Returning to the Land of their Birth

My DH emailed me the link below of a slideshow of 3 adopted children from China. They are now teenagers and returned to China to work in an orphanage there. It brought me to tears…and made me realize how I will never fully comprehend the hearts of my children. How they live here, have family here, but part of their hearts will always remain in China and Ukraine…where their birth family resides. I pray that I can bring them up “right” and do their birth families justice. I hope you enjoy the slide show as much as I did.

http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/specials/083008orphanage/

Last September

Last September we met Jenna face-to-face for the first time. What an amazing experience! It seems just like yesterday...no where close to a year ago. We took the kiddos out for dinner and ice cream to celebrate Jenna's first Adoption Day tonight. Jacob and Julia were super sweet to Jenna...they sang "Happy Gotcha Day" (to the tune of Happy B-Day) in front of everyone at Bruster's, without prompting. What great kids! What blessed parents we are to have these three beautiful children!

Neat Artwork

I found the artwork below while surfing the net...it's pretty neat. The words read, "The first gave you a need for love; the second was there to give it."

Never Forget

September 11, 2001 is a date that we, as a nation, should never forget. I remember where I was, how I heard, who told me, what my first thoughts were and what my prayers were like that day in history. No matter what your thoughts are about the tragic event, please remember the families and friends of those who were lost today. I'm sure this is a very hard day for them.

Question & Answer

A friend has these questions on her blog and I thought they were cute. So let's give it a try here too...post your answers in the comment section! :)

Spender or saver? I think I’m a saver, but might be a spender…just ask DH!

What is your favorite type of ethnic food? Which dish? I love Chinese (which is laughable since I wouldn’t touch it when I was a kid and all through College!). I guess having tried the original stuff in China really changed my mind. Favorite dish would be vegetable stir fry and spring rolls here…in China, the homemade noodles stir fried in “brown” sauce was the best!

Guest or host? I’m an uncomfortable guest…never quite sure how to mingle and make small talk. I prefer to host, that way I know everyone and I’m comfortable in my own home!

Are you still friends with anyone from high school? Elementary school? Yes, but most do not live in the area anymore. We communicate via email the most.

Do you save cards and letters from your spouse? What about from friends or old boyfriends? Used to, but I got the notion that saving things I never look at any more just collected dust around the house…and I’m allergic to dust. So, I don’t save them anymore. I will scrapbook the cute handmade ones from my kids though.

What is your favorite fall activity? The pumpkin patch with my kiddos. Very fun!

When you were growing up, did your family eat dinner together or whenever you had time? What do you do with your family now? Then...dinner together every night, it wasn’t negotiable. Now…the same rule applies, we eat as a family, not negotiable.

You have just inherited a vacation home. Where do you want it to be? I can’t pick a location, I’ve traveled to too many beautiful places. I would say as long as there is a mountain view with a lake close by…and lots of land to preserve nature…that would be ideal.

“Brevity is the soul of lingerie.” ~ Dorothy Parker Do you like to wear sexy lingerie? Depends on your definition of sexy lingerie…does shorts and a t-shirt count?

Bridget and Nikki's Story

New Referral

Our friends from Julia's travel group in 2004 just got their referral of daughter #2. Her name is Madelyn Grace and she was born in Guangzhou Province. We had hoped to travel with them and tried to coordinate our paperwork for #2 when we started...obviously that didn't happen. The thing is that their paperwork was logged in on Feb 6, 2006. They were approximately 3 months behind us in the paperchase and wound up waiting a full year after us to get their referral! I am sooooo glad they now know what their baby girl looks like, where she is, and when they might be able to travel to bring her home. She was born on October 29, 2007....10 months old like Jenna was at referral time...wow!

If their journey goes anything like ours, it will be God-filled and joyous....a trip of a lifetime. I'm sure once they meet Madelyn they will know that she was intended to be their's from the moment she was conceived in her birth-mother's womb. What a blessing! I am so happy for them!!

On another note, a close friend of mine just started the paperwork for a domestic adoption! She has struggled with infertiliy for at least 5 years...I'm so happy that her journey to parenthood has some definates now...not as much sorrow and agony over infertiliy. Praise be to God!

