Do you like my pony tails?

Will and I have a disagreement going. He says these are pigtails (2 on the sides) and a ponytail is one in the back. Is there really a specific distinction? These are a week old and Miss Kate got a "bob" haircut to even out the "mullet" she was sporting. So, she won't be wearing any pigtails or ponytails for a while anyway!

Kate Emerson's Baptism & First Birthday Video

Here is the second "practice" movie. I was trying to insert the video of everyone singing happy birthday and Kate eating her cake but the quality was poor so I deleted it. I may update it later if I can get the video quality better.

Since it is Thursday, I will also write what I am thankful for.

*I am thankful to everyone who has supported us and prayed for us during this whole adoption process. It has been wonderful and stressful and we are still adjusting.

*I am thankful for MOPS (mothers of preschoolers). Joining this wonderful group of women has been a huge blessing for me. Thank you Pip--if you are reading this:)

*I am thankful to Leslie of Myah's Days for sending Kate the cutest clippie I have ever seen and I am thankful for her friendship.

*I am thankful for the couple of close friends who have let me cry on their shoulders as we struggle through this adjustment period. You know who you are.

A few of the good ones...

My pebble puppy

It was a beautiful morning and Kate was in a playful and smiling mood so I dressed her in her Baptism dress and decided to try to get some pretty photos. Well, these are the duds! I got several (25) of the top of her head. She LOVES rocks and pebbles and spent most of the time picking them up and showing them to me. To explain the post title...novice geologists are commonly called "pebble puppies." I used to think my boys loved rocks because their Dad, Grandad and Great Uncle were all geologists. I thought it was "in their blood." Now, I am thinking all little kids like rocks?

"I am just going to close my eyes and pretend that you aren't there Mom!"


Or I will run away if you won't let me play with the pebbles!

Oh, I think there is a little pebble stuck in here.

Forget it Mom, I am not going to look at you!

I know Summer is over BUT

So, you all know that I wanted to learn how to make a keepsake video collage of Kate's homecoming. I decided to do two practice videos first. This one is of our summer fun. I know it is officially Fall but I just completed it. A BIG thank you to everyone who helped me figure out the music downloads (especially Debbie and Ian).

The second practice video is of Kate's 1st Birthday and Baptism and it is almost finished as well. Look for it in a few days. Although, I imagine these are quite boring if you are not in our family.

Apples of my Eye

Click on collage to enlarge

We went to visit some friends who live a few hours away yesterday. They took us to a local farm where we picked the veggies that we ate for the delicious dinner they cooked for us. We also picked a few apples! It was HOT and I look forward to going to our local orchard in a few weeks when it gets cooler here. Our orchard is on top of a mountain!

I love the first photo of Kate. Dave is a geologist and our boys are obsessed with rocks, minerals and fossils (like their Dad). Kate parked herself down among the rocks at the farm and she and her Daddy found "Skolithos" (fossilized worm burrows) in the rocks. Apparently, it was quite exciting!

A girl and her best friend

Thankful for Harry's faith and spirit

Harry has said some amazing things to me. Last month we were driving in the car and he said, "Mom, do you know half of the reason I believe in God?" I said, "No, tell me why."

He said, "Mom just look at this world. Do people think it just appeared out of thin air? God had to plan this and create it. How could anyone live here and not believe in God?"

Then I asked him his other half of reasoning for believing in God and he said, "Well part of it is because there has been so much written about him and millions of people pray to him everyday." I pressed on and said, "what is the other part?" He said, "Mom, I just know." Now that is faith.

Then, this week Harry came home from school and said, "Mom, I know who my guardian angels are." I responded, "Really. Tell me about them." He told me that he has two guardian angels. One is named Harry and he is an older man ("He is mostly bald like Dad.") and the other is a little boy named John. I asked Harry how he knew about his guardian angels. He said, "If you ask God really quietly in your heart, He will give you the answer." Oh, how wise he is.

