tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73659254713719805082024-02-18T21:42:18.142-08:00Gaffga Family AdoptionUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365925471371980508.post-24979930851520751952013-06-06T03:40:00.000-07:002013-06-06T03:40:26.307-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
Home again, home again. It’s been twelve days now that we’ve
been back in the US. High time to update this blog. I can say unreservedly that
things are better now that we are home. It is a lot easier to parent in our
home, with friends on the other end of the phone. There is more space for the
girls to spread out. The rules and routine are familiar to Tabby, and Amahle
does well with so much structure. Gracious friends from Church have been
dropping off dinners every other day. We are very aware of how many good
blessings we have in our lives, and we are grateful to be home! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We arrived at JFK on a Saturday, and Jamie headed back to
work on Tuesday. His days have been long, almost always meeting with a
colleague or tutoring after work, resulting in lengthy solo days with the girls
for me. We’ve been taking life slowly, not wanting to overstimulate Amahle, who
has trouble regulating her excitement in this shiny new land. One new person or
place per day has been our goal. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So far we have enjoyed a few playgrounds, gone swimming
once, visited one home, and spent a morning at the zoo. The girls spend a lot
of time playing in various rooms in the house, pulling out all the toys and
games and leaving piles of fun-debris all over. Largely, they play well
together. But they also do some of the most irritating, probably typical,
sibling nonsense. They will look out a window, spot a bird, and argue over what
color it is. “It’s rrrred.” “No, it’s magenta.” “What is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">magenta</i>? You’re lying. It’s rrred.” “Mommy, she says it’s red, when
it’s really magenta! Tell her she’s wrong!” They will pick the same block out
of a never-ending pile of blocks, and argue over it until one of them is
crying. And neither will pass up the opportunity to point out when the other
has broken a rule or made a mistake. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIeDJ0TD605e5Gh62behV3Er4RaU-BdoS14maWmsNXNxbC6FA2SfIdtCNSpUHRjT4TNDnqHXrNGequA8BfTB6wkCSSlsFvGaZUQTIoxZGUTQWI3L_dWvXbWJRS7w9mmJfvQNmbhL5D5oE/s1600/P1020970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIeDJ0TD605e5Gh62behV3Er4RaU-BdoS14maWmsNXNxbC6FA2SfIdtCNSpUHRjT4TNDnqHXrNGequA8BfTB6wkCSSlsFvGaZUQTIoxZGUTQWI3L_dWvXbWJRS7w9mmJfvQNmbhL5D5oE/s320/P1020970.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgigGksi5GX5VUjnoLybRAxiCIbK_5npCNNd3pbCpA8jhWiS92iQsw0TIpfCS5Ve5LLwkbTOjV0Ue1RTTEcIbG1-3gURY71EVx9AhO9IYKV1bwzP3lwxuS6ufis0g_FoJoJmkrpLjB9bVs/s1600/_DSC2314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgigGksi5GX5VUjnoLybRAxiCIbK_5npCNNd3pbCpA8jhWiS92iQsw0TIpfCS5Ve5LLwkbTOjV0Ue1RTTEcIbG1-3gURY71EVx9AhO9IYKV1bwzP3lwxuS6ufis0g_FoJoJmkrpLjB9bVs/s320/_DSC2314.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtQGy5jsXRt1IZkaivFNWCJFHDOu5NSeWsyPTpgZPU0pXfB5D9J7vTblfEYPJMaA9MDzFeGW1_42ZdbJ3qdvDuSuIVLCrElvJ6-O-hLz5JjS4D_x8hhyApF2-cTrM2Bft6wxGDw1ph0k/s1600/_DSC2333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtQGy5jsXRt1IZkaivFNWCJFHDOu5NSeWsyPTpgZPU0pXfB5D9J7vTblfEYPJMaA9MDzFeGW1_42ZdbJ3qdvDuSuIVLCrElvJ6-O-hLz5JjS4D_x8hhyApF2-cTrM2Bft6wxGDw1ph0k/s320/_DSC2333.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnB4_ep-ezYzOTKISrk0ykck9zo_CDqDqnHaTg13XVtAkCMdsOAraIKAPeRC4QoK6DEoesj_MKdSXNftisRbqdMxy6CifzoJE2WMu9Bk5s0tzO0oN742UVsGdXtLye25gDkY5pZov77UU/s1600/_DSC2328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnB4_ep-ezYzOTKISrk0ykck9zo_CDqDqnHaTg13XVtAkCMdsOAraIKAPeRC4QoK6DEoesj_MKdSXNftisRbqdMxy6CifzoJE2WMu9Bk5s0tzO0oN742UVsGdXtLye25gDkY5pZov77UU/s320/_DSC2328.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Still, the major things are falling into place. They eat
food. They sleep. Neither is sick or injured. They seem to know that we love
them, even when so much of the day involves correcting & consequencing
them. Tabby often asks for “special mommy time,” which is hard to pull off,
since we can’t let others take care of Amahle yet. It’s critical for our
attachment that Jamie & I be the only ones to meet her needs at this point.
We try to be creative, and I spend quiet moments Tabby while Amahle is in
the tub or otherwise occupied. Bathing, feeding, dressing, and protecting two humans is so much harder than one! We go to bed very tired, but tired from good,
hard work. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On our very first outing to a playground, we received our
first jarring questions as a family of four. There were two biracial children
at a playground that is usually vanilla white. Jamie & I smiled at each
other, thinking, “How lovely that the first time we bring her here, there are
other children who look like her.” Soon thereafter, we are fielding questions from
those children like, “Do she live with you? Where’s her other daddy? She don’t
look like she’s from Africa.” Sigh. At that point I was really hoping the
language barrier would kick in, so Amahle wouldn’t understand what was being
said. I’m sure these were gentle, compared to what we may hear in the future,
but it still wasn’t pleasant. Amahle is a very young six, new to America, not
very communicative, and just not ready to talk about her racial identity &
what that means. I’m cataloguing these experiences, thinking over what I’d like
to say to her, and waiting until she’s ready to talk. These are deep waters we
are swimming in. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>587</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3351</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Universal Health Services, Inc.</o:Company>
<o:Lines>27</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>6</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>4115</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.256</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
As summer is officially beginning, so are summer activities.
We’re keeping things pretty simple, since we’re still in cocoon mode. But Tabby
has started small fry soccer, Amahle has started weekly basketball practice,
and next week she will start meeting with a tutor to keep her Zulu language
alive. While her English is growing exponentially, she has no outlet for
speaking Zulu here. We throw around a few phrases we all understand, and we
bought her a few CDs of Zulu music she enjoys, but without speaking it
regularly, I’m afraid she’ll lose it. We’re hopeful this tutor will become a
good confidant for Amahle and resource for us. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7m3_ebzHBJzS3_lpLavSUM9RNN6M0g6qlSP-PAf3Yu7jbuLuUm-p7vucbLxiFUvvpjOm0UZRkdBevQ9DBItr619M73_WrsgwB3UPYtctYwJx0S6ZozhrRKELV56kSCrTQbEcJ0DIRDI/s1600/P1030257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7m3_ebzHBJzS3_lpLavSUM9RNN6M0g6qlSP-PAf3Yu7jbuLuUm-p7vucbLxiFUvvpjOm0UZRkdBevQ9DBItr619M73_WrsgwB3UPYtctYwJx0S6ZozhrRKELV56kSCrTQbEcJ0DIRDI/s320/P1030257.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365925471371980508.post-5883513131448452732013-05-26T11:42:00.002-07:002013-05-26T14:40:16.593-07:00Blog post #16<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>1896</o:Words>
<o:Characters>10810</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Universal Health Services, Inc.</o:Company>
<o:Lines>90</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>21</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>13275</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.256</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
May 24, 2013<br />
I am up early, before my alarm, as usual. Though we’ve tried to start shifting back to American time, staying up late & waking up late, the roosters, doves, and dogs around here haven’t gotten the memo. This morning we will say goodbye to our friends from Seattle, the S Family. It will be sad for us to see them go, especially little Sifundo, who knows Amahle in a unique way. We will miss her cuddles, her awesome dancing, the way she chews each bite of food fifty times, and her beautiful smile. This journey has definitely bonded our families together in a special, lasting way.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6y_G2T1YXRwpQZDtlZRzQFU9Wt7uMonFTeA3xSIXI6TxyWsyxOBmgoNggwpb1VdCkB5LbznKzFstsOnsZf4kgFHRSM84lS9GnGPbPIAM86uY3R_4iOTnDENuQQOKOcFFh4_Pu9URllk/s1600/P1010590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6y_G2T1YXRwpQZDtlZRzQFU9Wt7uMonFTeA3xSIXI6TxyWsyxOBmgoNggwpb1VdCkB5LbznKzFstsOnsZf4kgFHRSM84lS9GnGPbPIAM86uY3R_4iOTnDENuQQOKOcFFh4_Pu9URllk/s320/P1010590.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgWbG4hOjgl_oR2Mns9IxYXgx6HqBHqQan7_lgOqNxTJU30Q-D4x-Z7O9zIneGdRcMMfz3bGIDGVouDZ5v6BxN1CPKhcXE3Pbj3iKhvGBpAswlDn__ah1v_qaOp8U818f4Z_pqli6_G8/s1600/P1010976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgWbG4hOjgl_oR2Mns9IxYXgx6HqBHqQan7_lgOqNxTJU30Q-D4x-Z7O9zIneGdRcMMfz3bGIDGVouDZ5v6BxN1CPKhcXE3Pbj3iKhvGBpAswlDn__ah1v_qaOp8U818f4Z_pqli6_G8/s320/P1010976.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1kaooj8gg2HkA9fSPMKNkzmwT7LolNs9Kkm5sfEd4WDY2EDbqERH9JO0CLf6lWrruys3fzF2aRD3VtevAjVqbLBltIZxo4CifIUyYSo_SweYxv3qPg3qaOps-ZOeId1ng4z8EbE3BDM/s1600/P1020875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1kaooj8gg2HkA9fSPMKNkzmwT7LolNs9Kkm5sfEd4WDY2EDbqERH9JO0CLf6lWrruys3fzF2aRD3VtevAjVqbLBltIZxo4CifIUyYSo_SweYxv3qPg3qaOps-ZOeId1ng4z8EbE3BDM/s320/P1020875.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Later this afternoon, we will head to the airport in Johannesburg. We were finally able to pick up Amahle’s visa and permanent passport yesterday at the US Consulate. Let me tell you, security is tight over there! I guess I just thought they would recognize me as one of their people & it would be smooth sailing. Not so much. So we have no jubilant we-just-got-our-visa family photo outside of the Consulate (because they took our camera, phone, & laptop). But we have the important documents & we have our tickets home, thankfully.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OhvrKM4wq01SKYIhAsmQYBXeL8X0YcMALhsG93UoxSZN0ylQ_vDK-GQIpQFkvhio-dD3WhBw0LdNtLxajYDrP8Oiuwi9rprqeqdJLDttyNxqfARjRYTD91kb-YumqbVQ1S7jn0dgWgk/s1600/P1020801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OhvrKM4wq01SKYIhAsmQYBXeL8X0YcMALhsG93UoxSZN0ylQ_vDK-GQIpQFkvhio-dD3WhBw0LdNtLxajYDrP8Oiuwi9rprqeqdJLDttyNxqfARjRYTD91kb-YumqbVQ1S7jn0dgWgk/s320/P1020801.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<br />
A while back, I came across this article online about supporting adoptive families once they come home. I thought it was really insightful & helpful then, but it really hits home now. We have so many amazing, supportive friends and family members waiting to receive us when we return. A first instinct might be to welcome Amahle with the things she lacked in the orphanage: food, gifts, hugs, & interested questions. But that would not be the most helpful approach. Supporting her attachment to our family is the most loving thing you could do! So please take a moment to read this excerpt & mull it over. Thank you for caring about us and taking time to learn about adoption.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Supporting and Understanding the Adoptive Family </span></b><br />
<b>(<a href="http://thekitchenisnotmyoffice.com/">thekitchenisnotmyoffice.com</a>)</b></div>
<br />
Many adoptive families give written advice and suggestions to friends and family prior to the new child's arrival to help ensure a smooth transition. I didn't do this because I felt like it would be too difficult to put my wishes and feelings into words without sounding too harsh or controlling and honestly I did not really even know what to say. However, after being home for almost a year and a half, it is clear that most people have great intentions but that they want and need suggestions for what they can do to help our adopted children integrate into our family and into the community. Here are a few thoughts about supporting an adoptive family. Most pertain to families who have adopted internationally and also to those who have adopted through the domestic route. It was compiled based on our experience and also on the experiences of a few dozen other adoptive parents who contributed their ideas and suggestions.<br />
<br />
<b>Our children are not necessarily grateful to have been adopted. </b><br />
And we don't expect them to be. It is not that our kids don't notice the stability of a family. It's not that they don't cherish the love that they are receiving or that they don't like their new life. It is because children are programmed to need, want and expect love. When we provide it we are not heroes, we are simply meeting one of their very basic needs. Expecting adopted children to be grateful for being adopted is like expecting our biological children to be grateful for being conceived. It was a choice that we, their parents, made and that they were brought into.<br />
<br />
<b>Please don't feed my kids. </b><br />
For children who have known hunger, food means love. We want them to learn to love us, their parents and siblings, before they bond with extended family, neighbors and friends. I know that they stare longingly at anything edible. I know that our two year old puts his head on the table and looks at you with puppy dog eyes. But since we were not there to meet their early needs (breast or bottle feeding, comforting them when they were sick, changing diapers, kissing boo boos) we need to make up for it by meeting as many of their physical and emotional needs as possible now. Many adopted children also have food insecurities. Some eat until they vomit and then start eating again. Others hoard food, needing the comfort of knowing that there is some saved for later. It is best to leave all feeding to the parents unless specifically directed otherwise.<br />
<br />
<b>Parenting an adopted child is hard work and we struggle. </b><br />
We may tell you that we’re okay when we're really falling apart. We're worried that if we are honest about how difficult it is that you won't understand and that you'll think we're nuts. Adding a child who may or may not have anything in common with us socially, culturally, biologically or even personality-wise is challenging. Though undoubtedly beautiful and worth all of the struggles, adoption certainly isn't always easy or pretty.<br />
<br />
<b>It is greatly appreciated if you choose your wording carefully, especially around our children. </b><br />
Yes, these are all our "real" kids and, in most situations, you probably do not need to specify whether you are talking about my "adopted kids" or my "biological kids". They are all my kids even if they joined us through different paths.<br />
