Thanks to those of you who still check out this blog. I'm amazed at some of my other on-line friends who can think of something wise or witty to share almost every day. I feel like my well has run dry!! :-)
Life has been going well but it is feeling full. I'm thankfully still feeling pretty balanced (work is going great!) and am enjoying checking things off the list (AWANA is done, piano will be next and then...aah...no more school). But between school, work, volunteering, various appointments and meetings, family get togethers, working out, and Arvid being extraordinarily busy at work, the days just fly by.
I don't know if it's because of the snow (yes, it snowed AGAIN this morning) or if it's because of the numerous issues going on in so many lives of people around me (mental issues, marital issues, death of a loved one) but I just have this feeling of heaviness. (Does anyone have any good news they feel like sharing with me?) I'm loving life right now in my own little bubble but realize that there is such hurt out there...and it just makes me want to treasure and cocoon and soak up this day for I just don't know what is around the corner. Thankfully, as reminded by a friend this week, although sometimes it feels like God takes a lunch break, He IS in control and is sovereign.
Whew - that was getting deep...and to think I just planned on writing to say we're still alive. :-) We are having a home date tonight - I fed the kids first and then they got to watch a movie while Arvid and I ate some Thai food he brought home (YUM!). Now they're in bed so we will continue our deep conversation about what has gone wrong in the world around us! Or maybe we'll just watch a recorded American Idol. :-)
Friday, April 27, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Costco
OK, so I LOVE Costco. Like anyone else who has a Costco membership, I find that I can go in for one item and come out having spent $150. It happens every time. This particular week I went in for a few items and came out having spent $900. Granted, $650 of that was for a computer, etc. but still! My mom tends to go to Costco every week so if I only need one thing I will often just get her to pick it up for me so I don't end up buying extra things. She has gone the past few times for me so it was really time for me to go and stock up on a few things, hence the large bill.
Some people have asked me if I've noticed people staring at our family now that we are multicultural. I know several adoptive friends who often get approached and are asked inappropriate/rude/probing questions. To be honest, that has almost never happened to us...it has happened but is not a usual occurrence. I don't know if it's because I usually have G and E along with Mebira when I'm out and about and if people just assume she's a friend...or if I just don't look very approachable, but generally people just look at us once or twice and go on with their business.
Anyway, as much as I love Costco, there is one issue that I keep having. Mebira and I will often go to Costco without G and E, and Mebira generally likes to walk and not sit in the cart. A highlight for the kids (and, well, me) is eating the samples. I picked up a yummy jalepeno yogurt dip yesterday...but I digress. As you may know, Costco has a rule that the parent needs to be there in order for the child to have a sample. I have a pet peeve about people stopping in the middle of the aisle, oblivious to everyone else around them and enjoying their sample while causing a huge traffic jam of carts behind them. I, conscientious person that I am, will pull my cart to the side out of the way, however, I am always still within touching distance of Mebira. Often I will even say, "Mebira, would you like to try this sample?" And twice now, people have stopped Mebira from taking her sample and said, "Where is your mom?"
Really? Just because we don't look the same, could the fact that I have just given her permission, am hovering over her and watching her every move to make sure she doesn't fish through a million samples to take the best one, could that not be a bit of a clue that if I may not be her biological mother, that I could be her adoptive mother, or guardian or babysitter at the very least? I know policies are policies, but it has put us in an awkward position a few times and frankly, I'm a bit snarly when it happens.
Obviously, I will need to make it really clear in the future. Perhaps I should hug and kiss her and hold her hand while we walk up to the table and then say, "Mebira, loving daughter, would you like to try that sample? Mommy says it's OK"
Sorry...just had to vent. :-)
Some people have asked me if I've noticed people staring at our family now that we are multicultural. I know several adoptive friends who often get approached and are asked inappropriate/rude/probing questions. To be honest, that has almost never happened to us...it has happened but is not a usual occurrence. I don't know if it's because I usually have G and E along with Mebira when I'm out and about and if people just assume she's a friend...or if I just don't look very approachable, but generally people just look at us once or twice and go on with their business.
