Forever Family, Four years, Five Years Old

Referral Photo~June 2004

Elise Christine Feng Wells celebrated her fifth birthday on February 2, 2009. I decided that she should have a nice party to commemorate this particular birthday. I also figured that she would be able to handle the social situation even though she still tends to completely shut down when she gets in front of people she doesn't know.

So on February 2, I got to go to preschool and be the Teacher's helper for class. Elise got to wear a special birthday hat and everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to her. Much to my surprise, she buried her head in my shoulder and would not look at anyone while they were singing. She was fine for the rest of the morning~such an odd bird.

Then we headed to the grocery to pick up the cake~time for the disasters to begin. Well, they didn't make the cake, that's right! I actually had the forethought to order a cake a week in advance and it was going to be Diego! Elise even picked it out. But no Diego cake, they didn't make it. I was crushed! So we headed down to the Cupcake Factory and see what they had. Well, since I needed the cake that night for the party, we had limited choices. Again, I let Elise pick the cake and she choose "cats". I was shocked. I thought that she would pick the monkey since she was born in the year of the monkey. Nope, nothing doing! So we ordered the cake and told Daddy to pick it up on the way to the 5 p.m. party at Bananas!

At around 1 p.m., the snow started to fly at a rate of an inch an hour. Yep, that's right. At 3:30, they weather service was calling for a weather advisor and asking everyone to stay home. Bananas called me and asked me what we wanted to no since the weather was bad and getting worse by the hour. I told them I was coming!!! At the time, we had Amelia's surgery scheduled for February 11th and this was the only opportunity that we had to get the party in before the surgery. If I rescheduled, then Amelia would be in the spica cast and not able to enjoy the party (this all happened before she got sick and the surgery was cancelled). So at 3:45p.m. we loaded up the car and head to Bananas which is about 7 miles from our house. It took me 1 hour 30 minutes to get there, but I got there. The roads were horrible...creeping along, if moving at all. I had to change direction one time since cars were not going down steep hills. But I put Black Betty in 4~HI and off I went with two toddlers in tow. We invited a few close friends and they were all able to make the party too. I was surprised because it was just horrible outside. Steve got there really late with the cake, but he made it in time. We had the entire inflatable room to ourselves since there weren't any other people crazy enough to go out in the horrible weather. We had a great time running, jumping, climbing and bouncing. Then we enjoyed pizza, cake and popcorn and left at 7 p.m. By then, the roads were much better and we made it home in 20 minutes. It was great fun and Elise was so grateful for all of her friends coming to the party.

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March 9th is our Gotcha Day~Elise Christine Feng Wells has been our daughter for four years now. It's hard to believe that the little girl that we picked up in china that was so quiet and frail is the vivacious, gregarious and silly little five year old that has completely changed all of our lives. I look at her sometimes and thank God that He allows me to be her mother. I thank Him for all that we went through to get to her~all the pain and heartache and then sheer joy.

She loves stuffed animals and sleeps with at least five of them. But her personal favorite is Maggie the Manatee and Maggie goes to school every day in Elise's school bag. She loves to have a story read to her and will attempt to read them with you. She never walks, but hops, skips or jumps everywhere she goes. Her favorite color is pink, her favorite food is mac and cheese & strawberries, her favorite book changes weekly because she loves them all. Currently, her favorite toy is the Ponyville. She plays "dress up everyday", but would rather be Mowgli from the Jungle Book since he only wears underwear! She would wear her flip flops in the snow if I would let her. Dora is still a favorite, but she is starting to enjoy Cinderella and Ariel. Tia Bella is her very best friend, but she has a crush on Jake at school. I want to remember all these little things because before long, she'll be 16 and I'll wonder what happened to all that sweetness ;-).

I find it hard to believe that she will enter kindergarten in the fall. It's killing me, but she is more than ready for it.

To think that it was just four years ago that I held this black haired beauty and gazed into her chocolate brown eyes for the first time. Four years ago that I watched her sleeping in a crib in China with one eye partially open amazed that I had become a mother again. Four years ago that I watched her attempt to crawl, hold a book for the first time, feel leather, hold a baby doll or her very own blanket. Four yours ago, that I watched her sit on a bed a rock herself for comfort (that only ever happened once). Four years ago that she became my daughter and we became a family of five....for awhile.

Happy Birthday, Happy Gotcha Day, Happy Adoption Day Elise Christine Feng Wells. I love you more than you could ever know!

Love,

Mama

Family Photo

We had family photos taken in December 2008. Thanks to Laura Laine Photography! She's awesome. You can see her work at:

www.lauralainephotography.com

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Perfect Balance

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Been absent for awhile. Life seems to just get a little overwhelming sometimes. I'd like to say it's crazy, but overwhelming is a better adjective! Crazy is such a common term, insane is probably more appropriate when it comes to our house.