<br />
<b>Please don't try to get our child to like you the most.</b><br />
Attachment and bonding are challenging enough without having friends and family slip our children candy, shower them with gifts, offer seconds at meals or encouraging bending and stretching of family rules. We're already working our tails off to get them to like us. With consistency and time they will learn to like you too, I promise.<br />
<br />
<b>Be considerate of the types of questions that you ask about our child's background and personal history, especially in their presence and especially if they are old enough to understand.</b><br />
Would it offend you if someone asked if you have AIDS, if you were abandoned, if your parents were drug users or how your parents died? If so, best not to ask these questions to someone else. We understand that it is normal to be curious and to wonder about the circumstances that led to a child's adoption. However, these are things that we discuss openly in our immediate family but not elsewhere. Our children may or may not choose to divulge more of their personal stories someday when they are older but they are THEIR stories and details to share, not mine.<br />
<br />
<b>We may discourage physical contact with our child for the first several months that they are home or until we feel like they are securely attached to us.</b><br />
Please do not insist on holding them, hugging them or having them sit on your lap. Many children who have lived in orphanages and institutions learn to fight for adult attention. Often they can put on quite the show and act like the most friendly, charming child to draw attention to themselves. While it may be cute and though it gives the false impression that they are well-adjusted and confident, it is very important that initially the parents are the only adults who help fulfill these children's need for physical affection. This also teaches healthy boundaries, and applies to grandparents and extended family at first.<br />
<br />
<b>Sometimes adopted children need to be parented differently than biological children. </b><br />
We are not spoiling them. We aren't making excuses for poor behavior. Rather, we are parenting a child whose background may be very dissimilar to anything we've experienced. A child who has been abandoned and who has a fear of abandonment shouldn't be sent to time out alone in another room. A child who is still attaching to their adoptive family may need to be firmly held while having loving, affirming words whispered into their ear during a full-blown tantrum. The types of consequences that work for other children might not work for a child who doesn't have the same sense of value of their possessions and who doesn't understand what it means to have privileges. As parents, we must be flexible to help meet the individual needs of our child even if it means that we do things a little differently sometimes.<br />
<br />
<b>If you would like to give a gift to our new child, please consider something small that the whole family can enjoy together.</b><br />
A few ideas are a frozen meal, a gift card to the movies, a small ornament commemorating the adoption or art supplies for all of the kids to share. We know that you want to welcome our new additions but gifts can be overwhelming for children who have had few material possessions. Also, we want our children to learn to love you for who you are, not for the fact that they hope they'll get another gift the next time they see you again. Other siblings may also experience jealousy and resentment if the new addition suddenly receives an armory of gifts and they are excluded.<br />
<br />
<b>Attachment takes time and work.</b><br />
It doesn't happen overnight. Even if it appears that our child is securely attached to us it may take many months or years and every child and every family bonds differently. <br />
<br />
<b>Please refrain from commenting on our child's appearance (specifically relating to ethnicity/race) in front of him or her.</b><br />
All children want to feel included and to fit in. Pointing out how dark they are, how differently they look from the rest of us or how unique their hair feels only makes them feel like they stand out more. <br />
<br />
<b>Please do not ask adopted children if they like their new parents/family.</b><br />
Adopted children do not usually get to hand pick their family. Adoption is similar to an arranged marriage and unique, sometimes very different people are brought together. With hard work and patience true love may grow. However, ask ANY child, biological or adopted (especially any older child!) if they like their parents and be prepared for some interesting answers!<br />
<br />
<b>It takes time to help children start to heal from a difficult past.</b><br />
Just because they have been with us for a certain amount of time does not mean that they are "fixed". On the other hand, just because children are adopted does not necessarily mean that they will be any more difficult, defiant, less successful or anything else as teenagers or adults.<br />
<br />
<b>Our new additions are not celebrities. </b><br />
We appreciate all of the love and support that we were shown during our adoption process and we know that everyone is excited to meet them. However, taking photos of just our adopted child or pouring attention on them while ignoring our other children is not healthy for anyone. The child who is receiving all of the attention often feels singled out and siblings quickly become resentful.<br />
<br />
<b>Our children may be "delayed" when they join our family but often they just need time. </b><br />
Adopted children are placed into environments that may be very different than anything they've ever experienced. They may be overstimulated, confused and sometimes there are language barriers. With time and patience most emotional, intellectual and physical delays will be overcome.<br />
<br />
<b>Please do not tell us how amazing we (parents) are because we have chosen to adopt. </b><br />
We know that this comment is usually intended as a compliment but our adopted kids are not burdens, charity cases or a community service project to be completed. As parents we gladly invest the time and energy needed to ensure the happiness and well-being of any of our children.<br />
<br />
<b>We do not advertise our child's "cost".</b><br />
If you would like to know how expensive our adoption process was, please ask when our children are not present, call after our kids are in bed or send us an email. Most adoptive families are happy to share our experiences and to provide helpful information but we do not ever want our children to feel like they were bought or that they are commodities.<br />
<br />
<b>When the going gets tough please do not ask if we regret our decision to adopt or imply that "we asked for it". </b><br />
Few people would tell a sleep-deprived mother of a colicky newborn "well, you asked for this" and it would be considered rude to ask a new mother if she regretted her decision to have a baby. Just because something is difficult does not mean that we regret it. There are bumps in the road of every journey.<br />
<br />
<b>Even the happiest of adoptions are a result of challenging or difficult circumstances. </b><br />
Though we like to think of adoption as a "happy ending", birth parents may have made difficult decisions, children may have faced losses and many lives were forever changed. Though most adopted children grow to be happy, well-adjusted adults and though most adoptive families are beautiful and full of love, it is important not to romanticize adoption. <br />
<br />
And, most importantly:<br />
<br />
<b>No one is perfect.</b><br />
If you slip and call our biological kids our "real" kids or if you've already asked "What happened to his mother?" we won't hold a grudge. We know that our family is different. We understand that it is impossible to be sensitive and politically correct in every situation all the time. These are ideas and suggestions, not commandments.<br />
<br />
We appreciate that you care about our family. We cannot thank you enough for wanting to learn more about supporting and understanding the adoptive family and for helping make this transition as smooth as possible for all of us!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwhBoW_gw5sFWa9cc8KWhZ2nb_GUSXpHNK6fMzcYpyezoJhSX1lpMaBp30l_ReUzHj7_wQ-igyw1DwCrFQKHougzI8CSjAbzlh9BohrswPbtFn8p2WA8ZQhh1Jn8eADg81SK9_m9qx1I/s1600/P1020783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwhBoW_gw5sFWa9cc8KWhZ2nb_GUSXpHNK6fMzcYpyezoJhSX1lpMaBp30l_ReUzHj7_wQ-igyw1DwCrFQKHougzI8CSjAbzlh9BohrswPbtFn8p2WA8ZQhh1Jn8eADg81SK9_m9qx1I/s320/P1020783.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuN8Uju8b4iK3CVD1UTp1nOeih1VsieB4Kw8YJavN2qOsH6AW1nF83JmyRTo53xm7A3ss6rI6gOcnykX28vmZfHAA8GkWr2ZGRUD4hcS7iOpgzE8UJ_2OhOPjTS5eup7Af3k-wKaOE4QM/s1600/P1020870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuN8Uju8b4iK3CVD1UTp1nOeih1VsieB4Kw8YJavN2qOsH6AW1nF83JmyRTo53xm7A3ss6rI6gOcnykX28vmZfHAA8GkWr2ZGRUD4hcS7iOpgzE8UJ_2OhOPjTS5eup7Af3k-wKaOE4QM/s320/P1020870.JPG" width="299" /></a></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365925471371980508.post-66092598545890617522013-05-22T01:36:00.001-07:002013-05-26T11:35:52.067-07:00Blog post #15<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>355</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2027</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Universal Health Services, Inc.</o:Company>
<o:Lines>16</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2489</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.256</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
On The Road</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We spend a lot of time in the car here, traveling from
attraction to appointment, and besides being on the opposite side of the road,
there are some interesting differences between driving in South Africa & driving
in America. First, the signs. After almost seven weeks, we still don’t know
what all the road signs mean. There’s one that looks like a Transformer, and
one that looks like said Transformer with a no-no line through it. Jamie & I are
fond of saying, “No Optimus Prime on this street.” There’s a series of signs
with three slanted lines, then two, then one, which we’ve come to understand
means, “Exit coming up in ____ amount of miles, now only ____ amount of miles,
now here it comes.” Some of our favorites are twisty, turny, elaborate shapes
that are meant to let you know what form the road is going to take, but which
really distract & confuse. And then there’s the “Goats!” road sign. A
favorite, for sure.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJTNS8UOrAKZIBMjy7LgR9EZMRW9H8i_8D_j13949j0TJuxNRqSvSZRz2SU6w3muMCcc7kJAaPJoKPMmd6fN6h_F98DlPq6AVRmCPSUkp7wptfRu4Mx8cCoLyzBRy5sG8uPpU7s9teLw/s1600/P1020517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJTNS8UOrAKZIBMjy7LgR9EZMRW9H8i_8D_j13949j0TJuxNRqSvSZRz2SU6w3muMCcc7kJAaPJoKPMmd6fN6h_F98DlPq6AVRmCPSUkp7wptfRu4Mx8cCoLyzBRy5sG8uPpU7s9teLw/s320/P1020517.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsy4UK5jLneQZ0o3a2rnvYDOiLv4ZIvWcykiWK-hwa8IfBIujOLcNqy6OHjKBma65v8K6bVjKZgabmQ6wKLHNNrYLCPohzz0arSvMjTGh-m16pgA3Hn_HsBRtgBUB-friPnvFApJEqBo/s1600/P1020519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsy4UK5jLneQZ0o3a2rnvYDOiLv4ZIvWcykiWK-hwa8IfBIujOLcNqy6OHjKBma65v8K6bVjKZgabmQ6wKLHNNrYLCPohzz0arSvMjTGh-m16pgA3Hn_HsBRtgBUB-friPnvFApJEqBo/s320/P1020519.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-anwgEdx3IQZMWd77uW5vVt_RL74yXU6mvc2a8PFJgB8iU1xbAgGZDcjm5oh8eehS5_usO0j-DggWSCCgttQqW9DZ_r-oBCI8hXB9YxEoiVfsMXExzZTZFfycVxMcKKmuHNmvkUokxas/s1600/P1020521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-anwgEdx3IQZMWd77uW5vVt_RL74yXU6mvc2a8PFJgB8iU1xbAgGZDcjm5oh8eehS5_usO0j-DggWSCCgttQqW9DZ_r-oBCI8hXB9YxEoiVfsMXExzZTZFfycVxMcKKmuHNmvkUokxas/s320/P1020521.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjbNK-IXaURb1fhAnBFQxkFV-dxJpx-JKAX-9ga_-3rMIp81WL8G3PGqwQqqWyLd-ClOX8K05KpGE_l3RE_Y7BRTJ_As7xmdtyzgXBOePC39BT4c8MMc-Vm5YLDTm4S7-5NvW3P7aOyM/s1600/P1020526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjbNK-IXaURb1fhAnBFQxkFV-dxJpx-JKAX-9ga_-3rMIp81WL8G3PGqwQqqWyLd-ClOX8K05KpGE_l3RE_Y7BRTJ_As7xmdtyzgXBOePC39BT4c8MMc-Vm5YLDTm4S7-5NvW3P7aOyM/s320/P1020526.JPG" width="274" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lNA_M6XPZUGYzX7fCYbMbcAKQWbpd2wta283btpmqd5uhz5DNDa0cKzcRFwdl8uspR438TmsEzgyG33pckiP1mBn0FK5c0dwgFwA7-cKyWzj5DJ6WlijL-P4N-3veasmRDoPmLJbMww/s1600/P1020527_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lNA_M6XPZUGYzX7fCYbMbcAKQWbpd2wta283btpmqd5uhz5DNDa0cKzcRFwdl8uspR438TmsEzgyG33pckiP1mBn0FK5c0dwgFwA7-cKyWzj5DJ6WlijL-P4N-3veasmRDoPmLJbMww/s320/P1020527_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdfR4M1tL6Kjkr794CPTnpFBe6sixlnXvNEchojbRLuHDY8Ae1LHCkcItYYmjbqrt6HjWL1lOHuuQCz8a8zjQrLO-wJNpZ8l9tOEQxrukwfb_tTe6RjXIWhXEKzStURlQngRkFt6DvrQ/s1600/P1020543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdfR4M1tL6Kjkr794CPTnpFBe6sixlnXvNEchojbRLuHDY8Ae1LHCkcItYYmjbqrt6HjWL1lOHuuQCz8a8zjQrLO-wJNpZ8l9tOEQxrukwfb_tTe6RjXIWhXEKzStURlQngRkFt6DvrQ/s320/P1020543.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3TRV5N1LWZlRyVlJlTDDt5IAextXa9QBBzqGA1ysu4b6FHRo8UseS-BDh6H6CrnzUPo3o7izsTiHCGEiku8da1nUK7sVPBEBLO-3QEYNuzQm6Z7Bu7y1YklKDnG2znnXsVmQQG5xJjY/s1600/P1020545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3TRV5N1LWZlRyVlJlTDDt5IAextXa9QBBzqGA1ysu4b6FHRo8UseS-BDh6H6CrnzUPo3o7izsTiHCGEiku8da1nUK7sVPBEBLO-3QEYNuzQm6Z7Bu7y1YklKDnG2znnXsVmQQG5xJjY/s320/P1020545.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXUYNT4qRHjAdnWDyMcp7xjl3ozXQ3p1m3mc9-95jm9wYQhQ28nAPEIWkGIlITIPbmOo7Fsyh6RgNigmXuZorDnIsRccfaJCTvdBwT58ADt5y5Cb30tiyVAMcqUrf39_9aJChUnULKJE/s1600/P1020548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXUYNT4qRHjAdnWDyMcp7xjl3ozXQ3p1m3mc9-95jm9wYQhQ28nAPEIWkGIlITIPbmOo7Fsyh6RgNigmXuZorDnIsRccfaJCTvdBwT58ADt5y5Cb30tiyVAMcqUrf39_9aJChUnULKJE/s320/P1020548.JPG" width="149" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg403JI-pdWdGrKAldAA0qpSp7m3cHR1loh4l0A7KIyCdi10yTyKLyd96Sg6TUYxlazfzisyXLQYBCKHx1Jn0k-_1PN3Ob3Gul0MwulwS7l5wFFwz3lSSwNwGxrvuIX7S7vVAANtEDuzME/s1600/P1020551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg403JI-pdWdGrKAldAA0qpSp7m3cHR1loh4l0A7KIyCdi10yTyKLyd96Sg6TUYxlazfzisyXLQYBCKHx1Jn0k-_1PN3Ob3Gul0MwulwS7l5wFFwz3lSSwNwGxrvuIX7S7vVAANtEDuzME/s320/P1020551.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUPZyck-COihzapcTT7pDE9OOvBEtO6Tj-KmwxwrbwkUZkDEycPEVnPtspgGA-ouhd5k0-4yfbFcjyEDRymq-Zs32k80uunonPE51MNH47Nk04pWur4026w3A54Ofqu8DmVjf97_B9aI/s1600/P1020561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUPZyck-COihzapcTT7pDE9OOvBEtO6Tj-KmwxwrbwkUZkDEycPEVnPtspgGA-ouhd5k0-4yfbFcjyEDRymq-Zs32k80uunonPE51MNH47Nk04pWur4026w3A54Ofqu8DmVjf97_B9aI/s320/P1020561.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The other major difference we’ve noticed is the rest stops.
