Go, Go, Git It, Git It.

This is what Uncle Skipper teaches Emily to say about the LSU Tigers. She made him a little decoration to tape to his shirt (See it above the "L"?).

We're headed to see Uncle Skipper and Uncle Michael...for a short weekend. I'm sure there'll be ridiculous-ness galore.

Are those camouflage shorts he has on? He's in the military. Maybe they're technical attire and not recreational.

Emily and Cheng Cheng

Talk about wild occurrences in the world of International Adoption...

Last year I was standing in line at the airport to leave for China. Who was about 30 people behind me in line? Another adoptive mom, Pam, headed to China to meet her little boy, Alex - a.k.a. Cheng Cheng.

I'd never met Pam, but we'd emailed a few times in hopes that we might be able to hook up along the Silk Road Way. It was a random chance that someone mentioned to me about another mom headed to China at about the same time I was going. Who would've EVER figured out we'd be on the same flight?

I tell ya. Amazing things happen once you get entwined in this world of IA (Int'l Adoption).

I'm not sure exactly HOW I knew this was Pam in the ticket line. Seems like my mom was chatting w/her and getting info. Or it might've been that multi-thousand dollar bulge of money tied securely around her waist that was the give-a-way. Kidding.

Anyhoo, we actually didn't get to chat at length until we reached Japan. We met up after lunch waiting for our next flight when it dawned on me that we might not have the same flight out. Sure enough. We did NOT. Somehow one or more of us scrambled to where we had to be to find out. Pam and her sister/travel companion, Christy, were leaving soon. My travel buddy/Christy and I had to wait for another flight.

Enough of that.

We (Emily, Christy, and I) met up with Pam and her new son, Cheng Cheng, and the other Christy at the White Swan hotel one evening. We found a nice restaurant and ate together...on Shamian Island in Guangzhou. This little fella is a darling, and the photo above is the two of them at his sister's b'day party.

Imagine that. I dined with local folks on the other side of the world before I ever had the chance to hook up with them right here in our same hometown.

I'm tellin' ya. Wild and wonderful things happen in this world of IA!!

Checking Out the "Old/Used" Bird Nests from Our Porch Light: Eggs Never Hatched

Do Ya'll Have an "Ice Cream Man" Where You Live?

Well...we don't either, BUT one day this past summer Emily and I went out into the country to visit Mrs. Janet in her new, big ole honkin' home she built. One of the delights of the day was to have The Ice Cream Man (Mister ______ -- I can't remember his name right now...) come down the winding road.

You could hear that tape recorded music on the bullhorn for 1/2 a mile.

Well, Emily had no idea what it was, but Janet and I were jumpin' up and down like Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders. She KNEW it had to be somethin' good. We were fired up!

When you're from the south, an experience with The Ice Cream Man ranks right up there with college football tailgating and baptizing on Sunday. "You just gotta" do it to understand the impact.

I was baptized in the baptismal tank at church with my big brother, Skipper. It was a sweet time -- considering we fought like cats and dogs every now and then. There were moments later in our lives when I thought, "That preacher didn't hold him under the water long enough!" Pffffttt!

I digress.

So here comes The Ice Cream Man, slowly, watching out for small children and crazed women waving dollar bills in the air. You know, if we'd acted like that on a street corner in New York City, we'd likely been hauled in for questionable motives...the least of which being ethical in nature.

Janet and I quickly gave Emily the history of how The Ice Cream Man travels into neighborhoods to bring frozen goodies to all. The music was getting louder, the red truck was getting closer, and it was thrilling. She greeted her new friend, took 18 minutes to decide which ice cream treat she wanted, and then posed for pictures. Of course. A must!

As you can see from the photo she chomped on Tweety Bird. He sorta looked like a skull to me, but he was meltin', she was eatin'...so it didn't last long.

The great time has now been etched in her heart. Been there. Done that. Check off another "first" from Emily's lifetime to-do list. It's amazing how EVERYthing is new, exciting, and thrilling when a child experiences it for the first time. Even if you don't get an opportunity until you're older.

As Em asked me a few months back, " 'W-h-o' Humpty Dumpty?"

Where's that Mother Goose book?

Nanny Carol holding Emily's Hand in the Backseat of the Car: Em Fell Asleep.

Cute Little Sayings These Days by None Other Than Miss Em

Peckeroni Pizza = Combo of the words Pepperoni and Macaroni (attempting to use multi-syllable words...way to go!). She really and truly means pepperoni.

Racroon = From book: The Kissing Hand...a Raccoon

Band Aid = Rubber Band to place around a pile of something to keep it all together...books or something else...I can't remember

Evee-where-wee = Everywhere

When she was telling me about a little boy cutting up in her classroom and getting into trouble, I asked, "Why do you think he acts this way?"
Her response, "Maybe his mommy not teach him good behavior."
She noticed that I noticed she used the word 'behavior'.

After her field trip to the Pumpkin Patch, she was telling me how the truck driver (? possibly the person driving the wagons out into the field) took the pumpkins to the bus so they wouldn't have "to fool with them".
That's sure fire the way I speak. I chuckled.
She commented on how I noticed that she used that terminology.

