Translation, Please?

Language has not really been a great barrier in our adoption of Ivy. Initially there were picture cards to use, then hand gestures followed by broken English. Even though Ivy can say English words, they are with a very thick accent with incorrect pronouns or order. I love hearing her speak. Sometimes I can understand her, and other times it takes me a few tries to figure out what she is saying. I know with time, Ivy's English will improve. Some of her delays could also be contributed to her cleft. She cannot make the "Z" sound.

Ivy showing me her seashells.

So, the other day, she asked me this question:
"Jordan, Good Morning, take a shower?"
Translation: "Did Jordan take a shower this morning?"

Oh, I love this child!

 Ivy having her first conversation with Rebecca from Zhongshan adopted in September.  Yes, there was a language barrier, but soon, she'll be talking as well as Rebecca.

Ivy developed a rash after we returned home from the beach.  It is only where I put sunblock on her.  So, it is either from too much sun or sunblock.  Any guesses?  Her face was swollen and hot, and the rash was itchy, bumpy and downright miserable.  She's on the mend today.

Vacation

I'm so very thankful that we had an opportunity to take a vacation to the beach. When I was a little girl, our family rarely took vacations. If we did, it was usually to visit family in another state. We were able to go to the beach just a couple of times that I can remember, but that was while visiting my aunt. Jack loves floating on the waves, Jordan and Seth enjoy everything about the beach. Ivy, Eva, and Joy had a good time playing in the sand. A few days the waves were bigger, making Ivy and Eva a bit nervous. Ivy had no problem heading way out with Seth. All in all, we had a great time, ate too much food, and enjoyed the perfect 85 degree weather.


The view from our room.


I love the smile on Eva's face..priceless.


Looking for seashells.


Jack in action.


The only picture taken of me. I'm always on the other side of the camera.


Mike and Jordan

Mike took Jordan, Seth, and Jack parasailing. They LOVED it. They came right by us while the girls and I were on the beach. They saw dolphins and a large creature that Jack swears was a shark. So, when the three of them were dropped into the water, Jack was none too thrilled. Those who know Jack, know that he is absolutely terrified of sharks. Funny, he asked if we could start a shark study in school.






The dip that caused Jack to panic.


I thought this picture shows how comfortable Ivy is with having a family. She's a very sweet daughter.

While we were at the beach, Joy celebrated her 4th birthday. She had a great time having cupcakes for her breakfast.




Joy with her "Sand Birthday Cake".

While in Florida, we were able to visit Martha. We took a few pizzas and cokes to her assisted living apartment. We got our own dining room. As we walked in the dining room, we overheard one of the residents say, "Good Golly". I'm not quite sure if he was referring to the pizzas or a family of 8 walking in with Martha.




This was taken in the garden at Martha's place.


New Rings!

What kid does not like to scare his sisters and other people with fake blood?




Jack, sporting Seth's new sunglasses.

Temper and Vacation

Anything can set Joy off. It could be she wants THAT toy, the door closed before she could get through, or she did not get to flush the toilet. The cause for this particular turmoil was that Eva made it to the bathroom before she could. Thus the torture of being put on the "stool" until she was done throwing her fit. While she sits there, she steps on her feet, rubs her hands, and moans. She's getting better...she has not passed out lately, and she turns blue less often.



We're heading out for a much need and anticipated trip to some place very warm and pleasant. I'm excited that even Jordan gets to make the trip with us since she finishes classes on Friday.

Here are some pictures of the children enjoying the very warm weather.

Thoughts

On September 11, 2002, I listened  to the voices outside my window in a local park commemorating the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks.  I lay inside, across the street, in a hospital bed, in labor waiting to deliver our twins.  I was only half way through my pregnancy when I woke up that morning with contractions.  As the day wore on, we prayed for a miracle, and waited.  I knew that as long as my babies were inside my womb, they were alive.  Once they were born, they would die.  When the time came for their birth, I halfheartedly did my part in delivering them.  Ben and Rachel were born minutes apart that evening of September 11, 2002.  They were perfect and beautiful in every sense of the word, just so tiny...too tiny.

Rachel's tiny hand print

Benjamin's footprint

One month later, the children and I traveled along with Mike on a trip to Rhode Island.   He had to work, so the children and I took advantage of the time and visited a state we had never been to before.  It was a difficult trip for me because I had anticipated Mike traveling while I was still pregnant.  I was anxious about being alone, knowing it was possible I could go into labor.  So, there I was, in Rhode Island, with my family, but without Ben and Rachel.  Little did I know that as we walked along the beautiful beach in Newport, Rhode Island, that a woman in China was giving birth to a tiny daughter.  Little did I know that as we toured the beautiful mansions along the rocky coastline that the same woman was having to make a decision.  And, little did I know that while I was grieving over Ben and Rachel, my daughter was found outside the gates of a home in a small town called Sanxiang, China.

"To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified."—Isaiah 61:3

It's Baffling...

...how quickly 20 years can go by.  Wasn't it just a year ago that I lay in bed at night, waiting to hear that little cry telling me it was time for a bottle?  I could not wait for Jordan to wake up just so I could see her, smell her, hold her.  I would sing hymns and Christmas songs to her because I did not know any lullabies as a first-time mother.

And wasn't it just 8 months ago that I bravely sent her off to that first day of school?  She had no problems, but my heart hated being without her all day long.

I believe it was just 6 months ago that I watched her slowly change into a young, awkward, lady.  I wiped her tears when a friend hurt her feelings and I tried my best to help her through many, many difficult times.  I did not always succeed, and I know I probably failed in many ways, but we worked through them together.

I know it was just a few months ago that Jordan got her first job, driver's license, and graduated from high school.  I remember how excited she was when she took that trip to China for two weeks to work with the orphans, traveling to the other side of the world all by herself.  I was so proud of her!

 

Graduation 2008

 

 

 

And today, my firstborn is 20 years old.  Happy Birthday, Sweet Jordan!  I have enjoyed every second of life with my daughter.  I loved watching her bake cupcakes with her sisters last night, and I loved the smile on her face this morning when she had ice cream and strawberry cupcakes for breakfast!

This is the necklace we bought her.  She spent 2 weeks in a rural village area of Nanchang in 2008 after her graduation.  I'm thinking of buying Ivy, Eva, and Joy each one for their 10th birthdays.  You can purchase them from here.

Ivy's Friend

Remember this post?  Well, I just feel very excited to share that she now has a family!  She will be only about 4.5 hours away from us.  How wonderful it will be if the girls are able to visit each other.

Thanks for all the prayers said for these children.