When traveling from Durban to Johannesburg, we wanted to find a rest stop where
we could eat lunch & let the girls get some energy out. Now, I am used to
the sterilized-yet-still-germy rest stops on the New Jersey Turnpike: Roy
Rogers, Cinnabon, Pizza Hut, gas station. I try to get in & out of those
places as quickly as possible. When we pulled off the highway looking for a
rest stop, we found the loveliest indoor/outdoor café, with a playground and
baby bunnies. Baby bunnies! We had camembert and avocado sandwiches. We
strolled their rows of lavender and basil plants. What a delightful surprise
during a long day of steady driving. It was downright refreshing not to see a
chain restaurant. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleD-263ldaVcUNNWQvfIHqGi2kuIo3SP_r4oHp3W4rOQqnnJx0VbL4nA5Iwx1b0LJyTJwrBzxkr8mhBCgDLOaZJMbIUNV3SXbz6PpemGS1OWGrRcOX6oHRRpUtfMOv5FkCuXoBAxK3hk/s1600/P1020494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleD-263ldaVcUNNWQvfIHqGi2kuIo3SP_r4oHp3W4rOQqnnJx0VbL4nA5Iwx1b0LJyTJwrBzxkr8mhBCgDLOaZJMbIUNV3SXbz6PpemGS1OWGrRcOX6oHRRpUtfMOv5FkCuXoBAxK3hk/s320/P1020494.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkFKMmmzudm3nA92dl7CECb7oRUZgARVp7SxHiyCSb6vkCd4AiwxuqbV6QhhRcwMX4OWuX42DAlzaNTPoxTs-EM_r9N85WRfKJZFrAWifGzwK2QVBRjLaHqzePOM3B0ejtZqIAxy25Ao/s1600/P1020498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkFKMmmzudm3nA92dl7CECb7oRUZgARVp7SxHiyCSb6vkCd4AiwxuqbV6QhhRcwMX4OWuX42DAlzaNTPoxTs-EM_r9N85WRfKJZFrAWifGzwK2QVBRjLaHqzePOM3B0ejtZqIAxy25Ao/s320/P1020498.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyRupp1XzPtl4kCuJKHQgcTXYcMlZXL5XQpwxjLEIR1ZbZS_S0OimE_q5Z7u-8av3o5IdedRbwfFxhPFCfrpNToLKBcGBjTs9AFuLDbZVr2Z6zSg-ePbzbMzA4f1ZYih82jPbML-skww/s1600/P1020501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyRupp1XzPtl4kCuJKHQgcTXYcMlZXL5XQpwxjLEIR1ZbZS_S0OimE_q5Z7u-8av3o5IdedRbwfFxhPFCfrpNToLKBcGBjTs9AFuLDbZVr2Z6zSg-ePbzbMzA4f1ZYih82jPbML-skww/s320/P1020501.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBgouayzDDA80LRXIQPBFQX1W716-padq0H8KlPQo-to__N44ni_24K40Aj0GQgim1PX_aGUdwM5Dg3wXicfySLVIkFIyNdRx5Xr25eXGCGANxbK-SiqGGeR15vRfblxdgy69ZOTRqx8/s1600/P1020508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBgouayzDDA80LRXIQPBFQX1W716-padq0H8KlPQo-to__N44ni_24K40Aj0GQgim1PX_aGUdwM5Dg3wXicfySLVIkFIyNdRx5Xr25eXGCGANxbK-SiqGGeR15vRfblxdgy69ZOTRqx8/s320/P1020508.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Something you would not find in Philadelphia is the plethora
of men trying to sell things to you as you sit at traffic lights (which they
call “robots” here). At one red light, a person can purchase or refuse cell
phone chargers, oranges, cold drinks, sunglasses, and DVDs. Sometimes they are
not selling anything, but begging, carrying trash bags tied around their necks
to carry whatever food or items they are given. They are persistent! It appears very dangerous,
having multiple people standing and walking between moving cars at every
intersection, but it isn’t illegal here, and there don’t seem to be any rules
other than, “This is my corner. I sell the avocadoes over here.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But in any country, a long car ride hopefully involves solid
naps for precious little people. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejizo3xjsAZf9n59wcKmh6VqwCLymmcIljX8SECOH1w1GOKFer23HqTQ2algCnbUhNnZ20x3qGpZVBrwI-WtH0loGVt19p_7OhbghgfVQizmTGQyaDUG8Ub9ri45KWK1oLGrAeHpSvLY/s1600/P1020538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejizo3xjsAZf9n59wcKmh6VqwCLymmcIljX8SECOH1w1GOKFer23HqTQ2algCnbUhNnZ20x3qGpZVBrwI-WtH0loGVt19p_7OhbghgfVQizmTGQyaDUG8Ub9ri45KWK1oLGrAeHpSvLY/s320/P1020538.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNWgfpf0KK3EuA2aBtPjf_POEZtJaeWl_s5obTB3Bt9Vc9Yo_CBG7xjE7tVqtCOuvDiqAJzKI6vqOrSMmi5VSjaltVqfbDRP7KYkge_lDmuVUjkS2lObagTtw6gHPXdJsUPbDgRTuS-8/s1600/P1020525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNWgfpf0KK3EuA2aBtPjf_POEZtJaeWl_s5obTB3Bt9Vc9Yo_CBG7xjE7tVqtCOuvDiqAJzKI6vqOrSMmi5VSjaltVqfbDRP7KYkge_lDmuVUjkS2lObagTtw6gHPXdJsUPbDgRTuS-8/s320/P1020525.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365925471371980508.post-21759527823156179102013-05-20T06:58:00.000-07:002013-05-20T06:58:20.591-07:00Blog post #14
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>440</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2513</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Universal Health Services, Inc.</o:Company>
<o:Lines>20</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>5</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3086</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.256</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
May 20<sup>th</sup>, 2013</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Time marches on here in Johannesburg, though sometimes it
feels like it’s inching forward. All of us are very ready to return home! Each
day is full of possibility, but it gets tiring to try to plan something fun
& new each day for the girls. Have you ever been really ready to get back
to regular life after a vacation? Well that is certainly how I feel, after this
almost seven-week trip. Jamie’s & my new game is to come up with really mundane
things we miss so much about our home: loading dishes in the dishwasher,
walking around barefoot without getting super dirty feet, checking the mailbox.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After arriving in Joburg last Tuesday, we went to the
medical center for the next three consecutive days to have Amahle’s immigration
medical completed so that she can get a visa. The girls were truly good sports
about it, and it wasn’t too difficult, all in all. This being my first medical
appointment with Amahle, naturally I wanted to ask the doctor all kinds of
little questions about her—that cut on her toe, what looks to be a cavity in
her mouth, the scar on her leg—but it was clear that he was only interested in
making sure she is not bringing any contagious diseases to the US. “Perfunctory”
is the word I would use, but at least we didn’t get delayed in this part of the
process. That is the most important thing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The highlight of the week was going to the Lion Park! We
drove through the park, spotting four prides of lions, cheetahs, antelopes,
meerkats, and ostriches. We had the distinct pleasure of watching one
ridiculous ostrich take an elaborate dust bath right next to our car. Nobody
tell me God doesn’t have a sense of humor. We’ve noticed that rules in South
Africa are more relaxed than at home, like Amahle not having to sit in any kind
of a booster seat in the car. Those relaxed rules afforded us the opportunity
to <i>pet baby lions and feed giraffes</i>
at the lion park! Having worked at the Philadelphia Zoo, I can fully appreciate
what a treasure this opportunity was. The girls were a little unsure about
petting the lions at first. They gave quick, furtive little pats, but
eventually got in there & really experienced it. The best part of the day
was spending time feeding and petting the giraffes. They always seemed tall
when I looked at them from the ground, but standing on a high platform, I
realized how gigantic their heads are. Looking into a giraffes big brown eyes
& seeing those long eyelashes—precious. Again, the girls were very
tentative about this, and hardly had any direct contact with the giraffes, but
Jamie & I relished our time with them. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wednesday is the big day for our appointment at the
Consulate to get Amahle’s visa. The unabridged birth certificates have been
picked up in Durban & couriered to the Consulate, and the immigration
medical & lab results should be there as well. If all goes smoothly at the
appointment, we will have her visa on Thursday and be leaving for the US on
Friday night. I will keep you all updated. Thanks so much for your prayers and
support.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmPI2YguMBe2Sh-twSpP66smeZ2Xl0VU3liyVG396mErlakHcAJSWFNdHTFI_krwiPy2ozE-npyzrzoOHspjoJNsfG7CGOvR77JwoUMDSrZ55YOrIXkkNz2KNWipjrHEIClv1fmVgZdI/s1600/P1020584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmPI2YguMBe2Sh-twSpP66smeZ2Xl0VU3liyVG396mErlakHcAJSWFNdHTFI_krwiPy2ozE-npyzrzoOHspjoJNsfG7CGOvR77JwoUMDSrZ55YOrIXkkNz2KNWipjrHEIClv1fmVgZdI/s320/P1020584.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_kTr0psm4mjcu9NcbarBM3vwZycBGXf6PXunkVzBTyH2bCOdQIbr4kj0ajDmR_6Rd3oeeOIbT7ucWyT5UOMLzArhCLhzrxWL0lqYUDvPbtwGf_2ZJijJrLwQNM-Juw9bZDv5NomG2fw/s1600/P1020625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_kTr0psm4mjcu9NcbarBM3vwZycBGXf6PXunkVzBTyH2bCOdQIbr4kj0ajDmR_6Rd3oeeOIbT7ucWyT5UOMLzArhCLhzrxWL0lqYUDvPbtwGf_2ZJijJrLwQNM-Juw9bZDv5NomG2fw/s320/P1020625.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQwKnoE-FeR3pNBpwybKbIONGp0DddDadXhWoTVaXw08YbXQfkR8EZjSr01_NyaL8NpWGKQbW0-4_uRajTnA9KBs6eN_QMMWMC8GxSwm_GidgWrcXPVAQIwKm4WoqjKLOOu5qDKKk8rE/s1600/P1020645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQwKnoE-FeR3pNBpwybKbIONGp0DddDadXhWoTVaXw08YbXQfkR8EZjSr01_NyaL8NpWGKQbW0-4_uRajTnA9KBs6eN_QMMWMC8GxSwm_GidgWrcXPVAQIwKm4WoqjKLOOu5qDKKk8rE/s320/P1020645.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rxCAAPF9aTNAG_6I3Uyyq16jF6IjYmjBIbamM6bLRAFSDxv0KBffuaOO1gvvmWHRctduLhdp8HGxYqcpj7dwvguYzGdKcblLZ4qCrtbJ-wYbvTo6maceyYMToZWJaWfrnlu2-S792to/s1600/P1020646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rxCAAPF9aTNAG_6I3Uyyq16jF6IjYmjBIbamM6bLRAFSDxv0KBffuaOO1gvvmWHRctduLhdp8HGxYqcpj7dwvguYzGdKcblLZ4qCrtbJ-wYbvTo6maceyYMToZWJaWfrnlu2-S792to/s320/P1020646.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOF7XSdJktuoBf3Iq9w79fbv4Tck7oXfvCylBcVarJ4OLT8G4-Izlf7sRjxgECdSUiS_H9ggIbhC2CAbtz6eq0nnhrE2jtkap3kRPow6Zc-3QNQ6d1wFCqvw9E5igyMj2J6QQRg89dXeM/s1600/P1020666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOF7XSdJktuoBf3Iq9w79fbv4Tck7oXfvCylBcVarJ4OLT8G4-Izlf7sRjxgECdSUiS_H9ggIbhC2CAbtz6eq0nnhrE2jtkap3kRPow6Zc-3QNQ6d1wFCqvw9E5igyMj2J6QQRg89dXeM/s320/P1020666.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9eJWciwVKO4o1WfBt-wOT3o-C_AfPYcPaluXolrZPIgYk5hyphenhyphen9pfnCZQS0nx7CurAqvbZotaUkDx3TFTKtvzmzB5tbadvaf8JWjitudPbqP2xmSn_PjzfhT-t_HAeYgSjYkupF1CWIYKY/s1600/P1020676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9eJWciwVKO4o1WfBt-wOT3o-C_AfPYcPaluXolrZPIgYk5hyphenhyphen9pfnCZQS0nx7CurAqvbZotaUkDx3TFTKtvzmzB5tbadvaf8JWjitudPbqP2xmSn_PjzfhT-t_HAeYgSjYkupF1CWIYKY/s320/P1020676.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVqGKiUake57N5cSc6JFs82IuCD4gXl375n8xx2OHs3TNhU_aKB6A3ZRu_30eVXlS3_T4VBeDH1cEaCYsK264iw0sCgZTWgQbY_z9uwqCjw3FuwwGKFUTo5huRe3pt1J1cWrhlnQ4e_c/s1600/P1020677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVqGKiUake57N5cSc6JFs82IuCD4gXl375n8xx2OHs3TNhU_aKB6A3ZRu_30eVXlS3_T4VBeDH1cEaCYsK264iw0sCgZTWgQbY_z9uwqCjw3FuwwGKFUTo5huRe3pt1J1cWrhlnQ4e_c/s320/P1020677.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7BPYDTdZhRGGiAIaLejRVqKMG51Ke1ZA5XG2Jhf6bcTMyMl9HIwoncdmLp5pGQFdVecktsyKDC5bThMLOjvDOJLGzHqkBjJj6JNBVpD5W_UkrQNp53lQ60M4HogYCgV3FfUAklx8dCY/s1600/P1020702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7BPYDTdZhRGGiAIaLejRVqKMG51Ke1ZA5XG2Jhf6bcTMyMl9HIwoncdmLp5pGQFdVecktsyKDC5bThMLOjvDOJLGzHqkBjJj6JNBVpD5W_UkrQNp53lQ60M4HogYCgV3FfUAklx8dCY/s320/P1020702.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQ-cnV4h-Ik_P5PHa3W0EoEaRUglvIB2itc5GfreXHJKcyMGSGgsyVM2hd_czQeX-IWu_5rbwn-LnEpV7c9JUStCSrTZrWp2WWtVeeQO0H3vXoPTsQllXAyuMSXv7_Y2c64EO5IBRce0/s1600/P1020725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQ-cnV4h-Ik_P5PHa3W0EoEaRUglvIB2itc5GfreXHJKcyMGSGgsyVM2hd_czQeX-IWu_5rbwn-LnEpV7c9JUStCSrTZrWp2WWtVeeQO0H3vXoPTsQllXAyuMSXv7_Y2c64EO5IBRce0/s320/P1020725.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGK5JqcKUMuw415b6WvbN0qk4OqY6mwSElD3qwXr8EVMMwpQzGN_7MQFg-fEJjUyvB4YsTrjnrkChEfUdovD3O-nBUca8miQV42_W7GOX4sr9S4zptFK9g6_ka4u3zTT4t-2gzB0x2i6c/s1600/P1020752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGK5JqcKUMuw415b6WvbN0qk4OqY6mwSElD3qwXr8EVMMwpQzGN_7MQFg-fEJjUyvB4YsTrjnrkChEfUdovD3O-nBUca8miQV42_W7GOX4sr9S4zptFK9g6_ka4u3zTT4t-2gzB0x2i6c/s320/P1020752.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365925471371980508.post-84804368940478074452013-05-16T07:16:00.003-07:002013-05-16T07:16:45.845-07:00Blog post #13
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>428</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2442</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Universal Health Services, Inc.</o:Company>
<o:Lines>20</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2998</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.256</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
May 16<sup>th</sup>, 2013 A short recap of the (long) past
two weeks:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We spent a lot of time at the beach in Umhlanga & in
Durban. The girls love the ocean & make a game of running into, & away
from, the waves. The best of our beach days were spent with a family from the
Church we’ve been going to here. They have been so fun to hang out with, so
refreshing to talk to, and so encouraging to be around. Our time in Durban
would have been much more isolated and more difficult without them. It was so
nice to be invited to share meals together. Spending time in someone’s home
when you’re overseas makes you feel less like a tourist & more like a
traveler, if that makes sense. We will miss this beautiful beach, and
especially this lovely family. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0H1Ke4iYQsl1gJldTaqhxjyAijyrdlr_FvySd3-vIFtVIM2UPEGbxIZfIBZakVYq0lEtG1zE3F2MeG-gJOall0Qh-LdJh6mI6xiKqZNhwGaW-7nsldOJvJxnap7LBOcoPHRh5DV8_obc/s1600/P1020447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0H1Ke4iYQsl1gJldTaqhxjyAijyrdlr_FvySd3-vIFtVIM2UPEGbxIZfIBZakVYq0lEtG1zE3F2MeG-gJOall0Qh-LdJh6mI6xiKqZNhwGaW-7nsldOJvJxnap7LBOcoPHRh5DV8_obc/s320/P1020447.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zntne0_ELUlLA5GlM_0O_URyk33Wu3O-dJbH7ZdWTj_fDl6soluW1wHaLQb-ZJtqsI_4uTxMv9YjsPorecWhIHZwzuVAzLMtSDinHiOceYovPXTqDWQTDaTvq5_pBCKveNQmdk-3_dY/s1600/P1020465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zntne0_ELUlLA5GlM_0O_URyk33Wu3O-dJbH7ZdWTj_fDl6soluW1wHaLQb-ZJtqsI_4uTxMv9YjsPorecWhIHZwzuVAzLMtSDinHiOceYovPXTqDWQTDaTvq5_pBCKveNQmdk-3_dY/s320/P1020465.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3CHSb5GsRycWCd5KCJPh6_j9lk2s4Lakx1I6xE7QTXvfXScKamNzXcY7WXJ57ztTK1imoKRLyaoHt9VXyHafoXmMOcYGtm17sN8U3deD-5ydnlRpdPNCWpkYXhMyMGT7duVY-of4zOc/s1600/P1020312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3CHSb5GsRycWCd5KCJPh6_j9lk2s4Lakx1I6xE7QTXvfXScKamNzXcY7WXJ57ztTK1imoKRLyaoHt9VXyHafoXmMOcYGtm17sN8U3deD-5ydnlRpdPNCWpkYXhMyMGT7duVY-of4zOc/s320/P1020312.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwO2kWx13txboGa7G_Ls5C7Vv4rC_ScRWYbMhOw1rP300LpidhVpQRmsqJfzE92aCTvu8jH0vd0mYrNIuX1FJ88PPG-pshoLdv22m_jnIQqzho0Z94bIfOh0uH-Hu3vAIO_pX8dAeuoo/s1600/P1020314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwO2kWx13txboGa7G_Ls5C7Vv4rC_ScRWYbMhOw1rP300LpidhVpQRmsqJfzE92aCTvu8jH0vd0mYrNIuX1FJ88PPG-pshoLdv22m_jnIQqzho0Z94bIfOh0uH-Hu3vAIO_pX8dAeuoo/s320/P1020314.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrctTNJDb0fygwLzulujpnjUh8Ohxn0G5NKhTNHmbmNQMuH1t_lUG90gdQTB0BubmHlsYFLD52eag6HbBpfHty9z9oyVY2X2XucbUgKcRMW65po-nDj7xprbrKeCc8YNhhoPKzPy7N54s/s1600/P1020348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrctTNJDb0fygwLzulujpnjUh8Ohxn0G5NKhTNHmbmNQMuH1t_lUG90gdQTB0BubmHlsYFLD52eag6HbBpfHty9z9oyVY2X2XucbUgKcRMW65po-nDj7xprbrKeCc8YNhhoPKzPy7N54s/s320/P1020348.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We did make it back to uShaka, where I fulfilled my dream of
