Back in the saddle again

For both of our adoptions we used CCAI.  We did not know when we got started with them just how big they are.  CCAI has been called the Cadillac of adoption agencies for Chinese adoption.  When we adopted Julia, CCAI was processing adoptions exclusively with China.  They have since picked up Haiti.  The founders are Chinese natives who have seen some of the darkest places of poverty in China and were in no way prepared for the poverty in Haiti.  

CCAI celebrates 20 years of placing children in families this year and will complete 10,000 adoptions by the end of the year. All CCAI families have been asked to complete a family scrapbook page to be given to Josh and Lily (the agency founders) in August.  This is why a good family picture was so important to me this year.  I have been planning this page for months and finally completed it today.  I loved scrapbooking again, even if it was just one page.

If you can't read the text on the page, the "detes" (Julia's shortened version of "details") are below.

Under a picture of Julia from her orphanage and a recent picture of her, I have listed her Chinese name: Gang Chun Mei and her American name Julia ChunMei.  I have also included her group number, 777.

Under Wyatt's pictures, I have also listed his Chinese name: Lu Han Jun and his American name, Wyatt HanJun (pronounced HanDreen).  His group number is 1362

I also wrote part of the scripture that launched our journey to Wyatt.

By wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established... Proverbs 24:3

Under the family picture, I just listed our names. 

Now, hopefully, the post office will handle this with care, and the page will be among many to bless an amazing couple who sought to be missionaries to their native land through helping the lonely to be set into families.

Remember that you can view the picture in a larger format by clicking on it.  I do not have a scanner big enough for a 12 X12 scrapbook page, so I actually photographed it.  It is not as clear as the original page.  I am very pleased with the final result.

An Anniversary, the Olympics, and Chinese cooking

Once we had everyone settled at camp, Andy and I reached the 19 year milestone of our marriage.  We decided a few years ago to actually start celebrating our anniversary.  The date fell on a Tuesday, and I actually spent most of the day alone.  Andy worked and then led Bible study that evening, so I played taxi mom for Zach to get to football and work.  Therefore, a date night had to be postponed.  When we finally went out on Friday night, we were anxious to get home to watch the opening ceremony of the Olympics.  I realized that it sure seems like it has been a while since we have sat down at a decent restaurant, had a nice conversation and a nice dinner.  We used to try and make date night a monthly habit, but we have dropped that with no real hope of starting it again soon.  

We made it home on time for the opening ceremonies, but they ran so late I struggled to stay awake for them.  I remembered the games in Beijing.  We were there to adopt Wyatt just months before the games and got to see the countdown in Tienanmen  Square.  I hope to always remember the opening ceremonies of the 2008 games.  Wyatt had just been with us a few months, and he sat in front of the TV singing the national anthem for the People's Republic of China.  I was disappointed that I couldn't capture it on video.  Savannah had friends over, and they encouraged him to sing again, but he either did not understand or would not do it. Having visited London, I am watching these games and longing to return to that city. I love the Olympics and sacrifice sleep to watch them.  The stories are always so cool, so you know where I will be for the next couple of weeks. 

We wrapped our week up today with a great time for the entire family.  My friend Flo hosted a party at her house to teach us how to make Chinese food.  Flo is from Singapore, and she brought in a Chinese friend to help.  To know Flo is to love her.  We had a blast and a huge feast and swapped stories of our time in Asian countries.  I met Flo through my Bible study this year, and our group was to gather tonight.  Only two of the other ladies made it. While I missed the rest of our Bible study sisters,  I am so anxious to spend more time with Flo.

Having two Chinese children has blessed this whole family with a love for the Chinese people.  They are warm and funny.  Even Zach had a blast today and thought this was an awesome experience.  I came away from it with a desire to host a similar party, to just bring some friends into my kitchen, cook a meal together and then enjoy it together...this from a woman who readily admits that I do not cook.  In fact, Andy stocks the freezer with frozen food when he leaves town so that the kids and I do not starve.  It's all about the fellowship to me.

So blessed.

A busy return to normal life.

Upon our return for pick up, we were greeted with all this luggage.  While waiting for the campers to finish up the baptisms, Stacy and I loaded our children's luggage in the van.  Naturally, Wyatt's stuff was everywhere.  I still don't know if he brought everything home.

