We just got back from the First Annual Hope Family Reunion at Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. Eight families that adopted from the same institute in China got together to let the kids reconnect and for new connections to form between our families. All the families keep in touch via a Yahoo account, so it was nice to finally meet some of the families we have got to know over the computer. I asked Madison when we got back yesterday if she had fun and she said yes, which I already knew because she seemed to have a great time while we were in Kentucky. I thought it may be difficult for her to leave her friends, but she seems to be doing okay.
She is however, very nervous about her surgery on Thursday. John and Madison have sore throats from traveling, so I pray that will not be a problem come Thursday. They are up seeing our ear, nose, and throat doctor right now... I need to finish laundry and repack, so I'll keep this short for now.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Surgery
It's been a long time since I've posted anything on here, so thanks for checking back in with us. Madison had a doctor's appointment at the Shriner's hospital in Minneapolis this morning, and her surgery date is set. Unfortunately, the surgery isn't until July 29; we were hoping it would be in a couple weeks. We put her name on a waiting list in case someone cancels their surgery before then. We also talked to the social worker at Shriner's; she said she would see if she could do anything to make the surgery sooner. Madison was hoping to be walking on her own two feet/legs when she started high school, so she was very disappointed. I will start Reading Recovery training in August, so that is another concern. I thought I'd have the June and July to take care of her and make trips to Minneapolis for fittings and physical therapy.
Madison has learned so much English since last summer that our interpreter, that Shriner's provides, did not have much to interpret today at the hospital. It was, however, nice getting to know the young man, Zhi, assigned to us. He came to the States when he was thirteen like Madison, so we had plenty of questions about his experience of learning the language.
We will see another doctor tomorrow, but I don't think there will be anything to report on that since it will not have an impact on the surgery. I will, however, keep everyone updated as to any changes.
Madison has learned so much English since last summer that our interpreter, that Shriner's provides, did not have much to interpret today at the hospital. It was, however, nice getting to know the young man, Zhi, assigned to us. He came to the States when he was thirteen like Madison, so we had plenty of questions about his experience of learning the language.
We will see another doctor tomorrow, but I don't think there will be anything to report on that since it will not have an impact on the surgery. I will, however, keep everyone updated as to any changes.
Monday, March 2, 2009
No School!
Madison started school full-time today. She said it was ok except for one class. She even road the bus from the middle school to the school where I work with the help of her friend Sabrina. I'm so thankful for all the students who will be helping Madison learn her way around the big, three story building. Today was also my first full day back to school since leaving for China in early January. I'm exhausted, so Madison is probably just as tired.
Madison had her first American school lunch...I don't think she was too impressed, but I was told she ate the potato wedges, fruit, and cookie. She didn't eat the hamburger, which I knew she wouldn't since she doesn't like meat. One of the first things she told me after school was that she was hungry, so I quickly dug out a box of Cheez Its that I keep handy in my classroom.
We dedicated Madison at church yesterday. She was quite puzzled as to what was going on. I didn't tell her in advance because she would have balked at going up in front of the congregation. Although, she did say "No!" very loudly before we convinced her to get up and come with us. I only have one picture of the day, since Madison DOES NOT like to get her picture taken, but it is a good one of her and her wai po (maternal grandma).
Madison had her first American school lunch...I don't think she was too impressed, but I was told she ate the potato wedges, fruit, and cookie. She didn't eat the hamburger, which I knew she wouldn't since she doesn't like meat. One of the first things she told me after school was that she was hungry, so I quickly dug out a box of Cheez Its that I keep handy in my classroom.
We dedicated Madison at church yesterday. She was quite puzzled as to what was going on. I didn't tell her in advance because she would have balked at going up in front of the congregation. Although, she did say "No!" very loudly before we convinced her to get up and come with us. I only have one picture of the day, since Madison DOES NOT like to get her picture taken, but it is a good one of her and her wai po (maternal grandma).
