Vacation Bible School

At the last minute, we decided to take the girls to Vacation Bible School.   The church we attend is small, so we felt pretty sure that the girls wouldn't be too overwhelmed.  We also felt that people would understand why we had to stay with them and no judgment would be passed if we suddenly had to leave for C and FL's sake.   So, off we went!

The girls were a little overwhelmed later, but excited that they were going to go to church just to sing, stand up, runrunrun and not be quiet.  Their favorite parts were dancing, singing and a silly puppet named Carlos...

Here are a few blurry shots of the preschool group "dancing"!

Mama's girl didn't like her stepping back to take pictures!  She needed a hug and then was back in the game!

They did great with crafts, play time, snack time, singing, dancing and just being plain cute.  Sam and I were so pleased with how they did in such an overstimulating environment.   And they still talk about Carlos...  Daily.   They even renamed our cat, Scout, Carlos for a time.   FL strutted into speech therapy recently and told the therapist that she was Carlos ( or "Cah LO!" As she says).   In the pictures below, you can see the window of the spaceship that Carlos appeared.  C's donkey, Grover, is modeling for you.

Oh, they were so cute, jumping up there dancing...  and yelling for Carlos during the entire group assembly (mostly FL).

They are such a blessing...  a sweet blessing.

Thank, you, Jesus, for my daughters!

Dental Didn't Happen...

Well, our dental work didn't happen.  I don't know who was more dissapointed, me, Sam, FL or C!  

I was so ready for Flora Lin to have this last little bit of pain and poor health behind her, as was Sam.  I was actually looking forward to having it done!  FL was all about the dentist since she was showered with prizes last time and had the envy of her older sister.   She was in tears thinking she had done something wrong when we left.   C was SO READY for her turn to get the prizes and especially the little plastic bag (I know, I don't understand the draw of a tiny plastic bag, either...).  She was sad to know she would have to wait a little longer.

We tried to make up for all of the dissapointment by going to get coffee and a treat together as a family.

I think one little girl was pretty happy with her consolation prize. : )

Without going into to much detail, they were 100% unwilling to let me go back with FL under any circumstances.   They also wanted to wrap her up in what was basically a restraining device.  Knowing my daughter as I do, she would be frightened by that.  Though she is three (which is still young to be without your mama, even if you didn't have any previous trauma in your life) she is emotionally MUCH younger, around 18-24 months.  I had told the hygienist before that being without me and being in a restraining device wouldn't work for my child.   I was willing to compromise in some areas, but I didn't have anyone who was willing to accept those compromises or try and gain an understanding that children with a trauma background are different.

It was hard to walk out, but I couldn't leave my child in a situation that I knew was not good for her.

We've moved on though, and have hopefully found a practice that will be understanding of my children's needs.  And, bless it, Charlotte can finally go to the dentist and get herself a little plastic bag and be happy again. (She asks about the dentist and the bag every. single. night. before bed)

We salvaged our day and had a nice one filled with coffee, bread, library story time and the grocery store. : )

You know, I'd rather go through things like this a thousand times for them than never go through it again and not have the joy of being their Mama.   They are worth it all and more.

Be in prayer for success at our next dental visit at the end of the month!   

And the precious, coveted plastic bag!  Heaven help us if they don't have one at this practice!!!

Six Month Check Up at the IAC

We recently traveled to the International Adoption Clinic to have the girls' six month post adoption check up.  The girls did great, charmed everyone as always!  I can't believe that we have been together for six months already, and yet it feels like we have been together so much longer!

We met with the IAC physician, occupational therapist and a family therapist.  Normally, they draw blood for all kinds of lab work to follow up, such as checking vitamin levels and rechecking for HIV.  Our girls are doing so well and look so great that they easily allowed us to bypass the traumatic process of drawing blood.  We were thankful!  They always have trouble getting blood from FL and oh, how they cry!  It breaks my heart and I hate to put them through it if it is not necessary, which it wasn't.

The girls have really progressed, especially FL.  They amazed everyone there!

We still have a very long way to go with attachment between our daughters and us.  That was hard to hear, but I have a renewed focus.  It will always be ongoing, as all relationships require nurturing, but the trauma of abandonment is big.  Bigger than I can explain in a blog post or a conversation with a friend.

But they are so worth it.

I didn't get much help in furthering exploration into C's left side weakness.  The OT just wants to "see how she does."  I want to look into having X-rays done to rule out spinal issues and possibly bracing one hand.  She compensates so well and she is so wonderful, but I want to help her reach her fullest potential possible at the earliest time possible.  She is frustrated with her left hand often and I don't think sewing belt loops to the inside of the left side of all of her clothing is going to make it better.

