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7 years ago
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Happy Birthday Eleanor!
We are headed out for some geocaching with friends, but I wanted to get some pics up from last night...so here you go everyone. These are of the birthday girl herself...looking fabulous (notice the FAKE sundae), and her current great-grandchildren, Alexa and Mitchell.
Busy Saturday
I’m not in the practice of sharing my thoughts but it seems that lately I have been having a lot more of them. So, I’ll try to use the blog tonight.
Today we went to a “Meet the Parents” gathering in Edina, MN (Crossroads HQ). We had the opportunity to meet the parents and one of the daughters from Group 90 who traveled in January. The new beaming parents answered questions from the social worker and waiting parents in attendance. We learned useful information about travel, packing, feeding, and those precious babies.
It was a nice chance to see some of our group there and at last we met part of the family that we haven’t yet been in contact with. Tim and kids represented the Anderson family. Welcome to Group 91! We’re a fun crowd. We got their e-mail address and are anxious to get them in the loop. Holly Epstien lives in Hammond so it was nice to ride together and have some entertaining conversations with her. With referrals being so close, the women are becoming pretty chatty. It is good for them to have another outlet in each other.
After the “Meet the Parents,” it was off to Woodbury for a bite to eat and then a short drive to Hudson for another seminar about when and how to share info with your adopted or foster child. The obvious answer is to always be open and truthful. It is important to begin at an early age so the children become familiar with adoption language, and you also are able to practice what you’d like to say. By the time the children are truly comprehending more of the conversations our explanations are much more fine-tuned and we are also more comfortable with the very difficult topics that will come up. I think that one of the more important lessons of the seminar was to give the child all their history information by age 12. It was presented to us (though it is somewhat controversial), that by 12 yrs. old, most children should know the entire truth about their past and at that time should also begin deciding what information should be shared with others and with whom it should be shared. Beth and I are looking into another seminar for the 14th of April which is called the “Dance of Adoption.” The more information we can gather the better choices we can make in the future or the more confused we will be when conflict arises.
Grandma Eleanor (Great-Grandma to Baby Hoot) had a birthday dinner tonight. Most of the family was able to make it. The wait staff even got in on the fun and gave her an “April Fool’s” birthday sundae. She has tricked the family so many times over the years! It was great to have this little retaliation. “Oh...that’s hard,” she said when her spoon wouldn’t scoop into her ice cream. The staff had put a little cup upside-down in a dish and covered it with whipped cream and a cherry. Good times! Happy 90th Birthday Grandma!!!
Today we went to a “Meet the Parents” gathering in Edina, MN (Crossroads HQ). We had the opportunity to meet the parents and one of the daughters from Group 90 who traveled in January. The new beaming parents answered questions from the social worker and waiting parents in attendance. We learned useful information about travel, packing, feeding, and those precious babies.
It was a nice chance to see some of our group there and at last we met part of the family that we haven’t yet been in contact with. Tim and kids represented the Anderson family. Welcome to Group 91! We’re a fun crowd. We got their e-mail address and are anxious to get them in the loop. Holly Epstien lives in Hammond so it was nice to ride together and have some entertaining conversations with her. With referrals being so close, the women are becoming pretty chatty. It is good for them to have another outlet in each other.
After the “Meet the Parents,” it was off to Woodbury for a bite to eat and then a short drive to Hudson for another seminar about when and how to share info with your adopted or foster child. The obvious answer is to always be open and truthful. It is important to begin at an early age so the children become familiar with adoption language, and you also are able to practice what you’d like to say. By the time the children are truly comprehending more of the conversations our explanations are much more fine-tuned and we are also more comfortable with the very difficult topics that will come up. I think that one of the more important lessons of the seminar was to give the child all their history information by age 12. It was presented to us (though it is somewhat controversial), that by 12 yrs. old, most children should know the entire truth about their past and at that time should also begin deciding what information should be shared with others and with whom it should be shared. Beth and I are looking into another seminar for the 14th of April which is called the “Dance of Adoption.” The more information we can gather the better choices we can make in the future or the more confused we will be when conflict arises.
