Seven Months Later

If you're wondering what I've been up to over the last seven months, well..... I have been busy living life as a single mother of two. Since my "ex" and I had a commuter marriage, I have actually been a single mother for a long time, but was living in a bad marriage. Being divorced and free from an unhealthy situation is like having fresh oxygen in a stale room. I can breathe again. No one wants to be divorced, but it really does take two to make a relationship work. With one wheel, a bike isn't going anywhere. With one committed partner, a marriage will fail. Since getting divorced, I have spent quality time with friends and family, gotten back into the groove of working in a job that I love, and even started going out once in a while, making time for me. My daughters are growing into two sweet, loving, smart, amazing girls. Overall, I feel blessed with my life. Looking forward to catching up with all of my cyber friends.

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

Happy Holidays!

Wishing all of my cyber friends a very Merry Christmas.

Love,
Ashley

Ear Tubes?

Little Sister is sick again! Over the past two years, she has had many colds and upper respiratory illnesses, especially ear infections. Now, one of the doctor's in her pediatrician's office has recommended ear tubes. I want to talk with her primary pediatrician first to see what is involved, and if this procedure is needed. If you have any advice on the subject, please let me know. Thanks!

Ashley

Since moving to the Midwest

Having been raised in the Eastern states of New York and Pennslvania, I thought I knew what cold weather was like, but now I know better. Over the last year, I have made the following observations about Chicagoland in the winter months:

1) Winter starts early and ends late.

2) It takes a blizzard for businesses and schools to close early.

3) There is no such thing as a delayed school day.

4) We are currently experiencing a deep freeze.

5) 40 degree days feel like Heaven.

6) Now, I know why Illinois is the land of Starbucks. Hot drinks warm the soul!

Big Sister is a winner!

Since my oldest daughter loves to draw, we decided to have her enter a book poster contest. Before she started, I asked her to pick out one of her favorite books, and use that as her main theme. She choose Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. On Friday, she was presented with a certificate for creating the most original poster in her grade. She was thrilled as you can imagine. One of her classmates who also entered the contest was jealous and angry, and told Big Sister that her poster was ugly. The teacher overheard and gave the little girl a time out. Then, she had to apologize.

Uncles are nice!

My brother-in-law is one of the most caring people I know. He is an excellent husband to my sister, a loving father to my nieces, and a wonderful uncle to my children. He's a big kid at heart, and all of the kids adore him. Sometimes, he lets them climb on his back which always invokes big smiles, laughter, and 100% participation as the photos show.

The Nutcracker

Last weekend, as an early Christmas gift, I took my six-year-old daughter to see The Nutcracker. Like me, she was mesmerized by the engaging music, beautiful costumes, and stunning dance performances. The performance was given by the North Shore Dance Company, and held at a nearby high school. We arrived a few minutes late, literally moments before the show started which turned out to be a blessing in disguise because instead of the seats we were assigned, way in the back, they let us sit in the box row, near the stages where we could see every move clearly. It was nothing short of magical. I can't wait until Little Sister is old enough to join us. Then, we will go and relieve the magic once again.

Bedtime Fun

When I was little, my sister and I shared a beautiful room together.It had deep purple carpeting, pink, flowered wallpaper, and white canopy beds. Many happy memories were spent in our bedroom, talking, giggling, and cuddling. Now, I get to see the joy of my own two girls, happily sharing a room of their own.

My Gratitude List

With Thanksgiving tomorrow, I thought I would update my list of things I am thankful for. Here they are:

*Realizing my dream of becoming a mother, and having two beautiful daughters.
*Having a rewarding job that allows me to teach and praise my students daily.
*Family and friends
*Good health
*The Starbucks that is located halfway between the two buildings I work at
*Chocolate
*Netflix, a single mother's best friend
*God who continues to bless me every day

Family Dinner Week and Fall Festivities

Last night, we had family dinner night at my daughters' Montessori. It was catered by a local Italian restaurant. We had a nice time enjoying the good food and company. I was able to meet some of my daughters friends as well as their parents. On Friday, Big Sister's kindergarten class will be hosting a Thanksgiving family feast with another meal, and a concert performed by the children. I love this time of year with all of the special festivities. We have many eating events in my school as well, including a weekly Wednesday breakfast. Two teachers sign up each week to present their special breakfast to the rest of the team. It's something we all look forward to, and helps us get through the week.

Blankie, Blankie, I love you!

When my two-year-old was asked what she is thankful for, she told her teacher this:

1) Blankie
2) Momma
3) Sissy

Once again, Blankie comes in first. Like Linus, the original Blankie Boy, Little Sister simply loves her fabric companion.

Celebrating Six!

We've been celebrating Big Sister's sixth birthday over the past few week and a half with a family party, kid party, and a mommy and daughter outing to see Madagascar II. Here are some photos from our fun time together. I think adoptive families have more celebrations because we missed out on so much before we got them. At least, that is the case with me. I love to celebrate every little occasion with my two beauties.

Under the weather

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, but last weekend, I got hit with a virus. My throat was on fire, my glands felt like the size of basketballs, and I have a cough. To make matters worse, I have had laryngitis now for four days. My voice is coming back, but still not there. It sounds like I have a little frog living inside. Today, is Big Sister's 6th birthday party. I will hopefully have some speaking voice by 2:30 p.m., and will write a more eloquent update later with photos of my big girl.