Once when Harry was 2 or 3 we were driving in the car and he burst out, "Mom, I don't want our house to burn down." I said, "Our house isn't going to burn down. Why would you say that?" He just said he got a feeling. I got nervous and rushed home only to find a candle burning. I do not light candles very often (very scent sensitive) and I do not think that Harry saw that candle (I asked him). I think he was listening "really quietly in his heart." And I am glad he was. I am so blessed that Harry is my son. He is my little ray of sunshine.

Happy 40th Stacy!

Stacy was my first friend. Her Mom knocked on our door when we were about 3 years old and we became best friends fast. Our friendship was so close all through grade school and high school and college. We went to the same little Catholic school for 8 years and then the same all girls high school too. We were friends though every awkward stage of growing up. I still remember the day her baby sister was born (we were 10). Now, we are busy Moms living in different parts of the country but we can call one another anytime and pick up just where we left off. Happy Birthday Stacy! I am not sure you read this but I am thinking of you!

I tried to find a photo of us when we were really little but this was the best I could do. 1984...Junior prom! Stacy and her date.

Gotta watch this!

I am not usually a fan of Survivor but I will definitely be watching this season. I was so excited to find out that it is being filmed in the province Kate is from in China (Jiangxi). I look forward to learning more about my daughter's birthplace and seeing the beautiful landscape. It starts this Thursday night!

I am working on Kate's videos (a few people have asked) but since I did not go to China...I need some help from my hubby identifying some photos. Also, I am still having trouble with the music. So, once Kate is healthy and sleeping I should have more time to work on them. I am still open to suggestions on how to get music on there. Everything I buy on-line is protected. I guess I have to go buy all the CD's?

I didn't want to do it...

I love putting Kate in a dress everyday. Every morning we walk into her closet and she touches all of the dresses. She loves picking out what to wear as much as I do. However, my Mom pointed out the other day that Kate Emerson didn't have any pants. In fact, she went all summer with only one pair of shorts (and they were a gift). With cold weather approaching and football games to attend...I thought it was time to get some pants. We even got teased a bit at the Little Gym for being overdressed. I didn't want to do it but I got Kate her first pair of jeans! I have to admit, they do look cute. But she will still wear dresses most days:)

So many people (in comments and e-mails) have asked where I got this shirt--OL*D NAV*Y! Can you believe it? And it was on sale (25% off)! It is not a sweater but more of a cotton tunic. I have a onesie underneath for warmth. I just got it on Sunday so I am sure they still have them. Let me know if you get one!

What are these funny things Mom put on my legs?

Hey these clothes are easy to run in...

And bend in.

When I picked the boys up at school, the first thing Will said was "Mom, why is Kate in jeans?"

Kate is sick again (nasty cold and stomach bug) but before these illnesses emerged she did sleep though the night TWICE in a row. Unfortunately, the sickness has her waking up again. Oh, the joys of motherhood:)

Kate's new hobby--Pokemon Cards

These days when I cannot find Kate Emerson for a second it means one or two things. Either she is hanging out in Scout's bed OR she has found Will and Harry's Pokemon cards. She loves them! She sits and looks at them and talks to them and points at them. It cracks me up. The pictures above are from a week ago...I was unloading the dishwasher and Kate was being a little too quiet. When I went in the other room, she was surrounded by Pokemon cards!

I want to thank all of you who introduced yourselves. I was incredibly surprised and touched by the kind things that you all wrote. I especially want to thank Belen who left me a sweet comment in her "best English." It was great! Your comment actually made me teary eyed (several did). I guess I just thought my Mom (HI MOM!) and a few of my friends were hitting refresh a lot. I feel honored that you all want to follow our family's journey.

My husband wanted me to make sure I told you all that we do argue sometimes and our kids aren't sweet all the time. We are a normal family with ups and downs. Luckily, we do have more ups than downs but I guess it is all perspective.

Please introduce yourself

After getting my sitemeter report, I have learned that this site is getting about 300 hits a day (some days it gets close to 400). I have been thinking about that the last few days and wondering who all of these people are. I know my Mom and my sister and my best friends check. I know some of the people who are in the adoption community (they leave comments) but I am wondering who the other 250 hits belong to. So, if you've been shy so far...please feel free to introduce yourself. I'd love to meet you. You can leave an anonymous comment too!

