Sprinkler Fun, An Adoption Anniversary and Emma’s FIRST Fish Tale

Well, summer is officially upon us!  : D  I have a bunch of fun photos for you!

My new hydrangeas…Endless Summer Twist-n-Shout…so pretty and interesting looking.  Love them!

We bought a blow up pool several weeks ago and it started leaking air and water after two uses so, Emma has been enjoying our sprinklers while we decide what to do about a pool!  : D  I absolutely LOVE this watermelon bathing suit (or, as Emma would say…”Waterlemon”).

This month, we celebrated the THIRD anniversary of the day that Emma came to live in our home!  Can you believe it’s been three years?  Wow!  We celebrated with ice cream!  Emma loved her vanilla cone.  : )

Today, we took Emma fishing…she had a blast!!

“This is totally AWESOME!!  Go faster, Papa!!!”

We enjoyed our picnic dinner on the boat and Papa spent some time breaking in our new motor.

So, here’s Emma’s first fish tale (this tale is true…hee hee)…  : )  We decided to let Emma try out her Barbie rod and reel using a little fly as bait.  On the first cast, right near the boat, we hooked a good size northern!!  Papa guesses that it was around 25 inches long!!  We could not believe it and we were cheering!!  The fish quickly went to the other side of the boat and easily broke the line!  It was very exciting!  ; )  Papa didn’t bring extra lures so Emma quickly graduated to the only other rod and reel that we had in the boat.  Doesn’t it look like this wasn’t her first rodeo?  She blew us away….she was reeling like a PRO!  : )

On one the first casts with the “big girl” rod and reel, she had a nibble at the end of the line!

She was a little intimidated by the nibble so she handed the fishing pole over to Papa!  “Reel, Papa, REEL!!!!!!  I sink it’s a BIG ONE!!”

 

Emma:  “OH, a fish, A FISH!!!!!!”

Papa:  “Look at that…it’s a crappie!!”

Emma:  “Mama…LOOK…it’s a CRABBIE!!  A CRABBIE!!!!!!!”  ; )

Emma was so proud of her “crabbie” and WE were so proud of HER.  : D

Before I sign out for the evening, I will leave you with a few of my current favorite “Emma-isms”…  ; D  Little kids say that most hilarious things…

*  Papa:  “Hey Emma, check out this guitar!”  Emma:  “Papa, that’s NOT a GUITAR…that’s a UKE-AH-LARRY!!!!!!!!”  (Ukulele)

*  Emma:  “We have to be happy wiff people and den we’ll make LOTS of fwends!!!”

*  Me:  “We’re going to a Barbeque, Emma.”  Emma:  “What’s a barbeque?  Is dat yike a dance powty???”  (Translation:  Is that like a dance party???)

*  This is what I hear from Emma about 34349384938943 times every time we’re outside and she wants to go on the swings:  “Mama!!!  Can you SWING ME?????  Pweeeeeze?”

*  Emma:  “Mommy, it was just an AXE-SILL-LENT!!!”  (An accident)

*  Me:  “Hey Emma…come and get your vitamin…”  Emma:  “Uh, um…I want CHOC-YET!  How about CHOC-YET???!”  (Choc-yet = chocolate)

*  When we’re in the truck, Jason and I try to have a conversation over the very loud talking and phone noises, boat noises, singing, etc. coming from the back seat.  I actually LOVE and adore these noises but sometimes, Jason and I can’t even hear ourselves talk so we say, “Hey Emma…can you please make the phone ringing sounds just a little bit quieter so that Mommy and Papa can have a conversation?”  Emma quiets down but continues to make the noises and a few seconds later she yells, “Hey MAMA…is DIS quiet enough for you??????!”  ; )

*  I love that:  “Someping” = “Something” and “Nuffing” = “Nothing”  : )

*  I also think it’s hilarious when she says:  “Mommy, can I see Emma on da blog??”  ; P

God bless,

Tera

My Little HOOLA Girl

Emma can hoola hoop.  Boy, can she ever!  : D  I think it’s totally cool…and, hilarious too!!

