BAHAMAS

This year, our family split up for our spring break adventures. Lindsay, Kristin, Steph and I went on a cruise to the Bahamas a week ago and Allen, Roselyn and the boys got to go to Arizona for their spring break. It probably wont happen again this way, but for this year, it seemed like a good solution to some scheduling challenges.

My time with the girls was fantastic! It was fun, relaxing and just good to spend some time together. We made a visit to the spa, hung out at two amazing beaches, enjoyed some great food and had a great time simply watching people. The highlight of the trip was a dolphin encounter for Kristin and Steph. Thanks for the good time, girls!

PICTURES OF BELIZE

BELIZE

Belize. I guess I never thought I would visit this little country but here I am in my shorts and a t-shirt with the ocean and palm trees in plain view. Yep. I'm here alright! When I started my blog three years ago, Allen and I were on vacation in Mexico. That was when we received the call from the Philippines with 3 children on the line waiting to say...."Hi, Mom and Dad!" That trip marked the beginning of a remarkable chapter in our lives. In my mind, this trip brings some closure to that chapter. Allen and I have had a lot of time to talk about our journey. We've also had time to think about the next chapter. Mostly, we have had time to just be together and relax. It has been good.

Some of you have asked to see pictures of our trip. As soon as I get home, I'll post some. The name of the resort is called Hamanasi. It is a quiet resort in the southern part of Belize. There is no night life here, no shopping (to speak of), no TV's in the rooms, very spotty cell service, and internet is available only in the lobby area. The restaurant and bar close down at about 10 p.m. and in general, the people here are soft-spoken. It's not for everyone, but it has been a perfect get-away for Allen and me.

We went on a hike in the jungle one day. It was a 2 mile hike with a rather difficult climb to a secret pool and waterfall. It was a fun adventure. The pool was beautiful...something you would see in the movies! The other adventure was a snorkeling trip. As luck would have it, we were the only ones who signed up for that day. A private snorkeling excursion! The ocean was calm and the sun was shining! We saw stingrays, an eel, and many, many beautiful fish! It was also a wonderful experience. The last adventure was a bike ride into the sleepy town of Hopkins. It was so interesting to talk with some of the local people. One woman had a hemp shop in a school bus. She lived in the back of the bus. Her "shop" was in the front. A reminder that we were not in Kansas!

The worst thing here is the presence of sand fleas or "no-see-ums". We try to wear bug spray. Allen has discovered Angry Birds on my phone and has become slightly addicted. It's fun to see him wasting time... The best thing here is time. Time to sit and read, to talk, and to sleep. Tomorrow we go home. I like it here...but I look forward to being at home again too. Hope you enjoy the pictures!

SLEDDING ON CHRISTMAS EVE

Christmas Eve was such a fun evening. After church, dinner and presents, we went outside for a time of sledding. Allen and the boys had put lights up the night before which made it very festive and fun! This was a fun highlight for me! Great to do something TOGETHER!!

INTERESTING DISCUSSION

I have recently had a few people ask me some interesting questions about our family. For me, the "new" normal has now turned into the "regular" normal. I think less and less about adoption and more and more about our family...the way it is. I guess that there are still folks out there that have questions about our blended family. Here are two such questions that caught me off guard recently.

I called to leave a message for one of my kids at the school and the receptionist asked if she should refer to me as "Mom". "Does he call you...Mom?" My first inclination was to say..."Of course, he does!! What else would he call me? I AM his mom"...but I thought better of it realizing that it was simply an innocent question. I know that she is a very nice person and would never intentionally say anything hurtful. It made me realize how fortunate I am that I don't just have three more kids living with me...I have three more children that are nestled in my heart...and I in theirs. Our kids have called us "Mom and Dad" from the very first phone call to today. Just for the record, I love being called "Mom" by my kids. All of them.

I was sitting at a table with R,R and R when a well-intentioned lady started asking questions about the children. They were present when she asked..."how long have you had THEM...and will you be keeping THEM forever to raise THEM as your own?" I was slightly irritated, but (again) tried to be gracious as I answered the questions. Inside of me, the protective Mother Hen was rearing my head. I know that people mean well in their curiosity about our blended family, but sometimes...

I am truly thankful that we have felt an easy bond with our Filipino children. We certainly do love them. We feel that they love and are connected to us as well. It is a blessing. It doesn't alway happen that way.

CHRISTMAS 2010

Christmas was a whirlwind...again. I imagine most people feel that same way. Looking back at these pictures makes me happy. Lots of fun and special times with friends and family made it a very special time. Here is a snippet of what we did in December.