Well Sunday night, I did get called out and never got to bed until 3:00 am. Got up at 6:00 to get the girls off to school and then continued my day. I went and substitute taught for half a day and came home to no electricity. The whole area was out for no particular reason. Even though it was in the afternoon it was getting dark because rain clouds were moving in. So I got the one of the girls off the bus and started doing homework, and the lights came on. I left to pick up the other twin from orchestra practice and the older one from school to a doctor's appointment 40 minutes away. Finally got home at 6:00 and made dinner then ran out the door at 6:50 p.m. for an EMT/Fire drill. So for the next two and a half hours I spent outside in the cold mist taking care of 'downed' firefighters. It was a great learning experience, but by then I was dragging. I come home at 9:30 and discovered a rabbit had escaped, leaving his mark, oh, just about everywhere. Just what I wanted to do, clean up bunny poop & piddle. Then set all my gear out, because I was again on night duty....
Tuesday, I was out to 10:20 p.m. for a Christmas concert. Ok this gets boring after a while.
Let's talk adoption. My approved I-800A was sent out Tuesday. Today is Friday and I hope to get it Saturday. Monday I'll drive it up to get a state seal and IF there is enough turn around time, which I doubt, I'll go to the Chinese Consulate to get their seal and then FedEx the whole thing to my agency to FINALLY get the dossier to China! Oh, a leetle glitch popped up... The agency pointed out that my husband's birth certificate had him marked as a 'female'. Whoops. They said it probably won't be noticed, yeah right. I want to be in China and have them 'not notice' it and try to get another one notarized, state seal and authenticated all the way form China. Naw, I think I'll get a new one!
Friday, November 27, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Round-up of the past few days
Yes, I know, I missed more than a few days. Part of it was because I was so busy, the other part was, I don't think anyone is following the blog, so I figured I wouldn't be missed.
Saturday was..a day. The twins went to sewing in the morning, and straight from there an hours drive away, they went to this wonderful function put on by Chinese students at this University for Chinese adoptees. They had everything so well planned out. Chinese games, art, food, crafts, song, and so much more. And when they are there they are assigned a 'big brother' or a 'big sister' that stays with them the whole time. The girls went last year and loved it. They came home with all sorts of little goodies.
While they were there I took the older daughter to her sewing lesson and picked her up an hour and a half later. (Did I mention I was feeling a bit under the weather?) Then at 4:30 I had to drive to the next town for the concert I was singing in that night. It was called "Invasion of the British". We sang a lot of the songs from the 60's that were by English groups or soloists. We brought the house down! Sold out at 600 seats, and a standing ovation after several numbers. They went wild. We had such a good time. There's about 70 in the group from ages 28-84. Of my girls were there to cheer me on!
Sunday was rest & recover & clean... Not the girls favorite day. Monday I started circling my wagons to start the battle with the school system for my new daughters. They do not want to pay to send my deaf daughter to Deaf School or bus her. Yet, there aren't any other deaf students in the school system and no foreign language speakers. I will also have to strong arm them to put the other daughter into the grade I think is appropriate having had 3 years experience with my other older daughter. I know what works and what doesn't. I had my first meeting with the Assit. Superintendant and the Principal of the Middle School. They are great to work with, it's the Head of Special Needs that there will be World War 3. I fought him tooth and nail for my older daughter's rights three years ago. He had no clue what to do with an older, but immature, non-English speaker. I finally went to the Superintendent of Schools and complained and got everything sorted out. This will be interesting. I have already contacted, at State level, the person in charge of hard of hearing and deaf students in our State educational system. I got a few tips from her and I know that she's on my side. Next meeting, in a month or so. And Monday night I had my usual training down at the firehouse.
Tuesday, girls go to a school exchange club after school, the older daughter has a piano lesson, and I go to chorale practice. Somehow I got myself signed up for THREE 'concerts'. So from a full Baroque orchestra singing Handel and traditional carols, to strolling down streets singing carols to a formal Christmas concert learning difficult harmonies, I have a lot to learn. Did I mention that I don't read music...?
Yes, I know, I missed more than a few days. Part of it was because I was so busy, the other part was, I don't think anyone is following the blog, so I figured I wouldn't be missed.
Saturday was..a day. The twins went to sewing in the morning, and straight from there an hours drive away, they went to this wonderful function put on by Chinese students at this University for Chinese adoptees. They had everything so well planned out. Chinese games, art, food, crafts, song, and so much more. And when they are there they are assigned a 'big brother' or a 'big sister' that stays with them the whole time. The girls went last year and loved it. They came home with all sorts of little goodies.
While they were there I took the older daughter to her sewing lesson and picked her up an hour and a half later. (Did I mention I was feeling a bit under the weather?) Then at 4:30 I had to drive to the next town for the concert I was singing in that night. It was called "Invasion of the British". We sang a lot of the songs from the 60's that were by English groups or soloists. We brought the house down! Sold out at 600 seats, and a standing ovation after several numbers. They went wild. We had such a good time. There's about 70 in the group from ages 28-84. Of my girls were there to cheer me on!