Have a great weekend. We are off to Will's first flag football game and it feels like Fall!

Thankful for my Husband!

I have so many things to be thankful for but one of the biggest things is my husband. He is my best friend, a phenomenal Dad and an incredible person.

I am thankful for him for many reasons. Here are just a few:

He coordinates elaborate (and sometimes simple) romantic and thoughtful gestures for me from time to time.

He is a GREAT cook and does about 60% (sometimes more) of the cooking in our house.

He has always been the kind of "hands on" Dad who changes diapers, does midnight feedings and nightmare comforting. He has never thought that caring for his own children was "babysitting."

He makes me laugh.

He is handsome (just look at him)!

He helps me get the house ready for functions (like this week) and keeps the kids out of the way when I am hosting book club or other functions at the house.

He is patient.

He is teaching our sons how to be caring, loving, thoughtful young men.

He always puts his family first.

He is an awesome soccer and baseball coach for the boys.

He went to China without another adult to bring our Kate Emerson home. What more can I say about that?

He puts up with me and trust me that is not always easy to do!

He converted to my religion so that our family would be cohesive in faith and worship.

He is smart, athletic, and nurturing.

He told me to go to sleep at 8 p.m. last night even though there were dishes to be done, kids to tuck in, etc.

He keeps me warm when I am cold:)

We are true and complete partners in parenting, in our marriage and in life.

My husband's greatest legacy is his kind and giving heart. I cannot even put into words the kind of man that he is. I am blessed that God brought him into my life and thankful for the almost 12 years of marriage we have shared so far. I look forward to so many more.

Thank you Danielle and 3 overdue memes

Warning this is a very long post! This morning was crisp and cool and so I decided to take Miss Katie Ru to the park. She looked SO cute in her little skirt and denim jacket. We were having a great time and had the park to ourselves (so I thought). I did have the feeling someone was watching us though. I also kept smelling a cigar. Well, lurking in the shadows underneath the tress was a creepy man drinking cofee and smoking a cigar (at 9 a.m.?). My gut told me to leave, so we did.

Now onto overdue business..... I need to thank Danielle from the bottom of my heart. She knew that I wanted to brighten up the colors on my blog but I really did not have time to do it myself. Knowing that I was kind of down this week, she did this re-design for me. I love it! It is exactly what I needed. I am so grateful for her kindness. It was a ray of sunshine. THANK YOU!!!!!


I was tagged by Lori, Debbie and Danielle for 3 different memes and I have not done them because I have not had a chance. I will squeeze them all in here. Then, I am becoming a "meme free" blog. I love reading others but I don't enjoy doing them myself. I want to focus on the peanuts here.


Lori asked about my favorite things:

Sound: Children laughing, silence and like everyone else...the ocean

Late night snack: Something salty followed by chocolate. Usually Whole Foods chips followed by dark chocolate

Smell: Fresh flowers, clean laundry, Henri Bendel vanilla bean candle (the only candle in the world I can even tolerate), fresh coffee and lavender

Nut: Cashew, pistachio, almond

Color combination-Pink & green, white & ivory (same as Lori). I also love blue and chocolate brown.

Time of year: Fall and Spring

Author: I read 1-2 books a week (more before Kate came home). I could never narrow it to one author. I have enjoyed all of Jodi Piccoult's books though.

Vegetable: Blanched asparagus

Actor: Jack Nicholson, Greg Kinnear and Robert Downey Jr.

Actress: Gwenyth Paltrow, Diane Keaton

Flower: Peony

Vacation spot: Paris and St. Lucia

Pizza: Oh this is hard... I LOVE Jersey shore Boardwalk pizza but I have not had it in years! I LOVE good East Coast Pizza.

