Merry Christmas 2010

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

It's been a while again. Life is so crazy! It was easier to post quick comments to Facebook than work on the blog this past year. But I wanted to get our Christmas message out to everyone. We hope you have a wonderful holiday season.

The kids are great. Both enjoyed the summer with daily swim lessons, and we hope Emily will join the kiddie swim team next Summer. David is close behind. He's gained a lot of strength by keeping up with his peers and attending Sea Park Elementary, which has great services for special needs kids.

Emily Pei Pei

Emily loves school. Her first grade teacher, Mrs. Mills, is fabulous, and Emily is eager to learn everything she can about a subject. At Thanksgiving, she lived as a pilgrim for 10 days, basing her self-made costume on the true story of Sarah Morton, a 17th century pilgrim girl from Plymouth Colony. The plastic Publix bag hanging from her apron contains Rosemary she picked from our garden. Emily passed it out to everyone she met, because Sarah Morton picked herbs and shared them, as well.

One day Emily cracked me up by handing me a stick and asking in a quiet, respectful tone, "Mother, would you like to beat me? I didn't pick up my things." Sarah Morton's mother spanked her with a stick if Sarah didn't do her chores. LOL--as if!! Emily wore her outfit to school before Thanksgiving, and Mrs. Mills walked her through two different classrooms to show the kids. This little girl is so much fun.

Even being at a great school, Emily has been keenly aware of feeling different from the other kids. She's finally embracing her Chinese heritage, but at the same time dislikes the constant stares from strangers that she receives wherever she goes. It's easy enough for Kevin and I to ignore the stares we generate as a biracial family, but for a little girl, it can be overwhelming. Yet this same little girl gives the loudest screaming "AYAH!!" in Tae Kwon Do!

David Jian Qun

Oh this little guy! He's our high-maintenance kid. But what a personality! Charming, fearless, stubborn, determined, he's got it all. And he deserves every bit of it. He loves school, and has become all boy. Nothing in the house is too small for him to climb. One of his favorite stances is atop a dining room chair, one bare foot on each arm, with his arms high in the air overhead, and him yelling, "Look at me, Mom!" Aye yay yay!

David's his name, pirates and superheroes are his game! He asked Santa for an Incredible Hulk costume for Christmas, but Batman is his all-time favorite.

Healthwise, David still has many health challenges ahead of him, all stemming from birth. Chronic sinusitis and ear issues plagued him all year, but thanks to an excellent set of doctors, it's being managed. Surgeries #6 and 7 were last year, #s 8 and 9 are coming soon. He'll have his 4th set of ear tubes inserted and his adenoids shaved in a few weeks, in preparation for a major palate surgery to restore speech. Most people outside of immediate family and friends, a few teachers and classmates, can't understand him. And boy, does it frustrate him! His plastic surgeon says the palate surgery should give him understandable speech by Fall. Keep your fingers crossed! :)

Dave and Jackie's Wedding

A BIG event for the family this year was the long-awaited wedding of my brother David, and his lovely wife, Jackie Leigh Blair, aka "Jackie Leigh-Lee". They married on October 16th, 2010 in a small garden wedding. Afterwards we enjoyed a lovely, lavendar-scented reception at their house, hosted by Jackie's mom.

Other Milestones

David, Emily and Ashley, ca. Chinese New Year

This has been a year of excitement--the wedding, the happy wait for Cindy & Rob Rhoton's baby girl. Better health for David, and David learning to swim! Emily's lost first tooth. Kevin's great new job after 1.5 years of unemployment. The launch of his Bamboodah business.

It's also been a year of loss. After a long and happy life, my beloved Aunt Mary left us to join her husband, "Moose", who passed away years earlier. My best friend Amy's mother, Vivian Fischer also left us after a long life. Friends and family struggled over the loss of an infant daughter and twin infant sons. Our cat Toffee (age 13) and our dog Mia (age 10) travelled to the Rainbow Bridge.

Happy Holidays

That's it for this year. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Good health and happy times to every one of you, because you deserve it. We're so grateful to our family and friends. Thank you for all your support and friendship.

Much love,

Caroline, Kevin, Emily, David, and Nigel Tufnel (aka Rascal)

Note: The obviously great photos are by Liz Mojica.

