Not Really News or Noteworthy

Today I was telling a friend about the hectic pace of the past few days.  We had our visit with the social worker on Saturday morning.  (That, by the way, went really well except for the little argument that Cassie and Lacey had over who was going to babysit for Gladis' baby!)  We scuttled from the visit to the school carnival and on to a birthday party.  On Monday, I went from work to a doctor's appointment on to the school book fair.  Tuesday was violin day.  Today I had to deliver Cassie to school early for a field trip.  After work, I picked up Lacey and took her home, then returned to school to wait for Cassie to return from the field trip.  We peeled out of the school parking lot and headed for the dance studio.  I was sitting in the car grading papers during the ballet lesson and actually fell asleep!  Thursday we will attend an open house at the girl's school. 

In response, my friend said, "You love it.  Deep down inside of you, you're loving every minute of it."  

Hmmm.  Had to think about that for a quick moment.  The truth is that I do love every minute of it.  I especially love that Cassie still hugs me before she flits off into the dance studio.  And, I love hearing Lacey say, "You's my ever Mommy!"  I love being able to say "my girls," and "my children" and "my kids."  I love my life  I just wish there were more minutes every day with which to enjoy it!

Cassie's Community Service

Cassie and a friend are starting a community service club.  For their first project, they are trying to raise money to donate to the Red Cross for Japan.  They are painting artist's calling cards and notecards.  The calling cards are the size of business cards.  They are doing a beautiful job.  We are going to ask the supermarket manager if the girls can set up a table outside the store and ask for donations.  Here are photos of some of the cards that Cassie painted.

Reflections

One year ago, we were still classified as a "China waiting family."  Then, on March 25, 2010, we received our tentative referral.  I remember waiting anxiously for Cassie to arrive home from school.  We showed her the picture of "Haidan" and told her that we had a week to make up our minds.  Cassie said, "Take her!"  And, we did.  

On Saturday, our social worker will visit for our eight month follow-up visit.  It's hard to believe that so much time has passed.  I was reflecting on how far we've all come over the past eight months. I thought maybe, in preparation for the social worker's visit,  I should jot down a list of some of the things that Lacey has accomplished since we met.  Where would I begin?  Eight months ago, we met a child who lived only for the present.  She had no real sense of her personal history and no anticipation of the future.  She didn't know where she was born.  She had no understanding of the calendar.  She had little understanding of self control and was accustomed to screaming and crying to get what she wanted.

I decided to ask Lacey what she thinks she has learned since joining the family.  I was stunned by her ability to reflect and by her understanding of the profound changes that have taken place in her life. Her responses were so beautiful and sincere that I must share them here verbatim: You will be able to tell that she included both lessons from home and school!

"Reading, writing and listening.

Be careful.

Don't break things. 

Swim, play ball, do scooter and swing.

Don't eat like a pig.

Words.

Brush hair and brush teeth."

Pause. . . "I've got lots of things in my brain, Mommy."

"Wash the table and clean up the stuff.

Don't spill the paint.

Stay in your own place to play and don't make a mess.

Don't get the wall paint dirty.

Play Doh.

Puzzles and crayons.

Play my dolls.

Play in the playhouse.

Pick up acorns.

I make snowflakes and snowmen.

Countries!  English, China, Gladis' country - I don't know the name, and some more countries.

Sometimes the moon out, sometimes the moon in.

Sometimes the sun follow us.

The clouds bump together, they make cold winter.

I like doing marshmallows and eat outside in summer.

Shopping.

Taekwondo.

See Santa Claus.

Wash  your hands - soap!

Feed the cats.

Not being rude.

Nicely going to the party.

I taste new drinks and new foods.

Flying in an airplane.

Cassie and me play ball together.  Cassie and me on the red swing and maybe somebody push us down, up, down.

Cassie and me play Barbies.

Read at bedtime with big sister.

How to listen to Cassie's violin.

Do with Mommy the laundry and take care the clothes.  Put the dishes in there (pointing to the dishwasher).  Get the mail for Daddy and Mommy.

Cassie and Mommy and Daddy and me, we are together family."

Four Generations of Chinese Women

Flying West

We are in the midst of a tremendous thunderstorm and, no, the basement flooding problem hasn't been resolved.  We've Googled possible solutions, looked in the Yellow Pages, checked the Sunday classifieds, surveyed the yard, and talked about what could and should be done to stop the water from coming into the house.  Happily, the spring also brings our annual visit to Colorado.  After spending weeks searching for "the best fares" I decided that there is no such thing.  But, playing with the dates and throwing in a rental car did lower the price a bit.  For those of you who we will be blessed to see during our trip, we will be arriving in Denver on Thursday, April 14th and staying until Wednesday, April 20th.  We can't wait to see you all!