Introducing Timothy!

Meet Timothy! Timothy is the classroom puppet. Every Friday, Timothy gets to go home and spend the weekend with someone who has managed to not change his color from green ALL week long. Needless to say, Timothy has NEVER been to our home...until this weekend!

Every week since August, the Chunster has announced on Monday morning that she is going to be really good and not have to change her color or sit in thinking time. Every week, this goal has eluded her. This week, she had a new sense of determination. Last week, she mentioned it every day. Over the weekend, she talked and prayed about it. On Monday, she proudly announced she had not changed her color. On Tuesday, she met me at the front door with the same news. On Wednesday, she proclaimed that her new, big girl tennis shoes must be "Behaving Shoes" because she had made it 3 whole days. On Thursday, we cheered and high-fived because we had made it through Day 4.

On Friday, I was on pins and needles ALL day. First of all, she wanted to wear her new, sparkly (read: hideous) pink shoes for Valentine's Day. These are not her "Behaving Shoes" - but they are new. I told Amelia that ALL shoes over a size 9 are "Behaving Shoes." She went and checked the box, and sure enough, her pink, sparkly shoes are a size 9.5 (shocker!).



Also, Friday entailed singing Val-o-grams, a pizza party, and way too much sugar. I just wasn't sure that the necessary amount of self-control could be exercised on this day, but Chunie and I talked about how hard it would be to be calm, and not jump, and not talk, and listen and mind. She said she could do it. AND SHE DID!!!!



The Mama is SOOOOOO proud.




Happy Valentine's Day!

Random January Fun

Happy New Year!

We have just been hanging out and playing a lot in unseasonably warm weather. I am also realizing that some kids are born with gentle, sweet natures...and some are not. My Chun-bug has always been more on the "stubborn" than "sweet" side of things, but lately I am just seeing more and more of her natural strong personality. Where I was a very compliant, naturally obedient, people-pleaser kind of child, The Chunster is extremely strong-willed. She really just wants things done HER way. She is spirited, determined, opinionated, and often oppositional. She is also very, very bright. All moms think this about their kids, but I will say it. I am rearing a smarty-pants. Enjoy the photos and pray for the Mama that must help mold this personality!

Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful Christmas. Amelia received wayyyy too many toys, but it was fun! Amelia also enjoyed time laughing and singing with her cousins. We are so blessed to be surrounded by family, friends, more material things than seems right, and most importantly, lives lived with the knowledge of Our Lord, Jesus. We are very blessed to live in a place where we can live our faith openly and freely and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus the Messiah.

Christmas fun

Amelia and Mommy sang "Away in a Manger" in church on the Sunday morning before Christmas...Amelia and her babysitter, Susie, built a gingerbread house together...Amelia played with Cece and Heather...Amelia enjoyed ice cream with sprinkles after her school Christmas program...Grandmama, Mommy and Amelia went on a tour of the Christmas lights. And, of course...efforts for a great Christmas photo.

All Aboard The Polar Express

Amelia and I enjoyed a fun evening aboard The Polar Express. Amelia chose a long, red nightgown (she insisted that she needed a long gown like the little girl in the movie). The conductor yelled "All Aboard," and we found our seats on the upper deck. We listened to The Polar Express book on tape and enjoyed a cookie and hot chocolate presented by workers in chef attire. We rode to "The North Pole," where Santa and the elves boarded the train. Santa greeted each child and presented him/her with a silver bell. Then, the elves led us all in Christmas caroling. We finally disembarked the train about an hour later. Miss AiChun REALLY enjoyed herself, and she has been listening to the book on tape and asking me to read the book to her every night. All in all, a fun Christmas outing for the Mama and the goose-girl.

Amy

Thanksgiving with The Chunster

Amelia was very into Thanksgiving this year. Her teacher christened her with a Native American name for the week. Amelia chose the name "Water" because, in her words, "I like to drink water and take a bath in water. Water is good, Mom." She also loved saying the word "cornucopia." We looked for an inexpensive one to purchase, but finding none, Grandmama and Amelia decided to craft their own. Amelia also enjoyed bits and pieces of the Macy's Parade. It was too long for her to really sit and watch it all, but for a kid who tells me "Santa is not real, Mom," she sure was happy to see him at the end of the parade.

We have so much to be thankful for - our salvation, our family, our friends, our health, our homes, our education, our freedom to worship, our abundance...the list is endless. As so many people have suffered economic losses and woes lately, and as many close to me have had serious health issues this year, it helps me to remember that our security is not in wealth or plenty, but in a Person, in Jesus Christ, from Whom all our blessings flow. May we always honor and praise His name.

Happy Two-Year Forever Family Day!

It was two years ago today that I awoke in a strange bed in a hotel room in Chengdu, China, and thought “it’s today,” realizing that the day had finally arrived when I would meet my daughter for the first time. I remember seeing her for the first time, carrying her foster mother’s purse, and wearing the coat with purple lace and beads. She would stand as far away from as she could, stretching out her tiny hand to quickly pluck a Cheerio out of mine – our first touch! When it was time to leave, her large eyes, swimming with tears and filled with distrust, betrayed her efforts to be remain stoic and aloof. Her chin was stubbornly set to not look at me or walk with me, and when the tears spilled over, she hid her face in the crook of her arm. She did not want me to see her cry.

Two years have passed. The transformation is nothing short of miraculous. In some ways, she is still Fu Ai Chun –determined, strong-willed, brave, smart, and a big-time worrywart. However, those qualities are now tempered with laughter, joy, and a fair amount of silliness – pure Amelia AiChun. She is easily among the funniest people I have ever known. She is affectionate, readily giving out hugs and kisses to those she loves. Her mama gets a lot of kisses! She loves to sing, dance, jump, and sashay. She is my heart’s delight.

I could never put into words all that the Father gave me when He chose to give me this child. I have learned so much about Him by being her mother. I have seen miracle after miracle. She is a treasure, a pearl of great price. I am so honored to be her mother.

Thank you for being a special part of our lives and our story. Amelia is who she is today because so many people loved her and prayed for her. We appreciate you.

Love,
Amy

PS - Amelia and I celebrated this special day with Chinese food (noodles!) and tickets to see a high school production of The Sound of Music, her favorite show. What fun!