C’mon…click and watch…you know you want too!  ; D  You don’t even have to turn off my music first…leave my blog music on and watch Emma hoola to the music…LOL!  ; D  ; P

Thanks for all of the birthday messages on Facebook!

Thanks for recording this video for me, Lesa!

God bless, Tera

My Daughter’s Lifebook

What is a lifebook? 

For Emma, her lifebook is the personal story of her life from the time that she was born until the time that she officially became our daughter.  It is a very important book. 

I have not focused enough attention on the creation of this book until now. I have had outline of the text written for quite some time and now I need to put the pages together.  I am hoping that by creating this blog post, I will further motivate myself to COMPLETE this very important project!  This is the first page…

I won’t share all of the pages with you as I work through them…the content of the pages will be very personal and will only ever be seen by a few people.  However, maybe sharing this one page will help others who have been wanting to begin this project but haven’t?

Do you have an adopted child?  Maybe a foster child?  Are you interested in creating a lifebook for your child?  I highly recommend reading the books before creating a lifebook: “Lifebooks: Creating a Treasure for the Adopted Child” and “Adoption Lifebook: A Bridge to Your Child’s Beginnings”. They are both super quick reads.  Also, if you are looking for a custom lifebook service, my friend Kelly hand scraps lifebooks through her business, “Custom Lifebooks”.

I’m scrapping Emma’s book digitally using 8x8 pages.  I created the page above using digital art by Shabby Miss Jenn Designs.

I need to put my nose to the grindstone…I really do!!  : )

God bless, Tera

Spring Fun

 

Emma has a swing set and she LOVES it.  : )  Grandpa put it together for her. (Have I mentioned that my parents live with us now?)  Emma wouldn't be Emma if she didn't go down the slide head first.  ; ) 

I hope that you are enjoying your spring! 

It's May...almost SUMMER, right?  Well, I think it's snowing outside right now.  SNOWING.  Only in Minnesota.  I'm going outside right now to cover our hydrangeas.  ; )

Love to you, sweet readers!

God bless, Tera

We Are the Truth – An Adoption Blogger Day

From the JCICS (Joint Council on International Children Services):

We Are The Truth

A Campaign and Call to Action

The outrageous treatment of Artyem by his adoptive family has rightfully resulted in outrage by the Governments of Russia and the United States and all who care about children.  The tragedy has cast a light on intercountry adoption that says it is not safe, the system failed and adopted children cause insurmountable problems.  The heartbreak of Artyem Saviliev’s abandonment has once again elevated a singular incident to a level which may result in the suspension of intercountry adoption.  Suspending adoption, even temporarily, will only cause thousands of children to suffer the debilitating effects of life in an orphanage.

You, the community of adoptees, adoptive parents, adoptive grandparents, child welfare professionals and child advocates know that the outrageous and indefensible actions of one parent are not indicative of how children are treated by adoptive families.  You know that families who encounter difficulties do not simply abandon their child.  You know that help is available, that solutions are found and that families can thrive.  And you know that suspending adoption does not protect children but only subjects them to the depravity of an institution…and an entire life without a family. 

You, the adoption community know the truth.

You live the truth. 

You are the truth.

Join our campaign to bring the truth to light and help children in need find a permanent and safe family.

We Are The Truth – an adoption blogger day: To ensure the world knows about every successful adoption, on Thursday, April 15, 2010 blog about your adoption or the adoption of someone you know.  It doesn’t matter if your adoption is with Russia, domestic or otherwise international.  Let the world know your truth!

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Sooooo…this is my “We Are the Truth” blog post.  : ) 

The JCICS has said, “You know that families who encounter difficulties do not simply abandon their child.  You know that help is available, that solutions are found and that families can thrive. ”  To that, I say, “AMEN!”  THAT is the TRUTH.

