Melts my heart...

We were hanging out on the couch this morning, eating breakfast, watching Saturday morning cartoons, and just enjoying not having anywhere to go. Jay-R looked at me, gave me a great big hug, and said, "Thanks for coming to get me, Mommy."

Melted my heart. We talk about his adoption and his life in the Philippines openly. To hear him say that, just melted my heart. He understands that he is adopted, and that it's okay to be adopted. It helps, too, that in our small community, there are several children who are adopted in his kindergarten grade.

In the next sentence, he says, "Mommy, I want a bigger house so I can have a brother and another sister." Um, we'll have to see on that one...

Interesting Reflections on Structure...

After living in such a structured environment much of his life, Jay-R's life is now much less structured. Yes, there are routines and structure at school, daycare, and within our normal day to day living, but nothing like what he experienced at the orphanage where everything in a typical day was on a schedule. It seems like now he sometimes struggle with what to do with himself when there is not structure. For instance, at parent teacher conferences, his teacher said he does great in circle time but when doing independent desk work, he often asks to go to the bathroom and is gone awhile. And, after swim lessons, it takes him forever to come out of the boys locker room. At home, he is doing better with being able to play independently with his toys in his room, but he seldom plays independently longer than 20 minutes or so. I suppose he will become more and more used to this independent, unstructured time as he goes along day by day. And of course, he is a typical 5 year old boy full of energy! His teacher commented on how many of the other staff are amazed by his ability to tie his shoes (he often ties other children's shoes) and the gross motor skills in gym-running, skipping-things that many of the other children still struggle with. We assume this comes from having to do things for himself with so few caregivers with so many children. At home, he often won't do things by himself, though. He likes to be cared for. While we think it is important that he do some things on his own, we also understand his need to be cared for since he missed out on so much of this in his younger years. Adoption is an amazing journey. Jay-R continues to challenge us and amaze us each and every day. We love this little guy. It helps to try to look at things from his point of view to try to help him adjust to these new experiences.

Oh, a cute little ending story...Jay-R came home from the church Harvest party tonight with a bag of candy. He wasn't going to show Daddy where it was in fear that Daddy might eat his candy...Daddy has quite the sweet tooth. Jay-R can't keep secrets so he showed Daddy where his candy was. He decided to give Daddy a piece. Daddy wanted something Jay-R didn't want to give up. Jay-R looked at his Daddy and said, "Stop. You're driving me crazy!" I guess he has heard me say one too many times, "Those dogs are driving me crazy!" The things they pick up on!

Home Sweet Home!

Well, daddy survived his first time alone with the kids. I had a good conference, learned some new things I can take back to my facility, and was able to relax some. It was the first time I ever stayed alone in a hotel room by myself. I was fine...the hotel is very secure. The scary thing, though, was that the hotel less than a quarter mile down the road had a shooting the first night I was there. Some women were in a first floor room and had cracked their patio door for air. A man came in and demanded money. One of the ladies pulled a gun from her purse and shot him. It was in self-defense, and she was carrying the handgun legally. The man died in the parking lot. Even though this wasn't my hotel, I did find myself double and triple checking the locks on my door before I went to bed the next night! But, that was the precise reason I requested not to stay on the first floor...I did not want a glass patio door in my room. My third floor room suited me just fine!

Both of the kids were happy to see me as I was to see them. Jay-R jumped in my arms at daycare when we picked him up. We spent the weekend at soccer games and Saturday night at Cedar Point. I forgot my camera, but my mom got some great pics. The park was busy, but we were able to ride some of our favorites. The Raptor which is my favorite because I love my feet dangling was open which made me happy! It had been closed when we went in June. Ash and I tried a new roller coaster, the Mantis, where you stand up. We waited an hour for that ride-I didn't like it! It was fun watching Jay-R go on all the kiddie rides, too. Mom and I went with Jay-R so Ashleigh, Kory, and my dad could do the Halloween scary houses. We all had a great time. We're all a little tired now, and Jay-R has a tummyache but hopefully a good night's sleep has him feeling better in the morning.

Tomorrow marks a new week. Jay-R will be doing swimming lessons at the high school. He's a little nervous but I'm hoping he learns the basics with us and both grandparents having a pool. Our high school offers lessons for $5, so I couldn't pass that up. He loves water, so it should be a good experience. I'll let you know!

Another First....

I hate the thought of leaving these smiling faces for a few days...

