February 2013 – Casting A Stone

Let’s keep talking

Posted on February 26, 2013February 27, 2013 by Tammy

The first question I get asked when folks hear us talking in Chinese as a family, “how do you keep it up?” I must admit we are not doing as well as I had dreamed. I have worked so hard to learn what little Mandarin I know – not making my children go through that same pain when they are in their 30’s is on my short list. I was ambitious – told myself we would only speak Chinese at home and English when we are out and about. Reality check! But, we have found a few things that have helped us not to forget what we know. (Now if I could find a way not to forget where I set down my keys.)

For those of you who have asked, here are a few resources for language that we would recommend. Of course we watch us some Ni Hao Kai Lan – but sometimes you need a bit more than that. So here you go:

Our newest find that is so super fun…..Elmo in Chinese! Little Man loves it and it is great practice for the big kids too. You can watch episodes on YouTube here.

Isn’t that fun!! We all were so excited to find these. We spent Sunday evening with a bowl of popcorn sitting around the desk watching all the episodes. I found it on the Kid World Citizen web page, a great site with many resources.

If you have younger kids who enjoy Elmo then Little Pim would also be a good tool for you. These short videos introduce a lot of new words in an easy and engaging way similar to Baby Einstein movies. Older new langauge learners also could learn a lot by watching over little brother’s shoulder! Bonus – they aren’t to annoying.

For our big kids they started out learning Chinese using the Monkey King Curriculum. The books are colorful, they teach characters along with vocabulary in a fun way. They come with a CD. If the parent doesn’t know how to pronounce the words….no sweat. Learn right along with your child as you listen together. My kids started this series in Kindergarten and advanced a level each semester.

Monkey King might not be hard core enough for some of you….if that is the case I say dive in and purchase Rosetta Stone. We use it three times a week for the older kids (and Momma has used it too!) Little Monkey who is in Kindergarten this year dabbles with it too, but it is a bit hard for her. Rosetta Stone is expensive, but worth the money. Without it I am sure I would have forgotten much of my language skills over the past two years. There is a version for homeschooling that comes with audio ( Rosetta Stone) but we have used the regular version.

Before we were ready to purchase Rosetta Stone we used Pimsler. It is a third of the price of Rosetta Stone which seemed more doable for us at the time. It is great for helping you learn conversations – actually helps you jump in with common phrases quicker than you would learn with Rosetta Stone, but if you are a visual learner it can be difficult. (aka miss artist here needed the Rosetta Stone graphics!)

Good luck to you all! If you have a resource that has worked well for you I would love to hear about it. We are always looking for more ways to keep up our language skills. Let’s keep talking and encouraging each other as we learn!

Family field trip

Posted on February 18, 2013February 25, 2013 by Tammy

Fun trip to the zoo to finish off our full semester study of flying creatures. All these fun birds to look at and what do my children want to sit and watch…..the chickens. Could have saved myself the hour drive and the entrance fee and just let them watch the 7 in my backyard all afternoon….like every other afternoon. sheesh! Okay, Little Man was interested in something besides the chickens – the trucks driving by the zoo caught his attention!

All joking aside, we had a GREAT day. Little Monkey declared it the best late birthday trip EVER (enter sing song voice) and Roo reminded us that we are a “zoo family!” Our love started with a family membership when she was a baby and we have taken great joy in visiting any zoo we can all over the world. Fun hobby. To bad their isn’t a zoo membership that would cover that.

Here are a few photos from our day. Heavy on the birds….well, because that is what we have been studying. Okay, so a few of some super cute kids too! 😉

And Little Man is ready to go!

True Story

Posted on February 16, 2013February 16, 2013 by Tammy

I wish the stories I am about to share were fictional.

A woman I had known for two hours felt that it was appropriate to say in front of my son, “so because of his birth defect his birth parents didn’t want him, right?”

Not twenty minutes later, Little Man and I were walking across a parking lot. We were taking our time enjoying the warm afternoon. He was wearing shorts making his brace and prosthetic visible. A truck slowed down next to us and the driver rolled down his window. (I am not kidding!) “Lady, what is wrong with your son?”

We get into McDonalds to enjoy a mommy and son date. While waiting in line, the woman next to me says, “He has one blue leg and one…..well he is cute anyway.”

Three in a row – in less than an hour.

Many times we are seen as a curiosity, entertainment, weird, or the drastic opposite – super heroes. None are accurate and they make me sad. Yes, our family looks different and our children were born with things that make them unique – but that is the beauty of God’s creativity. I wish that people could see that rather than a limb difference or skin tone.

