Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Tuesdays With...
... well, not with Maury, but with Craig. Since the start of this school year, Craig and I have tried to take some time to ourselves by going out to breakfast every Tuesday morning. We've missed some weeks, of course, but when we do make it to our little corner cafe, it's such a treat on so many levels.
Monday, April 1, 2019
Random Words Of Appreciation
One of Rex's former therapists who still comes around to babysit or just to spend time with us sent me this message today:
I just wanted to share with you guys about how lucky I am to have Rex and all of you in my life! I am so happy that you guys still involve me in your life after all these years. Rex and all of you mean a lot to me and I just wanted you to know.
Sometimes it just takes a short text to have me dissolve into tears. Our village may be small, but it's wonderful.
I just wanted to share with you guys about how lucky I am to have Rex and all of you in my life! I am so happy that you guys still involve me in your life after all these years. Rex and all of you mean a lot to me and I just wanted you to know.
Sometimes it just takes a short text to have me dissolve into tears. Our village may be small, but it's wonderful.
Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Our Western Spring Break Adventure
As part of her fourth grade home school curriculum, Ella has been studying the five main US regions. After Christmas, I realized that she had already visited three regions in the first half of the school year (Michigan - Midwest, Louisiana - Southeast, Maryland - Northeast), so I thought it would be fun if she could experience the remaining two regions as well. And in that moment, a spring break travel plan was born. Come along.
Day 1: Leave home and arrive in Phoenix (Southwest region is covered). Breakfast at Matt's Big Breakfast. Visit the Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park. Swim to our hearts' content at the hotel.
Day 2: Soak up the sun with a long morning walk in the park and at the playground. Drive to California (West region is covered) making one hot stop at a desert playground. Arrive in the California hills for quiet and relaxation.
Day 3: Joshua Tree National Park which was a natural feast for our eyes, hearts and spirits. It's bizarrely beautiful with ever-changing flora, fauna and landscape, elevation and temperature.
Day 4: Relaxing morning in California. Enjoy the desert in bloom (no picture can capture the beauty of the colors and the intoxicating smell). Drive back to Phoenix.
Day 5: Visit the Pioneer Living History Museum. Swim at the rental house. Barbecue.
Day 6: Fly home.
Day 1: Leave home and arrive in Phoenix (Southwest region is covered). Breakfast at Matt's Big Breakfast. Visit the Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park. Swim to our hearts' content at the hotel.
Day 2: Soak up the sun with a long morning walk in the park and at the playground. Drive to California (West region is covered) making one hot stop at a desert playground. Arrive in the California hills for quiet and relaxation.
Day 3: Joshua Tree National Park which was a natural feast for our eyes, hearts and spirits. It's bizarrely beautiful with ever-changing flora, fauna and landscape, elevation and temperature.
Day 4: Relaxing morning in California. Enjoy the desert in bloom (no picture can capture the beauty of the colors and the intoxicating smell). Drive back to Phoenix.
Day 5: Visit the Pioneer Living History Museum. Swim at the rental house. Barbecue.
Friday, March 22, 2019
Ten Years Ago
[written on Rex's birthday]
Ten years ago today, a baby boy was born in an Armenian hospital. He arrived to a mother, father and brother that had happily anticipated him. They had waited for him and prepared for him and celebrated his coming with extended family.
Ten years ago today, a baby boy was born in an Armenian hospital. He was strong and vibrant. He cried loudly and stretched his limbs. But his face was marred by a significant cranio-facial difference.
Ten years ago today, a baby boy was born in an Armenian hospital. His family looked at him in shock, confusion, and disappointment. Doctors looked at him in disgust and advised that he could not and should not live in open society. Rather, they suggested, he should be placed behind the walls of an orphanage where he would not offend or burden.
Ten years ago today, a baby boy was born in an Armenian hospital and his life's path changed in an instant. He did not go home with his parents and brother, but was sent into a secret, lonely place reserved for those who are different.
Ten years ago today, a husband and wife had just begun their road of adoption. Little did they know that their son to be was born mere weeks after they made the decision to adopt. Little did they know that the faraway baby boy with the unique face would be one of their greatest gifts, their hardest teacher, their most demanding challenge, their ultimate game changer, their most rewarding work, and the giver and receiver of deepest love.
