The kids had a great Christmas program at their school on the 19th of Dec. It's a first for us. Our church is too huge for the kids to get to do things like plays, performance or special music. Public school doesn't offer anything close other than violin lessons; and music was least of our concerns--- they needed to learn to read, write, add, subtract first.
The night began with music from some of the middle schoolers.
The the keyboarding students performed. All but one of them are in Jayna's class. Jayna looked quite swell, and certainly cute at her keyboards with the rest of the kids. But if you think I fell for it, no no I didn't. My daughter slowly moved her fingers, never far enough down to make a noise. She had been afraid of messing up. Don't worry no one heard her make a mistake.... because she only pretended to play the three songs.
Then, it was time for the Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd graders to perform. They did the cutest song. I wish I could have gotten a better video, but I also wanted pictures--- such is life :-)
All the kids were dogs. Jayna was a Labrador retriever. If you've never heard the song the 12 days of Christmas, you should TOTALLY listen to the full song here: 12 Dogs of Christmas Song
This is a clip of their performance of it:
Then they performed a song with bells, read a cute poem and sang away in a manger.
Then it was time for the play that the 3rd-8th graders performed for us. They did exceptionally well. Their play was called "All I Want for Christmas" Here is the description of it:
All Lindsay wants for Christmas is... everything she sees! And while
she's pouting over her mother's true words about why we celebrate
Christmas, Lindsay finds some new friends... cool “toy” friends... that
come alive to her. Together Lindsay, Miss Glamour Doll, Chucko the
fluffy teddy bear, the action figure Captain Courage, and the ever
popular Jack-In-the-Box tell the story of the first Christmas and
discover the true meaning of the season. This 40-minute musical teaches a
wonderful lesson about the ultimate gift that God gave to us. All I Want for Christmas
has traditional carols, delightful “character songs” .
There were 7 main character parts. The rest of the students dressed up as a toy of their choice and helped sing the non-solo songs. Anthony typically would stand still and not perform if they would sing for a special music class in school or a huge children's church special. But check out this boy.
Pictures of the "toys" on both sides of the stage
It was so exciting to watch the kids so comfortable and confident at their school. Yes the girlie won't keyboard, but I blame some of that on her vision issue due to the required focus it obviously takes and something we know her eyes don't do properly. They have friends, they have fun, they are growing new talents. Best of all no controversy on if the performance is "too Christian" or a Christmas carol may have a religious word within it.
This is Jayna's favorite school friend--- her 13 y/o buddy Brandon, who I get daily updates on from his hair style, to how they spent recess, to if she saw him in the hallway. He is quite sweet and is friendly to Jayners.
Our former Governor Bob McDonnell may have some cloudy gifted finances- or not, I don't know the situation in depth enough to state an opinion really... What I do know is, he successfully finished his term with a great accomplishment- not of economics and job growth, or public school achievements or healthcare or even a particular law. Instead he leaves office having found 1,000 forever families for 1,000 foster children in Virginia over 6 months.
At any given time in Virginia there are about 5,300 children in foster care. About 1,000 at any time are available for adoption. Obviously these are averages as some age out of the system, some more are added, some are adopted, etc. In fact, child number 1,000 was adopted less than a month ago on Dec. 20th, from very near to here, Campbell County--- which is all of 5 minutes away from Lynchburg. In Campbell County they had 11 foster adoptions during this initiative.
Mr Governor, may the legacy you leave not be one of finances and numbers, but one of lives changed, hearts opened, love found and families created.
Hopefully the new Governor will continue a legacy like this one that far outweighs party lines and fiances and has a much longer lasting impact. I won't hold my breath, but it would be nice if he continued this trend of the American family for everyone, foster children included.
Hopefully all my cards arrived to their destinations--- $20 in postage later... so I can now post the much less expensive version- online! And since I am not limited to two pages I get to add my own commentary and as many of my favorite slang as I choose....... yes I love these.... and try to never use them properly or the proper amount in case I was going to use them properly....
Dec 2013
Dear Family and Friends,
Another year come and gone, filled with happiness, blessings and so much to be thankful for! We have stayed plenty busy and made some great memories. Marko and I are celebrating our 10th anniversary this month; rather good for wedding at 17.5 and 19 years old.