Spare me from the short e sound in our language. YOU try to help a little Chinese girl distinguish between want & went, well & will.
As for sight words.....OH.MY.GOSH.
H-A-V-E is have (short a sound) but G-A-V-E is gave (long a sound). Spare me, pleeeez.

Thank you Mr. Whoever You Are that wrote Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons and founder of FUNNIX computer program. Where would we be without you? I'll send you a Valentine. Hope your wife won't mind. (...and yes. These programs ARE phonics based!)

We read about 3 books a day. Right now we're listening to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe for the 3rd time. She saw the movie on tv and loves it...so when listening to it, she already has the visual in her mind of who the characters are, etc. This has been a phenomenal learnning experience for her. She has me stop the tape about every 30 seconds and asks me a specific question. GREAT strategy for language development, characterization, vocab...you name it.

You are correct. I said TAPE. I'm the owner of the only car in America that has a tape player and no CD player. Behind the times? Yep. Do I care? Nope.
White trash?
Hmpf!
Perish the thought!!

Two Jade Pieces - One for Emily & One for Me

Thanks, Mom. They're beautiful. What treasures!!

The ONE Wall Designated for Display (and bookshelf underneath).

This I've learned: If you let kids...they'll take over the house.

We have pictures, photos, projects, etc. scattered about the house, but this is the major spot to post and acknowledge creativity, hard work, and activities. Here and in the 2 Rubbermaid tubs, one Sterlite container, 6 baskets, 3 bookshelves, and 2 closets...oops. Top of a 3rd closet. Geesh. I cannot throw away ANY of Emily's work/drawings. I need a support group.

I've got 2 current science experiments on the kitchen counter.
One is a glass measuring cup w/vinegar and chicken bones -- to show what happens to bones if "you don't drink YOUR MILK!" Yep. I'm slick. I know it. (The bones become bendable/breakable.)

Another one is two small glass jars w/food coloring. Sitting in the coloring are white carnations. Well, they WERE white. Now they're red and yellow. This allows Emily to see how plants absorb water through an inside system of a plant.

Emily Getting Ready to Send Off Gotcha Day Balloons...

Ah.

You try to be sentimental and all serious.

Yeah. Right.

Way back in September on Gotcha Day, we released 2 red balloons: one for Emily & one for her birthmother (as best she understands that concept right now...).

Where did the balloons go? In the tree, of course.

We just laughed and made it a very light moment. After I got the broom and untangled them from the branches, off they went.

Fun in a Campground Cabin.

Ballet Bunny from Cookie

Thank You, Bree, for the Gotcha Day Gift!

Emily and Ivy

To Ragena: How Do I Thank Someone for Being One of My Dearest Friends in the World...and Yet I've Never Met You?

Life is full of mysteries. Some things just possibly cannot be revealed here on earth in this life.

Ragena is one of those mysteries.

She has loved my family for several years now -- prayed for us, and been an undergirding force of strength...literally moving heaven and earth to help "make things happen" in the world of international adoption.

I didn't even know she existed.

Ragena has a heart for China and for the children in orphanages who need families. Truthfully, she simply has a heart for people, and life's circumstances have allowed her to learn more about the beautiful almond eyed faces whom she'll likely never see.

She's not been there, to China, in person when...precious 'heart babies', skin color seemingly blue b/c of very little oxygen flowing in their veins...when they have breathed their last breath. No. BUT she's supported and prayed for the organizations who are on the ground in China working feverishly to show compassion and be the arms who DO who hold these babies & children in the hour of their greatest need.

Ragena's an ordinary person with an extraordinary heart to care for the helpless & the hurting. She commits herself to intercede/intervene for this beautiful people group, the Chinese, & especially for "the least of these" who are in desperate need for others to think of them & consider their plight.

She knew there were little children needing families and eventually heard through other sources that I wanted to adopt from China. She lives a gazillion states away from me -- never met my family or me, but just sorta became our own personal missionary, took us in as the recipients of her love and concern, and now we're forever friends/family.

Although Ragena didn't know what my future daughter's name would be (and neither did I), as she prayed for us & Chinese children in orphanages...Ragena nicknamed/tagged her "Willow". I believe her inspiration was a scripture in Psalms about a person being "like a tree planted by the water...its roots never fail and it flourishes always". After the adoption when she revealed to me this sweet nickname she used in prayer (when referring to the daughter I now embraced), I was delighted. Such a gentle name - denoting a strength that runs deep.

Back in the spring of this year, she sent the most wonderful box to Miss Emily. She sent her an American Girl doll...the Asian one, named Ivy. Too precious. When the box arrived and Em opened it up, ooooooo-ed and aaaaahhhhhhh-ed, I had to explain that the doll, accompanying clothes, shoes, book...were all from someone who loved her: Aunt Ragena. I told her how Ragena loves the people of China, the children who need/needed mommies, and how Ragena did NOT just stumble into our lives -- but that it all was miraculously ordained.

She got it.
As best she could for her level of understanding far away people and far away places.

Yep. It's a mystery. The Lord placed this special person on earth to consider our lives in the most meaningful of ways when we didn't even know what needed to be considered ourselves!? She paved the way spiritually for red threads to connect, for lives to be touched, and for relationships to be formed.

