Our Family!

We spent our "forever family day" or "Gotcha Day" or whatever you want to call it - outside in the cold. Ha! Ironically, it gave Wayne and I an opportunity to wear our faux Columbia outwear we purchased super cheap in China four years ago. We participated in a local congregation's winter outing they were nice enough to invite us to. It happened to fall on the right day! It was at a nearby sugar bush and we went on a horse drawn sleigh ride, visited the farm animals in the barn and had a chili supper. Another family brought some snow shoes they lent to Will and he had a blast on them! It was a really fun day - perfect for the occasion! 

Meant to Be - Steven Curtis Chapman

I can't get through this video without tears!  I love the pictures of "Gotcha Days"!

Celebrating our 4th Forever Family Day!

 

On Saturday we celebrate our 4th Forever Family Day - the day Hosanna Rou became a part of our lives. I can't help but think back to where we were 4 years ago. The pictures bring me back as does the words I wrote when I first started this blog - as a means to keep family and friends in the loop as we adventured off across the world to bring our daughter home! We wanted a way Will could be a part of it and know what was going on since he stayed home with my parents. And I'm so grateful for the words I took the time to post because I can only imagine what I would have forgotten otherwise.
The picture above was one of three pictures we were given of Guo Si Rou two months before we left. I kept these pictures next to me all the time! In my purse, on the fridge and next to my bed.  I'd stare at it for hours combined, I'm sure. I was so thrilled that she was smiling! I knew the next few months for her would be a scary ride - at best. I wanted to soak up her smile. I wanted to go and get her right away. We had already waited for her for so long - more waiting.
We made it finally to the big day - a room of 15 or so families waiting expectantly together for their daughters to be brought in. The anticipation hung in the air, the silence was heavy. And the next minutes became a blur as babies were announced in their Chinese names and the room got louder and louder as one by one they were brought in. Empty arms now full. The waiting over. Our dreams come true.

The weeks in China were like nothing I'd ever experienced - sights, sounds, smells all so foreign. As we went about the things we needed to do to complete the adoption - interviews, visit to clinic, etc we also were tourists with babies in strollers. We wanted to soak up everything we could about the culture and land where our babies came from but we were also lugging babies and all things needed for a day trip, all adults were sleep deprived and exhausted wandering around the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City in a daze, covered in snot (mine and babies because everyone was sick). We didn't even get Zanna in a stroller until near the end of our stay - she wanted me to hold her all the time and needed to give her whatever she needed to help her bond with me. There was one particular cold day at the Forbidden City
where the Lord answered my prayers, parted the clouds and I saw a Starbucks.

Check out that smile - me and my Starbucks

We also took a day trip out to the countryside to get an idea of the area our babies came from. The life out in those parts was quite hard to wrap my head around. They lived off of not much more than a dollar a day. 

We were very ready to get home. I wanted to start a normal life and get out of hotels. I wanted to get back to Will. I wanted to sleep. Heck, I wanted to drink water from the tap and pee sitting down (as opposed to the squat toilets - talk about trying to keep focused on your aim when you're sleep deprived). 

We had web cammed a few times with my parents and Will from China so we saw them and they got to see Zanna but the reunion in the airport was a moment forever imprinted on my mind and heart as brother and sister met for the first time.

The expectant brother!

After an insanely long plane ride around the world with 25 or so babies on board to Toronto, we arrived at the airport to be greeted by my parents, Will and Zanna's godmother Karen. Thank goodness for Karen and her presence of mind to take pictures because the rest of us were crying! My two childrens' eyes met as if they recognized each other and were reunited, not just first meeting.  

She crawled out of my arms into Will's lap and put her head on his shoulder. It was precious!!

The road to her was long. Adoption comes from loss and pain and yet it's grace and unconditional love that fills the hole and heals the wounds. She is my daughter as Will is my son though the story is different.  And adoption wasn't our original plan but God had a better one, better than we could ever imagine!

And as we look forward to celebrating her 5th birthday, we say a special prayer for her birth parents, whoever and wherever they are and we give thanks for her foster family that gave her the love and care that contributed to her ability to come to trust and love us. 

We thank the Lord for guiding our path and leading us to one another. 

Happy New Year - may the force be with you

Star Wars pancakes anyone?

CHRISTmas gifts

The last month has been a bit of a blur but brought many blessings, memories and laughter. As things start to return back to "normal" (whatever that is) I finally get a chance to reflect on this special time with our friends and family.
Why does it seem the holidays inevitably mean some sort of sickness going around? This year was no exception but I can't complain too much. Days before our house guests arrived, the kids were coughing and hacking. Numerous times I got sneezed and coughed on right in my face. I figured I was doomed. The Lord had mercy and delayed any sickness on the part of Wayne and myself until Grandma and Grandpa had gone and things started to settle down. A minor inconvenience - maybe even the excuse I needed to lay around for a few days!!
Mom and Dad and my Grandma and Grandpa arrived from Wisconsin to attend Will's Christmas Recital.  He had his own cheering section and did a great job. He had chosen to play the "Huron Christmas Carol" inspired by the Canadian history he has been learning and he did a great job. And he managed to get some mileage out of it by playing it for church with my Mom accompanying him on the piano.

Another highlight from their stay was just the women enjoying Holiday Tea at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in downtown Ottawa - just down the street from the Parliament buildings. We each enjoyed our own pot of tea with the exception of Zanna - she got a pot of hot chocolate - lucky duck!!! We each had our own three tiered tea caddy that include divine scones, finger sandwhiches and holiday desserts. It was lovely!!

