Official Blog Break

I have been blogging now for nearly four years. I love blogging, but lately rarely find the time to commit myself to writing. When I'm not so busy with my job, children, and impending divorce, I will resume my blog. Thank you dear blog friends for faithfully reading my posts, offering my support and advice over the years. I promise to still stop by and visit your blogs, but for now, I need a break.

Love,
Ashley

Do you remember gym class?

When I was a teenager, I hated gym class. I thought it was boring, and I resented the smelly uniforms and numerous laps that we had to run. For me, it simply wasn't a pleasant experience. Today, I am working in a middle school where I get to see kids participating in gym class every day. Get to see you ask? Yes! Sometimes, the kids run around the entire school. Other day's, it's the cafeteria. They run while they listen to music, teen music. Our building is full of treadmills, and other exercise equipment. The gym teachers even play exercise videos for the students to follow. It's all state of the art. Gym class has come a long way.

In Search of Spring

I never thought I would be a single parent, but here I am. It's not easy juggling work and children. In fact, at times, it's nothing short of overwhelming. Every week, I have to deal with the laundry, the grocery shopping, cleaning, food preparation, playtime activities in addition to my full-time job. Since "Dad" lives thousands of miles away, and only visits his children every few months or so, I rarely if ever get a break. Do I regret having adopted my children? No way! They are the sunshine in my day, and the best things that ever happened to me. This has been a particularly difficult winter as the three of us have had a myriad of illnesses ranging from sinus infections to bronchitis. If only spring would get here. Then at least, going outside would be more bearable, and the cold season will be beyond us.

Chinese Dresses

The lovely dresses my daughters are wearing in the main photo were purchased at Lucy's in Guangzhou, outside of the White Swan. How I wish Guangzhou wasn't a 16 hour plane ride! If it were closer, I would go back and buy my daughters more lovely dresses. If anyone knows where to purchase Chinese dresses here in the United States, please let me know.

Ashley

Seven

Here's a recap of my week so far:

1) I was happy to see Barack Obama become sworn in as our 44th president.

2) I finally finished a case-study that took forever to write.

3) Big Sister and I are getting over another round of winter illnesses.

4) Little Sister is healthy for a change!

5) Little Sister is on week 3 of wearing big girl panties and having few accidents.

6) I stepped out of my comfort zone and joined Facebook.

7) The ex is out of work again. (Job #7 lost!)

Weekly Update

Here are the highlights of my week:

-Little Sister did an awesome job wearing her big girl (Elmo) panties all week, with only a few accidents here and there.

-I lost 4 pounds in two weeks, watching what I eat, detoxing, and getting on my treadmill again. (It's been two years!)

-My "To Do" List became much shorter this week.

-The "Ex" and I are having better conversations lately.

-We found our lost library video and returned it.

Ashley


-FROM A FRIEND-

Natural Child: Any child who is not artificial.
Real Parent: Any parent who is not imaginary.
Your Own Child: Any child who is not someone else's child.
Adopted Child: A natural child, with a real parent, who is all my own.

--- Rita Laws, PhD

Potty Progress

Yesterday, I sent a note to Little Sister's daycare asking if she could wear big girl panties on Fridays. Her teachers sent me a nice note, telling me that wearing big girl panties only one day a week is too confusing for a child, but if I feel she is ready to wear them, they will happily assist me. Last night, I talked it over with Little Sister, asking her if she would like to wear big girl panties all the time. She jumped up and down, and yelled, "Yes, now!" So, after her bath, she wore them around the house until bedtime. Today, I am sending her to school for the first time in big girl panties. After nearly 8 months of potty training, I think we are ready for this next step. Wish us luck!

PS. Thanks to all who wrote me about ear tubes, and home remedies. I am going to speak with our pediatrician in two weeks. I truly appreciate all of your kind words and good advice. Ashley