Ladybugs & Dragonflies

Blowing The Dust Off Of My Blog & Livie's Locks

2010-07-30T20:17:00.000-07:00

Well, I guess 7 months of having abandoned my poor little 'ol blog is enough, and what better time to dust off the cob webs than with Livie's first REAL HAIRCUT. Yup, after 6 1/2 long years of growing out her hair, with only an occasional trimming of the bangs, the time had come to really take some serious inches off of Livie's hair. Since she honestly needed to cut about 6-8 inches off in order to cut her hair properly, Livie opted to go ahead and take the plunge and take 10+" off of her hair in order to donate her hair to Locks of Love. In the end Livie cut off about 12+" of her hair, and the results are a ponytail of gorgeous jet black hair being mailed to Locks of Love in the morning, and one proud little girl who now looks soooooo stinkin' gorgeous and seriously 'grown up'!

Drum roll, please...

Hair measured and put in a ponytail....

Cutting...

Ta da!!!!................

Results: One proud little girl (who is feeling particularly gorgeous tonight!)! And btw, have you ever seen such perfectly cut STRAIGHT bangs?!?! Wow!

Mary

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T16:09:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to all of our friends and family! May 2010 bring you much joy and happiness!

Mary

Happy Birthday, USMC!

2009-11-10T06:43:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to my father, Colonel G.E. Lindgren, USMC Retired, and to all of the other Marines and Marine Families.

Click on the link below to view an amazing tribute to those who sacrifice their own lives to keep us safe and free.

~ Semper Fi ~

https://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/holiday/usmc2009/default.asp?isc=gdr1162e

Mary

Halloween Fun - Better Late Than Never!

2009-11-08T17:05:00.000-08:00

This year found us celebrating Halloween (does one really celebrate Halloween?) all weekend long since it actually fell on a Saturday. Neil began by making Halloween Ghost cookies with the littles.

Friday night found us at our wonderful next-door neighbors, Noel & Jackie, for their Halloween Party blowout! We had such a wonderful time!

Noel & Jackie's pet monkey

The Love Guru (aka Neil) & Batgirl (aka Livie)

Cinderella (aka Noel & Jackie's adorable daughter, Mia)

Bob Marley (aka our neighbor, Filipe

Our neighbor, Jackie (Geisha), with another guest who was a cross-dresser of sorts (he cracked me up...right down to his exposed thong seen via the back!)

Our neighbor, Noel (Chinese Man) with The Littles

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The following day we got ready and headed over to our best friends and my sister-in-laws neighborhood to trick-or-treat since we live in a more rural community where the homes are spread out and there are very few streetlights.

Sleeping Beauty (aka Sophie)

Trick-or-Treat!

The Crypt Keeper (our adorable son, Chris...I'm such a proud mom! LOL)

Batgirl scores some candy

Not just any werewolf, but my husband, Neil! Neil found great delight in hiding in the bushes and behind parked cars and then randomly jumping out and scaring strangers. He eventually struck out without us to scare poor unsuspecting trick-or-treaters.

Tired after pulling in a lot of ~~loot~~ candy

Mary

Free Love's Journey 2 Book!

2009-10-05T20:18:00.000-07:00

In 2004, Love Without Boundaries Foundation published the book "Love's Journey: A Collage of the China Adoption Experience." Parents from around the world submitted photos, essays, and poems about what their adoption experiences meant to them.

"Love's Journey 2: The Red Thread" is our second volume in this series and has over 250 color pages in a beautiful coffee table style, hardbound book. This new volume uses the imagery of "the red thread," a popular belief in the adoption community, to show how our lives become entwined with our children's, as adoption weaves a beautiful tapestry of love and family. The moving photos and essays in this volume, again submitted by parents from around the world, talk about discovering the thread that connects us with our adoptive children, weaving the fabric as our children become integrated into our families, and cherishing the intricate tapestry that evolves.

LWB is giving its supporters an opportunity to receive a book for no charge, except for shipping, simply by telling others about our organization. To receive your book, please be sure to follow these instructions carefully:

Post to your blog, Facebook, or other social media page regarding Love Without Boundaries (www.lovewithoutboundaries.com).

Make your payment of $5 for media mail shipping at: https://www.lovewithoutboundaries.com/donate.cfm

In the Notes section, be sure to indicate "LJ2 Shipping" AND include the link to your blog, Facebook, or other social media page so we can see your post.

If you would prefer to purchase a book or would like to receive additional books, please visit the link in step 2 above and make your payment for $15 per book ($10 for the book, plus $5 for media mail shipping). In the Notes section, indicate "LJ2 Book and Shipping"

U.S. shipping only. Please contact us at info@lwbmail.com for a quote on international shipping or with any questions.

Thank you for helping spread the word about LWB and our efforts on behalf of orphaned and impoverished children in China.

Mary

Autumn Moon Festival-秋天中秋节

2009-10-05T17:28:00.000-07:00

This year was the 5th year our FCC South Florida (South Florida - Families with Chinese Children) group celebrated Autumn Moon Festival with dinner at Miss Yip Chinese Cafe on South Beach in Miami Beach. Dinner was yummy and the company was excellent! Unfortunately, Neil and Chris were not with us this year, as Chris was playing in his first Miramar Optimist Football game since having injured his ankle several weeks ago. Although we missed "our boys" terribly, we were THRILLED to learn that Chris' team FINALLY won a game! Woot-woot-woot! Naturally, I chalk it up to the fact that Chris was injured in the first game, and this is his first game back. Look at what a contribution my amazing athelete makes to his team (yes, I am biased and yes, I feel this is acceptable since I am a PROUD MOM!!!)!!!!!

Our note that was attached to a balloon that was later released on Miami Beach

Me and "my girls"

Heading to the beach following dinner

I hope all of our friends - both those from Asia as well as our friends with children adopted from Asia - had a wonderful Autumn Moon Festival Celebration/秋天中秋节!

Mary

Pearly Whites!

2009-09-19T20:12:00.000-07:00

The first photo shows the effects of baby-bottle mouth. While Livie's was relatively mild (in large part since we adopted her when she was 18 months old), it was present for sure. She had numerous cavities and decay, the most obvious being that in between her two top front teeth. She was very aware of this, and would always try to floss it away (I sure wish it worked that way! LOL). Although we had been to one pediatric dentist to begin her treatment, the experience was a nightmare and ended with the ~~wicked crazy woman~~ dentist actually drilling on Livie without having given her any pain/numbing medicine.
After that horrid experience it took a couple of YEARS - yes, years - before I was able to sweat talk Livie into going back to the dentist. This time around we went to a pediatric dentist based on the recommendation of a friend. Our new dentist turned out to be FABULOUS, and did an amazing job on Livie's teeth. Livie still has one more appointment to go to in order to get her entire mouth completely healthy, but we are already so happy to see her new and lovely smile!

Mary

First Day of School

2009-09-19T19:48:00.000-07:00

Chris (who refused to look at the camera!) - 5th Grade

Olivia (Kindergarten), Lindsay (10th Grade) & Sophie

Getting ready to go inside for her first day as a Kindergartner (poor kid is squinting due to the sunlight!)!

Livie takes her seat in her new classroom.

The first morning went off without a hitch. This year we have 3 kids at three different school in two different towns (Sophie is at home with me this year). This makes getting everyone to their assigned schools on time very difficult, so for this year Neil is pitching in to help and he is taking Chris to school every morning, while I take Lindsay and Livie to their schools.
After school begins the task of my picking up all three kids, a feat that literally takes me 1 1/2 every day! It is crazy, but we are hanging in there. While picking up the kids Sophie has used this time to take a nap (hey, whatever works! LOL), which allows me to listen to FOX without anyone whining for me to turn it to Disney Radio or 20 on 20 (this is at least the case until Livie gets in the car, and then my talk radio time is officially over!).
We feel very blessed with our children's teachers this year, and I have high hopes for each of the kids to have a wonderful year!

Mary

Our QB - At Least For A Little While

2009-09-19T17:20:00.000-07:00

Although Chris has played flag football for several years now, this year marked the first time he played tackle football. To say I was nervous would be an understatement! But, he LOVES football. Eat. Sleep. Dream. FOOTBALL!
Chris' position was Quarter Back, and I was amazed how this same kid who, 5 minutes after taking a spelling test would forget how to spell 75% of the week's spelling words, could commit to memory numerous plays and how to execute said plays.
Unbelievable.
And so the first game came.
We were excited (ok, so I was more panicked than anything else, but I suppose that excitement was in somewhere in my vat of emotions).

Chris' personal cheering section

First series and thanks to Chris' amazing talent at QB (yes, I know I am biased!), his team scores a touchdown. And then they go on to the extra point......

......which after a DOGPILE did not work out so well for Chris.

And so my ~~baby~~ tough warrior is down on the field.

After the trip to the Pediatric Emergency Room he came home with his leg wrapped and we put him in an ice-water circulating pack. The following Monday involved a trip to the Pediatric Orthopedic where is was confirmed that Chris had a break at the growth plate in his ankle.
Three weeks were spent in a cast and although he got his cast off last Monday, he is still very tender and walking with a limp. Neil is taking him to the Physical Therapist on Monday, and hopefully we can have him up and around sans the limp very soon.

Mary

Catching Up - July & August

2009-08-25T13:01:00.000-07:00

Our Summer Vacation at Lobster Fest in Key West!

Our cottage in Key West - if was AMAZING!

My SIL/BIL & Nephews also went (Will, Jeri & Zack)

The golf cart we used for scooting around Key West.

Livie, my nephew Luke (my brother John and SIL Mary and their son Luke also went - no pix of my brother and SIL...sorry!) and Sophie

Luke "in action!"

Nothing says "dinner" to kids more than fried dough!

What people eat in Heaven: Florida Lobster!

