"It's Raining Men"

Gay disco hit or not, that song gets stuck in my head whenever I see a jump, and Robyn, I blame you! ;)

We all went to Tim's jump today, and though a long afternoon, it was well worth it. Tim has to jump every month to keep his Airborne pay, and since the weather was so nice, he got on today's manifest, and we made it, hmmm, a family affair (another disco era classic...am I on a roll or what?!)

There were a lot of civilians jumping today, and the boys loved watching those SLOW falling, brightly colored parachutes sway down and land right in front of them. Tim took J. over on his shoulders to watch them. They were so close J. could have touched them.
Blue parachutes...









White parachutes...

The military parachutes are designed to fall much more quickly which is why much of airborne school is instruction on how to land without breaking your legs. Afterall, they aren't doing this for the view, and the intent is stayin' alive, not getting shot down mid-jump. (Yep-I did it again. Go ahead. Try not to think about John Travolta right....NOW!) The Army jumps a little higher up than the civilians, further out, and land in a drop zone in a cow pasture a ways away. Since they only have the wind to direct them, they need a larger landing target.

The boys had fun jumping and shouting "jump!" whenever a pass went by. Since 5 soldiers jumped in each pass, J. got to practice counting to 5 a lot! Then he'd say, "Ohhhh...Fall Down!" when they landed. Very cute. Here's Tim about to be inspected by the jump master getting onto the plane. J. waved, "Bye Bye, Daddy!" when Tim flew off.

Here is Tim jumping:

Thankfully, no one needed the "ouchey truck" (as J. called it-above). It was a fun day, and the boys will be talking about, and reinacting, its events for days to come, I'm sure!
And here's one last one without even an attempt at context, just to give you a little dance to do on a spring day: "Do the Hustle! Do do do do do do do do do, do do do do do do do do do..."

The family went to Charlotte this weekend to speak at an adoption conference our agency was hosting. The new Hague Convention requires 10 hours of adoption preparation for adoptive families before placement, so there were more people there this time than in the past (now that they have to go...), though most families were very attentive and were striving to gleam all the information they could.

Even though we were the speakers on inter-country toddler adoption, we were encouraged to bring the boys. They are the obvious effective "prop" in such a setting, provided they're well behaved. And they were! When families see J. loving all over us, and C. running around laughing, it gives them hope that they will have a successful placement as well.

The director wanted us to cover everything from the first meeting, the plane ride, traveler's insurance, attachment, the grief process, jet-lag, questions for the orphanage caretakers, USCIS, and trauma from the birthfamily. Every family in our conference was adopting from a different country: the Philippines, Ethiopia, El Salvador, Korea, etc... They had wonderful questions, and sometimes stunned faces. That was the point though. The director told me beforehand that, "Most of these families need a more realistic perspective. They think their toddler will come running into their arms crying, 'Mommy! Mommy!' from day-one and be able to read books! Don't scare them; but tell them like it is." Hopefully, that mission was accomplished. I didn't want to discourage, just prepare.

It's a pleasure for us to go over there once or twice a year and present at these conferences. We hope our story encourages other to adopt, and better prepares them for what they are getting into. And what they are getting into is the biggest, most time-consuming, complicated blessing of their lives!

Not to mention, we love Charlotte. We go to the "rich people mall" off of Rea street amid the 2 million dollar homes and look-OK gawk at-the "make believe" people. Really-this one guy had on white from head to toe with shiny white shoes. He had gold jewlrey, dark sunglasses and a runway walk. And then there was the half plastic blonde attached to his arm, also drowned in white, complete with a white leather skirt that should have been significantly longer-even on her brand new pair of legs. In her arms was a (go ahead and guess...) miniature cocker spaniel with a diamond leash dressed appropriately in- you guessed it-white. Oh it's sad what the love of money can do to people. Sometimes it steals not only their souls, but their identity as well. (OK-so it's not nice to stare, but after being stared at everyday and fielding questions like 'Are those your children? And 'You must be a foster mom-can you tell me about that process?" daily, we felt we earned a little credit to be spent in the stare department.)

