Saori- A new addition to our family!

No we have not adopted a baby, but this is probably the closest we'll get to international adoption for the time being.

While on vacation this summer visiting Tim's parents, my mom called and mentioned that she received an email from a friend of hers, who helps students from Japan find host families to stay with, and that there was a student coming at the end of August who was needing a host family. I asked Tim (while my mom was on hold) if he would be interested in hosting an exchange student. He asked for the phone, and said without much thought, that yes, we would host this student. We didn't know anything about the student at that point, other than that she was female. Once home we got an email with a bit more limited information.


We had a few weeks to prepare a room for her to stay in. We decided clean out our office and put things in storage, and a computer in our family room so that she would have a place to stay. Then at the end of August, I went to pick our student up from the airport.

Saori became a member of the church in 2009 and then served a full time mission in Japan till March of this year. On the ride home, I learned that she was less than a year younger than myself. She has a degree in Psychology from a university in Japan, and wants to attend graduate school here in the US. In order to do this, she needs to improve her English (which she is already quite good at speaking- we communicate just fine- but not to the level necessary for grad school). She is attending an international school in our city for her English studies.

After only a few days in our home, it was crazy to think that she hadn't been living with us all along. She is a great friend, helps with chores, enjoys playing with and engaging our children, and has even cooked a few delicious Japanese meals for our family.

Home with us for two days, needing a picture of her host family to send her family back in Japan.

The kids waiting patiently at Walmart while we got Saori hooked up with a pay as you go cell phone.

Amelia and Saori decorating each other's hair with flowers.

Delicious Japanese fried rice!

More girl time outside.

Another meal, this one- prepared as part of my birthday dinner. The kids, especially Amelia, all enjoyed eating it.

Another outside picture of Amelia, Saori took while they were spending time outside.

Saori with two of my nieces at a family birthday party.

Showing off the boys to a friend on skype. (Really, they wouldn't leave her alone and instead of getting frustrated, included them in what she was doing.)

We have loved having this new addition to our family. She enjoys calling me her "host mom" even though i feel like we have more of a sister relationship than a mother-daughter relationship. (Remember, we are alike 10 months apart.) Unlike others who have host/ed teen exchange students, I don't need to remind her about chores, homework, etc, which is great.
Its been great fun having a continuous taste of another culture in our home. We are just waiting for our amazon order of chopsticks to come so we can implement those in our daily eating. And I'm sure with time/weather changing, we will also adopt the use of the house slippers. 

Kindergarten Conundrum

Amelia is attending public school kindergarten this year. Yes, it's true. If five years ago you had told me that I would send my little girl to a public school I would have gotten offended and we might not have been friends afterward. Before I even had children- or was even married, I have wanted to home school my children. There is a "home school" label for my posts on this blog for crying out loud. I did however say and plan to involve the Lord in my children's education plan. I knew that it would be a matter of prayer and that if for some crazy reason my child/ren were to attend school, and I would do whatever I was lead by the spirit to do. I was home schooled from grades 3rd-9th and I loved it, because of several personal challenges school was intellectually and emotionally challenging. I was dealing with some massive PTSD and a learning disability and I feel that I would not have made it though those years of my life had my mother not decided to home school me.

For months before school started this year I prayed and fasted about what rout would be best for Amelia's education. Then I prayed some more to know what to do. I was feeling at this point that I could make the decision myself, that I could choose. I felt I would have the blessing of the Lord no matter what and so I moved forward with my desire to home school.  I felt that having a set curriculum would be the best option. I started looking into set curriculum. I really liked Abeka and decided that we would go with that for this first year of home schooling. A friend of mine uses the curriculum and let me look it over to determine the best grade of books to order. After making this decision and having a plan to work with I felt uneasy. So uneasy that I applied to have Amelia attend two of the local charter schools. When I got the letter saying she didn't make it in via the lottery and that she would be on the waiting list (numbers 17 and 137 respectively), I was a bit disappointed since at that point I was feeling like school might be the place she needed to be.

