Giving Thanks (Thankfulness Challenge - Days 1, 2 & 3)

It seems with each passing year Christmas items begin hitting store shelves earlier and earlier. In fact, when I rushed out early Halloween evening for Bethany's last minute costume change, Target "Team Members" were busy stocking shelves with Christmas items. I love Christmas just as much as the next person, but it's barely November and Thanksgiving is already getting the cold shoulder.

So in order to do my part to "save" Thanksgiving, and to take on the challenge given to me by some of my fellow adoptive mommies/bloggy friends, I'm going to do my best to take part in sharing one thing I'm thankful for for each day of November. Some posts may be short and sweet, but others may fall victim to my rambling. :)

Since I'm off to a late start, and I hate the thought of skipping days, I'm allowing myself make-up days by combining three days worth of thankfulness into one post. My blog, my rules. :)

Day 1
I am thankful for God's protection. I got into a car accident on the morning of Halloween as I was on my way to check off a bunch of errands. Needless to say, none of those errands were completed. I'm thankful neither Bethany nor I were hurt, and that I got things squared away with the insurance company, auto body shop and rental car company just in time to pick Austin up from school.

Day 2
After a long day of taking care of my sick little girl, Sam and I were able to go out during the evening. No it wasn't a candlelit romantic dinner for two, but a two hour informational meeting on middle schools in the area. By the time we were finished with the meeting, I was hopelessly confused as to what middle school would be right for Austin, and my stomach was growling. I haven't had much of an appetite lately (so unlike me), so Sam suggested we go out for a late dinner. We ended up at one of our favorite hole in the wall type-ish places. My appetite slowly returned, and I was thankful for good food and the best company a girl could ask for. :)

Day 3
I'm thankful for my parents! They have experienced a lot of heartache and tragedy in their lives (more than any one person should), but their spirits have never been broken, and they continue to give of themselves sacrificially. They have and continue to do so much for me (and my family), and they are one of the greatest examples to me of how deeply and fiercely parents should love their children. They are examples to me of true strength and perseverance, and I am so thankful to be their daughter!

What are you thankful for?

Halloween

If you haven't noticed yet, I love to celebrate holidays, birthdays, anniversaries.... I love the planning and thought involved in making it a special occasion for whomever it involves. But there is one holiday I have yet to embrace, and that's Halloween.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not a Halloween grinch. In fact, I think it's a fun time for kids, and we participate in it every year. If my kids wanted to carve pumpkins, make treats, or pass out goody bags, believe me I'd be all over it; but if they don't, I wouldn't be self motivated enough to do it on my own like I do for other occasions. Aside from wearing costumes, the only thing we did this year were goody bags for Austin's class.

Who knows? Maybe as Bethany learns more about the goings on of Halloween, you'll see a lot more Halloween spirit from me in the following years. :)

Before I actually do start sounding grinch-like, here's some proof that a good time was had by all! :) Hope you all had fun with your families as well.

This was supposed to be Bethany's costume, but she woke up with a runny nose Halloween morning and was not in the mood to wear a head piece.

(Thank goodness I took a picture awhile back when she was happy)

Instead of forcing it on my sick baby, I did what I could last minute.

Off we go to get mommy some candy! ;)

Snake Eyes from G.I. Joe

Be afraid, very afraid.....

See, I'm having fun. :)

National Adoption Month

Last year, a fellow adoptive Mom and an adoptee herself, put together a very special video celebrating adoption. In honor of this year's National Adoption Month, she has made another video with even more families participating (you can spot my little ones at 1:27).

This video is such a blessing to me, not only because we were able to be a part of it again, but because I have gotten to know many of these families. It is so BEAUTIFUL and AMAZING to see how God has brought them together through adoption!

There are an estimated 143 million children waiting to be placed in loving homes, and our dear Bethany used to be one of them. Please take a moment to watch this video, and consider how you can help a waiting child.



If you would like more information on how you can help, please visit http://www.holtinternational.org/

Other ways you can help:

• become a foster parent - http://www.davethomasfoundation.org/
• adopt a child in the U.S. or internationally
• sponsor a waiting child in the U.S. or internationally
• make donations to organizations and agencies that advocate for waiting children
• volunteer at organizations and agencies that advocate for waiting children
• pray for these children!

2+2=?

I am living proof that all Asians aren't good at Math. I never lived up to that particular Asian stereotype. I never liked Math, and never excelled at it. If anything, Language Arts has always been my strong suit, and I have my SAT and GRE scores to prove it.

My son Austin is a different story. He is quite the mathematician (and his Language Arts skills aren't too shabby either). A few days ago, we received a letter from Austin's school stating that he had been picked to participate in the first ever Mental Math Showdown for 4th graders. Each teacher picked their top five math students based on class performance and scores from the California Standards Test. A total of 26 students took part in the "showdown".

The kids were so nervous, but who could blame them? Their fellow classmates, teachers and parents were all watching. As several rounds of questions were completed, the number of students on stage dwindled down to six.

Austin was up next, but was told his answer was incorrect.

Some of us in the audience were pretty certain his answer was correct, so one of the parents went to tell the Math coach. After some deliberation, they realized they had made a mistake. Much to his relief, he was called back on stage.  Woo hoo!

Down to the final 3.

 

When all was said and done, Austin placed 3rd, and I couldn't be prouder. 

Way to go Austin!
And way to keep the Asian stereotype alive and kickin'! ;)

LegoLand Part 2 - Then and Now

Austin's very first trip to Legoland was back in 2006. I was looking through some old pictures and found some cute then and now pictures.

Then

Now

Then

Now

Then

Now

Now it's time to make some new Legoland memories with this little one. :)

LegoLand - Part 1

Instead of celebrating our 10th anniversary with a couple's getaway as we had planned, we opted to take the kiddos to Legoland instead. Summer was quickly coming to an end, and I really wanted to do something special with the family before Austin started school again. We used to be Legoland regulars, but hadn't been there for a few years, so I thought we better go before Austin outgrew it, and before we had to start paying admission for Bethany.

We stayed overnight at a hotel and spent two days at Legoland. As an added bonus, my dear friend from junior high, along with her son who has been buddies with Austin since they were itty bitty babies, were able to join us for a day.

 

 

Of course we couldn't leave the hotel without Sam taking a gazillion pictures of us.

and action!

Austin's class recently finished reading Shiloh, and had a corresponding book report project due today. Austin chose to produce a brief news report about an incident that took place in the book. Typically, Sam is the movie maker in our family, but since he was so busy with work, Austin had to rely on my amateurish skills. I now have a new found respect for those that make movies.

I'll be the first to tell you I'm not a huge fan of school projects, but I'll admit, I had fun helping Austin with this one. Hope you enjoy his news report as much as I did. :)