Noel and I snuck away to Target tonight. She received a gift card from Grandma Karen (Love you mom!) for her birthday. For the record: she has one day left of being five.
We prepped in the car about possible gift ideas. I stressed that I did NOT want her to buy all kinds of the dollar crappy gifts that are right in the front. They are all bright and plasticy and Hello Kitty. We walked in holding hands and I saw a kid I knew. I had never met him before, but I knew him. Then I saw Laura and other children I knew. I follow her blog. She lives in Chicagoland (I think) and there they were in the Holland Target. I went up to her. "Hi. I follow your blog." How is that for an amazing I'm such a stalker opening. I knew I wanted to talk with her so I sent Noel to swarm the dollar bins along with Laura's kids. For the record Noel chose seven dollar plastic items. Whatever. I wanted to talk with someone I admire.
Laura eyed me with a mix of skepticism and warmth. She is kind. I sang right next to her my senior year of high school. She is an adoptive mom as well. Adoptive mamas connect right away. She chatted a bit. I feel like I know her so well and yet, I don't. She has never read my blog and has very little recollection of me. (hmm. . . I thought I was cool my senior year.) We talked about adoption and she asked to see my Michael. I carry a picture in my back pocket. She got teary and I did too. One of her daughters is from Hunan province. We encouraged each other. We celebrated how God has worked in our lives.
I didn't want to go to Target. Gary was so exhausted and wanted to go to sleep at 6:30 (work.) It is Noel's birthday. She is so very excited about spending her gift money. I get it. Yet I know why I went to Target on a Saturday night. It was a God moment. Laura and I both said so.
I'm glad that I went and feel so very wonderful at having connected with her. I do think I need to reevaluate my opening line though. :)
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Speaking engagement #4
I'm speaking tomorrow! I totally forgot to blog about it and I'm a tad behind in preparing. . . like it is down on paper and I haven't gone through it once.
I'm preaching at Camp Roger tomorrow. I'm totally excited to be at one of my most favorite places. I'm extra excited because my nephew is there this week. I'm going to talk about Nicodemus and tie it into Camp Roger's Birthday. Camp Roger is 100 this year! Nicodemus has a birthday of sorts as well. He was born again and became a Christ follower. I'm going to challenge all the campers to dedicate their lives to Christ so that they can get a new name--Christian. :) It is still rough, but I'll work on it tomorrow morning. Nothing like waiting until the last minute. Oops. This is a paying gig too--I get a free t-shirt. I like beefing up my Camp Roger apparel.
I'm taking the whole family up with me. We will lunch with the campers, swim, and then go to church together. Sounds like a fabulous afternoon to me! Hope you enjoy your Sunday as well.
I'm preaching at Camp Roger tomorrow. I'm totally excited to be at one of my most favorite places. I'm extra excited because my nephew is there this week. I'm going to talk about Nicodemus and tie it into Camp Roger's Birthday. Camp Roger is 100 this year! Nicodemus has a birthday of sorts as well. He was born again and became a Christ follower. I'm going to challenge all the campers to dedicate their lives to Christ so that they can get a new name--Christian. :) It is still rough, but I'll work on it tomorrow morning. Nothing like waiting until the last minute. Oops. This is a paying gig too--I get a free t-shirt. I like beefing up my Camp Roger apparel.
I'm taking the whole family up with me. We will lunch with the campers, swim, and then go to church together. Sounds like a fabulous afternoon to me! Hope you enjoy your Sunday as well.
Friday, June 28, 2013
God reassures
The day after the last post--THE DAY AFTER...
I received great news about Michael. It was from his occupational therapist. My son Michael has an occupational therapist. She works at the orphanage with all of the children. She met with his team. My son Michael has a team. They went through all of my questions and then some. She answered them and I am so excited. I'm excited about Michael's personality. I'm excited about the care he is getting. I'm excited that he loves to eat but doesn't like apples. He gets afraid during thunderstorms. His best friend is Biao. (Do you want to adopt Biao? That would be cool.) His nickname is Mr. Housekeeper. Sounds exactly the kind of son that I need to have. :) He is emotionally ready to be adopted. He is well loved. He is cared for on a 1:4 ratio. He goes to school on a 1:8 ratio. That is amazing. ICC is amazing. God is amazing.
Thanks for praying. Thanks be to God for answering my concerns and fear so very quickly. He is just so very cool. We received our first official document back from China--it is our pre-approval. They pre-approved us! We have until December to get all of our documents back to them. I filled out my child abuse checks for Florida and Illinois. Moving on. Rock-n-Roll.
