Spirited Children

Today has been a rough day with Lily. She has had a hard time expressing her needs and desires. She got very upset. It wasn't a tantrum for tantrums sake. I just don't know what to say or do when she gets so upset. Her vocab is very near 200 words, but I wonder if she is having a hard time putting those words into thoughts.

I asked mom if I was every like this. I was pretty strong-willed as a teenager, but she said "It's been awhile since she has seen one as spirited as Lily." God gave me my firecracker for a reason. I just wish I knew better how to shape and mold it. I have read a couple books: Shepherding a Child's Heart and The Happiest Toddler on the block. They are both diametrically opposite in their views on raising children. We are trying to put into practice the idea of shaping Lily's heart instead of her behavior (1st book), because we want her to obey out of desire to please God instead of out of fear or "just because I SAID SO."

I have always had a hard time when people tell me "because that's the rule." I can see this in her as well. I want her to see that there are reasons behind God's laws and our rules (safety, peace, etc.). I know there are times when I can't won't be able to have this discourse (her running towards the street). I don't believe that God is a hard God that wants us to do what he says without questioning. He desires us to ask and investigate and know him. Knowing him and his heart will bring us into an understanding of "why" some things are the way they are.

I know spanking is a hot topic. Many people feel strongly about both sides. I have talked with Steve about this. We have yet to spank her and probably won't. Her emotions seem to get even more out-of-control when a hand gets smacked. We have been under the official umbrella of our adoption agency until our 1 year anniversary of having Lily. During that time we were not allowed to use any type of corporal punishment anyway. There are underlying issues with abandonment and her life in an orphanage that can surface as well.

The one thing that I didn't like about the shepherding book is that it doesn't give much in the way of practical ways to handle situations. The other book gave some suggestions, but it's based on the idea of us evolving from Neanderthals which I had a hard time swallowing.

Signing off for now. I sure wish I had more answers! Notice I didn't say ALL.

We're still here!

Juat wanted to let everyone know that we are still here and muddling through life. I successfully completed my first full week of teaching. Really the most stressful thing about it has been transportation.

We have found a car we are interested in. It is a 2000 Mitsubishi Galant. We've done the research and have an appointment set up for our mechanic to look it over on Monday. If all goes well, we may have a car to replace Steve's by midweek.

I really like being at school and feel less tired this weekend than I did last weekend. Which is a surprise to me as I finished a full week this week. Last week, I had completed only two days!

Here we go!

First full week! Lily is doing much better. No yucky diapers yesterday. I think I am ready for the week. I took the picture last night when Steve was reading to Lily.

What a Day!

Well, my day went well. I really enjoyed being in the classroom and was too busy to "miss" my Lily. When I got home, my dad said she had had 3 runny diapers in the last two hours and had gotten sick just as the diapers started.

She seemed fine, so we were going to run out and get a quick bite to eat. She spit up a bit in the car and as soon as we were line to get our food . . . Projectile vomiting. I have never been so embarrassed in my life. Fortunately, my mom and I were the only ones to get in the way. Final count: 5 pukes and 5 runny diapers in about 5 hours! Most of it coming in the last two hours!

I asked Dad to stay with her again tomorrow since she was so sick. I am very thankful that he is self-employed and his calendar was clear! Pray she gets better soon and that she sleeps through the night. She fell asleep really early for her (6:30) and woke up an hour later to throw up. She has been asleep for 45 minutes again now. All single moms should get medals! I can't wait for dh to get home (48 hours and counting).

I don't know what I would have done if my mom hadn't brought me dinner and pedialyte then held her while a sent an e-mail to the teacher I am subbing for. BTW - Yes - today was Lily's 2nd birthday. I will never forget this B-day!!!!

Teaching

I indeed start teaching tomorrow. Grandpa R will have her tomorrow and she starts with her regular sitter Friday. I spent a couple hours at school yesterday and am pretty excited. I actually wanted to be there today, but I had a previous commitment.

The sub they have filling in until tomorrow is a "babysitter." Nothing is really getting done. Yuck! That was hard for me to see yesterday, but I think it encouraged me. I know that even though it will be a challenge, I can do soooo much more for those kids (with Christ's strength)!

Still no car in sight and Steve leaves around lunch for his trip. Prayers are very much appreciated during these next few days!

Phew!

Just before we stepped across the yellow line at the Dulles airport immigration counter. This was Lily's last moment as a Chinese Citizen!

One Year Ago - We were blessed to have a baby that slept 30 of the 36 hours it took us to get from our hotel in China to our doorstep. The prayers worked. Some babies on the flights hardly slept a wink! We arrived at 1:15 AM, April 15, 2007. Thanks for letting me re-live some of the happiest moments of my life to date.

Please Pray

I found out over breakfast that the teacher I will be subbing for just went into labor - 3 weeks early. Instead of having a week to work along side her, I will start most likely this Thursday without much prep.

Lori is very organized and had quite a few things done early, so it shouldn't be that bad. I am a little concerned as Steve leaves Wednesday at 10 am for the conference meet returning late Saturday night. We have been down a vehicle for a week tomorrow with no replacement in immediate sight. There is one more thing that could add to the stress, but . . .

I must say that I am THANKFUL that God has given me a peace that passes all understanding. I have actually been feeling excited about getting into the classroom. BTW, it means 7 additional days as a long-term sub (32 instead of 25). That could help with paying for a new vehicle.

