12/30/08 My own Compooter!

I am posting out of order - but I thought these were too cute to wait on. Lacie and Paul got laptop computers for Christmas from MawMaw Edith and PawPaw Scott. They are so excited about them. Lacie has been wanting a computer for a long time and asks us often, "can I write my name" on our laptop. Her computer is still a challenge to her so she prefers Paul's at this time but she will grow into it. It is the Disney Princess laptop. It has a QWERTY keyboard which was important for me (not many for her age group had a QWERTY keyboard). Anyway - here are some pics:

Lacie dancing with excitement over getting her own compooter.


They love playing with their compooters.



Coming soon - a slide show of our multiple Christmases!

Happy New Year!

12/27/2008 Preparing for Christmas

I have thought all along that we were going to have five Christmases - but I forgot the one we had on Christmas morning. So, in total - we are having six Christmases. Anyway, we have five Christmases down and one to go. But in the interim, here is a video/slideshow of some of the Christmas preparations - watch/listen for Paul's giggles. He is so funny. And Euitag is the best big brother!


Blessings!

Vonda

12/26/2008 Christmas morning

Ahhhh what a great morning and day we had. We have lots to share and I hope to put together video/slide show of our multiple Christmas gatherings. Until then I wanted to share a little of our morning.

Lacie did sleep well. She wanted to sleep in. But she was definitely not so shook up that she could not sleep. Mommy and Daddy helped Santa unload from the porch. Santa ate his cookies and drank his milk (on the porch of course) and John and I were left to set it all up. (There was not much for we went very minimal this year - I mean really - it is not about us anyway, right?)

Christmas morning Paul got up early and the first thing he did was put on his "flight jacket" he got from my aunt and he was on fire. I sent him to be with daddy. That lasted no time and he was back with me and Lacie. So, I got up and changed him and gave him a bottle. Who was on fire that it was Christmas morning though? Daddy!

John wanted to wake Lacie. He did. He wanted to wake Euitag. He did. He was so excited about Christmas it was cute. So, finally Euitag got up (keep in mind it was still early) and then we went into the living room to do Santa presents. We read the letter from Santa to Lacie and then let them have their presents. (Lacie got a doll house and Paul got a little people garage.) Euitag got house-shoes. Euitags mom sent our family a gift of the most wonderful scarves. Each of us got a scarf and the kids a hat. Euitag got me a beautiful necklace that he got in Korea. I love it. Anyway, it was all good - our fun morning - then we opened stockings. Everyone had little toys and play things in their stockings. ENOUGH blabbing - here are some pics - just a few till I can work on a slide show of our entire Christmas fun!

Blessings to all!






AND at the end of the day - we could not wake Lacie for the world.

MERRY CHRISTmas!

Merry CHRISTmas to our friends and family everywhere! We have been on a whirlwind and finally Santa finished with his preparations and Mr. Santa is in bed and Mrs Santa is blogging at 2:27 a.m.

Lacie left a note for Santa asking him to leave her presents on the back porch because she is scared of him. She said: Dear Santa: Please leave my presents on the back porch. We left you cookies and milk there. If you have an extra Cinderella doll, please leave one for me. I love you to draw. Love Lacie.

Santa responded:
Dear Lacie, I got your note and left your presents on the back porch. You have been such a good girl. I hope you like your doll house. I saw you asked for a Cinderella doll. I know you already have one and thought you might like a Sleeping Beauty instead. I hope you have a Merry Christmas. Remember that if it were not for Jesus birthday there would be no Christmas. Love, Santa and Mrs Claus and all the Reindeer.

By the way - mommy and daddy carried the presents in and set them up for Santa.

We will have pictures and videos coming - hopefully tomorrow. Mrs Santa MUST get to bed!

Much love to our friends and family everywhere, including China and Korea!

Vonda

12/07/2008 Paul update

Well, lots of Paul updates! This last week was a very busy week for our boy. Of course, as already reported, Tuesday was our adoption finalization. After we celebrated with a yummy brunch he came home with me (Lacie went to my moms for the rest of the day) and we had mommy-son time together. It was fun. In the afternoon a speech pathologist came to our home to evaluate him, which was very interesting.

On Wednesday, we took Paul back to the international adoption pediatrician for a six-month follow up. (Yes, it had been more than six months since he has come home.)

Thursday and Friday we were back to school.

Speech eval and speech update: The speech pathologist was very impressed with Paul’s gross and fine motor skills, his strength, his ability to do something only after having been shown once. She said he seemed to be older than his stated age – with the exception of his speech. His receptive language is awesome. He does minimal babbling. He grunts, growls and uses sign language for communication. He can sign: more, eat, drink, banana, cracker, bottle, sit, sit here, please, thank you, bath, brush teeth, help, daddy, hat, ball, book, blankie, all done, shoes, socks, get out (of the tub, chair, etc), bird, and I am sure several more. I am constantly surprised how many signs he has picked up on. I will show him a sign and he will ignore it until several days later and he needs it – than low and behold, he knows it. It amazes me. Anyway – she said that although his signs are his only true form of communication, she thinks that he does not need to use words to express himself. She recommended that we begin to ask him to use spoken words along with his signs – to point to our lips and say, “use words – say ball”, etc. She said she believes he will understand what we are asking of him.

In addition to his language delays, he would not (upon request) point to his nose, eyes, ears, etc as children his age should. But he will look at his toes if asked where they are, and will go get items in the house if asked. So, it is not that he does not understand. He is very perceptive. Anyway –

Since Tuesday, he has said, “ball” (sounds more like “ba”). He also has said “no.” As a matter of fact, he is beginning to love to hear himself say “no.” I never dreamed that I would be excited to hear my child tell me “no.” He will also point to Elmo and said “Momo.” AND believe it or not, has begun to point to his nose, head, teeth, ears, tummy, hands and toes. Where did that all come from out of the blue? I have been very surprised.