I'm excited to say that the perfect balance has been restored to our home. Yes, we have a new dog!

On Thanksgiving day, a lovely family from Mississippi introduced us to Giggsey. They traveled all the way from the South to visit family in our area and brought Giggs along just for us to meet. I was hesitant since Giggs was 15 months old and had been living with another family that decided their lifestyle wasn't conducive to owning a dog. So, Giggs returned to his breeder where he was socialized with four other Airedales. I worried about him being around small children since he was unaccustomed to them. I wasn't worried about my girls, they love big dogs and are petrified of small dogs. Rather odd, if I do say so myself, but that's my girls. When they arrived, I went outside to greet them and Giggs jumped right on me. My heart soared and his owner said, "That answers that question, Giggs has a new home if you'll have him." It took me about two seconds to decide he was mine. I so miss Gordie, but Giggs eases that ache.

When I was a child, my family raised Airedales, the "King of the Terriers". We had several and I loved them all. The first dog I ever held in my arms when it was necessary to put her down was our Airedale, Sheba. At the time, I hated my dad for making me take her to the vet. It was brutal and heart wrenching, but it's something I hold close to my heart now. When Gordie left us, I knew I would get another dog, but not a chow. My heart wasn't ready for that. So an Airedale was the next choice. I searched and couldn't find one. I looked at rescues, but they were all described as "not good with small children".

I'm happy to say that Giggs has "laid in" here. He's fiesty, happy and excitable. He always has a smile on his face. I allow him on the sofa (YIKES) and he even sleeps with me when Steve is out of town (Double YIKES). Yes, he is quite spoiled. But I will say that it's rather lovely to have him curl up next to me on the sofa or the bed. He's a comfort~woman's best friend. Yes, he is my dog. He likes everyone in the house, but loves me best. I guess he just knows my heart. A heart that is once again full with the company of a beautiful canine.

Welcome home Giggsey!


“The Airedale can do anything any other dog can do, then lick the other dog, if he has to.” Teddy Roosevelt

Amelia's Baptism

You can read about Amelia's baptism here:

http://journey2amelia.blogspot.com/2008/11/holy-baptism.html

This is the blog that I use for Amelia's "stuff". As soon as the casting is over, I'll probably just move to this blog exclusively.

Elise's first sleepover

Elise had her first sleepover back in August with our her best friend, TiaBella. TiaBella lives two houses down, so I wasn't too concerned since it would be pretty easy to walk to her house and bring Elise home if there was any trouble.

I told Elise that she was spending the night with Tee and that she needed to gather her things. Elise shot upstairs like a missile and quickly started to pack her backpack~without any help, instructions or guidance. Less than fifteen minutes later, she proudly walked into the kitchen and announced that she was ready to go. When I asked her if she packed everything that she needed, she replied yes. Naturally, I asked her if I could check her backpack and she gladly handed it over. Imagine my surprise when I opened the backpack and the only thing it contained was Elise's very so precious stuffed animals, not one stitch of clothing, a toothbrush, pillow, just stuff animals. Needless to say, we returned to her room and I explained to her the necessary items for a sleepover.

Amelia wanted to go along so badly, but alas, this was not her time. Elise was a little indignant, but TiaBella was more than ready to explain to the "baby" why she couldn't come on this little adventure. I didn't hear a peep all night and I awoke the next morning surprised at the fact that it was 7 a.m. and I didn't get a phone call all night.

The sleepover was a great success and I even had to call and ask when my daughter might be returning home. She had a delightful time and the behavior report was stellar so I guess we are safe to try sleepovers again. Maybe the next one will be at our house....if and when Tee is ready for that.

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Back to school post....time to catch up

Back to school at the Wells ranch consisted of sending #1 off to Case Western for his freshman year, sending #2 to his first year at the senior high school and sending #3 off to four days of preschool.

Matt is loving college and seems to be flourishing there. He's already involved in a research project, joined a fraternity and he's only been home once.

Tucker is doing o.k. at the high school. The work load is challenging, but we expected that. He likes it so far....we hope it continues.

Elise loves preschool...it's all fun and games for her. She just loves life and preschool just fits right for her.

I was rather sad this year. I guess it was tougher than I thought watching Tucker drive off this year instead of watching him get on the school bus. This driving thing is hard! I make him text me when he gets to school and he has to text me when he is starting home. I know it's a little overprotective, but his driving just makes me nervous.

I get a few hours alone with Amelia now. It's rather nice, no competition, no screaming....just alone time. She seems to enjoy not having to worry about what Elise is always up to.

