fondue for five

Long time no Blog

2010-03-27T21:59:00.002-04:00

I haven't posted to the blog because I am just too busy! Work, side business, working out, kids' school and sports...it's just too much to fit into a day! We are currently planning our summer: beach trips, basketball camp and volunteering! This summer, Dylan and I will be volunteering for a week in an orphanage in the Dominican Republic!

The program is being organized by a non-profit organization called Orphanage Outreach, which has been working with orphanages in the Dominican Republic for fifteen years. The mission of Orphanage Outreach is to provide opportunities to orphaned, abandoned, and disadvantaged children. Its goals are to help the orphanage provide basic necessities, to provide a quality education, and to help the orphanages become self sufficient.

Each Orphanage Outreach volunteer has two significant roles: to donate important volunteer time while in the Dominican Republic, and to help raise funds necessary to fulfill Orphanage Outreach's mission.

As volunteers, we will be working in an educational learning camp for disadvantaged children. Children attending the camps rotate through learning stations including English, reading, health, art, recreation, and more. Volunteers sometimes work on physical work projects: digging, building, painting, etc., but the focus is on the children.

As fundraisers, we are helping to raise funds to not only cover our program fee, but to also provide the basic necessities at the orphanage: food, water, housing, transportation, supervision, medical and dental care, and more.

Orphanage Outreach is a small organization, is not government funded, and relies on the tax-deductible donations of individuals.
If you are willing to help, please click on the link to my personal fundraising page https://www.orphanage-outreach.org/estrella.php?trip_id=NzE5NQ . You can also make out a check to Orphanage Outreach (a tax-deductible 501-C-3 organization: U.S. federal tax id #58-2197227), and send it to me at my address so that I can forward your check onto Orphanage Outreach.

Dylan and I have already donated $200 toward our own program fee, and we'll be purchasing airline tickets as well. The program fee for the two of us totals $900 and is due in early June. We invite you to become involved in partnering with us in this effort. With your donation, we will be able to make a significant difference in these children's lives.

Whether you are interested in volunteering with our team, sponsoring our trip or just wishing us well, we appreciate your help.

Please visit my fundraising page if you are able to donate any amount.
https://www.orphanage-outreach.org/estrella.php?trip_id=NzE5NQ

Thanks!

smoothies

2010-02-07T19:11:00.002-05:00

2010-02-07T17:57:00.001-05:00

Griswald Christmas!

2009-12-27T16:54:00.009-05:00

Our family, consisting of 8 adults and 9 kids (ages 10 months thru 18), spent several days this Christmas in a gorgeous luxury cabin in the mountains in NC. There was too much ice on the road leading up to our cabin, so once my brother in law got all of us (and our stuff) up the mountain into the cabin in his truck, we pretty much had to stay put! It was quite an experience with a bunch of kids, raised in SC and FL, who hadn't really experienced snow before. Oh, and all those electronic Christmas presents? We had no power on Christmas day. So...what did we do? We had SO much fun! We...

did lots of sleigh riding
made snow angels
built a snow-lady
had snowball fights
played foosball
played more foosball
sparklers
kids put on a skit :)
went in the hot tub
played hide and seek
opened presents (that we couldn't plug in)
drank coffee made in the fireplace
ate food cooked on the grill (lasagna, pie, ham)
ate some more
ate even more
Oh...and Lana took her first steps!!!

No need to mention the flat tire that the three kids and I got on I26 at 11 pm on the way home. Thank goodness for Geico Roadside assistance.

MB

2009-12-27T16:43:00.002-05:00

We went to MB for the day to see Santa at Hard Rock and stopped at the aquarium before heading home. :)

Maia is 4!

2009-12-14T20:57:00.003-05:00

We celebrated with a fun, family birthday party for Maia on Sunday. Then today, I took Maia to see The Princess and the Frog then took her out for Chik Fil-a and milkshakes (her choice). The BIG excitement is that she gets to have gum now. Happy Birthday to the sweetest girl in the world! May God wrap his arms around your birth mother today, and always.

12.11.06

2009-12-14T20:53:00.001-05:00

3 yrs ago, 12/11/06, we became a Family of 5 in China when we held our baby girl for the first time!Even though we waited so long for her,she was clearly NOT waiting for us! She was SO scared and SO sad(and had a really wacky haircut)but luckily, she quickly learned to love and trust us.We could all learn a lot from her courage on that day. Maia~ I am PROUD to be YOUR Mommy!

T-Giving...Round 2

2009-11-29T11:17:00.003-05:00

We enjoyed our second Thanksgiving feast in Hilton Head. I just love seeing all the cousins together :).

Post Turkey :)

2009-11-27T09:32:00.003-05:00

Pre Turkey :)

2009-11-27T09:23:00.002-05:00

We stayed at the Mariott Ocean in Myrtle Beach. It is such a beautiful hotel and we were spoiled rotten by Keith's brother (he's the Exec. Sous Chef).

rotten apples

2009-11-21T10:39:00.002-05:00

I started this blog 3 years ago to document our trip to China to adopt Maia. I kept it going after returning home because family and friends, near and far, wanted to stay in the "loop". I also use the blog as an online baby book. It is also a wonderful community to be a part of...the adoption bloggers. It is so amazing to find a blog and follow someone to their child and help each other navigate this journey called "parenthood". It is also a wonderful connection for Maia, as we stay in touch with other Xuwen families and our travel group.

