Living History

What a better way to learn about our past then real hands on kind of learning. We spent a couple days in St. Augustine this past week. One of our favorite places to go. Jasmine loves it there. She is not so much into the little shops on St. George Street, but loves the Castillo, the Colonial Spanish Quarter and the Lighthouse. Of course we always do a Ghost Walk, which while we have never seen anything are fun and we love the ghost stories of this very old city. While we were visiting the Spanish Quarter, where everyday life during the 1700 Spanish era comes alive Jasmine got an unique opportunity. She was able to do a little woodworking. We were in the carpenters area listening to him tell us what a carpenter would be responsible for in that time while he was making stool legs. The tool he uses is over 230 years old. He then gave Jasmine the opportunity to try it out. I would highly recommend if you visit St. Augustine that you go to the Spanish Quarter. It is right on St. George Street and is impossible to miss it. And a special thank you to Clark the wonderful carpenter.

Sherry

Christmas in Florida

Christmas in Florida is great when you can have dinner on the screen porch. Here we have 4 generations all together. Unfortunately, this was the best picture of the whole group. I am not sure what my nephew is doing, but he's 5 so go figure. We had a great day and the kids all loved their presents. My grandmother gave each of the girls a doll that had clothes that she crotched back in the early 50's. She said she wants them do have something to always remember her by. Hope everyone's Christmas was a joyous one. Wishing everyone a very happy holiday.

Sherry

Missed pic

My Picture didn't post so here it is again.

Christmas is coming

In our family we sort of kick off the Christmas season with a trip to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas party. This year was no different. We had a wonderfully warm evening and had a lot of fun. The parade was wonderful as always and we found on Sunday night it is not as full. We went with my parents who we share this with every year also. Jasmine is excited that next year her cousin, AJ, gets to go with.
Here is our Christmas picture.

Merry Christmas
Sherry

What I am Thankful for

Three of the kids (the 4th wasn't feeling great)

This Thanksgiving we spent as we usually do at the park. We have turkey tenderloins grilled and spend the whole day at a local park. There are so many things that I am thankful for this year. My family and friends of course, my freedoms, my job, and so much more. But I am most thankful that my grandparents are doing better than they were just a few short weeks ago. Here are just a few of the people I am thankful to have in my life.

Nana and Grandpop

Pride and Patriotism

Tonight my eldest niece, aged 12, sang in the Pride and Patriotism concert at the local cultural arts center. She even had a solo. She has such a pretty voice and did so well. She was a nervous wreck, but I was mesmerized to hear her up there singing away. Of course, I have heard her sing before, but this song was just very touching. It talked about not forgetting our fallen soldiers.
Way to go Lele. I love you kiddo.

Sherry

Long couple of weeks

I can hardly believe how long it has been since I lasted posted. It has been a very long couple of weeks with some good, and alot of stressful stuff going on. Just this past month both of my grandparents have been hospitalized for a week each. My grandmother was diagnosised as having lung cancer. Luckily and by God's good graces it is not as bad as it might have been. My Nana smoked for over 60 years, but luckily the spots are both small and treatable. My grandfather went in and was diagnosised as having temporal artititis. Which I am not sure how to explain, but it is treatable with steroids. So, while both have been pretty sick and I have seen way too much of the one hospital around here things are looking up. On the good side my mother and father in law were here for a week long visit and that was fun. We went to the local zoo, hands on science museum and historical museum. Jasmine enjoyed having time to hang out with her grandparents. Maybe things will get quiet for now, but I am afraid work will be the next hurtle. Things are changing in my agency and I feel it is going to entail a WHOLE LOT MORE WORK. Oh, joy.

Pretty good week

Today fire prevention month was celebrated at Home Depot's kids workshop. (if you have never taken your kids, it's fun and free. They do a project the first Saturday of the month.) They had some of the local fire trucks there and the kids loved it. We go with my sister and her 3 kids. Plus today we had Jasmine's cousin Lilly. In our family we have my side of the family, my husbands and the Liberian side. We are fortunate to know and be friends with several of Jasmine's birth realatives. Lilly is also my husband and I's godchild. So, since she was visiting from out of state we took her also. We had a good time.

