Bringing Emily Home

Randon Photos from Last Year's Party

2012-02-10T10:29:00.001-06:00

No time to type.
Many things to do.
Just puttin' out a few pics from last year -- cutie pie girls and few darling boys thrown in.

Tag on Her Door

2012-02-10T10:28:00.001-06:00

At one point in the past there was a sticky note that also said,
"No boys. No dogs."

Girls on the Floor

2012-02-10T10:25:00.002-06:00

...and me in the background trying to GET UP off the floor.
Nah.
I actually choose to sit on the hard, cold concrete so I can continually practice getting up.

I didn't even give the little party go-ers nice chairs. Just sprawled out with coloring pictures and bookmark-makin' supplies.

Geesh.
I go all out, huh?

2012-02-03T08:36:00.001-06:00

2012-02-03T08:35:00.002-06:00

If you look closely, you MIGHT see braces on Miss Em's top set of teeth.
Yup.
The silver train has arrived on the tracks.
All is going well. She's working on being a good little flosser.

She and buddy Anna -- doodied up with Chinese-ish-y hair styles and Asian outfits paired together at a recent Chinese New Year event.

Just this moment Emily brought me a handmade lantern for the kiddos in her class to make on Monday - Lantern Festival. I think it's the official culmination of all CNY events.

Speaking of taxes....kidding.
I've already gathered my required tax info, personally delivered it all to "Luther's Tax and Bar-b-Q" service, and it's been submitted electronically.
Amazing grace!!

Good friend Steve (and the wifey -- both prominent gov't employees) is Luther himself (and NO...there's no such service with this name...all a joke!) -- anyhoo -- Steve and I have been emailing back and forth discussing said taxes.
On one email he asked if I had the same checking account number as last year.
I replied:
"Yes. Same checking account.
My Swiss ones are still out of sight.
Kidding.
Maybe I best not joke around with the Fed. Gov't, huh?"

His reply, "Those government workers can be a humorless bunch."

Yikes.

Happy Year of the Dragon!

Why Wouldn't I?

2012-01-10T08:01:00.002-06:00

“Why Wouldn’t I?”

I've just now heard a snippet to the song "Why Wouldn’t I" written by Peder Eide. I have not heard it before, but the words of this song are so powerful:

Why Wouldn’t I
travel so far
to where you are
to call you my own?
When I saw your face,
when I heard your cry,
when I held you in my arms
I said to myself,
“Why, why wouldn’t I?”

All of us were orphans, too,
Till in our darkness love broke through.
So give us Lord
a heart to break
for all the little ones who ache --
for someone to hold them,
someone to love them
someone to say,

“Why wouldn’t I
travel so far
to where you are
to call you my own.?”
I said to myself why,
why wouldn’t I?

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T12:33:00.000-06:00

Amen, Sista!

2011-12-28T10:54:00.003-06:00

Cartoon Captions:
"I have an even smaller wireless device that gives me access to thousands of books and movies.
It's a library card."

Brilliant Doctor Jane (Ed.D) and I have common views about children and technology, cell phones, and t.v. -- sort of along the line that they're "tools not toys".

I'm not one to preach against something.
I'd rather sing the praises of other things in life.
You know. Stay positive.

I'm not against these things by any means -- I just have opinions in how they should be managed with my own child (as with all things, right?).

Kinda like fire: absolutely useful, can be dangerous, necessary at some times, prohibited at other times, lifesaving, but in need of careful monitoring so as not to harm

Yes. In today's world we're definitely the "odd ones out"...but such is life. Considering Dr. Jane and I both love to watch Lawrence Welk & Andy Williams -- enough said.

She sent this little funny cartoon to me this morning.
LOVE IT.

I'm telling you...VERY few of my students even h-a-v-e a library card these days, but the ones who do -------- guess what?
They, at times - not always, outshine their peers in vocabulary usage, knowledge of historical events, etc. When I question how they know that particular concept, it's usually been gleaned from a book or specific classic movie they've watched at home.
(I know. Families/kids might have a Kindle or a Nook and access even MORE literature from their homes. I totally understand.)

One time a student...a little fella "from the hood" knew the answer to this puzzler when NO one else had a clue:
"______ -- a drink with jam and bread..."
Tea. It's from a song in The Sound of Music.
He told me he loved to watch that movie with his grandmother.
I'd like to join them.

Coincidental? Probably.
Or Circumstantial in that if families value library cards for kiddos, library books and all those wonderful opportunities books provide, THEN there is likely a whole family lifestyle that bring experiences for developing vocabulary and learning history.

And no. You don't HAVE to have a library card to bring these learning opportunities to children.

I wouldn't write a dissertation on these connections (today); however, I might ponder it and do it in the future.

Read on (in any format that works best for you)!!!

Happy Birthday, Jesus! And no. You don't need stronger glasses. The photo is just blurry.