Anyway, as much as I love Costco, there is one issue that I keep having. Mebira and I will often go to Costco without G and E, and Mebira generally likes to walk and not sit in the cart. A highlight for the kids (and, well, me) is eating the samples. I picked up a yummy jalepeno yogurt dip yesterday...but I digress. As you may know, Costco has a rule that the parent needs to be there in order for the child to have a sample. I have a pet peeve about people stopping in the middle of the aisle, oblivious to everyone else around them and enjoying their sample while causing a huge traffic jam of carts behind them. I, conscientious person that I am, will pull my cart to the side out of the way, however, I am always still within touching distance of Mebira. Often I will even say, "Mebira, would you like to try this sample?" And twice now, people have stopped Mebira from taking her sample and said, "Where is your mom?"
Really? Just because we don't look the same, could the fact that I have just given her permission, am hovering over her and watching her every move to make sure she doesn't fish through a million samples to take the best one, could that not be a bit of a clue that if I may not be her biological mother, that I could be her adoptive mother, or guardian or babysitter at the very least? I know policies are policies, but it has put us in an awkward position a few times and frankly, I'm a bit snarly when it happens.
Obviously, I will need to make it really clear in the future. Perhaps I should hug and kiss her and hold her hand while we walk up to the table and then say, "Mebira, loving daughter, would you like to try that sample? Mommy says it's OK"
Sorry...just had to vent. :-)
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Happy Easter!
Happy Easter to everyone! We had a great weekend - fun times with the family and some introspective and meaningful times as well.
A few highlights before I attach some pictures:
- I've already mentioned the Easter play and Jesus movie in previous posts. These were awesome events for us to do as a family. It really made the Easter story hit home and we had some great conversations with our kids. Mebira, who just loves life and lives in the moment, even had some good questions about the Easter story and what happens to you after you die. As we don't know what or how much she was taught about Jesus in the past we were thrilled to share more with her and see her enthusiasm in learning.
- Resurrection Eggs. A few other friends have posted about these, too - we bought ours at Blessings last year and it's always fun to do together as a family. The kids love to guess at what the item in the egg has to do with the Easter story and I like to read the Scripture verses that come with each egg to tie it all together.
- My brother, Ron, who lives on the Sunshine Coast came home to visit. He is a really cool guy - very fun and hilarious, yet he is extremely deep and we always have some great conversations with him as well. The girls enjoyed having some crazy time with Uncle Ron and we enjoyed catching up with him once they were in bed.
- Easter dinner. We made our own Easter dinner this year. Ham, twice baked potatoes, salad and cheesecake. Ron joined us and we took turns asking questions around the table. I felt old putting on my own Easter dinner but it was nice to have a low key Easter and I will cherish the memories made. We spent the afternoon at my mom's with the rest of the family yesterday and it was nice to get together with everyone there. We especially enjoyed having my two brothers and sister-in-law and two nephews over for a few hours in the evening - we have such an awesome family and are truly blessed.
- Easter Service at GPC. What a great morning! A great message of hope, awesome worship time. It was truly uplifting and was wonderful to celebrate that Christ has risen indeed with so many others in the packed house!
-Easter egg hunt. The girls got to take part in two Easter egg hunts. Although the one we did today wasn't very elaborate it is still a fun tradition - and Mebira's first official Easter egg hunt (although my mom does Easter egg hunts for them year round at her house).
OK, now to some pics...I hope your Easter was fun and meaningful as well!
(Below) A Schimke family picture
(Below) Since Ron was in town my mom wanted to get some pictures taken. Here is the whole family (on my side) together.
(Below) Resurrection Eggs
(Below) Easter egg hunt! We let the girls pick out their own Easter presents. They each got $20 to spend at Blessings. M and E shared 2 music CDs and a Veggie Tale movie, G got a Soul Surfer devotional and music CD.
(Below) The sugar is starting to kick in for E!
(Below) G having fun looking for Easter eggs.
(Below) Our beautiful GEMs.
(Below) Uncle Ron with his three nieces.