A while back Emily and I were riding down the street in a local neighborhood. (This is NO lie.) Em gave a little gasp to get my attention to tell me about a tree in one of the yards. She said, "We got that tree in China. I know it (translated: I remember it.)." It was a Willow tree. I told her, "Ah. Yes. Your Aunt Ragena loves Willow trees. Let's get out and take a picture of you standing by it. We'll have to send it to her so she can see it, too."

We took the pic.

DO they have Willow trees in China where Emily lived? I have no idea, but she has commented on this particular type of tree (Weeping Willow) on 2 separate occasions that I specifically remember. I happened to have my camera with me on the second go round.

Hopefully I'll get the photo in Ragena's Christmas card (...preferably this year as opposed to next). Ha.

Ragena retired from the teaching profession this past year. I understand from other sources that she was the epitome of what a teacher should be and VERY well loved by all who came under her influence. Here's a Smilebox compilation of her life in photos that was presented at her retirement party.

http://smilebox.com/playBlog/4f5459774d4441314e673d3d0d0a&blogview=true

We love ya, Ragena.
Vicki, Emily/your "Willow", and Family

P.S. I lied. I wrote that you likely will never see the faces of the ones for whom you've prayed. I plan for Emily to meet you one day. We'll be there. Promise.

Yours....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-ERm0_tuKM&feature=related

Sweet Angels at Autumn Moon Celebration

Although I planned to buy a few outfits while in
China, I'm shocked that I really had the presence of mind to do so. Seems like the trip became all about adjustment/survival/transition while there with my new grieving daughter --- that some of the "feel good things on my to-do list" sorta went out the window.
Emily and I had to stay at the hotel one day when ALL the others went to the Pearl Market. Phooey. Emily needed to spend time with me, one-on-one, alone to have attachment opportunities. I missed some of the sight seeing chances b/c of this....but after all...it was NOT supposed to be planned as a vacation. (Wishing in advance it would be. Glad I'd done my homework on adoption, attachment, grieving children, yadda, yadda.) It was critical that Emily's emotional/physical/familial needs get met. So...darn the luck and my once in a lifetime shopping chances. Em and I stayed behind at the hotel. I have no clue what we actually did that day. Probably surfed the Chinglish tv channels looking for a familiar face that liked me. Ha.

I DID buy this little red dress and another one....blue. Larger sized for later years. I bought some shoes, too. I don't think Emily's really worn them yet. Honestly, I'd forgotten I even HAD them. I found them in the basket where I dumped all my China goodies -- a week or so after jet lag departed and I was unpacking my suitcase. That basket became the "officially from China trip" items.

It was a rainy day when we celebrated the Moon Festival with our local China Adoptive Group. Em asked if she could wear the shoes. I sorta hemmed and hawed at first response as if to say, "....rain puddles". Whatever. I told her she could. Why not. No need to preserve them flawlessly. Get them wet. Wear them out. Make memories in them. Enjoy. I'd rather have them filled with her feet experiencing precious times instead of saved for a museum. Ha. Like a museum would w-a-n-t them.

She chose her black dress slippers instead. Sam Walton specials won out over Guangzhou Goodies. Hmpf!

As for the Pearl Market. I handed Christy a wad of money and said, "Just get some that she/Emily can wear." I didn't specify amount, quality....OR even to get me a necklace. Aw man

Went to Ayi KK's House to Celebrate Jeffu and Kristen's Birthday...

Happy B'day to the Dynamic Duo: Father and Daughter.

Kristen - We are all sooo proud of your accomplishments. Emily adores
you. Thank you for being such a wonderful friend
and influence in her life.

Little Miss "Pull-a-Prank" is Getting Ready to Make Jeffu Her Latest Victim.

Deed is Done: Jeffu's Face Covered w/Southern Living Magazine

Two Peas in a Pod at Gotcha Day Celebration. Need I Say More?

Kristen and Emily acting goofy!

Emily and Kourtney (a.ka. Cinderella)

This is from our Gotcha Day celebration last month, too.

See Emily's hand around Kourtney's neck? Mom

commented on how darling this photo is of the two of them.

When we arrived home from China last year and after being w/Emily 24 hours a day, 7 days a week....after weeks of jet lag, adjustments, some meltdowns, and just generally making my way through this new change in my life/her life....I called Kourtney to come over and babysit. She came with her "bag of fun": games, toys, you name it.

As I explained to Emily that I was leaving the house for a little while, Oh.No.Way.

She wasn't gonna have any part of staying with ANYone.

Why? Because she loved me so dearly? Of course not. She still didn't even know me that terribly well. It was because of her security. Her safety. No more changing of her life on top of the HUGE change she was undergoing simultaneously -- not even for a few hours. She could not handle it.

Emily screamed, grabbed me by the leg, and in her best Chinese speaking way begged, begged, begged me not to leave. As best I can remember, she was likely just saying, "No, mommy. No, mommy. No." Well, case closed. I wasn't leaving. She obviously wasn't ready.

I felt sorry for Kourtney b/c I didn't want her take it personally.

