I am pretty picky about what I put on Micheline's skin, because it is very dry and she gets eczema flare-ups quite often. If we aren't moisturizing her skin twice a day, she can become very dry and itchy.

For the most part, I prefer to use pure African shea butter mixed with coconut oil. I mix them pretty much 50/50, melt them together in the microwave to make it smooth, and then add an essential oil for a scent since shea butter that has not been chemically treated has a smoky odor.

I've been frustrated... more

part 1

part 2

When we arrived home, Caleb thought he should immediately be allowed to play computer games. I tried to talk to him about what he was feeling, but he clearly wanted no part of it. I knew he was dealing with some pretty strong emotions bubbling to the surface, so I didn't insist on schoolwork, but did tell him that he needed to play an educational game on the computer rather than a Ninja type game that he loves on a Chinese website. That too merited some pouting and whining, so I asked him to come over to... more

part 1

Why was I so blind that I didn't even think about the possibility that a dance company which focuses on Chinese dance might bring up issues in my son?

Yesterday, when I showed him their webpage and asked him if he wanted to go, he told me "no." I just assumed he was being obstinate at the time and told him that I thought he would enjoy it.

This morning when we got to the student matinee, he was excited at first, but as the first dance number turned into the second I noticed him blinking back tears. How could music with melodies sounding hauntingly familiar not remind him of what once... more

I haven't written for a few days because I have been nursing a tooth that needed a root canal. For me, going to the endodontist rates right up there with chewing cut glass, so I kept secretly hoping the pain of the toothache would instead go away. Finally when I was popping ibuprofen over the weekend like candy, I decided that getting it over with was far better than continuing to nurse the pain of an aching tooth, and headed in to the endodontist's office today on an emergency basis.

Many adopted children have experienced... more

part 3

Our first stop was an elementary school that was in the neighborhood of the hutong that we were pedaling through. This was the best part of the tour, because we were able to visit a fourth grade classroom. Since Caleb was in fourth grade in China as well, it was nice to see what his education might have been like.

About five children stood and spoke for us in English and it was very cute... more

Before I was distracted by the politics involved with the destruction of hutongs in Bejing I was starting to tell you about our own hutong tour. I had this blog half done only to have Internet Explorer crash on me before I had hit save, which did not make me a happy camper. Let's try take two...

part 1

part 2

January 12, 2007 With Jeff staying back at the... more

There are times I get phone calls to baby-sit for my neighbor’s girls and for my aunt’s children. I also look after some of the little ones from my church on occasion but I do baby-sit Gracie quite a bit and I always need to know what to do in case of an emergency and I have to call 9-1-1. If you care for your younger brother or sister you too need to be prepared to know what to say if you have to call for help. Below is a general list of instructions in the event you need help in an emergency.

First off you must always remain calm when dialing... more

About two years ago I took a baby-sitting course that was given by the Red Cross at our local YMCA. In that class I learned a lot of valuable information that I use when I baby-sit my little cousins, my neighbor’s daughters and of course, Gracie. Since I started babysitting Gracie over a year and a half ago I have always remembered a lot of the basic information that was taught to me in the baby-sitting class and practice it every time I look after little children. Below are a few Do’s and Do Not’s when it comes to staying home alone to... more

Since my parents have me baby-sit Gracie when they leave the home I have to know what to do in case of an emergency. Maybe it is time for you to start caring for your younger brother or sister or maybe you have been babysitting them for a while and need to be refreshed on what to do in the event an emergency where to happen. Let us hope one will never happen but it is smart to be prepared. The most important thing to remember is to stay calm. It will not do you or your bother or sister any good if you panic. Remember to keep a cool head!!!... more

I do not think I have ever waited so long for something as I did for my little sister. The thing was once we got Gracie’s referral we had to… what? WAIT MORE?! I could not stand it! I had to wait over a year for the paperwork to be completed and when it was I was left holding the picture of my sister in my hands. I would then have to wait a few more weeks until I could actually hold her in my arms. Needless to say, I had a hard time with patience. So, how did I deal with all that waiting? Here are a few ideas that might help... more