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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Fridays are the Best

Madi was so ready for today to be over.  She was so tired and just wanted to go home and play on the iPod and chill.  Don't blame her at all!!

She played for a while this afternoon and said she was able to chat with you via text which is good.  She'll try calling in the morning.

We had a good dinner and then the girls went upstairs to play in the playroom.  I had Julia tonight and she went down really easy.  So I was able to go in and chat with Madi for about 20 minutes.  We hung out and laughed and she told me stories about her classes and kids at school.  It had been a while since we'd hung out so it was really nice.  Julia has been taking forever to get down!!  And Riley has as well.  Not really sure why, but it has made it very tough to get them down before Madi's lights are out.

Happy Birthday Major!!!  I can't believe he is six!!!!!

Madi got her work done during school so she had no homework today which was really great.  The girls ate some Halloween candy and they weren't that hungry for dinner.  Only three pieces each and they were small/medium.  Nothing huge.

Tomorrow we'll spend time with my Uncle Rob and Aunt Mel who are visiting from Seattle, WA.  They came in because my Aunt will be getting some work done in the area.  We'll probably do dinner together or something really simple.

And Sunday we'll go to church and hopefully get some good afternoon naps in!  :)

Two Weeks...

It's so strange to see the date that you are coming back on this month's calendar.  Madi has been talking a lot about it.  She's very nervous about the transition.  Feels very torn between leaving and not being with us as she's been with us for what seems like years now.  Though she's also looking forward to being with you.  Has just been so long and there are plenty of unknowns.  Just keep telling her that everything is going to work out and that she will have what she needs: food, a place to live, school, friends and you.  That everything else will figure out and that we aren't going anywhere.  That I'll still see her at school and while our relationship will change, that it really will be a very good thing.

She asked me today if we need to start packing.  And I told her we'd do that in a week or so.  That there wasn't anything in her room that needs to be packed right away.  She told me that she's just ready to get this over with.  And I said that it makes sense.  That transition is hard and that there is a lot of change coming.  And it will be a lot of change for all of us.  She's ready to have unknowns turn into knowns so she can deal better.  And that makes sense too.

We've started preparing Riley and talking to her about you coming.  We explained that you are Madi's mom and that you've been in school and now you're able to come back to live with her.  And that Madi will live with you.  Riley said she'd be sad, but that she's glad that Madi will have her mom back.  We'll start preparing Julia in a week.

The hardest weeks of the transition are coming up.  And I know that it's for the best even if it's the hard thing to do.  Madi asked tonight if we'd go to Kentucky Fried Chicken when you came.  I told her that that would be up to you and her.  That if you guys want to go, that you'll be able to go together.  She looked really confused.  I elaborated and said that when you return, the two of you will be able to decide things like what you want to eat for dinner and where and that it will be something the two of you can do.  She said she really wants fried chicken.  Was somewhat strange because in two and a half years, she has never mentioned fried chicken.  But I just told her that you'll be able to do different things than what we do and that it will be your decision not ours.

We've also talked about things that she'll probably really look forward to: riding to school without hearing Julia scream at the top of her lungs every morning, not having to wait after school while I have meetings almost every day, being able to do things we can't do since we have two little ones at home, being with you, eating at places we don't eat for whatever reason, stuff like that...

In school, she's been unfocused and having trouble concentrating.  Doing some strange behaviors similar to what she had shown when she first came here.  Her LEAP teacher talked to me today and said she blurted out "14 days!" in the middle of class.  And that her behavior had been strange all day.  Then she asked her why she was announcing days out of the blue and Madi told her you were coming soon.  I had already talked with her and told her some things that the counselor and I had talked about as far as how the hardest part will be right before you come and right after.  Once things are more settled for both of you, it will be much easier.  And I had talked to her teacher about some of the changes coming up and told her that she may react differently in class as she has a lot on her mind.  They're doing a great job being very loving and understanding and keeping things as stable as possible to help during the transition time.  I don't mean for this to all sound sad or bad or like it's a negative transition.  More just to let you know a little of how she is feeling so that you can understand where she's coming from.  She has just become very comfortable in where she is and now things are changing.

Her grades are still amazing.  She's getting along super well with kids at school.  She's come so far and it's so great to see.  It will be neat for you to see her and to be back in your role as Mom again.  Once you get used to each other again, things will be much calmer than they are at the moment.

Madi hasn't been acting out at home.  She's quite ditzy and forgetful and talking nonstop, but I really think that is just being an 11 year old!  I remember being that way at that age!

Feel free to call her anytime.  We aren't ever sure if it's a good time and I know the connection has been bad.  I'll make sure she sees her message from you that you sent tonight.  We told her she could call tonight, but she was tired and just wanted to sleep.  And I totally believe it - she was wiped out by the end of the day and just dragging.  Her iPod is downstairs at the moment and charged.

Happy Halloween!

Was the perfect weather for trick or treating last night!  The girls were all very comfortable in their costumes.  Madi was so excited to get candy!  What was amazing was that most of our neighborhood was dark because everyone was either not in the spirit of Halloween or they were out doing other things.  The girls still got an enormous amount of candy and enjoyed going out.

Madi was asked at school if she was Obi One Kanobi (I'm sure I spelled that wrong!).  So she took the hood off.  Looked much more complete with the bow and arrows at night.  She had many comments about how cool her costume was and how great it looked.

Julia was a ladybug - cutest thing ever.  Riley was a glowy girl - wore tons of things that glowed in the dark.

They are all quite tired after being out so late last night.  Madi even asked today if she could take a nap tomorrow after school.  To which I said "Of course!"