I felt sorry for Emily b/c I realized how challenging her life experiences were at the time.

Is this the same for all internationally adopted children? I don't know -- but it is more OFTEN than not for those who've been adopted at an older age. They are well aware of what is going on around them and can voice their emotions.

Oh brother. I was so very, very disappointed that it did not work out that Saturday evening. I was desperate for some time "away" even if it meant being gone only for a few hours. I'm sure I started crying after Kourtney left just b/c of the missed opportunity.

Well -- time, experience, and love have a way of working life out, don't they?

By the looks of the photos above, Emily treasures time with Kourtney & Kristen. And I ain't cryin' no mo!! I'm blessed to have them as dear family friends.

Yep. These Worked Just Fine for Celebrating Autumn Moon Festival!

I couldn't find Moon Pies in the "normal" grocery stores. Had to actually go to a convenient store and snatch up a few. At 79 cents an individual cake, I didn't buy lots. Ha.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the tradewinds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” ~Mark Twain

Other Stories that Inspire...

http://www.myadoptionwebsite.com/adam/story.htm

The statement, "He is a very good boy." weighed heavily on this family's heart as they sought God's will about another international adoption.

His mom writes, "We also knew this was a family commitment. Once we were sure all our kids were for it and we were “All in for Adam” there was no turning back. He is not just a good boy. He is our good boy!"

Happy Moon Festival - October 3, 2009: Traditional Chinese Holiday

Wikipedia Says:

The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival, or in Chinese, Zhongqiu Jie (traditional Chinese: 中秋節), is a popular harvest festival celebrated by Chinese people, Koreans, and Vietnamese people (even though they celebrate it differently), dating back over 3,000 years to moon worship in China's Shang Dynasty. It was first called Zhongqiu Jie (literally "Mid-Autumn Festival") in the Zhou Dynasty.

I've actually had -- well, tasted shall I say -- Chinese Mooncakes. Um. (hem hawing around taking place) I don't particularly care for them, but seems like I'm not solo on that opinion. Even THE Rumor Queen (China Adopt Talk website) doesn't care for them either.

Gosh. The darling little cakes are lovely to behold. They're thick and somewhat similar in texture to an American fruitcake. I bought one in Guangzhou, China at a Starbucks on Shamian Island. Emily wanted one then, and I felt if it was "comfort food" to her, so be it. Enjoy.

I tasted it with my coffee. It was an enjoyable, had-to-be-there moment. Good...but not my fave.

All that said, some folks American-ize the holiday and eat Moon Pies. Seems like the whole Moon Festival concept is reinforced, and a fun tasting time is had by all. I plan to do a little more research about the Chinese traditional holiday, buy the Moon Pies, and explain to Miss Em

W-H-Y we get to enjoy a little snacky-poo.

Monkey See. Monkey Do. ONE wanted to climb the rockwall SOOOOO then the other one wanted to. LOVE IT. Our girls are BRAVE!!

Fall Fun at a Local Festival - Emily, Anna, and Jenna

Camping in a Cabin (and My Letter to Terri - Good Buddy of Many Years)

A fun time was had by all. Emily and I went camping with the girls from "the group home" -- a living community for mentally challenged young adults & guys. We hooked up with others from around the state at a beautiful campground. Think: marvelous, mossed filled trees, old-timey cabins, bunk beds, meeting rooms, cafeteria, and lots of fun folks joined together to conduct Vacation Bible School for 'special needs' young adult across the state. Thanks Marlene, Angie, and others!!

This was Miss Em's first experience in a cabin. She had a blast to say the least. Nanny Carol had to drive out there the next morning and get her -- to take her to our local Chinese Cultural School. Ni Hao, ya'll!! Anyhoo, Em was having sooo much fun. She almost hated to leave the fall-dee-rah at the campgrounds.

By late Friday evening Marlene and I were punch drunk laughing during the talent contest. We just adored how one camper, "L", took her cell phone to microphone, started playing a downloaded country song, then commenced to singing. Loved it! Or there's "B" who basically does not talk. Precious guy!! He did a sign language rendition of Jesus Loves me...but he kept adjusting the microphone. (Why?) I picked at him later and kept asking him jokingly, "Buddy Boy. WHY were you adjusting the mike? You were doin' sign language?? But it was awesome!! Really awesome!!" He just chuckled. Now the young lady, "L" in a wheelchair -- when she was singing Mercy Me's song, "I Can Only Imagine"...when she got to the part that said, "Will I stand in His presence or to my knees will I fall....?" Oh.My.Gosh. Mar and I were weepin' crocodile tears. Too amazing to witness.

Well. Enough of that. I heard from my good friend Terri. She's a sweetheart from way back. Like anyone would care, here's my letter to her.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey Friend.

Guess who has NO Internet access these days? Yep. Me. Sorry to not have written sooner.You're too funny w/me making you cry. Folks usually say they laugh or cry (maybe yawn from boredom!) when reading the blog. Who would've guessed ANYone would stop in to read the blah, blah, blah of our lives...but I'm sooo thrilled to hear if it moves one person to think/pray/care. (I plan to print it out in a book-type form as soon I learn/figure out HOW!!)