On top of the fun of today I have to say the teachers I work with are the best. This week the book they have been reading was Good Night Moon. So, two of the classrooms had a pajama party yesterday. Of the 4 teachers two of them got into the swing of the party and dressed in their PJs also. They call themselves Cutie and Beauty. Please don't ask me who is supposed to be who, they just answer the intercome as Cutie and Beauty. They are a treat and keep me on my toes.

Picture time

Just before school started I took my nieces, nephew and Jasmine to get the yearly picture done together. Of course even if you only buy the package you have 6 other poses that they take. So, one of the pictures was of Jasmine and I to give her Daddy. I think it has to be one of our best pictures together. The other poses were of each of my nieces and nephew in their karate outfits. I know the name, but not how to spell it. And as a surprise for my sister, she sent her husband with the kids, One of all three of her kids and her husband. She really liked it and even the kids (aged 12, 8, and 4) kept that shot a secret from their Mommy.

Car Seats

I am at a total loss for why people do not protect their children by placing them in a car seat. Today alone I have seen at least 4 children who were not properly buckled in. This is an issue for me on my levels. One, 32 years ago my then 2 year old cousin died in a car accident because she was walking across the back seat of my aunt and uncles car. They had a car seat in the car, but she was not in it and flew out of the car when they were hit. Second, two years ago two of my former students, who were aged 5 and 6 died because they were not buckled in and were in a car wreck. Third, I spent nearly 5 years as a child restraint technician and have tried to educate parents about what could happen when they don't properly restrain their children in the car. I feel as though I have been talking to thin air. Parent out there do me a favor if you are reading this Please, Please, Please I beg you properly restrain your kids. I know especially parents of children adopted internationally this can be a struggle when your child first comes home, but keep them safe and strap them in.
Thanks!

DRAT!

Well, I am sorry to say that my Boyertown Bears are out of the World Series. Although the girls at the office got see what I am like listening to sporting events. Better luck next year Bears.

Go Bears!!!

When I lived in my home town one of my favorite things was our American Legion Baseball team. Boyertown is a baseball town and our Legion team has historically been very good. Moving 1200 miles away I missed being able to go to the games at Bear stadium and listening to them on "WPAZ the station that airs the Bears". Well, I have followed their progress over the last 14 years via my hometown paper, but right now they are playing in OK in the World Series and I have been able to find WPAZ on the internet. I am sure I will be dragging tomorrow, but what the heck it's the 1st Bears game I have listened to in WAY TOO LONG!
GO BEARS!!

First day of school

Well, the first day of school in our neck of the woods has come and gone. Jasmine enjoyed the new school and even got off the bus at the right stop. My parents were just down the road so if she didn't get off they could chase down the bus and get her. Her Daddy and I were worried sick about her on the bus today.
At my center we started our first day of school with a teacher in the hospital for emergancy gall bladder surgery. So we had to find a substitute for the next month or so. Luckily, for us we were able to get one who is reliable, a hard worker, good with the kids, and has a Child Development Associates (CDA). Yeah, Ms. Yrma.

Sherry

New experiences

One of the biggest benefits to living in Florida as opposed to Pa. where I grew up is the chance to experience more cultural events. Last night Jasmine and I went to our first quincera. For those who were like me in the past this is a very big birthday party for Hispanic (at least Mexican) girls. It is their introduction to womanhood and are now aloud to date. There was a service at the Catholic church before the dinner, presentation, and dance. We didn't go to the service, as it was all in Spanish and my Spanish is limited. The scary part is the birthday girl, I have known her since she was a pre-schooler. Actually, most of the teens and young adults there I have known since they were young children. The mother of the birthday girl, my wonderful friend Debbie, never stopped working last night. I hope she has a nice long rest today.