I've started back to a new gym and that seems to be helping my mental attitude and physical stamina. Hopefully, my schedule will even out once the trips to St. Louis are over. But for now, I go when I can.

Enjoy the 1st day of school pics!

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Still hard

Hard for me to come back here and see that mug! I miss him so! We talk about the "Rainbow Bridge" and Gordo waiting for us there. Elise wants to write a book about Gordo going to be with Jesus. I'm trying, but I can't stop the tears and she wonders why. Maybe it will help me heal. I'm not sure yet.

Time marchs on and I think of Gordie constantly, I even imagine I heard him scratching at the front door a couple of times last week. It was so pronounced that I went to the door~call me crazy. I had a dream about him a few nights ago! Then I think of saving a few morsals for him and I remember he's not there. Then the tears come again and I can't seem to stop them. He was just a dog, I try to tell myself then I think was he really just a dog????

Lots going on here that is worth blogging about, but I can't seem to get to it. Maybe next week!...

Tattered and Torn

Tattered and torn is my heart today. My beloved Chow has gone on to doggy heaven. It was sudden, unexpected and shocking.

Chow's carry a bit of a reputation, if you will. But our Gordo was the sweetest dog. We referred to him as the land manatee, just hanging around, taking up space. He LOVED the girls and carried a particular fondness for Amelia that often surprised me. There were a few times that I found him in her bedroom, sitting or lying beside her bed. You see, she was upset and I had failed to respond in what Amelia believed was an appropriate amount of time. Therefore, she was taking a fit and Gordo didn't care for her crying.

I'll miss his silly face, smushed into the ground as he slept in my bathroom. I'll miss his head popping up around the daylilies when he hears me pull in. I'll miss watching him through the front window as he would stand up and watch Matthew drive by the house, turn around and park his truck in front of the house. The boys thought he was a little goofy, but he recognizes their trucks~smarter than what they think! I'll miss him following me through the house during a thunderstorm because the crack of thunder startled him. I'll miss him lying at my feet in the evening, when everyone else was asleep and I was catching up on my favorite shows. I'll miss Steve telling me how he would fret for me when I was traveling. Steve would often say that "Gordo is stuck up my behind!". I'll miss hearing the back door slam as he would push his way out onto the back porch to check out the back yard. I'll miss the little kids in our neighborhood squeal in delight at the "Lion Dog" sitting in the driveway. I'll miss the way he would cock his head to the side when I would say "Gordo, you want a cookie?" I'll miss him sitting beside me at the kitchen table waiting for a morsel to savor since he got very few! I'll miss him lying on the kitchen floor, staring at his food bowl because he was hungry~no barking, just staring! I'll miss the phone call from home asking if I fed him or not since he was begging at his food bowl again. I'll miss the neighbors laughing because he would hike his leg on my flowers (another passion of mine). I'll miss the occasionaly "passer-by" ask, "What kind of dog is that? He sure is beautiful!" I'll miss the way he would jump on my sister whenever she would come over, often scratching and bruising her. So often, he would surprise us with his sudden bursts of energy. I'll miss him running to the front door, full out (which wasn't much), when I walked back from the mail box, slide across the front porch, then turn and run back towards me often knocking me down. I'll miss scratching him under his chin and watching him try to stretch his head a little higher so I can scratch in a different spot. Mostly, I'll miss seeing him sitting in the front yard, with his majestic head held high, watching over his kingdom. I referred to him as "The Emperor of Cherry Lane Farm" (self-proclaimed).

He was beautiful, loving, sweet and he was mine. He loved me best and everyone knew he was my dog. My heart literally ached as I held him and felt his last breath leave his body. I've held several of my dogs while they left this world, but his departure has hurt me the most. Maybe because of the suddenness~I'm not sure. The ache returns everyday when I automatically think, "Is Gordo inside or outside?" "Did Tucker feed him before he left for school?" So many things that were just a part of the daily routine around the Wells' Ranch involved Gordie.

I've had a bit of a reprieve since we are traveling to St. Louis for Amelia right now. But I dread returning home and not seeing his mug looking at me when I drive in and then that "tail wiggle" that he was famous for. Now there are things to clean up that I will no longer need and I'm not sure how to do that. But when I return, I'll clean the slobber from the walls and the floor one more time. I'll vacuum up all the lose hair and give the dog food and cookies away. Then one final "pooper scoop" around the yard. Oh Gordie, what will I do without you??? I'd rather clean the slobber and scoop the yard than yearn for you the way I am. I doubt the tears and heart ache will end anytime soon. It seems he was a bigger part of me than I ever realized.

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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....

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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...

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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.

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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!!!!