Making of a Family

Summer Fling

2012-01-27T21:37:00.001-05:00

Roma loves watching Glee with me on Netflix. The latest episode we watched had the "Grease" song 'Summer Loving' We watch it together once. I let her watch it one more time while I was in the shower. Later that day, she was humming/singing the song while we were walking across the parking lot. I am amazed at her verbal retrieval. Plus, she has great pitch too. Another proud momma moment.

Roma Trainer's Page

2011-12-17T11:27:00.000-05:00

I know this is the time of year for many donation requests, but this one is for such a great and wide reaching cause. Please try any amount you can afford. Every little bit helps. Please click on the link below.

Roma Trainer's Page

Some micellaneous photos

2011-11-05T12:30:00.003-04:00

Playing around with her dolls and dress up.

View of our back yard after the Snowtober Storm.

Trying on all winter clothes when I unpacked them this year.

Our pitiful snow Princess. (L. recognize the crown?)

This was Halloween day spent at the Y to charge up our laptops. Roma was going to dress up even if they postponed Trick or Treat.

She had to dress up like her American Girl Doll, Rosie. (Bill W. this pic is for you.) She's asking Santa for a jie jie for Rosie. A friend told me about a restaurant and store in a mall not too far away that caters to American Girl. I have a feeling we're going to be visiting that place soon.

This was a couple of days after the flooding storm this summer. It was a hot day to play mini golf but Roma had fun.

Goofing around in more Chinese clothes. This is the very same outfit she wore while we were in China 4-1/2 years ago (see left). It was very big on her then. Now it's a bit on the small side for her. But that doesn't stop a girl from playing.

Have you noticed a theme here? This girl loves to dress up in fun clothes. This was taken early October. She had decided this was going to be her Trick or Treat outfit. We are going out tomorrow (Nov. 6) for the postponed T' or T'ing. I have no idea what she will choose to wear.

Miscellaneous day out.

She picked this whole outfit out by herself. Accessories and all.

Hiking in Sugar Hill for our Anniversary weekend celebration.

The rainbow we enjoyed while sipping our martinis at the Mt. Washington Resort.

First Day of Kindergarten

2011-09-01T14:11:00.000-04:00

This morning Roma had a dentist appointment. She chose to wear a different dress for the dentist and then have a wardrobe change for afternoon kindergarten. She has also let it be known that she really wants a pair of Twinkle Toes sneakers for school. Them thar shoes are expensive! We'll try some of the outlet stores this weekend to see if we can get a better deal. If not, I can only hope that she'll wear them all the time and get our money's worth. She is one happy girl to be going to big kid school.

Heart Melting

2011-08-31T11:55:00.000-04:00

So, I was puttering around the house last night while Roma and John were snuggled on the couch watching a movie. They ask me to turn off all the lights. Roma says she wants it like a movie theater. She's only been once to a movie theater and that was with our good friends K and Z. Then she yells down the hallway; "You'll need a ticket!". She runs to me to ask me what I think the ticket is. I told her jokingly I'd order it online. She corrects me by saying the ticket is LOVE! ... Melt my heart little girl.

Pre-School Graduation

2011-07-29T16:09:00.000-04:00

Yes, I know I'm late to posting this. I just recently downloaded my photos from my camera and was reminded that I hadn't done anything with this event. So, as we're practically getting ready to start Kindergarten let's look back on the preschool graduation ceremony.

Online Network for Chinese Adoptees, China’s Children International

2011-07-07T19:45:00.000-04:00

I received this from our FCC email postcard. I am copying here and everywhere to help promote their network. If you're on Facebook, join their page too.

Jacqui

Online Network for Chinese Adoptees, China’s Children International

The organization China’s Children International, “CCI,” is a group for adopted children which is run by adopted children, Charlotte Cotter and Lane Allison. The organization has recently launched its first version of its website www.chinaschildreninternational.org. In its infant stage, the website provides various resources for adoptees to learn about their Chinese heritage. In the not-too-distant future, there will be expanded resources (e.g., articles, books, music) and a community forum or blog where participants can meet one another, offer input, and share thoughts and ideas. It also hopes to expand into the area of fund-raising and one day be able to give back to China’s orphanages.

Charlotte Cotter and Lane Allison are currently seniors in high school who have created an online network for Chinese adoptees. Both girls were adopted in China during the 90’s as infants and have grown-up in the US. Charlotte lives in Massachusetts and Lane lives in Texas. As they are becoming young adults, they think it is time to reach out to their generation of adoptees who are now coming of age and who may very well desire access to a broad community of adoptees, bonded by their similar origins but each with very different life experiences.

This website can be a fun, informational way for adoptees to connect with one another.

If you would like more information about the website, about Charlotte and Lane, or about their plans, please feel free to contact them at chinachildreninternational@gmail.com. Also, please contact them with comments, suggestions, and support.

Let's jump from winter to summer-like blog post

2011-06-06T12:58:00.000-04:00

Patriot's Day Parade

Mt Washington

Roma took this photo of us.

Easter

Canon got a hold of Roma's LalaLoopsy doll.

Roma's photo "smile" as of late.

Ice cream with Tyler.

Silly face.

Going to visit the new piglets at the farm.

Last day of Big Sib Little Sib. Her Big Sib graduated this year. Roma was matched with a freshman this year so she will know her Big Sib next school year.

Chinese language Play Date.

Curious Creatures day at school. That's a chinchilla. There was a snake, tarantula, squirrel, skunk, and a crocodile.

Roma dressed as Tippy Tumblelina. Her latest LalaLoopsy doll.

Keeping cool in the back yard.

We love these window crayons.

Play date at the playground.

Walking the Battleroad.

Having some fun.

Please help Roma fund raise for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

2011-03-10T21:37:00.000-05:00

Fitness for a Cure is motivated to reach a record fund raising level this year. Can you help us get Roma's page up to the top? Thank you so much for those of you that have helped us get to where we are now.

Roma will be performing for the Fitness for a Cure event on March 26 this year at 1pm. We would love for you to purchase tickets so you can see her on stage. But, if you're too far away to attend, then it would be great to make a donation on her very own webpage. Visit the link below to donate.

www.mystjudeevent.org/Roma

Thank you so much for your generosity.

Jacqui

Support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at the 12th annual Fitness for a Cure on Saturday, March 26 at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium. Enjoy an afternoon of exciting, kid-friendly fun at the Fitness for a Cure Family Show at 1pm. The whole family will enjoy raffles, kid-oriented activities and a high-energy fitness show by the St. Jude Performance Team. All event proceeds benefit St. Jude, the nation’s top children’s cancer hospital. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.fitnessforacure.com or call 617-965-5262.

Winter 2010-2011

2011-01-12T13:42:00.000-05:00

Here is a photo essay of the last couple of snow storms we've had so far.

Snow Storm 12.27.2010

Snow Storm 01.12.2011

Sitting and enjoying a meal of snow.

St. Jude challenge

2010-12-14T18:36:00.000-05:00

Minuteman Coffee Roasters is sending out a St. Jude challenge:

For every pound of coffee beans sold during December 2010 - March 26, 2011 we will donate $1.00 to Fitness for a Cure.

Fitness for a Cure is the fundraiser event that my fitness instructor, Sherri Sarrouf, has organized for 12 years now. She is very passionate on health, fitness, and nutrition. Her studio is at SLSFitness.

Letter to Santa

2010-12-13T10:10:00.002-05:00

(double click on the image to see it larger)

She dictated the words and I told her which letters came next. Notice, I told her that the word "ballerina" was a long word so she should make her letters smaller to fit on the page.