I received great news about Michael. It was from his occupational therapist. My son Michael has an occupational therapist. She works at the orphanage with all of the children. She met with his team. My son Michael has a team. They went through all of my questions and then some. She answered them and I am so excited. I'm excited about Michael's personality. I'm excited about the care he is getting. I'm excited that he loves to eat but doesn't like apples. He gets afraid during thunderstorms. His best friend is Biao. (Do you want to adopt Biao? That would be cool.) His nickname is Mr. Housekeeper. Sounds exactly the kind of son that I need to have. :) He is emotionally ready to be adopted. He is well loved. He is cared for on a 1:4 ratio. He goes to school on a 1:8 ratio. That is amazing. ICC is amazing. God is amazing.
Thanks for praying. Thanks be to God for answering my concerns and fear so very quickly. He is just so very cool. We received our first official document back from China--it is our pre-approval. They pre-approved us! We have until December to get all of our documents back to them. I filled out my child abuse checks for Florida and Illinois. Moving on. Rock-n-Roll.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
600 posts
I just hung up the phone with a friend. Not true. I hung up the phone, asked Simon to go back outside because he was all wet, checked the pumpkin muffins, passed out popcicles, tightened goggles, checked for a wasp nest, dried off my feet, grabbed a drink, sat down to look for a recipe which uses rainbow chard, got up to change the radio station because I can't stand listening to Adam on JQ 99, sat back down and thought again about my phone call.
I had unloaded. There was a ton sitting on my head and I unloaded to my friend. She let me. I have let her before too. We go back and forth. I hope that you have a friend like that. I had talked with Gary earlier this afternoon about how scared I was about the adoption. I'm afraid. I'm not at all afraid that we made the wrong decision. NO WAY. God placed Michael before us, but there are so many unknowns. The classes we have taken, books we have read, information we have received from the Treacher Collins Yahoo Group have opened our eyes. I got a case of the "oh no! I'm afraid of what lies ahead of us" syndrome. Thankfully, there is a cure. My God. He is the cure for this.
He already knows my son. He hand-picked Gary and I to be the parents of this sweet boy. He knows that our lives will be forever different and very challenging in many respects. He knows this. He knows how to equip us to handle physical difficulties. He knows how to equip us to handle emotional attachment issues. So I can rest in Him. That doesn't mean that I do nothing! How can God bless nothing? I'm going to pray. I'm going to learn and ask questions and read and search and fall back on prayer. I'm going to thank God for friends who let me unload. They will not judge but rather assist me in carrying these things. See God has that too! I'm going to say "Wow! Thanks!" when handed a rather significant sum of money at church on Sunday morning from a surprising giver. I'm going to bless God and marvel and how He is already providing.
This is post number 600. It began celebrating what God is doing in my life and it will continue. Post 700 800 and 931 will be about what God is doing in my life. He is woven through adoption and addiction. He is woven through my marriage and my kids--all five of them. I don't know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.
I had unloaded. There was a ton sitting on my head and I unloaded to my friend. She let me. I have let her before too. We go back and forth. I hope that you have a friend like that. I had talked with Gary earlier this afternoon about how scared I was about the adoption. I'm afraid. I'm not at all afraid that we made the wrong decision. NO WAY. God placed Michael before us, but there are so many unknowns. The classes we have taken, books we have read, information we have received from the Treacher Collins Yahoo Group have opened our eyes. I got a case of the "oh no! I'm afraid of what lies ahead of us" syndrome. Thankfully, there is a cure. My God. He is the cure for this.
He already knows my son. He hand-picked Gary and I to be the parents of this sweet boy. He knows that our lives will be forever different and very challenging in many respects. He knows this. He knows how to equip us to handle physical difficulties. He knows how to equip us to handle emotional attachment issues. So I can rest in Him. That doesn't mean that I do nothing! How can God bless nothing? I'm going to pray. I'm going to learn and ask questions and read and search and fall back on prayer. I'm going to thank God for friends who let me unload. They will not judge but rather assist me in carrying these things. See God has that too! I'm going to say "Wow! Thanks!" when handed a rather significant sum of money at church on Sunday morning from a surprising giver. I'm going to bless God and marvel and how He is already providing.
This is post number 600. It began celebrating what God is doing in my life and it will continue. Post 700 800 and 931 will be about what God is doing in my life. He is woven through adoption and addiction. He is woven through my marriage and my kids--all five of them. I don't know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.
Monday, June 24, 2013
Who knew there was room for improvement? ;)
So. . . .
I like to learn about how to be a better parent. I love learning from other moms and dads. I love reading blogs from folks I respect and learning from them. I do not find myself turning to books. . . mostly because finding the time to sit and read doesn't gel with me right now. I read the newspaper while I eat breakfast and lunch. I read a blog in three minutes here and there. I love reading books, but don't take the time.
Gary and I have a homework assignment for our adoption homestudy. We have to read a book called The Connected Child. We also have to take two web classes. We've completed one (one hour and we ROCKED the test at the end!) and I've finished the book. Here is the spoiler--I learned.
