Vietnam Camp

Well on Thursday we headed to Vietnam Heritage Camp. The kids had a wonderful time. First on the list of things to do was to go to the Zoo. We spent Thursday morning at the Zoo. To tell you the truth I was a bit disappointed in the Zoo this time around. Last time we were there they had more to see this time around the Polar bear was gone (he died), the Low lands were closed and the exhibit for the Seals was closed. Of course the kids didn't know any different so all was good with them. On Friday night we met with the adoptive families for dinner and the kids played. On Saturday morning we joined back up and the kids made arts and crafts, learned to make spring rolls and learned a dance. That evening we got back together to eat again and to let the kids play together again. Then on Saturday the kids came together again to do some arts and crafts while the parents met with the Dillon staff to find out the latest on adoptions in Vietnam (or lack thereof for the U.S.) and to find out about birth mother searches. Some families are choosing to do birth mother searches at this time. Johnny and I are a bit leary about this. Our agency said that from what they gather from adoptee's the adoptee feels it's their right as they get older to decide if they want to do a search or not. The problem is the longer you wait to do a search the harder it will be to find people that might move. So we'll probably wait and let Alex decide if he wants to do a search for his birth mother as he gets older. We finished the day out with another meal and then we headed back to the hotel where the kids enjoyed time at the pool. The pool was their favorite pass time over the entire weekend. If you have little ones and you spend time in Tulsa I'd recommend the Radisson Hotel on 41st street. They have an indoor pool/park for the little ones and it's a big hit. My kids ask all year "when are we going back to the hotel again?" We ended the weekend by going to see Marmaduke. I have to say it was ok but not as good as I thought it should/would have been.

I'll attach a few pics from the weekend.

Blessings to you all.
Tina

Crazy Critters

Climbers.. Addie made it to the top!

Arts and Crafts

Arts and Crafts

Alex and Miss "E"

Can you say Vacation!

Well sort of anyway..

We're packing up and heading to Tulsa so Alex can go Vietnam Camp. Our agency hosts a heritage camp each year. Last year was our first year to attend both kids heritage camps. We feel like it's important that the kids learn about their heritage and also just as important for them to be around other adopted kids. Tomorrow we start off at the Tulsa Zoo and then camp begins Friday. Looking forward to spending some time just relaxing around the pool also.

So last Saturday spent time cleaning out my closet. I asked Joe to help me haul the stuff out to the car. Alex noticed Joseph caring clothes outside so he asked him what he was doing. Joseph told Alex he was moving out. So Alex proceeded to come find me to ask me if Joseph was moving out. Of course I figured out that Joe was just giving him a hard time so I said yep he's moving out. Alex looked at me very intently and said.. but, but, but is he taking the XBox? Yep was worried about that xbox! I just cracked up. I eventually told him Joe was just kidding. So Sunday I was in the laundry room and Alex came in very serious again and says.. Did Joe move out? I said Alex you know Joe was just kidding that he wasn't moving out. He looked at me and said "But the XBox is gone!" I had to inform him that Joe had taken it to Jake's but that he had not moved out. Joe said he knows now where he ranks!

Addie started gymnastics last night. I think she did really well. I'm anxious to see how she improves and if she enjoys it. Alex wanted to know why Addie got to do something and he didn't.. How quickly he forgets that we've been playing t-ball for almost 3 months now! T-ball is almost over so we may sign him up for Karate or something. I'm not trying to be stereo typical or anything but I really think he'd be good at Karate.

So off we head to Tulsa. Last year someone felt the need/desire to let themselves into our home where they felt the privilege to rummage thru Ashton bedroom and thru Johnnys stuff plus left empty bear cans in our home. We feel like we know who it was and if it happens again I will not refrain from pressing charges. That is breaking and entering and so much not respectful! That person knows darn well we don't allow that type of behavior in our house. Joseph should be at home and on guard this time around!

Have a blessed week.
Tina

Ears pierced

I'll have to post pictures of Miss Addie's ears. This weekend I was checking FB and noticed that Addie's friend Charlotte had her ears pierced. I showed Addie and then she wanted to talk to Charlotte on the phone. After we hung up she proceeded over an over to tell me she wanted her ears pierced also. She has asked for a while and I've been putting it off but I thought since it was a 3 day weekend that it was probably a good time to have it done so we could watch them and doctor them. We headed over to the mall and had them pierced in no time. She sat very still and quiet and never let on a peep. She was such a big girl and said it only pinched a little. She's done well with them and they don't seem to be bothering her any.

After that we went to La Huerta and ate lunch and then headed to have our manicures and pedicures. I enjoyed this much more than Addie did. I've never had a manicure and I was tickled to get to have one done.

We're getting ready to go on a trip next week to Tulsa so tonight I went and had a spray on tan done. So far it looks pretty good. I don't see any streaks or anything odd. May be a different story when I get in better light! Anyway I didn't have time to tan and really didn't want to be the big "white" woman standing out in the pool. We'll be seeing several families who've adopted from Vietnam next week so believe me my "whiteness" would have shown bright and clear at the pool.