Sports to play: I am not good at any sports

Subject in school: Psychology

TV Channel: HGTV and ABC

Radio station: XM 155

Holiday: Thanksgiving through Christmas

Perfume: As with candles...I cannot tolerate most scents but the only one I can wear is Bobbi Brown Beach

Shoes: I am a ballet flat and loafer wearing kinda gal. I do not own one pair of high heels (and never have)

Candy: High quality dark chocolate (with almonds)

City to shop: Please! Beggars cannot be choosy! Our quaint little town has horrendous shopping so any "city" will do. I do love Houston shopping though.

Beauty products: I can be fickle about these but Bobbi Brown is a constant and L'Oreal Blackest Black Lash Out Mascara

Item to shop for: -Oh please! I LOVE to shop! Right now I must confess that my favorite thing to shop for is beautiful clothes for my sweet Kate Emerson. However, I also love fine linens, books, house stuff, plants and art!


Debbie tagged me to use 7 "P" words to describe myself:

The Princes (Will and Harry) whom I love.

Their little princess sister-Kate

Peonies

Pizza

Perfectionist

Pink is one of my favorite colors.

Prayerful

Danielle asked me to do a very long "random" meme. Here it goes:

Favorite movie(s) - As Good As It Gets, Something's Gotta Give, Love Actually.

Last movie you saw - Oh I cannot remember the name but it was SO funny...Katherine Heigel is in it. Knocked up? It was very crude though.

Favorite TV show(s) - Grey's Anatomy, Brothers and Sisters, Two and 1/2 Men, BB8.

The one show that you didn't want to end - Seinfeld--I still miss it!

Do you have a favorite type of pen? - Blue ink, extra fine point

What do you struggle with - Being a perfectionist, worrying about things all the time (same as Danielle).

How many siblings do you have? - 2 sisters--one older and one younger. I am the middle child.

Pet's names - Scout

Favorite breakfast - A savory breakfast strata or an omelet with spinach, black olives, tomatoes, red onion, and cheese, with Tabasco and a side of very crispy bacon. I cannot do "sweet" things for breakfast.

Favorite salad - I love all salads but ones with apples or pears, gorgonzola and candied almonds are my favorite.

Favorite desert(s) - Chocolate Souffle. Apple pie (my husband make the world's BEST) and molten chocolate cakes, pot de creme.

Favorite holiday - I like all holidays but Christmas is the best!

If you could do anything - This is too big a question for me. There are so many things. Of course I would want to end all kinds of suffering. This one requires more thought than my sleep deprived little mind can handle right now.

The one living male and female celebrities you would meet - I have no burning desire to meet any celebrities. I would love to go see Oprah's show and I like celebrities but they are mere people just like everyone else. I'd rather meet nice down to earth "real" people.

The one deceased celebrity you would meet - see above.

Your birthday - In November and it is a BIG one:(

Favorite pie - Apple.

Favorite pastry - Croissant

Favorite Christmas song - I LOVE all Christmas music and I listen to it all year. Seriously my kids think I am nuts. Last year I bought the Vince Guaraldi (Charlie Brown) Christmas CD's and I love them. Kenny G Miracles is good too.

Favorite soda - I despise soda and have never had a Coke or Pepsi in my entire life. I will have a ginger ale or root beer once in a blue moon.

What do you despise? People trying to be something they are not. Pretentiousness.

Most annoying thing people do - Compete, use poor manners and gossip.

What did you do last night - I can barely remember..watch Big Brother 8 and work on these LONG memes.

Pierced ears? - Yes. One hole in each ear.

Eye color - Green/hazel.

Black or brown accessories (shoes/bags) - Both, but not together of course.

Favorite color - Green

The walls in your bedroom are - The very palest and calmest blue.

You can't wait for this show to start this fall - Grey's Anatomy

If you could have one skill it would be - I would love to be able to paint or have any artistic ability. I have a good eye but NO artistic talent.



I am finally caught up:) Sorry for the outrageously long post. I promise...no more memes for me.

Little Gym and Little Sleep

I signed Kate up for a Mommy and me class at the Little Gym a few weeks ago. For the first 5 minutes on day one, she clung to my neck for dear life. Now, she explores freely, plays with the other kids and even goes up to the teacher for stamps. She takes the BEST naps after little Gym.