Ten years ago today, a baby boy was born in an Armenian hospital. He arrived to a mother, father and brother that had happily anticipated him. They had waited for him and prepared for him and celebrated his coming with extended family.
Ten years ago today, a baby boy was born in an Armenian hospital. He was strong and vibrant. He cried loudly and stretched his limbs. But his face was marred by a significant cranio-facial difference.
Ten years ago today, a baby boy was born in an Armenian hospital. His family looked at him in shock, confusion, and disappointment. Doctors looked at him in disgust and advised that he could not and should not live in open society. Rather, they suggested, he should be placed behind the walls of an orphanage where he would not offend or burden.
Ten years ago today, a baby boy was born in an Armenian hospital and his life's path changed in an instant. He did not go home with his parents and brother, but was sent into a secret, lonely place reserved for those who are different.
Ten years ago today, a husband and wife had just begun their road of adoption. Little did they know that their son to be was born mere weeks after they made the decision to adopt. Little did they know that the faraway baby boy with the unique face would be one of their greatest gifts, their hardest teacher, their most demanding challenge, their ultimate game changer, their most rewarding work, and the giver and receiver of deepest love.
Happy tenth birthday, Rex.
Your story changed our story.
And now there's the story of us.
Thursday, March 14, 2019
IAC 450 to 452 Results
The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 450 which was held on January 10, 2019:
1) Dutch dossier from July 2012 referred a female child aged 5 years and 6 months with features in health status
2) Spanish dossier from August 2012 referred a male child aged 1 year and 6 months with features in health status
3) Greek dossier from January 2013 referred a male child aged 7 years and 2 months
4) Luxembourg dossier from December 2013 referred a male child aged 1 year with features in health status
5) US dossier from April 2016 referred a female child aged 5 years and 10 months with features in health status
6) US dossier from December 2018 referred a waiting child (#3430) with a profile on the MOJ site
7) US dossier from December 2018 referred a waiting child (#3404) with a profile on the MOJ site
8) US dossier from January 2019 referred two waiting children (#3017 &3680) with a profile on the MOJ site
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The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 451 which was held on January 17, 2019:
1) Dutch dossier from November 2012 referred a brother and sister aged 4 years and 5 months & 5 years and 7 months
2) US dossier from December 2016 referred a male child aged 2 years and 7 months with features in health status
3) US dossier from May 2017 referred a male child aged 4 years and 7 months with features in health status and a family history
4) Italian dossier from August 2017 referred three siblings, boy aged 3 years and 9 months, girl aged 6 years and 4 months and boy aged 7 years and 6 months with features in health status
5) US dossier from August 2017 referred a male child aged 1 year and 11 months with features in health status and a family history
6) Italian dossier from February 2018 referred two waiting siblings (#3699 and #3700) with profiles on the MOJ site
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The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 452 which was held on January 24, 2019:
1) Spanish dossier from October 2012 referred a male child aged 5 years and 3 months
2) Luxembourg dossier from November 2012 referred a male child aged 3 years with features in health status
3) Spanish dossier from May 2014 referred two brothers aged 4 years and 8 months & 6 years and 10 months
4) US dossier from March 2015 referred a female child aged 4 years and 5 months with features in health status and a family history
5) Italian dossier from May 2015 referred a female child aged 8 years with features in health status
6) US dossier from December 2015 referred two brothers aged 4 years and 5 months with features in health status and a family history
7) US dossier from May 2016 referred a male child aged 2 years and 6 months with features in health status
8) US dossier from January 2019 referred a waiting child (#2901) with a profile on the MOJ site
9) US dossier from January 2019 referred a waiting child (#3309) with a profile on the MOJ site
1) Dutch dossier from July 2012 referred a female child aged 5 years and 6 months with features in health status
2) Spanish dossier from August 2012 referred a male child aged 1 year and 6 months with features in health status
3) Greek dossier from January 2013 referred a male child aged 7 years and 2 months
4) Luxembourg dossier from December 2013 referred a male child aged 1 year with features in health status
5) US dossier from April 2016 referred a female child aged 5 years and 10 months with features in health status
