The three little ones and I had so much fun just being together. We kind of had a homebody day. Catherine is doing so well with her school work.
I probably could have gotten some laundry done, but when the mood strikes me, there's just no telling what project will come up with!
Today, we made something called Oobleck. I even learned something about non-newtonian fluids (doesn't that sound impressive!)
You just mix some cornstarch, water and a little food coloring together and.......
Ta-da!!!! Well, I thought it was cool, but Victoria wanted no part of it!
Francesca was down-right horrified!
But Catherine loved it! She loves messes.
It's a liquid and a solid at the same time!
The oobleck really wasn't too hard to clean up. The key was to wait until it dried and then scrap it off the table. Gotta start teaching them to clean early; someone has to do it!
Victoria finally got into the spirit of things!
Now don't you all just want to whip up a big batch of oobleck!
Thank you so much for all your supportive comments. I don't want to paint a perfect picture of our family. We have problems, but we love each other and we try to do our best. I think that if we are being called to help another child, then we should give it our all!
I continue to research countries where I think there is the greatest need for adoption. I thought about Hong Kong, but the children there are very well cared for, which is a wonderful thing, but I guess I am hoping that we can adopt a child who might not have a chance. Perhaps we should go back to Ukraine? I have looked into the special needs China program, but it seems a bit competitive. One agency told me that they even have someone stay up all night to lock in a child's file for parents. I guess I feel like if there are other families who want a child, then we should step down. I really feel drawn to Colombia, but I am not sure enough about the process yet. I have thought about Uganda, but the travel is long. I promised my kids I would never leave them for a long time again. If anyone has any other ideas, please let me know!
The orphanage in U, where Bianca Olivier adopted Jackson, usually waives thier 10 day wait, and they have the SWEETEST little one who is called Maggie. She has been waiting SO long, and she has CP. Also, dont forget my Yasmine! I think she has been transferred now, to an instition in U. :( She has pretty much no chance. :(
ReplyDeleteI just did a cool "experiment" with my little ones this week--a tray of baking soda with droppers of colored vinegar. I had trouble finding eye droppers, so we used empty glitter glue bottles. They really loved it!
ReplyDeleteThe files that an agency stays up at night to lock in China are for the least severe SN or very young girls. Their are currently 1500 SN children In China that are jsut sitting including several with Apert syndrome. I know you are looking for very young but your list of SN you are open too is also much broader than many. I think a lot of people think that all children in China are very well cared for - this is not true. Our son has scars on his waist, and freaked at the plants as he had never really seen anything 3D. I think there are good and bad in every country.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Ukraine is a bad idea. The need (unfortunately) remains profound, so it certainly wouldn't hurt.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck in your endeavor, wherever the call takes you! :)
How about Bulgaria? RR says that it has 2 trips of 5 days each, and it's not a really expensive region to adopt from. http://reecesrainbow.org/new-family/international-programs/orphans-bulgaria Would you go through Reece's Rainbow again?
ReplyDeleteDomestic adoption? There are so many children (especially older children) right in your backyard that need a family and would thrive in YOUR family.
ReplyDeleteDomestic adoption can be VERY hard for people who have bigger families :0 But, if that is where they feel called it is worth a shot!
DeleteFrom what I have understood, Bulgaria has short travel, (though twice with rather a long time in between travels....) and at least from certain places the need is great.
ReplyDeleteHoping for peace and clarity for you in choosing country!
As a Ukrainian reading your blog, and just being amazed how well you care for these kids and your sense of humour as well)) do go back to Ukraine.
ReplyDeleteI have always admired/enjoyed that you share the good, the bad and the messy.
ReplyDeleteThe Oobleck looks interesting. We may try that sometime. We made a couple batches of play dough this week. :)
I also vote for Serbia. Small and cheap program, travel is predictible, only special needs adoptions. Sounds perfect for you.
ReplyDeleteWe never found China to be competitive. We locked the files of two children who had been waiting a LONG time. It does get competitive when they come out with the new listing each month of new kids. But the waiting children seem to wait a LONG while. Rainbow kids is a great website to look at.
ReplyDeleteMy husband will be home in 6 days with our two China blessings!
As a single parent I can't adopt from Ukraine but the orphans of Ukraine have such a hard struggle it seems. As single parent I've had the 'benefit' of narrower choices and so can look for my child in not so wide a variety of countries. Columbia seemed challenging but maybe that was for single parents. I remember something like could only adopt same-sex (so single female, I could adopt girl only and there were few girls), age 7 or older, and 6 week in country stay! That was several years ago though. Belize has a new program, only a few agencies seem to be working there and I don't know much about the conditions. Good luck in your search. I've been really thinking of logistics of another child too so look forward to sharing in your journey: once I start thinking I usually start process in 6-8 months so maybe soon.