How cute are they?!!!

Christmas is usually a very hectic time between services in Quebec and our own church in town. Wayne, Will and my mom went to Quebec for Christmas Eve day service and my mom played the piano for the service. As soon as they came back and walked through our front door I had dinner ready, inhaled food, cleaned up and got to church. Christmas Eve is traditionally the children's pageant they were both participating in. It was a lovely evening and the kids did a great job singing and saying their parts.  Back to church the next morning for Christmas Day service. I had the privilege of playing with my mom some music for the service (me - violin, mom - piano). When all this is done and Wayne can relax, we have our birthday party!!! Jesus' birthday cake and appetizers and the birthday song and we open presents.

We were extremely blessed to be surrounded by our family here at home and have so many generations under one roof! We went through a lot of coffee and toilet paper and had a quest for the perfect pillow. We ate a lot of food - oh my goodness, did we eat! And my house guests actually took turns cooking - including my Dad who treated us to some Bangers and Mash (inspired by their regular trips to the UK) which was bloody brilliant :) Dad even attempted to make wreath cookies - you know the kind, made out of corn flakes and marshmallows? After realizing that neither myself nor Grandma made them this year - he took matters into his own hands and turned out some "wreath clumps" we affectionately called them. 

But in the evening after the kids had been put to bed (sometimes even before then - a couple times Will had to put himself to bed) the cards came out, whiskey old-fashions were mixed, girls against guys in some good natured, a little rowdy (Grandma) hand and foot. 

All good things must come to an end and before we knew it - everyone had left. I hope we didn't scare them away.....

Thanksgiving, Advent and everything in between

What does Mr. Turkey say?

Gobble Gobble Gobble

When it is Thanksgiving Day

Gobble Gobble Gobble

  I have discovered the secret to doing it all - the good, traditional Thanksgiving fare and the adorably decorated table. A secret Martha herself learned long ago. You ready for it? Have somebody else do part of it. Profound, I know! In American Thanksgivings past, we've had neighbours join us, our Chinese Canadian friends or people we just wanted to reach out to. This year we did something different. I propositioned an American friend of mine - I'd do all the cooking if she'd like to do crafts with our kids, do a table scape and a fun kids table. She agreed and it was a hit! I wish I had better pictures because this seriously doesn't do it justice - it was adorable. I kid you not. It can sometimes be a challenge to pass on to my kids important holidays and traditions from my upbringing while living in another country. Canadian Thanksgiving is in October (which I really like having it then) but the history of it is different. For one night I was like every other "normal American", celebrating with friends and family the first meal of Thanksgiving between the Pilgrims and Native Americans so long ago. Thanks, Dina!

Other things we've been up to? We've been busy! Both kids have had their cooking classes at the local grocery store. I stay with Zanna but Will is a drop off.

Since I last posted, we've been to the National Arts Centre for a wonderful show, visited the recently reopened Museum of Nature, took a tour of Canadian art at the National Art Gallery (I love living in this city!), Will had a karate tournament, we toured the bird sanctuary (hospital) along with all our regular activities. I gotta slow down....

And now it is Advent. As I start busily decorating for Christmas, celebrating Advent slows me down and forces me to focus on who we are celebrating. 

Here's my mantle this year. I thought I would change it up and use the wall art I made at a local art store a few years ago. The store's since closed which is too bad because I'd love to do more!

Here's some of what we're doing to prepare for Jesus birth - a journey through history leading up to His birth. I downloaded a free Jesse tree devotional complete with ornaments. I then laminated the ornaments. That's right - just call me the LAMINATOR. In an Arnold voice. I laminate everything that's not nailed down. But I digress. 

Blessings on your Advent celebration!

October memories

 Can't believe it's November - October is just a memory. We made lots of fun memories though! (after my nervous breakdown!)
Will is pictured here with his Senseis from karate after having tested for his brown belt. He worked hard for this one! It took him about an hour and a half to complete all his kada's (spelling?) leading up to this point and had to spar against his Senseis as there was no one else testing in the same belt that time. We celebrated with a trip to Dairy Queen after!
Will also played violin for his first funeral. A lady from the retirement home that Wayne does a service for weekly and the kids usher and throw around hugs and smiles - passed away and wanted Wayne to do the funeral. Will did a great job as he accompanied an organ and a singing group in "Amazing Grace".

October ends with Halloween (or Reformation Day as I like to focus on!) and the kids went out in freezing cold weather lead by their Dad who, although bone tired from a 13 hour workday and freezing temperatures awaiting, took the kids around the neighborhood to collect a feast of sugar. What a guy! The pumpkin never did get carved but the kids didn't seem to notice (maybe because of their face being immersed in the candy jar?).
Anyway, will was some Star Wars character and Zanna was - what else? - a princess!
Also this month, we were able to go to the National Art Centre to see our first opera - Hansel and Gretel. Quite a morbid story but they managed to "fun it up".
We also survived Wayne being gone for 6 days (who's counting) in Calgary for WELS Canada AGM.  We were all happy to welcome him back home!!

A long tradition in my home growing up was to go on a nature walk and put together a nature poster board that we would display for Thanksgiving. This year we did a twist on that - more of a nature corner. I hope to continue this corner for other seasons so we can appreciate a bit of God's creation as the seasons change. The kids like this and they often come back from a walk with some treasure to add to the table.

They also did some art with leaves that I posted on the bulletin board - got this great idea from a book called "Look what I did with a leaf" by Morteza Sohi - I got from the library. We'll be sure to do more with these!
Enjoy the last days of fall!!
I have yet to make our leaf cookies.....