Order of the Arrow Weekend

It's always a bummer when you return from vacation. There's nothing thrilling about returning to the daily ins & outs of life. Not like getting up early, eating breakfast and heading to the beach for some sandcastle building. Yep, life at the beach is much different than life in the 'burbs.

With that said, the most exciting thing over the last week has been the "Extreme Home Makeover" was in our city this past week. It was very exciting, I even went up to the house one day with the girls. I did get to see Michael, one of the designers, but that was it. I just wasn't very motivated to stand out in the heat with two toddlers and hope to see someone famous. But at least I did go.

Tucker is at his Order of the Arrow Ordeal this weekend. It's the Boy Scouts of America's National Honor Society.

According to Wikipedia this is what the OA is:

The Order of the Arrow (OA) is the national honor society of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Founded in 1915, it uses American Indian traditions and ceremonies to bestow recognition on Scouts selected by their peers as best exemplifying the Scout Oath and Scout Law in their daily lives. Inducted members are known as Arrowmen or brothers and are organized into local youth-led lodges for fellowship and the rendering of service to Boy Scout councils and their communities.

Any scout that has been through their "ordeal', is sworn to secrecy to not tell other scouts about the ceremonies etc. It's kind of like a secret society~think Free Masons or Knights of Templar.
;-). Tucker would just roll his eyes when I said stuff like that. But for me, it made it more exciting.

I dropped him off on Friday night and I'll pick him up Sunday morning. Before he left on Friday, he reviewed his packing list with me. I knew they would be working, so I asked him if he packed his hiking boots to work in. His comment to me was, "Mom, my "Chucks" are my workboots." Those of you who don't know what "Chucks" are, these are it....

Yep, good ole fashioned, high-topped, canvas tennis shoes. Not joking, wish I were. This is coming from my son that finished his freshman year with a 4+ GPA.



I did head to the garage to find the hiking boots, but they were no where to be found...hmmmm. When I asked where they were, "I don't know." was all I got...again...hmmmm.

So I'm excited to get him tomorrow and hear about this weekend. When I left on Friday, there was a bunch of teenage boys, standing underneath a shelter house, looking less than thrilled to be spending their Summer Friday night getting ready to work. I pulled out, with my radio blasting some oldie but good (my windows were rolled up, so they couldn't hear it!) Ah, it does a mother's heart good!

Family Beach Photos

There really are no words....

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

The boys afternoon out...

The boys went parasailing the other evening. We couldn't watch them from the beach since we were not sure where they would be lifting off from. But we were able to get theses photos from the crew. It looks like the had fun 800 feet up in the air. They said it was awesome. I'm sure it was...

Make a Smilebox slideshow

First time to the beach...

Elise and Amelia are getting their first experience at the beach. Elise isn't so sure of it, but we're hoping that will change as time creeps on.

I don't want to get any closer!!!!

Then there's Amelia...she thinks the water is pretty cool. She walked right out into the surf. Now the sand is another story...she's not liking that on her hands

Yowsa...why's it coming so close????

Let's talk boys...they just jump in and keep going and going until my heart starts to beat frantically in my chest because they look like bobbers in the water!

Red bobba gone! Red bobba gone! (I'm cracking myself up!)

They thought if they sat closer, Elise might get in. HA!

We finally attempted a sand castle. It then turned into "Let's bury Tucker!" What can I say...I was in the spirit of things!

American and Chinese Engineers at work....

Elise helped mama bury Tucker

Life at the beach...doesn't get any better than this!

Elise's photo of Baba and Mama


Grapes and Sunglasses...what more can a girl ask for????

July 4th-Meeting Lisa and Ana Claire Young

I love cyberspace~it has granted me the ability to meet some of the most wonderful people. When we first started our adoption journey to Elise, I was blessed to meet some amazing families that were going through the same experience. We shared our highs and lows~good times and bad~successes and failures. Having this group of people has been more than I could hope for, but everything that I prayed for. Funny how that happens.

When I realized that we would be traveling through Alabama and spending the night on our vacation, I contacted my cyberfriend, Lisa, to see if it were possible to hook up. Needless to say, Lisa and Ana Claire spent the evening with us and it was fabulous. I wish our time together could have been longer, but I'm grateful for what we did have.

Thank you Lisa and Ana Claire for taking time out of your Independence Day to spend some time playing! You are both treasures! I'm sorry the photos are better, but I hope yours are! I promised to not post anything "bad" photos. I hope these are all O.K.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

This is very, special vacation for us. Lisa and Ana Claire made it extra special!