A few highlights before I attach some pictures:
- I've already mentioned the Easter play and Jesus movie in previous posts. These were awesome events for us to do as a family. It really made the Easter story hit home and we had some great conversations with our kids. Mebira, who just loves life and lives in the moment, even had some good questions about the Easter story and what happens to you after you die. As we don't know what or how much she was taught about Jesus in the past we were thrilled to share more with her and see her enthusiasm in learning.
- Resurrection Eggs. A few other friends have posted about these, too - we bought ours at Blessings last year and it's always fun to do together as a family. The kids love to guess at what the item in the egg has to do with the Easter story and I like to read the Scripture verses that come with each egg to tie it all together.
- My brother, Ron, who lives on the Sunshine Coast came home to visit. He is a really cool guy - very fun and hilarious, yet he is extremely deep and we always have some great conversations with him as well. The girls enjoyed having some crazy time with Uncle Ron and we enjoyed catching up with him once they were in bed.
- Easter dinner. We made our own Easter dinner this year. Ham, twice baked potatoes, salad and cheesecake. Ron joined us and we took turns asking questions around the table. I felt old putting on my own Easter dinner but it was nice to have a low key Easter and I will cherish the memories made. We spent the afternoon at my mom's with the rest of the family yesterday and it was nice to get together with everyone there. We especially enjoyed having my two brothers and sister-in-law and two nephews over for a few hours in the evening - we have such an awesome family and are truly blessed.
- Easter Service at GPC. What a great morning! A great message of hope, awesome worship time. It was truly uplifting and was wonderful to celebrate that Christ has risen indeed with so many others in the packed house!
-Easter egg hunt. The girls got to take part in two Easter egg hunts. Although the one we did today wasn't very elaborate it is still a fun tradition - and Mebira's first official Easter egg hunt (although my mom does Easter egg hunts for them year round at her house).
OK, now to some pics...I hope your Easter was fun and meaningful as well!
(Below) A Schimke family picture
(Below) Since Ron was in town my mom wanted to get some pictures taken. Here is the whole family (on my side) together.
(Below) Resurrection Eggs
(Below) Easter egg hunt! We let the girls pick out their own Easter presents. They each got $20 to spend at Blessings. M and E shared 2 music CDs and a Veggie Tale movie, G got a Soul Surfer devotional and music CD.
(Below) The sugar is starting to kick in for E!
(Below) G having fun looking for Easter eggs.
(Below) Our beautiful GEMs.
(Below) Uncle Ron with his three nieces.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Movies
We've made a conscious decision to be more selective in the movies we watch. Too often Arvid and I would watch movies that were violent or had immoral activity and I don't think it's good to fill your mind with things like that. Unfortunately, movies these days (that comment officially makes me an old person) are not exactly filled with uplifting material. I am always looking for good movie choices, so if you have some ideas I'd LOVE your recommendations.
Here are a few highlights of movie choices in the last few months:
- Desert Flower. Although this movie has some parts that might be inappropriate, it is an interesting movie based on a true story of a poor Somalian woman who managed to make it to London and ended up as a supermodel and is now the UN special ambassador for the elimination against female genital cutting. The actress in the movie is a gorgeous Ethiopian supermodel, and portrayal of the every day life in Somalia is very similar to some (more Muslim) parts of Ethiopia.
- Jesus movie. For the past few weeks we have been watching a few minutes each night of a Jesus movie. It has been a really neat thing to do together this Easter season. Reading the story from the bible is great, but watching a bit each night has really enhanced our Easter season and conversations. Unfortunately, I would like to get a more biblically sound version next time, like the actual Jesus movie. I picked up this DVD we're watching at Superstore and I think they've added a little bit too much fiction to go with it.
- The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. We enjoy all of the Narnia movies but this is the one that we watch the most. It is our Easter tradition to watch this movie every year as the parallels to the true Easter story are amazing. We watched it together last night and kept pausing it to point out areas where Aslan is like or says something like Jesus.
-Soul Surfer. In case anyone hasn't seen this one yet, it is an amazing true story of courage from a teenage surfer who has her arm bitten off by a shark yet continues to surf after the accident. As you may know, I watch Biggest Loser while on the elliptical and I was thrilled a few weeks ago when the contestants went to Hawaii and met up with the soul surfer herself - Bethany Hamilton. The movie also stars Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid and Carrie Underwood. I happen to own it if you live close by and want to borrow it. :-)
I'm sure there have been other movies but those are the ones I can think of right now. I'd love your movie recommendations...there's nothing better than sitting down after a long week, putting your feet up, eating some freshly popped popcorn and watching a good movie.
