We attended an Open House at Preston's middle school Tuesday evening. He proudly showed off some artwork, his locker, some poetry, how organized his desk was, etc. What he didn't show us, but Brock noticed and pointed out to me, was a paragraph Preston had to write about a life changing event. Some kids had written about when they moved or when they started school, etc. Preston wrote about a future life changing event. He excitedly discussed how he was going to become a big brother and get a sister from China. He says it will be like having a friend over every day and that he really hopes they're good friends, because that would be great. I know I'm a biased Momma, but I found that so touching and can't wait to include that paragraph in a scrapbook.

I wrapped up another online adoption course, Travel and Transition. I find it fascinating how in a lot of the readings I've completed I run across something that seems so logical it should be common sense, yet I haven't yet thought of it.

For example, I'm bringing some new outfits for Shaling with me to China (and it is suggested I do so, as she won't have but an outfit or two). I'm anxiously looking forward to giving them to her, as I'm sure she hasn't received much (if ANY new clothing) and I think it will be a treat for her. However, it is suggested that I don't get in too big of a hurry to have her change out of her old clothing, as it will smell familiar and comforting to her. It is one more part of her she'll have to give up. It is also suggested that I launder the new clothing before taking it to her, as new clothing is usually much crisper than old clothing. The feel of it may be very unfamiliar to her.

I was also intrigued to read that often, children adopted from China are traumatized by the thought of sleeping alone in their own room. They've never slept in a room by themselves, had their own room, etc. It is suggested that perhaps I start out sleeping with her until she has at least partially bonded with us. Then, we're to be very reassuring that we still love her as we encourage her to partake in the American custom of sleeping in one's own room, alone.

I just finished reading the book, Adoption is a Family Affair!, by Patricia Irwin Johnston. It is the book that was most recommended to us. In fact, it was suggested that we purchase it and pass it around to family members. It is very easy reading and I'm hoping I can talk some family members into reading it. There are some excellent, practical suggestions for friends and extended family members included. That being said, the tone of the book was a turn-off at times. I felt that occasionally the author was a bit condescending. Unfortunately, that affected how thoroughly I read certain sections.

I have my work cut out for me this weekend. I need to go through three large tubs of clothing that my Aunt Betty brought up last Saturday when she attended our trivia night. They came from my cousin Traci and are clothing that came from her younger daughter, Ashley. I am excited about organizing them into drawers and Shaling's closet.

Well, I'm off to select another book to read, as I've got to do two more book reports.

Holy Cow...we were absolutely bowled over by the love and support we received at our trivia night & silent auction fundraiser last night. Generosity was showing in so many different ways...organizing, the labor of setting up & cleaning up, financial donations, emotional encouragement, prize donations, baking, volunteering for child care services, and more.

The financial bottom line is that we raised over $4200 in one night!

I took too many pictures to embed them here, but I did upload them to Photobucket. You can peruse them here: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v469/IlliniAmy/Trivia%20for%20Shaling/

There wasn't much time for recuperating today. After Sunday School and church, we had Preston's first ever piano recital. He made us so proud. I also took some video of his performance:

Clown Car
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqsjRxunm14

The Playful Pup/The Friendly Cat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFRnYyum-O4

Thanks so much to all!

I have now completed five online courses:

• Attachment & Bonding
• Culture & Identity
• Malnutrition
• Sensory Integration Disorder
• Special Regional Considerations: China

That last one was very interesting...going over the politics, social issues, health care, etc. of China.

I found it intriguing to find out that China doesn't like a lot of publicity about their adoptions. Also, adoptions from China began in 1992. I guess I didn't realize how recently that had begun.

Next, we just need to find some in-person training to attend. Once we wrap that up, wrap up our online training, and wrap up our book reports, the Home Study will be complete.

Well, tomorrow's our big fundraiser. I'll be sure to post about it on Sunday or Monday. I plan to take some pictures as well.

I’m looking for some help in spreading the word about our trivia night. I’m very pleased with the items we’ve received for the silent auction portion. If you know of anyone who might be interested in bidding, but not necessarily playing trivia, please let them know that they can drop by and place a sealed maximum bid in an envelope for any item in which they’re interested.