2011-12-25T22:07:00.003-06:00

It's been a wonderful time...a wonderful season.
Somewhat Mattel-ish... but delightful all the way.

Family is here.
Friends have stopped by.
This stash of goodies on the table at Nanny Carol's is ONLY from Donna Sue & Marlene.
Geesh.

We've gone to visit some friends who are kissin' cousins to Amish folks. They live a simple life, are quiet, beautiful people. I cannot figure out for the world why they love me like they do.
What a joy to spend the afternoon with them. They live out of town, but even the travel to and fro was memorable. Emily and her buddy, Myah, dressed Barbies 60 miles each direction.
I sat in the front by myself and Perry Como-ed to and fro 'way out in the country where this family drives a tractor'.
Ahhhhh...that smooth voice and a Coke Zero do a lot to soothe a soul.

Nanny Carol, aka The Casserole Queen, and I divided and conquered all the dishes served today. Yummy.

All that to say: It was just a SMALL fire. Small.
Ok. I get it. Do NOT broil marshmallows
on the top shelf of the oven
on high setting
on the sweet potato casserole.
Lesson learned.

That happened at my house. When I went back home later to feed the puppers, I distinctly noticed the "campfire smell effect". Nothing that an open kitchen window and 35 degrees of cold air couldn't fix.

Emily was blessed abundantly with Barbie stuff galore:
Ken and Barbie getting married
Some outifits (but as I told the checkout lady at Target a few weeks back, "Barbie's dressin' kinda trashy these days, huh?")
Ken clothes
And as Uncle Michael calls the Barbies that do not move/flex at the knees: "Rigamortis Barbie"

I'm washing the dishes while mom and Emily go over all the treasures she rec'd today when mom looks over at me and mouths, "Where's the little Barbie car?"
I mouthed back with eyes gazing wide, "In the attic!"

I move cars from the garage.
Climb attic stairs and bring in the forgotten ride in a box too big for the $16.95 Glam Convertible.

Squeals once again.

All that aside, it's a blessed day to remember the birth of our Savior, our Healer, our Provider, our Deliverer, our Peace.
We love you, Jesus!

Mixin' Up a Sweet Tater Casserole

2011-12-16T08:37:00.000-06:00

That's our little southern Guangdong/US girl!

2011-12-16T08:33:00.001-06:00

Em wrote on her hand:
"I love Vicki and Carol...then the boys."
(mom, grandmom, rest of male members of the family)

I thought it was funny!

"God doesn't call the equipped. He equips those who answer the call."

2011-11-18T10:34:00.002-06:00

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Annual Pecan Picking and Enjoying God's Beautiful Scenery in Nature

2011-11-18T08:36:00.002-06:00

Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do...but how much love we put in that action.
~Mother Teresa

True Reason of Thanksgiving

2011-11-18T08:35:00.005-06:00

For the beauty of the earth, For the glory of the skies; For the love which from our birth, Over and around us lies - Lord of all, to Thee we raise. This, our hymn of grateful praise.

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Trunk or Treat at a local Church

2011-11-18T08:32:00.000-06:00

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"What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity.
They are but trifles, to be sure,
but scattered along life's pathway,
the good they do is inconceivable."
-- Joseph Addison
(from Ch. 8 of "Beautiful Girlhood,"
A Sunny Disposition)

Our LAST Hurrah Celebrating Warm Days...

2011-11-01T09:47:00.002-05:00

...as Autumn was beginning.

This little ice cream stand is 50+ish years old. See the linoleum counter - Kermit the Frog Green?

I adore the little wooden screen hatch that the girl inside lifts up to "take your order".

Ahhhhh.

Last night as we were praying in the bed, Emily and I said goodbye to a beautiful and wondrous October.

I closed our little chat with the Lord saying, "We'll wake up in the morning and greet our old friend - November. We'll welcome him back with great joy and Thanksgiving."

Quilt Made by Girls at Church - in Em's GA Class

2011-11-01T09:46:00.001-05:00

It's being sent to a little girl who is taking chemo.

Family Night(s) - on the Weekends

2011-11-01T09:45:00.000-05:00

Reading Award Buddies

2011-11-01T08:17:00.002-05:00

This little girl goes to another school, but Em had the opportunity to meet her at a baby shower for another teacher friend. Anyway, little Blondie is an absolute doll, and she and Em hit it off wonderfully well. Both girls turned up at the school district's celebration of Top Readers...and as we approached this girl's family, the darling jumped up, ran toward Emily with outstretched arms and exclaimed, "Oh Emily. I thought I'd never see you again!!" Her mom says she is 'just that way', but golly jeepers...what a delightful way to greet a friend.

First Fish EVAH.

2011-11-01T08:16:00.003-05:00

...and this is not "my baby's daddy". (You either 'get' that comment or you don't. If you're over 32....I doubt you will unless you've been hanging around me.)

He and his wife are a charming couple who opened their homes to a group of International families from a local church. Emily was there for a picnic her very first October here in the U.S.

