Chapter 3827 in Kristen's series entitled"OMG These Kids Are Growing Up So Fast"(India's first haircut)Totally sad, but totally necessary due to the tantrums after every bath when we had to comb it.I had her sit in the high chair. I cut it myself. I tried to remember watching my mom do it.Goodbye, cute ringlets of blonde.Goodbye, baby curls.Hello, shorter 'do and easier brushing.When I told India I was going to cut her hair, she asked me to cut it just like Kembe's. So I put it into two-strand . . .
I need adoption
The following is a piece that ran on NPR last week about the orphan situation in Haiti. I thought this was an even piece showing the complexity of the problem, and revealing the disparity between UNICEF ideology and application. They also allowed someone to speak that is rarely given a voice in this discourse: the affected orphan. Read to the end . . . it's heartbreaking, and there are no easy solutions. March 9, 2010Debbie Elliot Haiti is a country of children. Half the population is . . .
culture shock
It's been intersesting watching Kembe adjust to the culture here. There are many, many things that translate. One of my favorites is our bedtime routine. In the orphanage, they always read a story out of the children's bible, sand songs, and said prayers. We do the same thing here. I think it is a big comfort for him.We also have a trampoline, and jumping on the trampoline was his favorite thing to to in Haiti. He spends a lot of time out there with his siblings, laughing and jumping (and . . .
survivor guilt
I am a little uncomfortable with calling myself an "earthquake survivor". When I got back from Haiti, I had my little 15 minutes of fame as all the local news channels clamored to get an interview with the "local Orange County woman who survived the earthquake". It all seemed very overdramatic to me - but I realize (sadly) that people tend to be more interested in a story about someone they identify with. I did the interviews, most of them on my first full day home, because I wanted to use . . .
social justice . . . nazis. same diff.
I don't really think the latest Glen Beck quote needs any editorial from me. (Though I'm probably going to give it. Once my blood pressure returns to a manageable level)."I'm begging you, your right to religion and freedom to exercise religion and read all of the passages of the Bible as you want to read them and as your church wants to preach them . . . are going to come under the ropes in the next year. If it lasts that long it will be the next year. I beg you, look for the words 'social . . .
blogging and spirituality
I was asked to speak at my very first blogging conference this year. It's the Casual Blogger's Conference (code for "those of us not making a ton of money off this thing"). (Also code for "girl's weekend"). (You should come!) I'm excited but also getting a wee bit nervous. The topic of the panel I am on is "Blogging Your Faith: How to Incorporate Spirituality". I am starting to panic a bit (as I am prone to do) about whether or not I even know how to do this. I am spiritual -yes - but I . . .
costume drama
The kids had a book fair at school tonight. Each class was given different instructions for how to dress. India and Kembe's class were supposed to dress like pirates. This was kind of a hard sell for Kembe, since he has no clue what a pirate is. So I made the obvious choice for mothers trying to introduce their Haitian children to pirate culture: I showed him a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta. He was sold.Jafta, on the other hand, was not so easy to convince. His class instructions were to . . .
helper
Kembe takes his role as "helper" very seriously. Sometimes I have a hard time believing this kid is the same age as India, because he acts like such a little adult. One of his favorite pastimes is sweeping. I promise - he does this of his own will. And he is remarkably good at it. My other two kids like to pretend to sweep - they sort of push the broom around and then call it a day. Kembe is serious about it. He edges in from the corners and even uses the dustpan. And then he grabs the . . .
on preschool & parenting other people’s kids
Kembe has been watching his brother and sister go off to preschool for a month now. To be perfectly honest, those mornings have been tough on both of us. He always seems really low when they are gone. Karis naps half the time, and I think a quiet house where he is the only kid is not a familiar scene for him. When we pick the kids up, he seems so relieved. He has also seemed curious about the preschool thing, and recently started asking to go. Last week, he started crying every time they . . .
hoping for a parasite
Do you have any big goals for the week? Something daunting on your to-do list you are really hoping to accomplish?Here is mine:I am now in the possession of ten (yes, TEN) specimen containers that need to be filled and returned to the local children's hospital. Kembe had some bloodwork done last week at the free clinic. It came back with some wonky levels of eonosphilsomethingorother. The doctor said it could be an indicator of some serious conditions, including leukemia. Or it could just . . .
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