I received the address for Elle's orphanage as well as the phone number in my e-mail box today. WOW! I am excited. We'll work on the letter this weekend and try to find the right pictures to send also. I have a friend with great connections and can get the letter translated into Chinese before we mail it to them. We will include a SASE so that they can write us back. I hope that this is a positive experience for our family - especially for Elle who will likely have questions that we can never answer for her. This could provide us with a way to help her know more about her infancy and early years. I am thrilled, but am also very nervous. So often, I am disappointed in the results of our attempts to "do the right thing". I don't want this to be one of those situations!
I will keep you posted! Please keep your fingers crossed and whisper a few extra prayers!
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Thursday, August 28, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
More Photos
Here is Elle wearing Bryant's football clothes... and also a couple of very, very creepy ones with her wearing a monkey mask that she got at the Space Chimps movie last night.... I put it away, hoping she forgets about it. It bothers me to see a monkey running around in Elle's clothes...
She Knew It Was Driving Them Crazy...
... so she sang it over and over and over and over.... and Alex cringed each time she started the song again.... louder and louder and louder....
I Know, I've Been Slacking Again....
Elle Reading to Tigger.
Bryant and Elle at Alex's party.
Dayton and Elle being nice and "helping" Alex with his cake. Ranelle and Granny watching.
Elle with a fish that Daddy caught.
Three Little Monkeys on the swings.
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Friday, August 22, 2008
Getting Closer -
When we began the international adoption process, we vowed to keep in touch with the orphanage where our child came from and to send them annual "care packages" to celebrate our daughter's anniversary date of joining our family. While we were in Shenyang, we met two of the ayis (aye-ees) who cared for ElleAnna. We also met the man who was the director of her orphanage. We asked our in province guide to write down the orphanage's address so that we could communicate with them regularly.
Needless to say, we soon realized that the address from our guide was not complete and would not be enough to send anything to her orphanage. We tried to search for a better address on the internet and through various resources, but were unable. Finally, in the last few days, however, I have found someone who will research the mailing address for us. We plan to send photos and a letter to the orphanage soon. In November, we will purchase a care package and have it delivered to the orphanage with items that will help those children who still reside there. Hopefully, we can also throw in a few gifts for the ayis and staff.
I had wondered what happened with the photos and reports that are sent to the CCAA periodically after we came home, but it seems clear that those are never forwarded to the orphanage where the child came from. Unfortunately, the staff where Elle came from has heard nothing since she left.... and that makes me sad. I like to believe that they cared enough about her that they want to know. I believe they deserve to know. ElleAnna was likely only the second child that they did an international adoption for, and I don't want them to be concerned that its not a successful effort to find families for their children.
I hope the address and its translation comes to us soon. I also pray for the right words to tell them how we are doing and how beautiful ElleAnna is. She is an amazing little girl who has added so much to our family. She is loved by everyone who knows her. I hope that the pictures and letter get to the orphanage safely. We also plan to include a SASE so that they can reply to us if they wish. I am afraid to wish for too much, but a growing part of me hopes that this is a positive adventure that can provide all of us with some smiles.
Needless to say, we soon realized that the address from our guide was not complete and would not be enough to send anything to her orphanage. We tried to search for a better address on the internet and through various resources, but were unable. Finally, in the last few days, however, I have found someone who will research the mailing address for us. We plan to send photos and a letter to the orphanage soon. In November, we will purchase a care package and have it delivered to the orphanage with items that will help those children who still reside there. Hopefully, we can also throw in a few gifts for the ayis and staff.
I had wondered what happened with the photos and reports that are sent to the CCAA periodically after we came home, but it seems clear that those are never forwarded to the orphanage where the child came from. Unfortunately, the staff where Elle came from has heard nothing since she left.... and that makes me sad. I like to believe that they cared enough about her that they want to know. I believe they deserve to know. ElleAnna was likely only the second child that they did an international adoption for, and I don't want them to be concerned that its not a successful effort to find families for their children.
I hope the address and its translation comes to us soon. I also pray for the right words to tell them how we are doing and how beautiful ElleAnna is. She is an amazing little girl who has added so much to our family. She is loved by everyone who knows her. I hope that the pictures and letter get to the orphanage safely. We also plan to include a SASE so that they can reply to us if they wish. I am afraid to wish for too much, but a growing part of me hopes that this is a positive adventure that can provide all of us with some smiles.
Monday, August 11, 2008
The Park - Sunday, August 10
We have an incredible park not too far away from us. Here are some photos as we took Elle there for the first time on Sunday. Bryant and Daddy played football while Alex and Elle enjoyed the swings and slide. SHE LOVES TO SWING - can you tell?
Relay for Life - Friday, August 8
So, so many lives are touched by cancer. It makes it impossible to ignore the pain of families and entire communities as they try to cope with the disease and all its uncertainties. Friday was the culmination of fundraising events over the summer. We had the Relay for Life at the local football stadium. For those not familiar, this is a program that helps the American Cancer Society. Our team did some parties/potlucks, sold koozies, had staff pay $5 to wear jeans on Fridays, and also sold raffle tickets for half a beef. Here are some pictures from the evening as the five of us joined others in walking around the track. Names are read of those who have lost the battle to cancer and also those who have been diagnosed, but are still with us. Before it got dark, there were gymnastic teams, a balloon send off, lots of good food, music, and even a wedding party appeared to make a loop around the track. The luminaries are lit once the sun goes down and sets a somber mood, and yet, one where their flickering flames are as determined as those fighting the disease. Those who are able walk around the track until the benefit ends at 7am the next morning. We didn't make it quite that long.... Elle was exhausted from running the track in her tiara. We left about 10pm.