There was more praying, lots of  tears, talking with other moms-specifically my sisters. I voiced my worries and concerns about public school. I was reassured that most of my worries were normal mom worries. We talked about the girl Amelia is and how much she needs to stay engaged. We talked about the things she would learn with what I am hoping- will be more easily and more efficiently than if she were at home. She would make friends. Hopefully the experience would be fun for her as well. If it didn't go over well or if I wanted to pull her from public school, I would always have that option. I knew that if she attended public school, she would not be gleaning much, if anything academically.

In the state we live in to be tested into a grade level above what they should be enrolled because of their age(for Amelia to go into 1st instead of kindergarten), she have to test two complete grade levels above, as though she had just completed 2nd grade (our tax dollars at work my friends). Amelia is reading well into the 2nd/3rd grade levels, her penmanship is not perfect but she definitely knows how to write her letters and numbers, count to one hundred, do simple addition and subtraction, etc. So still the feeling that she needed to attend school, knowing she knows almost everything kindergarten has to offer academically. It would have been much more difficult to do if I didn't know it was the right thing.

Amelia needs structure and to know that other kids have the same expectations as she does. among other things she needs to learn to wait her turn (something she has always struggled with) and to have a positive attitude when she does have to wait. Come on people- she's five years old after all- its only natural. Something Tim and I have both been seen with other home schooled children and peers, is that if it doesn't come from mom or dad, it's not really valid.  That this is something specific they struggle with- having someone in an authoritative position that is not mom or dad. (Note: I understand that attachment with mom and dad is the most important and most of the time, we want only the parents to be the figures of authority- but this can be a problem for accountability with the boss at work, a professor at school, or even a spouse.) Even when it does come from us, Amelia's parents, she some times thinks it is unimportant.

So we moved forward with enrollment at our local elementary school. We went to the back to school night and met with her teacher. Her teacher and I talked about implementing things to challenge Amelia academically and keep her engaged. I am really hoping that this will happen more and more since I haven't noticed any academic challenges after the first week and a half. I'm trying to keep my expectations realistic as I know she has 24 other children she is responsible for. Amelia has yet to come home with assigned home work, but we still work together at home after she gets home from public school.

Amelia loves to ride the bus with her cousins in the morning, and then home from her half day with her kindergarten friend in our neighborhood. I swung by the school as she was finishing and when she saw me was quite upset and worried that she wouldn't get to ride the bus home. Silly girl. 

Amelia at the bus stop on her first day of Kindergarten.

So there you have it. Never in a million years did I think we would be here, but we're here. 

Modesty and Being a Lady

Modesty is important to me as a woman. Having a 5 year old daughter who feels pressure and desire to wear things that might not be modest, and having two sons that are starting to notice immodest dress, makes modesty important to me as a mother.

As a member of the LDS faith, it is something that is talked about. The Friend magazine my church puts out each month for children ages 18 months- 11 years old. I know it can be a touchy subject for some people in the church, when it come to small/young children.
About two years ago there was a story about a girl who was given a dress that didn't have sleeves and described how she wore a shirt that had sleeves on under the dress to stay modest.  Two years ago, Amelia and I read the story and discussed the outcome.  The next page had a modesty check list the standards of modesty that should be expected.

Here is a modesty check list that was published in The Friend.

• ▫ My shoulders are covered.
• ▫ My shirt covers my stomach.
• ▫ My shorts or skirt go to my knees.
  
• ▫ My shirt is not low-cut.
  
• ▫ My clothes are not tight.
  
• ▫ I don’t look sloppy.
  
• ▫ My hair is combed.
  
• ▫ My clothes are not saggy, torn, or holey to fit in with a style.
  
• ▫ Labels or words on my clothes are respectful, not rude or offensive.

I love this list. Amelia and I have talked a lot about two years ago and since then, our family has had the rule of not wearing clothing outside that does not cover our shoulders, and everything else listed in the check list. Amelia does however, have some shirts that don't have sleeves that she can layer over something, wear as undershirts, and wear to bed; and also has short shorts to sleep in or layer under her skirts for time when she is climbing trees in a skirt.

