For Donna
Daddy’s Cinderella
After a year of collecting the right pictures and videos and a full Saturday, I finally was able to make this for Daddy & Ladybug. :O)
Happy Father’s Day!!
Two Years Ago: Together at Last
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| Make a Smilebox scrapbook |
Summer Fun in June
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| Make a Smilebox postcard |
There Comes a Time When Goodbyes Are Neccessary
Some of you might have noticed that talk of Puffin has ceased (or maybe you haven’t). There have been no new pictures of Ladybug and her dog and there is a reason for that. We had to say bid Puffin farewell about a month ago. We struggled with decision because we really believe that pets are forever.
Daddy developed respiratory illnesses that were back to back. He didn’t seem to catch a break. He even developed one infection that could have had dire consequences had it not been detected as early as it was. We started to track back to see when these illnesses began and it seemed very likely that it was with the arrival of Puffin. We didn’t understand how these two events could be related as Shih Tzu’s are hypo-allergenic and Daddy had no issues with Gracie, who was a Maltese and hypo-allergenic.
After several months of not getting better and having to rely on inhalers it was decided that Daddy needed to see an allergist to attempt to find an answer to the bronchial and sinus infections that plagued him. Sadly, our suspicion was dead on–Daddy is allergic to the type of protein or the level of protein that Shih Tzu’s have that appears to be higher than Maltese breeds. We opted to try 90 days of allergy treatments to see if Daddy and Puffin could peacefully exist.
In the meantime, Ladybug was starting to exhibit some aggravations toward Puffin. She was growing weary of the puppy jumping on her, nipping her and stealing her toys (many were chewed beyond the ability of fixing). This was very upsetting for Ladybug especially when the snatching would occur during her playtime. Ladybug was beginning to request that Puffin remain in her “digs” more often than she was requesting Puffin be released.
After nearly three months of treatments, Daddy was still finding himself relying on his inhalers to co-exist with Puffin. Since Sarah was certainly showing a dislike of having a puppy around we decided that we seriously needed to consider if we should take this window of opportunity and find a new home for Puffin. We contacted a close friend and she understood our plight and guilt over the situation. She offered to help find a new home and soon she did.
Ladybug and I drove to Puffin’s new home and were able to see where she would live (which is close to our friend). I have since talked the new owner and Puffin seems to have settled in just fine. A lot of her energy is run off by the older children in the family and their friends so they appear to no have some of the issues we did since we were unable to exercise Puffin as needed (she was exercised though).
On the way to Puffin’s new home, Ladybug wanted to know if we could go pick up Gracie afterwards. That made my heart just ache and I told her that I wish with all my heart that we could. The difference in each dog’s departure from our family has opened the door for Ladybug to begin to consider heaven (God’s Big, Big House) and the existence of God himself. A few weeks after Puffin left, I stopped an realized that Gracie’s death may play an important part in Ladybug learning and understanding a belief in our savior, Jesus Christ.
If, indeed, Gracie’s death leads Ladybug to Christ, I will understand the value in her early death. I will finally be at peace with her absence in our family. Yet, I still long for the day when I can hold her in my lap and enjoy her company once again.
We’ve decided that there will be no more pets in this family for awhile. We don’t want to go through a puppy stage again and we want Ladybug to be able to participate more in the obedience training. Therefore, it’ll likely be a few years before we endeavor to adopt another dog. In the meantime, I really am enjoying not having to take care of a dog. It doesn’t feel quite as lonely as when Gracie left, but I know have just enough room in my heart that I can travel the path of dog ownership one more.
Two Years Ago Today: We Left For China
It seems still like yesterday we got up in the wee hours of the morning and left for China. Like yesterday that we almost missed our flight in Seattle because we assumed we’d hear the boarding call from the side of the snack bar we were eating at–good thing Nana decided to check.
It seems like yesterday that we skipping June 16th and landed in Guangzhou on June 17th tired and excited. Like yesterday that we experienced the awe in the vastness of China. The sights, the smells, the traffic and the population. I am surprised that any of us slept that night knowing the next day would take us to Nanjing and closer to hold our little girl for the first time.
Nana & Mama relaxing in massage chairs–a favorite activity.
The flight information in Tokyo airport regarding our flight to Guangzhou.
Sleep and a Proud Little Ladybug
A few months ago we moved Ladybug into our bedroom and allowed her to sleep on the floor (with lots of pillows and blankets, of course). We instituted Friday Family Bed Night and Ladybug was allowed to start out the night in our bed. A couple of weeks before her 4th birthday I began prepare her that four-year-olds sleep in their own bedrooms in their own beds. Shortly after I began this process Ladybug saw a Dora bed set at Sears and wanted one. I told her that she needed to sleep all night in her room seven nights in a row to be able to buy a new bed set. She did not forget this.
On Ladybug’s 4th birthday she settled into her bedroom and after a couple of bumps in the road, she was soon going to sleep in her own bed without much fuss. I think no more naps helped facilitate this, but she also doesn’t lay half asleep only to sit up as soon as we tiptoe out thinking she is asleep. Once this became easier, we added that she needed to stay in her bed until morning and reminded her that if she appeared at our bedside before 5am she would be escorted back to her bed and Mommy or Daddy would help her fall back to sleep.