Our Sunday school lesson yesterday was on rejoicing in trials. We knew yesterday that it was meant for us we just didn't realize that it would be magnified this morning!

Praising God for our family's health and praying for Lori and her little boy that is about to be born!

On Our Way

One Year Ago!

Guangzhou to Beijing

Joy - one of our guides

Beijing to Dulles

White Cloud Park

One Year Ago - We attracted a lot of attention from the locals. The video is even better! I knew enough Mandarin to recognize that a lady was asking me if Lily was cold. It was probably 70F. I told Steve after she walked away that I should have answered her in Mandarin!

This was our last full day in China. I was a little sad to leave such a wonderful experience behind.

Red Couch Photo

One Year Ago - Have you ever tried to get 19 babies/toddlers to sit still for a picture before? Lily didn't cry, just not so sure about the whole thing.

Paperwork Day

One Year Ago - Notice the "blankie." It was already a staple!

Wet, wet, wet

Lily was fascinated by the hose and the water coming from it while Daddy watered the grass seed he put down. Daddy "got her" a couple of times.

Free Day 3

One Year Ago

Helping, Daddy!

Lily had a great time helping Daddy this

morning. She would get a handful of hay

all by herself and then take it and throw

it down. There was another clip that I

wanted to upload, but it was a tad too big.

Free Day 2

One Year Ago - couldn't resist this sweet face again. Hopefully, you can start to see the progression in her demeanor and her smiles. By this day, she was beginning to really open up!

She's gone

Our car that is . . . No accident - just old age I think. She has nearly 180,000 miles (290,000 kilometers for those Canadians reading this), 13 years, replacement engine, and replacement transmission on her. Right now we think we can probably drive her to a salvage yard.

We don't even want to know if she can be fixed. We have spent $2000 on her in the last 6 months and we decided after the last chunk of money that she needed to be put down if anything else happened.

Cheng Family Museum

One Year Ago - Lily took her nap in the front pack while we toured.

Free Day 1

One Year Ago - Thought those of you who didn't follow our trip would appreciate this picture!

Lily's sleep issues seem to be getting a little better. She is only occasionally waking during the middle of the night usually only needing a little reassurance. The last two nights I have been able to leave her room while she is still awake.

Medical Day

Guangzhou 04/07

Myrtle Beach 03/08

One Year Ago - Lily had her medical exam to make sure she was healthy enough to enter the U.S. BTW, Lily can still wear this dress.

Passport Photo Day

Yet another 1 yr ago post . . . Bear with me as I reminisce. We saw her first smile one year ago today. We had a bit of a lazy morning hanging out in pjs for a little bit. She put her slippers, my keys, and her blankie in her "purse."

New Words

I stopped counting at 135. My guess is she is somewhere around 150 words now. Here a few of her favorite words/phrases now:

Mama, wet car - yesterday as we were getting out of the car in the rain
Running!- enthusiastically comments when she sees someone/some animal running
Bye, bye Jesse - Jesse is Steve's co-worker. Didn't know she knew his name until now
Cassie, come (Ka-Ka come)
Choo-choo - as we pull up to the library for story-time (opens with that rhyme)

Adoption Day

Today is the first anniversary of our adoption being final in the eyes of China! It wasn't a big deal to us last year, because she was ours from Day one (yesterday/Gotcha Day). It is still neat to think about "signing our lives away."

As you can see from the picture, Lily has socks on her hands and a hat on her head. She insisted on putting them both on about an hour ago. The hat is an infant hat and is nearly chocking her. She just finished eating a cheese stick with her socks on her hands. We'll see how long they stay on . . .

Brea's 1 Year Heart Transplant Check-Up

Thought those of you who followed Brea's transplant journey would be interested in a link to their site: http://www.babyjellybeans.com/web/do/site/photo?parent_id=313473&show=2&ID=345602

Gotcha Day - 1 Year!

Lily has gotten 12 teeth and her 2 yr molars are about to bust through. She has gained 5 lbs and grown 4 inches. Most of the time, she will eat what we are eating.

She is now using all kinds of words. Just yesterday, she stood at the window saying “Dadda home, Dadda home” in kind of a whiny voice. He is normally able to join us since he works just a few minutes away. Cassie is our black lab and she has started trying to call her and get her to follow her around, “Ka-Ka come.”

She is definitely trying to assert her independence. Her sleep issues have quieted a little. She still needs us to lie next to her to fall asleep, but she has slept through the night 3 of the last 5 nights!

Lily and I met Daddy in Myrtle Beach for 5 days. Steve had to travel with the track team. Now, before you say “That’s too bad :(” . . . The highs hovered around 60. Not much beach time. I wasn’t about to try and do 10 days of 24/7 with Lily and her sleep issues if I didn’t have to. It was well worth the time and money to get out of town for a few days.

We had NO idea what we were in for a year and a day ago. She is definitely a firecracker, but she is also a joy. I’m appreciating the unsolicited hugs/kisses and the “help, mama” while they last. I wish I could find the words to express what we are really feeling. Unbelievably Blessed!

Thanks Mom and Dad R for your beautiful bouquet!

Go, go, go!

My friend, Tabitha, has two boys. They have a toy 4 wheeler that Lily learned she could make go. Now, she doesn't really know how to turn, so you have to stay pretty close.