everyone up. The only ones we woke up were Mom and Dad! They had also asked how we would know when it was midnight. I knew we would know, there is just too much noise in our neighborhood at midnight to miss it!
Today these sweethearts helped me get all of our Christmas decorations down, packed, and into the garage.
From there we went to Walgreens. A very sweet lady at church had bought the girls four different games. Unfortunately she bought the Spanish version of most of them, so we had to return them. They didn't have English, so the girls got the cash. In the last week they have had access to so much more money than they have ever had in their entire lives. Usually they are really careful in their spending, but today they were just sure they had to spend their money quickly. I wouldn't let them buy another Webkinz or any other stuffed animal, which was their first choice. We finally ended up with the school/office/art supplies. There they found bargains on mechanical pencils and sketch books.
We still had to go to Wal Mart, but I had promised everyone ice cream for all their help. So we stopped at Sonic for treats first. It is easy to treat everyone if you make it between 2-4 since the really good treats are half price!
We made a speedy trip through Wal Mart, but that didn't stop me from spending a LOT of money. Length of time does not seem to affect the amount of money you can spend at Wal Mart!
Tonight we celebrated my brother's birthday, even though his birthday was Monday. 50 years! Hard to believe. Mom cooked a delicious dinner and the girls made him a cake.
There were no arguments on going to bed early tonight!
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