This time she got up the nerve to fish.
I. do. not. fish.
I cannot hold a precious cricket in my hands...develop a relationship with it...and then hook it.
Nope.

So this kind gentleman took it upon himself to assist Miss Em with her first time try at fishing. She caught one. Posed. Smiled.
We ooooooo-ed and ahhhhhhhhh-ed.
Then we threw the little buggar right back in the pond.

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2011-10-28T08:37:00.004-05:00

The weekend Emily came home from China - because I was either on an adrenalin high or jet lag low - other people fed us. We arrived on local terra firma on Thurs. evening (meals provided), but on Sat. night a good buddy, Linda, invited us over to her house for dinner. It was Marlene, Donna, Emily, Christy, and me for the big hurrah.

Okay. So yesterday I'm talking to Marlene -- 'Distributor of All Things Fun' for Miss Em.
She says: You know what Linda got in her trick or treat bag when she was a little girl?
Me: Uh...no. You mean way back when Eisenhower was president? Ain't got a clue.
Marlene: Well somebody gave her something wrapped in aluminum foil. When she got home she showed it to her mom.
Me: ...and?
Marlene: It was a fish stick.
Me (ROFL): What!? A fish stick??
Marlene: Yep. Somebody in the neighborhood ran out of candy and gave her part of their supper. Linda was so excited.
Me(still ROFL): Her mom let her eat it?
Marlene: Yep. They didn't have to worry about razor blades in stuff back then.
Me (ROFL even more): Oh. Right. Communism was the ONLY concern.
----------
Speaking of Communism (What a transition!)...Emily had the distinct, and I mean DIStinct, honor of being invited over to one of our friends' homes to visit their basement. I had spoken with the grand dame of the house and told her how much we'd adore coming over to get our own first hand peek.

Yes. I call that an educational field trip - going to see a basement. Folks around here don't have basements per se, but I recalled that some old time church friends DO have one, AND it was built in 1963 to serve as a bomb shelter.
Think Cold War.
Think Kennedy.
Think Cuban Missle Crisis.
Oh my stars. It was the MOST fun. We went down a very narrow metal, winding staircase into a fortified room. There was EVEN an escape hatch door and another door with a steel panel barricading it. (shelving for food, potty, and running water/sink)

History 101 right where we stood. Did Emily grasp the historical significance of it all. Naw, but she did get to experience the 'basement' (to understand what one is)...and all the Cuban Missile Crisis connections were just geeky adds ons that made it all soooooooo fun (for me...at least).

They even had a frig...but not one fish stick was inside!

I'm No Facebook-er....but Rescue Robin is and Needs Your Vote - pleez!

2011-10-25T09:09:00.002-05:00

From Robin: "We sent an email out recently asking for everyone who is on Facebook to vote for us in a contest on Facebook. We quickly moved into first place thanks to all of you! For the past few days our lead has been narrowing. Just in case you are not aware, you can vote once DAILY. The contest ends November 9th. PLEASE vote for us every day and PLEASE ask your friends to vote.

The link to this contest: http://www.facebook.com/ParksChevroletCharlotte?sk=app_167828376637089

It is easy...just Like the page, click on Vote For Contest, and vote for Yorkie Haven Rescue. We can win $500 and one of our donors has offered to match this donation...so your votes can help YHR win $1,000!! IT ONLY TAKES A MINUTE OF YOUR TIME Thank you so much for your continued support. Without you we could not save these precious yorkies in need."

China Revisited - The Lost Photos (not really lost)

2011-10-13T12:25:00.001-05:00

Tough Pic to See Again...

2011-10-13T12:17:00.004-05:00

Emily on plane,
boarded,
and flying out of China...
the only home she'd ever known.
Here she is with me (a stranger)
on an international flight
of magnanimous proportions.

She is grieving in the rawest form possible. My heart aches for her as I look at this.
Tears trailing.
Nostrils flared - gasping for air.
Mouth downturned - clinched tightly.
The look in her eyes....well...no words.

At the time, I was all about surviving the next 36+ hours of flying, changing flights, getting on planes, getting off planes, continuously being checked by airline and gov't officials (in China, Japan, & United States) as to the legality of having this obviously upset little Chinese child with me and my Caucasian/American self.

Have no doubt about this: I had to produce paperwork & explanations at every juncture -- sometimes using a translator.

Somewhere in betwixt and between all of that, I had to maintain a sense of sanity and attend to my newly adopted daughter.

Those were amazing days.
Challenging.
Rewarding.
Soooooo worth it.
So worth it.

2011-10-13T12:16:00.000-05:00

First Time on Plane...Settled Down (still not happy as you can see)

2011-10-13T12:15:00.000-05:00

First Tooth Lost on Plane

2011-10-13T12:14:00.000-05:00

First Time in Car Seat (at airport...looks like one of the paparazzi pics of a famous celeb)

2011-10-13T12:13:00.000-05:00

First Peek in Closet

2011-10-13T12:12:00.002-05:00

First Weekend Home....and the Smiles Begin to Settle In

LOOKING FOR YOUR FACE

"From the beginning of my life
I have been looking for your face
but today I have seen it.
Today I have seen
the charm, the beauty,
the unfathomable grace
of the face
that I was looking for."

