Fall Fun 12/19/2011
Ok... First, let me say... technically, it's still Fall... so I made this post by the skin of my teeth. Secondly, I have been putting this post off... knowing I need to do it, knowing I have pictures to share... and knowing how much I anticipate other bloggers' posts... But, if you've known me for any length of time... especially in my school years... you know I am a procrastinator down to my bones... and here it is... it shows in this post. Really, there's not much to report. The kids are growing, Noelle's language is exploding (spoken and sign), and we are meshing much better as a family. Here I am at the 18 month mark I so longed for. There is still room for growth... but things are definitely looking better. I have even thought... for a brief... fleeting moment... hmmm.... I could adopt again. But not to start any rumors... Ted is adamantly, and wisely, saying NO... and I am saying No as well... but as I said... there have been some fleeting moments... so you know things must be a little better. We had a very fun fall. Mitchell played soccer, Jayden ran cross country. We took a trip to St. Louis to visit Michelle, the art museum and of course, Imo's and turtle park. We also headed back up to Michigan for Fall break... and had a nice time sharing a house and fun with our friends the P's... and while there... a very exciting horseback riding experience. To give you a little hint of how our trip went, when we got off of the horses, at the end of the trail, Sarah said to me "Mom, Mrs. P was not supposed to leave the trail, but she did" (note" Mrs. P would have preferred not to leave the trail... but her horse was running for his life). To add to the learning experience of that horseback riding trip... I did not know that when horses got mad they used their hind legs to fight with each other... and I had no ideas that trail horser would do either of the aforementioned things... but FYI... they do! Since Mitchell is at a new school this year, we are experiencing this particular school's music preformances for the first time. This year, instead of the pioneer day preformance that Jayden did... Mitchell participated in a folk festival. It was a very fun evening of dancing, singing, playing instruments, wearing costumes and sampling food. I look forward to Noelle and Sarah being in 3rd grade so we can attend again. Here are some pictures that highlight our Fall... hopefully I'll be better about updated this winter! Add Comment Noelle's ABC'S 09/09/2011
We've really been working on Noelle's letter and number recognition. She's a bright girl, but without language... it's often hard for her to tell us what she knows. She only learns orally at school... so we have to work on many of the concepts at home, after school, where we can use sign. Here you can see a video of her progress both orally and in sign. Sarah's turn 09/09/2011
 This week, Sarah started her last year of preschool. She was ready... and it was a good start to the year. We spent the past few weeks holding on to the last little bits of summer... a few more days to go swimming and a trip to Mimi's for Labor Day (and her birthday).  Our first day at Mimi's was, I believe, the hottest day September has ever seen... the kids were done playing outside after about 10 minutes... and that was at 9:30 in the morning. And, you know me and my distate for heat, humidity and sweating... so I wasn't about to encourage them to stay out. However, we had some very excited kids... and all of our plans included the out of doors. So we improvised. We took a drive (instead of a walk) to dollar general and told the kids to pick something out. You would have thought we had given them 100 dollars... they were thrilled, but boy the decision was hard. In the end, each ended up with 2 items... all under 5 dollars (total) and all of the activities were a hit. Those items weren't necessarily the ones I would have picked out... but you know, the kids seem to know what they like better than I do. I'm glad I let them have "their way"... because they stayed busy, busy, busy!     The girls had a blast with their "manicures".... and since they both know I'm not a fan of polish... they figured this was as close as they'd get. Mitchell found a model car... which required quite a bit of adult assistance... and Jayden found a mancala game and jumping beans... which are apparently the off brand of mighty beans... which I didn't even know what those where... and apparently a Knock off brand, in this case, is not nearly as good. But, I reassured him... it was just a dollar... if it doesn't work, it's OK. Lesson learned.   I know you all remember shrinky dinks... and I know you all remember staring at the oven... just like this... waiting for them to "unfold"... holding your breath that they aren't ruined forever.  Did I mention it was Mom's Birthday?    Thankfully, the cool front came through... and we had a great day outdoors. We spent the morning at church, and then at a nice easy lunch on paper plates out on the deck. Then the kids were excused from the table and went straight out in the yard to play. We found some great yard games on clearance at Dollar General... so the kids tried their hand at jarts and ladder ball. After the yard games were over, we went straight to the playground, right across the street... and let out some more energy. Mitchell found a liking for the monkey bars... and almost mastered the cherry drop... if we'd only stayed a few more days... he'd be dropping cherries with the best of them!   Before we lost all of our sunlight... we needed some updated Mimi photos...    Summer ends... School begins! 08/28/2011