Sherry

End of Summer

Amazingly summer is coming to end in Florida. My teachers came back to work this week for there training and our munchkins will be starting on Monday. Jasmine will be starting school on Monday also. Well, most every school district starts Monday around here. This will her first time going to public school. She has done well kindergarten thru 3rd grades, but she has always been in a very small class, but now she is in the big league. Many more children and the dreaded FCATs. I can only pray she does well and help her where I can. I am also worried about her feeling self conscious about our family make up. At her old school everyone knew she was adopted (she had started there in pre school 3 months after coming home). Now we are entering a new realm. But we have tried to prepare her for questions and how she can answer. I think right now she is leaning towards "I am sorry, but that is private", at least until she knows the others better.
Sherry

Back to Work

One of the joys of my job is working the school year and having most the summer off with Jasmine. But like all good things summer break must also come to an end and Wed. was the end. Luckily, for me I happen to have a job that I love and I work with people who are like my extended family. The last 3 days we have all been off to differing trainings (got to love Head start and pre-service), but we will all be back in the office next week and then the hard work starts. Selection and enrolling the children, placing children in the classrooms and training the teachers (again head start and pre-service). But I am looking forward to seeing my teachers, they are a wonderful bunch of ladies. There are some who were instrumental in me learning to do Jasmine's hair. While we were waiting for Jasmine's paperwork to go thru INS (pre- 9/11), Carrie, would instruct me on how to care for Jasmine's hair. This included how to comb and moisturize it. Unfortunately, for Carrie's youngest daughter, then about 8 it included my practicing on her. Poor Kadedra was such a good sport.
Sherry

Those we have lost

Friday brought sad news. An old family friend has left this world, his demons were just too much for him. I will miss seeing him when I go home to my hometown for a visit. I didn't see him every time we were home, but I always looked forward to seeing him. I feel such sorrow at the loss for his family, his friends (myself included), and our community. He was one of those guys that if you were his friend he would do anything for, but you did not want to be on his bad side. The loss had me thinking of those who have gone on before me. Growing up I was lucky and had little loss, but I did lose people. My one grandmother when I was a baby, a younger cousin when I was in 1st grade, my great-grandfather a year later. But then life was good for a long time and then my classmates and I dealt with losing a classmate suddenly in 8th grade and then again in 9th. We lost classmates shortly after graduating also. And then I was lucky not to lose anyone for a few years. but loss while it remains in the background has a way of sneaking up on you. So, this weekend those who I have lost and the actual loss has been very close to the surface.
So, this is to Nana C., Kimmy, Pappy, Paul, Tracy, Amy B., Amy M., Ziggy, Betty, GramaFran, Daddy Bill, Uncle Michael, Uncle Billy, Poppa, Mrs. W, Pam, Mary, Cierra, Austin, Kattie, and Mr. Billie.
May you all be happy in the life after.

Time Flys

Good gracious it has been over a two months since I last posted. Between end of the school year goings on (Jasmine's and mine) and summer vacation time has sure flown. Jasmine finished the 3rd grade the end of May on the honor roll. She will be starting a new school next year. She has decided she wants to do more things like her older cousin, and unfortuneatly, that can't happen at the school she has been attending. She is very excited to be in the same school as her cousins, with the prospects of sports in just 2 more years. In our school district we have school choice and in our "sub-zone" of the district there are 9 elementary schools that you rank and maybe you will get a top choice school. Lucky for us Jasmine got her 1st choice school, which is elementary and middle and a magnet school for the arts. She will have alot of opportunities that she couldn't get in a class of 5 (both 3rd and 4th graders).
We spent almost 2 weeks on vacation in Pennsylvania. We visited Gettysburg battlefield and Independence Hall in Philadelphia. We all enjoy history and it is a subject that is not dealt with in our schools alot, so as parents we have to be sure and teach the history of our country to Jasmine. I am a firm believer in the saying "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
This week is a quiet one for me Jasmine is at day camp at our local hands on science museum. It is her favorite subject and one of her favorite places to visit.
More later.
Sherry