J. Rumi (poet)

My Grandmother Would Sing This Little Song to Me

2011-10-12T08:04:00.002-05:00

"Come said the wind to the leaves one day, Come o're the meadows and we
will play. Put on your dresses scarlet and gold, For summer is gone and the days grow cold."

Author: A Children's Song of the 1880's

In China NOW....Adopting Two Little Fellas from Two Different Provinces

2011-10-10T08:25:00.003-05:00

These are some IA Buddies.
http://themoodyblogger.com/

Translated: Other folks who are/have already adopted internationally....thus the IA = Int'l Adoption.

They're standing in front of the Olympic "Nest" - stadium...from the 2008 games.

Pray for this precious family as they proceed to change the lives of two precious little boys -- and their family and THE WORLD as it is presently known.

Blessings to you, Moody Family.
Blessings!!

Cultural School Folks and Friends - Em with her Orange Plate

2011-10-06T08:24:00.003-05:00

Em Scarf Dancing - Asian Fly Girls

2011-10-06T08:23:00.001-05:00

Cultural School FUN...Emily in White Shorts....

2011-10-06T07:54:00.002-05:00

and the SAME pink, dainty butterfly shirt she's been wearing for 2 1/2 years. Mercy me.
She's prissy like that...unlike my black on black sense of stylish mystique. As Teresa's husband says about her way of dressing, "Looks like you're wearing early lumberjack fashion."

Target. $14.99. You, too, can achieve my look.
(groan....)

Seems Emily & I have some friends who are prissy that way, too. One of my animal rescue buddies, Robin, is head of an organization. One of their fundraisers is they sell dog "belly bands". Now...not leaving much to your imagination...belly bands are handmade strips of cutsey patterned cloth that go around one's doggie's belly and seal with velcro -- to cover up the very underspot where the dog's, uh..., the male dog's uh....little tinkler is. Now, Robin cuts half a mini pad and places it between the belly band and the male dog's tinkler. In the event the little rascal is tempted to mark his territory, the band tends to thwart that action. At the very least it does catch the urine and keeps it in check.

Well, this prissy miss bunch of rescue chicks actually MONOGRAM these belly bands. Good ole Chase and Peanut have their NAMES monogrammed on theirs. Only in the south would the time honored tradition of monogramming EVERYthing made of cloth and the action of pet training be meshed together.

I tend to redneck it up a bit. Instead of wasting money on mini-pads, I stopped using those and just started using one of Emily's old socks. I slip it in there and read the Riot Act to the pups -- of when and where they are allowed to tinkle. AND it's not on my box of 1950's Christmas ornaments sitting under the table with 2 inches of dust on it. Perish the thought.

Emily, not knowing what a mini-pad is or what its actual intention for use is asked me, "Did you put Chase's 'knee pad' on him?" I just chuckled.

She gets words and phrases jumbled (at times). Last time I checked she was still saying she'd like "wash mellows" in her hot chocolate & one of the kids at school had the "chicken pops". I love it.

These are our days. Fall has arrived. Hints of crispness in the air.

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. ~Albert Camus

2011-09-23T13:46:00.001-05:00

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This sweet picture was painted by Donna - our good buddy and artist in residence. It's been on this blog since the "git go". She did this as a gift for me...back in 2008 while I was waiting to travel and meet my daughter -- when I knew so little about sweet little Mei Xia Ying with her short, short hair, too big shoes, yet obvious sense of style. Donna did the painting showing the 'backs of heads' of all included. Isn't it touching? My soon-to-be daughter in a silk, two-toned Asian-ish out fit...looking toward a new future. Ah. If she only knew.

The subjects in the painting are:

Emily - with her short, cropped hair

Skipper Dee - rescue dog with no eyeballs

Little Peanut - rescue Yorkie

Puddin - "Killy Cat" who would soon become Em's Best of Buds!

The flowers, ladybug, and butterfly are painted in a BIG way on Miss Em's bedroom walls. Donna and Marlene did that, too.

I remember when I opened this gift and saw the painting, I was moved beyond tears. Beyond. Treasures like this from friends who care are just too much for words. Considering my mouth in motion, it's phenomenal that even I was quieted and overwhelm with emotion.

Marlene (a.k.a. Church Lady #2. She and Donna BOTH work at churches!) has come in alongside Donna and spoiled, I mean supplied, Em with everything imaginable AND her own handpainted goodies. I'll have to take a few pics of some dishes we have -- a la Marlene! Even today I took a nap and covered up with a small quilt Marlene got as a bargain at a garage sale. It's adorable. She, too, is so thoughtful and still loves us although we mock her to her face. Blonde jokes go a l-o-n-g way on her account, and she's such a good sport about it.