Sunday was rest & recover & clean... Not the girls favorite day. Monday I started circling my wagons to start the battle with the school system for my new daughters. They do not want to pay to send my deaf daughter to Deaf School or bus her. Yet, there aren't any other deaf students in the school system amd no foreign language speakers. I will also have to strong arm them to put the other daughter into the grade I think is appropriate having had 3 years experience with my other older daughter. I know what works and what doesn't. I had my first meeting with the Assit. Superintendant and the Principal of the Middle School.
Saturday was..a day. The twins went to sewing in the morning, and straight from there an hours drive away, they went to this wonderful function put on by Chinese students at this University for Chinese adoptees. They had everything so well planned out. Chinese games, art, food, crafts, song, and so much more. And when they are there they are assigned a 'big brother' or a 'big sister' that stays with them the whole time. The girls went last year and loved it. They came home with all sorts of little goodies.
While they were there I took the older daughter to her sewing lesson and picked her up an hour and a half later. (Did I mention I was feeling a bit under the weather?) Then at 4:30 I had to drive to the next town for the concert I was singing in that night. It was called "Invasion of the British". We sang a lot of the songs from the 60's that were by English groups or soloists. We brought the house down! Sold out at 600 seats, and a standing ovation after several numbers. They went wild. We had such a good time. There's about 70 in the group from ages 28-84. Of my girls were there to cheer me on!
Sunday was rest & recover & clean... Not the girls favorite day. Monday I started circling my wagons to start the battle with the school system for my new daughters. They do not want to pay to send my deaf daughter to Deaf School or bus her. Yet, there aren't any other deaf students in the school system amd no foreign language speakers. I will also have to strong arm them to put the other daughter into the grade I think is appropriate having had 3 years experience with my other older daughter. I know what works and what doesn't. I had my first meeting with the Assit. Superintendant and the Principal of the Middle School.
Friday, November 13, 2009
My favorite day!
Friday the 13th, my lucky day. In fourth grade my class was making a big deal about it. "Oh, it's full of bad luck, something terrible will happen, etc." The teacher quieted us down and explained that the day was only unlucky if you thought of it that way. Well, we all disagreed, and started citing examples, the din in the classroom reached a fever pitch. The teacher held her hand up, and her words of wisdom spilled out into the classroom entering our still forming minds. She said...."Friday is the luckiest day in the year for me. At the Country Fair every year only one woman ever won the jam contest. I was 15 years old and decided to try anyhow. The judging was on Friday the 13th, and I won the Blue Ribbon, 1st prize."
To this day I have never forgotten that story.
To this day I have never forgotten that story.
Monday, November 9, 2009
How to make an interesting Blog.
Well, several days later, a few EMT calls, Girl Scout meetings, and a few runs to the store I finally come back to touch in. Blogs are a whole lot more interesting to everyone if they're about a little boy or girl who is about to be or is already adopted and all the adventures that go with it. Right now it's just li'i ol' me trying to figure out how to bring two daughters home to their new family without ending up not being able to pay bills or feed the family we presently have. No one wants to read about that sort of struggle, Fun stories, antidotes are usually more entertaining and something to keep checking in on.
I have started to build a case with a lot of research to use as my 'weapon' to make my town pay for busing and paying to go to a Deaf school. This town does not like to part with their money no matter what! But I have fought with them and won before for our daughter that we addicted at 12.5. I rattled a lot of cages, hired a legal advocate, and wouldn't back down. I finally refuse to deal with the head of Special Ed. I would only deal with the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of schools. Which is what I am doing now. I want all the meetings, paperwork, documents over with before I bring her home. So what I usually do is start at the top and work my way down. Today I called our State's Capital and the Bureau of Special Ed. and spoke with the Supervisor of Deaf/Hard of Hearing/Approved Private Special Ed. and complaints. She gave me great advise and referred me to a new paper they just published specifically using the correct language to get services for my daughter. Yahooo, she was great, friendly and accessible. I know that we will talk more. I am building up my ammunition for my first IEP meeting.
I'll keep you all informed as we go along. OK, I'm on night duty tonight (also last night) so I must try and get some sleep in case I'm called out in the middle of the night. Til next time...
I have started to build a case with a lot of research to use as my 'weapon' to make my town pay for busing and paying to go to a Deaf school. This town does not like to part with their money no matter what! But I have fought with them and won before for our daughter that we addicted at 12.5. I rattled a lot of cages, hired a legal advocate, and wouldn't back down. I finally refuse to deal with the head of Special Ed. I would only deal with the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of schools. Which is what I am doing now. I want all the meetings, paperwork, documents over with before I bring her home. So what I usually do is start at the top and work my way down. Today I called our State's Capital and the Bureau of Special Ed. and spoke with the Supervisor of Deaf/Hard of Hearing/Approved Private Special Ed. and complaints. She gave me great advise and referred me to a new paper they just published specifically using the correct language to get services for my daughter. Yahooo, she was great, friendly and accessible. I know that we will talk more. I am building up my ammunition for my first IEP meeting.