I told her that when I was a kid, we put our letters to Santa in the roaring fireplace so that the smoke would get to the North Pole quickly. We don't have a fireplace here so I was suggesting that we could burn it in the back yard over the BBQ. Roma would have nothing to do with burning her letter. Lately, she has been having fun sending letters to her aunties. So she went and retrieved an envelope and proceeded to ask how to write Santa's address in the envelope. We then went out to the mailbox and put it next to a letter to Aunti LoLo that she had written earlier in the day. The next morning, we looked in the mailbox. The letter to Santa was gone but the letter to Aunti LoLo was still there waiting for the mail carrier to pick it up. Roma was wide-eyed amazed that Santa's helpers were able to find her letter there during the nighttime.

This year has been the magical one. Last year, I remember thinking she just didn't get it all. She made me open the presents and then ended up playing with the boxes that the toys came in. I'm enjoying this time of year too.

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T21:48:00.000-04:00

I only got one photo of Roma even though I brought my camera with me. We had a fabulous time going through the neighborhood trick or treating. Everyone loved seeing her at their door. They said "What a cutie" more times than I could count.

Perfect Likeness

2010-10-26T23:37:00.000-04:00

So what do you think? It's me to a "T"!

And here we are in a recent pic in case you forgot what I looked like. Seeing as it's been forever since I posted a blog update. Notice in the pic above that Roma depicted the red hair accurately.

A new stage

2010-09-28T07:31:00.001-04:00

We're in the excrement excitement stage.

This is an example of our conversations in the car yesterday.

Roma: Knock Knock.
Mommy: Who's there?
Roma: Heavy.
Mommy: Heavy Who?
Roma: You ate a poopie! (peals of laughter from only one person in the car)

Roma: Mommy, why did the chicken cross the road?
Mommy: I don't know, why did the chicken cross the road?
Roma: To eat the poopie! (even more laughter erupts from the back seat.)

Someone, please tell me this doesn't last that long.

First Day of Pre School

2010-09-12T11:48:00.000-04:00

Posing with her goggles and lunchbox.


The goggles taken off but the winter gloves put on.

We recently bought some clothes from a friend (Thanks SusieQ!) There were some winter hats and gloves in the bunch. Roma decided she wanted to were them all the time. This day was not your typical September day in New England. It was HOT as H. E. double toothpicks. Once Roma was all buckled into her pre-heated car seat, she decided the gloves were too much.

Can you tell that she was a little excited to go to school?

Christmas in July?

2010-07-28T14:47:00.000-04:00

I have no idea why but Roma has been talking up a storm about Christmas and when Santa comes to visit. She tells me and John that she wants to give Santa a gift this year. She wants to wake up and give him the present. I told her that Santa doesn't visit when little boys and girls are awake. She then said; "OK, I'll write on the card To Santa, From Roma." This morning she told me that she didn't want to put the plastic candy canes or any other ornament on the Christmas Tree. She wants the real candy ones. I told her that Santa likes to put the real candy canes on the tree and hide them behind all the ornaments. If we don't put the ornaments on, then no candy.

I think some of this talk is part candy motivated because Halloween is mentioned as well, but Christmas is more prevalent. I'm also happy that she is talking about it now. It means she'll really enjoy the holiday this year. I even think that she really didn't get it the last couple of years. This year will be the one that she remembers.

Happy 4th of July 2010

2010-07-04T14:30:00.000-04:00

Catching Up after Being an Expert Blogger Slacker

2010-06-07T08:09:00.102-04:00

I don't really have any good excuses for being a blogger slacker except a few hundred lame excuses. I got a new camera which I'm not forced to download because the chip will hold umpteen gajillion images. I got a Mac recently which has given me a little bit of a learning curve on most things. Roma has been keeping me busy due to no more napping. I'm attempting to learn to cook mostly from Tosca Reno which is really a big time consumer. This is my first attempt at blogging from a Mac. I thought I could easily drag n drop into blogger, but it wasn't that easy to figure out. Maybe I'm missing something. Anyway, I'm trying this post as an email to blogger. I'm crossing my fingers. The email didn't work. I then uploaded the photos to Flickr and posted the URL's. There's got to be an easier way. There were way too many button clicks to get photos posted here.

These are photos of Roma making her own birthday card. I fingered the letters on the page and she wrote them.

Auntie NeeNee ( I can't figure out how to get an accent on the "e" to make it sound like NayNay) visits for Patriots Day weekend. Pictured here with Auntie LoLo.

Cousin Lanie Lu.

Uncle John with Hunter the dog. Cousin Quentin is hiding a little there behind John C.

At the end of a big exciting visit.

Roma and mommy picnic at the park.

Roma wanted me to take the photo of the blueberries.

Cutie close-up.

Ice cream visit after the picnic.

Tyler day!

Tossing a bean bag with her feet into the ring.

This is my favorite action shot.

Receiving metals at the end of class.

Roma loves her instructor. He is the most patient man with 4 year old girls I've ever seen.

Parent's day at gymnastics. This is when they let us into the gym to see (and take pics) of what our little cherubs have been learning. We can see some things from the waiting room most days, but there are rooms around the corner that were a mystery to me until this day.

More letter learning. I wrote the "Dad, Casey, and Deenya" on the white board. Roma wrote everything on the sticky notes. She's already got her name and "mom" down pat.

Happy 3rd Family Day and Happy 4th Birthday!

2010-04-11T20:45:00.001-04:00

Lately, I've been amazed at how much Roma has grown and how much she is learning daily. Right now, she's a Leapster addict. She just loves playing and learning on the games. She originnally received a hand-me-down game with many cartridges (Thank you Tiverton crew). The hand-me-down machine had seen it's years and lended to a bit of frustration when it would freeze and stall. It was a no-brainer to go to TRU to pick up the latest game machine for Roma's Birthday. In pink, of course. Right now, she's sitting next to me playing a numbers game and excitedly telling me how it's not stalling on her. I have noticed when we're in a place where she has a crayon and paper, she will work on writing letters and numbers. Did I tell you how much I'm amazed of her?

Ok, this is what you're waiting for....The photos!

First Birthday in China 2007.

My winking girl 2007.

Family Day 2008.

Family Day 2009. Yes, she's wearing the same outfit.

Family Day 2010. We went to our the same place as in 2008 but alas, could not get the same outfit on her. It actually might have still fit, but my girl has a mind of her own when it comes to her apparel now. They are singing Happy Birthday to her because they know the next day is her birthday.

Birthday at chinese class sharing cupcakes with her classmates.

Being sung to at the restaurant at lunch. She says loudly; "Oh, not again!" but obviously loving the attention.

Mommy and Daddy sing Happy Birthday to our little girl after dinner at home.

We love you, Roma.

Raking in the Spring?

2010-03-25T19:25:00.000-04:00

Apparently, "raking" leaves can be fun.

Happy St. Patty's Day!

2010-03-17T20:38:00.000-04:00

I spent a couple of hours today at the Red Cross Center donating platelets. Once I was all hooked up and could not move my arms, they put this silly hat on me and snapped the photo.

And this was the princess dressed in her green this morning.

The Budding Artist

2010-02-25T13:50:00.004-05:00

This is Roma's February collection. Note the use of the letters R.O.M. and A everywhere. She likes to draw family pictures with mommy, daddy and Roma with the sun shining in the sky or a rainbow as shown here. Mommy is the one on the left with the hair seeing as daddy doesn't have much to draw about.

Here is the artist at work on her next masterpiece.

Derba and Mita are here!

2010-02-05T19:59:00.000-05:00

The new family were to fly into Boston at 2pm Friday. Last night, I checked the status of their flights. I noticed that their connecting flight from Wash DC was cancelled already due to the impending snow storm. I had just finished coordinating the plans for helping with the pick up van. By Friday morning in the middle of my gym class, I get a call from Marcia telling me that they were put onto an earlier flight. YAY! But we sure had to scramble to make sure we all made it to the airport in time to meet them. Three of us made it in different cars with 20 minutes to spare. Phew.