Marko has now been with MTS as IT Specialist for a year this past August. He is still loving his job, which is something so few seem to be able to say. He has enjoyed getting to travel this year for work. He was able to visit many places he had never been before; Chicago, Dallas, Boston and others. He also has earned some new IT certifications in different areas like security all of which are WAY over my head. The bonus side of him having an “office job” rather than his own
business, he now has some great work buddies. Previously, he was mostly antisocial other than a fellow manager of mine from BK who he became good friends with. It is neat watching the social side of Marko... don't worry Garbear, you still hold your place <3
I continue to work third shift for the answering service and my crossing guard job for the second year. I also volunteer at both the city school and DTD School 34 days a week. Last school year I was on 4 committees at the kids' school in addition to volunteering for all the school special events. I had to resign all but one committee this August when both kidlets transferred. I am still on the Sheffield Hospitality Committee and continue to volunteer weekly. I also have been busy helping a former customer from Burger King with house cleaning weekly. I coached soccer and basketball this year on the church league, in addition to joining the 1st3rd grade Children's ministry team at church. It keeps me plenty busy, and I enjoy staying busy.
Jayna is 8.5 and having a year of change and challenges and now some progress. She struggled a lot academically last school year and the school was unable to devise a plan to help her. We were able in the past year to get one diagnosis, convergence insufficiency and she starts vision therapy this month for that. We are in the lengthy process of an official dyslexia diagnosis. Thankfully amongst the lack of answers and frustrations, we did find a puzzle piece. In August
Jayna started her new school, Desmond T. Doss Christian Academy. They even have a dyslexia program, something we weren't able to find anywhere else. But best of all, she loves it, adores her teacher and is happy there. We are very hopeful that she will have great progress this year. She is absolutely loving the writing program, Writer's Workshop and is always writing stories, huge
difference from a year ago. Away from school, Jayna played basketball, took swim lessons, played soccer and joined the cross country and gymnastics team at her new school... most of which she didn't actual enjoy but she was forced to obey her mom's rules of you start it, you finish it.... this child likely wasn't created for team sports... She also is in Adventurer Club, which is like a coed girl/boy scout with a Christian foundation. She remains a great mix of girly fashionista, tree climbing, pull up performing tomboy who loves anything artsy too. She performed her Hula Hoop abilities in the school talent show and was pleased to do 12 pull ups at the Marines exhibit this fall... yes obviously the spot light is more her enjoyable comfort zone as opposed to sports, although artsy stuff takes the cake.
Anthony is now nearing the double digits and will be 10 years old on Feb. 28, since it isn't a leap year. He loves sports. He played basketball, football, cross country and will play soccer in the spring. Anything active he wants to be in. He ran a one mile Turkey Trot with a 7min 52 sec time. Of course, typical for kids he can certainly also be very into his video games. Like Jayna he is in Adventurer Club too. He started his year at city school, but we were quickly extremely
blessed with a spot for Anthony at Desmond Doss, where Jayna is. He was initially shy, but now you would never know he is a first year student and has practically become a professional four square player... amusingly the gift he requested most often was a playground ball with the thick rubber, and the biggest smile in pictures was when he was surprised at Grandma and Poppy's with that said four square ball.... He will happily tell you his favorite subject is P.E. And Recess, which is no shock. The kids are very lucky to have a huge playground and ball field to enjoy daily recess multiple times a day!
We have had a fun year together. We enjoyed several vacations. A week in Pennsylvania with my sister Missy and her husband and four boys is near our favorite. Anthony even got to bring along his best friend who had never been out of our state before... their first visit to my beloved Lakemont Park, which isn't the same but allowed Jayna and Will to ride their 1st roller coaster and all the kids loved the farm Missy lives on!... We had four West Virginia trips this year. Thanksgiving of course wins the cake as it is the only time of the year we have all
the family at Nana and Papa's together and the kids enjoy cousin time.... It's crazy to see how this all started when the girls were 2 ... and now are 8 and an extra cutie has been added to the excitement!... Sadly Marko's Aunt Carolyn died this year. On the plus side, it allowed the kids and I to go to Marko's family's tiny hometown. We got to see where Grandma Pam grew up and the school she attended along with other family memories. The kids also enjoyed the “get away” with their Grandma Pam and other aunts and uncles.... the big river and park right there at the only hotel/motel was a big hit, and everything (all 4 options) are within walking distance.... I enjoy learning about their family history and teaching them it too!... In August we enjoyed four days at Virginia Beach with Poppy, Joe and Mark. The kids love the water and jump at any chance of extra time with their Poppy.... and the boy thinks Uncle Mark is the best ever....