being kissed by a seal. It was…more intimidating than I expected. They aren’t
the cuddly pets I had imagined them to be; more like loud, strong, smart beasts
that have been trained to kiss. Nonetheless, a highlight of my life! And for
any of you who were keeping track, Amahle did finally get to enjoy an ice cream
cone there. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Vqg92PC9nTaFFMaoTcD1QutlZsXitvdfqxltOD2m22Xe7XIdm4o3ZGttaLFkJ2AuR_RSV-FG1wFV-JB7k7divBoJufbePpkQQ50UJlhWix-mgex6OldSJNKdPQfLoV9GgrmGd4-RDvI/s1600/_MG_9238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Vqg92PC9nTaFFMaoTcD1QutlZsXitvdfqxltOD2m22Xe7XIdm4o3ZGttaLFkJ2AuR_RSV-FG1wFV-JB7k7divBoJufbePpkQQ50UJlhWix-mgex6OldSJNKdPQfLoV9GgrmGd4-RDvI/s320/_MG_9238.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKacTyeVY0cALg0emVg8JcDIB_4ODlLVeiLwPmEMDgq2aOUnsrg03LJ7wHYsr8ZUsab0JMIVWdAcHjm2E3sJ7ekrqce3IEicMLjLdH4tKwWkfTrL9YSwFp1ZTM1fvTJIDsLomeOp53d8/s1600/P1020391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKacTyeVY0cALg0emVg8JcDIB_4ODlLVeiLwPmEMDgq2aOUnsrg03LJ7wHYsr8ZUsab0JMIVWdAcHjm2E3sJ7ekrqce3IEicMLjLdH4tKwWkfTrL9YSwFp1ZTM1fvTJIDsLomeOp53d8/s320/P1020391.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTlr3p10LhM-ldg84FIMI3_0Ak63nHcyGKG6rZvwAoaz6W1PAUt6bsQxMggqtTrW5ZXCThAAHYehQpnHDlYXaex3nlwBcSDKgmDfdpJK8hCM5GfJ6gm0xvnK7ACyDAVf1ct2qPth-NcA/s1600/P1020394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTlr3p10LhM-ldg84FIMI3_0Ak63nHcyGKG6rZvwAoaz6W1PAUt6bsQxMggqtTrW5ZXCThAAHYehQpnHDlYXaex3nlwBcSDKgmDfdpJK8hCM5GfJ6gm0xvnK7ACyDAVf1ct2qPth-NcA/s320/P1020394.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All the while, we were periodically traveling to Home
Affairs, the office/entity responsible for issuing identity documents to South
Africans. It was not as harrowing as I had feared, probably because our
adoption lawyers worked long & hard & well-organized on our behalf. We
successfully changed Amahle’s surname, got her a new identification number
(similar to our social security number), received a new short-form birth
certificate, are still waiting for the unabridged birth certificate, received
her temporary passport, and will wait to receive her permanent passport when it
is ready. Whew! Anyone who has adopted internationally deserves some sort of honorary
degree in bureaucratic paperwork completion. Or a lifetime supply of lattes or
something energy-replenishing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally, on Tuesday we left Durban behind & traveled to
Johannesburg for the last leg of our trip. Nine and a half hours in the packed
car with two active little girls. We arrived late at night at the lodge, after
a difficult time finding the right road. GPS is very helpful, but not always
reliable around here. It often says, “Turn right on Road,” because it doesn’t
know the name of the street, or, “Turn left on Unpaved Road.” We got settled in
for the night, scrounging through luggage for toothbrushes and pajamas, and
didn’t really see our surroundings until the next morning. When we wandered
into the grounds behind our lodge the next morning, we were treated to views of
zebra, gazelles, & emu! Such has been our experience in Africa—5 parts rush
& drudgery, one part incredible splendor. I would even describe our
adoptive parenting that way so far—mostly challenging, lots of correction, work
around the clock, and then the rare glimpse of how things might be one day:
peaceful, joyful, laughing and enjoying our new, expanded family. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEAGF1N3Vva14Xl5AELddC4lwHMRXa1wvvuDJQSBwYXnEZPh8ZSTnkDMQp0b1eydpkA8lpUKai-htPn5ZDX1SBe58q50LDlqKQsPsw6aDMb7RR3kJI9Yf8roNRXxF-J-3l4H2ASC4WAI/s1600/P1020570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEAGF1N3Vva14Xl5AELddC4lwHMRXa1wvvuDJQSBwYXnEZPh8ZSTnkDMQp0b1eydpkA8lpUKai-htPn5ZDX1SBe58q50LDlqKQsPsw6aDMb7RR3kJI9Yf8roNRXxF-J-3l4H2ASC4WAI/s320/P1020570.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RIvn9bxYvgCUdzUrDYbU7boipvIyF_1ivUBtgfrF55eFlV9qugkbCnyh0T3KQ18_GkSb6OUGZh_PySVwM4jqMoHHt3ngrCDsGQEwshJAhdH6heOAWyhdfIdk8KXK6Mr-zn6GRtv62Xw/s1600/P1020592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RIvn9bxYvgCUdzUrDYbU7boipvIyF_1ivUBtgfrF55eFlV9qugkbCnyh0T3KQ18_GkSb6OUGZh_PySVwM4jqMoHHt3ngrCDsGQEwshJAhdH6heOAWyhdfIdk8KXK6Mr-zn6GRtv62Xw/s320/P1020592.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365925471371980508.post-49649929846162148982013-05-04T07:22:00.002-07:002013-05-04T07:22:40.166-07:00Blog post #12
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>637</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3632</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Universal Health Services, Inc.</o:Company>
<o:Lines>30</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>7</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>4460</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.256</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
May 3<sup>rd</sup>, 2013: Yesterday we took the girls to
uShaka Marine World and water park. We met up with the other family—now just
Mama S, Griffin (4), & Sifundo, as the rest of their family has gone back
to America. Our kids were so happy to be reunited, having spent time separately
since Monday. And I am always jazzed to spend time with my only mom friend out
here. We do a lot of talking, comparing notes & a lot of laughing; it’s
therapeutic for us both. This adoption and travel experience definitely bonds
families together in a very unique way. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The water park was a big hit for everyone—there were all
kinds of slides & pools, a dolphin show, and the coolest aquarium, made to
look like a sunken ship. Amahle enjoyed trying more & more on her own; she
is adventurous & independent, and also likes to show off for mommy &
daddy. I view it as a sign of good attachment when I hear, “Mommy, look!” a
million times a day. While sometimes independence is a trait to be cultivated
in kids, I am working against the stubborn self-reliance she developed in the
orphanage, trying to teach her to depend on us. It’s odd, because at six, she
is very capable of doing some things alone, which I am teaching her to let me
do for her. I kept suggesting rides and activities the girls could do together,
or that we could do as a family. Amahle & I floated down the lazy river
together, oohing and aahing at the sights along the way. She was tickled to see
penguins along the bank, & was pretty scared of the sharks behind the glass.
She and Sifundo both keep pretty serious mugs at times, which gives the
appearance of being hard to impress by new things. But when asked, Amahle will
answer, “I’m scared to them,” which is sometimes the reason for the mask she
wears. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My favorite ride was called “Jika Jika,” which we made into
a silly expression of joy throughout the day. As in, “Jika, jika I’m happy!!”
in a sing-songy voice. The seven of us piled into one big, round raft, & twisted
and turned down a long tube together. I loved looking at each face as we sped
along: Amahle laughing & holding onto Sifundo, Tabby screaming &
pretending to be in peril, Griffin admitting how fun this was, after staunchly
refusing to try it at first. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When our two families get together, Sifundo & Amahle
always have a wonderful time. I love to see them so excited to greet each
other, and have a chance to talk feely in Zulu, but I am aware that it does
hurt Tabby’s feelings to see Amahle’s bond with Sifundo, when Tabby is so
desirous of that kind of sisterly bond. Her face always falls a little, and she
is constantly being shrugged off for hugs by Amahle & Sifundo. To be fair,
there aren’t a lot of hugs going around at the orphanage. Tabby’s type of sweetness
& affection is something Amahle will need to get used to. Griffin, however,
loves Tabby very much; they spend much of the day holding hands or hugging. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was a pretty great day for all of us. One bright spot
in the financial cloud of adoption is that the economy here makes it possible
for us to spend the day at a water park for not much. We stayed the whole day,
skipping naps, eating at a nice restaurant, and didn’t spend a lot. That makes
entertaining kids for almost seven weeks a bit easier. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the end of the day, both Sifundo & Amahle had some
behavior issues. For both families, they were big enough rule violations that
we needed to discipline them clearly and quickly. We had been heading to get
ice cream, and Mama S, Jamie, & I decided that Sifundo & Amahle would
not get ice cream because of their misbehavior. Parent friends out there: how
hard is that to do?! I am a firm believer in clear and consistent discipline.
But watching a child watch another child eat ice cream? Feels cruel and unusual
in the moment. Not to mention, from the outside it looked very much like we buy
our white children ice cream, but none for our African children. An
uncomfortable impression to give off in public, especially in South Africa. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other than that blip on the behavior radar, this was one of
my favorite days here. Tabby said it was ‘the best day of her life,’ and she
only says that very rarely! It was great to have such a fun, relaxing day as a
family. It makes the counting down days and dreading paperwork recede for a
while. I am very grateful for the gorgeous weather we’ve been having. This
would all be so much harder in the rain. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOc6ltsspzCbe2O22p6jkHvzOqRsbG1am6dr71fAMfy1qdYwR2f4xxNiHACruY15BnK27QcOncuG8EogBod3qEFhMcT2VU17tfMCGbV7y_OsWhnMTHluIKEBDvxua1eH9y2BqNVxxV5E/s1600/P1020265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOc6ltsspzCbe2O22p6jkHvzOqRsbG1am6dr71fAMfy1qdYwR2f4xxNiHACruY15BnK27QcOncuG8EogBod3qEFhMcT2VU17tfMCGbV7y_OsWhnMTHluIKEBDvxua1eH9y2BqNVxxV5E/s320/P1020265.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2OJhXJ-u0wIPJCvu_8KclQMZjKxcs95aKK0oeC1LCUM_IN1h4_kVdQOrnwIjox1g2lM5Ti5StwFZmhlGVlRs21aLTKgAGAV-wahDh-gu68CYdgZ0QbFcGa6Y4NSChChdgz6bxsLGxJs/s1600/P1020269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2OJhXJ-u0wIPJCvu_8KclQMZjKxcs95aKK0oeC1LCUM_IN1h4_kVdQOrnwIjox1g2lM5Ti5StwFZmhlGVlRs21aLTKgAGAV-wahDh-gu68CYdgZ0QbFcGa6Y4NSChChdgz6bxsLGxJs/s320/P1020269.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaS7k6QKdm-yze4ilGWQwDOmlzJKIk9P5C2EpTPD2HWFTJXjnbK7dwNljYFsMgS69JwZ3pzSQH2qc2oUdHlJ_yR_fH25PIOgKlKiFpG_U0npw23sz6oWDqqdcgKE4z3vRNdVonuy-WLc/s1600/P1020273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaS7k6QKdm-yze4ilGWQwDOmlzJKIk9P5C2EpTPD2HWFTJXjnbK7dwNljYFsMgS69JwZ3pzSQH2qc2oUdHlJ_yR_fH25PIOgKlKiFpG_U0npw23sz6oWDqqdcgKE4z3vRNdVonuy-WLc/s320/P1020273.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv37a6Ch082vZ-1KyuUKlSYWmZblgXF2dOUdDuISH5yGzu2ZcSemDyTJz9xrqj38VypwS_XrWcgS4Q_1LuH8q4E7OgOO1XOGNDHui8TT-lLRd3rlc_FD1vs1VpCN1CiqLRlUIbIk5pppw/s1600/P1020280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv37a6Ch082vZ-1KyuUKlSYWmZblgXF2dOUdDuISH5yGzu2ZcSemDyTJz9xrqj38VypwS_XrWcgS4Q_1LuH8q4E7OgOO1XOGNDHui8TT-lLRd3rlc_FD1vs1VpCN1CiqLRlUIbIk5pppw/s320/P1020280.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIOl__G8YMcXw9ffZE9FrCnYjW0C3GXxWZrQ9n9vuq5D8sKvCB3ybGRGzaLNU1quwKTwelhtmngtOwqiJVwStEbpqEy8j30yUBj8VtYjgNEjrpRl3VBOZtM6Fs9NtadYjEYnToEUQ25I/s1600/P1020283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIOl__G8YMcXw9ffZE9FrCnYjW0C3GXxWZrQ9n9vuq5D8sKvCB3ybGRGzaLNU1quwKTwelhtmngtOwqiJVwStEbpqEy8j30yUBj8VtYjgNEjrpRl3VBOZtM6Fs9NtadYjEYnToEUQ25I/s320/P1020283.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFiZXaixBAXjOTrZMtvHBJpZr_UEr2vInmjGWhVMUx5lpmlAe7NN4XG6JXQJOPZQTQDzNVB4fyb5WE59bLCN9jhA80tH7nfvGZ1EGrKQsNbBBVesq9QpxYSZzXHghvY3Yr544Zqwgg1t4/s1600/P1020290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFiZXaixBAXjOTrZMtvHBJpZr_UEr2vInmjGWhVMUx5lpmlAe7NN4XG6JXQJOPZQTQDzNVB4fyb5WE59bLCN9jhA80tH7nfvGZ1EGrKQsNbBBVesq9QpxYSZzXHghvY3Yr544Zqwgg1t4/s320/P1020290.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6_cIgcDZRhIk2wtY345LXj_fNs23HRZciI6EZ_pW2xe3rflzcmIj_VW3hU56QfwscyoZjkyBipKbKzqUKZl_V7InB_JX4yF1KT16uG7YcHcgmfXtEEXbPQpQS5iOD-gc_K41bn-8VEo/s1600/P1020301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6_cIgcDZRhIk2wtY345LXj_fNs23HRZciI6EZ_pW2xe3rflzcmIj_VW3hU56QfwscyoZjkyBipKbKzqUKZl_V7InB_JX4yF1KT16uG7YcHcgmfXtEEXbPQpQS5iOD-gc_K41bn-8VEo/s320/P1020301.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365925471371980508.post-1334071210536179802013-05-02T07:48:00.001-07:002013-05-02T07:48:24.122-07:00Blog post #11
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>413</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2359</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Universal Health Services, Inc.</o:Company>
<o:Lines>19</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2897</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.256</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u>Funny and/or Surprising<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the lodge, we send our laundry out to be washed, &
they return it in a big, folded stack, wrapped in cellophane. The first day our
new kiddos were with us, Sifundo, who is four years old, automatically took the
stack of laundry, put it on top of her head, and walked it down to the bedroom.