I missed getting to see you this summer. I see there is a school reunion planning committee getting together. I wish I could help s-o-m-e, but that may have to be for the 40th reunion. Ha. I spend ALL my time (away from my day job) working with Emily on language, sounds, reading, basic math concepts -- mostly thru enjoyable experiences in life: talking, camping, visiting w/friends out in the country, tea parties, etc. We're kinda playing "catch up" for the first years of her life. All consuming to say the least!

I was on Facebook but de-activated my account. I couldn't keep up w/emails, etc. I'll get back on sometime in the future. It is great to stay connected or find old friends, but I'll have to stick to regular old email, snail mail, or phone calls right now.

How are your kiddos? Tyler must really be grown now. How has his health been -- managing the diabetes? And Miss Renee?? I thought of her with the whole Vacation Bible School theme focused on Australia. PLEASE write a book and tell us all how you raised such wonderful children/young adults? You and Robert are to be highly commended. Oh my. Really....your thoughts?

I see I have a document/email from my attorney (I HAVE an attorney?!) who is assisting me w/the re-adoption of Emily (in our state.). Ah. It never ends. This process will allow me to secure a state birth certificate for Emily (so I can avoid the Chinese documents in the future: abandonment certificates in Chinese and English, notarized birth certificate from China, yadda, yadda. It's unbelievable the levels of paperwork that have been completed during the entire adoption process. I've got documents from the local police department all the way up to Condoleeza Rice's office (former U.S. Sec. of State). The FBI knows me well via my biometrically scanned fingerprints. As the Immigration Official told me after I had one of the fingerprintings completed, "IF your gonna commit a crime, DON'T use your right index finger. It's got a spiral design that's a sure-fire give away to i.d. you."

I'll run for now.
Hugs to all,
Vicki

One Year Ago Today.....How Do I Put Into Words?

Sniff. It's a good day. Breakfast on a red styrofoam plate b/c red (in China) is symbolic of good luck. I have on 2 little ladybug pins -- gifts from Ayi Cookie...while enduring my "China wait".

The camera has been a flashin' taking pictures galore. Mei Xia Yin. Emily Meilynn...I want to preserve it all.

I'm writing down little phrases that Emily is saying...the tail end of her Chinese quips which are fading as distant memories. You know. How she says things:
"That's my belly butt." -- She's not gotten the word "button" down yet. It's funny when we're at church and she yells out -- running to the elevator, "Push the butt. Push the butt." I keep waiting for folks to grab their you-know-whats and stand up against the wall.

Then again she turned around and looked at me last night, handed me a little lady bug sticker pack and said, "You want these for the scrapbook?"

She's reading long passages of controlled vocabulary words: "This is Sam. Sam is not a ram. Sam is not an ant. Sam is a cat. See Sam in the sand. He ran in the sand by the shack."
It's very scripted, somewhat boring, but has helped teach her the beginning phases of reading. This and the 7 million, 500 thousand, 42 books we've read in the past year. (Gotta love my mathematical way of showing expanded notation.) If you're interested in teaching a child to read, check out Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. Amazon dot com! Recommended by homeschool moms, and it works!!

This and the constant conversations we have in the tub, the car, the kitchen, the yard...and everywhere our mouths take us. Here's what we sound like:
Emily: "Mommy, see the sun?"
Me: "Yes....I see the lovely sun rising in the east. That is a wonderful sight. I love how the sun comes up each morning over the meadow and shines brightly for us as it continues to rise higher and higher in the sky. See the marvelous shades of orange and yellow?"

No lie. That's how I sound. I'm attempting to teach colors, science concepts, synonyms, and grammatical fluency all in my response to what she has noticed. When I first came home from China, this slap wore me OUT. I was over, over whelmed. I realized it was critical to teach her this way...simply, in context of everyday life, and with enthusiasm in my voice. NOW...it's second nature. I feel sorry for ANY adult who has to ride with me in a car and experience my blah, blah, blah. Honestly, it's helped tremendously to teach her the English language and at the same time sabatoge any Chinese speech she has within her. Double-edged sword.

Yes. It's Gotcha Day....Family Day. We have a pack of cookies on the counter. We bought them in China. I ate one last night. Emily ate one the other day. I was saving them for our Familiversary Day (as one China mom calls it), but when she wanted to eat one a week early I said, "Sure. Have at it!"

If I could do it all over again, I'd buy boatloads of items to bring back from China - to have on hand thru the years. I've got a yellow plastic container of Wrigleys chewing gum in the wobbly kitchen drawer with wording in part English/part Chinese. Ah...if my suitcases could've only held more. If my mind hadn't been on such an emotional, surrealistic overdrive to perform as a new mom to this darling, bewildered little girl, I'd probably have kept every cheap, black toothbrush I threw out while in China just b/c I kept sticking them under the faucet. NO can drink the water. I do, however, still have ONE good cheap-o toothbrush from the hotel. It was good-for0use up until about 2 weeks ago. Skipper the blind dog got a hold of it when it dropped to the ground. Phooey. Now it sits in the bathroom drawer. You don't think I'm gonna throw THAT OUT...do you?