I'll stop there and just say that I want the very best for my children.  They've been through too much on their little lives already.  I just love them.  I want to fix what I can because there is so much that I can't fix.

On a lighter note, we went out for lunch and ice cream after the appointment.  And Mama's coffee was enough motivation for someone to finally drink from a straw for the first time!  : )

It is a joy to be a mom, especially a mom to my girls and an honor to advocate for their needs.  I'm forever in their corner and so thankful to be there for them.

Spring Photo Dump

This is just a random assortment of photos that are probably only important to me...  but I don't want to forget anything from our first year together.  The girls are growing and changing soooooo fast!

We attended the Empowered to Connect Simulcast this April.  I was able to take the girls, which was such a blessing.  They were excellent, but Sam was able to watch them for me the next day, which enabled me to learn so much more!   I need to go back through all of my notes!

Oh, Lin Lin.  Even with a broken leg and a cast covered in a fuzzy sock we can't slow you down!  We wouldn't have it any other way!

My little prim and proper princess.  Don't worry, we're slowly helping her let go of her expectations to be perfect all of the time.  : )

We were looking at the pictures and talking about our ride on the BIG plane from China to America.  I made a plane to help them understand it a little better.  Then they dismantled it and made their own versions.  Quite revealing of their personalities!

Oh, how they love to play doctor.  You can't blame them ,though.  It's what we spend half of our time doing!

Cutest doctors ever!

We also have one of the most patient cats.  Here, Scout has been hit by a bus full of Little People and is now being brushed by Little People accessories...   She keeps coming back for more, though!  (Really, they are very gentle with her most of the time.)

People are usually shocked when we tell them that the girls have no favorite tv characters because they don't ever watch tv.  Ever.   Honestly, I don't have time to watch it, they never ask for it and seem perfectly content to play with toys.   I'm not opposed to a little tv (it used to be something I enjoyed doing to wind down), but why fill their days with TV and electronics when they don't ask for it ( I know that day is coming soon!)?  I put a children's movie on once, and they just weren't interested.   Here, below,  they have taken a bunch of random toys and made a little kitchen out of them.  An abacus for a kitchen stove, stacking cups for bowls, beads for soup, a kaleidoscope and sand time for salt and pepper and a xylophone stick for a spoon.  FL has a water ring for a trivet for her soup!  Pretty creative!

We love library story time!  We made superhero bracelets on this day.

FL thinks she has her own superpowers.

Blasting off and deflecting the bad guys!

They work even better if you wear them at dinner time!

But you still need to eat your vegetables, even if you are a superhero.

Physically and just all around they have changed and grown so very much.   They ran multiple times around this fountain, their faithful Scouty Scouts tucked under their arms!

Look at my heart baby go!

FL could only amble, not run when she came home.  She's still not as fast as C, but she can go, even after breaking a leg!

C and FL both share a best friend (besides each other) - little miss ML!  Nothing trumps a visit with ML... except maybe a train ride at the zoo, maybe.  Other than C, this is the only child that FL trusts enough to interact with in play.  C thinks she's cooler than cool.  She wants to do everything like ML.  We love ML and we love her family!

That's all I have for now.  I hope you enjoyed our photo dump!  : )

God's Beautiful Girls

The girls have been doing really well attending church.  They get a tiny bit more noisy and restless with each service, but they are three years old!  Over all, they are doing great!

 

Our church has two fellowship lunches a month where everyone brings something to share to eat.  This would be C and FL's first one!   I was worried that the noise and and busyness of it all would be hard for them.   What I forgot was how much they love food, and that I promised them one of my oatmeal butterscotch cookies when they were all done eating!

Food and cookies almost guarantees success!  And the girls both tasted their first chicken salad sandwich, which is a staple in the south!  Of course, at a church potluck, you go back for seconds!  Somehow, FL knew to ask for that!

Sam and Charlotte discuss the important qualities that a good macaroni and cheese must have.  She's a noodle expert, you know. : )

The church has been very kind and understanding of giving the girls space and not overwhelming them with their love.  Because of this, they feel comfortable enough to explore the area as long as Sam or I am within their sights.

The girls are just so precious in these dresses!  They are a little big, but since my mom hemmed them, C and FL can wear them now and for years to come.

So far, they look forward to church.  C asks to sing and FL is happy to dress up and take a ride in "mama car."   My hope is that church will always be something they look forward to...  A place where they learn about Jesus, His creation, their own precious soul and feel loved, loved, loved.

The church owns a little piece of property across the street.  I just had to walk the girls over and snap a few pictures with the iPad.

They look so sweet.  I need to bring my big girl camera next time.

They don't just look sweet, they are sweet.

I asked them to pray...

If Flora Lin does something, she does it with very fibre in her little body!

 My three favorites.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!