Anyhoo, both of our Church Lady friends joined us for our recent celebration of Gotcha Day -- as did KK, Jeffu, Kristin, and Nanny Carol. Good time. Good food. Good memories. GREAT friends.

Emily and "Zee Are Teest" - Donna (who painted the picture of Em with Critters)

2011-09-23T13:37:00.001-05:00

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Yup. Blurry.

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Red Balloons Release - Representing Her Birth Country & Birthmother

2011-09-02T08:02:00.003-05:00

Every year on Gotcha Day -- our Famliversary -- Emily releases two red balloons. I know. You're right. Not very eco-friendly.

In China, red is symbolic of prosperity, good health, and all those "nice" kinda vibey concepts.

In the daily life of making this meaningful & significant, it seems each year we barely get the balloons before the store closes. We almost totally miss daylight.
One year the dawg gone things even got stuck in our tree.

We just laughed and laughed. Might as well.
(We d-i-d get them on their flight heavenward, though.)

Yesterday was another one of those kind of days. Swimming lessons were done. Supper had been finished. The camera was taking blurry pictures. The video cam was not charged enough to film our momentous yearly gesture.

NO worries.
It's not about the photo.
It's about the child IN the photo...and what these 2 balloons represent.
If you look really closely in this pic, the balloons are about 1.5" above the treeline: Northbound and down.

We don't over-talk, over-preach, or over-do the ritual (miraculous on my part).
Simple.
Significant.
Sentimental.

Three Years Ago Today...I Met My Daughter for the Very First Time.

2011-09-01T08:16:00.004-05:00

And I've been meeting her every day since then.

Meeting her. Learning about her. Standing amazed at the miracle of what has transpired.

Enjoying her silly sense of humor.
Emily took her name tag from church and slapped it inconspicuously on the back of Nanny Carol's shirt. As Nanny Carol, said victim of Miss Em's deed, was walking through a store, someone politely informed her of the random white name tag attached to her backside.

Emily will play opposites.
Ask her a set of questions, and you might possibly get the total opposite of what a/the right answer really is.
It doesn't take long to figure out this is what she's doing.
Slick.
Very slick indeed.

She thinks all this is hilarious.
And it is.
We love to laugh in our family.

It took a LOT of humor to get past some of the challenges and bumps in the road of this wonderful act of International Adoption.
As one mother recently wrote of the adoption process "Where I signed my name no less than 4,391 times" on forms that originated from the local police dept. to the U.S. Secretary of State's office....and every hoot and holler of a gov't establishment between here and Guangzhou, Peoples Republic of China.

So, we laugh at at ourselves & at each other (...at least up to the point of how much Em can take).
If Uncle Skipper, Uncle Michael, or Nanny Carol get on too much of a tease with her and say something (humorously) to the effect of, "If you do that one more time, I'm gonna grab your Barbie and....".

Phew. She'll rare back (as if to "one up ya") and say, "Yeah. But IF YOU.....THEN I'LL....."

The juxtaposition of the many parts of her life.

Yep. This is my daughter - the once frightened, grieving, confused child I met 3 years ago today.
--Who is now brave, cheery, and organizationally in the know of things.

The one who could say nothing in English.
--Who did a great job with "Chrysanthemum" last week as a reading selection in Language Arts.

The one who slept in China without a blanket or a pillow in her bed.
--Who is now snuggled under embroidered, comfy coverings with her head nestled gently amongst many pillows.

The one who'd never had any formal schooling.
--Who is now working on solving equations for unknown variables (simple versions) in her 3rd grade math class.

The one who, when I told her about my family having a station wagon when I was a little girl, asked about the h-o-r-s-e-s that pulled the wagon.
--Who remembers what was in every single happy bag she's ever gotten from a b'day party.

The one who still loves simple cartoon characters like Clifford the Big Red Dog, Caillou, & Angelina Ballerina.
--Who loves watching the ending of Sense and Sensibility when Edward returns for Eleanor's hand in marriage.

This child -
She's amazing.
Miraculous...
MINE.

How blessed I am.
How blessed I am.

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Pool Party Princess - Ain't She a Doll?!

2011-08-23T13:42:00.001-05:00

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Whoopin' It Up

2011-08-02T20:35:00.000-05:00

Down the Blow Up Slide with Aubrey

2011-08-02T20:31:00.000-05:00

It's a Post "Now or Never" Moment

2011-07-25T18:21:00.003-05:00

Summer's been coming at me and going by with wonderful memories galore. I decided that before I left town for a trip to visit the relatives, I might better put up a few pics to give a visual snapshot of what we've been doing.

Summer has always spelled "freedom" to me.

Maybe because I'm a teacher.

Maybe because there are fewer responsibilities.

I'm not sure, but for whatever reason I enjoy it bunches.

So....here are some photos of the past several weeks. Miss Em is growing, changing, learning, loving, experiencing, and becoming.....