Mercy. I've still got a container full of travel size items that accompanied me to China: Tide, hairspray. You name it. I've probably got a 3.4 inch version of it. Got a bonafide prescription for scabies & a "z" pack on hand. Thank goodness none of this was needed in China. I did have to use Emily's antibiotic prescription while there. Had to get on a friend's computer in Guangzhou, dial out to my hometown Walgreens to speak w/them about the exact measurements needed for her height/weight. That was strange.

We've gotten a package in the mail from Bree -- one of Emily's China sisters. How special. Yes. We took photos of her opening it and the sweet card. We have Myah's gifts from the past year out as well -- ladybug wind chimes, Chinese girlie clips for her hair, the photo BOOK!! This is all on display on the table. Cannot wait for the day when all the girls can get together. My mom stresses this needs to be sooner than later. Their little memories can and will fade.

Last night Emily slept under a ladybug quilt Marlene gave her after she arrived home. We have the Chinese "American Girl" doll that her sweet, precious Aunt Ragena sent her. Nanny Carol called this morning. We called Christy in Oklahoma (she was with me in China). Cookie is coming by this afternoon. Relatives coming in over the weekend. Much Chinese food will be eaten and lots of red will be seen.

This morning I reached inside Emily's closet to find a sweater for her to wear b/c her classroom gets cold. WHAM. There's the little white and blue dress she was wearing one year ago today. I washed it when we got home last September, hung it up in her closet, and there it's been all this time. She saw it and said, "I think it's too small." I saw it and wanted to cry.

Oh. The. Memories.

Last night before bed I pulled out the little journal I kept in China and read to her the very entry I wrote one year ago last night...all about how I was going to bed for the last time without having her in my life, how I'd wake up and meet her the next day (Sept. 1). I wrote of how proud I was of her for being brave and strong. How thankful I was that she was becoming a part of our family.

She turned the page and said, "What that say?"
I read the little entry from another time in China. It stated that she had cried for 2 hours. That I knew she was sad.
She responded, "I think it because I thought you a stranger."
I said, "Yes. I was a stranger to you. I knew you would be sad. That's okay. It was all okay that you cried. You didn't know me. You didn't know how it'd be with me. It was what I knew to expect."

I sensed a tiny bit of relief. I think she appreciates that I understand why she reacted the way she did. That I don't harp on her crying spells in China but realize it was all totally normal. No guilt trips. Just acceptance.

Today, I'll give Emily a red bag, with red tissue (can't use white: symbolizes death). Inside it will be tons of children's books I bought for her in China. They're English/Chinese translations: Cinderella, Heidi and other fiction stories. I also bought some biographical books: Walt Disney, Florence Nightingale, etc. I have a few children's tapes, a poetry book, a little Hello Kitty type figurine to go into the bag. All mementos of our time together -- not so long ago but far away.

Thank you, Emily, for being the blessing you are to my life and to those who know you. I cannot wait to see how the Lord continues to shine His favor and love upon you. You are my precious daughter, and I'm the most fortunate person in the world.
I love you, sweetie pie.
Mommy

...Somewhere Over the Sea of Japan....

Is where I was headed almost 1 year ago at this time.

Yup. It's nearly Gotcha Day/Family Day Anniversary, and somebody better slap me b/c I cannot fathom where the year has gone.

I'm sure I'll do an official One Year Ago post on Tuesday, September 1; however, trust me...the emotions have been welling up already.

I've been chatting up with Christy (good buddy/travel companion to China) a bit more this past week asking her the proverbial, "Can you believe....? Do you remember....?" type questions. I watched the dvd that my agency recorded for the adoptive parents that eventful day last September, and Oh. My. Gosh. It's surreal, to say the least, to re-live the actions and proceedings of the day I met my daughter.

Sherrie, Samm's mom, was with us in China and called me Saturday. We talked for an hour and Miss Emily and Samm talked on the phone for a moment. China cousins making their connection for the first time since leaving The People's Republic of China. Sherrie and hubbie Dick adopted Mr. Samm-My-Man, and I'd missed all their hoopla of meeting him for the first time b/c I was holed up in another room with a scared little girl, a Chinese interpreter, 2 Chinese orphanage workers, and the orphanage director. I was completing international paperwork, trying to acknowlege my new daughter who was scared half out of her mind, focusing on attempting to ask all the questions of the officials I KNEW were critical (it was a "now or never" type situation to get info cuz they were boarding a train and heading 5 hours off into the distance), wondering how to actually make this as painfless as possible for Mei Xia Yin -- soon to be Emily Meilynn -- all after traveling to the other side of the world to embrace a little girl who had no clue how her life was about to change. How she was going to be ripped away from every familiar concept in life as she knew it.

To experience for yourself the rawness of emotions: the end of a grueling wait to adoption, the end of several years of gov't paperwork, renewals, finances, let downs, hopes up...it's so difficult to put into words.

But...the ending is beautiful. The back of the book has the most delightful way of revealing that "They are living happily ever after!"

I'll be back for the One Year post on Tuesday. I'm sure I'll cry my eyes out.