Also in Charlotte, I get to go the World Market; we eat at Panera Bread; Tim can pick up parts for his truck at the Land Rover dealership; and the streets are lined with green sod, peach stands, pottery, and dogwood trees. This may not sound like much to you-you St. Louis-ians are probably thinking, "Frontenac"-but compared to the military town we live in, Charlotte is a little glimmer of the good life reminiscent of the towns we grew up in and love. Yes, love. Love of money? Maybe. Love of adoption? Definately.

And for those of you wondering, yes we did talk to the director about our next adoption. Yes, I said we-Tim too was involved in this conversation. Since Vietnam re-opened a year or so ago, we've been very interested in it. Afterall, SE Asia has a special place in my heart, and I love Vietnam! However, our agency's new Vietnam program had some set-backs, so currently, we can't adopt a Vietnamese child through them. Korea was on our top five list, but Korea just re-vamped their entire program as well. It's yet to be seen how adoptions will go with them under the new laws. Then, we had Ethiopia (a country our agency is not certified in), domestic, and El Salvador (the country in which our agency began). But first, we need to get through Tim's next deployment. Ask us again at the end of the year, and, Lord willing (Isn't is awesome how Muslims are in the habit of saying that after very statement with a futurisitc desire??? I'm not in that habit, though I should be) we will be able to have a more definitive answer for you as to where our next child will be born. Just an update post as to what we've been up to lately. Hope all is well where you are. Blessings!

Green Tea

I'll be the first to admit that green tea is an acquired taste. My first true sippings of this leaf extract were in Japan a decade ago, and I remember dreading visits to the homes of Japanese because I knew that our conversation would be laced with green tea. The taste wasn't as bad as raw fish, or squid chips (don't ask), but it was still revolting.

Then time went on...

In retrospect, I imagine I've spent three or four dozen hours of time sipping green tea with Asian friends and contacts. Gradually, I started asking for seconds. Eventually, I was catching myself with American friends, in Rangoon, sitting around a plastic table in plastic chairs in a "tea shop" chatting over green tea. Tea we ordered by choice, desired, and paid a taxi to get to. It grew on me.

The natural food store I go to has countless varieties of green tea; some from India with a chai twist, others are Chinese, Japanese, decaffinated, with "super antioxidants", or formulas designed to fight against arthritis, heart disease, cancer, or promote longevity. I doubt green tea is the fountain of youth, but it is beneficial. See link:
http://food.yahoo.com/blog/beautyeats/3051/7-reasons-to-drink-green-tea

There is certainly some debate about how beneficial it is, but one can't deny that the Japanese live longer than we do. They eat more fish and less meat. They eat more green, soy and lentils and less fried junk. And they drink gallons of green tea. Tim and I aren't the healthiest eaters, but we don't eat a lot of red meat; I've added soy nuts and a natural plant estrogen to my vitamin/herb routine, and there is always green tea in the house.

After it grows on you, it's tasty. Especially with 1/4 teaspoon of organic honey to sweeten it. Yummy. It hasn't surpassed my love of a Starbucks decaf grande extra-hot hazelnut mocha, but really now-what can top that??

So, what's your favorite hot drink- the drink you curl up on the couch with and watch tv with a friend with?

Let the craziness begin!

Tim is home and there is SO much to be done before he leaves again. I can't reveal exactly how long he's home for, but thankfully it is longer than the couple of days we thought we might have between outings. In fact, he should be home long enough this spell that we can get everything done on the "to do" list! Whoopee! That never happens. For those of you who aren't familiar with what typically gets placed on a military family's "things to be done during the very brief times you're here in the house with us" list, it looks something like this:

1. Spay the dog (because she's 50 lbs. of hyper puppy and I can't get her and two toddlers to the vet and calmly sitting in chairs while I talk to the vet, write the check and maneuver the busy parking lot).

2. Stain the fence.

3. Uproot our dead tree in the front yard and plant a new one. (Because my 100 lb. 5 foot-ness makes this very difficult to do). NOTE: I did do this BY MYSELF yesterday to help reduce Tim's list. Oh yeah-hear me roar...

Replacement for #3: HA! What do you think about painting the kitchen blue????