I feel like I've been a better parent over the past week because of what I'm reading. Funny thing is I really haven't learned anything new and shocking. . . I've just been reminded about stuff that I believe in. When I'm more intentional about my parenting things tend to go better. Sure my daughter Penny will have a meltdown on the pulpit of Community Reformed Church. Yup. Screaming and kicking meltdown. She wanted a cupcake. Sure my kids will fight during the summer about goggles. Sure will. Garrison will ask for a snack every hour. My daughter Noel will lie to me about combing her hair. COMBING HER HAIR. I mean seriously--if you are going to lie at least choose something important. Make it worth the consequences. Simon will wish aloud every day for my video game time. I'm doing better with these issues. That feels good. It is a good summer thing.
Speaking of summer, we are doing great! Are you doing great? Last summer I scheduled too much. I was crabby and stressed. This summer I've been intentional about planning fun things but also planning nothing days. I'm better for it. I think my kids are too. Not every family functions the same, but it seems I'm finding a better balance about my family.
We have one more on-line (2 hours! Gah!) class to do tonight and Gary and I have individual interviews tomorrow afternoon with our social worker. It'll be another step closer to Michael. I received three new pictures of him this morning. He was posing with some sunglasses on. I love so many things about this. 1. The staff knows that he is being adopted and seem to be taking more pictures of him. Mama loves this! 2. He is laughing. I think he'll fit into our family just fine. 3. The more pictures we have of him from China, the more pieces he'll have to remember his story of his first six years. I believe this will pay huge dividends in the years to come.
Off to do more!
I like to learn about how to be a better parent. I love learning from other moms and dads. I love reading blogs from folks I respect and learning from them. I do not find myself turning to books. . . mostly because finding the time to sit and read doesn't gel with me right now. I read the newspaper while I eat breakfast and lunch. I read a blog in three minutes here and there. I love reading books, but don't take the time.
Gary and I have a homework assignment for our adoption homestudy. We have to read a book called The Connected Child. We also have to take two web classes. We've completed one (one hour and we ROCKED the test at the end!) and I've finished the book. Here is the spoiler--I learned.
I feel like I've been a better parent over the past week because of what I'm reading. Funny thing is I really haven't learned anything new and shocking. . . I've just been reminded about stuff that I believe in. When I'm more intentional about my parenting things tend to go better. Sure my daughter Penny will have a meltdown on the pulpit of Community Reformed Church. Yup. Screaming and kicking meltdown. She wanted a cupcake. Sure my kids will fight during the summer about goggles. Sure will. Garrison will ask for a snack every hour. My daughter Noel will lie to me about combing her hair. COMBING HER HAIR. I mean seriously--if you are going to lie at least choose something important. Make it worth the consequences. Simon will wish aloud every day for my video game time. I'm doing better with these issues. That feels good. It is a good summer thing.
Speaking of summer, we are doing great! Are you doing great? Last summer I scheduled too much. I was crabby and stressed. This summer I've been intentional about planning fun things but also planning nothing days. I'm better for it. I think my kids are too. Not every family functions the same, but it seems I'm finding a better balance about my family.
We have one more on-line (2 hours! Gah!) class to do tonight and Gary and I have individual interviews tomorrow afternoon with our social worker. It'll be another step closer to Michael. I received three new pictures of him this morning. He was posing with some sunglasses on. I love so many things about this. 1. The staff knows that he is being adopted and seem to be taking more pictures of him. Mama loves this! 2. He is laughing. I think he'll fit into our family just fine. 3. The more pictures we have of him from China, the more pieces he'll have to remember his story of his first six years. I believe this will pay huge dividends in the years to come.
Off to do more!
Friday, June 21, 2013
Thanks.
I feel like I'm going to be proclaiming this simple word over and over again in the next year. Thanks. I don't know quite how to express my real feelings about the support that we are being given in regards to adopting Michael. Saying thanks feels inadequate. . . like I should be doing something more or saying something more or giving something more back. . . .
If you have prayed for us. . . thanks.
If you have encouraged us. . . thanks.
If you have given of your time to help with fundraising or making a video or babysitting while we have interviews. . . thanks.
If you have sent us an anonymous donation. . . thanks.
If you have given us bunk beds. . . thanks.
If you called and listened to me cry because sometimes this just seems so hard. . . thanks.
If you have gotten excited and gotten me excited all over again. . . thanks.
If you sent us some photos of our boy. . .thanks.
If you are walking with us in any way and have joined us in our story. . . thanks.
Thanks.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
June 19
It's my anniversary today. Gary and I aren't huge celebrate-with-a-big-night-out kinda people. We went out for supper last night and enjoyed sharing memories and food. I really like him.
Nine years isn't a big deal. It isn't divisible by five. There aren't Hallmark cards for the ninth anniversary. I must say that this one holds some special meaning for me. Two reasons.