Although I keep our last name and the name of our town out of my posts, I am fully aware that I am putting my family "out there", so to speak. I decided long ago that the second something/someone made me uncomfortable, I would reevaluate the settings of my blog.

Well, 2 events have occurred that have made me uncomfortable. One, is that someone names "LOTZAADS" is now a follower of my blog. I don't know who you are and have no way of contacting you to ask you who you are. If I do know you, I apologize...please email me! Secondly, I received my first (and only) creepy comment in 3 years. Someone called "123 123" left a comment with an inappropriate link. (I did not click on it, but the name of the link says it all). ***If someone knows how to delete a comment, and/or get rid of a follower please let me know!**

As for now, I just activated comment moderation and will consider setting the blog to private. It's such a shame because we can all learn so much from each other. Unfortunately, there are rotten apples out there with nothing better to do than ruin our fun. :)

11.18.99

2009-11-18T20:56:00.005-05:00

Devin turns 10 today! I think he smiled ALL day! He even gave me a big wave, grin and a "HI MOM" in the hallway at school. Usually, he's too cool for that and just gives me a small smile while his friends all wave and say "HI" wildly.

As a baby, he was very chubby, very blonde, very cuddly and very easy-going.
In the future, Devin wants to play football for the Florida Gators and be drafted by the NFL. His back up plan? Ice cream man.

Now, Devin is...
silly
athletic
obsessed with sports
competitive (very)
vain
confident
trendsetter
popular
impatient
mouthy
lazy with chores
great hugger
picky eater
a chick magnet
a loyal friend
dreamy (according to the girls in his class)

The other day, the girls in my class told me that the walls in the girls' bathroom are covered with graffiti that says, "Devin S---- is hot" and "I love Devin S----".
He already acts like a teenager. I think we're in for it for the next 10 years. At least he makes us laugh!

mai-A

2009-11-08T17:53:00.002-05:00

We call Maia "Mai" a lot. Lately, Maia has been correcting Keith when he calls her Mai. She says emphatically, "Mai-A". I can still call her Mai though ;). For now...
By the way, she's an awesome little soccer player.

3 years ago...

2009-11-03T21:51:00.002-05:00

...I was teaching Social Studies and my cell phone rang. I said, "Please tell me it's a girl." Kat said, "It's a girl!". That long awaited phone call (and the email with the photo that followed) brought us our Maia and completed our family! I remember that amazing feeling of elation like it was yesterday.

"Hot"oween

2009-11-03T21:41:00.002-05:00

Maia had an adorable unicorn costume but it was 85 degrees so we had to put together a quick butterfly costume. We had some friends and family over and of course, had a great time!

Moon Festival

2009-10-03T22:35:00.003-04:00

Full moon
Chinese food
Sparklers
Moon pies
Jack o'lanterns
Family

After soccer...

2009-09-26T14:51:00.000-04:00

2009-09-26T13:46:00.002-04:00

This picture looks so funny...Dylan had cleats on and Devin was barefoot...they are really a bit closer in height than this!

:)

2009-09-21T21:21:00.001-04:00

Are you ready for some...

2009-09-13T13:18:00.001-04:00

...football!?

messy maia

2009-09-10T21:11:00.001-04:00

you have to check it out

2009-08-17T23:18:00.003-04:00

Live Green ~ Save Green ~ Earn Green

Top 5 reasons why you should request information from my website...

5. You want to learn about how to make extra money in the comfort of your own home without having to sell anything.

4. You know someone who wants to earn enough money to be a stay at home mom.

3. You want to improve the planet by reducing the amount of plastic you discard.

2. You want to stop poisoning your children (and yourself) with the household products you are currently using and learn about safer, healthier alternatives.

1. You are curious about this legitimate, risk-free home business opportunity. :)

www.tricia.greenunitedteam.com
www.enjoyworkathome.info

8.6.1997

2009-08-05T17:24:00.012-04:00

Dylan is 12 today!

Dylan is...
practical
logical
loud
intelligent
witty
goofy
sweet
impulsive
friendly
literal
impatient
inquisitive

Dylan loves...
reading
the color red
shrimp
dragons
money
his red hair
fantasy books
soccer
cooking
video games

Dylan wants to be...
archaeologist
author
teacher
father

Dylan seeks...
justice
fairness
acceptance
sleep (Dylan wanted me to add that)

Dylan made me a mom.
Dylan makes me proud.
Dylan makes me smile.

boots? she clearly dresses herself

2009-08-05T16:48:00.000-04:00

Toxic Brew

2009-07-31T23:15:00.004-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upxVNgjER0s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCiG1WxBgTE

These are links to youtube videos called "Toxic Brew" and "Toxic Cancer Causing Carcinogens Found in Childrens' Bath Products". This is exactly why I don't use any of these kinds of chemicals in my home anymore. I just wish I found these safer products sooner. My new cleaning products have no child safety caps...because they don't need them! The products are not unsafe! And, they cost less than what I was paying in the store. I got 17 different household cleaners and laundry products for $99! Now, if I could just find someone who wants to clean my house FOR me!

wordless wednesday

2009-07-29T13:46:00.002-04:00

2009-07-23T22:24:00.002-04:00

I know I promised lots of pictures from our trip, but to be honest, we were so busy having fun that pictures just didn't happen! Here is one of Maia and Nicholas. :)

Is your home a HEALTHY home?