Another First....I leave Wednesday bright and early to go to a conference three hours from home. I always go every October to get my CEUs that I need to keep my job certification. It's a great time to gain new knowledge, get refreshed, and network with others in the field. But, it means leaving home for a couple days. I get home Friday afternoon. I have never left Jay-R overnight before so this will be a new experience. Of course, by now, he has learned that when Mommy leaves, she always comes back but she's always there at bedtime! Hubby got a little practice playing single daddy last week when I was ill so hopefully things go smoothly when I'm gone. I tried to explain it to Jay-R in terms he would understand and told him Mommy's work was sending her to school for a few days at a hotel. This morning when I took him to school, before he got out of the car, he said, "Mommy, you going to school today?" "No, honey, just work." "Okay, bye, love you!" I knew this would cause him some anxiety, and he's been asking about it, but they'll be okay. Ashleigh and Kory don't like it when I'm gone, either. I joke with them that they miss someone cooking for them! Ashleigh did appreciate the homecooked meal last night even if it was just spaghetti...Daddy's not much of a cook! Please pray for my family and my safe travels!

Mommy the Nurturer, Daddy the Protector...

I still wasn't feeling up to par Friday night, so I designated it as Family Movie Night minus Daddy who had to go to bed extra early to get up for work Saturday. With Jay-R's new fascination with hot chocolate, love of trains, and excitement for Christmas, we opted to watch Polar Express. He sat with his eyes glued to the TV. The ghost/hobo scenes scared him a little, but he cuddled with me which of course I loved. Towards the end of the movie, Ashleigh asked him an interesting question...
A: "So, Jay-R, if the Polar Express stops here to pick you up, are you going to get on?"
J: (some hesitation, wide eyes, and a soft voice) "Nooo."
A: "What are you going to do?"
J: (without any hesitation and much louder) "I'm gonna get my Daddy!"

Mommy the nurturer to cuddle with during the movie and Daddy the protector to save the day should the movie come to life! No, he's not scared of Santa, just the idea of being whisked away on a big train!

Oh, I can't wait to share Christmas traditions with him! I was researching directions on how to make Filipino Christmas star lanterns, parols, and found lots of different ideas, but they all call for bamboo pieces...does anyone know, can you get those at a craft store like Hobby Lobby? We want to incorporate parol making as part of our annual Christmas traditions.

Catching Up...

We have been so busy with soccer games and practices, there hasn't been much free time lately. Until today...I've been stuck home all day with a fever. I rarely get sick. All I've done today is sleep, and I'm not a TV person so I figure this is the perfect time to catch up the blog. Here are some pictures from our Labor Day weekend trip to the Great Smoky Mountains with my family. Thanks Mom & Dad for a great trip! We had a great time!

My sister and Ashleigh. Ash is getting so tall!

Family photo inside the cabin.

A view of the mountains from atop the Space Needle. You can see the smoke rising from the mountains, henceforth the name-"Great Smoky Mountains."

Family photo atop the Space Needle. I hated that thing. I do not like heights and looking down just about made me sick! Jay-R and I went down before everyone else did and played some games in the arcade. My family saw a person hit by a car after we had already went down. The person was okay. There were sooo many people there Labor Day weekend, and traffic was thick!

Taking a short break.

Ash and I at the Apple Barn, our favorite restaurant there. The apple fritters and apple butter are wonderful!

Okay, I realize this pic is dark but it's the best shot I could get. Look at the left top of the photo-you will see a dark black blob. This is a baby bear who joined us on the trail to the Laurel Falls. I have been to Tennesse many times and have never seen a bear on the trail. Everyone stayed quiet and calm. And thankfully, mama bear was no where in sight!

Jay-R posing in his new, cool blue shades!

Ate and Jay-R on the Sugarlands Trail.

My Musical Kids

Ashleigh is learning to play the clarinet, and Jay-R loves to sing. Here are two of their recent performances...."Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and "Happy Birthday."

A Hometown Story of Faith, Football, and Family on ESPN

On Tuesday night at 7 pm, ESPN will air a story about faith that is near and dear to the hearts of all those in my town. Please click on the link to my friend's blog to learn more about the Mealer-Richer families and their incredible story and please plan to watch the documentary.


http://brendawantstoshowyou.blogspot.com/2009/10/faith-reoccurring-theme-documentary-on.html

"Mommy, it's snow!"

Jay-R has been pretty cold these past few days. I keep telling him it's going to get a lot colder! Last night, it frosted so we woke up to frost all over the windshield. Yuck, I'm not ready for that! I showed him how you can see your breath. He stood in the yard for a few minutes amazed at the fact he could see his breath. He couldn't wait to tell his friend that! On the drive to school, he proclaimed, "Mommy, it's snow!" I smiled and explained it was frost on the grass, and he would have to wait a few more months for snow. I can't wait to see his eyes when we get dumped on this winter! It's so much fun experiencing the world through his eyes and being amazed at things we normally take for granted.

I promise to post more pictures soon. It's been an exceptionally busy week.