The Month in Review

This month has been a whirlwind of activity with swim lessons, the Olympics, getting ready for school, gymnastics starting, and a lot of anxiety from Jacob about 2nd Grade. He's been a handful to say the least...anxiety is a wild monster! Fortunately, school has started and he has began to relax a bit. Julia has started Kindergarten (sob!) and Jenna is adjusting to being the only child at home during the day. Whew! I'll let the pictures below tell you more....

Six Years Ago & One Year Ago

Six years ago we adopted Jacob from Ukraine on August 2, 2002. He was 15 months old and we were naive first time parents! Jacob has taught us a lot about being parents over the past 6 years and boy has he grown up too! We are so surprised at how fast time as flown by...it seems just like yesterday when we walked into that Ukrainian orphanage and saw our little boy for the first time. What memories!!

God is so good to us that only one year ago on August 2, 2007, we saw Jenna for the first time. Our 3rd child and baby daughter in China was waiting for us and the face was priceless! Two beautiful children seen for the first time on the same date...amazing! Jenna has grown so much in the past year and it's hard to fathom what life at home was like without her.

Jacob's Ukrainian Passport Photo taken at 15 months old.

Jacob now in 2008 - 7 years old and all boy!!

Jenna's referral picture - our first look!


Jenna now - one year later and so sweet!

Camp Daze

Jacob and Julia are at camp this week so I'm finding a little more downtime to post! yea! Things are very quiet from 9am to 3pm with just Jenna in the house. I forgot what it was like during the school year...and now I know what it will be like in about 4 weeks when school starts for the kiddos.

I've enjoyed my time with just-Jenna. She's so much fun and growing so fast! One of the funny things about her is that she makes little jokes and cracks herself up. Just today I asked her what a cow says and she said "quack, quack" and then bust out laughing. I have trained Jenna to climb into her high-chair, into the van, and into her car seat...she's been climbing up the stairs and down the stairs for weeks...the lure of Julia and Jacob was too much for her to bear! She's becoming so independent now.

Fortunately her independence saves my back a bit; I went to the doctor yesterday (with only 1 child in tow...yea!) to check on my back...I've been having trouble just standing up straight so I needed a check up. Turns out my L5 disc in my back (the very lowest one for those who don't know) is degenerative and is causing me all my pain. I will be starting PT soon and have some nice drugs in the meantime to stop the pain and allow me to function like most moms. Yea!

We traveled to the Columbia Zoo about a week ago and had a great time. I'll post some pictures of our trip below. Three more weeks of summer! Yea!



Jacob & Julia LOVED feeding the Giraffe!!


Jenna and Daddy watch the animals.


Jacob & Julia watching the Elephants.


The kiddos on a baby elephant statue.

Family Camping Trip and July 4th

Yes, I know, July 4th was quite awhile ago....but time flies in the Summer!

We took the kiddos camping just before the 4th of July and had a great time. They really enjoyed the hikes and daily activities. Sleeping in the tent was a challenge, however. We have have a 5 person tent and slept in this order: Jacob, DH, Jenna, Me, and Julia. The kiddos were restless and took a long time to sleep each night but eventually would crash. The very loud birds would wake us up every morning bright and early and one day....we had a massive thunderstorm. The campground flooded just before bedtime, but fortunately we were okay and could still sleep in the tent that night.

We spent the 4th with friends as usual. Our neighborhood had a bike parade lead by the local fire station...a reall treat for Jacob. He was CRAZY over the firetruck! Later that night we went to a friend's home and they set off fireworks in the rain...yes, in the rain. The kiddos loved being able to run around in the rain with their clothes on...it was good fun.

Jacob and Julia are off to day camp next week so I will get a lot of free time with Jenna. It will be nice to have a slower week...being a daily camp director for 3 demanding children is a challenge! School will start in about 4 weeks for Jacob and Julia too. I'm looking forward to a new schedule!

Hope you are all well!

June Bugs

As I mentioned before, Summer is well underway at our home. I am finding it tough to regain my sanity some days with 3 kiddos. Jacob is a very "hands on" and "on the go" kid...he is a BIG challenge for me so far. Things are difficult with him and his control issues. We are continuing with therapy for him....psych and OT...but I'm starting to wonder if he needs medication too. There are just some things with his personality that I can't comprehend or handle and I often wonder if he needs more help than just therapy...only time will tell.