Stay tuned to Pete and Marcia's blog for more on their journey to their children.

New Family of 4

Proud daddy, Mita and Aunti LoLo

Derba discovering his toys

Everyone watching Mita enjoy her first bath at home.

3 years ago today and pretty much right on the minute.

2010-02-01T19:21:00.002-05:00

It was the first time I heard about Min Xin Pei. Now known as Tinkerbell Roma (according to her).

If you'd like to relive the day along with me, view the video here: http://www.adoptedthemovie.com/videos/?tubepress_page=2 (Scroll down to the bottom of the page. Click on "Adoption - Watch as John and Jacqui Receive Their Referral")

Here is her referral photo:

Here is a recent photo or her:

Couples Skating

2010-01-17T15:17:00.001-05:00

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Couples Skating

2010-01-16T19:38:00.000-05:00

Roma's First Hour on the Ice.

2010-01-04T16:45:00.002-05:00

We went to the local park today to try our feet out on the ice rink. I am so amazed how well she was able to catch her balance after only being on skates for one hour. See the video posted below.

When we were ready to leave, I kicked the milk crate towards her boots so that we could skate hand in hand towards them. I slipped and fell a$$ over tea kettle. I landed on my hand first and then my butt which had my cell phone in my back pocket. I wonder what the bruise will look like tonight? My wrist is a little bruised but not my ego. There wasn't anyone around to see me fall. Well, except for Roma. She immediately applied first aid kisses.

There was a young couple sharing the rink and I was able to ask them to take a pic of both of us.

After Only One Hour of Practice on the Ice.

2010-01-04T16:30:00.001-05:00

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A Snowy Saturday Video

2010-01-02T15:55:00.002-05:00

A Snowy Saturday

2010-01-02T15:49:00.002-05:00

Christmas Morning 2009

2009-12-29T17:25:00.019-05:00

See the expression of sheer joy on her face knowing that Santa has left so many presents for her?

Don't let that previous photo fool you. Once present was presented, she didn't know what to do with it.

Mommy, I like the bows! Also note the PlanToys Block Puzzle. Thanks Jen for recommending it. She loves it.

Daddy, pink is my favorite color!

Mommy, you open it.

OK daddy, I'll pose for you.

A pink blanket! I love pink! And it's soft too. (It's actually a Zoobie which folds into an animal. She could care less about the animal part).

Mommy, look! It's another bow!

I'm a happy clam. I've got my jewelry box, a soft pink blanket and some plastic spoons.

Isn't there always a time where the parent needs to read directions to get the toy to work? This particual toy needs to go back to the elves for a repair.

We video conferenced with the Carvajal's in upstate NY to wish them a Merry Christmas.

Christmas Eve at the Josts 2009

2009-12-29T17:09:00.006-05:00

The red and white matching outfits made me take this photo. Plus, I also captured Chester the elf statue.

Jokes and lighted wine glasses all aound.

Roma made a friend with Bryce and didn't want to let go.

That little guy is such a cutie in his glasses.

Roma and Robin.

Roma helping Kim open her present.

Roma has eaten off this plate every day since she received it. It may not be much seeing as it's only one week later, but I foresee making sure it's clean for every next meal in my future.

Cutie pie Matthew!

This girl loves her some snow.

2009-12-06T15:06:00.009-05:00

2009-11-08T20:21:00.001-05:00

2009-11-08T20:20:00.001-05:00

Play Date with Emily

2009-11-08T19:40:00.014-05:00

Roma and Emily have such a good time when they get together. I'll be posting a video separately.

They cleaned out the last remaining tomatoe vine. Some were still ripe. Yumm!

Stickers are a toddlers best friend.

Emily named her panda bear; Emmie Bear. Roma has a similar panda given to her by our agency while in China. Roma has now named her bear Emmie Bear too.

The Trick or Treating photos

2009-11-01T15:42:00.003-05:00

Carving the Pumpkins

2009-10-31T15:48:00.009-04:00

Roma really didn't like putting her hand in the gooey pumpkin. Mommy ended up doing most of the work of scrapping out the goop. We did the hole in the bottom of the pumpkin this year. A tip from Martha.

We learned some tricks from Martha from some cable on demand clips. The drill was really fun!

Look mom, I can make the drill move. (She was only able to push the trigger to the very slow speed.)

Funny faces all around.

On our way out to Chinese school on Saturday morning.

Roma the photographer

2009-10-29T19:47:00.011-04:00

A picture (and video) are worth a thousand words.

A Speech Worth Reading and Sharing!

2009-10-27T11:42:00.004-04:00

I got this from Peter and Marcia's blog and it moved me enough to share it here too.

A Speech Worth Reading and Sharing! This was a speech made by Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Anna Quindlen at the graduation ceremony of an American University where she was awarded an Honorary PhD. Most brilliant, to the point speech to get all of us thinking....

"I'm a novelist. My work is human nature. Real life is all I know. Don't ever confuse the two, your life and your work. You will walk out of here this afternoon with only one thing that no one else has. There will be hundreds of people out there with your same degree: there will be thousands of people doing what you want to do for a living.

But you will be the only person alive who has sole custody of your life. Your particular life. Your entire life. Not just your life at a desk or your life on a bus or in a car or at the computer. Not just the life of your mind, but the life of your heart. Not just your bank accounts but also your soul.

People don't talk about the soul very much anymore. It's so much easier to write a résumé than to craft a spirit. But a résumé is cold comfort on a winter's night, or when you're sad, or broke, or lonely, or when you've received your test results and they're not so good.

Here is my résumé:
I am a good mother to three children. I have tried never to let my work stand in the way of being a good parent. I no longer consider myself the centre of the universe. I show up. I listen. I try to laugh. I am a good friend to my husband. I have tried to make marriage vows mean what they say. I am a good friend to my friends and them to me. Without them, there would be nothing to say to you today, because I would be a cardboard cut out. But I call them on the phone and I meet them for lunch. I would be rotten, at best mediocre, at my job if those other things were not true.

You cannot be really first rate at your work if your work is all you are. So here's what I wanted to tell you today: Get a life. A real life, not a manic pursuit of the next promotion, the bigger pay cheque, the larger house. Do you think you'd care so very much about those things if you blew an aneurysm one afternoon or found a lump in your breast?

Get a life in which you notice the smell of salt water pushing itself on a breeze at the seaside, a life in which you stop and watch how a red-tailed hawk circles over the water, or the way a baby scowls with concentration when she tries to pick up a sweet with her thumb and first finger.

Get a life in which you are not alone. Find people you love, and who love you. And remember that love is not leisure, it is work. Pick up the phone. Send an email. Write a letter. Get a life in which you are generous. And realize that life is the best thing ever, and that you have no business taking it for granted.. Care so deeply about its goodness that you want to spread it around. Take money you would have spent on beer and give it to charity. Work in a soup kitchen. Be a big brother or sister. All of you want to do well. But if you do not do good too, then doing well will never be enough.

It is so easy to waste our lives, our days, our hours, and our minutes. It is so easy to take for granted the colour of our kids' eyes, the way the melody in a symphony rises and falls and disappears and rises again. It is so easy to exist instead of to live.

I learned to live many years ago. I learned to love the journey, not the destination. I learned that it is not a dress rehearsal, and that today is the only guarantee you get. I learned to look at all the good in the world and try to give some of it back because I believed in it, completely and utterly. And I tried to do that, in part, by telling others what I had learned. By telling them this: Consider the lilies of the field. Look at the fuzz on a baby's ear. Read in the back yard with the sun on your face.