Hi all,

Happy Easter! Sorry about the lack of updates. Life became unbelievably hectic in January. Kevin started his new job, and loves it. We had to swap the kids' bedrooms to let Kevin build his own office in the house.

Travel is much easier than his last job, but between that and the business, he's just really busy!

In addition, David started a new preschool, in a special needs class, 40 minutes from the house, 3 days per week. It was an intense effort to get him there, thanks to some incredible teachers. A lot of folks care about this little guy, and thanks go out to Kathi Arms, especially. Kathi is David's preschool teacher at Grace Lutheran, and she alone was reponsible for David finally getting the services in school that he really needs.

David doesn't like riding the bus, though. With his sensory issues, the bus is just too loud for his ears. Kiddie headphones helped him on the ride home, and he now mostly falls asleep. But in the mornings it's Mommy who drives him to school. Otherwise, he'd be on the bus at 6:45, poor little guy!

In a nutshell, the kids are busy taking Tae Kwon Do together with girlfriend Olivia, camping over Spring Break, attending birthday parties, being sick (five straight months in a row), and just being kids! Here's a slide show for you...

I have lots of photos and a bit more of an update Hopefully I can post again in another week.

Take care everyone,

Love,

Caroline

Happy Holidays from Us to You

Happy Holidays, everyone! Thanks to Liz Mojica for the great photograph of the kids.

Given our circumstances this past year, we've sent e-greetings rather than mailing our usual 140+ Christmas cards. It was a tough 15 straight months of unemployment, and we greatly appreciate the wonderful support from our family and friends.

Daddy Gets a Job!

Late yesterday, Kevin accepted a sales rep job with an electrical components company. He starts January 5th, working from home, his territory ranging from Melbourne to Miami. We're in happy shock, and have a long financial recovery ahead of us, but we will survive.

Even as it's been an unsettling year, in many ways, it's also been an amazing one. Amazing watching Emily blossom in Kindergarten and learn to read. Her vocabulary grows by leaps and bounds, and conversations with her are an absolute delight. And amazing watching David want to communicate, to tell stories and sing songs.


Making Xmas cookies

David has made great strides with his speech, and we hope for more in the coming year. Although he endured several painful surgeries this year and faces several more in 2010, through it all he remains such a happy kid. And he starts 3 days of a special needs preschool in January, while also remaining for 2 days at Grace Lutheran preschool with his long-time classmates and his best friend, George.

Milestones

In 2009 we said a painful goodbye to our beloved kitty, Toffee, and see our 10-year old German Shepherd, Mia, slowing down. Mia lost her long-time buddy, Airedale Duke, and several friends lost their equally beloved kitties and doggie family members.

On the human family front, we rejoice as Kevin's mom, Frani, and my dad, Bill, remain cancer free. We're happy the rest of our parents, and our friends, are in good health.

And hardest of all, this past year we've mourned the loss of several precious babies--little Molly, and tiny twin brothers Corbin and William. These little angels will never be forgotten. They will remain forever in our hearts.

I hope 2010 will be a happier time for all of us. One filled with promise and prosperity, health, and hope.

Much love,

Caroline, Kevin, Emily, and David

Happy 2nd Gotcha Day, David!!

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Dear David,

We had a busy day yesterday and Mommy and Daddy couldn't post our letters in time! Gotcha Day was December 10th, 2007 around 3pm, and David, you were 25 months old.

David, it's been 2 years since that grueling 5-hour taxi ride in the falling snow and wild Chinese traffic to meet you. I remember the moment Daddy and I finally stood in the orphanage office, waiting for a nanny to carry you downstairs. We were so excited to be growing our family.

I sometimes wonder what you're feeling deep inside, after facing yet another doctor, your tiny hands clamping down over each ear, your anxious shouts of "NO!!" The high giggle as they begin to probe your canals, then the heartbreaking sobs of "No, NO, OWIE!!" And that's when your ears aren't even hurting.

You've had a great year and a hard year. Great because you decided talking is a good way to tell people what you want. Whether or not they understand you. Great because you finally decided that loving Mommy isn't such a bad idea after all. Great because you finally let Mommy love you back. Great because you have little friends who love your outgoing personality. Great because your sister adores you and watches over you. Great because you and Daddy can do your guy stuff together.