The girls are doing well, however. Jenna is growing like a weed and Julia is just as sweet as ever. I'm truly blessed with these two beauties. Well, not much time to update here. We are just hanging on to time and trying not to be too bored! I think some time in the sprinkler will do wonders this afternoon.

The Month of May

Whew! May has come and gone in one big blur!! Here's just a highlight of what we did this month:

• Julia had an ice cream shop field trip
• Jacob had a field trip to Lazy5 Ranch
• Jacob turned 7!!
• DH and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary
• Muffins with Moms at preschool
• Donuts with Dads at preschool
• Preschool Awards
• Preschool Graduation
• Last Day of School party for Jacob
• Beach Party at the local YMCA
• My MIL had her birthday
• My SIL had her birthday
• My Dad has his birthday (Happy 75 Dad!)
• My nephew had his birthday

oh...not to forget...

• Jenna had a virus and shared with the entire family
• Julia had another virus
• Jenna got Roseola
• and Jacob had a 7 year old well check...

SUMMER has arrived in our home and I am very busy with the 3 kiddos for "mom's summer camp." Everyone say a prayer that we all survive summer! :) Here are a few photos from May. Enjoy!

Sickness Update

We are all well...for now! Jenna's hives have disappeared along with the poop issues. The doctor said the hives were probably her body's way of getting rid of all the toxins from the virus. Nothing serious, yea!!

Jacob celebrates his 7th birthday this weekend so we will have more pictures to show off then.

Happy Mother's Day!

Ugh...a nasty virus!

Just a quick post to say we all got a nasty stomach virus last week. Poor Jenna is having the worst of it. It lasted for about 24 - 48 hours for most of us. Jenna and Jacob are still having "poop" problems (let's leave it at that!). Jenna also developed hives (see the attached pictures). The doctor is testing "samples" to make sure she's healthy and that we don't all need special medicines to make sure we don't have anything worse than just a nasty virus. Keep your fingers crossed.

PS - After 3 doses of benadryl Jenna's hives are now gone.

Wow...is it April already!?!

Time really caught me by surprise! I had no idea that it has been months since I've updated the blog! Sorry to any of you who have been looking out here to get an update on us.

Everyone is doing well. Jacob has started Occupational Therapy again along with visits to our local child psychologist. His OCD tendencies and other sensory issues have been popping up again. I think transitioning to having a new sister has thrown him a loop. So, here we go again with a lot of therapy visits to help him adjust and be able to function in school and at home. Pray for him if you think about it...thanks!

Julia had her tonsils removed last week. She is a real trooper. She hasn't complained a lot about the pain, is drinking plenty of fluids and eating a ton of popsicles. The toughest part for her is not being able to do gymnastics or swimming for two weeks. She is also turning into a great little mommy. She has such a loving heart for her little sister...I'm a proud mom.

Jenna is growing like a weed. She had her 18 month check up yesterday and is in the 50-75% for her weight and 25 - 50% for height. She's keeping us all on our toes and she definitely doesn't let us forget about her. She keeps up with all of us and is very vocal when she wants our attention! Jenna did have a little accident this week, however. As she was trying to get off her push tricycle she tripped and fell. We now call her "scar face"! Just kidding...she has a nasty scrape running down the left side of her face starting above her eye and ending at her lips...it's sad. (and for the record, it didn't happen on Mom's watch!!) :) I came home from handbell practice to see a scratched up face. It's very sad, I hope it heals quickly!

We took a vacation to Williamsburg & Jamestown a few weeks ago. The kiddos had a great time (the parents did too). Jacob got a toy musket that he tortured his sisters with and Julia got this really pretty straw hat. They really enjoyed Jamestown too. I think they like it better because they could actually touch and play with things. I'll attach a few photos from the trip for you to see how big they are getting!

Hopefully I won't let the blog go so long until my next update! Love to all...

Jacob stealing a kiss from Jenna!

The Govenor's Palace, Williamsburg, VA

Julia's Pretty Hat

Jenna gives mom a great smile!

Ha Ha! The kiddos in the stocks! Right where we want them! :)

On board the ships in Jamestown, VA

Happy New Year!

Well, the year started off with a bang! My father treated me to a lesson on how to shoot a shot-gun on New Year's Day. It was a lot of fun...more fun than I anticipated, actually! So things started off well in my book.