What fun we're having.

Posing at a Pre-Civil War Spot in a Building...

2011-07-25T18:17:00.002-05:00

Well....we THINK these bricks might be pre-civil war.

We were at a wedding reception for a precious couple.

Ah. The history of the building where the reception was being held. Leave it to me to start scouting out spots of interest. I interviewed the daughter of a former mayor in that town, and she thinks this very spot is quite old with stories to tell.

Camera always in hand (.... in purse....middle compartment)!

First Time Sippin' Creme Soda - Not a Big Hit

2011-07-25T18:13:00.002-05:00

So, I poured out the leftover soda, put my dish soap in the darlingly decorated bottle, stuck a thingy in the top that turns a bottle into a dispenser, and set it right at the edge of my kitchen sink.

Every now and then when I take the time to actually WASH dishes, I pick it up and think of how my precious baby drank from this bottle when trying her very first Creme Soda.

My house will be a museum of Emily's "things" before her childhood is over.
I'm sure of it!

Oh the Places You'll Go....(Dr. Suess)

2011-07-25T18:04:00.002-05:00

I've come to realize I'm not a theme-park kinda mom. At all. Many of my friends are, and they're happy as larks.

Broke, but happy.

Kidding.

I, on the other hand, seem to gravitate toward finding spots where Emily can be out in nature, meet down-to-earth folks, pick fruit, run wild, do things she's never done before, appreciate the beauty of our land, and make wonderful memories.

NOT that going to theme parks means folks don't have the same agenda. I'm sure they do. For some reason, I'm just not interested in these vacation spots right now. Maybe later.

Instead, we go on Day-cations...as Nanny Carol dubbed them.

We went blueberry pickin' back a while ago. One time Myah came with us. Another time Nanny Carol graced us with her presence. It was gorgeous to be out in the middle of nowhere (and I mean that literally)...meeting Uncle Pink, driving a golf cart, riding ever so cautiously and slowly on a 4-wheeler for a very short distance, picking blueberries that were transplanted to this farm back 40 years+ ago. We watched a mom shell peas, dangled our feet in the swimming pool, hung out at a real log cabin, and had the time of our lives.

Summah's been a blast. I'm so very thankful!

Blueberry Pickin' with Myah

2011-07-25T18:03:00.000-05:00

Marvelous Mosaics - Em Completed the Design

2011-07-25T18:01:00.001-05:00

AND we're still getting the bang from our buck with her Easter Dress. We love Target for kiddie clothes.

Sparklers. Need I Say More?

2011-07-25T18:00:00.000-05:00

Meeting a Native American Story Teller

2011-07-25T17:59:00.001-05:00

...and listening to her stories, observing her magic tricks, and getting to be a part of a terrific experience.

Baking Cookie from a Mix Given to Us

2011-07-25T17:57:00.001-05:00

Thanks, Ayi Cookie, for the delicious cookie mix. Em had a 1st hand lesson in reading the recipe, following directions, measuring, baking, and of course...enjoying!

Visit to the Art Museum with Friend, Singyi

2011-07-25T17:56:00.001-05:00

....and loving the little visit to the museum restaurant!

Skip Carrying Em

2011-07-25T17:55:00.000-05:00

Uncle Skipper Reading to Miss Em

2011-07-25T17:54:00.000-05:00

We had the fun pleasure of visiting Skipper at his house on one of our weekend excursions.

Hot Air Balloon and Em in Front

2011-07-25T17:52:00.001-05:00

There were lots of other hot air balloons at this festival, too; however, this one was so unusual.

Chase-the-Rescue-Dog (He's such a silly goose!) and Miss Em Snuggling in the Bed

2011-07-25T17:51:00.001-05:00

Summer Camp for Em - Writing Chinese Characters with Miss Yi (from China)

2011-07-25T17:49:00.002-05:00

Ballet Camp - Em on Floor to Left of Teacher Extraordinaire

2011-07-25T17:49:00.001-05:00

2011-07-25T17:48:00.002-05:00

Em and Mel - Sights and Sounds of the South

2011-06-28T14:08:00.002-05:00

This was The Divine Miss Em's FIRST baseball game ever...well...a "for real" baseball game. She's heard the song Take Me Out to the Ballgame on our unique audio cassette recording of Wee Sing Songs. I bought the tape for probably a dime since NObody really uses them anymore. (Not 8 tracks...just the little flip-em-over thingys.)

HELLO?

I love old things -- especially when they're fun, free, and help develop language, rhythm, and love of music. (I'll not digress about the audio cassette songs by the ORIGINAL Sesame Street cast - factory sealed -- but now open and blaring on my cassette player: Big Bird, Bert, Ernie, and the gang.)

Coincidentally...Take Me Out to the Ballgame was a song that Emily sang (with her classmates) for their 2nd grade performance at school a few months ago.