2009-07-22T22:38:00.002-04:00

Did you know that many household items you buy from your local stores contain ingredients that can cause allergic reactions, breathing difficulty, dizziness, cancer, birth defects, and many other problems? Are you looking for a safe, effective alternative?

Get the facts...

Every 13 seconds a family calls a poison control center regarding an exposure to poison at home.
Over 3/4 of all poison exposures reported to poison control centers involve ingestion of a toxic household product.
When researched by the National Institue of Occupational Safety and Health, 884 personal care products out of 2983 were found to be toxic. 146 of which can cause tumors, 218 can cause reproductive complications, 314 can cause biological mutation and 376 can cause skin and eye irritations. Personal care products should promote hygiene, health and beauty...not make us sick!
An EPA report stated that indoor air pollution is one of the nation's most important environmental health problems.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that 150 common household chemicals have been linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer and psychological abnormalities.

So what can YOU do???

Contact me! I can share with you what I am doing to make a change in my home!

Trusted Brands??

2009-07-22T22:37:00.000-04:00

Do you think the major products that you can grab off your local grocery store shelves are safe? WRONG! Lysol© is even more dangerous than we thought. It contains phenols and dioxin (Agent Orange).

Bleach must be safe because people have been using it for years, right? WRONG! When using bleach, antiseptics or chlorine in industrial areas, OSHA requires you to wear impervious protective clothing, hard hats, boots, gloves, apron or coveralls, chemical goggles or full face shield and use only in well ventilated areas. There has been a call from the U.S./ Canadian Commission to ban bleach in North America. Bleach is being linked to the rising rates of breast cancer in women, reproductive problems in men and learning and behavioral problems in children.

NTAs were banned in 1970. Lobbying by Proctor & Gamble in 1980 put them back into home products although they are extremely cancer causing. What are they for? ONLY to make more suds in detergents to make you think your clothes are getting cleaner.

In the USA the #1 cause of accidental poisoning is Dawn Dishwashing Detergent©. WHY? Because it is the #1 seller. Tide contains Lye and is the #1 polluter. It is also the #1 seller. Deep Woods and Off have an ingredient called DEET. DEET causes seizures in children and adults.

Harmful Products

2009-07-22T22:34:00.001-04:00

According to The Safe Shopper's Bible, written by David Steinman and Samuel Epstein, M.D., the following is a list of common household products that contain known irritants, carcinogens and/or neurotoxins. Carcinogens are chemicals that cause cancer. Neurotoxins are chemicals that adversely affect the nervous system reducing emotional well being, mental alertness, coordination and other functions associated with intelligence.

Lysol disinfectant (all scents)
Renuzit Air Deodorizer
Bon Ami Foam Cleaner
Fantastik All-Purpose Cleaner
Formula 409
Pine-Sol Multi-Action Spray
Pledge Household Cleaner
Simple Green
Spic & Span Cleaner
Scotts Liquid Gold
Lemon Pledge
Tilex Soap Scum Remover
Glass Plus
Ajax Cleaner
Gillette Foamy Skin Conditioning
Speed Stick Deodorant
Soft Soap
Secret Deodorant
Johnson's Baby Shampoo

Dawn Sureshot
S.O.S. Vinegar Cleaner
Joy Dishwashing Liquid
Windex Glass Cleaner
Palmolive Dishwashing Liquid
Shout Aerosol & Stick
Sunlight Dishwashing Liquid
Spray & Wash Stain Remover
Kleen King Aluminum & Copper Cleaner
KR2 Spot Lifter
Behold Furniture Wax
Depend-o Blue Toilet Cleaner
Endust
3M Aerosol Spot Remover
Formby's Lemon & Almond Spray
Most Home & Garden Pesticides

Right Guard Deodorant
Ponds Dry Skin Bar
Palmolive Skin Bar
Lady Speed Stick
Lever 2000
Irish Spring Deodorant
Lifebouy Soap
Jergens Liquid Soap
English Leather
Deodorant
Ban Roll-on
Caress Body Bar
Camay
Ultra Brite Toothpaste
Cepacol Mouthwash
Crest Tartar Control
Listerine Original & Cool Mint
Arm & Hammer Toothpaste
Colgate toothpaste
Scope Mouthwash
Old English Furniture Spray
Dove Soap Bars
SOS Ammonia Glass Cleaner

Common Chemicals found in Household Products

There are more than 3 million poisonings every year. Household cleaners are the # 1 cause of poisoning of children. The top three culprits according to Poison Control: Household cleaners, bleach and medications.