That’s how women in Kwa-Zulu carry heavy things. So cute and surprising to see
little Sifundo do it! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amahle refers to her sandals as “flick-clocks,” because
that’s how it sounds to her when we say “flip-flops.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For those of you who know my usual modus operandi at home,
it would surprise you to see me frequently pick flies/bugs out of my drinks
& continue drinking them. That’s just how things are here!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Jamie blew his nose, Amahle looked surprised &
said, “Daddy, you sound like a vuvuzela!” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Apparently, when I order a “7Up” at a restaurant here, it
sounds like “Savannah,” which is an alcoholic cider. Not as refreshing as I was
expecting. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Amahle’s first days with us, her English was so limited
that we rarely knew what she was trying to say. However, she knew all the words
to “Gangnam Style” and “Call Me Maybe.” Kind of similar to not having enough
money for nutritious food, but always having grape soda available. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the zoo in Cato Ridge, we stood for a long time watching
an adorable baby monkey make eyes at us through the bars. After several
minutes, he climbed over to the side of the exhibit & let himself out.
There was nothing stopping him from spanning the twelve inches between us, but
when his mommy called him, he let himself back in the exhibit. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At Church in Durban, there is a small playground where the
children romp after Sunday services. Our first time there, a two year old boy
was climbing the ropes on the jungle gym, naked from the waist down. Both of
the girls looked at him & craned their necks to make eye contact with me,
as if to say, “Are you seeing this?!” I guess that’s just how they do things in
SA. We have seen soooo many naked children here—not at the orphanage, at the
beach.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are signs all over our apartment building that say:
Please do not feed the monkeys or feral cats. The woman who cleans our building
warned us to lock our windows when we go out, unless we want the monkeys to let
themselves in & finish our food. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Probably the biggest surprise is how we all eventually adapt
to any situation. We didn’t watch any TV for our first two weeks here; we didn’t
have air conditioning; we have eaten enough, but not been “satisfied” for most
of our meals, since our food & cooking options here are limited; our skin
is continuously slick with dirt, sunscreen, and bug spray; geckos run across
the walls with no warning, and we don’t even jump. So many things that seem
“necessary” in our lives at home, apparently aren’t. But friends &
community—that we truly miss. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuz-3Xq3IzYtLOG3nWh4IhxWRiI7rxzo_4YlZL3nBEvdW_n5QzKWYbJ9ybEhyphenhyphendiY0f1avcYPKw45yxsLBt7Y8D14ZLTZ2haEhWl6DGOx31PU4aLTf6pTG84yaNFIcgGracpvebVeKZ0s/s1600/P1010869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuz-3Xq3IzYtLOG3nWh4IhxWRiI7rxzo_4YlZL3nBEvdW_n5QzKWYbJ9ybEhyphenhyphendiY0f1avcYPKw45yxsLBt7Y8D14ZLTZ2haEhWl6DGOx31PU4aLTf6pTG84yaNFIcgGracpvebVeKZ0s/s320/P1010869.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365925471371980508.post-18288066901040529442013-04-27T09:19:00.000-07:002013-04-27T09:32:01.970-07:00<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>604</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3448</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Universal Health Services, Inc.</o:Company>
<o:Lines>28</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>6</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>4234</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.256</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Fair warning to my diverse
group of dear friends: this is an overtly Christian post! I don’t believe it
will offend, but if it does, please talk to me directly. This is based on my
personal life experience, & I would be glad to share it with you one-on-one.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To ransom: to obtain the release of a prisoner by making a payment demanded. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The thing about newly adopted children is, they don’t clean
themselves up & present themselves as fully-formed, shiny individuals in
order to be adopted. They, like each of us, are works in progress. Though they
certainly bring us joy & blessing during the time we care for them,
initially, they bring nothing to the table but open hands. They are needy, and
full of unmet wants. In some ways, they are more independent, after living
without parents for so long, but they quickly begin calling for mommy &
daddy more often than a same-aged child who has grown up with parents present. They
have years of attention-seeking to make up for. They are unpolished—saying and
doing things we have learned to pretend we don’t think or do. They don’t blend
seamlessly into our already-established family dynamic; they exert their own
will and seek their own satisfaction above the good of the family. Simply put,
they don’t “deserve” to be adopted, they don’t “earn” a family by their good
behavior. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If Amahle did exude every sweet and docile quality that
would make her “deserving” of a family, and had no bad habits or flaws, I would
miss out on the poignant metaphor God is showing me in our family: I don’t need
to be cleaned up and good enough in order to be accepted by Him and lovingly
adopted into His family. He accepts me as I am, and He has rescued and ransomed
me from a life without Him. This metaphor has sustained me during years of
tedious adoption paperwork and aggravating hoops I’ve had to jump through in
order to bring a child home from life in an institution. When people have asked
about the process, and I have shared some of the big costs associated with
adoption, they often either balk or say something to the effect of, “You are a
stellar person—I couldn’t go through that.” But neither of those is accurate.
I’ve been sustained knowing that I, myself, was ransomed at a very high cost.
Jesus did not balk at the high price he had to pay to bring me into His family.
Even when I asked for too many things; even when my habits were unattractive;
even when I don’t see the tremendous gifts He gives me; even when I don’t say
thank you. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I see Amahle being herself in our midst, when she is
picking up & using all our things without hesitating or asking, when she
shows us her most ungrateful or selfish sides, I am reminded of the truth about
myself. The grace I have been shown was unearned. That’s what grace is. That’s
what we’re here to extend to our children. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now when Amahle joined our family, that very first day, she
began calling us “mommy” & “daddy.” She began using all our things, eating
our food, putting holes in the knees of the leggings we just gave her. There
was no hesitancy, no dipping her toes in the water. This is what it means to
receive like a little child. When she was in the orphanage for all those years,
she prayed earnestly for parents. She didn’t wonder whether that was the right
thing to do—she asked for what she wanted, and she just kept asking. When she was
told she was going to have a family, she rejoiced freely. There are lessons to
be learned here about what God has for us & how we respond. When we enter
into the Kingdom of God, we aren’t borrowing; we aren’t second-class citizens
of heaven. We are full children, co-heirs, joint-conquerors with Christ. The
boldness Amahle has in our family, the entitlement, shows that she fully
receives the gifts she’s been given. At first, I am taken aback, seeing her so
confident. It seems presumptuous, maybe impolite, because that’s not how adults
in our culture behave. But I know that it is good, and that it means she has
fully entered in. My job is to keep my hand open & let her take freely from
it. When I want to close it, to make some qualification or contingency, I am
stealing. I am adding on to what has already been finished. Freely freely you
have received; freely freely give.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7Zc2WpYuYfAF0vAAsKrVU1hOilRC9L9dojke3h62-4vNi8GvO7hDLTGWW6w6zZQBWc66J2J98g7-R62-Xo7YTazNOp-JPdYvn76lbkIv67X0BuIAYKJP9ZF93YGcChcwImA_KgrOvic/s1600/P1020024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7Zc2WpYuYfAF0vAAsKrVU1hOilRC9L9dojke3h62-4vNi8GvO7hDLTGWW6w6zZQBWc66J2J98g7-R62-Xo7YTazNOp-JPdYvn76lbkIv67X0BuIAYKJP9ZF93YGcChcwImA_KgrOvic/s320/P1020024.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Inside the courthouse, looking out. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_EdThESyR2jSI1abxTsNXoav-vgGzz85UPI5l30rrRKJm9pXwBw1BOYDaxpGWFuYBpTWL6pD0XG8swCRQS1TXlLqUKkLOCkZ-MGZp101T7gO8YBuVL6TmIobZ0PYl7auwPr8hjfigMw/s1600/P1010946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_EdThESyR2jSI1abxTsNXoav-vgGzz85UPI5l30rrRKJm9pXwBw1BOYDaxpGWFuYBpTWL6pD0XG8swCRQS1TXlLqUKkLOCkZ-MGZp101T7gO8YBuVL6TmIobZ0PYl7auwPr8hjfigMw/s320/P1010946.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She just "randomly" chose this picture to color.</div>
<br />
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365925471371980508.post-37475683559766909382013-04-25T10:16:00.000-07:002013-04-25T10:16:52.855-07:00Blog post #9
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>565</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3225</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Universal Health Services, Inc.</o:Company>
<o:Lines>26</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>6</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3960</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.256</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
April 23<sup>rd</sup>, 2013</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Court. Today little <i>A</i>
officially became ours: Amahle Gaffga. The whole house was up early, bathing
& getting the kiddos fed & fancied for court at 9am. We took some
family photos ahead of time, and arrived at the courthouse with about 15
minutes to spare. (When will we ever accept that things here run on “Africa
time?”) We weren’t sure exactly what all goes on at that courthouse—we looked
to be the happiest & most dressed-up people there. We saw at least one man
come in wearing handcuffs, held securely by a police officer. We were an
excited, jittery group of ten adults: three pairs of adoptive parents, a
supportive grandmother who flew in from America for the occasion, two lawyers,
& one social worker, and six impatient, decked-out children. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The magistrate was not there when we arrived…or at 9, when
our appointment was to be…or at 10…It was after 11 when the first family went
in for their proceedings. So the 16 of us took up all the benches in the lobby,
as the littlest kids melted down, Amahle sung a constant stream of too-loud
made up songs, and the anxious adults said No! to a continual list of requests
from the kids. It figures that on this momentous day, our children would not
behave angelically—we cleaned them up on the outside, but they were just as
rambunctious and self-interested as on any other day. And we were not perfect
parents, as we waited to pledge our commitment to our new children. That’s the
reality—adoption does not look as pretty, up-close, as it may seem from afar.
Adopted children don’t behave “gratefully” for having been taken out of an
orphanage! They act their age, usually younger, making up for years of not
having anyone to ask for things. They don’t have lovely social skills, they
don’t smile & give a hug at every appropriate moment. They are just kids
who haven’t been tended to, who have some deep wounds, who struggle with the same
desires to do the wrong things as any other child. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To some in the courthouse, we were an annoyance, waiting in
the crowded lobby, but many people looked our group over & smiled, knowing
what we were there for. When it was finally our turn, we met with the
magistrate in his office. He was a vibrant, faithful, amazing man. I came away
wishing he were a second father to me! He read over all our papers, checking
for errors, asked us if we had any questions, interacted with both kids, and
had us sign our pledges to care for Amahle for life. Though outwardly things
seemed different—we dressed the part, we were in a courthouse, this was THE
date—I truly didn’t feel any different. I felt like Amahle was mine from the
moment we took physical custody of her. Our lawyer playfully said, “Call us
tomorrow & let us know how you feel when the reality sinks in.” But no
extra layer of emotion hit me. For me, it comes in small waves, when I watch
both girls sleep; when I find myself laughing at their silly antics during dinner;
when I line up two sets of little girl shoes. After signing all the documents,
the magistrate, who sees his appointment as a divine calling, prayed for our
family with such authority & fervor—it was an awesome close to a long
morning at court. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Though the official adoption is now complete, we have a lot
of work to do in the coming weeks, in order to be able to leave the country as
a family. We need to apply for a new birth certificate and ID number for
Amahle, a visa, a temporary passport, and secure her a plane ticket home. She
needs to be registered in SA’s official record of children adopted out of the
country. She needs to be cleared by a specific doctor before she is allowed to
leave the country. This is all a part of the red tape we need to persevere
through in order to finish this process. We have been told we will be dealing
largely with the Department of Home Affairs for all these documents. Praying people, please lift this
process up for us. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8XP4WewsjvHWgxDGNA5xemdUsnCrVo8tiMNV5x9bpA0rLjDrzcj24KoTjXF1HLF7uL9U1PUfbVdMXol6fhmctNM7Sv8fKZcyfK3PJr2-O1TWnWC6QMIMDMq4CS2sTNnvD_HPo-aDT8g/s1600/P1020001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8XP4WewsjvHWgxDGNA5xemdUsnCrVo8tiMNV5x9bpA0rLjDrzcj24KoTjXF1HLF7uL9U1PUfbVdMXol6fhmctNM7Sv8fKZcyfK3PJr2-O1TWnWC6QMIMDMq4CS2sTNnvD_HPo-aDT8g/s320/P1020001.JPG" width="310" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVT7Vnl-2sugWgwaTlR-76xM6NISsUZ3X7skYl-PcAVjXFYHEcnEiebFi19OZ-mFCaHjJwZj6m1TtMxWqefvJtobovSksnwH-q76qlSo6OqBemAzC-5th54TZ14Iee4Mdc56lOOIr8Gk/s1600/P1020010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVT7Vnl-2sugWgwaTlR-76xM6NISsUZ3X7skYl-PcAVjXFYHEcnEiebFi19OZ-mFCaHjJwZj6m1TtMxWqefvJtobovSksnwH-q76qlSo6OqBemAzC-5th54TZ14Iee4Mdc56lOOIr8Gk/s320/P1020010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRKNxNwihM9SH9w4ASvIudBuVxYOYhVcz6SPRbDGIu8pY8cOyKGpw6pImzWT71S3fZbJpKnaeK3rKxxQsNjvP1y5nR8gDSNneeNEXt427OLMzzf7IpJ15O7UkoFur0YND-v4LNwNkYMk/s1600/P1020023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRKNxNwihM9SH9w4ASvIudBuVxYOYhVcz6SPRbDGIu8pY8cOyKGpw6pImzWT71S3fZbJpKnaeK3rKxxQsNjvP1y5nR8gDSNneeNEXt427OLMzzf7IpJ15O7UkoFur0YND-v4LNwNkYMk/s320/P1020023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIonIOTePmL5plTuSRgJOsfRrYcg3bOp6mZa9ac0iydVcb_DbIQOKq6LJ7SNIhwGHXCKC13-c1SiAgmCyaITGp4p8NANG8HS0bNsLdVCpRpURt0Dd6p8_Pga6EXf9FvD6x6BKvmJV9o0/s1600/P1020026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIonIOTePmL5plTuSRgJOsfRrYcg3bOp6mZa9ac0iydVcb_DbIQOKq6LJ7SNIhwGHXCKC13-c1SiAgmCyaITGp4p8NANG8HS0bNsLdVCpRpURt0Dd6p8_Pga6EXf9FvD6x6BKvmJV9o0/s320/P1020026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365925471371980508.post-22375624999730405202013-04-23T07:09:00.002-07:002013-04-23T08:16:57.252-07:00Blog post #8<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>107</o:Words>
<o:Characters>611</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Universal Health Services, Inc.</o:Company>
<o:Lines>5</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>750</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.256</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>336</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1918</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Universal Health Services, Inc.</o:Company>
<o:Lines>15</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>3</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2355</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.256</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
April 22<sup>nd</sup>, 2013</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today is Tabby’s fourth birthday, and the day has been
lovely so far. I am so, so proud of how mature and open she has been throughout
this adventure. Sure, she has had her bratty moments (as have each of us), but
she has largely been good-natured, trusting, and kind to everyone here. If we
were at home in the States, first thing this morning I would’ve stood her
against the door to the nursery & measured her height. We have done that
every year on the 22<sup>nd</sup> of April. Three lines of black Sharpie,
representing the three best years of my life. I feel a little sentimental pang
that we can’t do it today. But I can stand her straight-backed against an aloe
tree and take a photo. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the gifts Tabby received today was a pair of
kites—one for her, one for her sister. When I bought them months ago at
Walmart, I didn’t know they would be flying them on the most perfect, windy
morning here in Camperdown. But God did. Last night was a ferocious storm, with
extreme winds bringing down a lot of branches. I’m told it was unseasonable,
but we have experienced almost every type of weather since we arrived. I
couldn’t have guessed last night, as it was pouring rain, that 8 am this
morning would bring beautiful kite skies. To a child, that’s no surprise. They
greet each day with joyful expectation, certain life will bring them good. I’m
so thankful today is bringing my girls good. I pray for the children still
living at Lily, that they will be able to hang on to that precious expectation.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After kites, we spent the morning at a zoo in Cato Ridge,
where we hadn’t visited before. The previous zoo we went to mostly had birds
& tamarins, and those wild monkeys uncaged. This one had tigers and lions,
which <i>A</i> had never seen. The girls are
getting along well enough that I was largely able to stroll & think my own
thoughts. They did continually chant, “Mommy, look! Mommy, pick me up! Mommy, I
can’t see!” But it seemed to me so mundane—not adoption-related, not
other-country-related, not out-of-birth-order neediness—it was very welcome.
