Merry Christmas from our Dear family to yours!
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Gotcha Day One Year Later.
WOW! Has it really been a year? The day we waited for. The day we will never forget. December 19th, the day Yang Rui joined our family. Was is pretty? NO! Would we do all over again - YES!
This year we tackled what few people thought would not be worth it, to bring an older child who does not speak our language and who has multiple health issues to be apart of our family. She was our daughter the first time we saw her pictures. Would could not wait for her to become another Dear girl. It has been a joy to see her change from this shy little girl who kicked, screams and cried, to a girl who loves people and loves to curl up with you on the sofa. She has a smile that will melt your heart.
In this past year, we have been able to get her blood disorder somewhat under control, while not where it should be - it's manageable. She is not suffering any more nosebleeds. Her eyes are almost perfect, but she may need one more surgery. We are also thankful there have not been anymore seizures, which it totally baffling her doctor. God is Great!
As far as her language, she is gotten pretty good at it. She has lost her first language, but does remember a few words and could probably sing a few songs. In school, she is doing great at math and not far from being caught up to where she should be. She has started to learn to read thanks to help from a speech therapist and myself. It is amazing to see the light turn on and to see her learn something that she may not have been able to do in China. While most kids her age were in school in China, we were not sure if she was. She does have some struggles, but she is excited (most of the time). It is fun to see her gain that confidence.
Earlier this year Rae started taking tennis lessons, but we had to put it on hold after her eye surgery. After first of the year, she will start back. She loves to go play tennis with Mr. Bob. She also participated in her first homeschool co-op class. She loved going to drama/art class. She is a good little artist and loves to draw. With her sister Emily she performed in her first little play in November. She didn't have any speaking line, but she danced in the bathtub.
We are do sometimes hear about her life, prior to us. Some things were happy - like helping her nanny make spicy noodles. Then there are other things that make us sad and her cry. We pray that we can help her thru those sad memories.
We are looking forward to spending our first Christmas at home with her. She doesn't quite understand why all the presents, but she loves all the decorations and watching Christmas movies. She does know that it is Jesus' birthday.
This year we tackled what few people thought would not be worth it, to bring an older child who does not speak our language and who has multiple health issues to be apart of our family. She was our daughter the first time we saw her pictures. Would could not wait for her to become another Dear girl. It has been a joy to see her change from this shy little girl who kicked, screams and cried, to a girl who loves people and loves to curl up with you on the sofa. She has a smile that will melt your heart.
In this past year, we have been able to get her blood disorder somewhat under control, while not where it should be - it's manageable. She is not suffering any more nosebleeds. Her eyes are almost perfect, but she may need one more surgery. We are also thankful there have not been anymore seizures, which it totally baffling her doctor. God is Great!
As far as her language, she is gotten pretty good at it. She has lost her first language, but does remember a few words and could probably sing a few songs. In school, she is doing great at math and not far from being caught up to where she should be. She has started to learn to read thanks to help from a speech therapist and myself. It is amazing to see the light turn on and to see her learn something that she may not have been able to do in China. While most kids her age were in school in China, we were not sure if she was. She does have some struggles, but she is excited (most of the time). It is fun to see her gain that confidence.
Earlier this year Rae started taking tennis lessons, but we had to put it on hold after her eye surgery. After first of the year, she will start back. She loves to go play tennis with Mr. Bob. She also participated in her first homeschool co-op class. She loved going to drama/art class. She is a good little artist and loves to draw. With her sister Emily she performed in her first little play in November. She didn't have any speaking line, but she danced in the bathtub.
We are do sometimes hear about her life, prior to us. Some things were happy - like helping her nanny make spicy noodles. Then there are other things that make us sad and her cry. We pray that we can help her thru those sad memories.
We are looking forward to spending our first Christmas at home with her. She doesn't quite understand why all the presents, but she loves all the decorations and watching Christmas movies. She does know that it is Jesus' birthday.
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| Gotcha Day! She was not to sure of us. |
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| Happy! |
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Friday, December 14, 2012
A Year Ago
It is hard to believe that one year ago we were on a plane getting ready to see this little face!