We just finished a very busy week here in the Page household.  Upon our return from Destin we had a very fast turn around to get Wyatt and Julia to church camp.  We got home at midnight on Saturday night and had to drop them off at camp on Sunday evening at 6:00.  In preparation for this, I had supplies ready to be quickly packed and most of their laundry came home from Destin already washed. What I didn't anticipate was the utter chaos of luggage all over the house, groceries all over the dining room, stuff that was hard to find etc.  Andy and I actually attended church on Sunday morning.  When I woke Savannah, she said she was too exhausted for church.  I knew then that I wasn't even going to try and wake Wyatt and Julia.  Savannah cannot stand to miss church.  She loves her small group and often goes all week in the summer without seeing any of her friends, so when she is too tired to attend, it is a BIG deal.

I was so tired, but I pushed through getting the little people ready for camp, and the reward was getting to take the 1 hour+ drive with a friend who I am just getting to know.  She's awesome, and we had terrific conversation along the way.

Unfortunately, I arrived at camp without a memory card for the camera, so I didn't get any pictures until pick up.

Both the kids had a blast and stated their desire to return next year.  Julia roomed with several friends from school and from church, so she was in great shape from the get-go.  Wyatt seemed uncertain at drop off.  Last year, Wyatt made a new friend immediately, but it took some coaxing this year.

My friend Sara took this picture.

and this one.

Wyatt was busy at pick up, so I only got this picture of him with his counselor.  Wyatt's counselor wants to join Wyatt for a Chinese meal, so I have his e-mail address to try and make that happen.



Camp this year for Wyatt was not as we expected.  We fully anticipated a call to let us know that he wanted to be baptized there.  I learned after the fact that Wyatt did not know how to make that happen, so it did not.  


Last year, Wyatt revealed to us that his camp counselors insisted that he quit wearing his Mario shirt.  I made sure to avoid that issue this year.  Camp runs from Sunday to Wednesday, and Wyatt had four Mario shirts with him this year.  He also had Mario sheets, a Mario hat, and a stuffed Yoshi.


When Wyatt loves something, he goes all in!


Once Wyatt and Julia were settled at camp, I spent most of Monday getting Savannah ready for field hockey camp.  She needed a couple of items, and we shopped all day Monday trying to find good deals with no success.  Tuesday morning found me driving Zach to school at 5:30 in the morning and returning at 7:15a.m. to drop Savannah off.  All of this was taking place while I was also dealing with a sick dog.  Lovely. Thus begins the race to the start of school.  Football and field hockey practices are in full swing.  Julia is pushing for tumbling classes, and soccer evaluations take place next week.  The house is a wreck, and I can't catch up, but I am anticipating so much fun cheering on my kids and their friends.  In all the chaos this week, I missed a much anticipated lunch out with friends, so the games will give me an opportunity to catch up with friends as well.
So blessed!

Flashback Friday

Before I joined the rest of the world and bought a digital camera, I used to buy black and white film every summer and take pictures of the kids that I hoped would last better than color.  

These shots were taken at Cedar Point.

playing in the rain...Who says I'm not cool?

This was taken before the ride started.  Once it started, Savannah melted down, and the operator had to stop it to let her off.  They were barely moving.  Fast forward to today when Savannah could ride coasters all day long.  

Zach rode his first coaster there and loved it!

All of these photos have been hanging on our walls for years.  I recently replaced them with Savannah's art and need to decide what to do with them now.

19 years and counting...

In honor of our anniversary today, I am reposting our story.  This was first posted two years ago.

Est. July 24, 1993

Homeward Bound

July 21, 2012

Saying Goodbye to Destin 

Our home away from home for the week is the beige house on the left.

This was our walkway to the beach.

Andy, Savannah and I had to take one last look at the ocean before take-off.

One young family was enjoying the morning on the beach, and the lady offered to get a picture of the three of us.  She says she never misses an opportunity to take a picture.  They were flying out later that morning.


We enjoyed the drive home. Zach got some more driving time logged, but there were some challenges in that.  Our best quote came from Julia.  We stopped for lunch and Wyatt let us know that he wanted a man sized sandwich.  Julia told him that if he wants to be a man, he needs to exercise more, play more sports, and grow hair in his armpits.  We are so relieved to know that Julia is an expert in helping her brother keep his man card.

When we stopped for supper, Wyatt met his match.  He barely finished the Son of Baconator sandwich at Wendy's. He told us it would have been easier without the fries and drink.  For the record he did not eat many fries.