It was a hard year because you're still battling medical issues, endured two painful surgeries and more late night ER visits while struggling to breathe. Over a dozen specialists, and more to come. And yet, you push on with a lopsided grin and that endearing little boy run, elbows swinging widely, head bobbing happily from side to side. Watching you, I remember the incredible excitement of holding you in my arms for the first time. You. My son.

Rudolph hides in Santa's toy sack

You're an amazing little guy, David. One that really taught Daddy and I to focus our priority forever on family. And really fight for what our children need. You're the glue that holds this family together. Sweet, funny, tender, caring, wild, imaginative, and so easy to love.

Happy Gotcha Day, Buddy.

Love,

Mommy





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Liz M. took this great photo
Dear David,

I can't believe that it has been 2 years since our days in Tianjin City. I will never forget how you clung to me so tightly, only hours after being put in my arms for the first time. How I would reach down to you and your arms went straight in air for me to pick you up.

I still think of our first meal together and how you just kept eating as we placed more and more food in front of you. The whole time you held a beaming smile on your face.

The past 2 years have been difficult, wonderful, sad and full of total joy, all at the same time. I cry each time you do when they put the wrist band on you at the hospital. But you come through every surgery like a trooper.

I have fun when we play in the park together. I enjoyed our first fishing trip together and seeing your look of pride when we pulled your first fish from the water.

Looking forward I see many more fishing trips, hiking, bicycling and of course the occassional trip to Cold Stone for a bowl of ice cream...sometimes you even get some in your mouth instead of just on your mouth.

The road ahead will be a great adventure, but there will be potholes. Just remember that Mommy and I will always be there to lift you up and put you back on the right path. And we will always be walking right along side you.

You have been, are now, and will always be, my little buddy.

Happy Gotcha Day! You are loved!

Love,

Daddy

David turns 4!

Hi all,

Well, Bruffie did it, he turned 4 on November 11th. Next month he'll be with us 2 years. How time flies! Speaking of flies, David started "Lil' Sports" last week at a local recreation center with little friends Casey and George. What hilarious, adorable fun! The boys began t-ball last week. Take a look...

The coach runs the kids up and down the gym first, they walk backwards, pitch balls, then go to bat and actually run the bases. It's nonstop, giggling mayhem as the coach tries to control the very excited 3- and 4-year olds, who are running everywhere the bases! We love it. :)

Happy Birthday, Bruffie!

David woke up on his birthday wearing a big smile. We started the day with a rousing rendition of the Beatles singing "Happy Birthday", with the kids playing along on toy guitars. Later, David made a mosh pit of the couch.

Kevin bought David a giant pirate balloon that David adores. Interestingly, we've had several very windy days. So David wrapped the balloon around his waist and ran outside to wait for the wind to take him away just like Mary Poppins. We tried to explain the physics, but he didn't believe us! I just couldn't get a good picture of him, but it was priceless.

Thanks to everyone for the great cards and gifts. He loves his new dress-up costumes...sure beats wearing Emily's dresses! Papa and Rea, David's buying the Batcave with his gift certificate! Thanks to George and Jack for the cool Thomas Firehouse! We're surprised David hasn't slept with it!

Happy Birthday, David!!

Halloween 2009

Hi all,

What a fun Halloween! The kids visited the library and went on a scavenger hunt, locating the eggs of the Golden Goose (the library director). Emily fell in love with the goose, and followed her around, touching her soft, downy feathers. Too cute! She and David won a free book each and trick-or-treated at several desks in the library.

Then, Halloween night began!

Emily decided she and I would be Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School Bus series. She made her own magic schoolbus costume, and we stuck dinosaur stickers on our ears and all over ourselves, just like Ms. Frizzle's theme clothes. Too bad the baby dinosaur eggs wouldn't stick to our shoes! Emily does a great imitation of Ms. Frizzle yelling "Yahoo!!!!" I dyed our hair red, and something horrid happened to mine. I was asked by two different neighbors if I was "Little Orphan Annie"!!! Emily's fine Asian hair refused to pick up much color, while I looked like I was on fire!!

Friends Cindy, Jack, and George Rhoton stopped by on their way to a Halloween party, and then the Mojicas came over to do ferocious battle against the Lewis men! It was a fearful sight. Little Graeme and David fought valiantly.