Learn to be happy. And think of life as a terminal illness, because if you do, you will live it with joy and passion as it ought to be lived"

Sending you to another's blog

2009-10-05T19:49:00.006-04:00

My friend Leigh has an amazing talent with the written word as well as an innate sense of knowing how others feel.

Please visit her blog and read this.

The Epitome of Love - from N.H. Union Leader, 9/23/09

2009-09-29T08:29:00.003-04:00

The Epitome of Love - from N.H. Union Leader, 9/23/09
'The epitome of love'

DATE: September 23, 2009
PUBLICATION: New Hampshire Union Leader (Manchester, NH)
PAGE: 02

By CAROL ROBIDOUX Union Leader Correspondent

When Edwin Ouyang found his way to Derry Chinese School, it was for philosophical reasons.

"At that time our founder, Elizabeth Dalton, was connecting with a bunch of parents who had adopted Chinese kids. When I understood what their mission was, to me, they were practicing a Chinese philosophy -- that you love your own children and extend that love to other children," said Ouyang, of Nashua, who currently serves on the board of directors. "I call that the epitome of love."

Launched in 2003, primarily as an outreach for the growing number of local families adopting children from China, the school's current mission has not changed, said Ouyang; it's simply expanding.

Under the direction of newly appointed principal Aloe Rioux, the focus this year is on continuing school's outreach into the community while continuing to offer insights into authentic Chinese culture, through language and education.

Classes are designed for all levels of Chinese learners, from preschool to adult, said Rioux. More and more, incoming students include those seeking the necessary cultural and linguistic tools for international business trips, or those who just want to develop a new skill set.

"We have some parents of Pinkerton (Academy) kids who want to learn Chinese because their kids are taking it in school," said Rioux. "But we also offer classes beyond language -- like character brush painting or kung fu."

During a recent open house, Jacqueline Trainer of Nashua watched as her daughter, 3-year-old Roma, flipped through Chinese picture books and played games with other children -- the majority of them girls who, like Roma, were adopted from China by American families.

"Before we traveled to China to get Roma, we tried to learn as much Chinese as we could. That was more than two years ago. I've lost a lot of it," said Trainer. "Now we can learn together."

She has connected with other families of internationally born children through the Greater Seacoast Adoptive & Foster Families. By sharing the experience of learning about your child's culture of origin, adoptive parents like Trainer hope to be prepared for the challenges yet to come.

"Down the road there will be things we have to deal with, like the loss of her birth mother or encountering racism. To have a support network helps to feel prepared," Trainer said. "Although I'm most interested in the cultural aspect of the school, I think, for Roma, learning the language will be priceless."

Tom and Bonnie Grodt of Londonderry adopted their daughter, Lilly, in 2001.

"We wanted to expose her to her native language," said Tom Grodt, who was drafted by his wife to take on Lilly's Chinese school experience -- his contribution to father-daughter bonding.

"He's actually learning the language, which makes me a little jealous," said Bonnie Grodt, who had three biological children before adopting Lilly. "A couple of months ago we were in a Chinese restaurant -- where they love Lilly and always come up and try to speak Chinese with her. So this woman was saying something to Lilly, who was looking blankly at her, and my husband said, 'She wants to know if you want another glass of water.' I was really impressed."

Bonnie Grodt takes to heart the value of having a resource like the Chinese school, especially given the number of families who, over the past two decades, have adopted from China, a trend that peaked a few years ago due to that country's "one child" policy. The most recent international adoption statistics show more than 70,000 Chinese children to date have been adopted since the early 1990s, the majority of them into American homes.

"The idea behind these schools was to give these children a sense of their Chinese heritage. Another reason is, with China becoming such a huge trade partner, there are business people who want to learn the language and culture -- that is the trend that is up and coming," said Bonnie Grodt.

Sue and Scott Wickett of Lyndeborough have enrolled in Chinese language classes to keep up with their son, 9-year-old Ben, who has discovered his inner linguist.

"He speaks a little Latin, Spanish, French, Hebrew and Greek," said his dad. "This is a great opportunity - and we're excited to learn, too," said Scott Wickett.

"I believe the boundaries of foreign languages teaches you different ways of thinking, almost like discovering you have another mind. We know the brain is like a sponge up to about age 10, making it that much easier for a child to learn something like this," Wickett said.

As for Grodt, her urge to relegate Chinese school activities to her husband comes from her maternal instinct -- to absorb Lilly as one of her own and help her thrive where she has been planted, despite her Asian roots.

"I am happy to attend their special events, but I'm grounded in the every day stuff. I can't keep Lilly back -- she's strong and confident -- she's the best reader in the class, and she hurls herself into everything she does," said Grodt. "I think these girls are going to change the world. It's truly a sisterhood that has been nurtured here, with groups that bring them together. The oldest of those adopted as babies are teenagers now, but stand back -- in a few more years, their story will be so interesting."

On the Web: For more information go to www.derrychineseschool.org.

Walked Light the Night yesterday.

2009-09-27T08:51:00.009-04:00

It was an experience that felt good to be doing something for our friends' family that have lost their loved ones. We loved Deana and Staci too but I'm sure their families miss them so much more.

White balloons are for the survivors, red for supporters and gold for the ones that lost their lives. It was very inspiring to see the survivors walking proudly.

We are registered to walk the Light the Night in Boston in October. If you still can spare a few please visit here to donate what you can.

A blog worth reading.

2009-09-12T22:52:00.003-04:00

I was directed to this blog from an email postcard from our local FCC. I cannot believe I haven't heard of this blog before now. I only read the first page of blog posts, but know that I'm looking forward to reading more from her.

We trained for our Light the Night walk this past weekend.

2009-09-10T15:43:00.013-04:00

The walk for Light the Night is only 3 miles, but we walked 6 miles on Labor day weekend. If you'd like to be a part of Light the Night, please visit our team page to donate what you can. Every little dollar is precious to finding a cure.

Here are a couple of photos John took while we were walking or picnicking.

Our first professional photo session

2009-08-17T15:39:00.004-04:00

I had meant to get Roma in for a professional photo session for a long time now. I received a coupon when we went to the Chill n' Grill Blood Drive last month. Today, was our appointment. I brought a couple of outfits and Roma choose the accessories.

From Sunday to Tuesday

2009-08-11T19:40:00.015-04:00

We ended our weekend by picking up a mattress for Roma's big girl bed. Do you think she was a little too excited for this?

A ducky friend came to our area for a business trip and contacted us to meet up. We had one hour on Monday and another hour on Tuesday to squeeze in a chat of a million years worth of experiences. It is so amazing that no matter what ducky you meet, we have so much to talk about. Or maybe, I should say this particular ducky is special and we hit it off immediately. I can't wait to see her and her kids next time we plan to get together. (ETA: I am trying a new way of posting photos. Obviously it's not working very well with the landscape format with this tiny margin on my blog. Either I'm going to have to change my margins or figure another way to post photos. Blogger it too dang backwards when you want to post chronilogically. Stay tuned for better pics of us at the patio dining.)

John's car needed some work so we brought it to Sears and we spent the morning at the mall.

Then Monday afternoon, we got together to visit with the geese at the pond near the hotel.

Roma took this photo. I think she has some talent on the photography field.

Another Play Date with Ty Ty

2009-08-06T14:42:00.003-04:00

Triathlon at Sugar Hill Baby!

2009-08-03T13:51:00.025-04:00

Friday morning, Roma and I had a fun play date with friends at an indoor place. It rained. What else is new? So I had decided to pack up last minute and head on up to Sugar Hill on Friday rather than Sat. morning. I first was packing in the larger suitcase, then thought better of it seeing as it may not fit with all the other gear I was packing. So, I let her play in the big one while I packed in a smaller suitcase. After getting all the luggage and gear put into the car in between rain downpours, I notice her playful chattering had stopped and it was very quiet in the bedroom. She fell asleep with the top of the suitcase closed over her. Those couple of minutes were her only nap that day. This may be the reason for the banshee reference below.