The kids had a great time over Christmas with at least 3 opportunities to open a lot of presents. Wrapping paper flying all over the place and tissue paper floating down from the ceiling where it had been thrown...Jenna had a great time watching her well experienced siblings open presents. We all enjoyed the season, the season of our Lord's birth...yes, we did manage to keep in mind WHY we have Christmas in the midst of presents out our ears!

Best wishes to all our friends and family in 2008! Love you all.

The Krueger Kids on Christmas Eve ready to attend worship.

Jenna wishes you a Happy New Year too!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! We have been so busy that I haven't had a chance to update the blog since before Thanksgiving...yikes! Thanksgiving was a success and the turkey turned out great. So now I never have to worry about cooking my first turkey ever again!

We have had so much fun this Christmas season...where do I start...hmmm. How about parties...I got the chance to go to our church's Christmas Cantata, a women's Christmas luncheon, a Christmas party for hubby's work, Julia's Christmas party at school, Jacob's Christmas party at school, the kids' Christmas musical at church and I still have 2 family parties, and Christmas Eve service where I get to ring handbells. Not to mention Christmas shopping, wrapping presents, baking cookies and gingerbread, decorating the house, and enjoying the season...whew!

Here's a quick Jenna update...she learned to walk and now almost runs. She is still "Grabby Abby" but has learned when mom and dad say "no" she stops grabbing...sometimes. Jenna can say a few words now. Her most recent is "up" (that sounds like "pup") when she wants to sit in our lap. She is a very happy baby. Life is very full with our third child!

Jacob and Julia are wonderful big brother and sister to Jenna. They still enjoy spending hours out in our backyard pretending all sorts of things and swinging their hearts out. Jacob is a bundle of energy and he hasn't learned how to control all of it...he has also begun to tell silly jokes...mostly they end with someone or something in the potty...he's six, what do you expect? Julia is a little mother to Jenna AND Jacob and has a lot of fun in gymnastics too. She was invited to join the gymnastics team at the YMCA, we declined this year. We just want her to have fun for a little longer before things get too serious. Julia and Jacob are soooooo excited about Christmas this year. Julia has finally grasped the idea of Santa through Jacob's leading. Christmas day should be exciting!

I will attach a few pictures soon of the kids, for now, here's one of "mom and dad" at a work party at the speedway. It was nice to have a break for a few hours and feel like a grown up!

Merry Christmas!

Two Months With Jenna

We have been a family of 5 for two months and I can't tell you how wonderfully full life is in the Krueger home! Jenna has become a member of the family and it feels like she's been with us forever.

Here's an update on Jenna for the past month: She's drinking out of a sippy-straw cup, she tries to say, "mama, dada, book, meow meow, and thank you", she has 3 more teeth coming in for a total of 8 teeth, she likes to help us dress her in the mornings, she wiggles and smiles like crazy when Jacob and Julia enter the room, she is still jealous of brother and sister when they are with mom and dad but not nearly as much as a month ago, she is feeding herself mostly, will sleep through the night in her crib and sometimes a nap in the pack 'n play, AND she has started to walk!! Everyone is so excited to see her take a few steps. She will take about 6 to 7 steps across the room and then take a dive to the person she is walking to...very cute! Jenna is very proud of her walking too, wish you could see her smile!

Thanksgiving is this week and we have so many things to be thankful for, the biggest one I think is that we finally have Jenna home. My family is coming over for Thanksgiving and I'm cooking my first turkey...oh boy...hope it comes out okay. My mom and sister have encouraged me so I think it will be okay...let's just say I'll be really thankful if the turkey tastes great!

Best wishes to you all this week. Happy Thanksgiving!

Family Pictures

We took the kids to a local photography place and had family portraits taken early in October. Of course, it's taken me awhile to get them out here! The kids did great and I was one proud Mama when the photographer (who photographs kids all day, 7 days a week) told me that I had really great kids. She emphasized it twice, "Really great kids. I mean it, REALLY great kids!" Wow! It's nice to hear that from people sometimes. Motherhood is a hard job and a comment like this can carry me through months of hard parenting times. This was great to hear!

We made sure to get dresses for Julia and Jenna that matched in China. I guessed at Julia's size and fortunately guessed right. The dress just fit her and probably won't fit in 6 months! The girls were beautiful if I say so myself! I'm so glad I thought of this before we left China. I've posted our pictures to the right for all to see.