Here are a few highlights of movie choices in the last few months:
- Desert Flower. Although this movie has some parts that might be inappropriate, it is an interesting movie based on a true story of a poor Somalian woman who managed to make it to London and ended up as a supermodel and is now the UN special ambassador for the elimination against female genital cutting. The actress in the movie is a gorgeous Ethiopian supermodel, and portrayal of the every day life in Somalia is very similar to some (more Muslim) parts of Ethiopia.
- Jesus movie. For the past few weeks we have been watching a few minutes each night of a Jesus movie. It has been a really neat thing to do together this Easter season. Reading the story from the bible is great, but watching a bit each night has really enhanced our Easter season and conversations. Unfortunately, I would like to get a more biblically sound version next time, like the actual Jesus movie. I picked up this DVD we're watching at Superstore and I think they've added a little bit too much fiction to go with it.
- The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. We enjoy all of the Narnia movies but this is the one that we watch the most. It is our Easter tradition to watch this movie every year as the parallels to the true Easter story are amazing. We watched it together last night and kept pausing it to point out areas where Aslan is like or says something like Jesus.
-Soul Surfer. In case anyone hasn't seen this one yet, it is an amazing true story of courage from a teenage surfer who has her arm bitten off by a shark yet continues to surf after the accident. As you may know, I watch Biggest Loser while on the elliptical and I was thrilled a few weeks ago when the contestants went to Hawaii and met up with the soul surfer herself - Bethany Hamilton. The movie also stars Helen Hunt, Dennis Quaid and Carrie Underwood. I happen to own it if you live close by and want to borrow it. :-)
I'm sure there have been other movies but those are the ones I can think of right now. I'd love your movie recommendations...there's nothing better than sitting down after a long week, putting your feet up, eating some freshly popped popcorn and watching a good movie.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Spring....Break?
We had spring break last week and I think I`m more tired coming out of it than I was going in to it. The idea of having the kids home and having limited plans sounds really good on paper, but wow was it an exhausting week! I worked a full day while my wonderful mom had the kids, and worked two half days while the kids were home. I basically put earphones in my ears and let them run wild and pretended not to notice. :-) The rest of the week went by in a blur...we went shopping to West Ed which is exhausting in itself, all four of us girls cleaned up the basement for nearly 4 hours and wow does it look better, we still had piano and Tae Kwon Do, went to visit a friend, had friends over, did floor and baseboard renovations, started the hot tub, discovered a leak in the hot tub, saw Watoto, went to see an Easter play...I don`t know how it happened but I think we were busier last week than we are when school is in session and it was a bit of a relief to drop the kids off at school yesterday and head to work just so that I could finally sit in one spot for a change. :-)
Anyway, I`m feeling fairly blah right now and not sure I`m making much sense so I`ll write again sometime when I actually have something more interesting to say. :-) For now I`m going to have a coffee!!
Anyway, I`m feeling fairly blah right now and not sure I`m making much sense so I`ll write again sometime when I actually have something more interesting to say. :-) For now I`m going to have a coffee!!
Monday, March 26, 2012
Watoto
We had the privilege of seeing the Watoto choir again on Saturday night. The last few years we have attended and dreamed of the day we could bring our Ethiopian child...and we were thrilled go this year and show Mebira. She seemed to enjoy it quite a bit although she seemed a bit uncomfortable at times. I'm not sure if it was because they all looked like her and she was surrounded by a bunch of caucasians and maybe didn't feel like she was a part of either group...or if it was because the children openly talked about having lost their parents and it brought back memories for her.