Emily and Her Buddies at Recent "Fairy Birthday Party". That's Leigh (mom of b'day fairy girlie) serving as the "Grown Up" Fairy. Way too much FUN!!

Melody's July Blog Entry -- She's with My Adoption Agency -- Children's Hope International. She Was On a Recent Humanitarian Aid Visit

...I came back to Beijing from St. Louis on July 6th and flew to Mianyang today, July 7th to meet up with our dear friend Steven Curtis Chapman at our Hope Center in Mianyang, Sichuan. Renjiping to be exact. I was told Steven and his team were quarantined for a week in Beijing because someone on their plane was reported to have had a fever. Never the less, their team kept their schedule and arrived in Sichuan as soon as they were able. After a concert yesterday and a busy visit in the morning around noon, their company arrived at our Hope Center. Steven and his two sons sang to the 20 orphans and those children who had lost a parent to last year’s earthquake. There are 40 such children in the Renjiaping settlement area and 200 in our 6 Hope Centers. Children's Hope China has found sponsors for 80 of these children so far.

These children are the victims from Beichuan, a region whose population was cut in half and the whole town buried by rubble. Their hometown is now closed to residence and the children must move permanently in the next few years to a new city. Families struggle to make ends meet, especially those who lost their bread-winning young adults to the quake. Grandparents do not want send their grandchildren to orphanages for the government to help raise them, yet they don’t have the income to support themselves and the children. Children’s Hope began earthquake sponsorships of $50 per month per child in July 2008, to aid these families so the children could remain with their extended families. This is where Zhuqing and Liyangyang, two of our sponsored children live. The children who met with Steven and his family today are those who are still waiting to be sponsored. Many traveled from hours away to be here today. Two boys, gave Will Chapman their gifts - pictures they had drawn earlier.

I wish I could show Steven and his daughter Emily, who is now the head of Shaohannah’s Hope, the homes of these children, but the police were concerned about our large American convoy traveling in the area and gave us a restricted time limit. I visited little Zhuqing and her grandparents after Steven and his team left. She lost her dad last year and her mom left when she remarried soon after. The little four-year-old took me to see her grandma at a nearby restaurant where the 6o-year-old works from 8 in the morning until 10 at night, earning only a $100 per month. She asked for a short break so she could show me her home and fix us a bowl of noodles, to show her appreciation for the sponsorship they receive.

Nine-year-old Yangyang was not home today. She lost her mom to the earthquake and her dad left home to work elsewhere. She helps her grandparents by selling candies at her homemade store, pictured here in January. I also met one of the sisters who lost their father. (The young girl sitting next to Steven, wanting her picture taken with him.) Liling, our team leader for this Hope Center, and I will have pictures and profile stories for all 20 children who are still waiting for sponsors, tomorrow. I also hope to be able to go to Beichuan to see the old town if the rain will stop.View a small number of the earthquake children's profiles, here. A year has passed, and life goes on. Real life and the needs of these people keep us motivated in our work here. Our local staff are able to build relationships while they live among the victims and we now welcome our friends to join us and show these children great love from above.

My Email to Sherrie -- a Travel Mate (and hubbie) in China Who Adopted Samm

Hello Seasoned Mom.
Yup. I guess that's us now, huh? Can you believe one year nearly has passed. PLEASE lets chat that day -- Sept. 1/Gotcha Day -- for just a second. Maybe we can let Emily say hi to Mr. Samm. How phenomenal to think that you, a first time mom yourself, were there w/me to see it all. I look at pictures of us getting ready to ride the elevator up to the "whatever floor" to meet out children in that hot, old building. I recognized the room when we arrived because I'd seen it in hundreds (yep!! lots) of blogs of other folks who'd adopted from that same Guangzhou government facility. It was surreal to say the least.

The ear surgery was not a big deal (overall). She has to go back in 5 weeks to have something (gunk/packing/not sure) removed from ear canal. We're putting in drops 2x a day to prepare for that...some type of steroid. She was in zero pain afterward. Yeah. I assume it was all likely due to the chronic ear infections in China.

I've thought of you all a lot lately w/the near anniversary arriving. I've written about you on the blog...how you took us in and helped us find our way several times while in China (especially at the White Swan when you helped us find the clinic for Emily to have her ear seen about. That same DARN ear that has had antibiotics, tubes, and now titanium replacements!!!!!!) Your calming voice in a foreign country was a Godsend; however, I knew you, too, were finding your way in uncharted waters as well.

Can you believe we even went to CHINA? Amazing, huh? I look back and tell folks it was a difficult trip for me (b/c of Emily's grieving/rejection) but that it was THE trip of a lifetime. I actually didn't realize how emotionally drained I WAS from that trip until I returned. Jet lag kicked in, too, and I was almost useless for about 2 weeks. Kinda zombie-ish...but probably doing better than I thought at the time. I look forward to returning again one day. Hopefully.

My love for Emily grew each day after we arrived. I was not sure what all to do w/her at first b/c she's older and was very aware of being in another culture with strangers. I look back and think how VERY difficult her transition in China was -- and how hard it must've been to land on U.S. soil w/no way to communicate feelings. Ahh. The meltdowns. It was very normal and very much indicative that she had been loved and would know how to love again (vs. being an institutionalized-acting child). How do I sound Mrs. Social Worker? I did do my homework before going to China. I did not feel hopeless while there. I KNEW it would all work out.