The pool at our villa

Sophie letting Chris know who is really the boss! LOL

Butterfly Conservatory

The Littles at the Southernmost Point

After one of Heminway's stupid 6-toed cats scratched poor Sophie. :o(

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chris and his cousin, Kaylee at Dwayne Wade's Basketball camp. This actually occurred before our vacation in the Keys, so you have to use your imagination! :o)

Mary

Lovely

2009-07-19T11:56:00.000-07:00

Lindsay

~~~~

Isn't she lovely?

Mary

Little Mermaids

2009-07-18T19:10:00.001-07:00

All summer long, The Littles have been taking swimming lessons from Miss Faith. Miss Faith, with almost 30 years of experience under her ~~swimsuit~~ belt, has been fantastic in helping the girls a) overcome their fear of the water, b) build trust with someone who is not related to them and c) learn to have FUN in the pool! They have come SO FAR in just a bit over a month. When we began Livie would just tremor the entire time. Now, our fearful soul is SMILING THE ENTIRE TIME! Both Livie and Sophie are well on their way to earning their "mermaid stripes"! :o)

Mary

2009-06-13T17:25:00.000-07:00

Lindsay now has a job (for the summer, anyway). She is working for Neil in 'the family biz', which is guaranteed to ensure she goes to college since who really wants to take over the family business?!?! Now that she has a job and a paycheck, the next step was a checking account. Lindsay is putting 1/2 of her earnings in her checking account and 1/2 in her savings account. In approximately 5 days she should receive her debit card.

Looking over the bank documents

Getting started on her checkbook

Lindsay (who is now on the cell phone and refusing to take any more photos...bratty teenager!) with her dad, Neil

Wow. They grow up so fast!

Mary

Looks Can Be Deceiving

2009-06-13T16:59:00.000-07:00

Neil has a theory that children who will be...ummm...a bit more 'naughty' are made by God to be especially adorable. In essence, the cuter the kid, the more you better watch out! Interestingly, I am beginning to think he may just be on to something with that theory.

I will never forget walking into the conference room in Wuhan, Hubei and seeing Sophie in person for the very first time. The first thing that Neil said was, "Uh-oh. She is REALLY cute. I think we may be in trouble!"

He was right.

So, fast forward to present day and I decide to take some candid shots of The Littles. Just as I SNAP my camera I catch Miss Naughty Pants in action. Check out her left hand. Yup, after polishing off a bag of mini-marshmallows, she proceeds to TOSS THE TRASH UP AND OVER THE COUCH! I had been finding random trash behind the couch, but I couldn't figure out where in the world it was coming from. Now I know!

I immediately say, "Ah-ha, Sophie! I CAUGHT YOU, and I have it all on film!" Livie begins cracking up (nothing makes a sibling happier than to see their sibling getting busted! LOL).

Ooops! Did I just throw the trash over and behind the couch?! Silly me!

Sophie picks up her trash...

...and throws it in the trash.

Good girl, Sophie!

Mary

Celebrating Our Forever Family

2009-06-12T18:44:00.000-07:00

On June 6, 2005, in a small town called Fuling, Chongqing, China, we were united with Fu Ai Man...who became our Olivia Grace AiMan. Almost 2 years to the day later - on June 18, 2007 - in Wuhan, Hubei, China we were united with Lin Xu...who became our Sophie MeiXu. What an incredible journey we began back in 2004! I never in a million years could have imagined how full and blessed our family would become with the addition of these two precious girls. I thank God every day for the blessings of my children - both those who came to us by birth as well as those who came to us through adoption. Today we celebrate our family, and in particular the miracle of adoption known as Forever Family Day.

We began the day with spending time with some of our friends and their children at Chuck-E-Cheese, with I swear is also known as H*ll On Earth! While The Littles LOVED it, I thought it was perhaps the longest two hours of my life!

PHOTOS OF MY TIME SERVED AT CHUCK-E-CHEESE H*LL:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Off to a Polynesian restaurant called Mai Kai for our celebratory dinner and a show!

Neil & Chris

Lindsay brought one of her BFF's, Madison

Livie & Sophie in the Mai Kai garden. Sophie had fallen asleep in the car and is clearly unsure of what in the world is going on! Bless her heart!

Sophie made a new friend. ;o)

Me with Chris & The Littles

My homeboys

Chris hits on a cute little Polynesian girl

...and she takes my breath away...

Enjoying the show

"Not flesh of my flesh, Nor bone of my bone, But still miraculously my own. Never forget for a single minute, You didn't grow under my heart - but in it."
Author: Fleur Conkling Heylinger

Mary

The Kids

2009-05-31T18:55:00.000-07:00

Sophie stikes a pose

Livie: AKA "Supergirl"!!!

The "Twins" ;o)

Off to dream about swimming under the ocean, handsome princes and fancy dresses...

...while her big sister dreams about never having to wear a "scratchy dress" again!

Lindsay and Chris ~~fighting like cats and dogs~~ playing...

~~Going in for "the kill"~~ Playing with each other...

Chris escapes, leaving Lindsay to ponder how to ~~corner him~~ what game they can play tomorrow! ;o)

Mary

Pre-Kindergarten Graduation!

2009-05-31T18:35:00.000-07:00

Livie has "graduated" from Pre-Kindergarten! Yup, I now have an full-fledged up-and-coming KINDERGARTNER! Livie's school's end of the year program was amazing. Her school put on a salute to Broadway that I must say, was no less than outstanding! Livie's class sung and danced to their rendition of "Big Girls Don't Cry" from the Broadway musical, Jersey Boys.

Livie before the show

Her class waiting for their turn to perform

Lights, camera, ACTION!

The grand finale!

Mary

My Mother's Day Gift Arrives!

2009-05-23T20:28:00.000-07:00

I had been waiting ~~like a crazy woman~~ patiently for my Mother's Day Gift to arrive. This is the gift I actually ordered for myself - LOL! Well, it finally arrived and I am SO THRILLED!!! Each pendant tile features the town/province that each of The Littles were born in. These are made by an incredible Etsy designer/artist named Dos Besitos. She has a HUGE array of adoption-related items for China, Korea, VietNam, Ethiopia and on and on.

Mary

I Got Inked!

2009-05-20T16:54:00.000-07:00

I got INKED, and not by a squid or a ball point pen!

For over 3 years I have talked about doing this. I had come up with the design. I even paid a deposit...A YEAR AGO!

Friday was the day. I finally got off of my wimpy-stool and did it! The design consists of two dragonflies and two ladybugs, connected by a red thread. The dragonflies represent Lindsay and Chris, and the ladybugs represent The Littles (Olivia & Sophie). As for the red thread, this was taken from the famous Chinese Proverb:

"An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet,regardless of time, place, or circumstance.The thread may stretch or tangle,but it will never break."

It turned out exactly how I had hoped. No, it turned out BETTER than I had hoped!

I LOVE IT!

Mary

Hanging Out, Mother's Day Continued & A School Play

2009-05-20T16:24:00.000-07:00

Hanging out with The Littles

Sophie makes an umbrella out of a straw and lid...way to repurpose trash, Sophie!

Sweet Livie (in her CCAI Reunion tee from a year gone by...)

~~~~~~~~~~

Mother's Day at Livie's School

Sophie & Livie at Livie's school. We were there for their Mother's Day Brunch. :o)

The moms and the kids

Hand-made Mother's Day gift from Livie. Of course she ate the chocolate flower (smile!), but I got to keep the flower-photo and vase...which is proudly displayed on my desk. :o)

~~~~~~~~~~

Lindsay's End Of The Year School Play

Lindsay's (last one on the right) end of the year school play. She ROCKED, as usual!

Mary

What-We've-Been-Doin'-Wrap-Up!

2009-05-09T20:19:00.000-07:00

Here it is, Cliff Notes-style!

Celebrating our friend, Olivea's, 4th birthday with a party at her house:

Livie & Sophie on the teeter-totter

Livie having a blast! All moms please note that the fence and lake are actually quite a distance from Livie...it just looks close in the photo.

Sophie changed into Little Mermaid dress-up clothes while at the party...every the Princess!

~~~~~~~~~~

Vic got out of our fenced-in back yard after our gardener didn't latch our gate securely (I will say that our gate is a bit tricky). We didn't get him back until the following morning - almost 24 very scared hours later.

Vic, safe at home.

~~~~~~~~~~

FCC South Florida Social Lunch. Fun, fun, fun!

The Littles

Back at home: I LOVE balloons!

Sophie's silly face!

Throwing the balloon up in the air!

~~~~~~~~~~

Our neighbor, Lynn (who coincidentally is the aunt to our friend, Olivea, who just had the birthday...small world!), drove over on her ATV with her nieces, Alisa & Olivea, and then proceeded to let my kiddos ride on her 'cool ATV'! Thanks, Lynn!

Lindsay, Olivea, Sophie & Alisa

Chris goes for a spin.