Roma and I went up to the mountains to help my brother Joe and my nephew Lukas race their first triathlon. Lori and I were support staff. See Joe in this pic in the orange shirt (not red).

Peanut Gallery.

After the biking portion of the race, they headed towards the water. Obviously, this pic was taken before the race started.

The support crew was charged with grabbing Lukas's sneakers and bringing them to the other side of the lake. We were poised for action. Unfortunately, Lukas burned out while in the biking portion. He now knows what it takes for next year though.

So, the whole gang packed into the car and raced over to the other side of the lake. Roma decided to have a major hissy fit. She screamed like a banshee the whole way. Subsequently, I was ordered by this 30 pound tyrant that I had to carry her all the time. We jumped in line with the rest of the cheering section to get on the tram to meet Joe at the top of the mountain. He beat us up the mountain.

IRON MAN JOE!

See the woman smiling? She was standing next to us when we were waiting between the bike and swim section. She overheard us explaining our crew duties the the kids. She said we'll be racing each other in the sidelines. Looks like she beat us to the top too. Joe borrowed her cell to call Lori. When she saw us arrive at the top of the mountain, we had to ask the question; "What are the odds?"

More photos of the day are uploaded here.

Light the Night Walk

2009-07-29T18:11:00.006-04:00

I have just registered for the Light the Night Walk in Nashua, NH. If you would like to join the team, make a donation, or forward it on to your friends and family, click here.

This is something I can do in honor of Deana. Please do what you can.

The walk is on September 26, 2009
Walk Distance: 3 miles
Check In: 5:00 PM
Opening Ceremony: 6:00 PM
Walk Start Time: 6:30 PM

There is another one scheduled on the Boston Common on October, 15, 2009. More details on that one soon.

On an other note, I registered for donating platelets today. I will hear back from them in a couple of days to determine if I'm a good donor.

Our Dear Sweet Deana will be in our hearts forever.

2009-07-28T06:49:00.013-04:00

We posed for this photo back in March this year. Many of our friends were making the same with their families. We all printed our family photos with Deana's family and sent them to her hospital room at MD Anderson in Texas to let her know that we all are keeping them close to our hearts while she fights the battle with Burkitt's Lymphoma. The idea started with a from of the project Flat Stanely.

She lost her battle with the cancer yesterday. I am deep in sorrow that she has left this earth but gladdened that she will live within us forever. Deana touched so many people with her giving, loving and courageous spirit. That spirit lives on.

Jack, Deana's husband, wrote a very touching post on their Caringbridge site. Here is an excerpt from it:

Have blood or platelets? Donate them. There is no greater gift you can give another human, but a chance at life.
Hug your family. Do it often and for no reason at all. You will all feel better.
Family and friends are everything. Without them one is lonely. With them at your side, ALL things are possible.
Never, ever quit. No matter what, rise to the occasion. It's what makes life worth living.

God bless you all,
Jack and in spirit, Deana

2009-07-27T11:13:00.001-04:00

Summer Fun

2009-07-27T10:24:00.006-04:00

I don't think these photos require captions. They speak for themselves.

Roma and I made the local newspaper.

2009-07-21T19:44:00.008-04:00

You can see us in one of the feature photos in the Nashua Telegraph. The article mentions that someone signed up for bone marrow donation that day. I had just signed up for that a couple of weeks ago. I have a very good friend that I've never met in real life. She is on an adoption support bulletin board. We were meant to meet a couple of times except the timing always hit when one of us was busy building our family. She is now fighting for her life from Burkitt's Lymphoma. A photo tribute to Deana was recently posted on Facebook. Please send positive thoughts and prayers for Deana. And go donate blood, platelets and sign up for the bone marrow registry.

Another Beach Day

2009-07-20T20:09:00.005-04:00

Low tide. Can you see how far out people are and it's still not deep? When we had arrived at the beach, that mound of sand was the edge of the water.

Let's dig and fill a pool.

Roma made friends with the neighbors. She's in their "pool" while Anna and Anthony are snacking.

Brunch at Laurie-Beth and Chris's

2009-07-20T19:38:00.011-04:00

Laurie-Beth and Chris blame us for their happiness. Laurie-Beth was our live-in dog sitter when we traveled to China to bring home our precious Roma. Chris came by to take LB to dinner for her birthday. The rest is history.

Chocolate time.

The ladybug book is a popular one.

This photo is a little on the blurry side, but it was the only one showing our meal. We had ostrich with spinach.

Laurie-Beth and the teacher's pet.

I like reading Amelia's book about the ladybugs.

Little Amelia was fun to play with.

Her drink is pear juice in a Starbucks cup just like the big kids.

We went to get some culture

2009-07-18T19:34:00.007-04:00

We went to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. We were able to get a library pass that really saved on admission. It was supossed to be rainy all day. It cleared up and got very warm. Maybe we were glad to be inside the air conditioning with the outside humidity rising.

Notice the backside of her head is the only thing I can photograph nowadays. Soon enough, I hope she'll be a ham for the camera.

Davis Farmland

2009-07-14T19:20:00.004-04:00

We went to Davis Farmland in Sterling, MA today with Tyler. It was a ton of fun for the kids. Check out the pics here.

Note to Deb, I don't know if you got my comment before. You don't have to belong to facebook to view the photos. Click away!

A Beach day with Maggie and Emily

2009-07-13T21:03:00.010-04:00

Today, we had an impromptu play date with Emily and Maggie. Roma had been talking about Emily for the past week or so. I looked at our schedule and realized that we had this Monday free. All day Sunday I kept thinking to myself that I needed to call Maggie to see if she were free to get together. I woke up Monday and realized I never got around to calling. Drat and double drat. So, I booted up my computer to check the blogs, the BB, email and whatnot. Lo and behold, Maggie had sent an email late Sunday night to see if we wanted to get together. What karma! Great minds think alike. What other cliche can I add here?

We went to the local reservoir beach in Maggie's town.

A day in the life in Summer

2009-07-10T20:10:00.005-04:00

We had such a great day today. You'll have to go to Facebook for the photos and the captions (sorry Leigh, maybe one of these days you'll join FB).

Happy Fourth of July!

2009-07-04T18:01:00.010-04:00

Author's note: I remembered that Roma wore the exact same outfit on another 4th of July. This was two years ago. She was swimming in the outfit then and I'll have to admit that this year is probably the last one for this particualr outfit.

Aunti LoLo helping Roma through the obstacle course. Once we hit the part where we were to pretend to be knights with armor and swords to fight some evil doer, Roma decided she didn't like the obstacle course. She reminded me of it for the next hour. And I kept reassuring her that we won't go back there again.

The fire fighters had a pretend house on fire that all the kids could practice their hosemanship.

See the "burning house"? Roma had fun with the other kids getting sprayed from the water in the wind. I even got some spritzing while taking these photos.

This photo is kind of blurry, because I asked a stranger that happened to be standing in the right place to shoot one of us gals. Hey, beggars can't be too choosy, right?

Mommy, I really like cotton candy!

Mommom and Pepere relaxing with the desserting grandchild. Hey Leigh, I'm with you with the reflector in a pic!
Now, this is dessert! Roma was so looking for the cotton candy table and made sure I knew that this was her dessert.
Roma told me the this wasn't dessert. She only licked all the frosting off and left the rest for mommy. Yum!
They had a bubble station which definitly piqued Roma's interest for quite awhile.
Bouncy houses are fun!

I was at a stop light and thought to try to take a pic of my sleeping beauty minutes after leaving the park.