We are supposed to get his hearing tested in the next week or so – and then I guess begin speech therapy.

Many people think that due to the language differences that is why he is delayed, and I agree that it does carry a lot of weight – but all children should be at a certain place in speech development – babbling certain sounds, etc. And the speech pathologist agrees that the language difference would not keep him from certain sounds and babbling. Besides, he will not qualify for the state assistance after the age 3 – so we may as well take advantage.

RE: the 6 month (really 8 month) follow up appointment with the international adoption pediatrician – Paul has grown again (of course.) According to his 18 month measurements at the end of September, Paul was 23.2 lbs and was 32.12 inches tall. In just two months he is measuring at: 24.4 lbs and 33.5 inches. This puts him at 20% weight and 70% height. The rest of his visit with the pediatrician went well. There is no reason to return unless something else comes up.

Paul is a happy boy. He is rowdy and loves to wrestle with his dad and sister. He loves to eat. He loves to snuggle and cuddle. With passion, he will take my face in his hands and squeeze it and put his face in my face. He also hugs and pats our backs. He loves hugging his sister too. He loves to dress himself (or at least make the attempt.) He is somewhat successful with his pants, socks and shoes. He is beginning to like books and is mastering some puzzles. He still loves to help clean up the kitchen and do laundry. He is my special little baby boy – and we are continually blessed each day we have him in our lives.

Blessings -

12/2/2008 He is officially ours!

So, while in our hearts he has been ours from March 31st, today marks the day that he is officially and legally our special little boy. Now he is ALL Ours - ok and God's too. For God is the one who gave him to us. Paul Joshua is his new legal name. It is sort of bittersweet though as his name is officially changed. I felt the same changing Lacie's name.

We met our attorney and Paul's attorney at the courthouse at 8:25 a.m. Paul's attorney, the court appointed guardian ad litem, said that Paul is his youngest client yet. I honestly hope that Paul never needs a lawyer again, of course unless it is for a good reason, like an adoption.

There was one case in front of ours and they were running a bit behind. There were many people standing around the lobby outside the court room - but no chaos. When it was our turn to sit before the judge, the sheriff came out and announced our name, "BLOGSINGER!" Lacie yelled in reply, as she began to run in his direction, "We're coming!" There was a bit of a chuckle by many as we walked by. Even the Sheriff seemed to appreciate her enthusiasm.

When we were sworn in, Lacie also held up her right hand and said, "I do/I will." We have been so proud of her.

The proceedings went very fast - they asked us questions like where we live, if we were married, will we love and treat Paul as if our own biological child, etc. BY THE WAY - I do not know if I could love my children any more if they were my biological children. I do know that they are definitely "MY OWN." And it was declared by the judge as official - he granted the adoption.

This is when I look at my children and think: How much they depend on adults to make right and correct decisions for them. They really have no say in their own lives. They do not ask to be in the position to be adopted and/or leave their own birth countries. They are just innocent little children - it is our duty to make sure that the privilege we have to raise them is always just that - a privilege. It is not a right.

OK - then we took photos and got certified copies of our petition to adopt and the judgment. We were done. My mom was there to help with the kids and to take pictures. She then treated us to brunch. What a special day it is today. Here are some photos of our morning:

In the Lobby waiting for our turn with the judge:
Can you tell that she LOVES her brother?

With the judge:


After the hearing with the attorneys:



Today Paul also had a speech evaluation - since his only spoken word is still Mama. More on that later - but I will say that he has had a HUGE Day!

Blessings!

Vonda, John, Lacie and Paul

11/30/2008 Thanksgiving and more

Ok OK - I am several days late in wishing a Happy Thanksgiving. SO - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

We have been on a whirlwind of a holiday. For my readers/friends/family who have called and written - (you know who you are) - I am so sorry that I have not been better at responding. AND for my readers and friends who have written and stay in touch regularly - I promise to be in touch soon. These past few months have been very hectic. The only time I get to even do a blog update is late late at night.

OK - poor excuses I know. However, here are two beautiful excuses for who I am grateful:



We had an awesome Thanksgiving. We visited with lots of family. We had three Thanksgiving dinners and visited four families. On Thanksgiving day we were at my dad and stepmom's. Saturday we were at John's mom's home and today we celebrated with John's dad and stepmom. We saw siblings and cousins. We ate tons of food that included turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and ALL the other fixins. Lacie and Paul got to spend time with their cousins and enjoyed their time. Lacie began to wonder whose house we were visiting now?

We are also thankful for our wonderful church. We so love being a part of a growing congregation and - Lacie gets excited EVERY Saturday evening when I tell her where we are going the next day. Thank God for that.

Tonight while we were watching a show - a character referred to some steps as "stairs." Lacie asked, "why did she say they were stairs. I thought they were steps." I told her that they were basically the same thing - stairs and steps. Lacie responded with, "Like God and Jesus?" Me: Well, yes Lacie - like God and Jesus." Lacie: "They are the same but different, right mommy?" me: Yes Lacie - You know, it is still a little for me to even grasp as an adult at times. So - I am amazed that she is working on it herself like she is.

A cute Lacie-ism: When she was getting ready to get in the bath I said, "I love your little bottom Lacie." Lacie responded, "I love your big bottom mommy." Gee - thanks Lace!

Here is a pic of my nephew with my kids - we hardly get to visit with Jonathan. He is 16 like Euitag - and they are both VERY smart boys.


Blessings to all!

Vonda