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Friday, August 8, 2008
Joining the 21st Century
Well, many of you will be shocked to know that for the last 17 years, our home has operated with THREE television channels. For the first three years of our marriage, Ken and I had cable - mostly because the city where we lived at that time did not allow outdoor TV antennas. Even with our rabbit ears, we were lucky to get two very blurry channels, so we opted for cable. Since we left there in 1991, we have had THREE channels with our antenna. Its been fine. The boys have not been stunted in any way, although, I am sure they would argue that. We bought lots of movies and have a whole library of those. If there was something on another network that we wanted to see, we had plenty of friends and family that were kind enough to record them for us. We survived.
Now, with the changes coming in February 2009, we started looking at the converter boxes and decided, maybe it was time to get a dish. Add to that the fact that the Olympics this year were in China, plus we met many members of the US Boxing Team in San Francisco/Beijing. So, we went ahead and ordered the dish. THEN, the male species in my home started talking about needing a larger television to go with all the new channels. So, on Wednesday, we all stared and gawked at TV's in several stores. We compared prices, sizes, quality, and all those other things... and came home with this massive monster. Some vehicle destruction was involved to get it into the car to come home from the store too. It does not even fit inside our entertainment system. It has to sit on top and practically fills the entire room. Ken won't let the boys hook their PS2 up to it, which is probably a good thing - other than the fact that last night, they had both TV's on at the same time. The TV inside the entertainment system had a street football PS2 game and the giant screen on top of the console had Sponge Bob SquarePants on it. JOY! A new definition to multi-tasking. They were both playing the game while they were repeating the lines from the Sponge Bob cartoon.
When Elle and I were talking about it yesterday morning (the install was after we left the house), I told her that when we got home from work, we could watch Hannah Montana. She was excited and then paused and said "No, watch Dora." Of course, the boys weren't really impressed and kept telling her last night that Dora wasn't on. So this morning, when Ken was getting her out of bed, I went and put Dora on. You should have seen her face light up when she came into the living room. The giant new TV had Dora on it - just for her! The boys were already gone to weight lifting, so they don't realize that Mom ruined their scheme to keep Dora out of Elle's TV schedule.
Nothing much else to report today... just another Friday. Hope you each have a nice weekend, whatever you decide to do. I think we'll be watching Dora and the Olympic Boxing Team!
.
Now, with the changes coming in February 2009, we started looking at the converter boxes and decided, maybe it was time to get a dish. Add to that the fact that the Olympics this year were in China, plus we met many members of the US Boxing Team in San Francisco/Beijing. So, we went ahead and ordered the dish. THEN, the male species in my home started talking about needing a larger television to go with all the new channels. So, on Wednesday, we all stared and gawked at TV's in several stores. We compared prices, sizes, quality, and all those other things... and came home with this massive monster. Some vehicle destruction was involved to get it into the car to come home from the store too. It does not even fit inside our entertainment system. It has to sit on top and practically fills the entire room. Ken won't let the boys hook their PS2 up to it, which is probably a good thing - other than the fact that last night, they had both TV's on at the same time. The TV inside the entertainment system had a street football PS2 game and the giant screen on top of the console had Sponge Bob SquarePants on it. JOY! A new definition to multi-tasking. They were both playing the game while they were repeating the lines from the Sponge Bob cartoon.
When Elle and I were talking about it yesterday morning (the install was after we left the house), I told her that when we got home from work, we could watch Hannah Montana. She was excited and then paused and said "No, watch Dora." Of course, the boys weren't really impressed and kept telling her last night that Dora wasn't on. So this morning, when Ken was getting her out of bed, I went and put Dora on. You should have seen her face light up when she came into the living room. The giant new TV had Dora on it - just for her! The boys were already gone to weight lifting, so they don't realize that Mom ruined their scheme to keep Dora out of Elle's TV schedule.
Nothing much else to report today... just another Friday. Hope you each have a nice weekend, whatever you decide to do. I think we'll be watching Dora and the Olympic Boxing Team!
.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Swimming Today
The same little girl who used to be terrified of a bath (and sometimes still doesn't like it much if she is tired), has now found great joy in the pool. She loves blowing bubbles and today, she was letting the boys dump water over her head... What a crazy child! Now, she's is blowing bubbles in the tub just so that Daddy can see.
Yesterday's Parade
Ken and I drove the ambulance as the third entry in the Rodeo Parade. It was over 110 degrees outside, so our kids rode in the back (air conditioned) of the unit. Elle sat on my lap for a while as I threw candy. Then, we parked at the end of the route and watched all the others come past us. This is Elle enjoying the cot as we were waiting for the parade to start.
Nothing Like American Flags and a Rodeo
It never ceases to amaze me - the incredible respect at a rodeo for the American Flag. EVERYONE removes their hats without being reminded. EVERYONE stands as the rider carrying the flag makes her way around the arena. EVERYONE participates in the singing of the national anthem. It certain is inspiring and encouraging when so many other parts of our country are not quite as concerned about the dignity that it deserves.
Rodeo, Rodeo, and More Rodeo
Elle really enjoyed her first rodeo experience. "Ready, Set, Go!" became she and Dayton's mantra as they waiting for each cow to come out of the shoot. They counted barrels as the girls rounded them - "1, 2, 3, GO GO!" as they raced for the finish line. Here are just a few photos from the two nights that we attended. I have lots of them, but putting them all on would be overkill, so here are a small sampling. She and Dayton were comparing suckers while "sharing" Ken's lap.
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