As we listened to it over and over and over and over, we got to chat about (& eat) Cracker Jacks with the cute little prizes in the box...as in "Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks..."

BUT...The whole "1, 2, 3 strikes you're out at the ole ballgame" became reality to her recently when she and a buddy attended a cool baseball game. Well, it was 100 degrees in the shade, but still 'cool'.

What goes around -- comes around. Things tie in so easily when they're experienced with all 5 senses and a good time. Nevermind that our tickets were free as were our hot dogs, chips, and cold drinks.

I guess baseball diamonds ARE a girl's best friend after all!

Have Water Hose, Will Play!

2011-05-31T10:48:00.000-05:00

That's Not My House...

2011-05-31T10:43:00.002-05:00

...but I'd probably live in it in a heartbeat.

Gosh. I love old stuff.

Took time to go exploring AGAIN over the long weekend. Traveled back roads and headed to historic sites and places --2 lane state highways that are just plain out of the way.

Miss Em and Michael stopped teasing, playing, prodding, tattling, & making tons of noise long enough to pose in the doorway of this little shack.

Sister Has Grown Herself Some Tomatoes!

2011-05-31T10:42:00.000-05:00

Two Pals Playin', Puddin the Cat, and the Pot to Sit ON

2011-05-31T10:35:00.003-05:00

The bathing suit hanging up on the most adorable of pink children's hangers...in the background...has a photo above it. The framed pic (not visible here) is of Em in China wearing that sweet little swimsuit. I took it to her when I flew over to meet her. In it she looks tiny and
has the most adorable grin on her face.

Honestly, my house is turning into a shrine of all the wonderful treasures of her/our past.

Then again, isn't that what a home is made of? Remembering past and present times of love...memories from days gone by -- but more importantly making memories today?

Love the roll of toilet paper sitting on the counter - and once again...the cat's behind.

Emily's Kissin' Kousin Keri Placed 2nd in NCAA Championship Tournament

2011-05-30T18:27:00.009-05:00

Women's Doubles Tennis -- the dark haired darling on the left

'Bout all we can say is,

"We are

sooooo

P-R-O-U-D

of you!!!!!!"

2011-05-25T08:27:00.001-05:00

Photo of Atchafalya Swamp - Cypress Trees and All

Where were YOU When Conway Twitty Died?

2011-05-25T07:55:00.005-05:00

I know where I was.
I was crossing the Atchafalaya Swamp Freeway in SW Louisiana (above photo) with a bunch of girlfriends who were all actin' circus crazy.
And I'm not even a country music fan.

This is joke - somewhat.
You know how folks will ask, "Do you remember where you were when: Kennedy was assassinated, Reagan was shot, the Challenger exploded, Lady Di was killed, Elvis died..."
All those grim sort of events in life.

Well, about 18 years ago a bunch of us school teachers - Linda, Janice, etc. - were headed on our own personal field trip of sorts down to Cajun Country - to hear the Zydeco music, partake of the culturally delicious food, and explore the depths of such a rich area of the southern U.S. There we were driving, laughing, plotting when we heard on the radio the news that Conway Twitty had passed away.

I'm really not trying to be disrespectful, but the blabber mouth in the bunch (me) blurted out, "Now we'll always remember where we were when Conway Twitty died -- crossing the Atchafalaya Swamp Freeway."

It was goofiness gone to seed.
Can you believe a s-w-a-m-p would "evah" have an 18 mile long freeway associated with it? I believe it's one of the last vast wilderness areas around these here parts...and maybe in the whole U.S. of A.

All that to say: Last night I saw Linda (field trip attendee) at Weight Watchers. Hadn't seen her in quite a while, but we always pick up where we left off. Emily, Linda, and I all sat by each other and whispered waaaaay too much. She said, "I've only lost 7lbs. in 11 weeks. Think I could be the Poster Child for Weight Watchers?"
I replied, "Sounds like progress to me!"

We talked about what we'd been up to. I told her Emily and I had just bought a new pair of scissors at Target and we were headed home to cut hair off the dogs.
We live an exciting life.
Linda's reply, "It never took much to entertain you!"

We laughed, but before the evening was over she spewed: "I've gotta question for ya? You know where you were when Conway Twitty died?"

"Hello Darlin'..."

Buddies Working 3-D Puzzles in My Classroom

2011-05-25T07:49:00.002-05:00

Em and "M" are in the same enrichment class -- with ME as one of their teachers. They're developing those critical thinking skills and working 3-D puzzles. I'm convinced time spent doing so helps to make key connections in the brain -- just how I feel about most hands on/minds on learning experiences.

2011-05-23T11:58:00.001-05:00

Em, Jenna, and Miah working on crafts at our end of the year Cultural School celebration

2011-05-23T11:56:00.000-05:00

Thanks Martha and Mrs. Carol for joining us at Cultural School!