Auction Items include:

4 Cardinal box seat tickets for the June 28 game versus the Diamondbacks

4 Cardinal-Cub tickets for a September game

A basket of Tim Wilkerson merchandise

Lia Sophia jewelry (bracelet, chain, and slide)

A box of CAO cigars ($135 retail value)

A quilted purse

A quilted wall hanging

A candle basket

A silk floral arrangement

A sealed 1984 Super Bowl Coke bottle

A Cubs-themed basket

A Build-A-Fredbird

The trivia is THIS Saturday, April 17, at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m. It will be held at the Rochester United Methodist Church (on Walnut in Rochester). The trivia night itself is $10/person, and we do have some partial teams (maximum 8 per team), so even if you don’t have a full team, but you’re interested in playing, come on out. We currently have 26 teams signed up, so we’re expecting a good crowd. Child care, provided by licensed day care teachers, right on site for a free will donation.

We ordered some books for our required book reports. They came in over the weekend.

One of them, Adoption is a Family Affair, is recommended to be shared with family members. It deals with what relatives and friends should know.

The other, The Lost Daughters of China, was a national bestseller. The subtitle is "Adopted Girls, Their Journey to America, and the Search for a Missing Past."

We plan to get started on these this week.

We are in the final countdown towards our big trivia night. It was confirmed today that we are going to have Cardinal baseball tickets on the silent auction. We have a wall of soda in our garage. I have printed out answer sheets, trivia rules, and table centerpieces (numbers). We have several errands to run this week to finish up.

I've been really bothered by the story out of Tennessee about the mother who adopted the little boy from Russia last September. He developed some disturbing behavior disorders, but instead of taking him to a counselor, she and her mother put him on a plane by himself back to Russia, with a note that she no longer wanted to be his mother. Russia is ticked off and has suspended the license of the adoption agency involved. I can only imagine the heartache.

I think we are good to go for clothes for now. My mom purchased some items at JCPenney. My cousin Traci from Bunker Hill is also donating some clothes that her daughter has outgrown, many of them new or nearly new. I'm anxious to be able to pick out "girly outfits".

The trivia night is really coming together. I've finished the PowerPoint presentation and I'm excited about the way it looks.

This morning, I stopped by a store called Cigars for Aficionados, because the WFMB morning show was broadcasting live from there. They were allowing people to sign up to win Cubs tickets. I registered and then proceeded to tell Sam (Madonia) that I was going to go to Milwaukee tomorrow to see the Cardinals play. He then told me to grab the microphone and go on the air.

We discussed a St. Louis radio show host who is already bagging on Tony La Russa this season, my trip to Milwaukee, and how I was going to go to Washington, D.C. this August, but cancelled to save money towards the adoption. He then had me explain about the adoption and our costs, etc. I also described the upcoming trivia night and some of the silent auction items that will be included.

As I went off the air, Dave of Cigars for Aficionados gave me a box of cigars for the silent auction. The box would retail for $135. I was overwhelmed to receive such a generous unsolicited donation.

We met with Sara, who is interning in social work, last night to initial off on the home study report.

As I keep saying when people ask me how the adoption process is going, things are going slow, but sure!

Random Tidbits

For the purposes of the Home Study, a record of Preston's immunizations was requested. Brock found that in a file at home and I ran a copy, dropping it in the mail this morning.

I made my first clothing purchase for Shaling. I bought her a "Marco Island" t-shirt during our trip. I'm feeling fairly comfortable purchasing size 8-10 for shirts, size 7 or 8 for pants, and size 4 for shoes. I won't purchase much ahead of time, but I would like to take a pair of shoes, some underwear, some socks, and 4 or 5 outfits with us to China.

We get her the second day (the adoption completes the second day of the trip). So she'll be with us for two weeks over there and it's my understanding she'll only have a limited amount of clothing.

I'm in the midst of converting my trivia questions into a PowerPoint presentation. I'm really getting psyched about the trivia night, expecting it to be a lot of fun. We've got some great items for the silent auction: a basket of Tim Wilkerson merchandise, a Lia Sophia bracelet and necklace set, candles, a gorgeous homemade purse, a floral arrangement, some artwork, a quilted wall hanging, a sealed Coke bottle commemorating the 1984 Super Bowl, and hopefully, 4 box seat Cardinal tickets (I don't have them in hand yet, but have been promised them).

I've got 3 adults and several teenagers lined up to help with the child care. I've received some soda donations. We've been promised a wide variety of baked goods for sale. We might be able to obtain the use of a slushie machine and sell slushies. So far, I've got 26 tables reserved. I'm looking forward to what I hope is a lively evening.