As mom to this crew, I am learning that I need to educate and advocate for the sake of my family. Some days are harder than others. Sometimes it feels lonely and I just get tired. I don’t want to explain myself or defend my family. I would just like people to “get” us – treat us like any other family.

Thankfully, this is a true story.

I was waiting in line in our small town’s post office. A woman, who knew my husband as a child, introduced herself. I enjoyed the small talk (ahhhh, adult conversation) including fun stories of her life as a swimming instructor. “I would be excited to teach Little Man to swim this summer.” she offered without missing a beat.

Just when you feel exhausted.

I thought I would cry right there in the post-office. She was God’s gift to me. She saw the empty pant-leg and my son’s potential to be just like other kids. Even more she was excited to be a part of his journey and to get to know our family.

What a different afternoon encounter. I am sure she had no idea why tears sprang to my eyes and she wouldn’t be able to understand the value of the gift she had just offered me. It was so much more than swimming lessons. God whispered into my heart and I didn’t feel alone.

Making my own true story.

The deep blessing of being offered swimming lessons shocked me into remembering that simple gestures can make significant impact. So just thinking…how can I be like the swimming instructor and not like the curious truck driver?

Lord, help me today to use my talents, time and money to encourage those around me.

She’s Six

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Tammy

The sweet six year old behind this smile is one of my greatest joys in life! We are celebrating her life today.

Little Monkey – who is working so hard at learning to read. Her favorite things are coloring books, legos and barbies. She loves eating rice and any sweets. Totally my best helper, she can wash a sink of dishes in no time flat.

One super fun thing this year has been watching her grow into the roll of big sister. She often is toting around her two year old brother (who seems almost as big as she is). She loves entertaining him (as long as he doesn’t get into her legos!) Crazy to think that she was the one always hanging on my leg – now she is the big sister who is setting a beautiful example of grace and love for little man. She has become the one who is quick to share, offer a sympathetic pat and a creative way to pass the time.

So…you can imagine we were anxious to shower our sweet girl with extra attention today! Birthday gifts, cake, meeting friends for a play-date at the park and watching a movie rather than doing school has made for a special birthday afternoon.

We are so incredibly blessed to have her in our lives. Really couldn’t do life without her.

Happy Birthday Little Monkey!

The gift of a son

Posted on February 3, 2013February 8, 2013 by Tammy

I have something special to share with you! Here is a video of friends of ours who recently have adopted domestically. I was so blessed and challenged to hear how they view adoption, their heart for their son’s birthmom and how this journey has increased their faith.

via Four Oaks Tallahassee website | fouroakschurch.com

Worth it

Posted on February 2, 2013February 3, 2013 by Tammy

When the clock was creeping later and later into the afternoon, I decided to peek in and catch a glimpse of my sleepy boy. What I found…..

both my boys curled up in the crib.

Tears sprung to my eyes as I gazed at my 11 year old protectively curled up with his sleeping 2 year old brother. Soccer dude gave me a sheepish grin and whispered, “he doesn’t like sleeping alone.”

When we began the journey of adding to our family through adoption one of the questions that weighed heavily on our hearts was how it would affect our first two children. We wondered if adding more children would spread us to thin. Would they bond with a new sibling? I even asked myself silly questions like could they handle sharing a room and their toys.

We had one boy and one girl. The perfect family, or was it…..

I am so glad that God called us to step out of our comfort zone to adopt.

Sure we would have had more money to spend on gadgets. I probably wouldn’t be sporting the dark circles under my eyes from added sleepless nights. If there were only two, I might run them around to added activities. The college fund would be bigger. I wouldn’t be as scatter brained from running after 4 energetic young’ns and parent retirement would come earlier.

It can be confusing because our culture holds all of those things in high regard.

What we have learned:

Having your own room is overrated, but having a best friend always ready to play barbies – priceless. When we were pulling out the toys and clothes Roo had out grown we did hear “Hey, that was mine.” But, we are pushing through the selfishness and finding the gem of sharing.

When our new addition fights against our family ways – we have learned that grace covers differences. Rice and spaghetti can go together. Trust us.

Soccer Dude had to move his lego collection to the play room in order to make room for the crib. Some might think that is to much to ask of an 11 year old. When I look at my boys who adore each other – I think of what we would have lost if we hadn’t made room for one more.

I thought this was a journey to add to our family – actually it has been a journey that has helped my faith and our family to grow in ways I never could have imagined.

Adoption is worth it.