Photography

Seth is finishing up his photography co-op class. He needs to turn in 3 photos, and these are the ones he is turning in: color, abstract, black and white. I thought the finished products were great. He doesn't have a photographer's eye yet. I had to give him some ideas for shots. Once he sees the shots, then he understands what I'm talking about.

Chicken Feet

When we went to China in 2007 to adopt Joy, we experienced a wonderful culinary feast almost every evening thanks to our guide, Judy.  She took us to wonderful restaurants the locals frequented and explained to us the many different types of food.  We ate at one restaurant 3 times during our 16-day trip because of their delicious eggplant and their wheat tea.  Once we ate at an outside cafe, and every dish we chose was fried.  Another very nice place had chicken feet on the table before we sat down like a Mexican restaurant has nachos.  Thus this article.  Jack and Seth tried the feet, and were not too impressed.  I, personally, was repulsed by it all, but glad the boys gave it a try.



Can you see the whole fish, hidden in there? Somewhere?

Stuffed

Fried chicken, roast beef, ham, 2 biscuits with butter and apple butter, mashed potatoes with gravy, cole slaw, fried apples, and lemonade today.  And that was just Eva's meal.

The Many Places of Joy

When Ivy came home February 2010, we slowly weaned Eva and Joy from their naps. Occasionally, Eva will slip into unconsciousness while in the car on a long drive. But, Joy...well, Joy probably still needs a nap. If I'm not super-duper vigilant, I'll find her in strange place, positions, visiting the Doze Zone late in the evening.


...at the beach...


...in Mike's closet...


...in the hall closet...


...living room...


...with Dad (he did not have to twist her arm)...


...curled up in the living room...


...bedroom...


...bedroom...


...bathroom...


...and finally, yesterday on the couch, sitting up. Ahhh, sweet Joy.

Feels Like Spring

I can't believe we just had some snow flurries a few days ago. Today, we were outside without jackets! That is what happens when you live in Virginia. You can have the heat on in the morning, and the AC cranking in the afternoon!

With warm weather, comes the usual clean up from all the wind through the winter. The kids and dogs think it is a treat to ride in the truck helping Dad.




I found out from Mike that Moxie has been eating my newly-growing lily bulbs. Notice some missing? It used to be a nice big circle of lilies. Now it is more of a crescent shape.



"I am innocent!"


"Guilty, Pup!"


Since the mud dried up, the guys went outside to try out their new soccer cleats. Season starts in a couple of weeks! They will be easy to spot, don't you think?

Shorter Arms?

I first noticed that my arms were getting shorter in 2007. The children would shove things in my face and I would have to put them at arms length to get a good view of it. That was when my lovely daughter, Jordan, brought home a pair of arm-shortening glasses from the store she worked at. They really helped my arm's length. As time went on I accumulated quite a few of those arm-shortening glasses. How many do you have? Here's my current stash, minus the few that broke.



My doctor told me in 2004 at my last eye appointment that this was starting to happen to me. I did not go back to see him until last week. Imagine my surprise when he recommended (gasp!!) bifocals! Oh, but not just any bifocals, but no-line bifocals called progressives. It was fun trying on all the frames. Mike and I settled on these.



They are simple, not too loud, with just a hint of excitement. Notice the swirly design? Now, I don't have to take my arm-shortening glasses on and off while schooling the kids. I can look up and actually still see things clearly! I can even drive with them on (my distance vision is great). It takes a bit getting used to, but it works for me.



Pictures, compliments of Eva, because, well, I just don't like to have my picture taken. I'm not photogenic, and I always have a strange look on my face.



Excuse the dry, sickly face. Blowing your nose 25 times a day will do that to a person. I'm hoping to be feeling better in a couple of days? Thanks for the prayers.

I Wish...

...that I did not sneeze more than 5 at a time, and no more than 4 sneezing fits a day. I wish I could breathe out of both nostrils at the same time. I wish my ears and throat did not itch. I wish I did not go through a box of tissues in less than 36 hours. I wish I could sleep all through the night this weekend. I wish this sickness to be gone.



So, I make the kids do the dishes while I drink hot tea. I'm just tough like that.

Only Joy

What happens to a little girl who decides she would rather play outside, uninterrupted, and soak her pants than take a potty break?



She gets to sit on a stool in the bathroom for a bit. I then had to take Ivy to piano lessons. I guess it was a bit too long for her because she fell asleep! Oh, to be able to sleep anywhere! I wish I could do that.

Bad Mom Award

Yes, you read that right. I feel shame, regret, guilt. Remember when I talked about Ivy's speech difficulties? In my attempt at reverse psychology I told her, that if she did not speak clearer, no one at school would be able to understand her; not her teachers or the students. You'd think a red light would have flashed on at the moment for me, but it didn't. Somehow I thought it would motivate her. Yes, she was motivated, but she also became afraid. You see, Ivy just did not talk at school (home school co-op) unless she was spoken to. She just smiled her irresistible smile, and moved throughout the day. When I asked her last Friday if she had spoken to any new friends, she replied in tears, "I'm afraid. I'm afraid no one will understand me." I feel badly, and that is an understatement. I've since encouraged her, telling her she did not need to be afraid because she has improved so much that I'm sure everyone would be able to understand every word she says. But, sadly, I did not realize my mistake until the fear set in. How to I help her not be afraid? Naturally, Ivy is a very timid, quiet girl. She is not one to be loud in a pubic place or make a spectacle of herself (unlike a few of my other children). So, I'm hoping and praying that this Friday will be a better day for Ivy, one without fear. And, I hope I've learned a lesson from his. I am sure I have many more to learn.

Yes, My Children Play With Weapons

Today, the UPS Man came to our house. We have a circular driveway, so he drives in one way, loops around the house, and heads out. After delivering our package (yummy chips from the FIL), I told the driver, "Be careful, my girls are playing at the back of the house." The driver looked at the girls, and saw this:



Yes, I was embarrassed. "Be careful you don't drive over my girls, but I let them play with machetes and axes!"

Seth is taking a short photography class offered by a mom at our local home school co-op. He did his first photo shoot of Joy. She's terribly photogenic, isn't she?! I think he did a great job, even if he is a little weird.


My son, my glasses