They were just little girls being sisters at a zoo. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not so mundane was Tabby getting a serious, bleeding slice
on her finger from a tall blade of grass she was trying to pick to feed to a
lion. I’m pretty sure only Tabby could sustain a grass injury. </div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn6YhR6Hk6zAC7VH9e6XvOlUqr7lLwLfvXXFDBcWvdVKopOlWngl43UP4Psuq_qKMY6LntQgNXlmPfnP8h2vYGPTg1zUzehTGFk4LWmhre2hzHsWYET8do-ZqbdbtAQbTzVMa2OwYoUMM/s1600/P1010814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn6YhR6Hk6zAC7VH9e6XvOlUqr7lLwLfvXXFDBcWvdVKopOlWngl43UP4Psuq_qKMY6LntQgNXlmPfnP8h2vYGPTg1zUzehTGFk4LWmhre2hzHsWYET8do-ZqbdbtAQbTzVMa2OwYoUMM/s320/P1010814.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcQidV4lC0fLcRKeNux20PqmbbaiTqlNa-wc5q4Lmp4C3-wYmhfpxWSCnfiMR15jm7X8Fj9DNmNk3IUoC-yVxTclJRnKm6fZ8ReMk1MbfwEnr_UO2Wpv3QQ1vaRdL_AliAdpz9bAl-Mg/s1600/P1010829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcQidV4lC0fLcRKeNux20PqmbbaiTqlNa-wc5q4Lmp4C3-wYmhfpxWSCnfiMR15jm7X8Fj9DNmNk3IUoC-yVxTclJRnKm6fZ8ReMk1MbfwEnr_UO2Wpv3QQ1vaRdL_AliAdpz9bAl-Mg/s320/P1010829.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0-As50gnMOQTgD5VqybaZEUj6t06v9EheKmu8Qg8p_Kwpddh75EN6r0OjjVCSIxArrT34kznCH1gkvY-a61kNFEisVKPrpnnBVm4F5j8IDrrJTikp5wrlPZMbGT9RnkX2ExZGb1E55I/s1600/P1010844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV0-As50gnMOQTgD5VqybaZEUj6t06v9EheKmu8Qg8p_Kwpddh75EN6r0OjjVCSIxArrT34kznCH1gkvY-a61kNFEisVKPrpnnBVm4F5j8IDrrJTikp5wrlPZMbGT9RnkX2ExZGb1E55I/s320/P1010844.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitXlNMQPDdQHNxvvDK2XKydLFbBzgG6ylxdKeaMe_TNy6VBLT_uHYRiutopVLNZiGON8EHIVE6aVB_7ZVarjgVxcaygx-nknUIbh37xigvPx9tiIh3YG1J2nz_ABSkaOnX83ElKPpf9Q/s1600/P1010868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitXlNMQPDdQHNxvvDK2XKydLFbBzgG6ylxdKeaMe_TNy6VBLT_uHYRiutopVLNZiGON8EHIVE6aVB_7ZVarjgVxcaygx-nknUIbh37xigvPx9tiIh3YG1J2nz_ABSkaOnX83ElKPpf9Q/s320/P1010868.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxha7GtHJPxnaeNzHsZbeHbpHVbTlPX-YjyNYYG7ERSfQie-6yk1l9xmsloEcHhYwfAdItgileM9BSWwe_d_eaWecNO76x4da_xgbCPkNidGvwDjHhXn67tfL_3ltQTlh-ibphsSmYUM/s1600/P1010897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxha7GtHJPxnaeNzHsZbeHbpHVbTlPX-YjyNYYG7ERSfQie-6yk1l9xmsloEcHhYwfAdItgileM9BSWwe_d_eaWecNO76x4da_xgbCPkNidGvwDjHhXn67tfL_3ltQTlh-ibphsSmYUM/s320/P1010897.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_lHnWaGA6-k8gnJcElazFWvz6f1NgeegBUdwvyzEeI-GxuUKzB93IHxsa0xr6uuRto86nsUncw_cNv-8DNg7SWmqmgPBvVoGP23lEYWledX21PXb6egBCfV9WsPMO4jPip14szzkQT8/s1600/P1010939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD_lHnWaGA6-k8gnJcElazFWvz6f1NgeegBUdwvyzEeI-GxuUKzB93IHxsa0xr6uuRto86nsUncw_cNv-8DNg7SWmqmgPBvVoGP23lEYWledX21PXb6egBCfV9WsPMO4jPip14szzkQT8/s320/P1010939.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365925471371980508.post-82658639312788047552013-04-23T07:08:00.002-07:002013-04-23T07:08:25.336-07:00Blog post #7.5
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>129</o:Words>
<o:Characters>740</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Universal Health Services, Inc.</o:Company>
<o:Lines>6</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>908</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.256</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
April 21<sup>st</sup>, 2013</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Sundays, all around the world, in all countries, in all
languages, there are mothers arguing with their children about what to wear to
church. Amen? At least it seems that way to me. After a small battle about clothes/appropriateness/flip
flops, we were on our way to Umhlanga, looking for The Rock Christian Church.
What a wave of refreshing grace, being a part of a large group, singing praise
on a Sunday morning. Like water when you don’t know how thirsty you are. I was
so thankful to be in that environment, soaking it in. One of the hardest parts
of this journey is being cut off from my people. I know with grateful certainty
that we are being held up in prayer by hundreds of people, some of whom I don’t
even know. But it is really hard to not have casual conversation with other
adults on a regular basis, let alone receive good, solid advice from other
believers. </div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365925471371980508.post-12524932810560961752013-04-22T05:08:00.003-07:002013-04-22T05:08:34.711-07:00Blog post #7
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>485</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2768</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Universal Health Services, Inc.</o:Company>
<o:Lines>23</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>5</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3399</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.256</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
April 20<sup>th</sup>, 2013</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today was a good day. I’m not generally a fan of days that
lean too much on commerce—there are many things I’d rather do than spend a
whole day shopping. But this morning, we took the girls to the Midlands Mall,
to buy a few things & to go to the Fun Place (that’s really what it’s
called). We attempted this same outing last night, and it did not go well. <i>A</i>’s behavior, & my bad attitude
about <i>A</i>’s behavior, did not warrant a
blog post. Plus, to our great surprise, the entire mall closes at 6pm. So our
mission was cut short anyway. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This morning, we started out with more strategy. There were
talks about expectations ahead of time; there were rewards in place; there were
consequences outlined; there were three cups of coffee drunk before leaving the
lodge. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first thing that made today go better was a simple
invention known as a shopping cart. At malls around here, you can rent (yes,
for money) shopping carts that you can take all around the mall. The girls
loudly requested one that looked like a car with two steering wheels. I know
many of my friends’ children will no longer get into a shopping cart, but these
girls sure will. Tabby’s legs were apparently not created for walking, and <i>A</i> has NEVER had the experience of riding
in a shopping cart, except for these past few days with us. Keeping them in the
shopping cart made things so much easier—<i>A</i>
is what we affectionately call “handsy.” She touches everything, including
trashcans, garbage she sees on the ground, expensive clothes, just-washed
windows, you get the point. So with the girls happily eating snacks in the
cart, we were able to buy supplies for the lodge, as well as new dresses for
them for court on Wednesday. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had wanted the girls to wear matching dresses for court,
not because I am that mom who wants her children to match all the time, but
because it fosters attachment and helps create a family identity, especially on
court day. Getting them to agree on a dress, & to both fit in some version
of the dress, was not easy, but we did it! Happy girls, pretty dresses,
satisfied mommy. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On to the Fun Place, a virtual indoor carnival. <i>A</i> rode her first fair rides—swings that
go up in the air (my personal favorite), a boat that veers back & forth
sloppily, and a six-seated ride that hoists you up in the air & lets you
down fast. Both girls had a blast. No child likes when the fun ends, but what
we’ve come to notice about <i>A</i> is that
right after she receives something good or fun, she feels let down, & she
goes silent. We are frequently up against her unresponsiveness when she doesn’t
get what she wants. So while Tabby was bummed that it ended, she thanked us
& moved on; <i>A</i> refused to say
thank you, or anything, and sulked the whole way home. The inward battle for us
is to not let that sour last note become the loudest. We have to remember that
the morning was 95% good and peaceful and fun. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a long nap, hide & seek, dinner, and cleaning up,
the night ended with the most ridiculous tickle fight, instigated by <i>A</i>. She really came alive & was
making me laugh so hard. She was as affectionate as she has ever been, and
allowed Tabby to be a part of the laughter, too. It was hard to calm them down
for sleep, but it was a great, uplifting end to the day. Tomorrow we will
attempt to find a church in Durban to visit as a family. </div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365925471371980508.post-59487250790856213332013-04-20T22:30:00.000-07:002013-04-20T22:30:13.643-07:00Blog post #5
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>408</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2327</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Universal Health Services, Inc.</o:Company>
<o:Lines>19</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2857</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.256</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
April 18, 2013</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What’s that I hear? It’s momentary silence. And I am taking
the opportunity to write. <i>A</i> is
napping, Tabby is having quiet time in bed with crayons, and Jamie is reading.
This morning has probably been the best so far, behavior-wise. Only a few small
instances of bickering or disobeying. We spent the morning at Tala Game
Reserve. We drove through for almost two hours, spotting giraffes, gazelles, wild
boars, bison, hippos, and ostriches. And one animal I couldn’t name—maybe an
antelope? The animals came so close to our car windows & just stared at us
as we took pictures. This is nothing like the “safari” at Six Flags! We are
clearly on their turf, not the other way around. The animals all looked
healthy, happy, and at home in their environment, which made my heart glad. The
girls were funny—there was some initial excitement over each animal, but it
eventually turned into, “I already saw a bison. I’m going to keep looking at my
books.” They are a tough crowd to wow. Jamie & I marveled at the variety of
improbable-looking trees. There were twelve foot cacti, and beautiful yellow
& purple wildflowers. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the Game Reserve, we headed home for hide & seek
and lunch.<i> A</i> is still having a hard
time sharing with Tabby, but she is doing a little better. I’m coming to see
that she has a stubborn spirit, which will make some things hard, but can be an
asset in the long run. The few times I have insisted that she apologize to
someone or say thank you to Tabby, it has clearly been very hard for her. She
does not like to recognize when Tabby does something right, or when she,
herself, does something wrong. Aren’t we all like that? I think the things that
frustrate me most with her are the things I don’t like to see in myself. But
progress is definitely being made. I think once they can understand each other
better, and once <i>A</i> is on Tabby’s
turf, they will get a better relationship going. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are counting down the days till we can move to Durban. On
Monday, we and the other family meet together with the adoption lawyers. It
will also be Tabby’s 4<sup>th</sup> birthday that day, so they will make our
meeting into a party of sorts, replete with cupcakes. Clearly they are in the
business of working with families. Tuesday is the big day—court! That is the
day <i>A</i> will officially become a part
of our family. We will be making a big deal of the day—dressing up, taking
family photos, going out for ice cream afterwards. Already, whenever we talk
about that day, we jump up & down and smile to let <i>A</i> know that we are joyful to bring her into our family. She has
started adding “Gaffga” to her name, which makes me smile. She asks me to write
it down for her, and she copies it in her six-year-old handwriting. Whenever we
say, “Tuesday is court,” Tabby likes to say, “And then you’ll be ours!!” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1x9kXdtXA34CQOe6ma9aJCfbORQ716RTsV0X9TtuIUkpWvZEecTGpBrOqDiG2voqJK7LqlWjwTQTKduidpBQSkUFJ2yt4U_VWnXhVTgPYzfjxSnTKOTdKPB1XawFZ54e7augLK52YMY/s1600/P1010578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1x9kXdtXA34CQOe6ma9aJCfbORQ716RTsV0X9TtuIUkpWvZEecTGpBrOqDiG2voqJK7LqlWjwTQTKduidpBQSkUFJ2yt4U_VWnXhVTgPYzfjxSnTKOTdKPB1XawFZ54e7augLK52YMY/s320/P1010578.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1XSyHTszJhNOob8jNW3ULuBopjE5QOi3AjkMfRHIlu_K26odKo-E-BAvwSaD2ieP5OYIUEzjuHOVmh8eZauUHBc50Jl74uGtkAwuKyH-3Q25yydS_pP-No41adVbHZ7TSe3Cbazud3Q/s1600/P1010609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij1XSyHTszJhNOob8jNW3ULuBopjE5QOi3AjkMfRHIlu_K26odKo-E-BAvwSaD2ieP5OYIUEzjuHOVmh8eZauUHBc50Jl74uGtkAwuKyH-3Q25yydS_pP-No41adVbHZ7TSe3Cbazud3Q/s320/P1010609.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_ItlpHV66lJn-kJ7wIR_cayRZXlD4fQsN7y-_5GhU3MEa8unw044sqYYTq69AJejKdpRBmNprP3Qg97nX-qDvavBU8yGfgBma-tXMfrDbS03gy1ixaZedSX3iru6o-vvpUNInATAgY8/s1600/P1010637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_ItlpHV66lJn-kJ7wIR_cayRZXlD4fQsN7y-_5GhU3MEa8unw044sqYYTq69AJejKdpRBmNprP3Qg97nX-qDvavBU8yGfgBma-tXMfrDbS03gy1ixaZedSX3iru6o-vvpUNInATAgY8/s320/P1010637.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiww0c5vAbv0qQ3ENFYMq4FZBFsYYGaBfPDZhH5sIExI5hcltHzrrpnC1kbkUhpx89_4OWTj_pMZAI6g2mXRjAoPoa8d4x2RtKFL30dmer3wye0UFZeu0I2gExf2nXup0vOYZ1evwFnnFs/s1600/P1010641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiww0c5vAbv0qQ3ENFYMq4FZBFsYYGaBfPDZhH5sIExI5hcltHzrrpnC1kbkUhpx89_4OWTj_pMZAI6g2mXRjAoPoa8d4x2RtKFL30dmer3wye0UFZeu0I2gExf2nXup0vOYZ1evwFnnFs/s320/P1010641.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrrYuxV0QHUTU3rkKHGsjhwXE-QUg4yHuy6GWBwXaxFOX6_rtpg_coRbAQhoPhvxQdAU7dSZVreLBs-27ckha4jTct9mD6ygeldbEaw6hJQpw7mRN9iZ3joRrkYavuOAPKZzjRGA4SAs/s1600/P1010656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrrYuxV0QHUTU3rkKHGsjhwXE-QUg4yHuy6GWBwXaxFOX6_rtpg_coRbAQhoPhvxQdAU7dSZVreLBs-27ckha4jTct9mD6ygeldbEaw6hJQpw7mRN9iZ3joRrkYavuOAPKZzjRGA4SAs/s320/P1010656.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDvR94LdXn9gsfSQP69eecw_R66vQc8M2V15Ho5D7YdCfL-uJgVh6zPT59U_jXAmyfVKEy32o6A_gEomj3LQCpW4sQMl2R4TFWOraFuxAc2sVr91Xa42Cq72AQLqap54i3YryWUzrtbc/s1600/P1010662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDvR94LdXn9gsfSQP69eecw_R66vQc8M2V15Ho5D7YdCfL-uJgVh6zPT59U_jXAmyfVKEy32o6A_gEomj3LQCpW4sQMl2R4TFWOraFuxAc2sVr91Xa42Cq72AQLqap54i3YryWUzrtbc/s320/P1010662.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPY-2znCcJcamBeMQ_S-fgoKU0D_6yuKv2ZPL3yaVtZysQzQPeRpV2N9uTlmd8LGCWZ7b15Ht4pkCMoQ1ikgW9pCNt2iElKNPagGUfe8vNB2ULuL4_wMEjEyrBbfwpOLFreFRYiuTfX8/s1600/P1010670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPY-2znCcJcamBeMQ_S-fgoKU0D_6yuKv2ZPL3yaVtZysQzQPeRpV2N9uTlmd8LGCWZ7b15Ht4pkCMoQ1ikgW9pCNt2iElKNPagGUfe8vNB2ULuL4_wMEjEyrBbfwpOLFreFRYiuTfX8/s320/P1010670.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcO2Hn_8BXm5E9uSW3g3kBO8zkv5HCtY9M_vi_hqoAGcCXLsBGLPrLx-Xd_SRB4ZVI_Kax2cdLKBHFOB7j7aHHqsSo418P3tR2ApZ2FvRbRGSQ-DnPZNX0ExYY77YNr1uFBRJoUSoBEbw/s1600/P1010709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcO2Hn_8BXm5E9uSW3g3kBO8zkv5HCtY9M_vi_hqoAGcCXLsBGLPrLx-Xd_SRB4ZVI_Kax2cdLKBHFOB7j7aHHqsSo418P3tR2ApZ2FvRbRGSQ-DnPZNX0ExYY77YNr1uFBRJoUSoBEbw/s320/P1010709.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8O2uloy5XXZEiW-KQBbIjUdQzasTTL9Z1vlcvUcl_DHMlOhcHvZl54n-k6FwOXYgdt2n9GmE3ks09k1rP77o6Mp2U1KEoL7WOZu6JcBW-mh3dS4BOfuZb7FZCsAPgVgmB-xROM3OJuI/s1600/P1010711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8O2uloy5XXZEiW-KQBbIjUdQzasTTL9Z1vlcvUcl_DHMlOhcHvZl54n-k6FwOXYgdt2n9GmE3ks09k1rP77o6Mp2U1KEoL7WOZu6JcBW-mh3dS4BOfuZb7FZCsAPgVgmB-xROM3OJuI/s320/P1010711.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365925471371980508.post-82438736032930236832013-04-18T08:20:00.002-07:002013-04-18T08:20:41.001-07:00Blog post #4
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>505</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2880</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Universal Health Services, Inc.</o:Company>
<o:Lines>24</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>5</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3536</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.256</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
April 16<sup>th</sup>, 2013</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tonight we took <i>A</i>
& Tabby to the Pavillion Mall in Westville. The other family had gone the night before, and said there
was a restaurant with a play area that their kids loved. So we took the girls
to have dinner. This was <i>A</i>’s first
experience in a mall & she was very over stimulated. The first object of
intrigue was the escalator. I explained it to her before we went down it, &
insisted she hold my hand. (<i>A</i> is a
VERY physical, VERY vocal child. In America, she would probably quickly be
diagnosed with ADHD.) She was over-the-top excited by the escalator, grinning,
exclaiming, asking to get back on. We had one more escalator to go down before
finding our level, so she got the experience twice in a row. As we walked,
looking for the CNA bookstore, we passed by another escalator, going up, and
she nearly tugged my arm out of its socket, trying to go up it! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the bookstore, we were able to find a Bible in Zulu for <i>A</i>, which she was very excited about. She
can’t read yet, so I try to sound out the words for her, & when she
recognizes them, she tells me how to pronounce them properly. It’s pretty cool!
