Ladybugs Everywhere

I think there a few of you following my attempt at blogging, but only a lone faithful "follower".  You can see her cute photo at the bottom of my page.  Friends, meet Stacy.  Stacy is my closest friend in Virginia.  She is the kind of woman you can only aspire to be - one who courageously shaves her head in support of childhood cancer research, a NICU nurse who lovingly cares for sick children and scared parents (on nightshift, none the less), and a super-mom to Sierra & Laurel (M & L's best friends).  Stacy and her husband Brad leave in 4 short days to meet their daughter Cadence...she is waiting in China for them.  I really am in awe of her. 

Ladybugs have held a place in my heart ever since I had my "Laneybug".  To me it was just a perfect nickname.  Come to find out they are a universal sign of good luck, especially in the Chinese adoption world.  So, soon Stacy will have her own little ladybug.

Long story short on the ladybug legend...I guess in the 1990's, as Chinese adoption programs were rapidly growing, there was a season of unusually large ladybug population.  The ladybugs were predominantly in Guangzhou, China. "Guangzhou is a necessary stop for all international adoptions. (The city houses many Consulate-General offices.) This large ladybug population explosion was thought to be a lucky omen for the many adopting families flowing into China".

So, until Cadence gets home we are flying our ladybug flag.  And I gave Stacy one to keep up until she can bring home her ladybug.  You can follow Stacy's blog during their travels. (It is listed in the right column).

Family Photos

Just have to share a couple of my favorite shots from photos we had done while in Washington...

 

(Wax lips...the reward for taking good photos)

TGIF

(This is her deer-in-the-headlights 1st day of school photo)

Well, school started a little over a week ago, but this week was L's first full week.  It has gone just as I predicted.  On Monday her teacher sent out an email "to prepare for meltdowns by Wednesday night"...she was right on schedule.  Honestly, I knew this was coming.  I clearly remember how tired (and nasty) M would come home as a kindergartner.  L would talk about her all day, asking to go to the bus stop by 10am, and would be so excited to see her get off the bus - only to have M be downright mean.  L on the other hand is just a bucket of tears.

Today we got this email from L's teacher, (who by the way I am loving - tons of communication):

From: "Terry Edwards"

Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2010 3:23:02 PM
Subject: Warning!

Warning! Beware!
We did not nap today! We have worked so hard and so much this week that the children had not had any free play time. I traded nap for free time this afternoon. A few of the kids were definitely pooped.
One more day and we will have made it through a whole week! They are doing great!!!
Thanks!!!

So, tonight when I was putting L to bed (thru tears and sobs) she confesses that she doesn't like school.  Of course, I ask why.  She said "well, because I miss you" (ahh, sweet) "and because I miss taking naps in my own bed".  We said our goodnights (even though she was adamant she wasn't tired) and when I went back 5 minutes later she was out.  TGIF

G, on the other hand is begging to go to school.  His backpack is ready and he won't let anyone move it.  He asks every morning if it is time to go to school...actually, he asks if "today is the day Stacy is getting her China-baby".  He knows that his school starts when Stacy is away in China, and that is exactly what he tells anyone who asks...  "I start school when Stacy goes to get her China-baby". 

Oh, and tonight at dinner G announced that he could spell his name.  He did so perfectly - Eric almost fell off his seat, the girls erupted into cheers and clapping.  His little face was so proud.  Pretty impressive considering he speaks in G-language, is only 3, and all I did was write it down and practice it with him a little today.

To publish, or not to publish...that is the question

Welcome to what may prove to be the most boring/pointless blog in existence.  I am not sure of its purpose just yet,...to share the funnies said among 3 children, to vent, to give my far away family (mostly my mom) one more place to look for photos of the kids,... who knows what this will turn into.  Frankly, as I write this I am not even sure if I will press "publish".  For the record, Eric is opposed...he says I will share too much, (he is probably right).  As of now, I am undecided how public I will make this blog.

So, why am I doing this, you may ask... honestly, my friend Stacy has a blog and she changed her settings so that only her "followers" or people with existing blogs could post comments.  I wanted to comment on one of her wonderful posts, but unfortunately it made me sign up for a blogger account first.

I already take a lot of photos (that never get printed), faithfully update Thy Holy Facebook, and on occasion even journal (oldschool style, on actual paper).  I still feel though that there are so moments I should document somewhere but don't.  Lord knows, my memory is horrible, so if this gives me one more place to quickly record then I guess all the better.

So, to publish, I guess.

(Disclaimer, posts may be painfully boring, with occasional use of foul language. Of course, there is always the possibility that I up and abandon this venture without warning.  Enjoy for now.)