Digest 9

Jamey & Catherine said...
You had mentioned the game "two square" that was played in the entry way, what is that game? I have never heard of it. Also, I love how relaxed Dennis is looking these days. When you go back to the first days he was home its a total change. : )Catherine

Two square is a game of two people who stand in two imaginary squares painted next to each other and take turns bouncing a ball to each other. If the ball bounces twice in your square then you are out. As far as Dennis being relaxed--- you are so observant! He is so fun and such a cuddle bug and goes around the house like he owns the joint!

Expat Mom said...
The more I read your blog, the more I feel that two children just isn`t enough. I miss the camaraderie of having a whole bunch of kids running around . . . but I`m still working on my husband.Last night on the news there was a baby, just 3 months old, that someone stuffed in a paper bag and left in the garbage. The poor thing would have died if a dog hadn`t of found it and dragged the bag out to the street where it opened it and passersby found the child. Even my hubby had to admit, he would take a baby like that in. So there`s still hope . . .

Oh, I will be hoping right along with you! I agree that lots of kids running around is so nice---- sometimes crazy--- scratch that always crazy, but nice. We first decided to adopt as we were discussing New Years Resolutions and making a commitment that would actually mean something. Maybe that may be the right time to discuss it with your husband.

Alexandra Mikaela - Awareness Warrior said...
Dear Mrs. Reed,If it would be alright with you, I would like to send your family some home-made cards for Christmas. If you say it's okay, I'll send you my email so you can send me your address. Your family has impacted me so much in so many ways, and I want to thank you for that, and give you a token of my appreciation for all you've done and do. You are an amazing family and I'm blessed to "know" you, if only through blogger.Please be sure to check out my post, "You know you're a 'Smiles an Trials' groupie when..." at http://awareness-warrior.blogspot.com/2008/11/you-know-youre-smiles-and-trials.htmlI hope you like it!Sincerely,Alex

You are so sweet! Everyone if you haven't yet, go check out Alex's blog. She has a heart of gold!

Kristen ~Ethan's Mommy~ said...
Aw, makes me miss home!!! Made me think though...have you heard of Hume Lake Christian Camp? If not, google it. It's up in the Sequoias and just an amazing place! I accepted Christ there when I was 16. They have family camps too! Just something to think about. :-)

Awww, I am very familiar with Hume Lake Christian Camp. After a weekend up in one of the cabins I went into labor with Andrew on the drive home! What a wonderful place to accept Christ into your heart.

Anonymous said...
My driveway is covered with ice-I shovelled the driveway every day this week- my 14 yr old went sledding with his friends today and my 16 yr old came in looking for gloves for his friends- they had a snowball fight. We would love to live where there is no snow-but we could never leave Canada- Come on up- there will be snow until April!Lucie from Ottawa

Thanks for the invite. If I ever go to Canada, I'll look you up!

Shari said...
I have a quick question. I hope you do not mind. I know that Sveta came from abroad. Did your other girls come from abroad, too? I can't remember. I noticed she still has a Russian accent (which I love BTW). Do you still have her or the others in ESL classes? When do they stop those classes for students who need it? I am just wondering. All your girls are beautiful and I love how you interact with each of them.

Four of my girls are from either Russia or Ukraine. Yes, Sveta has a heavy accent--- probably always will. Sveta and Rachel are still in an English as a second language class and will be in it until they test out.

Ellie said...
This was very fun to watch!My immediate family shares food too; I don't think it's gross at all. I loved hearing Sveta's accent - it's adorable. Just a quick question - how do you manage with an Anna and an Annalyn in the house? Or are they not pronounced the way they look?

Anna is pronounced Anya--- I just screwed up the spelling when we were making out the new birth certificates in Russia. So no the two names do not sound alike. By the way, I am already working on a new video.

Carla said...
Love the hat and the doggy bra. Too cute. It's giving my girls ideas about our chihuahua.I have a question: I am wanting to buy a "Family Organizer" and have seen many, but don't want to buy the wrong one.Do you use one to keep track of everyone/everything? If so, what are you using and are you happy with it?Some of them are really big--3-ring binders and some smaller. Maybe I should have two. One to keep at home and one to carry w/me for appts. and things.I would love to know how you do it? In a few weeks, I will have 6 kids in the house, not nearly as much as you, but am still desperately needing the organizational tool.

I write everything on a calendar. That is my secret. Simple, huh? Sorry I can't be of more help.

June Berger said...
I LOVE the beret! Maybe Julia can go into business? I bet several Mamas and daughters would love to buy a hat like that! Maybe she can make one for each of her sisters for Christmas? If it takes too long and she doesn't have time she can start now and get a jump on next Christmas. ;o)

She would love too. Step right up and place your orders everyone!

Tracy said...
Funny pictures. The one with your dog is great! Is it me or does your hair look different? Maybe a new cut/color? Looks great!

I wish! The truth is that I am so cheap and rarely have time for myself that I end up getting my hair cut like twice a year.