Zee Stuffed Calico Cat - Handmade Mother's Day Gift

2011-05-23T11:45:00.003-05:00

People who sew are, in my opinion, kissin' cousins to brain surgeons. Last November I sewed an orange button on my black dress pants. That gesture puts me in the category with folks who use Sears and Roebuck catalog pages for toilet paper.

Home Ec Queen I am not.

Well, my delightful daughter sewed this crafty cat for my Mother's Day gift - embroidered face and all.

This was done in her enrichment class under the supervision of one of her teachers -- KK. I saw it coming together all along because I'm the OTHER teacher in Em's enrichment class. (I obviously am not the brains behind this set of lesson plans!)

Emily was not so thrilled that the fabric feline wouldn't be a surprise to me; however, I managed to smooth it all out and make the biggest of deals about my highly esteemed handmade gift. What a treasure!

3 Different Roles on 3 Different Days: The Outfits Say it All!

2011-05-18T12:42:00.002-05:00

Ballet Costume - Dancing Ever So Gracefully

2011-05-18T12:31:00.007-05:00

Emily and her ballet classmates danced to the song Here I am To Worship by Chris Tomlin.

Light of the world

You stepped down into darkness.

Opened my eyes, let me see.

Beauty that made this heart adore You.

Hope of a life spent with You.

Here I am to worship.

Here I am to bow down.

Here I am to say that You're my God.

You're all together lovely, all together worthy,

all together wonderful to me.

2011-05-18T12:31:00.001-05:00

Church Choir Tee-Shirt - Performing a Musical

2011-05-18T12:24:00.000-05:00

Thanks, Marlene, for coming!

School Uniform - Getting an End-of-the-Year Award

2011-05-18T12:18:00.002-05:00

We're so proud of our student-girl. She rec'd an award for not getting any U's (unsatisfactory) on her report card. Actually, she's not had any misbehavior codes for any day. Same for last year and the year before that (well...she was only in school 1/2 of the year then).
My brothers say she'd make a great "class monitor" because she always tells their mischievous deeds!

"This Bird's for You", Nanny Carol

2011-05-18T09:24:00.004-05:00

Your darling granddaughter had me stop the car, retrieve the camera, and allow her to snap this pic of your fave feathered friend - the Cardinal.

We were leaving my Weight Watchers meeting (NOT that I really need to go...yeah right!). I've joined WW so many times I feel like I've helped fund the construction of their corporate headquarters.

Needless to say, I've had some 'follow-thru' issues in my life. Gracious. It's taken me 3 years to finish one bottle of multi-vitamins because I've failed to take them every day.

It'd be easy to say I'm returning to WW b/c of my influence on Emily's life. We're always talking about 'healthy foods, lifestyles, exercise....and glorifying God in our bodies". Thus....the main reasons why Em is taking ballet. Submitting to the discipline of classical dance in order to become what the Lord wants her to be.

Actually...I don't know that doing it for "her" is a good enough reason.
Shock. I know.

The reason to do it is so I will be obedient to MY call in life.

When I re-joined last night, I told the WW leader I will NEVER join WW again.
I will continue to go each week until I reach my goal, achieve maintenance, and become a Lifetime Member.

No fanfare.
No blabbering off of the mouth about "what I'm going to do".

Planning + Preparation = Power

2011-05-18T09:23:00.000-05:00

You cannot amputate your history from your destiny...
My past is something Jesus takes hold of and makes into a destiny.
That's called redemption.
~ Beth Moore

Aaaarrrrgggghhhhh! I'm Uh Pirate.

2011-05-09T13:07:00.006-05:00

Well, Emily was actually successful in getting this pirate do-rag atop King Puddin'. Whatta ya know.

The spiral bound notebook is the treasured one I took to China with me to record daily events as I was adopting. I wrote Em a letter the night before I met her, and she even drew funny pics in it while in China. I overlook my tear drop marks where it messed up the ink...as in I was sometimes near my wit's end. Not really.

I use this simple notebook to jot down all the funny little quips Miss Em creatively conjures up on her own AND little phrases she puts together -- mingling of Chinese and English: Chinglish.

This morning, in the car, she was doing her "sounds"/a.k.a. phonics pages. We do this each day on the way to school. It's not her actual school work. It's MY contribution to the learning of our tricky language. Anyhoo, she's working on the "W-H" sounds: whine, whiff, wham. This presents a great opportunity to teach vocabulary, too, because I usually have to explain to her what these words mean. (There are tons of pictures: Explode the Code books. Get choo some!!!)

Emily came across the word "whack". I explained what it meant, and her comment was, "Oh. People kill bad bugs with the whacker." That translates into, "Oh. We don't kill too many bugs at our house, but when we DO kill mosquitoes...we could use a fly swatter."

Whacker = Flyswatter

I could never possibly remember all these things, and I'm so glad folks suggested that I write down these treasured sayings.

Now. Somebody tell me the easiest way to teach her how to use one of this week's vocabulary word ("whether") in a somewhat simple sentence. Somebody slap me.

Internet Google...here I come.