Formaldehyde is one of the largest indoor pollutants in our homes. Symptoms caused by exposure to formaldehyde include but are not limited to allergies, cancer, immune system failings, and asthma. Products containing Formaldehyde include: antiperspirants , mouthwash, toothpaste, Tupperware, permanent press clothing, floor waxes, furniture polishes, baggies, coffee, wax paper, and paper money.

Phenols are a major indoor pollutant. Phenols are absorbed by lungs, and skin. Symptoms include caustic burns, kidney and liver damage and hyperactivity. Products containing Phenols include: acne medications, baking powder, computers, TV sets, mouthwash, sugar substitutes, and wallpaper.

Sunshine State

2009-07-14T12:56:00.002-04:00

We're off to visit friends in Florida for a week! Lots of pictures will follow!

In the meantime, check out

www.LuckyMamaMarketplace.com

wedding

2009-07-11T20:52:00.000-04:00

2009-07-11T20:45:00.000-04:00

sunglasses

2009-07-10T18:09:00.002-04:00

Dylan wanted some post haircut photos taken. The boys actually look alike now that they have similar haircuts. He also picked out these sunglasses that he thinks are awesome and I well...don't.

baseball game

2009-07-10T14:21:00.000-04:00

dancing and singing

2009-07-06T14:02:00.004-04:00

I just found out that the wellness company I'm marketing for has a foundation that sponsors an orphanage in Ecuador! http://www.melaleuca.org/

cool

2009-07-03T13:52:00.003-04:00

Devin is 9 going on 19. He thinks he's really cool and unfortunately for us, others think he's cool too. His new thing is that he wants to be on a sitcom or in commercials. He wanted me to take some pictures of him after his haircut today. The best way for me to convince him to get a haircut is by reminding him that the "sun kissed" blonde hair will be cut off and his hair will look darker after a haircut. He likes that because he wishes he had dark hair. So here's Devin being Devin...

They're not always this sweet together....

2009-07-01T20:04:00.001-04:00

...but it's SO nice when they are!!!

laundry's not done but we're having fun!

2009-06-24T13:25:00.001-04:00

2009-06-24T13:20:00.000-04:00

Change is good

2009-06-19T09:36:00.010-04:00

As many of you know, I am an elementary school teacher. I really love teaching but lately the education system has been putting tons of pressure on teachers. It's almost as if teaching has become more about what you do outside the classroom than what you do in it. Honestly, I am so wiped out by the end of a school day that I don't have the patience or energy to enjoy my OWN kids! Sad, but true.

When my mom died I really started evaluating what it is I want out of life. I guess I want what everyone wants. I want to be happy and healthy. I want my family to be happy and healthy. I want to enjoy more time with my husband and kids. Life seems to be rushing by me.

I had been looking at alternatives to teaching that would allow me more time at home with the same (or better) income. The reality of needing to pay for college in 6 years hit me like a brick! I have been working on two different businesses in the past few months and I'm really excited about both of them. One business has been so much fun because I am partnering with my sister and 2 cousins. This business really makes me feel closer to my mom because my cousins' mom is my mom's sister. A family business...perfect. Unfortunately, I can't tell you about that one yet but trust me, you'll be the first to know!

I stumbled upon the second business and I'm equally excited about this one but for different reasons. I am now a part-time marketing executive for a company that sells eco-friendly wellness products. The products are not gimmicks but products we use every day in our homes. This company creates everyday products that are better for the environment and better for our health. I don't sell the products, just refer people to the company. The best part is that the income potential with this business could be high enough that I would be able to quit teaching and work at home full time in a year. That's my goal anyway.

If you are interested in learning about the wellness products, click here www.melaleuca.com/introduction . More importantly, if you would like to learn about how to build a risk-free business let me know or go to www.freedomunitedteam.com/TS15175 . No high pressure stuff...just wanted to show you what I've been up to. Who knows? Maybe our lives will change for the better.

Ahhh...summer

2009-06-16T13:55:00.004-04:00

We have been enjoying the first official week of our summer vacation! I absolutely love waking up slowly and drinking my coffee on the back porch.

We went to Charlotte to celebrate the high school graduation of our oldest nephew, Steven. He graduated with top honors and a 4.6 grade point average! He will be heading to UNC in August. Devin is trying to become a Tar Heels fan.

We have been swimming every day and Maia can officially swim on her own. I was wondering how she would do with not swimming all winter, but she is a little fish!

Dylan is getting ready to start his first "job". He will be a Junior Volunteer at the library. Hope he likes it!

Keith started his new job which will cause him to be away for about 5 days, then home for 2. Wish us luck!

I have been busy in the evenings working on a business venture with my sister and 2 cousins. We will be ready to share it at the end of the summer!

We will be spending time in Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head and will be going to Florida in July. We can't wait!

Have I mentioned how much I adore summer?

waterpark

2009-05-31T20:04:00.003-04:00

We went to a water park today. It's pretty nice- slides of all sizes, kiddie area, lazy river, wet playground and a wave pool. It's amazing more kids don't drown in the wave pool! Maia loved the slides! She even did some swimming without her vest. I'm not sure why she looks so unhappy in that picture with the boys.