On a day last week, I told Amelia to go get dressed for her day. She came back wearing just a tank top. She said something like "See what I'm wearing?" referencing to her shirt, and asked, "Is that ok? Can I wear this?" Amelia knew it was not ok, we had talked about this and she knew our rule. However, I didn't want to disagree or make it an issue, after all, as parents, we need to choose our battles. I was reminded of the quote by the Prophet Joseph Smith that says, "You teach them correct principles, and them let them govern themselves." So I told her, "You know our rules and what I expect from you about the cloths you wear. I will let you decide to wear it or to change." Amelia was VERY surprised, and left the room. I am happy to report that she went and put a short sleeved shirt on underneath her tank top. She came back to me and said, "I decided to wear a shirt that would cover (touching her shoulders), and the tank top." **Proud Mom Moment**

And now for some thoughts on modesty Found on Pinterest:

Four. Really??

Can't believe this little red haired, blue eyed boy Miles is FOUR years old!! His delivery was by far the best experience ever and made the 35 lbs I lost from ridiculously horrible hyperemesis gravidarum all worth it.
On Miles birthday we made a cake, sang to him, and ate it together as a family on our front lawn.

Oh these two. When they love each other and are kind, they are the BEST of friends.

A few days later, we had a Buzz Light Year themed birthday party with friend from his Sun Beam class at church and some cousins.

I made the "happy birthday" banner, hung balloons from the ceiling, and made 3-d card board stars, spray painted them silver, and hung them from the ceiling.

We made some Toy Story cup cake toppers with toothpicks, stickers, and paper.

Miles got some wonderful gifts, but was absolutely THRILLED with the Legos he received.

Made a cup cake stand out of color coordinating plates and cups.

Ready to make a wish!

Amelia loved having all the focus on Miles (though she hopped in this picture- in the name of love for her brother) and helped with all of his little friends.

I drew out  and colored this Alien and sets of three eyes for a classic game of Pin the Eye's on the Alien.

My sister Alisa drew out and colored this Buzz Light Year for the party.

Putting together his Legos after the party.

I was struggling to come up with games for a Toy Story themed birthday party that 3 and 4 year olds could easily enjoy. I decided that in addition to the Pin the Eye's on the Alien, to pull out our Mr and Mrs Potato Heads and let them each create a head as guests were arriving. I also had a color of Buzz and some Aliens for each child to color. And the little take home boxes had treats, a balloon, and some green army men in them. It was a fun planning the party for Miles that he and all of his friends enjoyed so much.

Happy Birthday Miles!! Love you buddy!!

3-3-3 Genetic?

After Miles' broke his arm, I realized that all three of my children have had a broken bone (three breaks), due to a fall, at age three, or younger. Coincidence? Does the similarity equate genetically weak bones?

July 14, 2009
No one was present for what we are sure was a fall of the kitchen chair. Amelia ended up with a broken clavicle. She had to wear a special shoulder brace to help align the bone for healing.


March 29, 2011
Brodrick fell of the changing table when I was standing right beside him and ended up with a broken tibia and fibula.

And now Miles:

Then about a week after Miles broke his arm, my niece Jenna broke her arm. She was roller-blading and fell. She broke the same arm (left) on the same bone (radius) on the same place on the bone, with the same kind of fracture (compression), from the same thing (a fall). Now, I am sure the weak bones was due to genetic bone weakness.

Broken Arm

July 29th I went down to my brother's house for a quick visit. While I was there I got a phone call from Tim saying "You need to come home right now, I think Amelia just broke Miles' arm." I got there as fast as I could, which was about 20 minutes. Miles had been crying the whole time and when I got home he was laying in his bed since it was already past his bed time. He quickly told me that Amelia kicked him off the couch and that it hurt his arm. I asked if he wanted medicine to help it feel better, which he did. I went to grab he medicine and when I came back he was asleep. Since I couldn't really tell how bad the injury was with him being in bed sleeping, I decided to just let him sleep.