Ladybug did appear a couple of times in the beginning prior to 5am and soon learned that we were seriously going to help her go back to sleep in her bed. Even with the night time awakenings, she still went to sleep easily without screaming as soon as we hit the doorway on our way out of the room. I thought that Ladybug had forgotten our deal and I could put of the buying of the Dora set until later this year (maybe Christmas). She did NOT forget.
Last week we were shopping at Once Upon a Child and she saw a used Dora bed set and asked if we could buy it since she had been sleeping so well. Mommy realized that time was up and let Daddy know we needed to hold up our end of the bargain. Mommy did some research to see where we could get the best deal and even tried hard to find something that would more fit with the current theme in Ladybug’s room. She finally had to realize that it was time to stop being anal about a perfect room and let Ladybug get the comforter that she desired.
Today Mommy and Ladybug went to Target and looked at all the comforters. We even looked at the Pixar Cars comforters, too. There were also Disney Princes, Tinkerbell, Hello Kitty, Littlest Pet Shop and, of course, Dora. Ladybug considered them all and narrowed it down to Tink and Dora finally settling on the latter because she already had a pillow case with Dora. She was delighted with her choice and stubbornly carried it to the cashier to pay for the comforter.
Ladybug was so excited about her new comforter that she wanted to go to bed early so she could sleep with it. She is currently snuggled up in her Dora comforter with her Dora pillow and snoring away. I thought it would take so much longer to get here, but here we are and Mommy is just thrilled.
Mama Selected for Jury Duty
Back in December I was supposed to appear for Jury Duty and forgot to call in. Oops! I called the Jury Clerk and was rescheduled for June which was the farthest out they could reschedule and when Nana & Pa would be back to help with child care.
Well, I was scheduled to appear for Jury Duty back in 2004, and the case settled out of court before going to trial and I was free to go home. I had half hoped that would be the case this week. It didn’t happen. They randomly choose twenty-two of us to sit in the Jury Box to be interviewed by both lawyers. As soon as the judge read a summary of the case, I knew I was sunk. It was a civil case so DH’s profession wouldn’t get me kicked off and my profession would lock me in. Especially since not only have to read the statutes and regulations many, many times, I’ve also taken classes about the topic. The honest person that I am, I let them know this.
I almost didn’t even make it in the jury box as I was the 22nd person drawn from the box. Those that didn’t make it to the jury box were excused–lucky ducks. Fortunately the case is expected to go to deliberation by Friday (Monday at the latest) so it’s not like it’s an inconvenience for a long time. Personally, I think it’s an interesting case and appreciate the privilege to serve in the justice system.
Ladybug was quite curious as to what Mama was going to be doing because she really has no memory of me working during the day and I haven’t worked nights since February. So I sat down and actually attempted to explain Jury Duty in terms a four-year-old could understand. I think she actually comprehends some of this. Needless to say, in her eyes it’s pretty cool because she’s spent two mornings will Nana & Pa (we are released at 1:30pm each day).
Tomorrow she is going to be thrilled when she learns that she gets to have a play date with her best buddy, MR. They are two little peas in a pod and surprising look like they could pass for sisters. They play quite well together (outside of the normal preschool jockeying for position) and will totally enjoy two days with each other. For Ladybug it’s just enough time for me to be gone and still enjoy her time visiting friends and family and long enough to be thrilled to see me arrive after lunch.
I totally appreciate MR’s mom and Nana for stepping up to the plate and helping with child care. It’s a real load off my mind to know that Ladybug is happy and well cared for by people I trust. I don’t have to think about her well being while listening to testimony in court.
It’s sunny this week after last week being raining and overcast. I almost wish it was reversed, but on the other hand I was hurting in my joints pretty bad and it would have been hard to concentrate during the trial. So I guess sunshine this week is really in my best interest. I worried about sitting in a chair a lot, but the day is only five hours and the judge is very considerate allowing us to break every one to one and a half hours. He is very kind to everyone in his court and if I every need a district judge, I hope he is the judge I draw.
I have learned that not only to lawyers love to hear themselves talk, but they do so slowly. Drove me nuts during the “interrogation” but doesn’t seem to be too bad during testimony. I forgot my Dr. Pepper today and had to spend five hours with NO caffeine. That makes for a very tired Mama and I took a TON of notes just to stay awake. I’ll probably never look at them during deliberation. LOL! As I understand, at the end of the trial, they’ll be destroyed.
So when it’s all over I can tell you all the funny stories about the process and things that I’ve learned during the process. Suffice it to say, it’s NOT like Law & Order but still pretty cool. However, I’m bummed that Baba won’t let me wear my CSI t-shirt to court. :O)
Adopting from China: Geoff Moore Interview
One of my favorite adoption songs is “Swept Away” by Geoff Moore. Tonight I stumbled onto a YouTube video interview where he talks about about God opening his hear to adoption from China.
What Mama is Reading
What Ladybug is Reading