A huge highlight in our year has been the addition of my Godson, baby Tristan in April. After a long 10 year wait my best friends finally had a successful pregnancy and now we happily spoil Tristan! Every Friday night I get to watch Tristan for 5 hours along with his big sisters. We love having “cousin” time every Friday and look forward to it each week.
The other excitement of my year has been finding nearly all of my foster siblings. There are only 2 of 26 foster siblings I don't have contact with. I'm hopeful that this coming year I will find them too. The years have passed since we lived together as siblings (some as long as 16 years ago), but I continue to remember them, and have found great excitement in reconnecting. I am also in the process of writing the kids a book about their unique family. It is about 1/3 finished and
has been enjoyable to create for them to better explain our unique family to them.
We are hopeful your year has been equally rewarding and that you can count the positives in your life. We have been richly blessed again this year and look forward to what God has in store for our family this year. May you remember to savor the moments and memories you have and enjoy a happy and safe new year!
Well, I ran out of time to blog, but not out of time to do Elbert the Elf tasks with the kids
As previously blogged about:
1. Sorted all clothes and ended up with a 30 gallon bag to donate to a family in need
2. Wrote/made Christmas cards for a local nursing home
Everything else:
3. Did Santa for a Senior for a local senior in need
We got a lady named Doris. Her main request was puzzles, then body wash and a CVS gift card. Oh my I had trouble stopping the spending. She reminded me so much of Marko's Aunt Carolyn, an avid puzzle lover, who died in February. This was the first Christmas in 10 years I haven't bought her a puzzle and what luck the Senior we were assigned would want a puzzle!
4. Donated money to the Guatemalan child Anthony's sunday school class sponsors
5. Took a donation of pet food to our local humane society
And the kids got to see the animals too and they approved of that :-D
6. Bought new shoes for two kids in need
7. Bought new Christmas Jammies for 3 kids in need
8. Donate food to the (church) food bank
9. make cookies for a neighbor
technically we made chex muddy buddy mix and brownies instead.... because I'm not a pro cookie maker ;-)
10. Simple, yet a big deal to the kids: donating at the Salvation Army's red kettle
11. Invite people to the Christmas program at church-- R.J. came with us along with the usual people I take every Sunday-- Joyce and her three kidlets.
12. Gave the garbage men a large container of fudge
Jayna was quite excited to hand it to the driver. Bummer I didn't get a picture. Amusingly they waved and thanked us today :-D Small gesture still brings Joy a week later!
Marriage Equality--- how about Adoption and Race and Family Equality?!
So I hop onto MSNBC's Facebook page after seeing an OUTRAGEOUS fb post I was hoping was wrong.
Here is the first Post on their fb page at 5pm 12/31/13
What a year! As 2013 draws to a close, 10 additional states have opened the door to marriage equality.
Whether I agree or disagree with this topic seems insignificant. Remember just 2 weeks ago this guys reality tv career was nearly ruined by having an opinion on that above life style. He wasn't making fun of the lifestyle. He was stating his biblical stance--- not far from what you'd here many pastors say really, so why it was such a "shock", I don't know.
I have yet to watch a single episode of this show, but disagree with him getting in trouble for stating his opinion.
I am not shocked to hear Christians with Christian based beliefs nor am I shocked to hear non-Christians with non Christian beliefs and I'm also not shocked to hear there is a huge mix of people in the middle, each with and entitled to their own beliefs. Hopefully all can say and think their beliefs in a non-confrontational non hate-filled way, after all I am very much a fan of having my own set of opinions and beliefs, and am ok with you having different ones too.
