I haven't blogged in a while on here. Monica returned and is in Texas. She's living with Kathryn and Ranny so she can take care of things as there was so much to take care of and we couldn't give her the help she needed. So Madi is living with us still and going to Ethridge. Kept her life as much the same as possible to as to keep things consistent until Monica can get a place of her own for the two of them.
Madi finished up our year of choir with a concert, school assembly, performances at the mall and a few days ago, a performance of the National Anthem at the Texas Legends Basketball Game. They were really phenomenal! Love those kids.
She'll be a member of the District Honor Choir starting in January when we have rehearsals. And she's also going to be competing in the Regional Spelling Bee since she won our school spelling bee today!! Lots of great things happening for her this year!!!
You could see her confidence growing as she spelled each word. It was awesome that the last two girls (her and Nithy) are best friends. They both are super smart and a lot alike. They really work well together and are just good kids. Both of them go on to the next round which will be in late January. So we'll have some spelling words to practice :)
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Getting to Know You
Today Monica took Madi to see the apartments that she's hoping to move into. Jeremy and Riley went along with them while I put Julia down for her nap. They said that they are beautiful and hopefully all will work out soon for them to move there.
Then Madi and Monica walked to Walmart and Target to get a few items that they needed - contact solution, stuff like that.
Madi has been extremely quiet here at the house. She wants her mom to be with her at all times, but by themselves. Go figure - she wants to soak up the time with her. It probably feels as though it's just for a short time that she'll be here and that she'll leave again soon. Still so wild to think that she is here for a long time. They've been able to hang out together and chat which has been good for both of them.
Madi has wasted no time checking her boundaries and trying to figure out what she can do and what she can't do. We thought she'd hold off for a little while - at least a day or two - but she's pushing to see if she can do things we haven't let her do. Everything from trying to do things we haven't let her do to asking for lots of things at the store to wanting pop. She is definitely testing Monica to see what she'll let her do and if she can override us - pitting us against each other. Which hasn't worked yet and she's very frustrated at us. Not at Monica, but the evil looks we've received from her tell us she was hoping that Monica would be much more lenient than we have been and she's quite disappointed her tactics aren't working.
The two of them will figure it out and it'll be so much easier for them to set boundaries that work for them when they aren't living in our house. Definitely complicates things as Madi has to check with us and with her mom as they are following the rules we had already set up so that things remain consistent. Not easy on any of us, but hopefully for now, it will work. And it's short term so you can anything short term!
Tomorrow Monica is hoping to get her drivers license and is applying for some jobs. Praying that all is speedy and works out excellent for them both.
Then Madi and Monica walked to Walmart and Target to get a few items that they needed - contact solution, stuff like that.
Madi has been extremely quiet here at the house. She wants her mom to be with her at all times, but by themselves. Go figure - she wants to soak up the time with her. It probably feels as though it's just for a short time that she'll be here and that she'll leave again soon. Still so wild to think that she is here for a long time. They've been able to hang out together and chat which has been good for both of them.
Madi has wasted no time checking her boundaries and trying to figure out what she can do and what she can't do. We thought she'd hold off for a little while - at least a day or two - but she's pushing to see if she can do things we haven't let her do. Everything from trying to do things we haven't let her do to asking for lots of things at the store to wanting pop. She is definitely testing Monica to see what she'll let her do and if she can override us - pitting us against each other. Which hasn't worked yet and she's very frustrated at us. Not at Monica, but the evil looks we've received from her tell us she was hoping that Monica would be much more lenient than we have been and she's quite disappointed her tactics aren't working.
The two of them will figure it out and it'll be so much easier for them to set boundaries that work for them when they aren't living in our house. Definitely complicates things as Madi has to check with us and with her mom as they are following the rules we had already set up so that things remain consistent. Not easy on any of us, but hopefully for now, it will work. And it's short term so you can anything short term!
Tomorrow Monica is hoping to get her drivers license and is applying for some jobs. Praying that all is speedy and works out excellent for them both.
Reunited!
It was a blur the last five days before Monica got here. Madi had a sleepover at her friend Elizabeth's on Friday night which was perfect. Kept her occupied and having tons of fun. She only slept about four hours and then took a nap in the afternoon.