Kate is very fond of Scout's new dog bed. In fact, whenever I look, that is where she is. It kind of yucks me out. I mean it is brand new so it's not dirty...yet. Well, at least she is staying out of the dog food and water for now.

Thank you for all of the comments on sleep. It made me feel SO much better to read that many of you go through this. Not that I'd wish this on anyone but I was starting to beat myself up a bit and wonder if it was somehow my fault. Last night Kate slept with me and Dave. Well let me re-phrase that, Kate slept wrapped around my neck and legs. I do not really want her in our bed but I am at a loss as to what else to do. In 10 years of being a Mom, a child has never slept in our bed until last night. Here is my question...Once you do co-sleep, how do you ever get the child out of your bed? Not sure what tonight will bring.....

Tidbits

Scout got a new bed and a new haircut.

She is not really sure if she likes it yet. The rug used to be her favorite napping place.

Kate, however, loves Scout's new bed!

On another note....

This photo is now featured on the website of Plain Mary. A friend of mine gave me this great playmat at Kate's baby shower and now they are using the photo on their web site. Check it out. They will be at the Emmy's this month and are supposedly all the rage among the celebrity Moms. I think it is exciting that a picture from Kate's shower is on the site. I must print it and put it in the baby book that I do not have for her yet:)

Finally, thanks for all of the support and encouragement and insight to Kate's night time issues. Many of you took the time to send me encouraging e-mails. In my heart, I believe it is separation anxiety and not night terrors. Kate begins screaming whenever we try to put her down and leave the room. She is also doing it when I am out of sight for even a second during the day. I know separation anxiety is very normal for kids her age but it is absolutely exacerbated my her circumstances in life. She has only been home 1/2 the time she lived with her foster Mom. I only am posting this today because I know that a lot of Moms who adopt or are waiting to adopt read this and I want them to know what to expect sometimes. Kate is so easy and so happy most of the time but these children have a lot to overcome and it is not all peachy keen when they get home. We all know that intellectually but to experience it is difficult. Your heart literally breaks for them. I also want to let people know that adjustment and attachment seem fluctuate. Kate was sleeping perfectly well through the night for at least the last 2 months without a hitch. She did not sleep last night and I completely exhausted so we still want your prayers and good thoughts. Also, we are not 100% sure what we should do as a plan of action. If anyone has solid advice, I am open. I know it will get better and I love my little girl with all my heart. She is worth the sleep deprivation.

A date with my Will

This morning (after a particularly BAD night with Miss Kate) Will climbed into bed with me and asked me if I would like to go out for a date with him. I honestly wasn't feeling completely up to it because I have been a little sick and Kate has having MAJOR anxiety for the past several nights. She cries all night long. Essentially, I am burnt out. But I thought, "maybe this is just what I need?"

So, I grabbed a cup of coffee and asked my sweet son what I should wear. He was already donning a golf shirt and khaki shorts. He even had "nice shoes" on and he HATES nice shoes. He said that he really likes my green sweater (I have several green sweaters). If you remember his Mother's Day portrait of me, he painted me in his favorite green sweater.

Being the jokester that he is, Will told me that we were going to Sam's club for free samples and then to play paint ball. Now, anyone who knows me knows that I would never play paint ball. Personally, I have nothing against paint ball (spare me the comments). I am just not that kinda gal. I know it hurts (my friend, Shannon told me) and it involves shooting. I knew all along that Will was teasing but I played along and even pretended to pull into Sam's club.

The hotel he took me to for brunch was right next to Sam's club. We had a delightful brunch and went outside to look for spider webs and grasshoppers and cicadas. Afterwards, he suggested we go to Starbucks for a coffee. He knows that I love Starbucks and he was being very thoughtful. My stomach was bothering me so I skipped the coffee but he really enjoyed a double chocolate chip blended creme. He had never had anything like that before.

On the way home, Will wanted to go see the hedgehog at the pet store. He is obsessed with hedgehogs. We couldn't find the hedgie so we bought Scout a new bed (picture to come) and a new toy.