1. I consider the start time of being "single" as when I graduated from college. In my head I always thought (while in high school and even during the early years of college) that I would get married when I finished college. I was single for nine years. It was a great time and a very hard time. I had so many adventures that I'm thankful for. I traveled to Israel, Turkey and Greece. I spent week-ends in New York City. I explored all that South Florida has to offer. I moved to Miami for four years and met my best friend Karen. I worked at Camp Roger. I went to Colorado twice. I moved to Chicago. I made new friends, said good-bye to friends, and grew some very deep roots with some really wonderful friends. I celebrated marriages and births of people I loved. I coached volleyball and directed over 10 plays/musicals. I bounced a few checks. Nine years.
Today marks the day that I've been married for nine years. In my head I was single for "soooo" long, yet I don't feel like I've been married for "soooo" long. I've certainly had life changes during the past nine years--four kids, an adoption, a move to Michigan, a job change for me, the death of a parent, adding in-laws to my family, learning about and living through addiction, a miscarriage, becoming a Bible Study leader . . . I certainly haven't seen sitting on my tookus.
So while nine might not seem significant to most married folks, today has meaning for me. I've been married longer than I was single. It is hard for me to believe.
2. About a month ago I was asked my name and I said "Shanda Sprick". Profound right?!? :) I realized that I had just said it. I hadn't thought about it. It didn't sound strange. I had been Shanda Koeman for over thirty years. My last name was hammered into me during my first nine years of teaching because I was "Miss Koeman" and heard it hundreds of times a day. Though I was so proud to take Gary's name, I did mourn the loss of Koeman. I liked it. It defined a part of who I was. I'm not sure when the change came. . . when it became easy to say "Shanda Sprick". . . when I felt like Sprick is who I am. It wasn't last month certainly, but it has taken awhile. . . almost nine years to be exact.
I wonder what the next nine years will hold? Garrison will almost be 17. He and Simon will be driving. Noel will be two weeks away from getting her license. Michael and Penny will be begging for rides. What job will I have? I do know I'll still love my Gary. Happy Anniversary my love!
Nine years isn't a big deal. It isn't divisible by five. There aren't Hallmark cards for the ninth anniversary. I must say that this one holds some special meaning for me. Two reasons.
1. I consider the start time of being "single" as when I graduated from college. In my head I always thought (while in high school and even during the early years of college) that I would get married when I finished college. I was single for nine years. It was a great time and a very hard time. I had so many adventures that I'm thankful for. I traveled to Israel, Turkey and Greece. I spent week-ends in New York City. I explored all that South Florida has to offer. I moved to Miami for four years and met my best friend Karen. I worked at Camp Roger. I went to Colorado twice. I moved to Chicago. I made new friends, said good-bye to friends, and grew some very deep roots with some really wonderful friends. I celebrated marriages and births of people I loved. I coached volleyball and directed over 10 plays/musicals. I bounced a few checks. Nine years.
Today marks the day that I've been married for nine years. In my head I was single for "soooo" long, yet I don't feel like I've been married for "soooo" long. I've certainly had life changes during the past nine years--four kids, an adoption, a move to Michigan, a job change for me, the death of a parent, adding in-laws to my family, learning about and living through addiction, a miscarriage, becoming a Bible Study leader . . . I certainly haven't seen sitting on my tookus.
So while nine might not seem significant to most married folks, today has meaning for me. I've been married longer than I was single. It is hard for me to believe.
2. About a month ago I was asked my name and I said "Shanda Sprick". Profound right?!? :) I realized that I had just said it. I hadn't thought about it. It didn't sound strange. I had been Shanda Koeman for over thirty years. My last name was hammered into me during my first nine years of teaching because I was "Miss Koeman" and heard it hundreds of times a day. Though I was so proud to take Gary's name, I did mourn the loss of Koeman. I liked it. It defined a part of who I was. I'm not sure when the change came. . . when it became easy to say "Shanda Sprick". . . when I felt like Sprick is who I am. It wasn't last month certainly, but it has taken awhile. . . almost nine years to be exact.
I wonder what the next nine years will hold? Garrison will almost be 17. He and Simon will be driving. Noel will be two weeks away from getting her license. Michael and Penny will be begging for rides. What job will I have? I do know I'll still love my Gary. Happy Anniversary my love!
Camping
We went on our first camping trip last week-end. Woo-Hoo! Let's just tell the story through photos. :)
 |
| We didn't see much of Simon the first two days. He caught lots of creatures. He complained of back pain the first night--of course! He spent all of his time bent over. |
 |
| Keeping the sun off of him. |
 |
| Checking out Simon's newest finds. |
 |
| Sweet! |
 |
| Simon might be on to something--reeling in the ladies with crayfish. :) |
 |
| "My chair." Thou shalt not steal. |
 |
| Taco supper with the Schreuders. That is a lot of kids at the picnic table. |
 |
| Craft time! Noel chose a piggy bank and painted her face too. |
 |
| Simon discovered fishing on the last day. |
 |
| He did is by himself! I don't think I'm ready for this. |
 |
| Penny fed the goats. |
 |
| Potluck supper. I love a potluck. |
 |
| The whole shebang of people. |
 |
| Can you spot Penny and I on the hayride? |
 |
| Simon roasting shrimp! |
 |
| When we couldn't find Penny she was often on the bouncy pillow. :) She is such a dare devil. |
Thursday, June 13, 2013
A quick hello
We are leaving for our first camping trip in about 2 hours. I still have much to do. My three oldest are hiding from me because I ask them to do things to help. Garrison reappears periodically because he is hoping for a stone (add them up and buy awesome things at the Sprick store!). He'll get one.