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And all that to create a platform... MSNBC believes in Equality for MARRIAGE--- but is TOTALLY ok with bashing a family with an adopted child:
Insert this picture of Presidential Canidate 2012 Mitt Romney with his wife and their 22 grandchildren
MSNBC, specifically the Melissa Harris-Perry Show (gag sorry sis you are forced to share a first name with this woman) thought there was humor in playing a sesame street song "Which of these things is not like the others".
One of the panelists, actress Pia Glenn, started singing "one of these things is not like the others," while Harris-Perry laughed. “And that little baby, front and center, would be the one,” Glenn said.
ARE YOU SERIOUS?!
They went on to kid about baby Kiernan who was adopted by Romney's son and daughter in law-- things such as Baby Kiernan and baby North West wedding, jokes about this displaying the republican party's diversity,
"Can you imagine Mitt Romney and Kanye West as in-laws?” Harris-Perry said.
“I think this picture is great,” said comedian Dean Obeidallah. “It really sums up the diversity of the Republican Party, the RNC. At the convention, they find the one black person.”
Let me be clear- whether this baby was adopted, whether Romney's son married a Kenyan and the baby was multi-race-- neither option make me any less outraged.
I asked my 9 year old what was different in the photo above. His first answer was "they almost all have on the same checkered shirt". I tried to probe him further and he said " the girl in the back is the only one wearing a white shirt." He is right. I love even at 9 years old the innocence and truth in his answer!
Here is my family--- or as much of it as we have successfully gotten into one picture.
Wriston Family Summer 2011, before my oldest brother and his wife were stationed in Guam. We have not gotten to see them since the day after this picture was taken 2.5 years ago now. We are certainly missing many family members out of this photo, but we traveled from Virginia to Georgia to get this taken, so not everyone could get off work, or make travel plans.
I again asked Anthony what was different in this photo ... as opposed to the Romney family photo he answered "Everyone has on a different shirt"
Wriston Family Summer 2013-- as previously mentioned my oldest brother and his wife aren't in the USA so obviously not in the photo--- oh you just wait for family photo 2014... I;m hopeful for a more accurate and full family photo.
Anthony's answer for what is different in this photo is "My belt is the only one showing" Again he is correct, and somewhat funny too without being offensive, racist, anti-adoption or any other combination of wording and feelings.
I am the MOST proud individual in the most diverse and full family I could have ever imagined. I am one of 26 siblings. I share my parents with 25 others. I have siblings who are Indian, Caucasian, African american. I have redheads, blondies, curly hair and straight, tall and short, heavier builds and thinner.. I have a foster sister who has a wife and I don't care about them any differently, I love each and every member. My family is unique. My family is created on love and acceptance and commitment to one another. Some of my foster siblings I haven't seen in over 15 years, but once that bond is formed there is no turning back, I certainly will always consider them my family. We now stretch across the USA Nevada, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, Virginia and even into Guam. Life isn't always kind or easy to these kids who have grown up in often multiple families and have faced numerous hardships, so why add in national mockery to adoption to just make it even less pleasant! Sure times have changed over the decades and the races over all are more accepted and it isn't a giant shock to see different races in one family now, but that is only one small piece of the puzzle for many of the kids in blended families.
To say I was offended by the MSNBC statements isn't enough. This is the mockery of so many families although only one is pictured. So many families are built and formed using adoption both abroad and in the US or fostering. This displayed a non-acceptance of us all, of that entire community. It also showed the continued non-acceptance of multi-race families and families that are made stronger off of differences. If they don't look like the "typical" American family from 10 or 20 years ago
who looked picture perfect and shared similar features it is like there is something odd or funny or deserving to be made a mockery of. Welcome to America land of the free and diverse and changing and growing and transforming and still amazing American family. You don't have to look like your parents. You may have two moms or dad or just one mom or one dad and that's it, you may have an adopted sibling or you may have a parent from (or heritage from) a different country. Welcome to the new american family- multi race, biracial, blended, step, unique family.
WELCOME TO THE NEW AMERICAN FAMILY, LIKE IT OR NOT. Accept the beliefs these families have or not, still accept these families for who they are without the mockery and hate. It is NOT funny.