My Rant

I am going to warn anyone who happens to read this that I am about to rant. I am sorry if I upset anyone, but if I don't do this I will explode. I am the mother of a child adopted from Liberia( no big surprise right) and I also work in Florida in a Head Start program. I have met and made friends with lots and lots of immigrants. Why in the name of all that is good do some of my "Christian" family members insist on sending me stupid narrow minded emails about "new immigrants" and how they don't want to assimilate and how they should basically forget where the came from because that is how it was done in the old days. No it is not. Every generation of immigrant has added things to make this country great and what it is. I am a big fan of the old "School house rock" and in one of the songs it says isn't great to be American and something else too. I am proud to be an American, but I am equally proud of my Irish, Italian, German and Pennsylvania Dutch heritage too. My daughter should be able to say she is Liberian American or American of Liberian birth with out narrow minded people putting her down.
I did send an email back to said relative telling her as nicely as possible to not send me such narrow minded nonsense. If she believes it good for her, but I want my daughter to be proud of who and what she is. Of course by tomorrow my grandmother will likely hear what an ungrateful child I am, but my Nana knows me and knows how I feel.
Thanks for letting me get this out.
Sherry

Homecoming

Last night at 10pm it was 6 years that Jasmine was placed in our arms at the airport. It seems like forever and other times it seems like just yesterday. Here is a picture of her just after she arrived home in one of her Liberian outfits.

Sherry

Missed the pic

Here is the picture, I messed up and it didn't get published.

Every tree in the Forest

Tonight at school the 2nd-7th graders preformed a little musical they have been working on all year. It was called the Tale of Three Trees. It is a very cute musical about 3 trees with big dreams. One wants to hold riches, one wants to be a mighty boat and the other wants to grow tall. One day the woodcutter cuts them down, but their dreams don't turn out like they hope. The one that wants to hold riches ends up in a stable, the one who wants to be a mighty boat ends up as a small fishing boat and the one that just wants to grow tall is forgotten in the lumber yard. AS time goes by the one in the stable holds the baby Jesus, the boat carries him when he tames the seas and the last is made into a cross and is the tree Jesus died on. It was a wonderful story and the songs were so cute. Here is Jasmine all dressed up as one of the trees in the forest.
Sherry

Day out

One of the benefits of living where we do in Florida is being able to take day trips to Disney. And yesterday that is exactly what we did. Jasmine's favorite park believe it or not is Epcot. She loves Figment at the Journey to Imagination, but says she likes all of it. Yesterday we decided to take the Behind the Seeds tour at The Land. It is a very educational and interesting tour about the science of horticulture. Jasmine was able to help release lady bugs in the one greenhouse to eat the harmful aphids and she even got to hold a Mickey Mouse pumpkin. I Love being able to enjoy the day as a family having fun.

Easy Bake Oven

How many of us had easy bake ovens as kids. I might of had one when I was young, but I am reintroduced to the item now as a Mom. My sister in law gave my daughter one last year. Jasmine only uses it occasionally and today is one of the days. She and her best friend are here playing (they are on spring break) and decided they want to make brownies in it. For something that is suppose to be easy it is not that easy to use. Just a little rant on the item in question.

Welcome to our blog

Hi everyone,
My name is Sherry and this is the first post on my new blog. I have been at rkblogs for a little over a year now and it is unfortunately closing this month. So, I have decided to start a new blog here. I am a wife, mother, and working professional. My husband and I have been married for almost 15 years and our daughter is 9. We adopted her from Liberia six years ago. Her "Gotcha Day" is at the end of this month. As for my profession, I work as an early childhood specialist at a Head Start center in rural Florida. The running joke is that Glades County has more cows than people, but it is growing.