Olivea, Sophie, Lynn, Livie & Alisa

~~~~~~~~~~

Chris and Sophie spending some quality time with one another

Sweet Livie!

Mary

Easter Photos...Finally

2009-04-29T06:59:00.000-07:00

The kids woke up on Easter morning and began their annual quest to find their Easter Baskets, which for some reason are hidden by the Easter Bunny the night before (family 'Easter' tradition courtesy of Neil's family, who ironically are Jewish...clearly REFORMED! LOL).

Sophie found hers behind the chair...

Chris found his behind the tree...

Livie's was in the hallway...

Oh, wow...CANDY!!!

And toys!

For anyone who is concerned, Lindsay found her basket right away, and since the Easter bunny had let her an iTunes gift card, she disappeared to the computer almost instantaneously!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Then it was on to Church. The service was lovely, as it always is.

Lindsay and Livie dancing after Church.

Chris and Sophie

Lindsay's BFF, Sierra, spending some time with Livie.

Sierra and Lindsay

Matthew 28:6 - He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.

HAPPY EASTER!!!!!

Mary

Boom Boom And Out Go The Lights & Sophie Sillyness

2009-04-28T11:24:00.001-07:00

Yes, I am still here. Yes, I have been a naughty blogger. And yes, I will explain why...just not now...maybe in a day or two (I am still catching my breath).

Now on to 'what has been happening' -- I will attempt to catch up over a blog post or two -- or three. Well, you get the idea!

The week before Easter I took The Littles to a lovely Japanese Garden in Delray Beach called Morikami Gardens. Our sole purpose was The Littles - dressed in 'their Chinese best - and my Nikon camera. My friend Jolene met us there with her younger daughter, Emma. Jolene owns a China Adoption-inspired web store called China Patterns, and she came with us to snap photos of some GORGEOUS outfits which she will be adding to her store. We got some GREAT photos...of Emma! The Littles were...ummm...how do you say...a pain in the &#$%#@!!! I took over 250 photos, and if I have more than 5 that are half-way decent I will immediately drop to my knees in thankfulness to my Lord! I will be taking the memory card thingy to CVS tomorrow in order to download all of my mediocre photos of The Littles to a disc. I will also download all of the DYNAMITE photos of Emma -- who let me just say KNOWS how to work the camera!

Why do I tell you this, you wonder? Well, how many times have you made an appointment to have your child/children photographed only to have them get a bug bite on their cheek or to scratch their nose? Thankfully our 'injury' occured conveniently 2 days after our *photo session*. Who was injured, you may wonder (of course, you will only wonder this if you don't actually KNOW my Littles!)? Well, it was Livie, naturally. Yes, poor Livie was attempting to get off of a little ride-on toy in our living room when -- BAM!!!!!!!! -- she fell on our marble floors (note: if you are on Facebook with me then you already know just how much I HATE my marble floors!). That wouldn't be so bad except that due to some medical issues Livie has very, very little anticipatory behavior. Most folks begin to fall and hold their hands out to 'catch' themselves. But Livie, due to her special needs, can not do this. Hence, she literally catches herself with HER FACE. This time it was her chin:

Livie's chin immediately swelled up (which is good), while I began to freak out. Now I am not typically one to freak out, since I am certainly not a neurotic parent...I am more of a negligent parent...LOL! At any rate, her chin really, really shot out with immediate swelling and bruising. Livie cried like crazy, and then calmed down - bag of frozen peas placed against her chin. Her bruising was wicked...and yet, in typically Livie fashion, the bruise itself was actually in the shape of a HEART!!! Go figure!

All the while Sophie, our resident "Princess", was playing quietly with Mr/Mrs Potato Head. Here she is modeling the pirate hook and princess hat...slightly confused, I would say!

And here is Sophie modeling the latest in Botox...the Mrs. Potato Head Botox line! LOL Sophie is already blessed in the 'full lip' department, so the fact that she felt the need to *add on to her lips* cracks me up!

Mary

Parent's Job Description

2009-04-15T03:29:00.000-07:00

PARENT- Job Description

This is hysterical. If it had been presented this way,
I don't believe any of us would have done it!!!!

POSITION:
Mom, Mommy, Ma, Mama
Dad, Daddy, Pa, Baba

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Long term, team players needed, for challenging,
permanent work in an
often chaotic environment.
Candidates must possess excellent communication
and organizational skills and be willing to work
variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends
and frequent 24 hour shifts on call.
Some overnight travel required, including trips to
primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities!
Travel expenses not reimbursed.
Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The rest of your life.
Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily,
until someone needs $10.00
Must be
willing to bite tongue repeatedly.
Also, must possess the physical stamina of a
pack mule
and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat
in case, this time, the screams from
the backyard are not someone just crying wolf.
Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges,
such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets
and stuck zippers.
Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and
coordinate production of multiple homework projects.
Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings
for clients of all ages and mental outlooks.
Must be willing to be indispensable one minute,
an embarrassment the next.
Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a
half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices.
Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.
Must assume final, complete accountability for
the quality of the end
product.
Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and
janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION:

None.
Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills,
so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:

None required unfortunately.
On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION:

Get this! You pay them!
Offering frequent raises and bonuses.
A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because
of the
assumption that college will help them
become financially independent.
When you die, you give them whatever is left.
The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that
you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more..

BENEFITS:

While no health or dental insurance, no pension,
no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and
no stock options are offered;
this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love,
and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.

Forward this on to all the PARENTS you know, in appreciation for everything they do on a daily basis,
letting them know they are appreciated
for the fabulous job they do...
or forward with love
to anyone thinking of applying for the job.

** AND A FOOTNOTE: THERE IS NO RETIREMENT --------------- EVER

Mary

Jagged Little Pill

2009-04-07T14:49:00.001-07:00

So, where have I been, you may wonder? Why have I abandoned my sweet little blog?

Well, pull up a chair and let me fill you in:

When I was preparing to go to China last November I made sure to pack along some Xanax, since I AM the definition of a scared flyer. One bump and all the the blood drains from my face...I begin to search anxiously for a flight attendant, and when I see one I try desperately to read their minds...what are they thinking...are they SCARED...what is going on?!?!?!

You get the picture.

Sadly, I blame all of this on my father, a career F-4 Navigator and Helicopter Pilot in the USMC. When we were little and traveling he would always make us sit in the the very last row on a plane. You know the row - the seats that won't recline more an 1/2 inch since you are right in front of the ~~outhouse~~ bathroom. If my memory is correct I recall him telling us ~~on every flight we ever took~~ at least once, "If this plane goes down we are the only ones who have a CHANCE of surviving!"

Oh, goody.

So now I hate to fly.

But I do it because I am too lazy to drive more than 8 hours or swim the across the ocean to get to China.

So I have ~~mother's little helper~~ much needed medicine in case of ~~even the slightest, most tiny bump~~ severe turbulence. Since I knew I didn't need to take an entire bottle of these wonder pills, I opted to place about 8 or so in my Synthroid bottle. Although they are almost the exact same size and shape, they are differenct colors so I knew which is which.

Last week I began to run low on my synthroid, and thought I really needed to call in a refill, which I finally got around to on Friday. Unfortunately, I took my last synthroid pill (this is a medication that helps regulate your thyroid, and since I had Grave's Disease and underwent two rounds of nuclear medicine, I know do not have any thyroid at all, thus, I am very dependent on my synthroid medicine to keep my thyroid level balanced) on Friday and then did not get by the pharmacy until Monday to pick up my prescription. Two days with no synthroid medicine had left me feeling like a sloth. I could barely think. I felt so weird. Actually I had been feeling stranger and stranger all week long - well before I ran out of my medicine.

When I got home I immediately popped the two pills I had missed. I then proceeded to go to my medicine cabinet to replace the empty synthroid bottle with the new bottle. What is this? There are 7 pills in my synthroid bottle. I don't understand...I took the LAST PILL on Friday?

Wait a second. Where is that bottle with the Xanax pills?

Oh.my.gosh.

IT IS EMPTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yup. I hadn't had ANY synthroid in 9 days. I suppose the good news is that since I had been popping a Xanax every morning for 7 days I really didn't ~~freak out~~ worry about it!

Now I am back to my old self.

Taking my synthroid every morning.

The effects of this are that I have regained my cognitive abilities and energy. Unfortunately, I am now freaking out about everything!

So mom is back. Now I need to access all that has gone on in my home in the past week+!

Mary

A Week Of Smiles & A Week Of Tears

2009-03-29T05:41:00.000-07:00

A Week Of Tears:

I finally decided the time has come for Sophie to be potty trained. Well, actually I tried this a couple of months ago, right after her birthday and the Holidays, but we could never seem to get past the concept of using the potty. So this past week I try again. How difficult should this be? After all she is 3 years old (turned 3 in December), and is as smart as a whip (whoaaa...sorry about sounding like my 72 year old father there...smart as a whip...oh, goodness!).

So, I pull out the potty and discuss with Sophie using the potty if she feels "like pee pee is coming." She seems to grasp the concept, and after all, this shouldn't be all too foreign an idea to her since she always seems to join ME in the potty (privacy goes out the window once you become a mom!).

Hour 1: Nothing.

Hour 2: Zip.

Hour 3: Zilch

Hour 4: Nada.

Neil then decides to take the kiddos to the bookstore. Ah-ha! My golden opportunity! All of the kids are told to go potty before they leave (we even make Lindsay and Chris go into their bathrooms in order to demonstrate this to Sophie...Olivia we know MUST go before we get in the car to go anywhere!).

Sophie promptly runs into her bedroom and emerges with a DIAPER! She is telling me, "Mom, can you put a diaper on me?"

No.I.Won't. Sit on the potty and go pee-pee, Sophie. I see that my little, sweet, darling Princess is now showing me her big, fat attitude. Scary. And loud. And lots of tears and snot. Yes, snot.

And yes, I held firm to her going potty (remember, it had been HOURS since she had last gone) if she wanted to go to the bookstore. And yes, she held firm to her NOT going potty.

The battle has begun. I hope I am strong enough to take on 21 pounds of 'tude!

A Week Of Smiles:

Olivia got a new 'big girl booster seat'. She was so excited since her new seat is just like her friend, Aimee's, car seat! And she remembered from when we were in Shanghai visiting Aimee and her family that Aimee can BUCKLE HERSELF in her car seat - something Olivia couldn't do in her old booster seat.

She is so happy. So proud. And I must admit I am lovin' it too! Now I only have once kiddo to buckle into a car seat! Happy mommy!

I can do this!

Ta-da!

Alright, Mom...can you turn on the DVD player now?

Mary

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

2009-03-18T15:34:00.000-07:00

Neil volunteers for the CA Golf Tournament at The Doral Golf & Country Club, and I get to join him at a Volunteers' Appreciation Lunch (yeah, me!!!):

Oh, lucky us..."Tiger Woods" was there! LOL

Lunch

Neil is one of the Marshalls for Hole 10

Nice view!

The Littles chillin' out after bathtime (Livie on her 'laptop'...takes after her mommy!).

The Littles at Playhouse Disney Live

Playhouse Disney Live

Sophie practicing her b-ball skills in the kitchen.

Livie, The Tiger!

Blessings to you all,

Mary

The Joke Is On Me

2009-03-12T20:45:00.000-07:00

Tonight I went to a friend/neighbor's house for a lively game of Bunco (more on this later!). Within the large group of women we exchanged the typical greetings (Hi, my name is X. How do you know CCR/hostess?). It just so happens that I know "CCR" because her sister is the adoptive mom to two daughters were adopted from China...and said sister introduced me to her to her sister, CCR.

While at this particular table, two of the women asked me, "Let me ask you, since you adopted do you find yourself weirdly into Chinese culture...I mean...CCR's sister is so into *it* that she actually had her daughters in Chinese language classes!"

Laughter follows.

"And all of those Chinese dresses. Did you buy a whole bunch of those? CCR's sister bought like, one in every size!"

Chuckle. Chuckle.

How ridiculous.

............Ugh.

How.do.I.get.into.this?

I just want to plan Bunco. Whatever that is.

So, I very lightheartedly explain that yes, when people adopt from China (or any other *foreign* country) that they typically are drawn to that particular country as they love that country because it is the country of their beloved child's/children's birth. For adoptive families the country (or countries) of their child/children's birth is very special - somewhat like a 'second home country'.

Yes, my daughters love to learn about their Chinese culture/homeland/language. Perhaps not in a structured setting, but let me tell you that Ni hao, Kai Lan is a super-hero in our home!

And yes, I bought silk dresses in every size. And I still do not think I have enough.

Something happens within the room to grab my table's attention. We are interupted. Thankfully.

I do not have to continue to answer any more questions about China or adoption.

I am just a woman playing some game called Bunco.

And yet, I am annoyed.

Mary

Isn't She Lovely?

2009-03-12T10:58:00.000-07:00

Isn't she lovely? Isn't she wonderful?

Yes, this is the newest addition to my home. To my desk. Ahhhhh...

EXCEPT,