I did something different this year. I can't do it all. I just can't. So I made a list of all the clothes that the kids needed and everyone except Penny packed their own suitcase. We'll see how that goes. I'm very scattered and am involved with too many projects at once. I'm trying to do everything at once and not being successful at anything really. I feel a bit inadiquet. . . I'll have to get over it. I'm doing the best I can.
I also cut off all of my hair. . . almost all of it. I have a mohawk. I'm on day 2 of the new haircut and I'm still getting used to it. If I could post pictures on my own I would. Hmmm
I did something different this year. I can't do it all. I just can't. So I made a list of all the clothes that the kids needed and everyone except Penny packed their own suitcase. We'll see how that goes. I'm very scattered and am involved with too many projects at once. I'm trying to do everything at once and not being successful at anything really. I feel a bit inadiquet. . . I'll have to get over it. I'm doing the best I can.
I also cut off all of my hair. . . almost all of it. I have a mohawk. I'm on day 2 of the new haircut and I'm still getting used to it. If I could post pictures on my own I would. Hmmm
Look at that. I used the camera on the computer. Imagine that. Crazy eh?!? :)
I just sent Gary off to the library. . .I'm going to get on top of things and he'll sign the kids up for the summer reading program. Good stuff on both ends. I'm going to enjoy my week-end. I'll watch my kids play and grow. I'll talk with grown-ups every day. I'll sit by a fire. I'll pray about new things and hard things that keep knocking on my heart. I'll spend some much needed fun time with my husband. I hope that you get to do some of the same.
Monday, June 10, 2013
It begins
I feel like we are officially on the journey to Michael. There was the first week of phone calls and crazy hurry paperwork to try and secure him. Then we waited to share the good news. Now we begin with the paper and the homework. That's right--homework. School is out and Gary and I have to take classes and read books and give summaries to prove that we read the books. What?!?
Last week I went in to get my physical. I saw the word "normal" written many times and that made me feel good. :) I was also given my first HIV blood test. I don't think I ever dreamed that I would be taking one. I haven't heard any results, so I think I passed.
Gary and I also had our first meeting with our social worker. We sat together and got to know Mary and she certainly got to know us. There were many questions that were super easy "Do you think you'll have any trouble with accepting a child of another race?" and others that gave us pause "How do you handle the struggles in your marriage?" I sat beside my man knowing that I love him tons. I love that we can answer with kindness and confidence and I am excited to see what God has in store for us. Mary didn't say if we passed or not, but we are invited back for individual interviews.
I'm going to continue to share about our adoption journey on the blog. I want it for the record certainly. I also want to invite you to be a part of our story. Would you pray for us? When God brings us to mind would you lay us before Him? Gary is taking the lead in our paperwork journey. He'd love prayer cover in this regard. There are many things to keep straight. I'm doing Gary's bidding and working on the video. We are making a video to share on this blog, on facebook and hopefully at church. It will share our story and invite folks to pray and to donate money if they are moved by the Holy Spirit to do so. Please pray that the Holy Spirit begins to work in Michael's heart and prepare it for parents. He doesn't know parents and what they do or how they work! He has been told that he has them, but it doesn't carry much meaning for him. Our kids pray for Michael every night, but this will be a big adjustment for them as well. Travel. Fundraising. The goose incident. All of these things need prayer cover. We have already felt the attack of the evil one. It really bothers him to see orphans find forever families. I ask God often to protect my sweet family.
We are in lap 2 of our marathon. We were told to figure 4 months for paperwork. Let's rock-n-roll!
Last week I went in to get my physical. I saw the word "normal" written many times and that made me feel good. :) I was also given my first HIV blood test. I don't think I ever dreamed that I would be taking one. I haven't heard any results, so I think I passed.
Gary and I also had our first meeting with our social worker. We sat together and got to know Mary and she certainly got to know us. There were many questions that were super easy "Do you think you'll have any trouble with accepting a child of another race?" and others that gave us pause "How do you handle the struggles in your marriage?" I sat beside my man knowing that I love him tons. I love that we can answer with kindness and confidence and I am excited to see what God has in store for us. Mary didn't say if we passed or not, but we are invited back for individual interviews.