She's funny. Witty. Compliant. Creative. Silly. Opinionated. Exact. Her comment: "You said milk. You didn't say chocolate milk." (That was today. She doesn't like white milk and I told her I was going to the store to get milk. My BAD. Ha.) Of course, I think she's smart. At first, I had NO idea what to think. Learning a new language at a later age in life (7-8 y/o) after having been through such a huge change in life could not possibly have been easy. She informed me not too long ago that I needed to remember the "sunscreen" when we went camping. I was like, "Huh? How'd you remember that word?!"

I want to hear all about your darling Samm. Not that looks matter, but he is quite the handsome little rascal. Oh. Those eyes. I bet he can "cut them" ju-u-u-u-u-u-st right". No doubt Daddy-O is proud as can be. You and your little girl poochie are evenly split w/the guys at your house. Fair enough!!

I'll run for now. Just know that a part my heart is with your dear little family -- along with our China memories.
Big hugs,
Vicki

Emily Had Surgery Today -- AGAIN!

Emily went thru her nearly 3 hr. procedure (yikes!) just fine. The doctor made an incision behind the left ear, cleaned out the mastoid area, removed some little bones and replaced them with titanium, and removed cells that were forming a benign cyst. Her eardrum was being sucked into the eustachian tube cavity -- thus affecting her hearing.

SO....she's home and doing great.

She does not respond to Demoral well AT ALL.The anesthesiologist said she gave her enough, plenty enough to calm her down. Oh noooooo. Didn't happen. BUT...when they switched to another drug, verset, she did great. Same thing happened after her ptosis sugery. I bet they used Demoral then, too. I'm gonna check and have it placed on the "we don't use this drug" list. LOL!

Just posting to let folks know that all is well and our prayers were answered. Thanks!

Two Peas in a Pod

This is Miss Em and my older brother, Skipper. Notice I did not say "more mature brother". Oh. My. Gosh. With children he's developmentally a goober with a high intellect, strong sense of discipline, and a NUT case. With grown-ups or grown-up wannabees (a.k.a. whiners & gripers) he's a drill sargeant.

As he's spent time with Emily he's been teaching her to say:
"Holla at cha gurrrrrlllll."
"Go, go, git it, git it. Go Tigers."
"Aw. Thank ya Jesus. Thank ya Aunt Topsy ain't runnin' over all the other older people (with her walker) in the retirement home. Thank ya that the woo woo's (a.ka. police) ain't gonna git her.
"You goin' to the hoe-tell (hotel)?"

I spend 24 hours a day, 7 days a week teaching her to speak the king's English, and then he shows up from the Florida panhandle with his childish ways of speaking (kids LOVE him...and yes...he talks like this deliberately/on purpose for them) and gives 99.9% of his full attention ---- thus causing them to fall head over heels in love with him.

He's a Major in the Air Force - Physical Therapist. An expert. Case closed.

He stayed in the hotel room next to ours while on this trip. After a full day of Nanny Carol, Emily, and me -- he'd come to our room, get his "food to go" and say, "I'll see ya'll in the morning." He'd had his estrogen overload and was ready to leave. Rightfully so. He's on the driveway/cul-de-sac with Em right now helping her ride her bike and letting her show off her Tour-de-France skills with training wheels.

Does Emily fall at the throne of Uncle Skipper? You bet. He's been the best play toy to have along on our 7 day trip to south Texas (but would've been even nicer with younger brother, Michael!).

Except for that little sharp, serated knife licking action in front of my child...he gets an A+.

Emily and Cousin Kathy "Deep in the Heart of Texas"

Emily adores my cousin Kathy Sue. Here's the two of them together on our recent trip down to south Texas (as in we just got back last night at 10:15).

I finished my last class for Ed. Specialist on Monday, 7/21 and booked it out of town the next day. Went to visit Aunt Topsy and crew in Corpus Christi. Great memories were made to fill Emily's bank of treasures. Thanks, Kathy Sue, for making us feel so welcome -- and feeding us up like you always do. We love you.

"It's not the blood. It's the love."

Jak -- Kathy's Cat

Look at this precious baby. He's a beautiful white cat-child who got busted after sniffing some flower WAY TOO CLOSELY!! See the pollen ring around his face. Emily loved getting to see her cousin Jak again.

Thanks Dr. Jane & Julie for the Pics. Hope you Don't Mind the Use of Ya'lls Photos.

Copy from one, it's plagiarism; copy from two, it's research. - Wilson Mizner

I'm just researching photos....

The Girls Having Lunch Together at Our House.

Our house is clean enough to be healthy, and dirty enough to be happy. ~Author Unknown

Company Was Comin' Over So I Upgraded My House. I Bought a New Rubber Mat for the Back Door.

Five Little Firecrackers Over at Our House for a Playdate

Recent Art Camp Adventures. We're Doin' it All!

Budding Artists

Emily's Art Camp Class Picture -- See Her Shoe? SUPER Teachers!!