We also picked up a basic phrase book for English & Zulu, and the girls got
to pick out bubbles. I was happy to see that when Tabby picked the same kind as
<i>A, A</i> didn’t mind or change her
choice. I see that tiny interaction as progress. There was a lot of touching
things, asking what things were, a lot of “Mommy, loooooook!!”, and a fair
amount of asking for things in the store. But they had a great time &
ultimately followed all the rules. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the bookstore, we headed to the restaurant. We
definitely wanted to keep the trip short, since <i>A</i> was so amped up and a little difficult to contain. We got a table
right next to the play area, and the girls had very different reactions to it.<i> A</i> didn’t want to order or eat, she just
wanted to run in & play. Tabby had to be coaxed and prodded in, because she
is always afraid there will be yelling or hitting or some sort of naughtiness
in areas like that. <i>A</i> pointed at
random to something on the menu & ran into the play area. She was so
excited that she was truly dysregulated, making all kinds of shrieks &
noises, jumping up & down, really over-the-top. The girls eventually had
fun playing in there together, and that was a success. I forget sometimes that
every single experience is new for <i>A</i>,
and she also doesn’t have the language to process her new experiences. She has
never been to one of those hamster-tube climbing places—this was so novel &
fun for her. It was a little difficult to sit back & enjoy watching her
delight in these new things, because Tabby, who is very used to all this fun,
kept doing typical sibling things, “I want to go on there first!” “I wanted the
blue one she has!” “No, <i>A</i>! You’re not
supposed to climb up there!” I always thought Tabby had a bottomless pit of
need for attention—she has always wanted me to watch everything she does &
compliment/encourage her every ten seconds. (Those of you who have seen it in
action know that it is more than the average child!) Now there are two VERY
needy little girls, who want our undivided attention and praise. Even in the
best moments, our days here are LONG. And even on the longest days, there are
the BEST moments. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the way home, <i>A</i>
sang along to every song on Tabby’s favorite CD. It is so sweet &
heart-warming to hear her husky, raspy little voice singing songs about God.
Those are my favorite moments out here. </div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365925471371980508.post-84588497753148724322013-04-18T08:17:00.002-07:002013-04-19T11:51:30.182-07:00Blog post #3 <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>228</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1304</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Universal Health Services, Inc.</o:Company>
<o:Lines>10</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>2</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>1601</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.256</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
April 14<sup>th</sup>, 2013</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today has been a tough one. We have spent the morning at the
lodge, and the girls are now separated, <i>A</i>
is napping & Tabby is having quiet time. The sibling rivalry & trouble
with sharing starts the moment they wake up now. They are waking up much
earlier here than Tabby ever did at home, so I am unable to have any moments to
myself before facing the long day ahead. That is really hard for me. At home, I
wake up an hour and half before Tabby so that I can have quiet time, coffee,
& shower before greeting her happily. Here there is clamoring before I even
open my eyes. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>A</i>’s desire to have
everything Tabby has, and everything the other children in the house have, is
frustrating to me. I have read about this with children who are adopted at a slightly
older age, and I know that it is normal. But it is still unpleasant to have
given someone so much so quickly, and still have them constantly ask for more.
I know that it is a matter of <i>A</i> being
overwhelmed with plenty after having so little. But to give so much & still
have two small people constantly asking for more is tiresome. The resounding
phrase from <i>A</i> around here is, “And
for me! Me I want this!” I look forward to a day when they can share! (Said
every mother everywhere.) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had fun swimming this morning, braving the cold water and
splashing around. <i>A</i> was very proud of
her ability to swim; Tabby just loves being near a pool. This afternoon, we are
heading to the zoo in Durban. <i>A</i>’s
favorite animal is a zebra (she says it with a short e—zebbra), but she has
never seen a real live one. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5xaoOVarLUYIVlId8WL79SfKzGRgwXqo72U4jQkDR_Rxpaprv4QlkW81dFvRx9LpLf91UFDGshilTqAAvWvMWfPq9JApPxzz1IzVeNsuEkLWJXS7WOJffdeFXtuCVyy0AGZLCEwiadI/s1600/P1010117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5xaoOVarLUYIVlId8WL79SfKzGRgwXqo72U4jQkDR_Rxpaprv4QlkW81dFvRx9LpLf91UFDGshilTqAAvWvMWfPq9JApPxzz1IzVeNsuEkLWJXS7WOJffdeFXtuCVyy0AGZLCEwiadI/s320/P1010117.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhXBJaq9151EMOX5MJb6tyU1zqdianLUmEK3Ckj60C2Xf4onQ9NvRBYCEL1NaNVABsqg2Sg37yY0WT8rqk9fLozU5n0T7IG_3POGeekgrKGzjXfN3cBLZIfMUxKVfisdim6giMbjk1yE/s1600/P1010206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhXBJaq9151EMOX5MJb6tyU1zqdianLUmEK3Ckj60C2Xf4onQ9NvRBYCEL1NaNVABsqg2Sg37yY0WT8rqk9fLozU5n0T7IG_3POGeekgrKGzjXfN3cBLZIfMUxKVfisdim6giMbjk1yE/s320/P1010206.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pool Time!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZBsE5LhJijICiru3MldkP_O2m3VPMkkouKQgsjqY6FIlppmv0IyjkUvWUZ5wBuest6OnOYejmRkVkbCWpB1CR3cJFTUHoKnnPb2ulvU85HgUKygbXTl5JRzU38T1s53kBfAclsOjh2I/s1600/P1010271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZBsE5LhJijICiru3MldkP_O2m3VPMkkouKQgsjqY6FIlppmv0IyjkUvWUZ5wBuest6OnOYejmRkVkbCWpB1CR3cJFTUHoKnnPb2ulvU85HgUKygbXTl5JRzU38T1s53kBfAclsOjh2I/s320/P1010271.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These monkeys run wild at the zoo...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365925471371980508.post-91113504209009666432013-04-16T12:39:00.003-07:002013-04-17T00:08:26.254-07:00Blog post #2 - Part 2<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>559</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3188</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Universal Health Services, Inc.</o:Company>
<o:Lines>26</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>6</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>3915</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.256</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
PART 2</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At Lily of the Valley, they have a farewell party for each
child before they leave with their new parents. For <i>S</i>, her party was in House 7, with the other children who live in
that house. She is four years old & the baby of her house. <i>A</i> is also the youngest in her house,
House 8. Because she is a little older than <i>S</i>,
rather than have the other girls from House 8 be her partygoers, <i>A</i> was allowed to choose three friends to
invite to her party. That process was very exciting for her, and heartbreaking
for me to watch. She delighted in having the power to invite or not invite. These
children so rarely have any power or any prominence, and it makes sense that
she felt very special and powerful. She has three best friends, which we knew
from our time Skyping with her. She walked around the campus, holding my hand,
with Tabby trailing closely, visiting each of her friend’s homes to ask if they
could come to the party. I couldn’t understand the Zulu, but it seemed like a
lot of other children asked if they could come, and the answer was no. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When it was time for the party, <i>A</i>’s house mother, Ma Sponghile, told each child where to sit around
the table. First <i>A</i>, then Tabby, then
her three chosen friends, then two children from House 8 with whom she is
close. The children were all very serious, except for Tabby & <i>A. A</i> was wild with excitement, laughing
and joking around. She has shown no hesitancy to come live with us and be a
part of our family. The party consisted of the children eating outlandish
amounts of junk food: lollipops, chips, cake, chocolate, unnaturally colored marshmallowy
treats. No forks or napkins, no washing of hands ahead of time—just a plate
full of sugar and salt. Tabby was over the moon excited, as she is never
allowed to eat like that! The drink options were emerald green soda, fuschia
soda, or purple soda. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tabby handed me her package of chips to open, as she usually
would. All the children watched this simple interaction, as if it was foreign.
Most of them were struggling to tear open their bags with their teeth. After a
pause, A said, “Mommy!” and handed me her bag to open. It wasn’t a first
instinct for her to ask for help, but she was excited to be mothered in the
simplest way. The other children then began passing their bags to A to have me
open them. That kind of broke my heart. Seeing them so serious, bingeing on
junk food, while <i>A</i> delighted in her
new “daughter status,” as a small crowd of left-out children watched through
the window sent me to the bathroom crying. People have reminded me that all adoption
involves loss, but I really felt it in that moment. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the party, <i>A</i>
said goodbye to her house mom & to Ms. Mbali, her favorite staff at Lily.
Mbali & <i>A</i> have had a very
special, close relationship, which has made <i>A</i>
capable of attaching to us. We will always be grateful to her. In the months
leading up to this adoption, we really didn’t know much about <i>A</i>. When we prayed for her, we would
always pray for someone to take special time to invest in her & love on her.
Mbali was certainly the answer to that prayer. And she started investing in <i>A</i> when she was just a baby. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After saying goodbye, we made our way to the cars with the
other family. At this point, we were absolutely exhausted, emotionally &
physically. The children swarmed our cars, trying to open the doors out of
curiosity, and asked a million questions, as we carried our tired kiddos into
their seats. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough, though I knew important
things were happening for me there. I just wanted a shower, some food, and a good
night’s sleep. Luckily, I get to leave that place & get myself those
things. I am very, very fortunate that that is my situation. But I will not
forget that those things are out of reach for so many. And we took <i>A</i> out of that situation, and back to our
lodge. </div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGMDrHooz7WBbSTa-O3UKa6AMjKlny5uTVQPzHuiuRFj66zWH3bLH5BEWjw9K0m9nrTPOyU9sxrN65TSC56NyS2rvVMBZgbS-7x5f3eVKy7PVGHWR2g2Pl_AXm90t6nv1DOY8NaUPUlU/s1600/P1010088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGMDrHooz7WBbSTa-O3UKa6AMjKlny5uTVQPzHuiuRFj66zWH3bLH5BEWjw9K0m9nrTPOyU9sxrN65TSC56NyS2rvVMBZgbS-7x5f3eVKy7PVGHWR2g2Pl_AXm90t6nv1DOY8NaUPUlU/s320/P1010088.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Main entrance to Lily</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3A-qKUiOiqXr1H9t1zvYjq36ZLhZs_ukzJ3nXpiDXEiI7elbqwGrPpXGZqzLz3mmYN5HjlwuqP989nZ4O4sPcmSb-0Sf-bg0HeiduLQMhdCkgqAUBDFPXuEUWY0p7A4v5-3tQ6c67znY/s1600/P1000858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3A-qKUiOiqXr1H9t1zvYjq36ZLhZs_ukzJ3nXpiDXEiI7elbqwGrPpXGZqzLz3mmYN5HjlwuqP989nZ4O4sPcmSb-0Sf-bg0HeiduLQMhdCkgqAUBDFPXuEUWY0p7A4v5-3tQ6c67znY/s320/P1000858.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_e5J6IZ3sXjGLLDjHO942v67bMH2KRANbDaTxxiIq-4NozDP9fQGitld3qhxuYDnwDSlCEFR1WwdwFUJ8lcakAnjKEB87BpxnrOCxFaXGDzfFOhYM6F1Qu2b6H2eWYdm3upQ6IP8Kps/s1600/P1010034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_e5J6IZ3sXjGLLDjHO942v67bMH2KRANbDaTxxiIq-4NozDP9fQGitld3qhxuYDnwDSlCEFR1WwdwFUJ8lcakAnjKEB87BpxnrOCxFaXGDzfFOhYM6F1Qu2b6H2eWYdm3upQ6IP8Kps/s320/P1010034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ma Sponghile</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPrZqJAq4SETgdhDjq19rx-b3pq4Qcni8XXll-DqhS_aY5OShtsX3r3EUl9VJni74A6qFd86rbmecvlbEBtZxrZ4DDbjAGKpDr7fItYe5VUC_IYEvVaK_yAc_rCnWyuTNIxPp0FZHR_E/s1600/P1010046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPrZqJAq4SETgdhDjq19rx-b3pq4Qcni8XXll-DqhS_aY5OShtsX3r3EUl9VJni74A6qFd86rbmecvlbEBtZxrZ4DDbjAGKpDr7fItYe5VUC_IYEvVaK_yAc_rCnWyuTNIxPp0FZHR_E/s320/P1010046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfKx9FSe2z2rLAyUh0ip-5U_DKsXbcf_1jVz0nSRtKT-c-PS6V69eNYQ9l5mYwiZUAzx4ijHWsWvp20s5SkENa86dR0-wmKZ13jisD_338jrMa4MyJLAV_orh4vI1juze64BafRldDkA/s1600/P1010001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfKx9FSe2z2rLAyUh0ip-5U_DKsXbcf_1jVz0nSRtKT-c-PS6V69eNYQ9l5mYwiZUAzx4ijHWsWvp20s5SkENa86dR0-wmKZ13jisD_338jrMa4MyJLAV_orh4vI1juze64BafRldDkA/s320/P1010001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365925471371980508.post-22185823690271533422013-04-15T03:10:00.002-07:002013-04-15T03:12:21.658-07:00Blog post #2 - Part 1<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>675</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3852</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Universal Health Services, Inc.</o:Company>
<o:Lines>32</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>7</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>4730</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.256</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
April 12, 2013—Part 1</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today seemed to last forever. As I write, I am EXHAUSTED!!