In any case, if you haven't seen them they are touring across Canada right now. I love the choir and highly recommend checking them out. An earlier version of the choir sang with Chris Tomlin on his Hello Love cd. You can find more info here
I've pasted one of my favourite songs that they sing below:
In any case, if you haven't seen them they are touring across Canada right now. I love the choir and highly recommend checking them out. An earlier version of the choir sang with Chris Tomlin on his Hello Love cd. You can find more info here
I've pasted one of my favourite songs that they sing below:
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Reflecting
As we passed court and Mebira legally became our daughter 1 year ago today (yah!) we recently had a meeting with our social worker to write up our post placement report. (These reports are sent to Ethiopia...3 in the first 15 months and yearly on our court date thereafter).
Anyway, it was a great chance to see how far we have come in the nine months that we have been home. When she did our first post placement report in the summer we still had it pretty good, but we were dealing with learning the language, some behavioral issues, trying to figure each other out and teach her our family expectations and boundaries, and of course we were dealing with Arvid's dad's aneurysm.
Our social worker asked us a whole bunch of questions...does she sleep through the night? (yes) always? (yes) has she ever been sick? (no) does she eat well? (yes) does she eat meat? (yes) veggies? (yes) fruit? (yes) how does she get along with her sisters? (awesome!) does she bond well with Arvid, too? (yes) is she affectionate? (yes) how is she when you do her hair? (great) how is her English (great, and she can read most 3 letter words now) how has she done now that you're back at work? (good - haven't noticed a difference) what is she like? (almost always happy)...anyway, you get the picture. At one point I was almost worried that she wouldn't believe us and that we were making things up to cover up what is really going on. :-)
We know this probably isn't typical but we are definitely counting our blessings. We tried to prepare for the worst and hope for the best...we read enough adoption books to scare me half to death, but we felt that this is a path that God was directing us down and that He would provide the strength to make it through. Neither of us are huge kid people...and with dealing with Arvid's dad's death and issues therein I don't know how we would have had the bandwidth to have a totally traumatized child on our hands. We are soooo thankful that things have gone smoothly so far!
I have recently had such a desire to pause life right now. G is turning 10 in September...and she's already turning into a little mini adult...M and E are at such a cute stage...I wish I could just pause it and park out here for a while longer. Wouldn't it be nice to have a remote control for life? How fun to skip through those hard stages and to pause life when it's good...and Arvid and my personal favourite - one we wish for almost every day - to have a volume button!! Three giggling girls (or screaming girls) can make a lot of noise! :-)
Anyway, for now, I plan to soak up the days...especially this next week of Spring Break!
Anyway, it was a great chance to see how far we have come in the nine months that we have been home. When she did our first post placement report in the summer we still had it pretty good, but we were dealing with learning the language, some behavioral issues, trying to figure each other out and teach her our family expectations and boundaries, and of course we were dealing with Arvid's dad's aneurysm.
Our social worker asked us a whole bunch of questions...does she sleep through the night? (yes) always? (yes) has she ever been sick? (no) does she eat well? (yes) does she eat meat? (yes) veggies? (yes) fruit? (yes) how does she get along with her sisters? (awesome!) does she bond well with Arvid, too? (yes) is she affectionate? (yes) how is she when you do her hair? (great) how is her English (great, and she can read most 3 letter words now) how has she done now that you're back at work? (good - haven't noticed a difference) what is she like? (almost always happy)...anyway, you get the picture. At one point I was almost worried that she wouldn't believe us and that we were making things up to cover up what is really going on. :-)
We know this probably isn't typical but we are definitely counting our blessings. We tried to prepare for the worst and hope for the best...we read enough adoption books to scare me half to death, but we felt that this is a path that God was directing us down and that He would provide the strength to make it through. Neither of us are huge kid people...and with dealing with Arvid's dad's death and issues therein I don't know how we would have had the bandwidth to have a totally traumatized child on our hands. We are soooo thankful that things have gone smoothly so far!
I have recently had such a desire to pause life right now. G is turning 10 in September...and she's already turning into a little mini adult...M and E are at such a cute stage...I wish I could just pause it and park out here for a while longer. Wouldn't it be nice to have a remote control for life? How fun to skip through those hard stages and to pause life when it's good...and Arvid and my personal favourite - one we wish for almost every day - to have a volume button!! Three giggling girls (or screaming girls) can make a lot of noise! :-)
Anyway, for now, I plan to soak up the days...especially this next week of Spring Break!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)