Meet the Fam

What? You don't see any photos? Well, that's because the newest members of our family are imaginary.

For those who have not heard, our family has been expanding. First, Amelia’s big brother moved in. His name is Guyza. Guyza is generally pretty calm and, well, invisible. Guyza goes with the flow unless he accidentally gets left outside on the park. He did break an arm this weekend, but that’s about the only exciting thing that Guyza has been involved in. He also does not like having the door shut in his face, however accidental it may be. I also discovered recently, quite by accident, that Guyza wears contacts. Guyza has been with us for most of the summer, and I was fine with having one visible child and one invisible one.

Then, a few weeks ago, Amelia’s dad showed up on the scene. He might be handsome (I can’t tell because I can’t see the man), but he is not really the helpful sort. I keep waiting for him to make a mortgage payment, take out the trash, or mow the lawn. So far, all he’s really done is call Amelia’s cell phone to let us know we need to pick up some more milk and to remind me to get gas. Apparently, Dad could not pump the gas because he was watching TV. I guess I should find it comforting that her fantasies have some basis in reality. Last night, Amelia asked me what that brown ball that looks like an oval is called. Uhmm, a football? Apparently, Dad likes to watch football. Great. How will I explain when football season is in full swing (now) that one of the perks of being a single woman is not having to watch football?

When Amelia and I went out for Starbucks recently, she helpfully let me know that I didn’t need to order anything for Dad and Guyza because they stayed home to do boy stuff. Super, especially since I wasn’t planning on shelling out for 2 additional Starbucks for the gentlemen. Amelia also told me that they don’t like to shop (what a relief – they won’t be putting things in the basket!). Amelia tells me on a regular basis that Dad’s car is faster than mine. Really???

This weekend, Amelia received a call on her cell phone that someone was in trouble and needed help. Then she said, “never mind, Mom, I will call Dad.” She proceeded to do just that. She “lost” her connection once, but managed to reconnect to tell Dad about the trouble. Then she helpfully let me know that “Dad will take care of it, Mom.” Grand, really.

I thought we were all set with Dad and Guyza filling in the familial gap that Amelia seems to think exists, when, a little over a week ago, Amelia’s baby sister arrived. It took me a while to figure out that she had arrived, since I didn’t hear from her very often, and when I did, I never heard her name. Amelia finally told me that her baby sister is from China and that I would not understand her name if she told me. After much insisting that I could understand and pronounce the name, Amelia laid it out there: Fyo-mei. (Okay, maybe Amelia was right, and I can’t pronounce it. I certainly cannot spell it.) Fyo-mei goes everywhere with us these days, and Amelia was teaching Fyo-mei how to write her name and how to do ballet. Fyo-mei even got a little backpack to go to school.

Thus, now our family consists of Dad, Mom, Guyza, Amelia AiChun and Baby Fyo-Mei. I am left to wonder whether my child needs a larger family, a therapist, or both. I think I know which one I need.

Amy

Can you say CHUNSTER?

Chun, pronounced "chyoon," rhymes with moon, soon, prune,and my favorite - loon. This was the personal name (what we could call the middle name) given to Amelia in China by her caretakers. She was called AiChun or Chun-chun most of the time.

Since she was adopted at age 2, Amelia knew herself as AiChun. While transitioning her to her new name, family and friends called her Amelia AiChun. Amelia insisted (yes, even at barely 2 years old) on being called by both names. If you called her left off the AiChun, she would add it on herself. Eventually, we shorted "Amelia AiChun" to all versions of Chun - Chun-bug, Chunie, Chuniebelle, and our favorite, The Chunster. Our friend Sara started call Amelia The Chunster while in China, and it really stuck, because of her sparkly personality. I changed the name of the blog to match, and now she is officially Amelia at school, and multiple variations of her English and Chinese names at home.