On our way home we took a small detour to visit Andy's alma mater.  It was fun to drive through a pretty college campus with the kids.  We were tired, and it was late or we might have walked some of it.

We arrived safely home with great memories and much appreciation for my dad.  We could not have gone on vacation this year, but Dad covered the cost and actually sent us home with lots of groceries.  Thanks Dad!

Our Last Day at the Beach

July 20, 2012

I did not sleep well, so I awoke early and worked on my summer Bible study.  It was a great way to start the day as I watched the sun rise over the houses across the street.

We bid Susie, Eric, and Lesley farewell as they headed home in the morning.

Tara cooked my favorite breakfast...french toast.

We then hit the beach shops for souvenirs.  I really just wanted a t-shirt, and I really didn't want to take the kids.  I got the shirt with the kids in tow and spent valuable time perusing trinkets that did not interest me.  Ira also now has a tie dyed, Destin onesie with "Are you really my relatives?" printed on it.  You really just don't know how appropriate this is until you have spent a week on vacation with us.  

The family enjoyed the afternoon at the pool, and I enjoyed hanging with Ira. We celebrated Danielle's birthday with an ice cream cake.  Happy Birthday, Danielle!

Savannah and Wyatt got the necessary picture taken.

We tried for good pictures again.  Tiffany wanted some too.  I am telling you that relatives cannot get good pictures of teenage boys.  Toddlers are easier.  Hire a professional.  Enough said.

Score!  I love this picture!

This one isn't perfect, but I am satisfied.  

After pictures we were going to attempt the pier again.  However, I was outvoted.  Is it too much to ask to try and see a dolphin when in Florida?  Everyone wanted to visit the arcade, so we did.

After the arcade, the kids played in the pool.  I went along to get pictures, and the water was oh so tempting, but I did not succumb.

Savannah was so tired that she did not want to get in the water.

Handstands!

Shark!

Savannah caved.

We concluded our night with the obligatory interviews on video that are a family tradition.  Clearly, I take hundreds (okay thousands) of pictures each year.  I am not so good at recording my children's little voices on video for posterity, so I have one of the kids interview everyone on vacation every year to get their favorite memories.

Some favorite memories:

Zach- hanging on the beach and watching Grandpa play Quelf 

Savannah -playing with Regan and not driving with Grandpa

Joshua-not having to do his own laundry

Tessa and John -getting engaged

Danielle -Regan loved the water and the beach

Wyatt - the pool and the beach

Logan- swimming (totally believable - he would go swimming while the other kids were chilling in the house)

Austin- arcade, swimming and the beach

Julia-playing with the boogie board

Tamara- hearing Regan's pig noise (a very good snort), hanging out in the ocean, having my family all together in one place with no practices, work, etc.

We missed Mom and Tony. As good as vacation was, the sting of loss still hurts.

reminder- you can click on any picture to see it bigger

Picture Post

July 19, 2012

We started today with the beach. Storms loomed in the distance, and while my intention was to spend just a short time on the beach, the waves kicked up giving Julia a great opportunity to ride her boogie board. Wyatt joined the action with a tube, and we stayed for quite a while. 

Smiles!  That's what I'm talking about!  Clearly, they are having a blast!

We had a photographer scheduled for this evening, so we planned to visit a pier where dolphins play and then head for our session. Unforutnately, widespread storms caused our photographer to cancel. We raced to get ready and head to the beach to try and get our pictures before the storms. We got some great shots, but that elusive family shot did not happen as the wind really destroyed my hair in the only really good shot. Hopefully, we will have more success tomorrow. I am very disappointed about losing our session with professional but am trusting that God will grant us a great family picture here at the beach.

I hoped our photographer would get a good shot of Andy and me as well as good pictures of each of us with Wyatt.  All of our other kids have professional shots of themselves with Andy and with me.

total opposites, and they get along very well

Our photographer...Joshua took the best picture we have ever had of our family, so I trust him with the camera.

We never made it to the pier.  We capped off the evening with an attempt at a date night.  Andy and I headed down the traffic laden strip.  We stopped at a restaurant overlooking a beautiful dock, found the menu to be pricey for a long wait and started back toward home.  

We ended up stopping at a huge strip mall where we feasted on soft crab sandwiches that were not what we expected.  Anticipating fried crab meat, we were surprised to receive actual crabs on toasted bread.  It was adventurous, and I can check it off of my list of things to do in life-no need for a repeat.  We ended the night with frozen yogurt.