little Miss Mackey runs a bit different than my ~~dinosaur~~ Sony Vaio Notebook. Instead of using good 'ol faithful Internet Explorer I am now using Safari. No biggie, I think. But then I try to view photos in emails sent to me or on webpages I pull up and I am greeted with a big blank square where said photos should be. Annoying. So I ask my All-Knowing-Mac-Friend, Harmoni, que pasa? She tells me that sometimes Macs don't *read* some sites via Safari (this would also explain why some items I was trying to relist and edit on eBay were only viewable via an entire page of HTML codes! Ack!) and that I should also add another web browser such as Firefox. Okey-dokey. I hop on over to this Firefox thing and read...yada, yada, yada...click here to download...yada yada, yada. Click. Click. Click. Firefox is downloaded.

So for you Mac users...please tell me...is there anything else about the Land of Mac that I should know so that I will love my little Miss Mackey?

And by the way...right now I am back on ~~the dinosaur~~ old faithful...

Mary

Almost Wordless Wednesday

2009-03-11T16:15:00.000-07:00

Our children...born from my tummy and from our hearts.

Mary

Disney-ESPN: The Weekend

2009-03-06T06:25:00.000-08:00

We spent the weekend at The Happiest Place On Earth! The kids were happy. Dad was happy (non-stop sports for Neil!). And I didn't have to cook! Neil's whole family went, and our group of 17 people all converged on Orlando. We had a blast.

I have loaded a ton of photos of our weekend. Enjoy!

Two Princess and a ~~lizard~~ dragon!

Sharin' some love!

Snow White 'left her mark' on Sophie! What do you expect from a girl who lives with 7 guys?!

"The Girls" enjoying lunch with the Princesses.

My niece (being pushed in the wheel chair after breaking her ankle at Disney!) and my nephews. This is the view we had of them pretty much all weekend (their backs...gotta love teens!).

My nephews, Matt & Will w/Lindsay

Chris playing b-ball with his cousin, Kaylee.

Neil's dad and brother.

Mark and his daughter, Kaylee.

Neil and Chris

Chris catchin' footballs (the kid could do this all day!).

Got it!

Mary

CCAI Family On Extreme Home Makeover - And Sad News

2009-03-02T14:26:00.000-08:00

The Kadzis Family

One of our China Adoptive families (parents to 6 Special NeedsChildren from China), and a CCAI family, received the gift of a gorgeous new home courtesy of Extreme Home Edition and many Tallahassee sponsors and families. While the show will not be aired until April 26th, the family 'moved that bus!' this past Friday. Unfortunately, the husband/dad had been battling brain cancer, and passed away early this morning. According to my parents, this has "been a big deal" and "quite exciting" there in Tallahassee. The mom is evidently a teacher and the dad had been a dentist in the prison system. Please pray for this family as they grieve during this very difficult time.

Mary

Happy Birthday, Chris!

2009-02-26T11:05:00.000-08:00

11 years ago, at exactly 4:09 pm, Christopher entered this world. He was born in Valdosta, Georgia. Following a miscarrage and almost 4 months of bed rest, one push and all 8 lbs. 5 oz. of my little boy entered the room and our lives! What an amazing day. What a wonderful 11 years. What a blessing.

Happy Birthday, Chris! We love you!

Chris & Neil

Mary

Valentine's Day Weekend

2009-02-16T05:15:00.000-08:00

I admit it - I am a complete and total SAP for Valentine's Day! I hang out the Valentine's Day flag, put up the Valentine's Day towels in the guest bath, wear red and dress all those under *my control (read: The Littles!) in Valentine's Day outfits. I make a heart shape quiche and heart shaped muffins. Sprite is turned pink when served.

Well, you get the idea!

This year we began our Valentine's Day on Friday, and OT with Miss Roni. Livie continues to make amazing progress and it looks as though she will actually be discharged from OT sometime soon! Whooo-hooo! While I am so incredibly grateful to Miss Roni for all she has done for our Livie, I would be lying if I said I would miss driving 30 each way/2 times per week for Livie's OT. I am looking forward to *the light at the end of the [OT] tunnel*!

Livie at OT with Miss Roni

Livie using one of Miss Roni's scooterboards to work on some of her therapy here at home (and nothing is more fun than scootin' under the pool table!)

Who says OT is boring?!

Sophie ready for Valentine's Day

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friday night Neil and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner sans kids. No photos, but rest assured it was lovely :-)

Then on Saturday we headed off as a family to enjoy the Renaissance Festival here in South Florida. The place was packed with families and plenty of peasants, kings, queens, fairies and the like. Sophie enjoyed it (as long as food kept coming! LOL), but Livie did NOT enjoy this at all. One view of a guy in armor and that was it. Luckily her aunt and uncle happen to be there, and since they were leaving, Livie headed home with her Aunt Jeri and Uncle Hank (thanks, guys, for coming to Princess Livie's rescue!). Meanwhile, Neil, Lindsay, Chris, Sophie and I stayed and enjoyed the games, shows and 'people watching', which is a riot at this place!

Buying tix for the Festival (posh ticket booth, don't you think?!)

The majestic entrance (stop laughing!)

One of the vendors. Love the different scents you could use for making your own candle...I think "Monkey Farts" is my personal favorite!

Trojan Horse ride

Some children (none of whom are mine) with one of the millions of fairies. The photo really doesn't do her gorgeous costume any justice...it was stunning.

Neil & Sophie

Neil and Chris hangin' out with some of the village wenches ;-)

Neil and Chris prepare to play one of the carnival-style games

Chris tries his hand at Spear Throwing

Sophie after having run out of things to eat...tough life!

Lindsay getting a Henna tattoo (Chris is delighted that he has to wait for Lindsay to get this done!)

The work in progress

Ta-da (nice nails, Lindsay!)

And with that I will leave you with my ALL-TIME FAVORITE PHOTO of the day:

Yes, it is "The Smokin' and Drinkin' Monk"!

Hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day as well!

Mary

Sophie My Peanut

2009-01-27T18:54:00.000-08:00

Sophie (in the middle) with her Xiaonan SWI 'Cousins'

June 22, 2007

Wuhan, Hubei

We knew Sophie was petite when we were united with her. At 18 months she was the oldest in our group at 18 months of age. The other two little girls were 10 months old. Sophie was, by far, much smaller. Oh, how cute!...

...but maybe not.

For the past several months I had begun to become slightly concerned about Sophie's obvious lack of growth since we adopted her in June of 2007. So much that I had been know to weigh and measure her daily at various times over the past few months. I even asked Neil if he thought she was a Little Person, to which he said, "Oh, no...she is just petite."

Today Sophie had her 3 Year Old Checkup/Well Visit. Her pediatrician charted her weight and height and informed me that Sophie is not on the charts (- 3% for height/*almost* 3% for weight). Her 1st 2 year old molar is just beginning to come in. Her hair has grown only about 1" in the past 1 year & 7 months.

She had been at 0% for height at her 2 Year Old Checkup.

So, she really isn't 'curving' on the growth chart.

Our Pediatrician (whom I LOVE!) is cautiously concerned. Sophie is to have a 'Bone Scan' - whatever the heck that is.

The good Doc said that maybe Sophie's age is incorrect. Well, it might not be exact (after all, they are all pretty much guestimates), but not by more than a week, I believe. She remarked that if Sophie were 2 years old then she would be in the 50% range. Well, for Sophie to be 2 years old that would mean that we would have received her referral one month before she was born, and that when we adopted her in June 2007 she would have been just 6 months old. Now 6 months seems awfully young for a child to be walking steadily and talking! In addition, although the kid is smart as a whip ("scary smart," as Neil says!), I really don't know many 2 year olds who speak in 7-8 word sentences, carry on a conversation, color within the lines, dress and undress themselves, count to 20, say the alphabet, know their colors, yada, yada, yada.

Sophie is 3. And she is tiny.

So bone scan we will have. Follow up appointment with the Doc in 6 months. If no 'curve' then on to a Pediatric Endocrinologist. The Doc's concern is growth hormone deficiency.

I google this.

Bad idea.

I join yet another Yahoo group.

I get a headache. Two Advil...say prayers to my Lord who I KNOW loves Sophie.

And I go to bed.

Night.

Mary

Happy Chinese New Year!

2009-01-26T05:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Chinese New Year ~ Xin Nian Yu Kuai ~ Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Today marks the year 4707 on the Chinese Calendar. The year of the Ox - Ji Chou 己丑.

Our plans for the day include watching the Series Premiere of Olivia the Pig on Nickelodeon before heading off to Preschool. At Preschool Livie is sharing the book Dragon Dance with her classmates. She is also giving each of her school friends a goody bag with Chinese items such as chopsticks and Chinese candy.

Later this afternoon, after picking up The Bigs from school, we will head home to quickly change and then head out to our annual FCC South Florida Chinese New Year Celebration down on Miami Beach. I will be sure to post photos later this evening.

From our family to yours, may this is a joyous day for you all!

Mary

A Quick Synopsis Of A Weekend

2009-01-25T18:49:00.000-08:00

Friday night Neil and I decided to go to a local Italian Restaurant which has been in business for years, and has an excellent reputation. Well, let me remind you that we live in South Florida, known for The Beach, Flamingos and Retirees! The restaurant in question is also across the street from a large....and I do mean LARGE...retirement community of about 60,000 people (yes, you read that number correctly! LOL). Evidently Friday night is a big deal at this particular restaurant, as they have a live band (band members have a median age of about 75) who entertain patrons with songs from The Big Band Era. While it definitely wasn't what we were expecting, I have to admit we had a BLAST!

I hadn't expected a bloggie moment, so I hadn't taken my camera (big mistake!). The photo of the restaurant (below) was taken with my cell phone. At any rate, what a dinner it was!

Saturday morning had us at Chris' flag football game (his team won!). I'll try to upload photos later since I took a different camera with me and haven't uploaded those photos yet.

Following the football game Neil took off with Chris for Tampa and the NFL Experience.

Later in the afternoon Lindsay, Livie, Sophie and I all headed off to Chinese Cultural Classes. This was Lindsay's first time joining us, and she had a blast with her little sisters!

Sunday morning is reserved for worshipping God and spending time with our brothers and sisters at Church. Neil and Chris came home later in the afternoon after what they tell me was a wonderful time.

It was a fun and packed weekend. Hope you all had a great weekend too!

Mary

Tough Topics

2009-01-19T14:39:00.000-08:00

I was recently reading some posts on Rumor Queen, and I came across a post referencing the writings of an Adult Adoptee from China. Seemingly her Chinese name is Tai Dong Huai and she was adopted by a Caucasian family (American? Canadian? I am not sure.) when she was a bit older (maybe around 5?). She is apparently in her early 20's. Let me say that this young lady is clearly a very gifted writer, and I think she has a bright future ahead of her in regards to her literature. Evidently she is currently working on a book to be titled, "I Come From Where I've Never Been." Such a profound title.

Rumor Queen shared the links to some of her writings, and I read through a few. The following is one of Tai Dong Huai's short stories that really took my breath away. I suppose it hit home for me since I have a teenaged daughter (Lindsay, bio), and I also have two daughters adopted from China (Olivia & Sophie). It really made me think 'down the road' a bit to when Livie and Sophie are teens themselves. It also made me think about all the little girls I know who came to their families via China adoption. This story could be the story of any one of these little girls.

That makes me cry. This is the 'ugly part' about International Adoption. This is the reality of thinking beyond the paperchase. Beyond the referral. Beyond the packing list. Beyond the White Swan. This is what lies down the road as we parent our children adopted from China.

I hope I am up to the task.

I hope I am helpful to my girls. An encouragement. Their defender. A great listener.

I hope I don't screw up.

Ankles
By Tai Dong Huai

You don’t know why, but you refuse to allow anyone to touch your ankles. Not the shoe salesman at Macy’s, not the nurse at school, not even your Aunt Rachel who presents you with a thin gold ankle bracelet which you put, untouched, in your jewelry box. You avoid all boots, most shoes, sneakers. You would be content to suffer the most wicked New England winter in no more than split-toe socks and flip-flops. Then one hot day in August, something happens. Along with your adoptive mom, you visit her ex-college roommate who lives in Larchmont, New York. Her name is Linda, she’s a recent divorcee, and she has a son who, at sixteen, is two years older than you. You’ve seen his picture on a Christmas card. When you meet, he’s handsome and funny and it’s summer and who’s to say? “Hot enough to deep-fry a turkey,” Linda says just before she suggests you all go swimming at her new country club. “It’s one of the perks of having a blood-thirsty divorce lawyer,” she smiles.You’ve known about this possibility and you’ve hoped for it. You’ve worn your one-piece swimsuit under you t-shirt and cut-offs. You’ve brought a towel, an eco-friendly one, the one made from organic terry cotton. And you’ve packed sun block – Bull Frog SPF 45 – even though you never, ever burn, hoping he might ask to rub some on your back.The pool water is as clear as those pictures you’ve seen of the Caribbean Sea near Curaçao. The area around the pool, as well as the pool itself, is surprisingly uncrowded. A life guard sits above it all, and somewhere close by a Beach Boys CD plays “Fun, Fun, Fun.” And while normally you might feel some disdain for these privileged few, today you are accepting because today there is music and a bright sun and a good-looking boy. You’re standing in water four feet deep. You’re adoptive mom, back by the Pepsi machine, is calling to you. “Did you bring any change?” she wants to know. And before you can answer, before you can call to her to look in the ladybug purse in your straw bag, it happens. This boy – Chandler – this boy who has gently teased you all afternoon, swims up behind without your being aware. He moves rapidly under water, and before you are sure what’s happening, he maneuvers between your slightly parted legs and playfully lifts you up and out of the water. Instinctively, your mouth opens and your hands wrap around the top of his head. Your knees cling just above his ribs, and he squeezes your ankles beneath his armpits.Someone gleefully shouts, “Chicken fight!”And just before you scream, the lifeguard -- standing straight up in her chair -- points at you and blows her whistle. Later that day, as you ride north on the Merritt Parkway, your adoptive mom says, “Come on. It’s not the end of the civilized world.”And you say, “I peed on him.”“What?” your mom says.“Right on his shoulders. All across the back of his neck.”After a moment hesitation your mom says, “You were in the water. He probably didn’t even notice.”But you know he noticed. By the warmth. By the odor so close. By the way he unceremoniously dumped you backward after you screamed. “What is it with me?” you ask.Your mom says nothing for a second, and then she lets out a puff of air. You are familiar with this gesture. It’s the same one she used just before explaining your period. The same one you heard prior to being told that you, unlike your cousins, were not Catholic. “I guess I should have told you this before,” she says. “When you were in the orphanage there was this – what would you call it? – this ‘practice’ they had.” She looks directly at you and says, “There were so many of you and so few caregivers.” Her eyes back on the road, she continues. “Three times a day they would put those of you who couldn’t walk onto potty chairs. Regular wooden chairs, actually, with a hole cut in the seat and a pot underneath it. You were kept from falling off by straps tightly fastened around your ankles.”“How do you know this?” you ask.“You know me,” she smiles. “I researched.” The smile fades. “You still had the marks on your ankles for five months after we brought you home.”“Why would they do that?” you ask.“In the interest of time,” she says. “They trained you all to relieve yourselves simultaneously.”“But how?” you ask.“Like Pavlov’s dogs,” she tells you. “They blew a whistle.”You both ride in silence. You glance down at your ankles, and for a moment you think you see them. Dark leather straps with glinting metal buckles. But no. It’s only shadows cast by the sun as it sets behind so many seemingly identical trees.You almost laugh. And then a bud of hope begins to grow. You look over at your mom, so protective, so naive. And you think that tonight, once you are both home safely with your adoptive dad pouring wine and boiling spaghetti, that you might try on that ankle bracelet.