PS I'm getting ready to goggle the "rattail braid"!

Bubbles, piggy backs and beach toes

These are the Empresses bathing...it's rather unsettling. This is what I found when I stuck my head in the bathroom while folding laundry. Amelia seems to trust her Jei Jei. I'm not so sure that I do ;-)




Elise arranged for both of them to get piggy back rides on their whales while holding their Chengdu Pandas. I thought it was rather ingenious. She wanted to make sure her mei mei had the same thing she had...only smaller!

Finally, you can't go on vacation without getting your piggies painted. Poor Amelia has such stubby toe nails...I hope they eventually get longer but I don't think that's going to happen. We paint them anyway.

Hopscotch

I've spent the several days attempting to capture video from my camcorder to my computer. Needless to say...it's been a futile exercise since I did not have the drivers for my camcorder. Naturally, I attempted to go online and download said drivers. But I couldn't find them to save my life. Next step...call JVC and ask where I can download the drivers. JVC tells me that the drivers for my particular camcorder are not available online, but I can buy the CD for a mere $29.98 plus tax and shipping. "Are you kidding me???", I squealed into the phone. "You are going to charge me for something that came with my camera, that in all my craziness of trying to hold a house together with four kids, I can't locate it?" Imagine these words in a high-pitched, pig-like squeal. Because that's what I sounded like. Then the poor guy on the other end of the lines just answers, "Yes!" BRILLIANT!!!!

Of course, I had to be stubborn and NOT order the CD at that time. I attempted to use the ILO that I have, but that wasn't working properly either. So I broke down (one day later) and ordered the stinkin' CD. It killed me, but I was desperate to get some video off that camcorder to post to my blog.

Here's the coveted video: It's of the girls playing hopscotch with some other shenanigans going on with Gu-Gu Tucker. Little Miss Amelia was doing her best to keep up with her Jei Jei! It really was one of those special "Summer-Time" moments.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln2kl9gS4QY

This is turning into such a great summer! I can't remember when I've enjoyed myself more...and we haven't even gone on vacation yet!!!!

He's got the POWER~VBS

Last week was VBS for Elise! She LOVED the music so I had to buy the CD and DVD for at home. This is a video of her dancing to "He's Got the Power!". She doesn't stop moving the entire time the music is playing. It's a great "wear-her-out-before-a-nap" activity. Too funny!

Unfortunately, there is a little bit of "Michael Jackson" imitating going on~but what's a mom to do??? I can't stop the video for everything!

One year ago....

I've been rather nostalgic the last few days. It was a year ago that I embarked on an adventure of a lifetime...backing at Philmont Boy Scout Ranch in Cimmeron, New Mexico. We started on June 19, 2007~so our crew number was 619D2. We did not actually hit the trail until 6/20 and that's when the fun began. Well, actually it began before that...as I reread my journal about the first day at Base Camp~I recalled how much I wanted to just come home. I was overwhelmed with the journey that was ahead of us and a little more than freaked over leaving for China as soon as I returned home. I did not finalize our flights for China until a day earlier while in Colorado Springs. To say I was a little stress is an understatement.

As we were departing Base Camp on 6/20, we had to weigh our backpacks. Mine weighed in a little over 50 pounds and I was wondering how I was going to carry that for 11 more days. Fortunately, things were redistributed and I left base with a pack weighing around 42 pounds. That was still a little intimidating, but there wasn't much more I could do. I remember having minor panic attacks as I started out each leg. WOW~I kept thinking I had bitten off more than I could chew!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

I actually kept a written journal during that trip and I've been reading it. Holy Toledo ~ did I go through a lot of different emotions. The first few days were the roughest. We started out at a pretty low altitude, 6000 feet. That wasn't too bad, but on the second day, we made an accent to Touchache Springs and that was an elevation change of 2000 feet. Most of that change was done in a very short, uphill hike. It was BRUTAL! I remember our ranger, Scott, telling us to not stop and "just push through it!". I thought I was going to inflict physical harm on the poor boy. I wanted to tell him that he had four adults that were over 40, one was over 50 and he was 19~to "just chill out!". But I kept it to myself. I think the funniest thing that happened that first night was sleeping in a cow pasture with a herd of cattle. Yep, they came right in to camp and checked us out. Our first "wildlife" siting.

I'll probably post more about the trip and more photos. I would go back in a minute, but it doesn't appear it will happen next year.