Maia is watching a butterfly on the porch

2009-05-31T19:53:00.001-04:00

Saturday

2009-05-30T21:19:00.001-04:00

I didn't write this article...

2009-05-20T19:24:00.001-04:00

...but I could have. Thanks, Oprah!

http://www.oprah.com/article/omagazine/200704_omag_adoption_8_things

Mother's Day 2009

2009-05-10T21:05:00.006-04:00

For Mother's Day I received a bright blue pottery mug that Dylan made in art class, a "coupon book" from Devin (massages, wash the car, 10 hugs, etc) and an adorable handmade picture frame from Maia. I was also blessed to be surrounded by family during a beautiful sunset beach party in honor of my mom. It was an evening full of jumping in the waves, sandcastles, childrens' laughter, kite flying, sparklers, yummy food and a rainbow in the sky. ~Happy Mother's Day~

"Think of all the beauty that's still left in and around you, and be happy." - Anne Frank

Dylan

2009-05-04T22:51:00.001-04:00

One of the "soccer dads" emailed me these pictures from Dylan's last soccer game.

Lucky 13

2009-05-04T22:26:00.002-04:00

Today is our anniversary! We all rushed home from school and went to the beach so Keith could see where we have been spending our weekends. Then, we went to a seafood restaurant on the beach and had snow crabs and shrimp. We usually leave the kids at home for our anniversary dinner, but for some reason it just felt right to bring them along this year.

april showers bring may flowers...

2009-05-02T20:15:00.004-04:00

May is my favorite month for lots of reasons...the weather and the school year coming to an end to name a few. I insisted on getting married in May and"Maia" was the Roman goddess of spring and the month of May was named for her. May is also special because today is my mom's birthday. She LOVED her birthday and she LOVED the beach, so of course that's where we spent the day. We all inherited her love of the ocean. I love you and miss you Mom. More than anything.

beautiful, watery and wavy

2009-04-25T20:34:00.002-04:00

That's how Maia described our day at Folly Beach today. I didn't take many pictures because we were too busy just enjoying the warmth and the ocean. When we arrived, it was high tide and the waves were a good size. The boys had a blast and Maia loved jumping in them too. This picture was taken just before we left (everyone else was gone!)... It's Maia watching the boys in the water. I am so glad that it is beach weather!

Devin's Spring Program

2009-04-23T20:43:00.001-04:00

zoo

2009-04-18T21:52:00.006-04:00

Today we went to the zoo and botanical gardens in Columbia. It was a beautiful day and we had a fabulous time! Maia's favorites were the flamingos.

Maia jumped when the gorilla turned around!

Hilton Head

2009-04-13T15:35:00.002-04:00

AHH! The water's cold!

Love this picture...my oldest niece meeting my youngest niece.

We had a fun Easter weekend in Hilton Head! We spent time with family and played on the beach. I didn't take many pictures but here are a few.

Spring Break

2009-04-07T12:53:00.005-04:00

We had tons of fun with our Florida Friends! We ate too much and slept too little! We can't wait to see them again this summer. :)

Busy month!

2009-03-21T20:07:00.002-04:00

We've had a busy month! Soccer and basketball for the kids, Cadance's 4th birthday, standardized testing at school, and all 3 kids and I were sick with strep and scarlett fever. Now, we have Keith's birthday tomorrow and spring break in 2 weeks. The weather has been really nice...so glad it's spring!

Wow, Julie. Thank you!

2009-03-21T19:39:00.001-04:00

Happy Birthday Pop Pop!

2009-03-01T21:23:00.001-05:00

Singing Happy Birthday to Pop Pop

Cousins...Cadance, Maia and Gracie

WooHoo! Cheesecake!

Thanks, Tara!

2009-02-22T16:16:00.001-05:00

Soccer

2009-02-21T16:41:00.007-05:00

If you know Maia, you know that she can be very clingy with me in new situations. She also has been on plenty of football, soccer and basketball sidelines cheering on her brothers. This morning was her first soccer practice/game and it really could have gone either way. I was pleasantly surprised when her desire to play soccer, be on a team, go on the field, have a coach and eat snack at the end beat out her need to be with me! Granted, she came over for hugs often and yelled "I'm doing it, Mommy!" to me from the field. She got the concept of soccer and even scored 5 "goals". Dylan had his first soccer game but between keeping an eye on Maia and watching the game, I didn't get any good pictures. He played well and scored a goal!

*By the way, the sunglasses are not a fashion statement...her eyes are sensitive to the sun and she was having a bad eye day.

Cousins!

2009-02-16T20:40:00.002-05:00

Maddie and Jack visited today (along with my Aunt Gail and cousin Coco). Jack is 2 months old with the chubbiest cheeks and sweetest disposition. It has been a while since we had a baby boy in the family! Maddie is 2 1/2, full of personality and cute as a button. Maia is 8 months older than Maddie and I am 5 months older than Maddie's mom, my cousin, Coco. It's nice to see the girls together :).