About the Author:
Tai Dong Huai was born in Taizhou, China. Fiction has appeared, or is scheduled, in elimae, Hobart, rumble, Underground Voices, Wigleaf, Word Riot, and other terrific places. "Ankles" is from a collection in progress, I Come From Where I've Never Been.

Mary

2009-01-18T15:13:00.000-08:00

Wow. I haven't updated my blog since December 31st! Oh my. Well, my apologies to everyone in bloggie-land! Life has a way of getting busy, and before you know it you're thinking, "Hmmm...I don't think I have updated my blog in a while!" Ooops! So, in an attempt to bring everyone at least somewhat up-to-date on the doings of my family in the past 2 1/2 weeks, I will share with you all some photos of recent 'doings' from our family (presented in random order, as is the case with my mind these days!):

Chris at the Franchise Convention on Miami Beach...posing with his ultimate hero, the main character from the xBox Game, Halo.

Livie (2nd from the right) and Sophie (4th from the right) at Chinese Cultural Classes.

Our group from the FCC-South Florida group, who participate in the Chinese Cultural Classes.

Livie and Sophie sharin' some lovin'!

The beginning of our official potty training! Sophie sportin' her JoJo BIG GIRL PANTIES!

Livie eating some yummy Chinese food at the Franchise Convention!

Livie and Sophie hanging out at the Convention.

Lindsay and one of her BFF's, Madison, at the Sunset Tan Booth at the Convention.

A glimpse of our booth (LA Sunset Tan) at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Since the Holidays wrapped up, we have been super busy with School, work and life. Throw into the mix Neil's Franchise Show for our biz, and life has traveled at 55 mph at least!

We hope all has been going well for all of our friends and family, and that 2009 blesses you all with tremendous joy and happiness!

Mary

End Of The Year Roundup

2008-12-31T14:06:00.000-08:00

Wow. Do the days just FLY by or what?!?! Since my last entry we have been super busy with Holiday preparations, enjoying my parents who were visiting, and celebrating Christmas together. Below is a quick Cliff Notes version of the last 1 1/2 weeks.

Neil & The Littles making homemade Eggnog

Livie being goofy and sitting in a bucket, subsequently becoming stuck!

Lindsay decides to give Livie a little 'pick me up'!

Our ballerina, Sophie

Sophie sportin' her new 'do'

Look, Mom! I FINALLY have enough (just enough, that is!) hair for pigtails!

Chris coming in the house (via the garage) after his team, The Chargers, goes undefeated to win their Division Championship in Flag Football! Way to go!

The coveted trophy

Medal for MVP

*******************

And then came Christmas Morning...

Christmas morning was filled with the laughter of children, 4 tired adults trying to wake up (thank the Lord for coffee! LOL) and a tree filled with gifts for all of those we love. Santa was good to our children, who apparently made the 'nice' list. ;-) Luckily, Neil and I made the list as well.

While it is always a magical time of year, lest we forget the importance of this time, and its meaning in our lives as Christians. Although Christ Jesus was not necessarily born on December 25th, it is the date that we set aside to remember Him and just how awesome He is!

We wish you and yours a Very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

Mary...and family!

1st Gift from a BOY!!!

2008-12-20T21:02:00.000-08:00

Livie received her 1st birthday gift from a BOY! This adorable shirt and matching socks came from a little boy in Livie's class, Jarrod. Jarrod is adorable. I was thinking that Livie would be embarrassed having received a gift from a boy, but no, she just said, "Jarrod is a nice boy. He gave me a gift today!" Ahhh, the innocense of youth!

Mary

Chinese Cultural Classes

2008-12-20T20:52:00.000-08:00

Livie and Sophie are taking Chinese Cultural Classes through our local Chinese Cultural organization. While we missed the first class due to having just returned from China, these photos are from the 2nd class/our 1st class. I think there are approximately 8-10 children in this class, this particular week proved to have a small showing due to the Holidays, illness, etc. Regardless, the girls and I had a great time, and Livie in particular is looking forward to learning more.

Mom, Brenda, with our newest FCC-South Florida Member, Mei Li! They have only been home from China a couple of weeks at this point!

Mary

Livie & Sophie's Birthdays!

2008-12-20T20:33:00.000-08:00

Livie celebrated her 5th Birthday on December 11th. Sophie celebrated her 3rd Birthday on December 15th. We celebrated both Littles' Birthdays as a family on December 13th. We went to a local Bowling Alley (Livie and Sophie's choice for 'what I want to do to celebrate my birthday') where I had reserved our group of 6's "Bowling With The Grinch." While we had a wonderful time bowling, let me add that anytime that "The Grinch" came within 20 feet of Livie the screaming began! All in all we had a terrific time with our little bowlers. :-)

Livie does The Chicken Dance!

Mary

'Tis The Season

2008-12-13T20:19:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday we finally got our Christmas Tree up and decorated. Yes, it is fake, and no, I do not miss having a 'real tree' (if I never have to vaccum up another pine needle again, that is fine by me!). Tree decorated. Done. Christmas/Pine scented candles lite and plug-ins plugged in. Done. Turn down the A/C so that I can light my fake log in my fireplace (hey, what do you expect? The temps here have been between 75-82 degrees!). Turn on Christmas music. Mission completion!

Lindsay gives Sophie a boost

Not waitin' any more!

Our first DTC Yahoo Group...they were really a great bunch of families.

Our 1st Christmas (1991)

Go 'Noles!

We have bought these every year. Last year was definitely our most perfect family ornament yet! This was the year that our family was truly made complete!

Mary

Inspirational China Adoption Video

2008-12-12T11:23:00.000-08:00

Recently I stumbled upon - quite literally - this family's adoption video on You Tube. They are a Christian Chinese-American Family who are parents to 4 bio children and who return to China to adopt a...GASP!...pre-teen son! Oy! At any rate, this video is incredible, and I wanted to share it with you all. Since Matthew's adoption took place in the Summer of 2005 (coincidentally when we adopted Livie) I am going to attempt to contact the family to see if they will share how all has gone after their adoption. In this day and age of increasing adoptions of boys and of SN children, I am quite interested in their story. Hopefully more details will follow. :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWJi5W4TFsw

Mary

Happy 5th Birthday, Olivia!

2008-12-11T20:16:00.000-08:00

Five years ago in China a beautiful little girl was born. This little girl went on to be known as Fu Ai Man. About the time Fu Ai Man was born, Neil felt the leading from God to adopt. Most of you who know us know that I was 'not on the same page'! But time, and prayer, would lead us down an incredible path...

I have never shared this before. This is the 1st known photo (other than her finding ad) of Livie (Fu Ai Man). She is 4 months old in this photo. Here is another amazing Red Thread in our story to Livie: This photo was taken on the day we formally made the decision to adopt from China and submitted our Application to CCAI. There IS a God, and I know He was working hard to bring us to our daughter.

One of Livie's teachers, Miss Kelly. Livie celebrated her big day today at school with all of her friends. Sophie and I brought pizza, cupcakes and juice to help celebrate our Livie turning a 'whole hand'! Later we had a dinner of Chinese Food (Livie's choice!) and more cupcakes with the whole family. We had a wonderful day, and we plan on celebrating Livie's Birthday more through the coming days, since Sophie's birthday (her 3rd birthday!) is on Monday, meaning we are in for a weekend of CELEBRATING!

Livie's friends and classmates

Happy Birthday, Livie!

Mary

Photos From Our First Moments In Chongqing

2008-12-10T19:13:00.000-08:00

A few photos from our first moments in Chongqing:

Kim (blurred a bit) and Livie as we await retrieving our luggage at the airport in Chongqing.

Livie and Aimee in the Hotel in Chongqing (while Aimee phones home to her Daddy and Siblings!)

Livie and her new friend, Rachel, at Breakfast in Chongqing

Kim and Aimee at breakfast

Nothing like drinking your yogurt through a straw (Chinese yogurt is very thin in its consistancy)

Livie on the first of many bus rides over the next week+

Mary

More Fuling Photos - Hong

2008-12-04T13:43:00.000-08:00

I decided to post more photos of Hong and her family with Livie and I. These are just a sampling of the many photos I have (thanks to my dear friend with a quick eye and an awesome camera, Kim!). I have to smile every time I look at them. :0)

Moments after Hong stepped onto our bus: The first time Hong has seen Livie in 3 1/2 years.

Off the bus and filled with joy!

Two moms.

Hong's mom holding Livie.

Hong, Livie, Hong's Mom, Hong's Sister, Me & Hong's Other Sister

Catching up.

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words!

Notice the guy looking at this watch in the background? He is the Director of BLAS, and was one of 'the faces' I saw through the peep hole of my hotel room door later that day...ick.

Pure Joy.

Our view from the bus as we headed back up the mountain to the New SWI.

At the New SWI, Livie received a Fuling Jade Pendant from Director Yang.

Warning: Transparent Dialog:

Our large group of Fulingers after having received their Fuling Jade Pendants. Notice the women standing behind the kids? These are several of the ayi's (nannys) who worked at the SWI and had strong connections to many of the children. This is one of my points/complaints/concerns: nannys are allowed the joy of seeing those children whom they cared for, but Foster Mothers are forbidden the same courtesy and privilege. Remember that Foster Parents care for their Foster Children 24/7. In the case of Livie, Livie lived with Hong, her husband and her son (who was only 10 when we adopted Livie in 2005) from the time she was just 5 months old, until we adopted her at 18 months of age. Livie slept in the family bed with Hong and her husband. Livie called them Mama and Baba.

I feel strongly that their relationship is worthy of respect, and I thank Hong for loving Livie so unconditionally, as this is what ultimately helped Livie to s-l-o-w-l-y allow us to love her, and for her to love us in return. I will add that our 'Gotcha' with Livie was horrible. Hong would not let her go, and our Gotcha basically mirrored some terrible custody scene. I truly believe that seeing Hong again helped us to ALL come full circle, and emerge with a POSITIVE adoption memory.

I was told that the Directors' concern was that Hong would ask us for money (side note: I do not actually believe that this was in deed the Directors' concern, but rather they did not like anyone doing anything 'outside' of what they had planned and could control, and lets face it, I am a mom with a mind of her own). I want to state right here and now that she asked for absolutely nothing. Wait...she did ask for something...she asked my permission to buy Livie a gift. I told her that seeing her was Livie's gift. Granted, there is always the possibility that I could be asked for money, and if this happens I will gently but firmly say no. That being said, while I appreciate the Directors' concerns (ok...actually I don't appreciate it), Livie is our daughter and Hong does not work for the SWI anymore. The truth is that we are free to keep in contact should we desire. This may not be 'liked' by 'the powers that be', but it is a fact nonetheless. Coming to my hotel room and telling my guest to leave is disrespectful to both Hong and myself. Next time I visit I will make it a point to visit Hong and her family far away from meddling eyes.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Back at our Hotel after having left the New SWI.

Lei, Livie & Hong

Hong's Nephew, Livie & Hong

Hong's Father, Livie & Hong

Hong's Sister-in-law and Brother (facing Hong & Livie)

Livie, Hong, Me & Hong's Sister

Hong looking at the photo album I had sent her of Livie (which she had never received...that is, until I gave it to her!).

Mary

Heading Home & A Few Thoughts

2008-12-01T17:27:00.000-08:00

Livie and I will be leaving Shanghai at 4:45 pm today (3:45 am in Ft. Lauderdale). We will arrive home on Dec. 2nd @ 10:11 pm. Although we have had what has been, for the lack of a better word, an AMAZING trip, we are so ready to come home to Neil, Lindsay, Chris and Sophie! Richard, Kim, Aimee, Hansen & Cady have been the best hosts one would ever home to have the privileged to stay with, and Kim and Aimee have had to put up with Livie and I 24/7 for the past 10 days! They deserve a giant medal for sure! I think if I were to call Kim and ask her if she wanted to go on a Heritage Trip to see Sophie's Province and SWI she would probably hang up on me! Seriously, though, I am forever indebted to Kim for helping me to find Hong, as I know that I would not have been able to have done so without Kim. Thank you Kim for helping what I know nothing short of a miracle to occur! We love you so very much!

Kim has loaded the many photos and video of our trip and Hong onto a USB, and I will be posting these to my blog later this week, but in the meantime I wanted to finish telling about the events which occurred on Saturday (the day of our departure from Fuling and Chongqing).