Will had excellent manners and was a true gentleman. He opened the door for me, pulled out my chair and paid the bill. He even figured out the tip. He does need a little coaching before he starts going on dates of his own...unless the girls are totally into star wars, hedgehogs, spiders, Avatar and Legos. He also asked me not to wear that pink stuff (blush, which I really needed today) on my face for our next date. Oh, the girls are going to love him! Most of all, I loved having special time just with Will. He is giving, smart, handsome and funny.

If you wouldn't mind praying that whatever is making Kate scream all night (all of a sudden) would go away--I'd be thrilled. I am not sure if the boys being at school all day or having a new sitter while I was at an appointment this week has scared her. But she is afraid and she cries all night. She is cutting 4 molars but that doesn't seem to be it. She only stops crying if we hold her. And we are getting tired of that in the middle of the night. Thank you.

Can anyone help?

Now that I have watched the video of Dave meeting Kate for the first time in China, I am dying to make her "homecoming movie." I have been practicing first on a "Summer Fun 2007" video and I have it finished except for the music. I am using Windows Moviemaker but I cannot import music. I am trying to import songs I downloaded from Itunes but I cannot even put a CD I own on it. I am getting really frustrated. I am SO open to any and all suggestions fellow blogger people. Please help:)

Brotherly Love

After we returned from our vacation, I was sorting through the mail. Harry saw a letter from the *Make a Wish* Foundation . He was attracted to the photos of young kids doing interesting things. One, who looked to be about his age, was dressed as a police officer and standing next to a mini-motorcycle. So, Harry asked what the letter was about and if that kid was a "real" police officer. I explained to him that this organization grants children who are very ill a special wish to make them feel better. Harry had all sorts of questions about the kids, their wishes and if they die. It was a tough conversation on the heels of little Jude's death. In the midst of our discussion we decided that we would make a donation in Jude's honor so that a child could get a wish. Harry is donating money he has saved from his allowance.

Then I asked Harry what his wish would be. His answer blew me away. He said, "Well, if me and Willie were both at that place and we were both sick, my wish would be that Will would get better even if it meant that I would die." Now that is brotherly love. I have never been so proud of my son!

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for

School--I love the school day! My house is actually clean and peaceful for a few hours (relatively speaking, that is).

The wonderful teachers my boys have been blessed with this year.

Friends that lift me up when I am down.

That Kate's first cold is getting better (we have both been under the weather this week).

My husband for doing even more than he usually does when I am sick:)

My friend, Daleea who has shared the most incredible story about the generosity of others. Read about how people she had never met helped provide the means to bring her "jewels" home. It is titled "Providence" on her blog. It truly makes you realize all of the good that is out there.

Teri @ In His Hands (http://www.riobello.typepad.com/adventures/) received her referral for Ella Claire. Click the above link to see her beautiful new daughter. Teri has followed this blog with supportive comments since before our referral. She also introduced me to "Thankful Thursday." I could not be more thrilled for her today!! I know she is floating on air!

Kate has been home 5 months this week and she has been the greatest blessing to our family. I finally got up the courage the other night to watch the video of when Dave met Kate in China. I had not watched it before because I did not want to see Kate's face if it was fearful or grieving. I just wasn't ready. Well, I watched it this week and it was beautiful. Kate looked right into her Daddy's face as if she had been waiting to see him all of her little life. I was actually on the phone when Dave got Kate so it was interesting to "see" what I had heard. I will post this video eventually. Maybe once Kate and I are feeling better and I have more time.

I know it is not Thursday yet but as I am feeling yucky...I had a minute while Kate was napping and decided to take advantage of it. I feel worse as the day goes on and I cannot type clearly while on NyQuil* (or ever really).

Added--I took the picture of Kate's leg and foot but I am pretty sure Debbie from Hiking though Life with Ian and Lili took the second one with my camera. To answer some questions.... I use a Nikon D-80. I do not have Photoshop but I think I will get it very soon. I just got lucky at the beach with the pictures:)

Goodbye Summer