And with that, Happy New Years Eve and may you remember Equality of all people, in all families, Even if it isn't in your belief system, leave the judging to God. And perhaps Melissa Harris-Perry you should make a new years resolution too.... think before you talk on national tv, don't pass the blame around ("I didn't produce this show"), and choose a better panel next time! This wasn't the best way to build a fan base.
And if you have made it this far, how about you enjoy the feel good story about this family of 22. Ten happy minutes, you won't regret! This is my vision of a truly happy American family.
Elbert came back while the kids were in school. He decorated the tree and got out the Christmas decor.
Elbert left us a letter again. It said
"Hi! You did great yesterday choosing clothes to donate. Today's task will be sending Christmas cards to older people in a nursing home. It will brighten their day and bring them joy. Also, here's a bow for each of you to put on the tree to remind you of today's tproject.
Love,
Elbert"
The cards are in the star basket below the tree
A way "cool" Anthony and pretty Jayna with their cards
It's true-- my kids have never believed in Santa, although I wanted to do the whole Santa thing, it just wasn't happening.... So that means I could join in the fun and craziness of Elf on the Shelf. I continually got more jealous as I would see all the crazy antics of some elves and the excitement of kids via the facebook world. Then last week I saw Kindness Elves. That concept would totally work, We erase all Santa and imagination aspects, add some treats from our Elf and treats for others and the fact the Dollar Tree sold me a stuffed Elf for $1 (yes I admit I am a proud cheapskate!). Each day our Elf will bring the kids an ornament to put on the tree and leave us any needed props to do a community service project of some variety. We are doing 12 days of Christmas. That means it will end Dec 23rd for us. After all we have plenty to do the 24th and 25th without an elf. Technically I wanted to start it tomorrow, but Anthony's class had the perfect kick off to it today at school. Our elf doesn't do mornings so he magfically appears while the kids are at school :-)
The 3rd and 4th grade had a bake sale and everyone was excited with money in hand
Dylan was a great cashier
Mackenzie, Anthony, Aubrey, DJ, Dylan and Mrs. Kelly are on duty-- they had multiple shifts and this was their shift.
In Mrs. Kelly's class they have been reading the book Yuki. It's the story of an Inuit boy who learns about God and the adventures he has in the Land of the Midnight Sun. They had the bake sale to raise money to send to missionaries in Alaska for their mission work in bringing salvation to the people in N. Alaska. Many people there haven't heard about Jesus. One of their current mission projects there is to put radio stations in these remote Alaskan villages. Each one costs $5000. Plus the villages need basic funds to do things like vacation bible school for the children there.
Mrs. Kelly's class started off on Tuesday by icing cookies. They asked parents to help provide additional goodies. We took in 50 chocolate chip cookies. Their class ate lunch early so they could run the bake sale during everyone else's lunch time. Then after school the kids sold the remainder of the goodies at pick up time.
The 1st and 2nd graders, Mikey, Michael and Jett hug-attacking Anthony
Our elf arrived just before I headed to crossing guard in the afternoon. He came baring a special pencil and Santa hat for each kidlet, a nativity activity set and a letter to introduce himself all hiding in the tree.... that magically got put up 5 mins before I walked out the door--- yes again for our 2nd year, placed on top of the brand new never yet installed toilet the hubs "needed".... note top wise women- never allow your spouse to go to the home improvement store alone!
Very quickly rigged tree, with our new friend and his gifts
Meet our ELF:
Elbert
Lancelot
Flake
Oyr letter from Elbert said:
"Hi! I'm so glad to meet you! My name is Elbert Lancelot Flake. Get it? E.L.F.! I've come to teach you the real meaning of Christmas over the next 12 days. Mrs. Kelly helped you start today at the bake sale to raise money for others!
Today your task is to sort your clothes and donate what doesn't fit or you don't want to others who need more clothes. Everyday we will do something to bring true Joy by putting
Jesus 1st
Others 2nd
Yourself last.
Much Love,
Elbert"
After some initial complaining, the kids sorted all their clothes and we ended up with a large full laundry basket to donate to some friends who have trouble affording new clothes.
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