I'm going to continue to share about our adoption journey on the blog. I want it for the record certainly. I also want to invite you to be a part of our story. Would you pray for us? When God brings us to mind would you lay us before Him? Gary is taking the lead in our paperwork journey. He'd love prayer cover in this regard. There are many things to keep straight. I'm doing Gary's bidding and working on the video. We are making a video to share on this blog, on facebook and hopefully at church. It will share our story and invite folks to pray and to donate money if they are moved by the Holy Spirit to do so. Please pray that the Holy Spirit begins to work in Michael's heart and prepare it for parents. He doesn't know parents and what they do or how they work! He has been told that he has them, but it doesn't carry much meaning for him. Our kids pray for Michael every night, but this will be a big adjustment for them as well. Travel. Fundraising. The goose incident. All of these things need prayer cover. We have already felt the attack of the evil one. It really bothers him to see orphans find forever families. I ask God often to protect my sweet family.
We are in lap 2 of our marathon. We were told to figure 4 months for paperwork. Let's rock-n-roll!
Friday, June 7, 2013
Summer Vacation
It's the first day of summer vacation. Yesterday doesn't count. Rainy and cold. I don't mind either of these, but together they are not my favorite combination. Add nighttime and driving and Shanda ain't happy.
We did celebrate yesterday by watching lots of Phineas and Ferb. The show takes place during summer vacation so I thought it was only fitting--it wasn't the plan, but see the first paragraph and you'll understand.
There weren't many plans today and I give thanks for that. Our summer is filled with lots of plans, so having a few days without is good for all of us. I wrangled the kids over to the library to sign up for the summer reading program. Sign-ups begin on Monday. Sweet. (sarcasm!) We got books anyway and discovered that I owed $21.00 for a fine. TWENTY ONE DOLLARS! "Can we make some sort of deal?" I asked. "No". I can't pay at the desk either because they don't take credit cards. (Shanda has enough cash for doughnuts, but not enough for a $21.00 fine. More on the doughnuts later.) I have to go--with all my quiet and non-exploring children--over to another computer. I can't log in. I try every possible password I know and I can't get in. I ask to reset my password and then realize that I can't get in my e-mail to get the new password. Hmmm. Back to the front counter where Leanne is "patiently" waiting for me. I explain and she says matter of fact "you use the last four digits of your phone number". There should be a sign I think to myself. No worries. It's summer vacation and I will smile and beat myself up in the inside because I have to pay $21.00 in fines for late books. It is after all my fault. She resets and I return with the "incredibly patient and not at all wandering over to the fountain to try and touch it" children. I pay. No trouble there. We check out our books and return to the car.
"Surprise kids! Thanks to social media I know that it is National Doughnut Day and we are going to go and get a doughnut." Yup--I was once again a cool mom. :) We drop the books off in the car, take cash and head downtown Zeeland to go to Zeeland Bakery. We enjoy the walk and are about to enter when we see another mom with three kids leaving and she announces to me "They are out of doughnuts. National Doughnut Day and they don't have doughnuts." I wonder if they didn't know and then I see the big sign in the window proclaiming June 7 as National Doughnut Day. I want to express my dismay, but am not quite sure how to do that. Only one kid cries. "Let's enjoy our walk and then head to Family Fare."
I decide in the Family Fare parking lot that I will not take in my yes card since I'm anti yes card. We make it inside and see a sign declaring doughnuts 3/$1.00 with yes card. I am a dutchman, so we head back to the car to retrieve the evil card. They have doughnuts. My kids are thrilled. It only cost $1.34. I am thrilled.
The kids have played with the hose and made water balloons. We examined Gary's coin collection from his childhood. There are a few nickels worth over $2.00! The excitement is high. I weeded the garden and picked the first three strawberries of the season. Gary is home from work and we are doing a great job of team parenting. I'm off for a walk after this and Gary and I have our first interview for our home study at 3:30.
This summer is going to be great.
We did celebrate yesterday by watching lots of Phineas and Ferb. The show takes place during summer vacation so I thought it was only fitting--it wasn't the plan, but see the first paragraph and you'll understand.
There weren't many plans today and I give thanks for that. Our summer is filled with lots of plans, so having a few days without is good for all of us. I wrangled the kids over to the library to sign up for the summer reading program. Sign-ups begin on Monday. Sweet. (sarcasm!) We got books anyway and discovered that I owed $21.00 for a fine. TWENTY ONE DOLLARS! "Can we make some sort of deal?" I asked. "No". I can't pay at the desk either because they don't take credit cards. (Shanda has enough cash for doughnuts, but not enough for a $21.00 fine. More on the doughnuts later.) I have to go--with all my quiet and non-exploring children--over to another computer. I can't log in. I try every possible password I know and I can't get in. I ask to reset my password and then realize that I can't get in my e-mail to get the new password. Hmmm. Back to the front counter where Leanne is "patiently" waiting for me. I explain and she says matter of fact "you use the last four digits of your phone number". There should be a sign I think to myself. No worries. It's summer vacation and I will smile and beat myself up in the inside because I have to pay $21.00 in fines for late books. It is after all my fault. She resets and I return with the "incredibly patient and not at all wandering over to the fountain to try and touch it" children. I pay. No trouble there. We check out our books and return to the car.