6) US dossier from December 2018 referred a waiting child (#3430) with a profile on the MOJ site
7) US dossier from December 2018 referred a waiting child (#3404) with a profile on the MOJ site
8) US dossier from January 2019 referred two waiting children (#3017 &3680) with a profile on the MOJ site
-----------------------
The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 451 which was held on January 17, 2019:
1) Dutch dossier from November 2012 referred a brother and sister aged 4 years and 5 months & 5 years and 7 months
2) US dossier from December 2016 referred a male child aged 2 years and 7 months with features in health status
3) US dossier from May 2017 referred a male child aged 4 years and 7 months with features in health status and a family history
4) Italian dossier from August 2017 referred three siblings, boy aged 3 years and 9 months, girl aged 6 years and 4 months and boy aged 7 years and 6 months with features in health status
5) US dossier from August 2017 referred a male child aged 1 year and 11 months with features in health status and a family history
6) Italian dossier from February 2018 referred two waiting siblings (#3699 and #3700) with profiles on the MOJ site
----------------------
The following referrals were issued in IAC Session 452 which was held on January 24, 2019:
1) Spanish dossier from October 2012 referred a male child aged 5 years and 3 months
2) Luxembourg dossier from November 2012 referred a male child aged 3 years with features in health status
3) Spanish dossier from May 2014 referred two brothers aged 4 years and 8 months & 6 years and 10 months
4) US dossier from March 2015 referred a female child aged 4 years and 5 months with features in health status and a family history
5) Italian dossier from May 2015 referred a female child aged 8 years with features in health status
6) US dossier from December 2015 referred two brothers aged 4 years and 5 months with features in health status and a family history
7) US dossier from May 2016 referred a male child aged 2 years and 6 months with features in health status
8) US dossier from January 2019 referred a waiting child (#2901) with a profile on the MOJ site
9) US dossier from January 2019 referred a waiting child (#3309) with a profile on the MOJ site
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Pancake Day
Couldn't swing this for breakfast today, so I thought why not for dinner? #shrovetuesday2019
Sunday, March 3, 2019
Waste Not, Want Not
I grew up in a country where things were relatively scarce when compared with US standards in the same historical period. From cucumbers and tomatoes in the winter to building materials or sandals and jeans, we learned early to waste not, want not. We were experts in frugality and foraging. I remember as a child picking blueberries and collecting mushrooms in the forest and seeing people trade a box of nails for a few bags of concrete mix. We grew and preserved our own fruits and vegetables and my friends and I pulled our wagons through our little town collecting newspapers and glass which we sold by the pound or piece at the recycling station to earn spending money. I watched houses begin to go up in my neighborhood that couldn't be finished for years due to a lack of materials and was more than used to seeing my hand me down clothes on my sister, cousins, and friends for many seasons.
I was also raised by the generation that had survived the lean years of World War II and by their children who had been born into the lean post-war years. Their perspective and behavior shaped the person I am today.
Therefore, even now as an adult who is grateful to have plenty, it's no secret that you'll find me scouring the clearance racks and second hand stores.
I am a u-pick fan and I reuse whatever whenever possible. And sometimes I find a broken thing and see its potential just like my Opa always did.
I am very thankful for these experiences of my childhood which did not only include prudence and foresight, but also the hospitality and generosity of my maternal grandparents and my parents. All of it combined is at the root of me, now and always.
I was also raised by the generation that had survived the lean years of World War II and by their children who had been born into the lean post-war years. Their perspective and behavior shaped the person I am today.
Therefore, even now as an adult who is grateful to have plenty, it's no secret that you'll find me scouring the clearance racks and second hand stores.
 |
| My weekly grocery run always leads to mark-down food finds |
I am a u-pick fan and I reuse whatever whenever possible. And sometimes I find a broken thing and see its potential just like my Opa always did.
I am very thankful for these experiences of my childhood which did not only include prudence and foresight, but also the hospitality and generosity of my maternal grandparents and my parents. All of it combined is at the root of me, now and always.
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