Grandma Eleanor (Great-Grandma to Baby Hoot) had a birthday dinner tonight. Most of the family was able to make it. The wait staff even got in on the fun and gave her an “April Fool’s” birthday sundae. She has tricked the family so many times over the years! It was great to have this little retaliation. “Oh...that’s hard,” she said when her spoon wouldn’t scoop into her ice cream. The staff had put a little cup upside-down in a dish and covered it with whipped cream and a cherry. Good times! Happy 90th Birthday Grandma!!!
Friday, March 30, 2007
No referrals...but a great day!
Sorry to get everyone excited. We didn't hear anything today. There is a lot of talk on the web about what is happening though. Apparently referrals have landed in the U.S., but we probably won't hear anything until Mon. (if we're very lucky) or Tues. (more likely). There have been many email messages of support, sending prayers and good wishes. Thank you!!! This has been a very long journey and it is hard to believe that our 17+month wait is about to come to an end. That doesn't even include all of our experiences and struggles before our paperwork was sent to China. Good thing we have a busy weekend ahead of us to keep ourselves occupied. Then, next week since I'm on spring break, I'll probably be sitting by the phone, so if you need to get in touch with me...:)
Tomorrow, Groups 90 (just returned from China), 91 (our group), and 92 (next), are all getting together. I'm very excited to meet more families from the area and to be able to ask questions of Group 90 members about travel, attachment, etc. I think I'm most excited to see all the new family additions though!!! I am in BABY mode! From there we're heading to Hudson for a "Mystery History" seminar where we'll hear about ways to help the adopted child understand his/her past. That presentation should provide some very interesting, thought provoking information. At the end of the day we're going to New Richmond to celebrate Grandma Heut's birthday. Talk about a spunky lady! It will be fun to have all the family together. We don't see each other often enough.
OK - so the exciting news of the day now...WELCOME HOME LUCY!!! Today I got to meet little Lucy, the newest addition to the Kern family. She is just too cute for words. So - photos will have to do. Enjoy! ...AND, don't mind my rosy cheeks in the first pic. The second I saw Lucy, the tears started flowing. I am an ultra-emotional person anyway, but these last few days definitely have all of my feelings at the surface. I couldn't keep them in any longer.
Beth & Lucy
Phyllis, Beth, & Lucy
Jeanna & Lucy (my favorite Lucy expression of the day)
New Mom & New Mom To-Be
Precious!
Tomorrow, Groups 90 (just returned from China), 91 (our group), and 92 (next), are all getting together. I'm very excited to meet more families from the area and to be able to ask questions of Group 90 members about travel, attachment, etc. I think I'm most excited to see all the new family additions though!!! I am in BABY mode! From there we're heading to Hudson for a "Mystery History" seminar where we'll hear about ways to help the adopted child understand his/her past. That presentation should provide some very interesting, thought provoking information. At the end of the day we're going to New Richmond to celebrate Grandma Heut's birthday. Talk about a spunky lady! It will be fun to have all the family together. We don't see each other often enough.
OK - so the exciting news of the day now...WELCOME HOME LUCY!!! Today I got to meet little Lucy, the newest addition to the Kern family. She is just too cute for words. So - photos will have to do. Enjoy! ...AND, don't mind my rosy cheeks in the first pic. The second I saw Lucy, the tears started flowing. I am an ultra-emotional person anyway, but these last few days definitely have all of my feelings at the surface. I couldn't keep them in any longer.
Beth & Lucy
Phyllis, Beth, & Lucy
Jeanna & Lucy (my favorite Lucy expression of the day)
New Mom & New Mom To-Be
Precious!