Happy July 3!

2009-07-03T16:08:00.003-04:00

From a typo in a flyer that I got from our local library (it said Friday the 4th), I thought the children's fair would be today (Friday the 3rd). I got Roma all excited to go to the fair. It was the first thing she mentioned upon waking this morning. I soon found out that the fair is tomorrow (the 4th). So, I had to find something to entertain the princess. I think I succeeded

Boo Boo bunny needs a bath

2009-07-03T15:52:00.004-04:00

BooBoo Bunny is actually a lamb. She has a plastic cube tucked into her belly that you put in the freezer for any boo boos that may occur. Roma decided that BooBoo Bunny needed a bath. And the fact that I bought Snuggle fabric softener thinking it was laundry detergent added to the fun. Only because Roma called it the Teddy Bear Soap when we picked it up at BJ's. Don't you know that all Teddy Bears and any stuffed friend needs Teddy Bear soap? (I actually put real soap in the sink for the bath, rather than the fabric softener but let her think it was the teddy bear soap.)

Roma had a blast playing in the water in the sink. The rug below was drenched. When the sun came out for maybe 10 minutes, I thought to put the rug outside to dry. It's time to laugh now because not 15 minutes later the sky opened and poured down. I'm posting this a couple of days of rain later. I think that rug's future is the dump now.

We had a beach day among many days of rain

2009-07-03T15:32:00.004-04:00

This was a few days ago which was a great respite from all this rain.

A sort of stay-cation.

2009-06-20T19:40:00.016-04:00

We went to the mountains and stayed at J,L,L,A,N&C's cabin in the woods. We saw a moose walk through the back yard. We weren't we on top of the ball having a camera at the ready. Very unlike us. We were on the lookout all the rest of the week to catch another glimpse of a moose. But, alas, no luck. We saw wild turkey, we heard coyote howls, John says he saw a black bear (Roma and missed that one), deer walking across the road in front of our car, innumerable chipmunks, and the sounds of birds that you don't usually hear in our neck of the woods.

There were too many photos to post here, so I posted them on facebook. You can see them here.

Strawberry PYO

2009-06-05T13:38:00.012-04:00

We had a fab time picking and eating strawberries today.

We've had a busy May

2009-05-22T08:17:00.035-04:00

Where do I start? We left off with the princess just being her princess self and continuing to do so.

She said in the video that she wanted the bathing suit competition to start. So, it's off for a wardrobe change.

There was another day that we found some wings for her ensemble.
Throw in a play date with Tyler once a week.
Sometimes, we play so hard, we need to take a break. Taping furniture is a very fun past time. Daddy taught me how to golf!

We like our magnetic ladybug earrings. They only lasted this one time. One got lost under the fridge and stuck there. The other one broke off the magnet. I'm waiting on her cue to let me know when she's ready for piercing. We found this great playground in the next town over. It is built like a castle with maze-like stairs, ladders, tunnels. Way too cool. We're going to be visiting there more often. Plus, it's shaded for those hot summer days.

Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone!

Crafting it forward.........

2009-05-16T17:59:00.003-04:00

I, too, am joining in with crafting it forward! I've joined the chain from the every popular Mother Paradox blog.

Here's the deal: The first three people to comment on this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you! The catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and give the same offer to the first three commenters who will also craft it forward.

This offer has some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantee that you will like what I make.
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It will be done this year.
4. You have no clue what it's going to be.
5. I reserve the right to make something extremely strange (or beautiful).
6. You must post a picture of what you win when you get it. (You may not want to embarass me or yourself, but hey, it will be entertaining.)

I am amazingly not a crafty, nor extremely talented, or utterly artistic. But my heart is in it so the first three commentors are sure to get something.....interesting. Who knows you might love it!
Let the game begin.

Thinking out loud

2009-05-07T11:34:00.006-04:00

A couple of days ago we watched Horton Hears a Who. It was one of my favorite books as a child. Even with my feeble memory, I thought they made some "artistic" changes to the story. I went and dug out the book from Roma's shelves and read the book again. We haven't read it together yet (too long for her attention at night before bed). The movie mentions the mayor of Who-ville to have 96 daughters and one son. The storyline implies that the mayor has high hopes for the son to be mayor one day. What about the 96 daughters? I think for this day and age, the screenwriters could have done better than perpetuate this sexist idea.

Also, why are there no girl rats in Ratatouille?

The Evolution of a Princess

2009-05-05T19:22:00.015-04:00

It started with Roma wanting the wear her Princess dress up shoes all the time.

Then it moved to wearing a tutu and some bling.

Note the heart tattoo on the cheek?

She's also tolerant of hair adornments.

Leigh, do you remember the crown? Erin, thank you so much for the tiaras.

Now, she's gotten into wearing her princess dresses all day long. Here, she's opting for her wedding shoes she was supposed to wear last summer at Crystal and Jon's wedding. If you remember, she was barefoot for the whole ceremony.

Yesterday, we had our play date with Tyler. Roma wore her princess shoes and another dress that she had worn for Easter all day. I forgot to take out my camera for that occasion. We went to the gym in the evening. She got all the "Aww, she's so cute/adorable/precious." remarks from everyone. She ate it up. All I can say is that we're getting our mileage out of the formal attire in her closet.

Update to the power surge.

2009-04-30T14:36:00.000-04:00

The house is on its way to normal. The oven is fried but the stove top works. We BBQ most of the time so that really hasn’t hampered our cooking. The treadmill tech is coming tomorrow to determine if repairs are necessary or that it’s totaled. We lost the fan to the refrigerator (the freezer still worked) which got fixed on the spot. Cleaned out the fridge like nobody’s business. We need to be more vigilant in throwing out expired food items. There were some mustards, sauces, and salad dressings in the with a date of 2005! All computers are functioning. YAY! The 7 surge protectors in the house did their job by protecting the equipment but died as a result. Kamikaze surge protectors? A few other miscellaneous items bit the dust. Luckily the weather is fabulous that the windows are open and I haven’t caught the smell of the burning plastic in awhile.

Min Sisters

2009-04-29T16:51:00.007-04:00

At last the Min sisters meet. When we received the referral for adopting Roma, I joined the yahoo group of her orphanage, QinZhou. All children at this Social Welfare Institute are given the surname "Min". We soon found out that we would have a nearby neighbor (relatively speaking) adopting from the same orphanage. This family traveled in March of 2007 to meet their daughter, Narissa and we traveled in April 2007. We've emailed a few times but this was the first time that we made plans to have a playdate. We met at Boston's Children's Museum.

I could've talked with Ruthie all day long. We pushed Roma's nap by 2 hours. We'll definitely make plans to meet up again.

Can you tell that Roma needs lunch pronto?

Said lunch is delivered.

Holy Electricity, Batman!