We saw that the flight had arrived early so Jeremy woke Julia and I up as we were taking a nap in her room. We all dashed out the door and headed to DFW.
It didn't take Monica too long to come through the revolving doors. Kathryn, Tripp, Poppi, Grammy, and all of us were there. Kathryn and Madi waited at the doors and the rest of us stood back to take video and pictures.
Madi and Monica gave each other a big hug. Monica commented often on how tall Madi is. She can hardly believe it. Madi has grown so much in the last year and a half.
We all headed to our house for some pizza. Was a good reunion!
We saw that the flight had arrived early so Jeremy woke Julia and I up as we were taking a nap in her room. We all dashed out the door and headed to DFW.
It didn't take Monica too long to come through the revolving doors. Kathryn, Tripp, Poppi, Grammy, and all of us were there. Kathryn and Madi waited at the doors and the rest of us stood back to take video and pictures.
Madi and Monica gave each other a big hug. Monica commented often on how tall Madi is. She can hardly believe it. Madi has grown so much in the last year and a half.
We all headed to our house for some pizza. Was a good reunion!
Monday, November 12, 2012
Five Days
Madi is anxious for Saturday. Said she has a wide range of emotions and I told her that she'll hopefully feel more grounded and less anxious once she sees you. That it will be surreal. She's definitely taken to that word and agreed that it will be. After all, it has been what feels like forever! I'm sure it feels that way for her especially.
Today was a good start to the week. Nothing earth shattering. Just a good day.
She was invited to her friend Elizabeth's sleepover for Elizabeth's birthday. It's Friday night so we told her she could go. She'll be back on Saturday morning at 10am. Then hopefully she can get a nap before we pick you up. That way she'll be well rested when she sees you and you can hang out talking or whatever when you're here. We'll play it by ear.
Today was a good start to the week. Nothing earth shattering. Just a good day.
She was invited to her friend Elizabeth's sleepover for Elizabeth's birthday. It's Friday night so we told her she could go. She'll be back on Saturday morning at 10am. Then hopefully she can get a nap before we pick you up. That way she'll be well rested when she sees you and you can hang out talking or whatever when you're here. We'll play it by ear.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Madi's Special Night
Jeremy and I talked about what we wanted to do with Madi to celebrate the time she has had with us and give her a special night that was all about her. We had a gift card to Maggiano's still (given to us last Christmas and still not used yet!). She had always wanted to go there so I asked Jeremy if he thought it'd be fun to take her out to dinner and then do some shopping at Willow Bend. He was all for it.
So tonight she got dressed up and we went out to the restaurant. She loved it!!! We ordered calamari fritte for our appetizer. Madi got to choose the appetizer and one of the main courses. Then we all agreed on the other one. Then had chicken tortelloni and chicken saltimbocca. She really loved the latter and loved the calamari was well. Wasn't real big on the tortelloni. The atmosphere was darker and dimly lit and very relaxing.
Then we headed to Willow Bend and took her to Justice. They had a special sale going on - 40% off plus an additional 20% off the entire store. The girls both have a pj/movie/popcorn party in their classes on Thursday. So we let her pick a new pair of pjs - any one that she wanted - as well as some razzles candy and a mustache mood ring. The mustache is a very popular item in jewelry and items for girls now. Quite odd, but they all think they are hilarious. She was super excited!!
We walked around the mall and spent time in the Apple store checking out the new mini iPad. Totally cool. We also got the most amazing tea samples at Teavana. I'm not much of a fan of anything but water, but LOVE their Samurai Chai tea. Madi loved their wild blossom tea. Jeremy liked all of them.
Restoration Hardware was close by so we spent time sitting in every possible chair, couch and beanbag in the store. LOVED it!!! Madi was thoroughly enjoying herself. Then we went to Z-Gallerie where we saw the most amazing couch that had six sections and formed a pit in the middle. Madi sat in it and had so much fun.
As my mom put it, she was glowing because she had so much fun. She asked if we could do it again tomorrow which unfortunately, we can't. But it was a blast.