The Mojicas (Ray and Liz) took Emily, David and me and a crowd of friends trick or treating. It was great fun for the block that David lasted! Emily isn't fearful this year, so she ran along with the group. Poor David, though! He tires easily on his little legs, and in spite of pulling him along in a wagon--er, his ship--he feared the dark and was exhausted, so we had to call it a night. He fell asleep right as the trick-or-treaters began coming up our driveway. Poor little guy had night terrors throughout the night, so it was a long one for us.

Meanwhile, the neighborhood kids enjoyed the Pirate house. Kevin was at his best, doing battle before the kids could walk the plank for their candy. He received hugs, and the best compliment of all. One little boy, now 12, told him the kids save our house for last so they can battle the pirate! It just made our night. :)

Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween. We sure did!

Pumpkin Patch Antics

Oh what fun! We fooled Mommy by running like crazy through the patch. She kept behind us, snapping pictures like a madwoman. Just wait until Halloween!

The Life of Kids

A Florida wedding

Hi all,

The kids are doing great, loving school. Emily is reading and writing, and drawing constantly. Her art litters the tables and floors of three different rooms! David's passion is more mechanical, setting up trains and cutting every piece of paper he can find.

David as Harold and the Purple Crayon

Both kids love dressup, and while David is still Emily's occasional pawn, he has his own mind. No more fairy dresses for him, he's into Superheroes! Batman, Spiderman, Superman, he can sing the theme songs for all three. A flowing scarf becomes a cape, held together by snack clips. We don't just walk into the bedroom, we fly!

Here are samples of the kids' latest art:

About David

Healthwise, David's in for a challenging year. Ten days ago he had surgery #5 to correct some boy issues. He faces a followup surgery in six months. A big THANK YOU to our friends whose kids made cards for David, and our friends Estelle, Cindy, Leah, Liz, and Nicol, for the fabulous Honey Baked Ham and great side dishes during David's recuperation. Oh gosh, were they ever appreciated!

David also faces some sort of surgery to correct his probable short palate. Within a year after that, we're looking at reducing scar tissue around his lip (for speech and appearance before Kindergarten) and opening up his right nostril so he finally breathes better. He doesn't handle anesthesia well, nor pain narcotics. Nor the hospital and the poking and prodding.

Ah well, it's all for speech, after all. And he's finally trying to speak...really trying. After 22 months at home, he cares about communicating.

In June, after surgery #4 (tonsillectomy, ear tubes) he finally attached to me. I mean, really attached. After 19 months of being home. Now he's my best buddy--he wants my love. He seeks me out constantly, wanting hugs and kisses. He finally let me into his heart, and it's a lovely place to be. And he's more relaxed now that he's stopped fighting me. (He was afraid I'd disappear like all his previous nannies.) So, he wants to talk. Most people still can't understand him, but his family understands those vowel sounds! We're all incredibly proud of him.

What About Mom n Dad?

Kevin and I volunteer weekly in Emily's class, and occasionally in David's. (Preschool doesn't ask for parents as often.) It's a great experience, and the kids in Emily's class are so excited and affectionate with us. Although, it feels like a marathon, some days, keeping them focused! Kevin's business, Bamboodah, is off to a nice start. (The website is in work.) We're not in the clear by any means, but we're plugging along. Kevin's determined to make it succeed.

Hope you're all well.

Take care,

Caroline

Farewell Toffee, 1994-2009

So one Saturday I’m volunteering with my mom at the local humane society. A litter of 5 kittens arrives, no surprise. But only weeks old, their eyes barely open, dumped off without their mother. Shelter staff nervously ask each other who could take them home for their nighttime feedings. But everyone's house is already filled to the brim with pets, owned and fostered. I immediately pipe up with "I will!", then thought maybe I should call Kevin first for permission. Oh well!

Kevin remembers answering the phone that day, hearing, "promise you won't get angry with me... ." He eventually learned to reply with, "how many this time?" (What a guy!) And Toffee entered our lives.

She was the largest kitten in the litter, easily double the size of her litter mates. And she was the most energetic. She hopped around like a tiny rabbit until finally crashing from sheer exhaustion. That litter of kittens gave us quite a challenge, crying, eating, and pooping throughout the day. One day they even squeezed their tiny bodies between the equally tiny bars of their cage and ran amuck. They loved to sleep on a soft blanket inside a deep laundry basket that we could pick up for easy transport around the house. They also loved to sleep with my brother (a house guest at the time), all 5 kittens cuddled around his neck. He never slept much during those nights, too afraid he might roll over on a kitten. Yet he just couldn't bring himself to disturb them.