"Surprise kids! Thanks to social media I know that it is National Doughnut Day and we are going to go and get a doughnut." Yup--I was once again a cool mom. :) We drop the books off in the car, take cash and head downtown Zeeland to go to Zeeland Bakery. We enjoy the walk and are about to enter when we see another mom with three kids leaving and she announces to me "They are out of doughnuts. National Doughnut Day and they don't have doughnuts." I wonder if they didn't know and then I see the big sign in the window proclaiming June 7 as National Doughnut Day. I want to express my dismay, but am not quite sure how to do that. Only one kid cries. "Let's enjoy our walk and then head to Family Fare."
I decide in the Family Fare parking lot that I will not take in my yes card since I'm anti yes card. We make it inside and see a sign declaring doughnuts 3/$1.00 with yes card. I am a dutchman, so we head back to the car to retrieve the evil card. They have doughnuts. My kids are thrilled. It only cost $1.34. I am thrilled.
The kids have played with the hose and made water balloons. We examined Gary's coin collection from his childhood. There are a few nickels worth over $2.00! The excitement is high. I weeded the garden and picked the first three strawberries of the season. Gary is home from work and we are doing a great job of team parenting. I'm off for a walk after this and Gary and I have our first interview for our home study at 3:30.
This summer is going to be great.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Overheard
Noel and I went to her t-ball game twice last night. The first was at 6:00, but when only one other kid was there, we returned home to check the calendar. Sure enough--this was the only game of the season at 7:00. Hey! More fun!
Gary stayed home with the other ducks and I was able to fully concentrate on the game. Believe me. . . it is very easy to drift off! If I do something else or look somewhere else Noel will call me out. I make sure to watch her and wave in return to her waves.
I found myself laughing a lot at what I was overhearing during the game. I let Noel know I was going to the car (ahem. . . I didn't want to be called out again!) and I grabbed a piece of paper and a pen. Here, for your enjoyment are direct quotes from the rip roaring game of the orange team vs. the yellow team.
Gary stayed home with the other ducks and I was able to fully concentrate on the game. Believe me. . . it is very easy to drift off! If I do something else or look somewhere else Noel will call me out. I make sure to watch her and wave in return to her waves.
I found myself laughing a lot at what I was overhearing during the game. I let Noel know I was going to the car (ahem. . . I didn't want to be called out again!) and I grabbed a piece of paper and a pen. Here, for your enjoyment are direct quotes from the rip roaring game of the orange team vs. the yellow team.
"Look, I can do the splits!" Noel said this to her coach during the game while she was in left field.
"Charlotte. Charlotte! Charlotte!!! You need to keep running home. Don't stay in the middle!!! Run Charlotte! Charlotte!"
"Noel. Stop throwing stones at your coach!"
"Hang on to your helmet when you run Noel!"
"We'll keep track of outs to see who wins. . . but that is only between us coaches."
"Don't spin all the way around when you hit."
"Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh. . . that's o.k. Next time don't chase the ball after you hit it."
"Step on the base. Step on the base! Step on the base!!! Good girl."
"Charlotte, the ball is already in."
"I saw my friend." Noel stopped to tell her coach this after crossing home plate. Every time she comes home she stops to talk with her coach about something.
"Stop playing twirl. We are playing t-ball."
For the record, Noel played three innings. She had a hit every time and crossed home plate every time. In the first inning she played left field and didn't touch the ball once. She did however make sand and rock piles and throw handfuls of sand and rocks at her coach. (ahem) In the second inning, she played second base and touched the ball once. She also made sand and rock piles next to the base and refrained from throwing them at her coach. In the third inning she played catcher and touched the ball every time as it was her job to catch it from the outfield and place it on the tee. She also tagged the last two batters out. It was her best inning.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Sponsorship
A magnificent surprise awaited me in my email inbox this morning. Pictures. Six pictures of my sweet Michael. Six. So many adoptive parents long for more pictures and this morning I received six. I gazed at them and showed Gary before he left for work at 7:00. Later I forwarded them off to family. I thought often about them and how I'm excited to hug my boy.
I've had a bit of trouble though with the writing the came with the pictures. "Hi Shanda. I'm still looking for time to put some photos together, but in the meantime I had to photograph all the children for sponsors today, here's a few you might like. G"
Sponsors. Our family sponsors a child through ICC. If Michael's picture was taken, it means that he has one or more sponsors. It gives me such joy that there are folks who have been giving money to help with his care and praying for him when we didn't even know that he was our son! Isn't God so very amazing?!? It also breaks my heart that he and others need to be sponsored. These are the least of these and ICC needs help to cloth and feed and educate and give therapy to and shelter to the least of these. Wait. That isn't true about these kids. Not anymore! God has shown me the best part. They are no longer the least of these! These special needs kiddos are loved and cared for and encouraged. They get hugs. They learn how to crawl and walk. They get properly disciplined. They get the nutrition they need to grow. They have people who smile at them every day. Folks sing with them and read books to them. Since coming into the care of ICC Michael is no longer hording food and he is growing against the curve.