Dev's Bball game

2009-02-16T20:33:00.000-05:00

Pop Pop meets Lana

2009-02-16T20:28:00.000-05:00

I'm not so great at fundraising, but here goes...

2009-02-15T11:51:00.004-05:00

For one week during summer break ('09 or '10), our family has decided to donate our time working in an orphanage in the Dominican Republic. The program is being organized by a non-profit organization called Orphanage Outreach, which has been working with orphanages in the Dominican Republic for over ten years, ever since the program’s founder discovered the poor conditions under which these children were living. These are children who have already suffered through unfortunate circumstances in their lives, such as being the victims of abusive or irresponsible parents, or living in poverty.

The mission of Orphanage Outreach is to provide opportunities to orphaned, abandoned, and disadvantaged children. Its goals are to help the orphanage provide basic necessities, to provide a quality education, and to help the orphanages become self sufficient.

As volunteers, there are several areas in which we may be working. Our main focus will be to create summer learning camps for 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th graders learning English; art camp, drama camp, geography camp, and more. Volunteers often work on physical work projects—digging, building, painting, etc.

Each Orphanage Outreach volunteer has two significant roles—to donate important volunteer time while in the Dominican Republic, and to help raise funds necessary to fulfill Orphanage Outreach’s mission. As fund-raisers, we are helping to raise funds to not only cover our expenses, but to also provide the basic necessities at the orphanage—food, water, housing, transportation, supervision, medical and dental care, and funding for educational needs.

Program fees, orphanage donations and travel expenses will total about $5000 for the four of us to volunteer, which is our ultimate goal. If we do not raise the total funds by May, we will need to decide whether only two of us will volunteer this summer or if we will continue fundraising and all participate next summer.

If you are willing to help, please click the “chip-in” button. Or, you can make out a check to Orphanage Outreach (a tax-deductible 501-C-3 organization: U.S. federal tax id #58-2197227), and send it to me at my address so that I can forward your check onto Orphanage Outreach.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment or e-mail me at triciastamp@yahoo.com . Orphanage Outreach also has a very informative web site: http://www.orphanage-outreach.org/.

Thank you so much for reading!

New Life

2009-02-10T22:41:00.004-05:00

Lana arrived today at around 4:30 pm! We brought the kids (including new big sis Cadance) to meet her after dinner. Daddy with his 2 girls

Aunt Sue and Dev

Proud big cousin

The boys didn't want to give her up

Maia's not the baby anymore!

Big sister!

Devin's reaction when he entered the room and first saw Lana.

What are you looking at?

2009-01-25T19:11:00.001-05:00

Don't YOU eat meatloaf while wearing a ladybug bikini in January?

2009-01-20T16:01:00.002-05:00

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson
about a battle that goes on inside people. He
said, 'My son, the battle is between two 'wolves'
inside us all. One is evil. It is anger, envy,
jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance,
self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies,
false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other is good. It is joy, peace, love, hope,
serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence,
empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.'The grandson

thought about it for a minute and
then asked his grandfather, 'Which wolf wins?'

The old Cherokee simply replied, 'The one you feed.'

Maia and Jersey

2009-01-18T20:50:00.000-05:00

Loving the Long Weekend!

2009-01-17T08:37:00.003-05:00

I told Maia to get dressed this morning and she came out of her room like this. She asked if we could go swimming. I guess she doesn't realize we moved away from Florida and can no longer swim in the winter (although I heard it's pretty cold there right now). She proceeded to tell me that she has a baby in her tummy like Aunt Sue. I asked her baby's name and she said, "Chinese New Year". Apparently, she has been consulting some celebrity baby name books.

(Please disregard the brown plants in the background~I left them out on the porch the other night and they froze. They are coming back to life though!)

2009-01-10T21:36:00.003-05:00

The header picture is from 2 years ago this week. Such baby faces! Maia had only been home for 2 1/2 weeks, but the love is evident in their faces.

On another note, I had one of "those" experiences at a birthday party today when the second we got there, these 2 women attacked me and asked if Maia was "adopted" (said in a whisper). I said "Yes, and she knows all about it!" They asked me (still whispering) where she was from and I turned to Maia and said, "Where were you born?" She replied with a dimpled smile, "At China!" They continued to whisper. Their questions went on and on...the usual ones- "Was she in an orphanage (whisper)?" "Do you know anything about her birth parents?" "You know there are a lot of girls over there..." Blah, Blah, Blah. It ended with a 3rd lady who said, "She looks just like the girls on Jon and Kate Plus 8!" Oh, boy!

2009-01-03T13:48:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T21:54:00.006-05:00

Needless to say, 2008 was not my favorite year. There were some sweet baby boy additions to the family but for the most part, our family experienced a lot of heartache and loss.

Goodbye 2008...don't let the door hit ya on the way out.

As for 2009...I have high hopes!

"Fu"

( Luck )

I could get used to not working!

2008-12-31T14:15:00.004-05:00

singing with aunt carla and adi

a smile for cousin adison

riding the dragon

devin loves to be surrounded by cute girls

maia always shares her food

yes...she eats snacks out of a measuring cup

moon sand

2008-12-29T11:37:00.003-05:00

Maia got "Moon Sand" for her birthday and she LOVES it. It IS a little messy but she asks to play it every day.