~~~~~~~~~~

SATURDAY

Following breakfast we were waiting in the lobby to begin to board the buses bound for the drive from Fuling to the Chongqing Airport. Director Yang was in the lobby and walked over to me. I must admit I was a bit nervous, unsure of what the exchange would be. Once I looked into her eyes I saw that they were watery and she immediately hugged me. I think so much of my anger and resentment was washed away in that very moment. Through our guide, Nancy, Director Yang told me that she hopes I come back to visit. I told her that I hoped we were welcome to return. She said yes, of course. I told Director Yang that I hoped that all was well between us, and she said yes, that it was. This was a very good moment for Director Yang, myself and more importantly, Livie.

When we had all boarded the buses we saw Hong, her mother, her sister and three other family member (not sure who they were) standing across the street. Hong was standing back away from the curb while her family was at the edge. Hong's mother had brought Livie a small gift in a blue plastic shopping bag. I asked if I could get this gift from Hong and the Director of BLAS told the guide, "We need to leave now," which translates to, "No." When Hong's mother realized that I was not being permitted to get the gift for Livie, she began to cry. I felt just awful. While I could have ignored 'the powers that be' and gotten off of the bus and taken the gift from Hong's mother, I decided that what we had gained through meeting with Hong and her family was far more important than the gift, and the possible repercussions which could have come to Hong and her family after we had left.

Without going into too much detail, I will say that we feel blessed to have established what I hope is a firm connection with Hong, and we will not let this connection slip away again.

Mary

Coming Full Circle

2008-11-30T16:11:00.000-08:00

FRIDAY

Today we began with a trip to a local Cultural Museum. We were tired and cold (no heat is typically used in the buildings), and so we had difficulty truly enjoying the exhibitions.