Around midnight Miles rolled over in bed and screamed in pain. I went to give him the medicine I hadn't been able to give him before he fell asleep when I first got home. He was not calming down so I brought him to our bed. I had a gut feeling it was broken. In an attempt to not go to the ER, I went to the kitchen and layered several pieces of cardboard from cereal boxes, fitted them to his arm size, stuck them in a large sock, and splinted his arm, wrapping his arm with an ace bandage. The stabilization seemed to help him. He was able to calm down and we went back to bed. Sleeping next to him I could hear his little whimper every time he moved in his sleep.

About 5am he rolled over again, which cause some horrible pain. I decided it wasn't fair for him to have to wait till 9am to call to make an appointment at the pediatrician's office that would probably be later in the day, so we got our shoes on and headed for the ER. We were so blessed that there was not wait. I literally walked in the doors, got signed in, took Miles to triage for some vitals and weight, then went right back to our room. I didn't even get to meet Miles' nurse before the DR came in to check out the situation.

Seconds later the nurse was there and upon telling them the story above, both were shocked and amused to hear that I splinted his arm myself. That's how I roll folks. The X-rays were ordered and we quickly were taken to Radiology. They were done in no time and we were back in his room. The DR came back in and said that the arm was broken. I was given instructions for care and a tech came in to splint his arm and fit him with a sling. The tech and I got to talking about adoption and turns out, she was adopted. We had a great talk while she worked and even after she was done, and then we were on our way. We were in and out of that ER in just under 2 hours, and Tim just made it on time to work with the van.

Waiting in his hospital bed for his X-ray.

Miles was so happy when they game him a robot blanket for coming in to the ER.

Miles with his arm all splinted and ready to go.

A few days later we went to get Miles a cast. We took his splint of the night before to make sure he got a bath before having the cast put on, since I was assuming he wouldn't be able to get his cast wet. At the appointment I was finally able to see the X-ray.

Buckle Fracture of the Radius

Miles is excited to get the splint off.

Happy guy with his green, waterproof cast.

Miles tells everyone when they ask how he broke his arm, that 1) his sister kicked him off the couch and  2) that his cast is waterproof so he can go swimming at a local water-park.
--I am so happy that they have waterproof casts now. The gauze that they wrap the arm in before layering it with the hard cast material is made from a plastic mesh, so it doesn't absorb water. It is just awesome!--

Trip to the Zoo!

On July 27th, we went to the Hogle Zoo with some local family, and some family visiting from out of town. Take myself and my three kids, 3 of my sisters and 7 of their kids, and my mom, and it's sure to be a good time. Though with all of us, it was quite comical to see  the schedule turn from getting to the zoo before noon, turn to 1pm, then 2pm, then planning to met up at my parent's house to car pool up there at 2. We finally got to my parents house, got car seats switched, and we were all on our way in two minivans, and arrived around 3pm.

Miles loved carrying maps and being Grandma's buddy.

I forgot the umbrella stroller for Brodrick. It turned out ok, as he LOVED walking around, and when he got tired, Aunt Shalaina was right there willing to carry him.

Brotherly love

With Aunt Shalaina

Me and my "big" sister

checking out some animals, and the fence.

Brodrick getting a piggy-back ride with Aunty Shalaina

The Polar Bear there at the zoo is just awesome!! The two times we have been this summer, he will go to this spot and swim under the water, pop up by the window if people are standing there, push off of the rocks under the window, swim backward, and then do it again and again. Miles watched from a distance but Brodrick LOVED being right up against the glass to watch him.

Brodrick checking out a tiger cooling off in the water.

Amelia on the carosel.

...Lovin Amelia's smile....

...Brodrick's super cheese...

Trying to get a good picture of my three kids on our way out of the zoo was amusing. This is the best one of all three kids.

We had a great time! Tim's parents bought us a pass for a year so we hope to make it to the Zoo as often as possible while the weather is nice.