2009-04-23T07:29:00.023-04:00

With the start of this rain and wind this week, we noticed that our electricity in the house was acting weird. Like, if the refrigerator turned on, the other lights would dim. Monday evening, we were watching a movie on cable. It conked out periodically and then just wouldn't work. I got on the phone with Comcast the next day to determine what was happening. The technician on the phone thought we needed a new box and scheduled a house call for the next day.
So, the next day, Comcast discovered that we needed a new line from the pole to our house. He said squirrels like to chew on the cables and that there was water damage from the recent rain. While he was restringing the line, the electricity popped, went out, then came back on in only a couple of zones in the house.
Now, it's only me, Roma and the 2 dogs at home while the Comcast guys are working on their stuff outside. Roma and I go into the garage where the electric panel is located. I noticed there were some fuses that were tripped. The only thing I know about tripped fuses is to click them back on, which I did. The Comcast guys were saying they were getting wonky circuit readings on their lines. The light bulb in the garage burned way too bright. The fire alarms in the house go off, the fan on the treadmill was running (go figure), upstairs there was stinky black smoke. I quickly ushered Roma outside on the front stairs and told her to stay there. I herded the dogs to the back yard. I grabbed my purse, camera and dog leashes. I wish I had enough arms to grab my laptop too.
I carried Roma to the car and put her in there, told the Comcast guys that there was fire/smoke. I didn't see any flames. Called 911. I think this happened in all of 3 seconds but it felt like an eternity because my heart was racing a few thousand miles a minute.
Three fire trucks arrive, cops redirect traffic, neighbor comes by and offers for us to come to her house. Nothing like having an emergency to meet your neighbor. We've been on waving across the street basis for the past few months that I've been home and seen them more often.
The firefighters searched the whole house, opened all windows and doors to clear out the smoke. They told me it was the surge protector that my laptop plugs into in the kitchen. They told me that we were very lucky that it was on tile and not behind curtains and carpet. I'm guessing there were no flames because they didn't end up using the hose they brought into the house. Boy, that is one scary scene seeing a big giant firehouse snake into your home.
The firefighters called the power company because they said that the wire from the pole to the house was compromised with that dang tree. The power company came by within the next 15 minutes. John got home about this time too. They cut many of the branches of the tree and restrung their line. We left to go for pizza down the street. We got home and turned on the main power. John was worried that some of the circuits were not turning on and that if we left the power on during the night that something might happen. Plus, he wouldn't be able to sleep. So, off we go to spend the night at a local hotel and here I am posting on my laptop in the morning.
You all know that I'm a visual person so I won't disappoint you without a photo of the devastation.

If you look closely, you can see soot all over everything on top of the table. My laptop was there but removed by a very nice firefighter after asking him to retrieve it for me. It still got sooted up too. It still smells.
Today will be filled with calling electricians and insurance company. I am thankful that it wasn't worse. I have a renewed urgency to get a good back up system going for our digital data and photos.

Sunday at the coast

2009-04-20T15:13:00.012-04:00

Sunday we went to Boston and walked around Faneuil Hall and the Boston common. We forgot to take out the camera. It was such a nice day to be outside. Roma and daddy fell asleep in the car on the way back north, so I kept on driving to let them get a full nap in. We ended up at Odiorne Point in Rye, NH

Easter 2009

2009-04-18T20:19:00.010-04:00

We woke up to this scene of half floating balloons.

Roma found her basket quite easily and immediately enjoyed all its contents.

Sometimes, people ask how well she gets along with the dogs. I think this photo shows how well they tolerate her shenanigans.

We arrive at Mommom and Pepere's house for Easter dinner.

Kids table.

The egg hunt begins!

I don't know who was in charge of buttoning her coat.

Family birthday celebration.

Now it's time to eat all those hard boiled Easter eggs and be silly with your cousins.

Happy 3rd Birthday Roma!

2009-04-12T08:09:00.022-04:00

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Please note. This post is chronological by scrolling from the bottom first.

Time to wind down.

Jenn says she was yawning here.

Noise starts yet again. No, Crystal is not sleeping with a serenade here.

Happy Birthday to you!

I made the mess with the soil. The paint instructions said to let dry for 72 hours, so the plants went home in a plastic cup.

I don't claim to be a cake decorator or a cook. But I am proud I cooked this carrot cake with Roma's "help". We got rave reviews from carrot cake fans.

As soon as the craft came out. Peace and tranquility set in.

Please insert noise here.

It rained! The one and only thing I wished wouldn't happen on her party day. The two days ahead of her party were fabulous and on the warmish side. And the day after turned out wonderful and sunny. Why, oh why, did it have to rain???!!!!
There was mayhem, I tell ya. Complete insanity hit me as soon as everyone arrived. Noise makers were found and being used copiously. Then, John decides it's time for him to leave to pick up the pizzas. I'm sure he enjoyed his respite for a few minutes.

Happy Family Day 2009

2009-04-09T21:00:00.016-04:00

We planned on going to a toy store to get Roma her birthday present. Usually, stores are open later on a Thursday night. Once we arrived, there was a sign on the door stating their new hours that didn't include late hours. So, we went off to eat and enjoy our family day together. As you can see chocolate was the choice of dessert. Note her outfit is the same as last year.

Planning for Roma's third birthday party.

2009-04-05T18:10:00.008-04:00

First of all. John and I would like to state we're both at a precipice of what to get Roma for her birthday party next weekend. You would think that the parents of the child would instinctively know what would bring joy to our 3 year old child. She is such an easy going child when it comes to toys. I think both John and I agree that educational toys would be great. I am currently an addict for Melissa and Doug http://www.melissaanddoug.com/toys. If any of you have any suggestions, I'm all open to hearing them.
OK, now onto the planning of the event. We will have pizza and carrot cake. Roma's favorite is carrot cake. I got a few great recipes from my friend Kim. I can't wait to try them out.
We will have a craft of decorating your own clay pot to plant your own flowers. Back in the winter, Roma would ask when her birthday was. I answered; "When the snow melts and the flowers pop up." Somehow, I didn't think the snow melting part was going to happen this year. Boy it was a long winter! Anyway, that's the reason for the party craft.
I so hope for good outdoor weather for this craft. If it's raining, I'm sure I could figure out a way to keep the mess contained. Please let the sunshine rain on us.
Please post a comment to let me know if there is something I'm missing or if you have great idea to add. I would love your input.

Play date with Anne and Sarah

2009-03-20T08:57:00.013-04:00

Among the rest of mess they had with all of the toys on the floor. They found the stash of bubble wrap.

We met Anne and her daughter, Sarah, at the first Chinese New Year (CNY) event in Boston in January. Anne came up to me and said she thought our daughters looked very similar. We compared the girls birthdays and determined they are a couple of months apart in age. Then we found out that their finding places were within hours of each other. Their appearance may be just the particular trait of their Chinese ethnicity in that corner of China. We both discovered we were going to another CNY event the next Saturday so we could chat again then.

Roma and I attend the second event. We find our friends Kate, Rich and ZuZu and we enjoy the festivities. Roma and I bumped into Anne and Sarah. While we were talking, Kate comes up and introduces us. We told her we already met. It so happens that Anne and Kate were travel mates to meet their daughters. What a small world. I invited Anne and Sarah for a play date at our house.

During the conversation while the girls were playing on the play date we also found out that Anne and I share a birthday (not the same year). Many of you may know already that my middle name is Anne. When Anne had to change Sarah's diaper, I noticed the direction she had Sarah on the changing table. I asked if she was left-handed. That would be way too coincidental to both be left handed. Ah, but alas, she is a righty.

Does it look like Roma and Sarah had fun together?

Some more pics.

2009-03-16T08:55:00.002-04:00

For my friend Deana

2009-03-12T09:42:00.006-04:00

I have a friend that is fighting for her life from Burkitt's Lymphoma. Deana and I have never met in real life but I consider her a very dear friend. We met online many years ago on an adoption support bulletin board. She and her husband, Jack, adopted 2 boys domestically. In fact she was planning on coming to my house for a party back in 2006, but the birthmother from her first son had decided at the last minute that she could not parent the second child. Thus, Deana stayed home to become a mother of two.

This morning I read an update on her CaringBridge site http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/Deana (also see it pasted below) which made me realize that I need to get the word out for you all to send your prayers, positive thoughts or whatever that you do to help Deana fight this disease. If you are on Facebook and you haven't joined the FaceBook cause http://apps.facebook.com/causes/225649?m=48fc3623 , please do so to show her and her family how much we are here for her support.

Thank you,

Jacqui

I am not going to lie, this is a tough update to write, but Deana wants me to share.