So tonight she got dressed up and we went out to the restaurant. She loved it!!! We ordered calamari fritte for our appetizer. Madi got to choose the appetizer and one of the main courses. Then we all agreed on the other one. Then had chicken tortelloni and chicken saltimbocca. She really loved the latter and loved the calamari was well. Wasn't real big on the tortelloni. The atmosphere was darker and dimly lit and very relaxing.
Then we headed to Willow Bend and took her to Justice. They had a special sale going on - 40% off plus an additional 20% off the entire store. The girls both have a pj/movie/popcorn party in their classes on Thursday. So we let her pick a new pair of pjs - any one that she wanted - as well as some razzles candy and a mustache mood ring. The mustache is a very popular item in jewelry and items for girls now. Quite odd, but they all think they are hilarious. She was super excited!!
We walked around the mall and spent time in the Apple store checking out the new mini iPad. Totally cool. We also got the most amazing tea samples at Teavana. I'm not much of a fan of anything but water, but LOVE their Samurai Chai tea. Madi loved their wild blossom tea. Jeremy liked all of them.
Restoration Hardware was close by so we spent time sitting in every possible chair, couch and beanbag in the store. LOVED it!!! Madi was thoroughly enjoying herself. Then we went to Z-Gallerie where we saw the most amazing couch that had six sections and formed a pit in the middle. Madi sat in it and had so much fun.
As my mom put it, she was glowing because she had so much fun. She asked if we could do it again tomorrow which unfortunately, we can't. But it was a blast.
One Week Away...
Seriously was planning on blogging this week and not sure where the time went. Always gets so busy. This week was very good and tough at the same time. Madi had a fabulous week. She had one day of sadness when she got mad that she was held back in the first grade in the Philippines. We had talked about what will come in the next few years and she said she wished she hadn't been held back. We had several good talks and were able to share with her why she was held back and put her mind at ease. Now that she has all the information, she's able to handle it just fine.
We were told that the last few weeks would be an emotional rollercoaster from nervousness, sadness, excitement, fear, happiness. A lot of mixtures of emotions. We've definitely seen that, but overall, she is doing fabulous. It has helped that we've talked tons with her and given her as much information as possible to help her know what is coming in the transition time.
She's excited to see you! And she's excited to get settled and adjusted and familiar with you again.
We were told that the last few weeks would be an emotional rollercoaster from nervousness, sadness, excitement, fear, happiness. A lot of mixtures of emotions. We've definitely seen that, but overall, she is doing fabulous. It has helped that we've talked tons with her and given her as much information as possible to help her know what is coming in the transition time.
She's excited to see you! And she's excited to get settled and adjusted and familiar with you again.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Two Weeks To Be Exact
Madi said you guys had a good and long conversation this morning. So glad the connection was good!!
We had a great day today. My Aunt and Uncle are in town for WA so we spent late afternoon and evening with everyone at my folks' house. My Uncle Rob had his birthday on Halloween so they had a bundt cake for him and I. Everyone sang 'Happy Birthday' and it was a fun night. The bundt cake was delicious - of course! Rob and Mel and my parents cooked dinner for us all - fresh grilled chicken, sausage, pasta, a special sauce with veggies and a delicious salad. They are amazing cooks!!
My parents had some magic tricks that their company is using as a gimmick for prospective clients. They tried the magic tricks out on us and it was tons of fun. Then Madi showed us two more magic tricks. We had some good laughs!
Madi tried calling tonight after we got home - not sure if she got through or not. It was later on our end than normal to call - about 9pm our time. If not, we'll try again tomorrow.
We had a great day today. My Aunt and Uncle are in town for WA so we spent late afternoon and evening with everyone at my folks' house. My Uncle Rob had his birthday on Halloween so they had a bundt cake for him and I. Everyone sang 'Happy Birthday' and it was a fun night. The bundt cake was delicious - of course! Rob and Mel and my parents cooked dinner for us all - fresh grilled chicken, sausage, pasta, a special sauce with veggies and a delicious salad. They are amazing cooks!!
My parents had some magic tricks that their company is using as a gimmick for prospective clients. They tried the magic tricks out on us and it was tons of fun. Then Madi showed us two more magic tricks. We had some good laughs!
Madi tried calling tonight after we got home - not sure if she got through or not. It was later on our end than normal to call - about 9pm our time. If not, we'll try again tomorrow.
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