Monday, December 3, 2012
Happy Birthday Hannah!
Where have the years gone. It just seems like yesterday you were a little girl running about playing dress-up with your sister. You have always loved reading and still do. You have grown into a beautiful young lady. I am thankful the Lord sent us you.
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| Hannah at 1 with her first birthday present |
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| You are beautiful. |
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Thanksgiving Everyday
Watch this video with your family tomorrow. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
Thanksgiving from Charles Dear on Vimeo.
Thanksgiving from Charles Dear on Vimeo.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Life gets in the Way
I know I have been a little behind on what is going on. I may try to do some posts of from Halloween and various other things that have been going on that I have missed posting about. We have been busy keeping up with appointments of either speech or physical therapy, rehearsals, and other things. I feel that I am in my car more than I am any where else.
For the last couple of years, I have not sent out Christmas cards. So, yesterday we set out to take the dreaded Christmas card pictures. I was going to take pics at the beach, but it didn't work out. Thankfully the weather in Ohio has been good enough to still do them outside. There are not many fall leaves left, so we set out with a more urban look. The girls did well with only one minor meltdown. I should find something in all the pictures I took.
Here is a sneak peak of a couple of them.
Happy 11 months Gotcha Day Rae! You are truly blossoming. You love to laugh, watch movies, eat ice cream, and drive your sisters crazy. You are always looking for something to do. You have a sweet spirit and love to pray for people. I can't believe you have been our little girl for almost a year. We are excited to share your first Thanksgiving and more importantly - Christmas!
For the last couple of years, I have not sent out Christmas cards. So, yesterday we set out to take the dreaded Christmas card pictures. I was going to take pics at the beach, but it didn't work out. Thankfully the weather in Ohio has been good enough to still do them outside. There are not many fall leaves left, so we set out with a more urban look. The girls did well with only one minor meltdown. I should find something in all the pictures I took.
Here is a sneak peak of a couple of them.
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| Who are these young ladies and where did you put my little girls? |
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Friday, November 9, 2012
Cookies, Cookies, and More...
A couple of weeks Emily and her friend, Laura, received their first order for their bakery. They usually do cupcakes and a couple other things, but this was for something specific - 100 iced sugar cookies. A friend of ours Liz, who owns a local shop in Granville, asked the girls if they could make her some cookies for her Christmas Open House.
They were excited to do it, and to learn how to do something new. Last week we had a practice with what type of cookies and to practice their piping skills. It was fun trying to decide the colors, the decorations, and their taste. Once this was all decided last week, Monday started the baking and decorating. I think it was the first time we had used almost 5lbs of butter in one day. All the baking helped take our minds off the election, but we will not talk about that. By Thursday the girls, with a little help from the moms, had 100 cookies iced, decorated, and packaged to take to the open house Thursday night. Liz let the girls hand out their cookies and serve the punch for her. They even had some potential requests of orders for their cookies.
The girls are having fun doing what they enjoy and share the workloads. So, they are working on deciding on the perfect name for their bakery. The girls will be hopefully be selling their cupcakes and cookies during the Candlelight Walk in Granville in December. We as the moms like their entrepreneurial spirit they have and with all this - they may have some of their college paid for before they get out of high school.
They were excited to do it, and to learn how to do something new. Last week we had a practice with what type of cookies and to practice their piping skills. It was fun trying to decide the colors, the decorations, and their taste. Once this was all decided last week, Monday started the baking and decorating. I think it was the first time we had used almost 5lbs of butter in one day. All the baking helped take our minds off the election, but we will not talk about that. By Thursday the girls, with a little help from the moms, had 100 cookies iced, decorated, and packaged to take to the open house Thursday night. Liz let the girls hand out their cookies and serve the punch for her. They even had some potential requests of orders for their cookies.
The girls are having fun doing what they enjoy and share the workloads. So, they are working on deciding on the perfect name for their bakery. The girls will be hopefully be selling their cupcakes and cookies during the Candlelight Walk in Granville in December. We as the moms like their entrepreneurial spirit they have and with all this - they may have some of their college paid for before they get out of high school.
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| Emily and Laura |
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| The Cookies |
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