The Nicest People and the Cutest Kids!

When I moved to this small midwestern city, I think there were two families that had children adopted internationally in the area! Coming from a neighboring state where international adoptions were common (and my brother is Korean as well), I found my new home to be quite "white" (I know that's not PC, but it was very true 20 years ago)!

Today, our little area finds itself in a much different scenario! In 2002, after running into nine families who had children adopted internationally in my town and surrounding communities (their names and phone numbers were written on the back of a deposit slip in my checkbook!), I felt that if God could speak to me he would have said, "Jeanne, I cannot make this any easier--call these people!" So, on a nice summer day in 2002, our little international group met for ice cream in the park. Seven years later, we are still getting together to enjoy the company of families just like ours. We enjoy the fellowship and appreciate the support that is shared throughout the many phases of adoption--beginning, middle, and end (which really is the beginning of parenting and another story!). Our roster currently has around 30 families, 39 adoptees and five cuties waiting to come home!

I think there are a few observations that can be made that are not particularly profound, but they are just there:

1.) The kids just gel! We have often said that they all share a special "something" (most likely their common method of arrival into their families via adoption). They may not see each other much between get togethers; but when they do, it's a little like hangin' with the cousins! There's no need to catch up; we already know each other!

2.) For the most part, people entered international adoption for the simple reason that they wanted to be 'parents'--they did not do this to rescue their child and it was not "Plan B". Mostly, they wanted to be parents and their children needed parents. However, we are not blind to the fact that the fate of everyone's lives would be drastically altered had God not placed His loving hand on all of us.

3.) Once the kids get home, they are simply your child! The 'adoption' was an event in a family's history. After that event, they are simply YOUR child; adoption was how they arrived in your family but it is not their sole identity in the family. Half of our families have blended families (meaning 1/2 have biological children as well as children that were adopted).

4.) I have observed that when visiting with moms and dads over time, many of their conversations about their kids center around parenting! I am incredibly grateful for the members in our group that have reared tax paying, God fearing children already and they willingly share their wisdom with those of us that are a few steps behind them!

If you have ever entertained the idea of adoption, don't let that thought leave you! It's doable, it's affordable and you will be blessed beyond measure ;). For information regarding this awesome group, you many contact me via email (jeannebh65@aol.com).

I Miss Snail Mail.....

After going through boxes from around 1984 and forward....I have been visiting old friends, grandmas, grandpas, mom, dad...even brothers and sisters! I have been wading through a collection of cards, postcards and letters. Wow, do I miss REAL mail! I'll be the first to admit that removing email from my life would nearly turn it upside down! Actually, I keep in touch better with family/friends on email than I ever would have done with 'snail mail'. Which reminds me, sincere apologies go out to Margaret who wrote the most cards and letters especially in college! Grandma Bougie wins the family member award for keeping my college mailbox filled! I digress.....

Anyway, I miss seeing a person's handwriting. Did they write it neatly (which always makes one feel a little special), was it written by grandmas and grandpas that were feeling well at the time? Or, did it show that their health was not as good as it had been and arthritis was getting the best of them at that time? Stickers on letters....I always liked that! Letters were a little piece of that person right there in an envelope!

I nearly forgot...how about those dear people that you meet along the way? A college roommate? A summer friend met through summer employment? Just special people put into your life for a short season....nevertheless, they touched your life.

Maybe this year, I will try to write more REAL mail for my friends and family. Living history is still timeless and pretty special.

Next week....Christmas cards.

Shawn's Train in Action!

We've all been having a lot of fun with Shawn's trains....here is the train in action!

Emilee and Shawn's Piano Recital

Em and Shawn were supposed to have their piano recital on December 14. It was the very same weekend that we had a SD blizzard as well! Not only was their recital cancelled, but their Christmas program at church was cancelled too! Christy, their teacher was on the ball though and told the kids the 'show would go on' in cyberspace! This link won't be here for long and expires in 30 days. When you hit the link, just go to "Emilee" for her recital and "Shawn" for his.

http://www.lickei.com/recital/

Meet the Family

This is our firstborn, Miss Emilee. Emilee came home from Korea at the age of 5 months....what a day that was the summer of 1997! Miss Em forges the territory as firstborn well and is thoughtful to look behind and pull 'little brother' up too! I remember her asking when Shawn was five if she could remove his training wheels. We replied, "Are you kidding? You were seven when we did that. No!" Ten minutes later, she came in the house and announced, "Look at Shawn, he doesn't have on his training wheels! I disobeyed, am I in trouble?" He was riding like he had been doing this all summer. Em enjoys math, science, soccer, gymnastics, ice skating, volleyball, piano, violin and youth group. Emilee also enjoys traveling and her American Girl collection of dolls and accessories.

Well, these two would be the 'shakers' in our family--Shawn and Sophie (Yorkie). Shawn is up for lots of entertainment having to do with trains, cars, playing outside (in any weather from -15 to 90+)....it's just not an issue, playing his Wii, basketball, baseball, soccer, football....all things that use a ball! He also plays piano--for him, this is simply a 'means to an end' as he would like to play drums at our school and they require two years of piano first. I sure hope he might change his mind on quitting piano though as I enjoy listening to the kids play! Shawn's most recent hobby is collecting Lionel Trains! So far, he has the New York Central Flyer and The Polar Express. Shawn is our nine year old engineer and Sophie is his 'partner in crime'! Sophie will turn 2 on May 20, 2009. She's an encourager....'let's have some fun' is her mantra!

Well, this is 'dad' and me. We have been married since 1993 and so far things are working out pretty well! Greg is an accountant/business manager for a Native American school here in SD and prior to becoming a full time 'domestic engineer', I was a fourth grade teacher. Presently, I substitute in our district at the kids' elementary school and also our Middle School. The flexibility is great for our family, and I still get to put my 'toes in the water' (and go home without a pile of papers to correct!).

The days are busy with the kids in activities, etc., but I already know that these are the days I will reflect on as being the 'good ole days'....I will forget the fatigue, the days that I lacked wisdom, the frustration from trying to feed a picky eater, using the bathroom (by MYSELF!) etc. etc.

Greg and I enjoy going to the movies, family vacations, speaking in complete sentences (usually happens when we eat out!), and just 'hangin' out'. Greg loves to snowmobile, watch dirt track races and is a great bowler. Together, we also mentor a fourth grade Sunday School group, I help with the Youth on Wednesday nights and organize our local international adoption group.