4. Teach J. how to hit a ball in case he plays tee-ball this year (because that's just something dads do).

5. Clean the garage (has been on the list three years running. Will it get done this time? I'll throw down $2.00 for "no", but you never know-miracles happen!)

6. Fill-out the funeral arrangements for the chaplain. Or at least check last year's to make sure nothing has changed. For instance, that's REALLY what you want written on your tombstone??? (Note to non-military: if you talk openly and joke about this form then odds are you won't have to use it. Or so goes the illogical rational).

7. Do the taxes.

8. Fertilize the lawn (Tim actually put this one on the list. How's that for stereotypical husband vs. wife priorities!)

9. Break C. from the pacifier. (I know you're thinking, 'Tiffany, you can't do that?' Well, remember I was going to have him off of it by 6 mon. Then by 1 year, then 15 mon... I'll summarize by saying that last night, two hours after putting C. to bed, the WHOLE family was in C.'s room. C. was sobbing. He wasn't tantruming, but sobbing big fat tears, pleading with me for his paci. It was as if he was saying, "That's the only comfort object I have; that's where my peace comes from; that's what keeps the nightmares away; why, Mommy? WHY can't I have my bestfriend? PLEASE, Mommy! My body aches for it so much that it physically hurts me. See-I can't breathe I'm crying so hard. PLEASE, Mommy, don't take away my bestfriend!" Which explains why I was rubbing his back, sobbing, saying, "Be strong C. Tim, can't we try this again next week? You're a big boy, C. Tim, I can't do it-just give it to him. I know you can do it, C. And some other mumbo jumbo about teeth, bites, speech development and palette formation that he certainly didn't understand. J. was plugging his ears saying, "C. be strong!" And Tim was saying, "Tiffany, this is hurting you far more than it's hurting him. Just get out of here and I'll stay with him until he falls asleep." I could do a whole blog post on this experience, but I won't. Suffice it to say that C. went down for a nap today, after saying he was very strong, without one tear and NO pacifier! Woo Hoo!)

(C.'s "I'm so strong" pose)

And last but not least, #10. Kiss your wife and hug your kids.

There's a lot more on the actual list, like all the actual military preparation stuff, but this is a snippet of our upcoming days together. We'll try to squeeze in a date-night or two, and treasure every moment. The light at the end of the tunnel though is that he should be home for the holidays at the end of the year and it SHOULD be his last big deployment. If that isn't a silver lining, I don't know what is. And with that hope, I can make it through the year.
And don't think we're ignoring you if we don't answer the phone, return calls or get out much. OK-we are ignoring you, but not to be mean! We're just being a little selfish with our time together. It's 80 degrees here today, so HAPPY SPRING!

C.: So you're the "big" brother, huh? Did you see those measurements yesterday? I'm weighing in at 27 lbs. and you're still holding steady at 28. Yep-one pound, big brother. And to think I'm the one that gets in trouble for not finishing his dinner. Just think what will happen when I start eating!

Look out behind you...here I come!

J.: Don't get so excited yet. Look what happens if I stretch my neck up real high like this. I'm still nearly a whole head taller than you!

C.: Today-sure. But watch out! I'm gaining on you! And by the way, it's more like a half a head.

I mean, I'm not real good with numbers yet, but let me bring you in on a little secret: I don't think there's that much difference between 31 and 33 inches. And they call you 3 1/2!

J.: At least I pee in the toilet.

C.: Hmph! I drive better than you.

J.: Oh yeah-well, I'll love you no matter how big you get. Little brother.
We didn't anticipate C. passing J. in height and weight for a couple of years, but a couple of months may be more realistic! Poor J. has tiny-ness in his genes, I'm afraid. At least he has a big heart!

Happy Birthday to Me

~Thank you Sara, DJ and Kira for a delicious Italian meal, adult conversation, and a night out.

~Thank you Mom for babysitting.

~Thank you Timmy for the daisies.

~Thank you to Melanie for the hilarious e-card.

~Thank you to friends and family who sent traditional cards, checks and gift certificates.

~Thank you to all the older and wiser women from Helen Street who shared memories from their great years beyond thirty to encourage me.

What do you know? Thirty isn't so bad after all!

Blessings,