I wish we could thank the sponsors who took our Michael and put his picture on their fridge. They are praying for him much like we are praying for and giving money every month for Dang Zhi Xun. It is so funny how it both elates and hurts my heart that Michael needed sponsorship. God is certainly teaching me so very much on this new journey of ours.
I've had a bit of trouble though with the writing the came with the pictures. "Hi Shanda. I'm still looking for time to put some photos together, but in the meantime I had to photograph all the children for sponsors today, here's a few you might like. G"
Sponsors. Our family sponsors a child through ICC. If Michael's picture was taken, it means that he has one or more sponsors. It gives me such joy that there are folks who have been giving money to help with his care and praying for him when we didn't even know that he was our son! Isn't God so very amazing?!? It also breaks my heart that he and others need to be sponsored. These are the least of these and ICC needs help to cloth and feed and educate and give therapy to and shelter to the least of these. Wait. That isn't true about these kids. Not anymore! God has shown me the best part. They are no longer the least of these! These special needs kiddos are loved and cared for and encouraged. They get hugs. They learn how to crawl and walk. They get properly disciplined. They get the nutrition they need to grow. They have people who smile at them every day. Folks sing with them and read books to them. Since coming into the care of ICC Michael is no longer hording food and he is growing against the curve.
I wish we could thank the sponsors who took our Michael and put his picture on their fridge. They are praying for him much like we are praying for and giving money every month for Dang Zhi Xun. It is so funny how it both elates and hurts my heart that Michael needed sponsorship. God is certainly teaching me so very much on this new journey of ours.
Saturday, June 1, 2013
No worries
I was at Sam's Club yesterday. My girls like Sam's because there are often samples. They are great about the samples and I don't feel strange when we eat and leave. Plus, there have been items that we have purchased because of a sample. Their chicken sausages for example are wonderful and I wouldn't have bought them had I not tried one. Now, they are a staple in our house.
BUT there is often one sample at Sam's that I need to try and avoid. It seems as if Sam's Club has a contract with outside companies who can come in and sell their wares in the store. Their products aren't in the Sam's Club line-up, but they are allowed a week or two to set up camp inside of the store. These aren't the usual things. Special towels, knives, pot stickers (these are actually very delicious and we look forward to when they are at Sam's) unique facial creams and cleaning products to name a few. These folks have a special spot in a very high traffic area and I try to avoid them (except for the pot stickers of course!). I work to not make eye contact and am quick to say "no thanks".
Yesterday Penny and I made a quick trip in to get some of our Sam's staples. There she was: perfectly dressed and a very white smile. The product was something that I could hold that would give me energy. Not interested. I tried to sneak by, but she set her sights on me. "Hi. Here just hold this a second." She gave me her perfect glamour shots smile and held out something. "No thanks." She tilted her head and gave me a "awe, poor you" facial expression and said "That's o.k. No worries".
No worries. I kept thinking about that comment as we grabbed our broccoli and granola bars. Maybe she has been coached to say that. It implies to me that I did something wrong. I didn't have to worry that I hurt her feelings by refusing to hold her special energy giving stone. Really?
I think sales people are very intentional Their words are carefully chosen. I wish I was more intentional with my words.
BUT there is often one sample at Sam's that I need to try and avoid. It seems as if Sam's Club has a contract with outside companies who can come in and sell their wares in the store. Their products aren't in the Sam's Club line-up, but they are allowed a week or two to set up camp inside of the store. These aren't the usual things. Special towels, knives, pot stickers (these are actually very delicious and we look forward to when they are at Sam's) unique facial creams and cleaning products to name a few. These folks have a special spot in a very high traffic area and I try to avoid them (except for the pot stickers of course!). I work to not make eye contact and am quick to say "no thanks".
Yesterday Penny and I made a quick trip in to get some of our Sam's staples. There she was: perfectly dressed and a very white smile. The product was something that I could hold that would give me energy. Not interested. I tried to sneak by, but she set her sights on me. "Hi. Here just hold this a second." She gave me her perfect glamour shots smile and held out something. "No thanks." She tilted her head and gave me a "awe, poor you" facial expression and said "That's o.k. No worries".
No worries. I kept thinking about that comment as we grabbed our broccoli and granola bars. Maybe she has been coached to say that. It implies to me that I did something wrong. I didn't have to worry that I hurt her feelings by refusing to hold her special energy giving stone. Really?
I think sales people are very intentional Their words are carefully chosen. I wish I was more intentional with my words.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)