But the good, well-fought type of exhaustion. We started the day by heading to
a nearby mall to purchase donations for the orphanage and gifts for the women
who have taken such good care of <i>A</i>
since she was a baby. It was a long drive to get there, and I had the
unexpected joy of spotting a gazelle on our way! There are also cool,
long-beaked shiny black birds here called “hadidas.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Walking in to the mall was a bit of culture shock. It was
very much like a mall at home in the US, though prices were a lot more
reasonable. After starting to get accustomed to the dusty, bare-foot,
laid-back, free-for-all of Camperdown, it was odd to again be in a big,
air-conditioned place of commerce. We purchased a dozen backpacks for the
children at Lily of the Valley, as well as winter clothes, as it’s beginning to
get cold here. It felt wrong to be strolling around the mall, while our new
little girl was still waiting for us at the orphanage. But it was to be her last
day there, and we wanted to give her time with her friends and house mom before
we took her to stay with us full time. (For months we’ve been told that the
first two weeks here will be spent slowly and gradually spending more time with
A until she finally feels ready to come sleep over at our lodge at the end of
two weeks. Apparently in African time, that means that on our third day of
knowing her, she will come with us full-time. This is also the case for <i>S</i>, who will come to stay with us with
her new mom, dad, little sister, and same-aged brother. It will be one loud,
crazy house!)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we pulled up to the orphanage, <i>A</i> literally sprinted across the campus and jumped into my arms as I
opened the car door. The other awesome family that is staying with us snapped a
great photo of that moment. <i>A</i> was not a big fan of us bringing
donations for Lily, as they were new things that weren’t for <i>her</i>. It is a tricky business giving a
lot of new things to an adopted child without starting a vibe of “Mine! Gimme!
I want!” Six long years of having nothing of her own has left <i>A</i> asking for everything. I trust this
will calm down as she adjusts to life with us, but at this point, there is a
lot of saying No. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>A</i> delighted in
showing us off to her friends at Lily. The other days we had visited, all her
friends were in school, except for <i>S</i>.
So this was the first time she got to introduce us to her peers. There was a
fair amount of showing us off, calling us “mommy” and “daddy” loudly in front
of other children. I had very mixed emotions about it all. I wanted to meet <i>A</i>’s needs and nurture her, but it felt
cruel to do so in front of the other kiddos. I felt watched from all angles as
I carried her and paid attention to her. Some of the older kids were reserved,
and watched us from afar with curious eyes. The kids who were friends with A
felt fine swarming us, asking questions, dying to see A’s photo album—a book of
pictures of our family & home that we had sent ahead for her to see. They
all wanted to know if we are going to America TODAY, & if we live in NEW
YORK! They wanted to know if A was really going to ride in an airplane. There
were also a few tiny toddlers, ambling around barefoot, noses running,
following us. We wanted to pick them up & dote on them, and sometimes we did,
but <i>A</i> didn’t appreciate it much.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Watching Tabby at the orphanage was joyful/stressful. She
was not shy at all, and ran straight for the trampoline (or as we call it, “the
death trap”). It is a medium sized trampoline, built into the ground, with
eight-inch springs all around it. Tabby’s little legs frequently fell through
those springs & got her caught. Under the trampoline, in the hole in the
ground that provides room for bouncing, there is trash, single shoes, all kinds
of things. The kids that live at Lily got off of the trampoline every time
Tabby got on—they seemed very eager to keep her safe. That made me feel
grateful and also sad. I don’t want them to believe that our white daughter
deserves any more caution/privilege/safety than they do. But at the same time,
I would not let Tabby do half of the things I see them do! For instance, <i>A</i> does flips on the trampoline. Yikes!
These kids have learned all kinds of unsafe tricks to amuse themselves. They
eat anything that comes their way without washing their hands. They go to the
bathroom without washing their hands, and then suck their thumbs. And only the
toddlers seem to be sick. They must have built up immunities. I, on the other
hand, am a mess. Sinuses infected, eyes watering, ears aching. Whatever
immunities I have, they don’t work here!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRK8JYAzF5OPEJc3lg2pgVIWhyphenhypheny9pqFlradpNzvUU4mEMcL8K11G7Mg_ZUgkpr69FF2wT2H3HEBrr0MrOPZHXKbE5g2lUe9TR9L1AqbT8lOmFMHKW1MeQYCDg22IesDYyZz8-JSbYzc8I/s1600/P1010156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRK8JYAzF5OPEJc3lg2pgVIWhyphenhypheny9pqFlradpNzvUU4mEMcL8K11G7Mg_ZUgkpr69FF2wT2H3HEBrr0MrOPZHXKbE5g2lUe9TR9L1AqbT8lOmFMHKW1MeQYCDg22IesDYyZz8-JSbYzc8I/s320/P1010156.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4i_2lZIgrzACHGuDYWP9SWbtcew0FfSNpsf4yO4F9RUlHI4D9LOmlvF0P44_jWnp-sZt_aDg8aIU0FiTsklBKqW1pRMzddhz0POfdYWQyhGOD8TfhnU2x-a3kk_GnhRGEqnEd-XhTaw/s1600/P1000891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4i_2lZIgrzACHGuDYWP9SWbtcew0FfSNpsf4yO4F9RUlHI4D9LOmlvF0P44_jWnp-sZt_aDg8aIU0FiTsklBKqW1pRMzddhz0POfdYWQyhGOD8TfhnU2x-a3kk_GnhRGEqnEd-XhTaw/s320/P1000891.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirHOuOiH36KoFLTwmviFZ88-vcm_cb3Qo_vboMtOlAMlaUh_4SUXOY5l6x22isTMq6zLlzMEx9KFPzJNwQ2JIATDc_qSAMCOcKgSeKelRNVJj8N6sZmNy3Mfd3pPmlbhUbOpnzNVUKZs/s1600/P1000889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgirHOuOiH36KoFLTwmviFZ88-vcm_cb3Qo_vboMtOlAMlaUh_4SUXOY5l6x22isTMq6zLlzMEx9KFPzJNwQ2JIATDc_qSAMCOcKgSeKelRNVJj8N6sZmNy3Mfd3pPmlbhUbOpnzNVUKZs/s320/P1000889.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365925471371980508.post-63275086037291701892013-04-13T00:24:00.002-07:002013-04-13T00:24:48.598-07:00Blog post #1 - We're Here!
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>646</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3683</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Universal Health Services, Inc.</o:Company>
<o:Lines>30</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>7</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>4522</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.256</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>April 11, 2013</b>
It has been a long two days in Kwa-Zulu Natal! After a grueling 26 hours
of travel, Jamie, Tabby, & I finally landed at King Shaka International Airport
in Durban, South Africa. A friendly, helpful social worker from the adoption
agency met us at the airport and gave us some helpful tips. After waiting in line & finally finding our rental car, our luggage did not fit in it. After rental car, take 2, we headed for Emoyeni Lodge, our first place to stay during this seven-week adventure. Jamie had to jump right in to driving on the opposite side of the road, and we wondered aloud what all the foreign road signs meant. I continually try to get into the passenger seat on the wrong side…good thing I’m not our driver.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finding Emoyeni Lodge was quite an adventure. It is down several dirt roads that our GPS does not recognize. We saw a fast, adorable group of three monkeys as we were arriving. Our accommodations are…underwhelming. We are definitely outside of our comfort zone on every level here. I am apparently allergic to Africa, as I’ve had the most unbelievable sinus congestion, sneezing, etc., since we have arrived. But the land and scenery is gorgeous. Everywhere I look, I see new flowers, trees, and birds. There are rolling hills and vast grasslands. We had to stop fast for something that may have been an ox (?) crossing the road, and then again for a slow toad. We will never tire of looking at this beautiful country.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yesterday we headed to Lily of the Valley Children’s Village, where our new daughter, “<i>A</i>”, lives. We are staying & traveling with another family, from Seattle, who are also adopting from Lily. They have brought along their two biological kids, just as we have brought along Tabby. The seven of us waited anxiously in a conference room at Lily, while a volunteer went to fetch <i>A</i> and “<i>S</i>,” the other family’s adorable new daughter. Tabby could not contain herself. She kept running up & down the halls, yelling, “Where’s my sister!?!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When <i>A</i> finally arrived, she ran through the front door with a shy smile on her face. Tabby was the first to get a hug, but she quickly & willingly came to me & Jamie, to hug us and let us pick her up. She was smaller than I had imagined, and beautiful to look at. She has the most radiant smile. She recognized us right away, as we have had the chance to Skype with her a few times before coming to South Africa.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Those first few hours were eye-opening. So many good signs: hugging us, calling us “mommy” and “daddy,” smiling and engaging. When we gave her snacks, she grabbed them eagerly, but then broke them into pieces & shared them with her friends. She never keeps food to herself, though she seems to be always hungry. There were also worrisome aspects: she is LOUD and wild and clearly used to dealing with peers. We had moments of worrying how she would impact Tabby’s behavior, and if she would ever settle down. But we had so much fun talking to her & watching her & Tabby play tag. Tabby followed <i>A</i> around all day, and <i>A</i> loved to give her piggyback rides and hold her hand. <i>A</i> is surprisingly nurturing—helping Tabby put on her shoes and zip her sweatshirt (“jersey” here).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To our surprise, we were able to take <i>A</i> out of the orphanage our very first day. We took her to lunch, along with the other adoptive family. <i>A</i> and <i>S</i> are close friends at Lily, so it helped them both to be together. Our <i>A</i> is an eager and adventurous eater! She was quick to try everything offered to her, and encouraged picky Tabby to eat her food. She also loves to sing in the car, with her sweet, husky voice. She sang some songs I would prefer she not know, and also made up melodies, singing, “Taaaaaabby, Tabby, Tabby, Taaaaaaabby!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dropping her off at the orphanage was not fun for anyone. <i>A</i> became very sad and withdrawn on the way back from lunch. She refused to leave the car, and had to be coaxed/pulled out. She didn’t seem to believe that we would be back for her the next morning. For us, it was sad to see her feeling sad and not trusting that we would be back. But it was important to head back to the Lodge, just the three of us, to process all the day had held. Tomorrow morning, we will head back to Lily to pick up <i>A</i> & bring her to spend the day with us at the Lodge.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you all for praying for us and for supporting us along this wild ride. God is good and faithful, and His plan for us here in Kwa-Zulu Natal is better than we could ever have hoped for. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfGHZxhLvJWYSMkj3Qp_8LXJeU4zKnZvtR3wkyaXD7fsEnxD3a1aPOg0IYtoYcUmqrMwqVHB58YOFnPj1TKyg0Njo8RBgykypsbdd_bGlOFGN_FFIkq5iHL92e0-5fMB05bQjItQ9scnk/s1600/Lily+of+the+Valley+Children's+Village+entrance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfGHZxhLvJWYSMkj3Qp_8LXJeU4zKnZvtR3wkyaXD7fsEnxD3a1aPOg0IYtoYcUmqrMwqVHB58YOFnPj1TKyg0Njo8RBgykypsbdd_bGlOFGN_FFIkq5iHL92e0-5fMB05bQjItQ9scnk/s320/Lily+of+the+Valley+Children's+Village+entrance.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhxySX01VPfFbjFqrmlnNsEMqzQShZrWZQY9DAgDMy4jrieb0Th9jAUOE-uCBGIiSuY67hp7YrZxR_XwHR5NI9gqufupBFBcmdQ6cqmYW34GCpicNY60ln2VieetPUBoUWVlDLemnOi8/s1600/Field+and+mountains+on+way+to+Lily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhxySX01VPfFbjFqrmlnNsEMqzQShZrWZQY9DAgDMy4jrieb0Th9jAUOE-uCBGIiSuY67hp7YrZxR_XwHR5NI9gqufupBFBcmdQ6cqmYW34GCpicNY60ln2VieetPUBoUWVlDLemnOi8/s320/Field+and+mountains+on+way+to+Lily.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaocbyEnJ03HyZaSgsYNqcZi5EdX9_Pu_zrF3jPZz_iahxFB0ylP_zjSYoGSL7N_zdZV49az6C2BrvJKHU8ZHE6nQCgNwzDGU4rCidvMpeHqol-KR99rw5wwBPG8yXQzqvrLqOZXdAOqU/s1600/Monster+cricket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaocbyEnJ03HyZaSgsYNqcZi5EdX9_Pu_zrF3jPZz_iahxFB0ylP_zjSYoGSL7N_zdZV49az6C2BrvJKHU8ZHE6nQCgNwzDGU4rCidvMpeHqol-KR99rw5wwBPG8yXQzqvrLqOZXdAOqU/s320/Monster+cricket.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0OrmtCvi6Ps_CRkZA3Zc-xUSoFL-v4zei7Km936XgyKVQ4gC4BOVZXI551RNNRqKExpt8eYRK62CZn3gMPIGBfL3PTOcuIlVW1NJfn4nCrSM6gMIdfttyZ2tZCo84FKSxwU2NAyycvc/s1600/Homes+on+way+to+Lily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0OrmtCvi6Ps_CRkZA3Zc-xUSoFL-v4zei7Km936XgyKVQ4gC4BOVZXI551RNNRqKExpt8eYRK62CZn3gMPIGBfL3PTOcuIlVW1NJfn4nCrSM6gMIdfttyZ2tZCo84FKSxwU2NAyycvc/s320/Homes+on+way+to+Lily.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVad0CEAHVpD95C31OxJPLvA3lsF0vqJOgT2AtepE5ULobOykYe8b23kpzWti6XJGUISKhWoL_PpXrNoxpL6N7uwwh3dIdNyxypYQCMPrseEO8vbLi1v0rVyEdGvSoXNz7LRj7GgLZNDg/s1600/Mountains+on+way+to+Lily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVad0CEAHVpD95C31OxJPLvA3lsF0vqJOgT2AtepE5ULobOykYe8b23kpzWti6XJGUISKhWoL_PpXrNoxpL6N7uwwh3dIdNyxypYQCMPrseEO8vbLi1v0rVyEdGvSoXNz7LRj7GgLZNDg/s320/Mountains+on+way+to+Lily.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQ6sVmCTWQED6hnHgXfn5Y9dUFw-1r3deUb4qBI5mhJ4p_cr3ffLUjCrOMXSxGW_6vl-WN0C8o1eCDkS9Zb4wMcfx4gmoVq3kZgO9NF-TvjFmHsfqAdvAzEZwXEwNhCgoVjv_1gAkNWE/s1600/Town+on+way+to+Lily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQ6sVmCTWQED6hnHgXfn5Y9dUFw-1r3deUb4qBI5mhJ4p_cr3ffLUjCrOMXSxGW_6vl-WN0C8o1eCDkS9Zb4wMcfx4gmoVq3kZgO9NF-TvjFmHsfqAdvAzEZwXEwNhCgoVjv_1gAkNWE/s320/Town+on+way+to+Lily.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7365925471371980508.post-83765310586733214742013-03-09T21:09:00.002-08:002013-03-10T15:40:56.932-07:00<br />
<div>
<b style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">To donate:</b><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">1. Click on the "Donate" button to the right.</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">2. Under "Purpose", write the name you would like on your puzzle piece. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">(You can enter multiple names </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">if you are buying more than one.)</span></div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">3. Log into your PayPal account.</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;">4. Don't have a PayPal account? Click the "Continue" link, just above the credit card icons.</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;"><b><i>If you'd prefer to donate through check, please do!</i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;"><b><i><span style="color: #666666;">If you need our mailing address, please email us at </span><span style="color: blue;"><a href="mailto:gaffgafamilyadoption@gmail.com">gaffgafamilyadoption@gmail.com</a></span></i></b></span></div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;"><b>Thanks so much for considering a donation of any amount!</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3