Saturday, February 21, 2009
New Beginnings
Madison started school on Tuesday. She will be going for three hours for the first two weeks, and hopefully, if all is goes well, she will start full-time after that. She is basically working on English and also has an art class. Her ELL teacher is surprised at how much Madison does know especially since Madison didn't get to attend regular school in China. Madison is making friends even with the language barrier. There are some great girls in her class that have offered to help Madison get around school. As a mother, I was so glad to hear Madison talk about her friend Sabrina.
In some regards, Madison is your typical teenager, she does not want to get up in the mornings for school, and she was very happy when Saturday finally got here. John woke her up yesterday after he got ready for work and then I had to go up two more times to finally rouse her up. She likes to say, "No school, sleep!"
It has been remarkable at how fast Madison is learning English, we use the translator less and less when going through our daily routines since she has learned these words, phrases, and sentences. This morning I asked her if she wanted to go with me to yi ma's (my younger sister's) or stay home with dad and Sean. She understood everything and quickly decided that she wanted to go with me. We have been using Mandarin words for family, because it is hard for Madison to remember who is who or what their relationship is to mom and dad. In Mandarin, instead of calling both sets of grandparents, grandma and grandpa, they have specific names for each one. For example, my mom is wai po for maternal grandmother, and John's mom is nai nai for paternal grandmother.
Madison is very funny and loves to laugh. The other day while Madison and I were at the dining room table, I would occassionaly look out the window that was behind Madison. Each time I looked, Madison would turn around and to see what I was looking at. I started to tease her by saying, "Made you look!" She quickly caught on, unfortunately, because now she does it to me. Last night, we were in the car and Madison pointed out the window and told me and John to look at a cat, when we both looked for the cat, she started laughing very loudly because she "made us look."
We dropped Sean and his new girlfriend off at the movie theater last night, and later, while we waited for them to come out, Madison took on her little sister role perfectly by practicing kissing sounds and saying "I love you." It was so hilarious.
While Sean and his girlfriend were at the movies, we took Madison to get her ears pierced, which she wanted to do. However, when it came time, she held both our hands very tightly, tensed her whole body, and gritted her teeth. I felt like she needed a bit of rawhide to clamp down on. We were afraid that she would not get the second ear pierced after experiencing the first, so we had two people at each ear and they pierced on the count of three. Now she has beautiful, sparkly flowers on each little, red earlobe.
In some regards, Madison is your typical teenager, she does not want to get up in the mornings for school, and she was very happy when Saturday finally got here. John woke her up yesterday after he got ready for work and then I had to go up two more times to finally rouse her up. She likes to say, "No school, sleep!"
It has been remarkable at how fast Madison is learning English, we use the translator less and less when going through our daily routines since she has learned these words, phrases, and sentences. This morning I asked her if she wanted to go with me to yi ma's (my younger sister's) or stay home with dad and Sean. She understood everything and quickly decided that she wanted to go with me. We have been using Mandarin words for family, because it is hard for Madison to remember who is who or what their relationship is to mom and dad. In Mandarin, instead of calling both sets of grandparents, grandma and grandpa, they have specific names for each one. For example, my mom is wai po for maternal grandmother, and John's mom is nai nai for paternal grandmother.
Madison is very funny and loves to laugh. The other day while Madison and I were at the dining room table, I would occassionaly look out the window that was behind Madison. Each time I looked, Madison would turn around and to see what I was looking at. I started to tease her by saying, "Made you look!" She quickly caught on, unfortunately, because now she does it to me. Last night, we were in the car and Madison pointed out the window and told me and John to look at a cat, when we both looked for the cat, she started laughing very loudly because she "made us look."
We dropped Sean and his new girlfriend off at the movie theater last night, and later, while we waited for them to come out, Madison took on her little sister role perfectly by practicing kissing sounds and saying "I love you." It was so hilarious.