Deana's OK, but we've come to another obstacle, which we WILL overcome. The doctors have not been able to isolate the viral, bacterial or fungal illness in Deana's bloodstream and she has developed respiratory failure to a point where she is now intubated. For at least the next 3-5 days, Deana will be on a ventilator (tube down her trachea) for breathing. There is a lot of fluid in Deana's lungs and her cough is pronounced and creates incredible pain for her, so the doctors advised that we intubate, allow pain medication to do its job and the antibiotics to do their job.

Deana and I spoke to our boyz this morning before the procedure. When we hung up, I kissed her, and was ushered out of the room. When I returned, Deana was unconscious but restful, with even more equipment, lines and tubing attached.

Doctors have also opted to put in a "central line" in her femoral vein (thigh) because Deana's blood pressure is just too low and her veins are not cooperative with the IV lines (for blood, platelets, and fluids) attached to her central venous catheter (CVC or PICC).

Deana will be semi-unconscious during this time. Her heart rate is very high and her blood pressure is susceptible to dropping more. Doctors are taking every precaution.

The nurse told me Deana would probably not wake up much, if at all, over the next three days. Then, just as I was about to leave the room, as the nurses were washing Deana and changing her sheets, Deana awoke. She made eye contact with me. I grasped her hand gently and told her how much I love her and I saw her try to form the same words with her lips amidst all the tubes and tape, then she closed her eyes and went back to sleep. Deana is the strongest person I know and has A LOT MORE FIGHT IN HER.

Deana and I have befriended many people at the hospital, but one stands out among the rest. He's a young CNA, in his early 20s, and has a fantastic personality. He and I laughed incessantly about one-liners in movies we both like and Deana just loved having him around (no he does not look like Sam Elliot, more like Denzel Washington).

The reason I mention George, is today was his first day working in ICU. I came up behind him and greeted him, as he was standing just outside Deana's room. He seemed to be in a mild state of shock. "Jack," he said. "She was fine a couple days ago, what's happened. This is @#$* unbelievable" I told him what occurred and he became speechless. He then told me this was his first day in ICU, and it was hard. I placed my hand on his shoulder and I told him to look to Deana for strength, and to have a great day.

Hug your family, and do it often. Thank you for your countless prayers, as they fill Deana's lungs with hope and strength. They also see me through, hour by hour.

Much love,

Jack and Deana

Play dates with TyTy

2009-03-03T12:35:00.008-05:00

No yellow snow was injested.

This pic is cool only because the camera caught the snow splash.

He got himself with the snow in the face.

Yes, he chose to dress up with Roma's princess attire.

Now that I've been laid off my job and I've got Roma home with me 24/7. She and her bud, Tyler, from PlaySchool miss each other. Rachel and I have agreed on a trade-off. I take Tyler to my house for an all-day play date and Roma gets to have a day at PlaySchool. Here are our escapades from the past week and today.

Roma Karaoke

2009-02-20T20:12:00.011-05:00

For those of you getting email updates, if you want to see the videos, you'll need to go directly to the blog to view. http://bombinatingtochina.blogspot.com/

It's all about the accessories.

2009-02-11T22:11:00.008-05:00

I was not the best photographer on catching this scene. She really is using these chopsticks to pick up her food. Can I say that there has been a bit of a challenge here at Chez Roma to get the princess to use a fork? I'll take chopsticks anyday!

Nothing like soft jammies and flower power rain boots. Thanks Nancy, Jimmy and Laina for the boots!

The Carvajal's gave Roma a ton of hand-me-down toys and dress-up apparel. Roma is taking full advantage of all the loot. Roma says thanks a million!

Kung Hei Fat Choy!

2009-01-25T10:19:00.009-05:00

Roma was mezmerized. The danced for a very, very, very long time. She would not take her eyes off them. She said her favorite was the yellow one.

Dragon Dance!

ZuZu was doing magic tricks. I think Kate was trying to figure out how she did it.

Of course, you can hear her saying "Cheeeeese"

We went to the FCC Chinese New Year celebration. We met up with some friends. They had crafts at the tables, dragon dancing, and more entertainment. It was crowded and very warm but a great time was had by all.

Christmas Day & Boxing Day 2008 (at mommom and pepere's house)

2009-01-03T17:29:00.015-05:00

The next day (Saturday) we met at an Indian restaurant for lunch. Yumm!

Cookies!

Quentin doing a scratch ticket while Pepere eats leftover pizza for lunch.

Uncle John doing a scratch ticket.

Lanie making Christmas cookies with Mommom.

Teenage boys. Need I say more?

Auntie Nee Nee with Fuzzy the cat.

This is one of the occasions why Roma loves Stella.

Someone told a good joke.

Although this may look like a "pain" shot. She is laughing up a storm.

Stella is Roma's #1 fan.

Lanie lu is a cutie pie!

Boxing day when the upper NY'ers showed up.

Being silly with her "Dr. Appointment" stuff.

Most of the cousins on Christmas day.

Uncle Peter is fun to play with.

John pitches in on the food prep. His mashed potatoes are to die for!

Snow ball fight with daddy.

Christmas Day 2008 (morning)

2009-01-03T17:03:00.012-05:00

Roma's foster mom, LiYun, in China sent her a fabulous outfit. She is a tremendous and generous person in Roma's life. Thank you so much! We could never repay the care she gave Roma while in China and the love she sends across the world continuously.

Thank you Inga for the leap pad. I love playing with this game. I'm a smarty pants and already knew how to touch the items on the book.

Daddy, I love my presents!

WOW! Roma got another (different) Wow Wow Wubbzy game!

Goofing off for daddy behind the camera.

Bill, if you're seeing this. I figured this was the right time to open this gift for her. As you can see, she's excited to have this doll. Thank you again!

Oh YAY! Santa brought me a dollhouse! (editor's note: don't look at the adult in photo. She looks like something a raccoon barfed up in the morning. Sorry Leigh, I had to steal your line because it just fit.)

What's this mommy?

I love my teddy bears!

Christmas Eve 2008

2009-01-03T16:40:00.006-05:00

Book reading time.

I love my Wow Wow Wubbzy game! Thank you!

Serious conversation with Kim.

Eating noodles on the countertop.

Eating noodles in Kim's arms.

We have a long standing tradition of visiting our friend's house on Chrstmas eve. Kim puts on quite a spread and all the people that arrive make the holidays warm and cozy.

Goofing around some more

2009-01-03T16:33:00.004-05:00

Roma's favorite winter past time; eating snow in a cup.

More shots of Roma's photography.

Rocco's Birthday Party

2009-01-03T16:12:00.004-05:00

Although she requested I accompany her up the slide many times, this one she did on her own.

She spent most of her time at the foosball table. She'll be a pro by the time she gets to college.

Roma made friends with Rocco this past summer while being a flower girl for her cousin's wedding. Rocco is the cutie pie second from the left.

Holiday Post part II

2009-01-03T15:59:00.003-05:00

This was the only opportunity that we got to see Santa this year. This is at our local Starbucks. Lighting and setting weren't all that great. But Roma got to tell Santa that she wanted a dollhouse which was the most important thing to accomplish.

Mommy and Roma goofing around. Roma is actually pressing the button on the camera. Her first try at being a photographer.

Mommy Brag - She can "read"!

2008-12-14T11:35:00.003-05:00

Holiday pics

2008-12-13T22:26:00.005-05:00

How many photos does it take to get one good shot?

Happy Thanksgiving 2008!

2008-11-29T09:24:00.015-05:00

Cousins, Amelia and Natalie, couldn't wait to play with Roma.

Amelia was in charge of making the list of the "Not-So-Secret-Santa"

Feast time!

That's Melvyn the Moose.

Natalie wanted a pinata for her 7th birthday celebration.