my week and "firsts"!

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. On Monday I missed our first step and fell down two steps onto a concrete pad. I landed on on my elbow and chipped the end of my elbow bone and ripped my tendon. I had surgery on Weds and will not be able to use my right arm for three weeks.

Tonight was a night of "firsts" for Jiujiu and Yanmei. Our church had a harvest party there was a moonbounce, games for candy prizes, balloon animals, hay ride and moonbounce obstacle course. They didn't do the games but everything else was a "first" for them! They really enjoyed the moonbounce and the moonbounce obstacle course!!

Beth

A good day.

Today was a good day for our family. We went yard saleing, costume shopping and toy shopping. No major issues today and it ended well. Thank you Lord!

Beth

I am having trouble...

...loving my new children. Their treatment of another child in our family is causing me great distress. Right now I am trying to fight how I feel. I do not want to love them. I am tired and frustrated and so discouraged. I am emotionally exhausted. Please pray for me.

Beth

Jiujiu and Yanmei

Our children prefer to use their Chinese names for the moment. These names are also their middle names so even if they decide to keep using them it shouldn't be a problem. Adam Jiujiu Smith wants to be called Jiujiu (sounds like Joe Joe) Megan Yanmei Smith wants to be called Yanmei. (think "Jan May" but change the J to a Y) This is a normal situation for older adopted children. In fact, we planned for this when we decided to keep their chinese name as their middle name. They may use their first names at some point so we plan to be flexible.

Beth

I am NOT a fan...

...of Jet Lag! I know it will take awhile to get readjusted but I don't like waking at 4:00 am and needing a nap at 4:00 pm. I REALLY don't like having to wake 3 of my kids (and sometime all 5 of them) from their afternoon naps so they can eat dinner. They aren't very "morning people" and that extends to naps I guess.

Tonight I looked online for ways to ease jet lag, what a surprise...sunlight! Unfortunately, we don't have any...it is rainy and dreary. It's also supposed to be that way until Thursday. Yuck!

Let's see, exercise helps, but no running around outside. I don't really want to clean mud off of our floors. Double Yuck!

Other than jet lag things are still going well. We have our small issues but they can be dealt with.

Off to get some of my kids in bed...two have been alseep since 6:45.... :sigh:

Beth

We're home!!!

It was a LONG flight and a slightly shorter drive home (actually much shorter it just SEEMED almost as long.)

We are dealing with "dog issues". They enjoy our cockapoo (she is our smallest dog) and Ellie (a medium sized dog) but our "puppy" Chip who is a BIG black lab throws them for a loop!

We are also having trouble finding food that they like. Right now we are stocking up on chinese food and letting them have comfort food. Which to them is SPICY!

We are hearing more and more English but still LOTS of Chinese. The language will take a long time, which we expected.

Megan is starting to respond to her American name but Adam isn't there yet.

Well, almost time to get my crew in bed.

Beth