Quiet
There was no news from Europe last night (they tend to have their referrals a day before we get them here in the US). So, we're thinking that not much will happen now until next week. (breathe...breathe...breathe...) I'm sure Mom will stay on the RQ site all day and will LMK if there is anything exciting to report. I won't be able to check again now until this afternoon. Have a calm, relaxing day everyone. :) Right? It could happen. :)
Thursday, March 29, 2007
It is happening...maybe?
We just got home from bells and dinner out with our friend Lisa and her beautiful children. I immediately jumped on line and I hate to say it, but there isn't much new news out there. I'm guessing everyone on the other side of the world will be waking up soon and then maybe some info will pop up during the night. So, I guess I'm off to bed. I should probably get some sleep while I can because I know once I see our little one's face, I won't sleep well until we have her in our arms. Keep the good vibes coming everyone. Good night all.
Could it be true?!
New gossip that referrals MAY be in the air!!!! I'll pay attention and hopefully have more news soon. PRAY! PLEASE!!
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Very Serious Symptoms
These are some acronyms that were posted on the RQ website by waiting parents. As we near referral time (c'mon next week!!!), I thought it would be fun to share them here.
Initial Diagnosis:
PRS -PreRumorSyndrome (not to be confused with PMS) - I am irritable, weepy, angry, overly emotional, easily agitated, and I have severe cravings for anything salty or chocolaty. It happens every month about 2 weeks after the last cycle of referrals, and right before rumors start coming out.
Response from a Waiting Parent:
As a specialist in Pre-Rumour Syndrome since my LID, I can confirm several additional symptoms:
CSA - Chair-Shaped Arse (resulting from an inability to move away from the computer even when sleeping)
HPO - Hideous Pimple Outbreaks (from excessive quantities of chocolate inhaled at half-hourly intervals)
APB - Allocation-Pattern Baldness (from the relentless removal of head hair from the root particularly evident at allocation time)
Bleeding from the ears (from a tendency to repeatedly place fingers in the ears while shouting "la, la, la" whenever a bad-case scenario rumour is posted)
Another Response:
What about our RCS? - Rollar Coaster Stomach
One More:
I hear PRS can last for long periods but is often alleviated for short periods with high volumes of ice cream and chocolate.
OK everyone - I'm officially inviting all of you...waiting parents, family, & friends...to please grab a sip of your favorite beverage and share a toast to the upcoming referrals and the families that will be matched in the next couple of weeks (and to the hopeful remission of many of the symptoms listed above). CHEERS!
P.S. Don't forget to add a bit of ice cream and chocolate to go with that aforementioned sip. ;)
Initial Diagnosis:
PRS -PreRumorSyndrome (not to be confused with PMS) - I am irritable, weepy, angry, overly emotional, easily agitated, and I have severe cravings for anything salty or chocolaty. It happens every month about 2 weeks after the last cycle of referrals, and right before rumors start coming out.
Response from a Waiting Parent:
As a specialist in Pre-Rumour Syndrome since my LID, I can confirm several additional symptoms:
CSA - Chair-Shaped Arse (resulting from an inability to move away from the computer even when sleeping)
HPO - Hideous Pimple Outbreaks (from excessive quantities of chocolate inhaled at half-hourly intervals)
APB - Allocation-Pattern Baldness (from the relentless removal of head hair from the root particularly evident at allocation time)
Bleeding from the ears (from a tendency to repeatedly place fingers in the ears while shouting "la, la, la" whenever a bad-case scenario rumour is posted)
Another Response:
What about our RCS? - Rollar Coaster Stomach
One More:
I hear PRS can last for long periods but is often alleviated for short periods with high volumes of ice cream and chocolate.
OK everyone - I'm officially inviting all of you...waiting parents, family, & friends...to please grab a sip of your favorite beverage and share a toast to the upcoming referrals and the families that will be matched in the next couple of weeks (and to the hopeful remission of many of the symptoms listed above). CHEERS!
P.S. Don't forget to add a bit of ice cream and chocolate to go with that aforementioned sip. ;)
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