2008 - Bringing Them Home!!!

I am sometimes just left speechless as to how beautiful they both are!!!

This photo was taken by a parent just returning from a visit trip with her daughters. Thanks!!

I can't help but wonder how they will like living in the Tundra when this is what they are use to wearing at the end of December. To refresh your memory as to what we are wearing, check out Tuks attire in the duck feeding photos. LOL

A HUGE contrast...............................

Happy New Year's Eve

New Year goals continue to be the same as every year; and hopefully I get closer to it each new year!!!!!!!!
a. Work on raising mentally, spiritually and physically healthy daughters
b. Work on becoming a more mentally, spiritually and physically healthy person. Some areas need more work than others. LOL
c. Work on opening myself up to trusting and involving others in our lives more than I currently do
d. Continuing working on removing all debt except for my home mortgage.
e. Bringing my two girls home from Haiti, realistically I feel Panda will be home in 2008, but Cheetah not until 2009 (next year's goal)




Notice how easy and relaxed they are with each other, and they weren't even set up for a picture, they were just caught in the act of being kids. YEAH

More

snow...predicted 3 - 5 inches for today.

sore...ran 3 more miles and did ab workout. Not doing much good since we are consuming so much food. Well actually I am, Tuki just drinks milk and eats little anything else. Trying not to worry about it.

eating...still working on Christmas meal and now tonight the family is getting together for a farewell/welcome home gathering for nephew C.

good thoughts......Nephew C is training to qualify for this summer Olympics.
Pre-trials are in June in Oregon.

Feeding the Ducks, Feeding the Soul

I ran for the first time in almost 2 months. I always seem to take a break after CC season and this break ended up lasted longer than planned. I ran 3 miles and lifted a little, and now I am sore. Tuks enjoyed getting back to her old stomping ground with the other kids at the Y.

Then later today we went with our neighbor A to feed some nearby mallard and butler/mallard mix ducks that hang around in a pond below a dam. A feeds then every winter and it is something he wanted to share with Tuki. I couldn't say no. Philosophically, I struggle with feeding wildlife since they become too dependent on the supplemental food and ultimately it changes their habits. The facts say don't feed, but then you have to consider the human factor and the enjoyment and how maybe it will have a long term positive effect on future generations because they were able to get so close to a wild animal. I know there never is an easy answer.

This kid has no fear of any animals. I love that about her, but now I need to watch for an anti-kid friendly animal because she is not old enough to understand how to approach them hesitantly until she can read their posture.

The pictures and the look on her face, and A's face says it all. They enjoy each other and since Tuk's grandpa passed away long before she was born, I am hoping A will take that spot for her. So far, so good!!

Christmas Season and Beyond

Well to summarize the last few days. We did get out of our yard in time for the Christmas Eve brunch at my sisters, and to take E to the airport. We cared for E's dog on the 24th, 25th and then this morning we took her to a kennel he had arranged for her. We made it to Christmas eve service, and drove around looking at lights.
Starting the 25th, I was literally cooking and cleaning ALL day, after opening presents. I had quite the layout for the family. Around 7 main dishes and then also dessert. Tuks and I will be eating Christmas dinner for several weeks. Tuki was spoiled beyond belief, but that is part of what childhod is all about, right???.



Looking cute at my sister's Eve brunch.


Hamming it up for the camera.


Admiring aunt M's tree.


Opening a ducky blanket.


In front of the tree at church at the Christmas eve service. She is dead tired here since it was past her bedtime AND she never took a nap on the 24th. She actually handled it very well. No tantrums. Matter of fact she has been an extremely happy little girl since she turned two.


Christmas day, hair all messed up due to wrestling with cousin N, and her uncles. Here she is singing "Jingle Bells". There are many people around at our family gatherings, but most of my family members don't like to have their pictures on the blog. So, no we don't entertain all by ourselves, even though it may look that way sometimes. LOL


Smiling for Uncle W.


Along with many other gifts, she received 4 "Little People" sets this year. Believe it or not, no repeats!!


What I hope Tuks and I can do this summer...camping once she is out of diapers.


Enjoying the campfire.........


BUT, then monster sMurph comes in to rue the day


This "Little People" village doesn't have to contend with Godzilla, but rather "sMurphzilla"


What Tuks and I were doing this morning after dropping E's dog off. We were watching "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" while playing with the "Little People". Today is a day of rest and of course MORE eating.

Many Celebrations!!!!

I will be too busy tomorrow and I wanted to shout out many words of Celebrations for tomorrow:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jesus!!