Anonymous said...
I have read your blog for sometime. (Dennis and his entire journey, got me totally hooked!) But, this is the first time I really felt the need to comment. I wish I could hold your hand and let you know that as a Mom, you did such a great thing. By discussing this situation with William, honestly and openly, you have set him up to come to you more often when this need or urge ever hits him. Even better, you let him experiment with a candle, while you watched. This gave him the opportunity to really let his building curiosity take off and see what can happen with fire. This is so much better than attacking the behavior and having him hide this feeling only to experiment by himself where someone could seriously get hurt. You never know, maybe by just allowing him the simple try of the candle, may squash the desire to see what I can melt or burn, etc. Sometimes things are not as appealing, when considered taboo, as when they have been discussed and a reality check kicks in. I am a mother of 2 daughters in Oklahoma. My eldest has Asperger's Syndrome and I more than understand little quirks, outbursts and obsessive behaviors. Trust me, you did great Christine. Sending invisible holding of hands, Kellie Bassett Mother of Haleigh(10) and Averee(8)

Thank you so much for your encouraging words. Really-- yours and everyone else's made me feel not so alone. I really thought I was. I asked William today if he wanted to light a candle and have some fire play outside and he said that he didn't need to. I hugged him and asked him to make sure and tell me when he does feel like it. He said he would.

cara said...
We are recently home with two boys-I think I e-mailed you before. They are our son (adopted 12-05) bio. brothers. 14 and 10.Any ideas for bonding with the almost 15 year old, he doesn't say much and has a short attention span?

First off, congrats Cara! How exciting and what a full and busy household you must have! I would suggest cooking together by actually planning what you are going to cook and first going grocery shopping together to buy the ingredients. On the way there, stop some place for ice cream or something. Or try doing what I did tonight with my two oldest boys. I read them a post that I wrote to describe myself and then they went and wrote their own post about themselves. I only helped them a little. Here is what they wrote.

Caleb wrote: I am a skateboarding, fingernail biting, computer playing, homework hating, foot rubbing, basketball stealing, fast typing, outgoing, baseball pitching, drama acting, towel snapping, t.v. watching, fast running, asthma having, phone talking, family loving, friend caring, germ hating, awesome person.

Adam wrote: I am a guitar hero playing, electric guitar picking, jazz band bass plucking, straight A getting, 7 and ½ minute mile running, younger sibling watching, nee-hiba-zoinking, misqou and dolly petting, ds playing, math mastering, fun-loving, ice-cream indulging, picture taking, rock-music enjoying, GOD worshipping, Dr. Pepper drinking, Dorito Devouring, Cookie sneaking, 13 year old boy in the 8th grade named Adam.

If you decide to do this with your sons, please share!

Linda said...
I've considered letting my daughter have a blog of her own. Do you control all the settings for the girls? Do you approve before they post? How much freedom do they get with it?

I helped with the settings and established guidelines for them to follow. John and I visit their blog to say hi now and then, but for the most part we trust them. Schoolwork and relationships come first however, and since one had to study for a test and all of the girls argued this morning, no blogging was allowed today.

Anonymous said...
Very off topic but I came across this post from an adoption blog today and thought you would enjoy it. doctordavid.wordpress.com/2008/11/30/courage/.

Thanks so much for the link. I loved this post!

Amy said...
Hi Christine!I am still on your blog roll! But I had a few questions for your next digest!#1 - Do you ever worry about your kids privacy with all the personal situations being on your blog? (like classmates reading it?)#2 - What are some of your family holiday traditions?#3 - Do you set a $$ limit for gifts? Do your kids buy gifts for each other, or does Santa take care of it??

I don't worry about their privacy. For the most part, I leave out specific names, and when I do blog about a specific child I have talked to them about it first. Plus, they know that I blog about myself as well--- so I am not singling them out. They don't really pass out my blog to their friends so that is not an issue. If I found out that something really embarrassed one of my children, I would remove it immediately. As far as traditions, we try to have Friday Family Fun Night, we make sitting down and eating dinner together a priority, John takes each of the kids out for breakfast on their birthday, and everyone knows that John and I go out together for our birthdays which are both in June and for our anniversary in December. For Christmas, both Santa and we get them gifts. The kids like to shop and buy little gifts for each other as well. Personally, we don't spend lots of money on gifts and we try to mix gifts that they need like clothes and shoes with gifts that they want for pure enjoyment like toys or new CDs or video games.

Mike and Christie said...
You inspired me. I hit the post button. :)

I enjoyed it very much. It is a great post!

Anonymous said...
Wow - just had to say... Mirah Riben actually commented on this? She is one of the most anti-adoption advocates out there (just in case anyone wanted a perspective on her position and links).

Should I feel honored that she visited my blog, LOL? After reading her comment, I kind of understood where she was coming from, but I will forever have the stance that when adoption happens the way God intended, it is a very beautiful thing.