Here are 2 of Sarah's quotes/ statments from the past month: (speaking of Sarah's imaginary friend/ baby/ sister, FeeFee) Sarah: Mom, there's those swimsuits that you won't let me wear... the kind that show your tummy. Me: Yes Sarah, there are parts of your body that are private, that you don't need to show to anyone but your husband Sarah: Well, I'm going to be a good mom and let FeeFee wear one of those... And, I'll let her paint her nails anytime she wants! Then, later that week... Sarah leaned over to me and said... "you know mom, a family should have a mom, a dad, a boy and a girl...The Pasheiliches (friends from church) got it right... we didn't!" I don't know where she comes up with these things! We ended our summer with a trip to the beach with my family and cousins... we enjoyed our time away. The last time we were at the beach, Mitchell was 2 and terrified of the crabs... this time, he was 8... and only a little scared of the crabs...           We arrived home ... and the very next day.... the kids started back to school. Noelle started on Monday, the boys started on Tuesday and Sarah started Ballet on Tuesday, too. Sarah was looking forward to the kids going back to school... and just being home alone with me... but now, I think she's ready for school to start... she has to wait until after labor day, though.    Summer Fun 07/16/2011
 Jayden spent his first time away at cub scout camp this year. We were able to visit him Friday night and eat dinner with him. We were able to go to the campfire and participate in some evening activities. Mitchell spent a week at day camp and Noelle spent 3 weeks at "summer school/camp" We stayed pretty busy! June was our busy month. July was our "down" month... but still, things still seem busy.   We started off our July with our typical 4th Celebration! It ws hard for me to believe that last year we had just arrived home from China the night before the 4th. We made it to the parade that year, but Noelle and I didn't go to the fireworks... SO.... this year, this was Noelle's first experience of fireworks (here in the U.S. at least!) After the parade this year, we went to a friend's house for a cookout and swimming and then back home for the fireworks of 2011! What a day... whew... I was tired, but I still needed to pack... because we were heading out to STL the next day to visit Aunt Michelle, Uncle Brian and Rebecca!  This was taken at the parade last year... WOW... how things have changed!   We took this picture for Gramps... we expect to see him in the parade next year! We headed out on a road trip to STL... Noelle had therapy in the morning, so we had to be ready to go early in the morning... and then had a few days for our visit. We had to be back home Thursday night because the kids had swimming lessons and Noelle had therapy on Friday. We enjoyed playing at the Kerby's house... and also a day at the zoo and swimming in the pool!  We got to see, and pet, the stingrays and sharks!  Mimi gave all of the kids "real" binoculars a while back. Noelle wasn't with us, but she got a "toy" pair that we took to China with us. Sarah also got a "toy" pair... just because of her age. I had the "real" pairs put away. I pulled them out for this visit to the zoo... and the girls thoroughly enjoyed them! And, of cours, what trip to the zoo would be complete without a smashed penny and a train ride. It was really too hot, humid and crowded to enjoy much else... but we got a short visit in... and that's what counts!      I just had to add this in to the "group".... because I like it! I love Turtle Park... absolutely love it! Probably more than the zoo. It wasn't around when I was a kid, so my first memories are with my mom and dad (mimi and grandaddy) and the kids. In fact, when we're there, the boys (or at least Jayden) usually comment about how Grandaddy always helped them climb up.  OK, this isn't Jayden and Mitchell... but this was the only picture I could find of Dad at Turtle park that was already scanned in to the computer... I'll have to go digging through those old film photos another time, but for now... enjoy! When we were in STL last October, I didn't trust Noelle enough to feel safe taking her to the park... so we skipped it. This was her first time to climb on the "giant turtles". It was hot, hot, hot... humid and hot... and we were tired from our crowded day at the zoo... we were full from lunch/dinner at Imo's and trying to beat the traffic home... but we ended up with a great visit with our shelled friends anyway! So, due to my attraction with this place... you will be treated to more pictures than you probably care to look at... but that's too bad... because I like them all!          See the snake eating the bridge?   This one is just for fun... because I tried french braiding Noelle's hair and it turned out rather well. It's only the middle of July, but yet, we are very close to the start of school (which is just wrong...in my personal opinion). Summer is more than half over, but we still have some fun left... basketball camp, a trip to the beach, school shopping, VBS and a few more trips to the pool! Enjoy your days of summer... however you spend them (I prefer to spend them in the confort of air conditioning... but that usually isn't the case). There is a lot of fun to be had in these next few weeks! 366 Days 06/22/2011