I'll keep you all informed as we go along. OK, I'm on night duty tonight (also last night) so I must try and get some sleep in case I'm called out in the middle of the night. Til next time...
Friday, November 6, 2009
I shall return
Sorry I have been remiss in the updates. Sometimes sleep just has to come before everything else... and rarely does that happen, so I thought I would take advantage in the lull.
Having said that, I am off to bed to try for an early night. Early is anything before 11:15. I have to get up at 7:00 to be at the fire house to work on the Special Hydrant Inspection and Testing Team. A Mother's work is never done...
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Well, this is the start of my second try. My first, just got wiped out for some unknown reason and I had practically finished. I'm tired and now I'm cranky so I will make it short regarding the 'aha' moment that I referred to yesterday.
Mixed with gratitude for the funds being donated I have found something in addition. The smaller donations held something besides dollar amounts. The individuals who gave probably couldn't afford it, and had their own children and issues they were balancing, yet they took time and thought to reach out to give to helping our daughters be adopted. The unconditional caring of these people is pretty special, and I don't think I have experienced this before. So we were really given two gifts.
These are my thoughts for tonight. I shall now say good night to catch what beauty sleep I can.
Mixed with gratitude for the funds being donated I have found something in addition. The smaller donations held something besides dollar amounts. The individuals who gave probably couldn't afford it, and had their own children and issues they were balancing, yet they took time and thought to reach out to give to helping our daughters be adopted. The unconditional caring of these people is pretty special, and I don't think I have experienced this before. So we were really given two gifts.
These are my thoughts for tonight. I shall now say good night to catch what beauty sleep I can.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Before I wearily go off to bed I will share our Halloween with you.
So 'the girls' say, let's go somewhere different this year for Trick or Treating. Hmmm, I haven't a clue, so I start calling other Mother's for their suggestions. Ok, I think I found the street that would be perfect, I hear a lot of kids go. Make up on, hair designed, into costumes - a bat and a vampire, and off we go. We arrive, take out the umbrellas, of course it's raining, and start the process. Halfway around the circle, puddles have been stepped in, sleeves have been dragged on the street, and I am quite soggy. The girls started commenting that the candy 'take' wasn't quite as good as the street we usually go to...
I did remind them that it was their idea to try something new. A few more houses and the decision is made, hop back into the car and go back to the usual street. It's now 8:10 and I'm sure there isn't much candy left at this point, but I say nothing. On the way, we first stop at the Police Station to Trick or Treat, then onto the street. Even in the soggy darkness it was nice to come back to something familiar, especially because they do such great decorations.
Eight houses later one of the girls (9 years old) says, "I think I have reached my standard for tonight. We can go home now." All righty then, into the car and home again home again jiggity jig. Then one of them says, (it's 9:20 at this point) "I need a warm bath when I get home". Imagine my surprise at this request for a bath? Usually I get the sound of "Ahhhhah", where the sound stays on the same note and finishes with an upswing.
They insisted on separating out their candy before the bath, because they are giving most of it to the troops overseas. So, bath, bed, sleepy eyes saying goodnite and it was the best Halloween ever!
So goodnite from me and Happy Halloween.
So 'the girls' say, let's go somewhere different this year for Trick or Treating. Hmmm, I haven't a clue, so I start calling other Mother's for their suggestions. Ok, I think I found the street that would be perfect, I hear a lot of kids go. Make up on, hair designed, into costumes - a bat and a vampire, and off we go. We arrive, take out the umbrellas, of course it's raining, and start the process. Halfway around the circle, puddles have been stepped in, sleeves have been dragged on the street, and I am quite soggy. The girls started commenting that the candy 'take' wasn't quite as good as the street we usually go to...
I did remind them that it was their idea to try something new. A few more houses and the decision is made, hop back into the car and go back to the usual street. It's now 8:10 and I'm sure there isn't much candy left at this point, but I say nothing. On the way, we first stop at the Police Station to Trick or Treat, then onto the street. Even in the soggy darkness it was nice to come back to something familiar, especially because they do such great decorations.
Eight houses later one of the girls (9 years old) says, "I think I have reached my standard for tonight. We can go home now." All righty then, into the car and home again home again jiggity jig. Then one of them says, (it's 9:20 at this point) "I need a warm bath when I get home". Imagine my surprise at this request for a bath? Usually I get the sound of "Ahhhhah", where the sound stays on the same note and finishes with an upswing.
They insisted on separating out their candy before the bath, because they are giving most of it to the troops overseas. So, bath, bed, sleepy eyes saying goodnite and it was the best Halloween ever!
So goodnite from me and Happy Halloween.
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