Happy 4th Birthday Panda!! What a great day to celebrate your birthday with the birth of Christ!! I will do my best to make it memorable in your future birthdays.

Merry Christmas to everyone!!

Happy Holidays!!

Happy Winter Solstice

(December 21st, now the days are getting gradually longer)

and

Happy Kwanzaa

What a GREAT time of year!!

and most importantly;

Enjoy your families and friends.

We need each other!!!!!

Merry Christmas Eve!!

I thought I better post early since we have a busy day planned. This picture is of the girls receiving their t-shirts at the Christmas party that Marie and all the nannies put on for the kids. They brought the kids from PAC1 and PAC2 together on December 20. It reminded me of a school dance. It looked (according to the videos and pictures) like it was a beautiful party, and the kids were really having fun. What a thoughtful and loving action on Marie's part.

I love this picture because the girls seem to be more bonded as friends/sisters. In previous pictures of them together, there was always something in their body language and in their eyes that led me to believe that they weren't warmed up to
the idea of becoming future sisters. Notice Cheetah's arm draped over Panda, and Panda's arm is leaning on Cheetah's hip, and she is also leaning into Cheetah. In addition, the big thing, again in looking in their eyes, they look happy, excited, and relaxed with each other. I have been looking for that "look" when they are together, and here it is.

Wild Morning

Once again we are being snowed in. It doesn't look like it is to stop until later today. I hope I will be able to get out tomorrow for my sister's Christmas Eve brunch and to take E to the airport.

Today, I have been preparing the desserts for the feast at my house on Christmas day. I made 2 Grasshopper tortes and then two Apple pies from the apples I froze this fall. While I was doing this Tuks and the household lazy bums, i.e. pets, were busy too. Here are just a few examples of what they did just in this morning alone.


If they weren't under my feet begging, then they were lounging while I worked. sMurph and Einstein...good buddies.


Our neighbor gave us this step stool several weeks ago and it has quickly become Tuks best friend. Here she is washing dishes. She can do this for a very loonnggg time. Notice the towels on the floor. The only thing that I use to not get stressed out about ALL the water everywhere!! But she loves it.


Here she is working hard. I ask her all the time. "Are you working hard" She says "Yes".


This is how wet she gets. Once she was done, I did a complete change of clothes. BUT


She decided to lick out the torte bowl. She is a child that puts her heart and soul, and sleeves, head etc., into everything she does.


Now into the mouth and suck on the fingers a good long time, so as not to miss any flavor. I guess it is safe to assume she likes peppermint.


Again, the results when she is "All done"

And Mama's work is then doubled cleaning up after her as she moves from one thing to another. But as you can guess, usually I love it, sometimes I just tolerate it and sometimes I can't wait until nap time.

Bearing Gifts from A Far

Several adoptive parents brought back gifts for us waiting at home. Pictures of our kids. Many thanks for the wonderful pictures!!!!!!!!!


They are all dressed up ready for their Christmas party held at the O.


BTW - Panda is turning 4 on December 25..that's right a Christmas baby.



If you are keeping track at all, All my girls' birthdays are at the end of November and in December. December will a very busy month for now on. LOL

Measurements were also taken;

Panda - 4 years old
3' 3" tall (this is only 3" taller than Tuks at 2 years old)
36 lbs
6 1/2 shoe size

Cheetah - 7 years old
4' 3" tall
60 lbs
not sure on shoe size

Christmas Card 2007

Our Christmas photo this year. With Photoshop I collaged many of Tuki's zillion photos into one for this year's card. Then I found Christmas and Hanukkah layouts that I liked from Walmart's selection, and then dropped the photo in. I liked the effect. It looks busy, BUT isn't that what the year is like with kids from 1 to 2 years old. I thought it gave the feeling of 2007.

Busy, happy, growing, moving and it is only going to get better in 2008!!!

One day left of work and then I am off until Jan. 2, 2008

Christmas In Haiti

There are several amoms in Haiti, taking pictures, bringing presents from adopting parents unable to make it and then of course Marie is planning a big Christmas party for the children. I am really excited about Christmas at home with Tuki, but I can't help but be a little torn knowing my girls are celebrating a Christmas in Haiti without us, or us without them. My family is torn apart and I will be happy(ier) if that is even possible, when we are all under one roof.

The word is; via our yahoo PAC group; that there are some awesome pictures being taken and many more planned. Along with some great videos. The pictures should help in the "wait" part of the process, for a least a little while any way.

I am hosting the family Christmas gathering. I have quite the spread planned. Wish me luck in getting it all done and tasty too. Plus include that on Christmas eve I am attending my sister's house in the am, then driving E to the airport and watching his dog until sometime on Christmas day, and also we are attending the Christmas eve service. Crazy days ahead and I plan to rest on Wednesday the 26th!!!!!!!!