Fun for all ages!

Thanks Uncle Mark and Aunt Ruthie!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-26T21:24:00.007-05:00

We spent Christmas in the mountains (near Gatlinburg) with family. We stayed in an absolutely beautiful cabin and had a wonderful time! As you can see... our view was gorgeous. We played in some snow and went ice skating.

Honky Tonk Women

2008-12-21T16:51:00.003-05:00

That was the number 1 song the day I was born.

Go here http://www.joshhosler.biz/NumberOneInHistory/SelectMonth.htm to find out yours!

Maia and Cadance

2008-12-14T13:37:00.008-05:00

Best friends and cousins who get to be 3 years old together for 3 whole months!

Aunt Sue's rainbow cake was yummy!

Maia's adorable "Maia" barrette courtesy of Forever Friend, Tess. We love it! Thanks Julie and Tess!

Happy 3rd Birthday Maia!

2008-12-14T13:22:00.005-05:00

The boys surprised her with her present...

...it was a big hit!

Flashback...Maia's 2nd Birthday!

2008-12-14T13:19:00.003-05:00

For Maia's 2nd birthday we had a big party with lots of friends and cake!

Flashback...Maia's 1st Birthday!

2008-12-14T13:13:00.001-05:00

While we were in China, we celebrated Maia's 1st birthday. She was not at all interested in her cake. If you know Maia, you know she is obsessed with cake...especially birthday cake. She was so tiny back then!

armpits

2008-12-13T17:25:00.005-05:00

Maia loves tank tops. She calls them "armpit ones". Today as soon as she woke up from her nap, she grabbed a dress with spaghetti straps and jumped on the couch with her new keyboard...bedhead and all. Then she said, "Can you help me play 'Little Lamb'? I appreciate it."

2008-12-11T18:29:00.011-05:00

December 11, 2006

December 11, 2007

December 11, 2008

Today marks the two year anniversary of the first time we held our Maia Isabelle Xuna. Today was a day of reminiscing, looking a pictures, telling Maia her story (again), eating Chinese food (of course) and thinking of our Forever Friends with whom we shared this magical moment.

To CCAI's TG 1078/1079, we hold a special place in our hearts for you all!

*******************************************

We witness a miracle every time a child enters into life.
But those who make their journey home across time & miles,
growing within the hearts of those who wait to love them,
are carried on the wings of destiny and placed among us by

God's very own hands.
--- Kristi Larson

Sunday

2008-12-07T19:27:00.004-05:00

Go Gators!

2008-11-29T15:55:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-26T15:20:00.003-05:00

2008-11-25T21:22:00.002-05:00

Love the quote of the day in the sidebar today...

Things do not happen. Things are made to happen. John F. Kennedy

Apparently, we have to work hard to get what we want out of life. Such a simple concept but it doesn't hurt to be reminded. :)

Ye Ye (aka Pop Pop)

2008-11-18T20:57:00.001-05:00

Happy 9th Birthday, Devin!

2008-11-18T20:51:00.002-05:00

Cake by Aunt Sue...looked funny but it was so yummy!

2008-11-16T13:59:00.003-05:00

There is clearly something wrong with my camera. The pictures are all cloudy and too bright. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that it's being held together by scotch tape. Someday I'll have a REAL camera!

lazy day

2008-11-09T18:42:00.005-05:00

The boys thought it would be funny for me to take a picture of them playing Wii in the playroom.

Go Steelers!

Dylan is obsessed with books. Here he is in the yard enjoying the fall day! To all our Florida friends....those things on the ground are LEAVES! I guess we have to buy a rake.:)

Silly pictures

2008-11-04T17:30:00.003-05:00

I know it's silly, but it is sort of an adoption tradition to take pictures of your child holding her referral picture on the referral anniversary. It ranks up there with making them put on the outfit they were wearing on "family day". I wonder if I should have the boys hold up their ultrasound pictures or the pregnancy test sticks! Hmmm...

Referral anniversary

2008-11-04T10:14:00.004-05:00

Two years ago (yesterday) we opened an email and saw this face. The face we waited almost 2 years to see. The face of 10 month old Xu Na Na, from Xuwen, China. The four of us huddled in front of the computer. We were in awe of her beauty then, as we are now. She looked familiar, if that makes any sense. Every detail of referral day is etched in my mind. I clearly remember telling my mom (Nana) about her new granddaughter (NaNa).

We love you, Maia Isabelle Xuna...thank you for changing our lives!

Halloween

2008-10-31T21:51:00.005-04:00

Maia chose her own costume this year. As soon as she saw it, she had her heart set on the cuddly bunny. Devin was an injured football player (Ward to be exact) and Dylan was Eragon, the dragon rider from the book series. Last year, Maia was afraid of the scary costumes and refused to trick or treat. This year she was running up to houses with her brothers and her cousin.

Neighborhood Fall Festival

2008-10-26T17:39:00.003-04:00

For Mom

2008-10-22T22:37:00.005-04:00

Mom,

You have only been gone for 2 days and you've already sent us a song, a sunset and a touchdown. We all love you and we'll miss you forever.

