ADOPTION THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION

CLOSURE

This weekend was a milestone for my family. We had an adoption celebration to express our gratitude to family and friends that have been significant in our adoption journey. More importantly, it was a time to give thanks to our God for his faithfulness these last 15 months. It was a great time. For me, it brings closure to a chapter in the life of our family. It was good. I'll post a few pictures later. I don't have any yet!! :)

Life is not that different this week than it was last week but I feel like we have turned the corner and are heading toward some new goals and events. The next big thing will be to launch Steph into the...big world. I know that she will be ready, but I am already sad for the day she leaves our home. Kristin will also graduate at the end of next year. How can that be?? Where does the time go? I'm trying to put the calendar together for the busy summer months. Life goes on.

I go back and forth as to whether I should keep blogging. If I do it, I should be a bit more diligent about it. If I don't, I think I should just close up shop. I don't know... Anyway, for today...I am content to just enjoy the day. Hope you are enjoying yours! :)

ANOTHER DAY TO REMEMBER. IT'S FINAL!

Today was our final adoption hearing. All my fretting about what might go wrong was all for naught. It was a piece of cake and I had nothing to worry about! We all met at the "Q" (everyones favorite Chinese restaurant in town) for lunch at about 12:30. After a spectacular meal, we headed over to the courthouse. I don't think I have ever been in a courtroom before so it was definitely a new experience for me!

We were ushered into the courtroom and waited for the judge to enter. We all had to stand when he came in (just like in the movies!). We asked a few questions like... "When did the children enter the country?", "Do you promise to provide for the children...?", "Do you love them?" and (to the children)..."Do you think this is a good idea?" Short, sweet and official.

After the formalities, Judge Dehn invited the children to come up to the bench. He gave the boys a gavel and put his robe on Roselyn. She then made the pronouncement... "Adoption granted!" and (after some coaching by the judge) made a decree that the parents would be required take the children to Disneyworld..." It was very fun.

After a few pictures, things got even more silly. The judge invited my dad up, put the robe on him and plopped him in his chair...with the giant gavel. (This is one of the benefits of living in a small town. We have known Judge Dehn for many years and my dad sees him every Saturday morning at Herman's Bakery. :) My dad will get a lot of mileage out of this one!

Anyway, it all took about 15 minutes. We have finally jumped through all the hoops. After the hearing, we came home and had cake and ice cream. A very simple and private celebration. It was a good day for our family. It meant a lot to me that ALL of our children could be there. It was special to have my parents be there as well. Thanks, Bjork for being the camera guy today! I am sorry that Allen's parents could not be there. We missed them. Anyway...it was a day to remember. God has blessed our family!

ONE MORE DAY

Friday is our final adoption hearing. As the day draws closer, I find myself being a little nervous. What if I forget something? What if it doesn't happen? Do I have all the right papers? Please pray for our family as we finalize the adoption and move on to the next chapter. It has certainly been a wild ride thus far... I am excited to see how the story of our family continues as we go around this next bend. Maybe there's baseball star in our future? Another driver in the family? Maybe a new puppy? Perhaps another wedding?? Maybe grandchildren?? OK, OK, I'll stop. In the meantime... stay tuned. Friday will be a day to remember!

A FEW DAYS IN THE SUN

I just got back from a get-away to Arizona with Steph, my friend Cherie and her daughter, Jamey. We visited Allen's parents in Sun City and despite the 50 degree weather, it was indeed...sunny. I am not complaining one bit about the weather though. To us, it felt glorious! To walk outside without a coat felt rather...NICE. Allen kept telling me how horrible the weather was in Cambridge and that I better enjoy it, cause I sure wasn't missin' much! I did just that!

It was a few days of walking, talking, shopping, eating and solving a computer version of a Nancy Drew mystery. There are fresh oranges, grapefruit and lemons on the trees in the backyard. You can't beat that!! It reminded me of my old life...QUIET!... and less complicated. It was great to spend some uninterrupted time with my friends, my in-laws and most of all, my daughter! In the craziness of life, I find that I am more appreciative of things, special people and special times. Thanks John, Joan, Cherie, Jamey and Steph for a great weekend. Thanks to my dear husband for orchestrating the mayhem at home and encouraging me to go.

ON OUR WAY TO CHURCH...

On the way to church tonight out of the blue...

Rigo: Oh Mom, in the Philippines...I remember once that they took these big things out of my ears!!!
Mom: What big things, Rigo?
Rigo: These big things. They put something in my ear and pulled these...these...things...
Mom: Did it hurt?
Rigo: Not really...It was these...these...these big things...
Mom: Can you try to describe it to me?
Rigo: Yeah! It was...you know...these...these big...these big booger things!
(Of course everyone else in the car was in hysterics at this point.)
Mom: Oh, Rigo...was it ear wax??
Rigo: Oh yeah, it was ear wax!!! I remember that they took them out of my ears and they were so big!!!

End of story. :)
That's my boy.

Yesterday's Quote-

Rigo: Dad, I had a crazy hair when I came home today.
Dad: (trying to correct our son) Rigo, you had a crazy hair?? I think you mean... you had crazy hair when you came home today.
Rigo: Oh yeah, I had crazy hair today when I came home today. IT STICKED IT UP!!! :)

Really, little Rigo is doing so well with his English. As a matter of fact, he is quickly losing the ability to use his Cebuano. He doesn't have much opportunity to use it and when asked how to say certain words in Cebuano, he can't remember. We have had a rule that at the dinner table that we must only speak English. The other night, I suggested that we speak only Cebuano. Of course, it was a struggle for Allen and I to be very engaged in this exercise, but it was even a bit challenging for Roselyn, Romeo and Rodrigo. Roselyn has opportunity to speak Cebuano quite often with a few of her FIlipino friends here in Cambridge. Romeo and Rodrigo...not so much. It will be interesting to see how much Rodrigo remembers as time goes on. It is hard to FORCE him to speak Cebuano when no one else at school or church speaks it. Hopefully, his brother and sister will keep talking to him enough to retain some of it. In the meantime, he makes us all smile with his cute conversation.

IT WAS A BAD DAY

Today was a bad day. I received an invitation in the mail to register for my AARP membership!!! I mean REALLY! This can't be! I am not even 50 yet!!!!!!!!!!! I have a 1st grader in my home! Time marches on and this is only the first of many unwelcome reminders that I am soon to be in the ranks of...senior citizens??!! I am now going to bed. Hope you had a good day!