But, Guess what;
I LOVE ALL THIS CRAZINESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Samson, I am NOT

OK, First some cuteness.........today after church.



OK, Now, some oldness..........

I have been changing my hair length and color many times over since June of this year. Six times to be exact. Three times I changed the length and 3 times I have changed the color. I just needed a change and I was struggling with what it was going to be. I needed a simple style, where I do not need (since I do not own one) a hair dryer and I wanted a good color on me. Losing the length was liberating because it ended the last connection I had to a bad relationship. Unlike Samson, cutting my hair gave me strength. I am not usually so vain, but I think I finally like my hair and it is only a tad darker than my hair was before it started turning gray. It is short and sassy!!! Sassy like me, but I am not short..........What do you think???


December 16, 2007 - hair is short and dark...and I finally like it.


early December 2007 - hair is short and red (colored for state CC meet)


September 2007 - hair is medium and light


August 2007 - hair is long and light


June 2007--hair is long and dark

Ole Christmas Tree, Ole Christmas Tree, How lovely are your branches.....

A Quetzal (Guatemala's national bird) ornament. Tuki's Gmom found this Guatemala ornament in a local shop. How cool is that!! It is just beautiful.
I asked if there were Haitian ornaments..she said she hadn't noticed any.


The tree.


Tuki examining a non-breakable ornament.


Now a plastic ice sickle. She will no doubt have 1 or 2 of these broken before the season is over. She can't keep her hands off them.


sMurph and Tuki's snowy owl under the tree.

One of the many reasons I like Christmas is the Christmas tree. It has always been magical to me. All the colors, the calmness surrounding it and its magnetic effect on everyone to congregate around it. It does not have to be perfect, it doesn't need presents under it, it just needs to be there and admired. Some of my fondest childhood memories are when I would shut off all the lights in the room where the tree was located and then lay down next to the lighted tree and just stare at it. I'd do this for hours and hours on end. My hope is to help my kids see the magic in
the tree. Nearly every single year I have put up a tree. In the coming years when Tuki is old enough I hope to add my nativity scene under it. But I don't think she could resist the temptation of the people this year, maybe next year.

Tuki and sMurph were hanging around the tree tonight and while I was snapping their pictures (without the flash to catch the aura of what we were feeling) I was surrounded by the three dogs...

still magical.............

Crazy Day

Today;
a. was told to "shut up" by a student.

b. mailed Cheetah's dossier.

c. mailed the t-shirts for the O's Christmas party.

d. Spent another 198.00 dollars on my power steering fluid and hoses because they fell apart around 8:30am this morning.

e. picked up a crabby Tuki from daycare, and cleaned up her mess after she got into the stash of stickers.

Tonight;

Left speechless because I am grateful that the car only cost 198.00, the items are mailed and Tuki is here, my daughter, and a healthy toddler, and despite the craziness of the day, overall it was very good.

UNICEF Involved, Law Passed

The Ortega law, covering new guidelines for adoptions form Guatemala was passed today. There still needs to be a great deal of clarification in order to fully understand what it all means. What I find rather interesting is that there are new laws pending in Haiti as well, and it is the same organization that has been stated as the culprit in both countries that essentially shut down adoptions. That organization is UNICEF. It seems their intentions may be (at least) stated as good, but in the course of pushing their agenda, many children get caught in the cross fire and left without homes. UNICEF has left a dark, long and twisted trail in every country they have influenced in the way they want adoptions handled.

I find it difficult at times like this to fully understand or see the big picture. People within organizations or hold specific beliefs like to "sell" their way of thinking, and it is rather difficult to see the full truth. This is why I dislike politics. It is too shady of an arena for me. Anyway, time will tell if the passing of this law is a good thing or not.

Disturbing Article!!!

http://www.texasobserver.org/article.php?aid=2645

Highlights on Tuki's Birthday Party

Tuki's birthday party was today.


Tuki's birthday cake. It was a pumpkin/chocolate chip muffin recipe. I made it into a cake. It was a little heavier than a cake usually is, but ohh so good. I had froze the pumpkin weeks ago, and rather excited it turned out so well since it is the first time I had done that.


Tuki enjoying the family singing Happy Birthday to her.


Blowing out the 8 crayola candles and the number "2" candle.


Enjoying the cake. In her eyes it was the best.


Opening gifts. She had received many wonderful gifts from our family and friends.


Playing with her new cars (yes, she likes cars) with cousin M.