For Good

(from "Wicked")

I've heard it said

That people come into our lives for a reason

Bringing something we must learn

And we are led

To those who help us most to grow

If we let them

And we help them in return

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true

But I know I'm who I am today

Because I knew you

Like a comet pulled from orbit

As it passes a sun

Like a stream that meets a boulder

Halfway through the wood

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But because I knew you

I have been changed for good

It well may be

That we will never meet again

In this lifetime

So let me say before we part

So much of me

Is made of what I learned from you

You'll be with me

Like a handprint on my heart

And now whatever way our stories end

I know you have re-written mine

By being my friend...

Like a ship blown from its mooring

By a wind off the sea

Like a seed dropped by a skybird

In a distant wood

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But because I knew you

Because I knew you

I have been changed for good

And just to clear the air

I ask forgiveness

For the thing I've done you blame me for

But then, I guess we know

There's blame to share

And none of it seems to matter anymore

Like a comet pulled from orbit

As it passes a sun

Like a stream that meets a boulder

Halfway through the wood

Like a ship blown from its mooring

By a wind off the sea

Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood

Who can say if I've been

Changed for the better?

I do believe I have been

Changed for the better

And because I knew you...

Because I knew you...

I have been changed for good.

Written by Anna Quindlen, Newsweek Columnist and Author

2008-10-06T22:53:00.003-04:00

All my babies are gone now. I say this not in sorrow but in disbelief. I take great satisfaction in what I have today: three almost-adults, two taller than I am, one closing in fast. Three people who read the same books I do and have learned not to be afraid of disagreeing with me in their opinion of them, who sometimes tell vulgar jokes that make me laugh until I choke and cry, who need razor blades and shower gel and privacy, who want to keep their doors closed more than I like. Who, miraculously, go to the bathroom, zip up their jackets and move food from plate to mouth all by themselves. Like the trick soap I bought for the bathroom with a rubber ducky at its center, the baby is buried deep within each, barely discernible except through the unreliable haze of the past. Everything in all the books I once pored over is finished for me now. Penelope Leach., T. Berry Brazelton., Dr. Spock. The ones on sibling rivalry and sleeping through the night and early-childhood education, have all grown obsolete. Along with Goodnight Moon and Where the Wild Things Are, they are battered, spotted, well used. But I suspect that if you flipped the pages dust would rise like memories. What those books taught me, finally, and what the women on the playground taught me, and the well-meaning relations --what they taught me, was that they couldn't really teach me very much at all. Raising children is presented at first as a true-false test, then becomes multiple choice, until finally, far along, you realize that it is an endless essay. No on knows anything. One child responds well to positive reinforcement, another can be managed only with a stern voice and a timeout. One child is toilet trained at 3, his sibling at 2 When my first child was born, parents were told to put baby to bed on his belly so that he would not choke on his own spit-up. By the time my last arrived, babies were put down on their backs because of research on sudden infant death syndrome. To a new parent this ever-shifting certainty is terrifying, and then soothing. Eventually you must learn to trust yourself. Eventually the research will follow. I remember 15 years ago poring over one of Dr. Brazelton's wonderful books on child development, in which he describes three different sorts of infants: average, quiet, and active. I was looking for a sub-quiet codicil for an 18-month old who did not walk. Was there something wrong with his fat little legs? Was there something wrong with his tiny little mind? Was he developmentally delayed, physically challenged? Was I insane? Last year he went to China . Next year he goes to college. He can talk just fine. He can walk, too. Every part of raising children is humbling, too. Believe me, mistakes were made. They have all been enshrined in the, "Remember-When- Mom-Did" Hall of Fame. The outbursts, the temper tantrums, the bad language, mine, not theirs. The times the baby fell off the bed. The times I arrived late for preschool pickup. The nightmare sleep over. The horrible summer camp. The day when the youngest came barreling out of the classroom with a 98 on her geography test, and I responded, "What did you get wrong?". (She insisted I include that.) The time I ordered food at the McDonald's drive-through speaker and then drove away without picking it up from the window. (They all insisted I include that.) I did not allow them to watch the Simpsons for the first two seasons. What was I thinking? But the biggest mistake I made is the one that most of us make while doing this. I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of the three of them, sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages 6, 4 and 1. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less. Even today I'm not sure what worked and what didn't, what was me and what was simply life. When they were very small, I suppose I thought someday they would become who they were because of what I'd done. Now I suspect they simply grew into their true selves because they demanded in a thousand ways that I back off and let them be. The books said to be relaxed and I was often tense, matter-of-fact and I was sometimes over the top. And look how it all turned out. I wound up with the three people I like best in the world, who have done more than anyone to excavate my essential humanity. That's what the books never told me. I was bound and determined to learn from the experts. It just took me a while to figure out who the experts were.

2008-09-29T20:26:00.000-04:00

2008-09-28T13:41:00.002-04:00

2008-09-23T17:18:00.001-04:00

Click on it to make it larger...

2008-09-20T21:34:00.002-04:00