I'm working late tonight. One of my co-workers is out on vacation and I'm on call so I got the job of restarting some of his applications. Waiting for another co-worker to finish his part so I can do my part and head home. Alex had a ball game tonight so I had to miss his game for work. I hate that part of my job. Pray for me that my job won't interfere with my time with my family.

Have a blessed week.
Tina

Happy Gotcha Day Addie

May 23rd marked Addie's 4 year Gotcha Day. Boy 4 years has flown by. Addie is such a joy. She still enjoys being rocked each night before bed and DOES NOT like to share moms lap with brother! She will pout if he's in her spot when it comes time to rock. She'll back up and stand in front of me and wait for me to pull her up in my lap. she's tall enough to do this on her own but if I don't reach and out grab her she'll turn and give me this look that only she can give and grunt like ok already! Johnny stayed with his dad last night and on the way home from Alex's ball game they wanted to call him. As Addie was talking to him she said. Daddy when you get home in the morning can you give me a kiss? Now how sweet is that? We are truly blessed that Addie Jewell calls us Mom and Dad.

Alex has six more t-ball games to go. He's really enjoying t-ball and really doing a great job. As most of you know he's rather spastic or at least I call him spastic. Last week his pre-school teacher caught him mooning the other kids.. Yep my son was mooning the other kids. The teacher said I don't know where he got that? Well I don't know either.. Like we walk around our house mooning each other! I probably need to have a conversation with big brother Joseph. He'll be home 3 years in October. He often tells me " I love you soo soo much mom ". What more can you ask for than to be blessed with 4 wonderful children?

Both kids are doing great and are getting ready for Kindergarten. I can't believe they'll be in school in just a few short months. Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday we were in China receiving Addie and now she's been home for 4 years!

Blessings to each of you.
Tina

Sorrow

Yesterday Ashton's brother Sam passed away. He was logging and the tree he was cutting hung in another tree and the second tree fell on him. Sam was 21 years old and leaves behind a 2 year old son named Braxton. I ask that you remember the Starnes family in your prayers. I know his family would appreciate you lifting them up in prayer during this difficult time.

Thank You,
Tina

Back Pain

Well I feel like I'm on the mend however today has been a bit of a set back. Yesterday I went to Sams and pushed a heavy cart around the store and then vacummed last night so I think I over did it. I'm paying for it today. My back is reminding me that it's not well. I'm usually pretty busy and being down is not fitting into my schedule! I'd appreciate it if you all keep me in your prayers.

On a side note Johnny and I learned we are going to be grandparents last weekend. Jonathon and Shawna are expecting. I ask you to uplift them in prayer. Jonathon is still in Camden attending Police Academy. He just finished up his 7th week today. He has 5 weeks left before graduation.

Continue to pray for our new business. We continue to need more business to stay a float. Business has picked up this week but we need it to continue to pick up.
Thanks to everyone for thier prayers and support for our family. I do appreciate it so very much!
Blessings to each of you,
Tina

PAIN

Yep that's the key word on my tongue this week. PAIN, PAIN and more PAIN.
Starting last Saturday my back started feeling not so well. By Sunday evening it was worse and by Monday morning I was in so much pain I was barely able to get out of bed and walk. I went to the Chiropractor on Monday. He asked me about my back history and I told him that I'd broken my tail bone ice skating a few years ago. So he decided to do an x-ray to determine if there were any other issues he could identify. He came back in the room and said. Well I think at some point in your life you've broken your back. He wanted to do an additional x-ray to get a better look at it and came back and said yep it's been broke before. Well the only time I can think of is when I broke my tail bone. So I guess I ended up braking my back when I broke my tail bone. So you'd think a broken back and a broken tail bone would be a lot of pain right? Well yep it was painful but I was always told they couldn't do anything for a broken tail bone and that it was going to be painful so I didn't grip I just dealt with the pain. But the pain I've had this last week has been way far worse than the pain I was in a few years ago! He feels like when I broke my tail bone and back that I also did some damage to the muscles and things surrounding that area causing scar tissue and the pain that I'm having now. Good news is I am feeling much better the last two days. I'm still moving rather slow but I am moving! I'm not in constant pain anymore and I praise God that I'm feeling improvements in my body. Johnny and the kids have been catering to me this week which I've much appreciated. Johnny tied my shoes for me the last two days and has done several other misc things to help me out. Shh don't tell him I've bragged on him but he has been great. I am blessed.

Alex and Addie are doing great. Alex had 2 t-ball games this week and is doing really well. We signed miss Addie up a couple of weeks ago for dance and she didn't want to but last night decided she would. So I guess I'll see if it's too late for her to join dance now. They visited kindergarten the last week and both seem to be looking forward to going to school. Johnny and I are looking forward to having the extra day care money back in our pockets! Time has flown by so quickly and I can't believe that they're getting ready to start school. I was looking at pictures of both the kids last night and how much they've grown and changed over the last 2-3 years. Time just flies!

Blessings to you all. Have a wonderful weekend.
Tina