A few weeks later, the kittens chubby and happy, the time came to return them to the shelter. Luckily, two were already adopted by friends. Two were adopted within hours at the shelter, leaving only Toffee. We thought her the most beautiful kitty in the litter, yet nobody wanted her! Home she went with us until the next weekend. During this time, our other cat, Moon Pie, fell in love with her, and curled around her like a momma cat every chance he got.

The next Saturday at the shelter, alone and frightened in her cage, she refused to let anyone near her. Worried, I called Kevin, who replied, "Well, Moon Pie just loves her. Why don't we just keep her?"

Toffee and Moon Pie

The largest kitten in the litter grew to weigh a mere 6 pounds. She remained tiny all her life, and best friends with Moon Pie.

Fifteen wonderful years after that second phone call to Kevin, this easygoing, very independent kitty decided her time with us was up. After a brief struggle with liver disease, it was time to meet Moon Pie at the Rainbow Bridge. Emily sobbed last Tuesday when we told her Toffee was going to kitty heaven. We told her that Moon Pie would meet her at the Rainbow Bridge, and that Toffee would be able to see us from Heaven. So now we look for clouds in the sky that look like Toffee, and that comforts her. Even David, who doesn't quite seem to grasp what happened, looks to the sky with Emily and waves to the clouds.

You were six tiny pounds and so easy to love. Farewell, Toffee. You'll always be that tiny kitten to us, with Moon Pie curled lovingly around you.

First Days of School 2009

What a week! What a milestone...Kindergarten!! After months of refusing to talk about school, Emily met her Kindergarten teacher twice in a week, and was suddenly excited! The first day (today) went well. Armed with her Princess backpack and lunch bag, she marched right into school with us, up to her classroom door. There was one tense moment when she panicked as I said goodbye, but luckily the mayhem drew her inside the room, and Kevin and I beat it out of there.

Mommy, Daddy and David attended the "Boo Hoo Breakfast" in the cafeteria, an event for traumatized mommies and daddies of new Kindergartners. What a neat idea, because I was passing out tissues to my friends! It was hilarious. All you had to do was ask a mom, "are you ok?" and the tears began to flow. (And yes, I right in the ranks of the crying brigade.) You'll see from the last slide photo that Kevin slipped a shot of me moaning with girlfriend Becky, looking my very best...UGH!! Thanks to Liz Mojica and the PTO parents for a great Boo Hoo breakfast. We really did have fun.


Day 2, Emily rides the bus with her beloved Maya (at left). Em was so excited!


Wait a minute, that's her face and she looks scared. ARRGGHH, THAT'S MY BABY!! (Sound of a mother's heart breaking.)

Wow. This was a hard milestone. Like my friend Cindy Rhoton says, we can't protect them from being hurt now. Emily was already upset over being called "small" by another child--her pet peeve since she's the tiniest girl in any class. We already had our discussion about teasing versus an innocent comment (which it was) and how to respond.

And now time is really going to fly. Kevin and I vow to enjoy every minute we have with our precious children. Now let's see if we can do it with the manic school schedule! Up at 6am, bus at 7:10, David to school by 8:45. Oh, at least that one's easy. But time has gone by so fast already...how fleeting will it be now?

Update on Bruffy

Although David's having trouble watching Emily leave on the Magic Schoolbus, he's doing GREAT in his 3-year old classroom! That's no surprise since most of his 2-year old class ended up in the same 3-year old class!

David's speech is coming along slowly. He can say "Batman" (bah-man) and "Batmobile" (bah-mo-bih) if he pinches his nose (helps air flow), and he's always trying to sing songs and imitate his sister. His teacher knows sign language--yeay!

Next month David's due for a Fluroscopy to determine whether his palate is functioning properly. If it's not, we're looking at another surgery, sigh! But he's a happy little guy, and I'm loving my time with him while Emily's at school. Today he took a kiddie Zumba class at the library, followed by storytime. What a riot it was to watch a group of preschoolers attempting latin dance moves! :D

Take care, everyone,

Caroline