While Sean and his girlfriend were at the movies, we took Madison to get her ears pierced, which she wanted to do. However, when it came time, she held both our hands very tightly, tensed her whole body, and gritted her teeth. I felt like she needed a bit of rawhide to clamp down on. We were afraid that she would not get the second ear pierced after experiencing the first, so we had two people at each ear and they pierced on the count of three. Now she has beautiful, sparkly flowers on each little, red earlobe.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Baby Shower
Here we are at Madison's shower given by my very dear friends and co-workers at Inman Primary School in Red Oak, Iowa. Madison hates to get her picture taken, so she is giving me an unfavorable look in the picture with just the two of us. She got lots of wonderful gifts and even though it may have been hard to tell, she really enjoyed herself.
Madison went to her first high school basketball game last night in Shenandoah. Oddly enough, they played the school I work for and Madison's new school, Red Oak. My niece and nephew attend Shenandoah, and it was my nephew Koby's last game to play the drums in the pep band, so I had to support both sides. I think Madison truly enjoyed the excitement of the evening. She clapped when Shenandoah scored and scowled when they missed the basket. I tried to explain that we were playing her new school, but I don't think she understood. It won't be long until she knows she is really a Red Oak tiger.
Madison has been poked and prodded...again. She went to the dentist on Wednesday for a brutal cleaning...there were tears..., the eye doctor Thursday morning, and the doctor that afternoon. She DID NOT like getting her blood taken and quickly grew tired of the x-rays. We are checking into what, if anything, can be done to correct her hip area and left leg. I'm not too sure she will want anything done, since she does not like shots or anything that may cause even the slightest pain. I suppose none of us do, but it will be a huge decision if surgery can correct her leg.
The two people with me and Madison at the shower are my mom, Vicki, and my sister, Theresa.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Weekend Update
Madison and I went shopping on Saturday with my mom, sister, neice, and Mikelle. Madison loves to shop, but she got tired walking so much at the mall. Come to think of it, so did I.
We went specifically to J. C. Penney so that Kyra, my neice, could purchase a new comforter she's had her eye on. Madison also showed me some comforters that she would like too. There was only one problem, she just got a new comforter last weekend for her birthday from my mom. I tried to explain that she did not need a new comforter along with many other things she wanted throughout the day. I did get her a couple new shirts and a belt, and my mom got her some things from Claire's. Hopefully, she will soon learn that when we go shopping, we don't buy whatever we see that we want.
The school I work at is throwing us a shower tomorrow. I'm not sure how I can explain what a shower is. Madison may think it's another birthday party.
We took Madison to church for the second time yesterday. John told Pastor Jeff that he has succeeded in boring two cultures during his sermon. Thankfully, Jeff and John share the same kind of humor, so Jeff wasn't insulted. I also hope Jeff wasn't insulted when Madison kept looking at John's watch to see if noon was getting any closer, when church usually ends.
Well, I have to go to work today for parent/teacher conferences. Fortunately, my mom is coming over to stay with Madison until John or Sean get home. Even though she is fourteen, I don't think she's ready to be left alone.
We went specifically to J. C. Penney so that Kyra, my neice, could purchase a new comforter she's had her eye on. Madison also showed me some comforters that she would like too. There was only one problem, she just got a new comforter last weekend for her birthday from my mom. I tried to explain that she did not need a new comforter along with many other things she wanted throughout the day. I did get her a couple new shirts and a belt, and my mom got her some things from Claire's. Hopefully, she will soon learn that when we go shopping, we don't buy whatever we see that we want.
The school I work at is throwing us a shower tomorrow. I'm not sure how I can explain what a shower is. Madison may think it's another birthday party.
We took Madison to church for the second time yesterday. John told Pastor Jeff that he has succeeded in boring two cultures during his sermon. Thankfully, Jeff and John share the same kind of humor, so Jeff wasn't insulted. I also hope Jeff wasn't insulted when Madison kept looking at John's watch to see if noon was getting any closer, when church usually ends.
Well, I have to go to work today for parent/teacher conferences. Fortunately, my mom is coming over to stay with Madison until John or Sean get home. Even though she is fourteen, I don't think she's ready to be left alone.
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