 This was the first time we saw Noelle. Sitting in the office, signing paperwork.  really, need I say more?  One year and one day ago... we met Noelle for the first time. I remember being so scared in the elevator to go get her... and our guide telling me not to worry. We had no reason to worry... she "came" right to us... no tears, no fear... just happy to be eating and have attention (boy... we didn't know what that meant at the time!) And then she was ours... we were on our own... sure there were bits of paperwork and a few outings here and there... but she was ours... our responsibility... so much to learn, to know, to figure out, to sort through. I remember those days int he hotel... not sure what I was feeling. Being so utterly homesick for the 3 kiddos I left at home, feeling overwhelmed with this new little personality that was so giddy... but that just didn't seem to mesh with the rest of us. Trying to figure out hearing aids, language, signing, behavior, bathroom habits, eating... and just being cooped up in a hotel! Aughh... I have to say... not wanting to go back and do that anytime soon. We finally made it through the China part of our journey. I thought... Once I get home and get in our routine, and see the kids again, I will feel so much better... things will be in a different light... boy was I wrong. Things got worse... sleep was next to impossible, I was not "right"... no sleep, stress, 4 kids, summer, a new member who is deaf, doctors, therapy, make for a crazy mom... and I don't say that lightly. I give God the glory for getting us all through those first weeks and months unscathed physically. Here we are though, 1 year later... still figuring things out... I, personally, am still a work in progress. We are communicating better, but not on a 6 year old level... more like a 2 or 2 1/2 year old level. We are coming along. There is so much progress in her listening and speaking... and her signing.... I am exciting to see what one more year brings. Give me 6 more months, I'm holding on to that 18 month miracle milestone! Pray that I will love this little girl wholly, unconditionally, with all of my heart... that I will be smitten with her...pray that it will come... Pray that she will know it! She is my daughter!  This was just last week... painting her N to hang on her door! School ends... Summer Begins! 06/03/2011
Wow... what a year. Jayden is no longer a 4th grader, but now will be the oldest kid at school... as a 5th grader... it's his last year at the Elementary school. Mitchell not only left 2nd grade this year, but he also left his home school behind. He will be going to a new school (thank to re-districting) and leaving the comfort of his brother at CE. Noelle will "repeat" kindergarten... and she continues to amaze us and her teachers with her new found skills... just today, she said to me, "I want more milk please". Now it doesn't quite sound that clear... but in context, we know what she is saying. She can call all of our names, and understand many of our commands and questions. Sarah will be entering Pre-K next year. She will attend school 3 days a week... but enough of that... we still have a WHOLE Summer ahead of us. At times that thought is scary... at times exciting. I am sure the summer will have lots of ups and downs.. on EVERYONE'S part!  Noelle had her own lines in the End of the year program. She said "Me Noelle".... NO... as she spoke to the troll under the bridge as a billy goat (as in gruff). Half of Noelle's class graduated to the mainstream. She still has a long way to go.  Jayden wanted to have a bond fire at the end of the year... and I agreed. I remember reading a book as a kid where the whole school got together to burn their old school papers... so that's what we did. We raced the rain and had fun throwing old papers into the flames.       About 1 lb... really? 05/22/2011
Well, I just had my gallbladder taken out... and little poke... some suction and voila... out it came! It wasn't functioning, we knew that a while back... completely full of stones... but wouldn't you think a sack full of stones would weigh more than 1 lb? Guess not. Actually a pound is probably pretty hopeful. I think they pumped about 5 lbs of gas in to "blow up my abdomen" so it figures... let the swimsuit season begin! On a happier note, I have some cute pictures of Sarah to share. She did Mother's Day program at school. You can see her "put her smile in her pocket"... and then put it back on her face.         Can't you just hear the words? Sarah has really begun to understand the concept of "gettin comfortable"  We have stayed in contact with one of Sarah's travel mates over the past few years. "D" is just a few weeks younger than Sarah... and it has been fun watching them grow and change over the past 3 years!   Three years ago today... 05/05/2011
We held Sarah for the first time. She was scared... she cried and I looked in her mouth, and the whole back of her mouth was swolen (I think she was getting about 8 teeth). It was hot, she fell asleep and the journey began....  Here she is... 3 years later, singing in her Mother's Day program at school!  No Title 04/26/2011
Again, today, Sarah mentioned the cheese on our driveway... but she is one smart cookie and told me it must come from the trees... when they sneeze. | AuthorWe are the Carpenter family, but I, Joy, will be doing the writing. ArchivesMarch 2010 CategoriesAll |
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