Livie on the steps on the Museum

Museum Exhibit

Livie at lunch

Aimee at lunch

~~~~~~~~~~

Following lunch, Kim and I set out in search of Livie's Foster Mother. We had done this yesterday, with Charlene acting as our translater, but we had great difficulty in explaing the phrase 'Foster Mother', since Hong (Livie's Foster Mother) was not her mother or her ayi (aunty/nanny). Thus, the first day of 'looking' had turned up nothing, as looking for one woman in a city of a million people is like looking for a needle in a haystack.

But today we went back to the Haystack...

This time around Kim (who should work for the Secret Service, I swear!) had the insight to write a note explaining who Livie and I were and that we were looking for Livie's Foster Mom (we had since found out the correct phrase for Foster Mother), and using Bable Fish Kim translated the note into Chinese and printed it off at the Hotel's Business Center. We hit the streets around the Old SWI with a photo of Hong & Livie (taken on Gotcha) and our note. Kim said the trick was to show this info to as many people as possible, and even if we were unsuccessful in finding Hong, that likely word would eventually get back to Hong that we had been looking for her.

We walked and walked, with Aimee acting as our trusty translater (she is one heck of an AWESOME 6 year old!). We showed our photo and note to anyone and everyone who would look (and people LOVED to come and see what 'was up'!). We finally stopped to ask a shopkeeper near the Old SWI (a hairdresser) if she knew Hong. Once again a crowd gathered as they all looked at the photo and note, talking rapidly amoungst themselves. Another shop keeper came out to see what was going on, and also looked and the photo and read the note. Then, she nodded. She gestured that she knew Hong! She quickly got out her cell phone and began ringing what felt like everyone in her contact list. Worried that we were waisting our time and that she really didn't know Hong, Kim called a friend in Shanghai to speak with this lady and verify whether or not she did in fact know Hong. It turned out that while the shopkeeper didn't actually know Hong, but she said that her friend did, and that she was trying to reach her friend. We gave the lady Kim's cell phone number and told her that should she find Hong, please give her the number.

We walked back towards the Hotel in order to prepare for another trip up the Mountain to the New SWI and the Farewell Ceremony. Once at the hotel we got on the bus and waited to leave. Suddenly Kim's cell phone rang and a voice at the other end was yelling, "Mama! Mama! Fu Ai Man!" Kim knew it must be Livie's Foster Mother (Livie's Chinese name was Fu Ai Man), but couldn't speak to the voice on the other end. She quickly ran towards the back of the bus where Charlene was sitting and handed the phone to Charlene. Just as Charlene took the phone the Guide, Nancy, who was at the front of the bus said, "Mary Rodin, the Foster Mother is here!" I looked up to see Chuan Hong standing in front of me. We immediately hugged - both of us crying tears of happiness. Then I pointed to Livie who was sitting in the seat to Hong's right. I am not sure that I have ever seen such joy on another person's face before in my life. It was amazing. Hong reached down and scooped up Livie and held her close, all the while saying, "Man Man, Man Man! Wo Ai Nie!" I asked Hong if she had ever received the letter I had sent, or seen the photo album I had sent (the one that was on a shelf at the New SWI). She said, "No, I haven't seen anything." That really upset me as this is the woman who loved and cared for Livie from the time Livie was 5 months old until we adopted her at 18 months. It just seemed terribly cruel to me.

Kim and I grabbed Aimee and our bags and got off of the bus with Hong. Several members of Hong's family were there, and everyone of them was elated to see little Man Man. There were smiles everywhere and not a dry eye to be found. We took LOTS of photos. One of the guides translated for us. Cameras (publicity cameras, that is), were suddenly everywhere, which Livie did NOT like. This was a private moment, shared in the middle of a street.

My plan was to let the busses go on without us (naturally), but the guides were saying that we should come to the Farewell Ceremony and that we could see Hong when we got back. Looking back I see that they had no intention of letting Livie and I spend time with Hong and her family 'unsupervised'. I told Hong we would be back at 4 pm, and she said she would be there.

We got back on the bus, waving to Hong and her family as we headed out to the New SWI.

We spent a few hours at the New SWI, where Livie and Aimee were able to leave a donation to the orphanage, and Livie received the gift of a lovely jade pendant with 'Fu' on the front and the Chinese Characters for the Fuling SWI on the back. I know Livie will treasure that necklace forever. After the Farewell Ceremony, the exchanging of gifts, lovin' up on the little ones in the orphanage and going back to the room filled with the albums (where I promptly took back Livie's photo album and shoved it in my backpack to take to Hong - idea curteousy of my oh-so-wise friend, Kim!), we got back on the bus and headed back to our Hotel, where Hong and even more members of her family were there to welcome home Livie!

The publicity cameras were once again seemingly in our faces, and a larger crowd was gathering, and so I asked Hong and her son, Lei, to come up to our room so that I might be able to show them some more photos and get all caught up with one another. Hong and Lei said goodbye to their family, and came into the hotel with us. I was questioned by an Official from BLAS about where Hong was going, but I firmly stated that she was MY guest and we were going to my room. Period. I got on the elevator with Hong just as I saw what apparently is the 'head' official with BLAS trying to get to us. We got to our room (Kim came right behind us) and began looking at photos. I gave Hong the album intended for her, and just as she was looking through it the doorbell to my room rang. I looked through the peep-hole to see the Director of BLAS and the Director of the SWI on the other side of the door. I felt my stomach turn. I opened the door and they immediately stepped in. Director Yang walked over to Hong, and spoke to her in stearn manner. Hong made an excuse (clearly at the insistance of the Director and clearly a lie) of having taken a 30 minute break from work and that she needed to get back to work. She handed me the photo album (which I believe she was told to do), and said, "Xie, xie." While I was saying goodbye to Hong (and all *eyes* were on Hong and I) Kim took the album and shoved it up the back of Lei's jacket. Lei, knowing exactly what Kim was doing, placed his hands behind his back and held the album, and both Hong and Lei left the room with the Officials.

Then I cried. I was scared. And I was MAD.

Our guide, Nancy, came back to the room (she had come in right after the officials) to speak with me. I let it ALL out. I told Nancy that we did NOTHING wrong. I told her that just as the children who were raised in the SWI were allowed to spend time with their ayi's, Livie was due nothing less than to be able to see the woman who wiped her tears, fed her, bathed her, and loved her as her own for over a year. I told her I knew that the Director had made Hong lie, and that I am not stupid. I was insulted and disgusted by the disrespectful treatment given Hong. I reminded Nancy that this was a roots trip, and that if the officials believe that these children will become connected to bricks and mortor they were wrong. Livie has the opportunity to be connected to people, and this is far more important than any building. I reminded Nancy that had my intentions been dishonorable I would have met with Hong in a noodle shop down the street, and not in broad view of God and everyone. I had hid NOTHING. Hong was Livie's Foster Mom and nothing they could do would change that, or change the fact that Hong loved Livie. Nancy listened with tears in her own eyes, and understood.

Following this nightmare, we all tried to regain our composure, and head downstairs to a Farewell Dinner (more speeches). We had only been sitting about 10 minutes when Livie began to projective vomit all over two other adoptive moms and the floor. Remember that this entire scene had been played out in front of small children, and clearly Livie had reached her limit. I scooped up Livie and left the room. Once up in our hotel room Livie had calmed down and I bathed her and put her in bed to watch Dora on the portable DVD player. Kim, Aimee, Charlene and Rachael came up only minutes later and we all talked about the highs (finding Hong) and lows (the incident in our room with the officials) of the day. It was wonderful to have the support of my friends during such an emotional time (several other families also spoke with me and were quite supportive. In fact, several families who's children had been in Foster Care said, "Gee, I wish I had thought to look for my child's Foster Mother!"). After a bit we all retired to our own rooms and I locked my door tight.

Running into other Fuling Families while out looking for Hong

Aimee and Kim playing!

Rachael acting like a monkey!

Charlene and Kim

Livie after having presented a gift on behalf of FKI, International, to Director Chen (on right).

Livie leaving the orphange gifts from us, Kim and Aimee

The girls decorating a scroll

Kim with one of the newborn babies

A little precious one at the SWI

Aimee feeds the newborn

Another precious little one at the SWI (with an IV patch on his forhead. :-( )

Hong's son, Lei

Hong, Lei and Livie

Hong's nephew, Livie and Hong

Hong's father, Livie and Hong

I have a ton more photos to load, and I will try to get to this later this afternoon. Right now Livie and I are enjoying Shanghai before leaving tomorrow.

Love to our friends and family back home...we miss you all!

Mary

Getting All Caught Up

2008-11-30T14:16:00.000-08:00

THANKSGIVING DAY

First of all, I apologize for the lengthy delay in my posts, but an amazing miracle has happened and I felt more comfortable waiting until I had left Fuling to post about all that has occurred.

In order to get everyone 'all caught up' on Livie and my adventure, I have posted photos of each day, but will likely keep the text short in order to *get to the important stuff*!

Thanksgiving Day had us in a bus bound back up the mountain to the New Fuling SWI for a Dedication Ceremony. We found out that staff had worked throughout the entire night preparing for this ceremony. There was to be TWO HOURS of speeches, but after several adoptive families reminded The Powers That Be that a large portion of their audience was under the age of 7, the program was revamped to just an hour of speeches.

The gate to the New Fuling SWI

The last bus arriving

Keeping out the locals :-(

Me and my Livie

Vice Director Chen (left) & Director Yang (right)...not sure who the guy in the middle is.

The Big Wigs: Officials from the CCAA, BLAS, Department of Civil Affairs, and the SWI

Director Yang and Tony (from BLAS, who translated)

My Livie!

Aimee plays with her Leap Frog under the 'protection' of her jacket!

FKI mom, Kathlene, delivers a speech on behalf of Fuling Families

Livie opens a gift from the SWI

It's a Chinese Dictionary, which will helpful once she is fluent in Mandarin! LOL

A photo from my perspective of the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

The Release of 45 Pink Balloons

Fulinger, Ya Ya (from Sweden) performs a dance.

An *older* boy from the SWI sings Mama Hao

This cracked me up...bags of formula are used to raise the potted plants!

Wall of photos of families who attended the Homecoming Celebration

Our families photo

Walking down the pathway leaving the New SWI

Playing on the playground

Rachael, Aimee & Livie enjoy their Thanksgiving Dinner of 'Turkey' (which I am sure came by way of a Pig!) and rice.

View of the Yangtze River from the SWI

Our Police Escort for the week

Livie & I at the SWI w/the Yangtze River in the background

Mary

Out With The Old...In With The New

2008-11-26T12:28:00.001-08:00

WEDNESDAY

Today began with breakfast followed by a trip to view what is very obviously becoming a huge tourist destination on the Yangtze River here in Fuling. I was literally blown away by the massive construction of high-rise buildings for miles on the Yangtze. We went up to two separate observation decks and tried our best to take in the sight of the Yangtze despite a thick blanket of fog and haze.

Director Yang & Livie

One of the high-rise buildings under construction...good luck getting those palms trees to grow here in Fuling!

Charlene & Rachael at lunch

Pulling up to our hotel, the Tai Ji Hotel

Room 1712

~~~~~~~~~~

On to the Old Fuling SWI

Walking down the narrow street to the Old SWI

Courtyard

Livie standing outside the doors to the Conference Room. This is the room in which Livie finally became our daughter back in June of 2005!

