Thanks for writing; it is good to hear from you again! Glad y'all are doing well!
We had some flooding, but the waters have started receding, and our basement is drying out. We had two inches of water after our sump pump went out; and Bill had to get out in the wet weather to get a new one; and it so far has been hummin' right along! But our basement is still on the damp side, and we have stuff that was damaged; but they can be replaced. It was just some kids' books and toys was all. We also have to replace two bookshelves and the paneling. We really had a lot of rain, and it did not do my achy body one bit of good! My daughter, Ronee', is sick in bed; she is getting over a flareup of her JRA, but she is feeling a little better. She has been sleeping a lot, and that will do her good! The rain has been tortuous on my body, as well as the bodies of my hubby and my daughter! It has NOT been fun!
We also have company from Finland and Texas at our place. The ones from Texas came after we had gone to a wedding in Louisiana (she and two of her 11 children came to offer emotional support when I found out that my oldest grandchild has muscular dystrophy), and the one from Finland came last night, and she is still sleeping. She is suffering from the after-effects of jet-lag. She came to our place looking for her boyfriend/now fiance' (he lives in Greece; but he has been in America, visiting his little sister, who is now in the hospital; she was shot), and he is now here, too; and she is quite relieved. Nikolas is sleeping too; so I have told the kids that they have to be quiet so they don't awaken Nikolas or Sari. It's really been a zoo, let me tell you! LOL
In reference to your questions about Johnny, no, he doesn't have autism. He does have some serious learning disabilities (dyslexia among them), and he also has some serious physical disabilities involving his sight and hearing. He also has a speech impediment. He is doing better because he got after-school help from Sylvan Learning Centers, and he's really done well in the program. We are really proud at how far Johnny has come along in his academics! At times, it's like he is a totally different child; and the change in him and his personality has been nothing short of miraculous!
Ronee' IS a handful; you ARE right about that! She is quite the precocious child, and she has always been this way. She is very observant of people around her, and she picks up things at an incredibly fast rate. She is very verbal and intelligent, and sometimes you have to be careful around her because she sometimes has a habit of blurting out embarrassing information when you least expect it, and meanwhile, I am over here, dying! LOL We sometimes call her "The Little Monster"! LOL Still, she isn't a bad kid: she has a good heart and a good sense of compassion for those less fortunate, and she would bend over backwards just to help someone else! She also has a great sense of talent, and she has blessed many people with her God-given singing voice and musical abilities! She is quite the amazing child! Life with Ronee' certainly is NOT dull! LOL
Diane, I certainly hope you can add to your family. Adopting a child from another country is interesting, and we have learned about the world and how it operates just from our children. We have children from Asia, Latin America and Mexico, the continental United States, Canada, Africa, and Europe, and they have taught us about the customs/language/traditions of their birth countries. I have learned more about life in other countries, and it has been interesting to say the least. I have learned words in Vietnamese, Korean, Russian, African (Swahili), Japanese, Farsi, Spanish, and urban English, and I can say different phrases; and the kids know what I mean! Sometimes I end up mixing up different languages, and it is hilarious! I have learned to have a greater appreciation for things that are not American, and I have a better tolerance of people from different faiths and cultures than do a lot of other people.
I can give you information about adoptions from Korea, China, or Vietnam because I have been where you are at now (the planning stages), and my Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese contigent have been nothing short of a blessing! No, they may not look or sound the same as me, but they are still my children, and I love them all with my heart and soul! Same with all my kids, no matter where they may have come from! They are ALL my Miracle Children, and it's gotten to the point to where I can't imagine my life without ANY of them! They are all my children, pure and simple, and I have the legal backing to support that claim!
Glad to know that the weather there in the Lone Star State is going to start cooling off soon. Sounds like summer had a late start there, and won't let go! No wonder I really never liked Texas~ The people are great, and so is the food and scenery, but the weather is something to be desired! Same goes with Louisiana! The weather there in Louisiana is too humid, and we can get some hellacious storms there! Makes me glad that I am now living in Tennessee! For the most part, Tennessee weather is nothing short of perfection! LOL And Tennessee is just so darn pretty!
Well, Chere', I hate to scoot, but Nikky and Sari are up, and both have announced that they are hungry as bears, so I had better make them something to eat! I will write again when I hear from you; until then, you take care, and God bless you all! Enjoy the adoption information I am enclosing with this letter; hope you find the answers to your questions! And if you have any more questions, I will be more than happy to help!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tennessee, Louisiana. :)
A wicked Cajun Fairy named Robes Pierre entered the impenetrable Magical doll land of Sha Bebe. Queen Faustina, the ruler of the doll land, thought she had destroyed him, but he's back! Will the doll land survive his evil ways?
Saturday, the 18th of September, 2004~