VACATION

We are going on a family vacation this year...and it won't be a trip that will add to our family or one that only a few of us are going on (I.E. I won't be hiking with 40+ pounds on my back with just Tucker), and we won't be going with anyone else. Our last family vacation was before we traveled to get Elise and we went with another family. Can you say....DISASTER! Let me tell you something, you really get to know someone when you go on vacation with them. We will NEVER do that again!!!!!!

This summer~we are going to the beach! And yes, all six of us are going. Steve and I are beside ourselves with excitement. I've arranged to meet another family that adopted about the same time we adopted Elise and we will be meeting them on the way! I can't wait to finally see Lisa and Ana Claire in person. The internet is a wonderful thing, but there's nothing like seeing someone in person.

So I'm being a little weired about the trip. We are renting a house so we'll be able to cook. I told Steve I was going to plan a menu to making shopping easier. I don't want to spend my time going to the grocery when I can be enjoying the great outdoors! He think's I'm crazy~I think it's efficient.

Anyway, just had to put those thoughts down today! It's the countdown to the beach!!!!

One or Two????

Elise is at the awkward stage when a one piece swim suit does not fit her right (if you know what I mean). So I decided to step out (albeit, a little apprehensive) and buy her a two piece. I knew her baba would not be impressed. But you got to admit....she looks MARVELOUS!

Baba just stared at me when Elise pranced into the kitchen last night before heading to the pool. All I could say was, "You can either look at her tummy or look at her bum! Which do you prefer?" Needless to say, he picked up the beach bag and headed out with the girls in tow.

Last day of school, dentists, tornados and cicadas

Well, the last day of school has come and gone for Tucker. He is no longer at the Freshman school and will now attend the high school. I think he's very excited about it. I think he's more excited about the fact that the girls and I won't be waiting at the bus stop on his last day school ready to snap pictures of him on the last day. Since he was on early release on the last day(out at 10:45 a.m.), we went to the bus stop to wait for him. Imagine his surprise when his sisters were waiting on the opposite corner frantically waving and calling to him. I found it sweet and very special. It's something that I hope he will always remember.

Elise had another visit to the dentist...drama~drama~drama. She LOVES to brush and floss her teeth at home. But she has a complete meltdown when they start that cleaning tool. Holy cow~I made her tough it out! The tears were flowing, but we got them clean. Hip-hip-hooray for no cavities!

We've had some yucky weather in the past week. The other night we had a tornado warning. Tucker came tearing upstairs to tell us. We had just put the girls to bed so we had to get them up and gather a few of their comfort items before we headed to the basement. Tucker was busy running around the house gathering his precious electronics (IPod, PS3, Computer). He never once offered to help get the girls. I thought my head was going to explode. I did tell him to get the dog downstairs. I think we need to have some discussions about material items.

Make a Smilebox photobook

Finally, I have decided to start enjoying my children more~like SCC says..."I'll Dance with Cinderella!" I hope you enjoy the pictures. I love the ones of the girls "cooking".

I'm counting the days until vacation~I can't wait to get away and it won't be a backpacking trip or a 30+hour flight to a foreign country. Just a good ole fashion beach vacation~I can hear the blender spinning now....

Graduation Day

Matthew graduated from high school this weekend. We traveled to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio to watch the 660+ graduates receive their diplomas. I have to give the administration credit...they accomplished all of that in a little less than two hours~very impressive! The class valedictorian was only 16 and graduated with a GPA of 5.01 (no, that is not a typo). That young man is going to Yale~go figure. The salutatorian had a GPA of 4.75~again that is not a typo.

The day turned out beautiful and we had family and a few very close friends over for an open house. It was such a great day and we all enjoyed ourselves so much. Family, friends food~it was great! We ended the day sitting on our deck with our neighbors saluting Matthew and all of his accomplishments.

Matthew leaves for Case Western in August. He is also working this summer~this is the first summer that he has not had any outside (school) commitments (band/summer school). Here's to a great summer for Matt.

We are all looking forward to our family vacation. This will be the first vacation in many years that we will not travel to China and add to our family ;-). We are all looking forward to heading to the beach, especially Elise.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Tucker turned 16 yesterday...it's hard for me to believe that my little boy is that old. He's about to complete his freshman year and then it's on to Lakota West High School~no more Freshman School~Hallelujah!

The Celebration was small...just the girls, me and Steve. Matthew is on his Senior trip to Chicago with some friends. We spent the weekend sprucing up the house for Matthew's open house this weekend.

Take a look at the photos...the last one is a video that I shot of Tucker while he was "babysitting" the girls so we could finish painting. WOW! is all I can say!

November 1992

Sadness

Losing a child would have to be the most devastating thing that could happen to a family. I don't know how I would cope~only by the Grace of God could I survive.