Adoptive parents need to educate themselves on the challenges of adoption.  Adoption is special…  To me, adoption is sacred.  With that said, even something that is sacred can be challenging.  Adoption can be challenging on many levels.  There ARE resources available to help families who are struggling with adoption challenges and/or with RAD or FAS, etc.  There are hundreds if not thousands of families who seek HELP when they are struggling. 

And, not all families who have been touched by adoption experience day to day challenges. 

Statistically, it is not common for adoptions to “end” with disruption.  And, it is NOT okay for Russian adoptions (or any other International adoptions) to cease because of the cruel actions of one American family (or even a few).  It is completely understandable for people and governments to be outraged over what has happened.  However, it is NOT okay to allow literally thousands of Russian orphans to suffer without having the chance of joining truly loving and committed families because of the choices of one American family.

This is our daughter Emma.  We adopted her from Guatemala.  She is special, she is cherished.  She is a treasure and a dream come true.  She is DEEPLY LOVED and she loves us.  We are her parents.  She is OUR CHILD.  We are committed to her…NO MATTER WHAT.  Because of our love and commitment to our daughter, we WILL seek to overcome any and all challenges with love, compassion and patience using any and all resources that are available to us (if necessary).  We will honor our commitments to Emma not just because it’s the right thing to do…  We will honor our commitments to her because she is OUR DAUGHTER.  We were meant to be her parents and she was meant to be our daughter.  That is our truth.

Adoption challenges are REAL.  If you are an adoptive family who needs help with challenges…  SEEK HELP…  HONOR your commitments to your child.

For more information regarding the JCICS “We Are the Truth” campaign and how you can participate, CLICK HERE.  If you are a family who is struggling with adoption challenges, please CLICK HERE and seek help now.

God bless, Tera

My Sweet Girl

My sweet girl.

She’s precious…

so special.

I adore her.

I’m so blessed.

I’m so happy that she’s mine!(Photo taken this week at Oak Hill Park right after our picnic lunch).

God bless, Tera

Emma’s Favorite Things (3 years and 5 months old)

I’m here!  Life has just been busy here!  I’ve regretted not blogging consistently over the past few months and I do see my blog as important.  For the most part, I do not keep a paper journal so this blog is where I document certain events in our lives and it helps me to jot down events in Emma’s life.  I think (I hope) that I’m ready to roll again.  : )

I thought that I would post a little bit about Emma today and sort of freeze this moment in time…  : D

*  Favorite books:  Llama Llama Mad at Mama, Leaf Hunt, Monkey See Monkey Do, Little Critter books, Sandra Boynton books, Little Dinosaur Gets Dressed, Baker Baker Cookie Maker

*  Favorite toys, games and activities:  Dora Memory Game, books, Snap Dolls, Little People, Loving Family House, blocks, T ball, balls in general and playing catch, dress up outfits and jewelry, play food and play kitchen, Playdoh, crayons, finger paints, bubbles, bikes and riding toys, play vacuum cleaner, dolls and stuffed animals, spending time outside exploring, using her imagination and playing make believe, stickers, listening to Laurie Berkner CDs, musical instruments and singing

*  Favorite foods:  Pizza, chicken nuggets, grilled cheese sandwiches, mac n cheese, toast with butter only, peanut butter and jelly, cooked carrots, cooked sweet potatoes, cheese slices, chewy granola bars, yogurt, bananas, mandarin oranges, apples, grapes, wheat crackers

*  Favorite treats:  CHOCOLATE, fruit, salty and crunchy snacks, Popsicles, Jello, M&Ms (nem an nems), fruit, chewy granola bars, ice cream

*  Favorite movies and TV shows:  Dora the Explorer, Yo Gabba Gabba, Peppa Pig, Little Bill, Sesame Street, Sid the Science Kid, The Fresh Beat Band, Cailou, The Polar Express, Up, Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, Boz, Milo and Otis

I absolutely LOVE my little girl.  She is…  Loving and affectionate, smart, spirited, seriously busy, empathetic, determined, helpful, curious, talkative, fun, silly, caring, tough and imaginative.  She was meant to be my daughter and I was meant to be her mother.

God bless, Tera