Baby Playroom

Old cribs and linens in one of the baby rooms

The Baby Room where Livie spent the first 5 months of her life before going to Foster Care

Kitchen

The Old SWI is now empty and is thus, quite depressing and a bit scary to poor Livie who at this point has had enough. It is difficult to imagine this as a bustling place filled with sweet babies now that all of the babies and staff are at the new facility.

Aimee

~~~~~~~~~~

And then it is on to the NEW Fuling SWI!

Babies (clearly SN's)

This is the CUTEST little one who wouldn't stop smiling! Kim was in LOVE!

Our group lovin' up on the little ones!

Only 9 Days Old

Only 10 Days Old

No, Kim...you can not bring her home!

~~~~~

I then found a periodical room filled with albums and photos sent to the SWI by adopting families:

The album I sent of Livie!

Bryleigh from our travel group!

Livie's page in the "Then and Now" album

Delaney from our travel group in the "Then and Now" album!

Learning to make dumplings

What a day it was...filled with an emotional walk down memory lane, and the vision for the children who will continue to pass through the gates of the Fuling SWI in the years to come.

Mary

Zoo, Civil Affairs Bureau & Dinner

2008-11-26T04:29:00.000-08:00

TUESDAY

Sorry for the delay in posting, but I am having difficulties with my laptop.

Tuesday began with breakfast downstairs. We were also able to skype Neil and the other kids prior to our day officially beginning.

Following talking with Daddy and the kids, we all took off in 3 large busses with our group. The Chongqing Zoo is great, and the kids had a blast.

Gladys and Mia (from Miami!)

~~~~~~~~~~

After the Zoo and a nearby museum we headed over to the Civil Affairs Bureau which has moved to a new and beautiful building. We spent about an hour in the attached square, and upon seeing a ton of Chinese girls with their Western parents, we began to draw quite the crowd. Then, one of the locals ZOOMED in on Aimee. Charlene (Kim's friend who like her lives in Shanghai and speaks Mandarin), explained that while all of the girls were adopted from the Fuling SWI, Aimee was infact the biological daughter of Kim and that Aimee's dad is Chinese. Well oh-my-gosh, that was like setting a match to the forest! This info spread like fire throughout the ~~mob~~ crowd and we suddenly found ourselves surrounded by of hundreds of people! Being with Aimee from that point forward was like being with a rock star! Aimee is so cute, bless her heart...she just stayed close to her mom and ignored her newfound admirers! It was impossible to get a photo of this event because the people were so close to us that had be tried you would have seen a blur.

Charlene spots these adorable babies and is in LOVE! Let me add that while Charlene has two daughters from China, she is now about 18 months into the weight for #3 and the locals had better keep their kiddos held tight! LOL

Kim and Charlene discuss Charlene's get-away plan!

Rock Star Aimee with Livie & Rachael

CAB Official welcoming us before the video

Our group (there are three groups)

Mom & Livie after having reviewed her files

Once we were brought into the Civil Affairs Building we were shown a video (approx. 15 min) of adoption in Chongqing. I will be posting the video to Youtube once I get home. Each family was also given a beautiful hand-painted Banyan Leaf as a gift from the Chongqing Civil Affairs Bureau. Following the video a representative from the CAB told us that we would be going to another room where we would be shown our childrens' files. The guidelines for our viewing the files were:

We would be allowed 10 minutes to review our child's file.

No copies or photos may be made/taken.

We were to review our child's file ONLY.

Livie's file was #27. Her file contained all of the info we had received upon her adoption, plus:

A document showing when she had officially been declared an abandoned child. This did not occur until she was over a year old and was likely done in order that her file could be sent to the CCAA for adoption.

Footprints taken when she was approximately 6 days old. The were blue and tiny!

The original baby photo (also taken when she was approximately 6 days old) which was used in her Finding Ad.

Her finding add info, stating that her finding ad ran in the Chongqing Newspaper for approximately 3 months continuously.

A copy of Director Yang's (Fuling's Director) official work ID card.

Kim was taking notes while I asked a representative from BLAS to translate what some of the documents said. When we were almost finished an official from the CAB saw that Kim was taking notes and told the BLAS rep to tell Kim to stop writing and that we were only allowed to take with us that information which we could remember. When the BLAS rep told Kim and I this Kim said loudly and with disgust, "That is OUTRAGIOUS!" The BLAS rep agreed and told Kim, "Yes, keep writing."

Although most every document was not new to me, and there was no *telling* information, it was still a very emotional time to be standing in the CAB telling your daughter - in simple terms for an almost 5 year old - exactly what these boring pieces of paper were, and why they were so important and special.

~~~~~~~~~

After the CAB we drove to a scenic area on the banks of the Yangtze River. It was a new and state-of-the-art shopping/dining center and was absolutely gorgeous. We walked around a bit and then enjoyed dinner in one of the restaurants. I also bought a travel mug from Starbucks (yes, they are everywhere!) that says 'Chongqing'.

That is all from our jam-packed and busy day! More to come as our adventure continues!

Mary

The Amazing Race!

2008-11-24T07:20:00.000-08:00

Well...what a day it has been! It began innocently enough. After having slept through the night (yeah!) Livie and I woke up at about 7:30 am. She got dressed while I showered and got ready. Bags were packed and the four of us were happily on our way to the airport by about noon. Our goal was to get to the airport and all settled, and then we would grab a bite to eat. After having arrived at the Hongqiao Airport we parked and lugged the luggage and the kids into the terminal. We began looking for our flight on the board, but could not find it. Hmmmm...now that's odd. Kim went and checked on the status of our flight and found out that we were AT THE WRONG AIRPORT!!! Our flight was leaving from the Pudong Airport. What was to be a leisurely trip to the airport turned into a manic time of shlepping the luggage and kids back to our van (thankfully Kim had the insight to ask her driver, Xiao He, to help us at the airport, so he had not left already), loading everything back into the van and making a made dash to the complete oppostite side of Shanghai to catch our flight. Xiao He drove very fast...I mean carefully to the airport, and I only had to hold my breathe and pray - while closing my eyes - a few times. I told Kim that it was as though we were stuck in a version of "The Amazing Race!"

We made it safely to the Pudong Airport, unloaded once more, checked in and walked to our gate (which, by the way, was at the end of a VERY, VERY long terminal!). At the gate we met up with Charlene and Rachael, who are an adoptive mom/expat mom and daughter from Shanghai. Rachael was adopted from Fuling the year before Livie. Charlene and her family have only lived in Shanghai for about a year and a half, and Charlene is already quite fluent in Chinese. I am very happy to have her in our group!

We all checked into our hotel, the Holiday Inn Chongqing. I wish we were at the Marriott or Hilton (where we stayed in 2005), but this will be fine I am sure. The six of us grabbed a bite of dinner in the hotel restaurant and then it was bathtime/bedtime for the girls.

Tomorrow is a big day as our group will be visiting the Zoo (love those pandas!) and then we will go to the Civil Affairs Office following lunch. Once at the Civil Affairs office we will each be given the opportunity to review our childrens' files.

Sorry that I don't have any photos, but I oh-so-geniously left the cable for my camera back at home. I am borrowing a camera from Kim, but the SIM card doesn't work in my laptop (figures!) and I will need to upload my photos to Kim's laptop and then send them to myself as an attachment. Hopefully I will get this done tommorrow and will be able to post some photos of Chongqing and the girls.

Mary

We're Here!

2008-11-23T19:05:00.000-08:00

Livie and I arrived in China on Sunday afternoon. The flights from Ft. Lauderdale to Atlanta, and Atlanta to Shanghai on Delta were AWESOME! This was by far the best way to get to China (we have flown out of Newark and LA prior). Even the coach seats were comfortable and there was - SHOCK! - plenty of leg room.

Kim and Aimee picked us up from the airport, and their driver, Xiao He, drove us to the home of one of Kim and Richard's FCC friends, where a group of American expats (several with adopted children from China) were enjoying a good 'ol American Thanksgiving Dinner (Richard met us there with the other Choi kids, Hansen and Cady). Although Livie and I were extremely tired, we had a wonderful time. After dinner we headed to Kim and Richard's Taj Mahal...errrr...I mean home. There home is quite lovely (I will be sure to load photos later...it is nothing like the tiny flats I have typically seen in China), and they have settled into life in China quite well.

We are leaving for the airport in less than an hour. We will be in Chongqing later today (it is a 3 hour flight) and I will hopefully have some photos to post at that time.

Livie and I are having fun on our adventure, but we are missing Neil, Lindsay, Chris and Sophie a bunch.

Huge hugs to all of you back home!

Mary

Going Back To Where It All Began

2008-11-21T15:56:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow morning at 6 am Livie and I will get on a plane bound for China, and her first home of the Fuling SWI, Fuling, Chongqing. Families who have adopted from the Fuling SWI have been generously invited 'back home' to a Homecoming Celebration. Livie and I are SO EXCITED!

Below are pictures of Fuling and our first moments with Livie. The last photo is our 'official Red Couch' photo. Notice the shell-shocked look? Boy, has she come such a long way since those days in June of 2005!

Livie and I will be blogging all about our adventure. Please check back daily!

Mary

FCC South Florida Celebrates National Adoption Day

2008-11-20T21:17:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday, USMC!

2008-11-10T19:46:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday, USMC...and my DAD!

Mary

Running With Scissors

2008-11-10T19:10:00.000-08:00

The following was basically stolen from my friend, Kim's, blog. :-)

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First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant. They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags.Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottleWe shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually diedfrom this.We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because, WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.No one was able to reach us all day.And we were OK.We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes.After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.We did not have Play Stations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or chat rooms........WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell,or just walked in and talked to them!Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team.Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment.Imagine that!!The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of.They actually sided with the law!These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers andinventors ever!The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!If YOU are one of them. CONGRATULATIONS!You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good.While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave (and lucky) their parents were.Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!

Mary

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