This week, Steven Curtis Chapman lost his youngest child, Maria, to a tragic accident at their home. This is a video of Maria. It just breaks my heart.

Maria was also adopted from China and just turned 5 years old. She is sitting on her daddy's lap in the photo. Her adoption story is inspiring...she was a waiting child that Steven met during a visit to China. The Chapman's had no intention of adopting again, but God had another plan. I believe that Mary Beth rushed to China during the SARS epidemic before they closed the country to bring Maria home before it was too late and they would have had to wait months to travel.

To say that Steven Curtis Chapman and his family have inspired thousands to adopt is an understatement. I was privileged to see him in concert during an reunion picnic with AHH adoption agency. That was three years ago this summer and I captured several photos of all of his girls. It was a very special concert and he sang a very special song that he wrote for his wife, Mary Beth, that he will only sing at his concerts. I'll have to see if I can't download it since I did video it.

Steven's newest song "I'll Dance with Cinderella" is below. I'm sure it's even more poignant for many people during this sad time.

My thoughts are constantly going to this family and another family in our area that lost their very young daughters in the same way. Then my thoughts turn to my father who lost his brother in a tragic auto accident when Dad was only sixteen and his brother was even younger than him. Dad was driving the car. He never speaks of the accident and I never ask. But my heart aches even more for him right now. His brother was named Charles Christopher and they called him Tucker.

We have one young driver, soon to be two, in our home. One new rule will be that no vehicle can be started unless the girls are sitting on the porch or the deck before they can leave the area. That's good advice for anyone of any age.

Dance with Jesus, Maria Sue Chapman! We'll see you soon!!!

Out of Order?

This is not something that the mother of four wants to see on her washing machine. Since this particular washing machine is just around five years old...one wouldn't expect to see this.

Alas, I reside with a few young men that believe that "heavy duty" washing machine means that three weeks of dirty laundry can fit into ONE load. It doesn't matter what color, forget sorting~one load is the way to go according to these two. I won't go into the fact that they BOTH carry over a 4.2 GPA, one is a presidential scholar nominee (scored 35/36 on his ACT~scored a full tuition scholarship to Case and OSU), both have ALWAYS been on the honor roll and ALWAYS been High Honors (not JUST Honors). So imagine my disdain at the fact that they can not follow simple instructions on sorting laundry and loading the washing machine.

After a week of no washer, waiting for a part to arrive that never arrived and having the repair man leave my house not once, but twice for parts~the washing machine is running. Steve suggested that I go to the laundry mat...Are you feeling what I'm thinking? If you are, it ain't pretty!!!! There was more to the saga...the service call to Sears requesting the status of the parts that I ordered over a week ago and getting the answer, "We don't know where the pump is. It should have shipped. We'll have to research it." Holy Moly! The part never did arrive and when I tried to cancel the order, they told me I couldn't cancel it. I would have to wait until the part arrived and then ship it back for credit. Again, are you feeling what I'm thinking????

Finally, the repair charge was the equivalent of 1/2 the original cost of the washer. Another very sad part of the story. I won't repair it again~next time, new washer.

On top of the repair, the service guy informed me that my hot & cold water was not installed "to code" and was backwards. The entire time I've lived in this hours 10+ years, I have had the hot and cold water hooked up incorrectly!!!!!

My repair guy is very nice and accommodating. He mentioned that I may want to have my dryer serviced since lint can accumulate on the motor and cause fires. I smiled and said thanks, but not today. I'll let you know on that.

Being the "DIY" kind of gal that I am, I decided to clean the dryer myself. Imagine my surprise when I removed the front panel and this is what I found....

That is lint my friends!!!! Yes, lint~more than I care to really admit to, but I am.

After all was said and done this is what I found:

$3.68 in change

2 paper clips

1 safety pin

1 button
1 rubber band &

1 hair band

That's a clean swiffer next to the dirty swiffer!

This is a picture of the amount of lint I found INSIDE the dryer~not in the lint catcher! That's a 12 inch ruler beside that pile. Very nice!

This is what the dryer SHOULD look like.

Both washer and dryer are running great as I type this. Thank the Lord! The only remaining problem is the smell that is emanating from somewhere in the laundry room~probably from the stagnant water that set in the washer for a week. I have yet to find the source of the smell, much to my dismay!

After all of this, my stress level is a little high. So I headed to the frig for some chocolate or ice cream or something. But alas, I opened the door to find nothing on my comfort list of foods. What I did find was an EXPLODED Diet Coke!

It's 5 o'clock somewhere...right?????