Amy

One of a Kind

Chunie's my one and only, so it's hard to know what behaviors are "every kid" and which are, well, strictly Chunie. I joked a lot the first week I had her that the Lord must be having a good laugh at my expense by giving me a child with OCD. (Please don't flame me, I know OCD is no laughing matter.) Still, the signs were there - the fastidious wiping of the chopsticks between every bite, the constant organizing, the sorting of every tangible item we owned. Well, we have been a family 3 months shy of 2 years. The Chunster has relaxed on many fronts - she has been known to sport a messy face (gasp!), let her shoes sit side by side without being lined up exactly right (double gasp), and even has stopped polishing the display cases and clothing racks while we shop (it's so nice to not have to explain to the salesclerks that my 2 year old just loves to clean). I no longer consider The Chunster in imminent need of therapy (well, except on the issue of the imaginary family she has created for herself, but more on that later.) Still, sometimes, especially when she's tired, I see some of those old tendencies. Sometimes, when she plays, it comes out, too. Here, she has made balls of playdough, and then has painstakingly sorted them from largest to smallest. So here's the question: is sorting the playdough a "regular kid" thing or is it the Type A personality kicking in?

Joining the Red Letters Campaign

My friend, Holly Mac, whose blog you can follow at www.purposedrivenfamily.blogspot.com, introduced me to the Red Letters Campaign. The Red Letters Campaign is a faith-driven campaign to educate people about poverty, adoption, HIV, and a variety of other topics. I have been following along, reading others' comments and observations for some time now. Having traveled in Africa, Eastern Europe and South America, and having been to China three times, the third time of which was to adopt, it seems appropriate for me to join the discussion. Yes, I believe Christians are called -OBLIGATED- to care about the people of the world. I do believe we should care about our neighbors in our own communities and in our own country (of course we should!), but as Jesus explained the the story of The Good Samaritan, our neighbor is not only those with whom we share a nationality or a skin color or a socioeconomic similarity. Our neighbor is anyone in need.

This week's red letter topic is: what have you learned from the red letter campaign? What I have learned is that there are people out there just like me, women who work, who parent, who love their children, and who wish they could do something more - adopt one more child, minister to one more dying mother, provide antivirals to one more HIV positive teenager, drill a water well in one more village. One more. I have loved reading the blogs of these other people, especially the mothers who have adopted children and who are living testaments to their husbands, children, coworkers, communities of faith, and neighbors.

The Chunster Signs up for Ballet

When we went to open house, there was a video about the school's ballet program. The Chunster lit right up and asked me if I would sign her up for ballet so she could dance on the stage. Since she gets basically everything she wants (yep, I am that kind of mom, whudda thunk it???), I signed her up. We bought the stuff, and she was so eager to try out the goods that we had a pre-lesson ballet recital at home. Of course, I was surprised to find that The Chunster actually seems to think she is taking gymnastics, as evidenced by the tumbling, splits and other stunts she was showing me at home. When I asked her where the learned that, she told me "The Bo-lympics, Mom!" When I explained she was taking ballet and not gymnastics, she cheerfully suggested, "how about I take both?" Hmmm. Why do I have a feeling I will be looking for a gymnastics class when she turns 4?

Ballet with The Chunster:





Gymnastics with The Chunster:





She is TOO much fun!
Amy

The Chunster Starts School

The Chunster started Pre-K yesterday. It was a big day! She was so excited to go to her new "big girl" school. We found a Christian school near our home that I think will get Amelia started down the right track, both personally and academically. I don't know that we will choose to stay in private school forever - there is surely something to be said for public school and learning to work side by side with people who come from different backgrounds, values, and belief systems - but for now, this is what I have chosen. I believe the Lord confirmed that choice when I met AMelia's new teacher. Imagine my surprise and JOY to learn that the Lord has provided what I thought would be impossible to find in our mid-sized West Texas town: a pre-K teacher who is from China and who will be teaching some basic Mandarin along with the regular, English pre-K curriculum. I thought for Amelia to have Mandarin language skills, I would have to move (and yes, I had considered it). However, the Lord brought this sweet teacher here, to the specific school and grade in which Amelia was enrolled. I am excited to see what this year will bring.

The Chunster with her Mama

Everytime I take out the camera, Amelia wants us to have a photo together. This is not an easy task, since there is rarely anyone else available to shoot the photo. (Hint, hint to all my friends with single brothers, LOL). We have thus ended up with tons of "self portrait" photos. Enjoy!