Happy 7th Birthday to Sophia!

Yesterday, Sophia Joy turned 7! I can't believe she is already 7 years old!!! I am told to treasure childhood because it passes so quickly, and I am learning that first hand. Gina and I keep telling Sophia NOT to grow up, but she is not listening very well. When we tell her, she retorts, "I want to grow up so I can ride all of the roller coasters"! I guess we can't blame her even though I could live without roller coasters entirely.

Yesterday Sophia took 2 dozen Krispy Kreme donuts to school to share with her class. She was jazzed because "most kids just bring ordinary cupcakes". LOL Last night she got to choose the dinner menu:

Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Strawberries
Bananas
Whipped Cream
Chocolate Syrup
Maple Syrup

Yes, you read that right, and I did my job and made it as ordered! Good thing it is only her birthday once a year. I think I am still in a sugar coma! The fun part was she helped me make it, and then we all enjoyed the work of her hands.

After dinner, she requested a big bubble bath in our tub - the huge tub with the jets. I got it all ready and full of bubbles and she was in HEAVEN. She relaxed in there for an hour and LOVED every minute of it. This girl is gonna be a spa girl I just know it.

This year Sophia opted out of having a birthday party with friends. Instead she is cool getting a big gift with what we would have spent on the party. We'll get together with family next weekend sometime for cake and a little celebration.

Sophia has grown up so much since that first day we met her in December of 2006. She had no smile and we looked into empty eyes. It is hard to even imagine Sophia being so stoic, and had we not been there in person, we wouldn't believe it. This little girl has blossomed into a person full of life and vitality. She is confident, caring, compassionate, driven, funny, quick witted, street smart, talkative, and loyal. Her favorite things to do are play games like memory or do puzzles. She enjoys outdoor sports like rollerblading, soccer, and bike riding. She is a joiner and has very little fear (except of ants)!

If you ask her what she wants to do when she grows up, she'll confidently say, "I don't know, but my house is going to have..." She is a visionary. I would be remiss not to tell you that she is very much like Gina. Those two keep me on my toes and keep me in line often times reminding me to lock the car, grab my purse, or turn off the lights!

When we decided to adopt, I was sure of one thing - I did not want a daughter. I wanted sons because girls are just too dramatic! But, I will tell you today, that God knew way more than I did, and His wishes superceded mine! Thank you God! I could not love Sophia (or Zack) any more if they were born of my womb. They were born in my heart and as long as I'm their mom I'll wear my heart outside my body! Hopefully, on a scholarship to USC... LOL

Pictures of Sophia's special day to follow.

Today soccer Began

School Days

I wanted to update my 6.5 readers on how Zack and Sophia are doing in school this year. Some of you have followed my blog for years and know the history of the kids and their academic growth, but for some who haven't been reading forever, let me tell you that in November of Zack's kindergarten year, his teacher began telling me he wasn't cutting it and needed to be held back. I sensed, however, that this was #1 way too soon to be making such a call and #2 that he was/is a very bright boy who had a language barrier.

I am happy to report that Ms Brown was wrong about Zack and her lack of experience with ESL students proved to be at the root of her suggestion to hold him back. For her, a blank stare meant a lack of capability to understand, but really all it meant was can you speak more slowly as I take in all of the new stuff that surrounds me. After that year, Zack has consistently done well in school excelling in reading and spelling especially. I like to refer him as the "absent minded professor". He typically has his head in the clouds thinking deep thoughts forgetting the common every day stuff that is right in front of him. I am working on helping him to find a balance between street smarts and book smarts. He brought home his progress report yesterday and his lowest grade is a 91% due to a couple of low scoring quizzes in math. All of this with no help or prodding. So proud of him for his efforts. Yesterday he was telling Gina and I that he likes art, science and music much more than he likes PE. That pretty much sums him up in a nutshell although he seems to be very athletic as well. I think he'd take a book over a football any day.

With Sophia, kindergarten was a struggle. She tried and cried. If you've followed my blog, you know I went back and forth with holding her back in kinder. I ended up pushing her forward to first grade thinking that she may have the same experience as Zack. But, I wasn't that lucky. She got so frustrated in 1st grade that she threw a pencil at the grandmotherly woman who came in to do one on one teaching with kids struggling. Boy, was that a wake up call. Sophia's frustration level was so high that she was acting out in surprising ways. She is by nature the one who likes to follow ALL of the rules at school.

Anyhow, she did first grade for one semester in Long Beach and then when we moved to TX, we figured it was the perfect time to put her in kindergarten again for some relief and academic and emotional growth. With all of that being said, I am not sure how she is doing overall, but I have been in contact with her teacher and know that her teacher has no concerns at this point. Sophia also scored 100% on her first spelling test. So far things are moving right along. I am hoping and praying that this is the year she will learn to read and begin enjoying the journey she can take through books.

The kids are all in sports. Today there are soccer games (Zack and Sophia) and baseball games (Kenny). We chose to divide and conquer. I love watching my kids compete. And, I am my father's daughter and admit it. I want my kid to be the best on the team not so much for the sake of the sport, but because I hope and pray for solid scholarships for both as the opportunities will be vaster. For me, Gina and I look forward to traveling once they all sprout their wings. Until then, I'll keep pushing them out of their comfort zones and hopefully equipping them to become the type of co-workers you'd like to work beside. Prayers are welcomed!

God is good! And, I am not deceived when He continually shows himself real in our lives.

Dental Appointments

Uncle Michael was sweet enough to take the kids to the dentist this week, and it ended up being a wonderful experience. Zack was told by the dentist that he is a great brusher - no cavities and clean teeth. WOW!!! I never thought it was possible for him to have a trip to the dentist with no report of tooth decay. Yay Zack, your hard work and consistency in brushing has paid off! Zack will need a spacer put in where he has had molars pulled, but no poor hygiene related work needed!

Sophia has one cavity which is stellar considering that three and a half years ago her teeth were already showing signs of decay. Way to go girl! So proud! One one trip to the dentist for a filling and she's all good until next year's visit.

I do not have the same positive dental experiences as the kids. Mine reflect Zack's early visits! I nearly always have 5 or more cavities. I'm glad that the kids are creating habits that will help prevent that.

Kenny will eventually need braces, but for now, the only work that must be done soon is one filling. Praise God!!! For those of you who have or are adopting kids, I hope this is an encouraging report. I sincerely thought Zack would have dental issues for life due to malnutrition and lack of brushing for his first 4+ years of life, but I was wrong. Kids coming out of an orphanage situation are a canvas yet to be painted. It is so amazing to see not only my own, but also so many other adopted kids flourishing.

Weekend Trip to Oklahoma June 2010

A Few Recent Pics

In this next pic, you can see how much each of them have grown in the last year! Josh (10), Sophia (nearly 7), Zack(8.5), Ken (15) Time sure does fly!