ReplyDeleteI can think of a couple of little boys in U that could use a loving family like your's. On Reece's Rainbow their names are Leonid(he's 4 and facing transfer to an institution soon) and Asher(he's 3 and has CP). Your girls are adorable by the way. Love to read your blog.
ReplyDeleteYou never fail to amaze me! You are one of THE best Mommies I "know". Just wanted to tell you that...and to say that I just left this page:
ReplyDeletehttp://reecesrainbow.org/40498/dawn
I thought about your "big" girls and how they would Love Dawn!
Love You! Jo
Another vote for Bulgaria... we are adopting from there (well, on our way to adopting from there, as we are still mid-homestudy) and the need is definitely great, especially for special-needs kids. We too want to adopt a child that would otherwise not have a chance for a family, in addition to rescuing it from a situation where its needs (physical/social/emotional) were not being met. We found our answer in Bulgaria, as some of the institutions (orphanges) cannot/will not provide adequate care for the little ones, especially those with special needs.
ReplyDeleteSouth Africa?!!! Travel is usually 2 weeks, and Bethany Christian Services does special needs placements from South Africa. I know of a few very very sweet little ones with (HIV, Hep, CP, Hydrocephalus)that really need a family.
ReplyDeleteI think the thing to do is decide what age range you are looking for, and what special needs you are comfortable with, and then find the country based on that :)
ReplyDeleteThe oobleck reminds me of this recipe I found for my toddler that involved a whole roll of tp, a bunch of water, and a bunch of borax and I think some baking soda. It made this foamy goo that took weeks to dissolve off my lawn! But he loved it.
ReplyDeleteWhat that agency described to you sounds like China's regular LID only special needs program. China also has a special focus group of children. A lot of kids wait a long time for the special needs "special focus" program in China, there are many young children younger than Victoria - especially boys - and the travel is only about 2 weeks. Special focus children usually have more severe needs or multiple needs than the kids agencies "compete" for staying up all night, as they described to you.
Check out China adopt talk forums if it interests you - they have a forum where people advocate for waiting kids. http://chinaadopttalk.com/forum/index.php?board=193.0
I agree with Mellissa - Serbia!!! The blog she listed is VERY informative!
ReplyDeleteAs a Colombian reading your blog all the time, I feel trilled that you're thinking in adopting from my home country. I live in the Sates now, but I visit often because all my family lives there and I know the need is HUGE. I am not familiar with the adoption process but my cousin adopted her little boy two years ago and it didn't seem to difficult.
ReplyDeletebulgaria is short travel :) two - one week trips, and usually only one parent can go!
ReplyDeleteI love oobleck from my days as a teacher, but my kids all HATE IT. What's that about? Anyway, we are planning to adopt from china. We aren't hoping for a super young girl and we are pretty open to special needs. There are plenty of kids who have needs greater than very minor from china who wait and wait. Also, if you are open to a boy, there are many many. People only seem to want girls. (we also want a girl, but we have three boys and one girl and want to even things up a bit ;) )
ReplyDeleteI don't comment often but I ck your blog daily to see if you have written another delightful post. I SO enjoy your easy-going-sounding approach to life with your children. And I was SO THRILLED to see Victoria's progress with her legs! And isn't Francesca funny with her aversion to some textures? I wonder if certain things will always feel icky to her? It will be interesting to see. My little girl was afraid of soft feathers as a baby, for some strange reason. She laughs now when I tell her about it. I live not too far away from you in NE GA on the border with SC.
ReplyDeleteI'm late saying this but I'm glad you have added some protection from "trolls" or comments from other poor sports. It cuts down on stress from discouragement. May you and your family be blessed!
Tharen
Here is a blog about a family adopting a large sibling group from Columbia- maybe you could ask them more about it?
ReplyDeletehttp://burgessfamilyadoption.blogspot.ca/2012/09/yes-we-have-official-referral.html
Have you considered domestic adoption? There are so many children that aren't adopted in our own country with special needs or have been/are being neglected.
ReplyDeletehaiti! http://godslittlestangelsinhaiti.org/ is where my siblings are from.
ReplyDeleteI see a few have already suggested Bulgaria. That is where we adopted Niko from and the travel is quick and painless as RR says - just two trips of one week each. Unfortunately for us it was 7 months between the two! We could have started and finished a Ukrainian adoption in that time! Still, the need there is great. It seems most of the children available are older than Victoria, but I'm sure there are some littler ones. (I'm curious why you're reluctant to adopt out of birth order this time... you have in the past, haven't you? Is it just Victoria's particular personality that makes you think a new older sibling wouldn't go over well?) I am so excited for your family to begin this journey again. I'm living vicariously, since I'd love to be adopting again myself at some point :)
ReplyDelete