Happy Baba day!

For those who don't know, Baba is Chinese for Dad. I thought I'd invest my time today in preparing a little list of all the things that would happen if we had no Baba. So here it goes:

1. This one's easy, no little Kniselys! Sorry guys, but I am not cut out for single parenting!

2. I'd probably be put in a nice padded room somewhere, which is scary because some days this sounds kinda appealing!

3. I wouldn't get to brag how good lookin' my other 1/2 is. Please note, this is probably NOT on Keith's Mother's Day list! (love really is blind)

4. Our perfect financial situation would be up the creek without a paddle. Keith earns the money, I spend it. Hey it works for me!

5. My dream of a perfect~or less than perfect~family wouldn't have come true. No one else but Keith would actually agree to adopting 4 special needs kids in addition to our one special homegrown son, Chris. I know it's hard to believe but each and every time I brought this subject up, I've never had Keith express anything but openness and compassion.

So there you have it, Happy Father's Days all the wonderful men out there who earn it and a big happy Baba, Appa, and Father's Day to my Hubby and co-founder of Knisely's Krazy Kids, Keith!!!!!!!

It's over~school that is!!!

At least until Tuesday when Will and Andy start summer school. I thought Will would throw a fit about going back over the first 6 weeks of summer, but once we told him no homework with summer school he was okay with it. The boys go 1/2 day, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Most of it is on the computer with some other activities and local library visits mixed in.

Will received several awards, including May Student of the Month. He had a red plastic bracelet saying " Student of the Month" he wore every day; carefully taking it off at night and putting it back on each morning. His report card contained 2 A's, a B and 1 C. Not bad since he just started school in Feb. and STILL gets no ELL (English Language Learner) assistance other than a 1/2 hour a day with Title 1 and my volunteering. But I guess we are muddling through, I just can't help but wonder how much better he would do if he got the services he is entitled to. Oh well, I guess I'll save that battle for next school year,. Stay cool!

p.s. Our cat had kittens a couple weeks ago. Thank goodness Will seems to be as much an animal lover as the rest of us!

Happy Birthday Will!!!!!!!

Well, Will had his first birthday party ever and I think he enjoyed it.16 friends joined us to celebrate and his teacher as well. His favorite gift was a RC car. What a joy compared to last June 2nd, knowing he was turning yet another year older with a family waiting an ocean away, desperate to bring him home.

Caitlyn made him the birthday card she's holding. It was much prettier in person than in the photo. The other picture is Will taking his birthday balloons for a ride on the RC truck!

Our first field trip

Last week we went to Sauder Village in northwest Ohio. It's one of those reconstructed villages showing life as it was in the 1800's. I think this was probably a really helpful trip for Will since America's past is so dramatically different than China's. Of course he doesn't appeared WOWED at all, he hates pictures and I'm sure a lot of it is over his head yet. But it was a good start. Stay tuned, this Thursday, is Will's eleventh birthday and we plan a party right after school. Hopeful weather will cooperate and he will have a good turn out!!!!! p.s. All the girls think he's cute, which he does NOT appreciate yet.

EEE GADS...someone call Mary Kay

Okay, now I know I'm no great beauty, but Will brought these home and said that's me with the big nose and rainbow clothes. I guess I can take solace, at least he didn't say the red alien was his Mama!

Will woke up!

These past 2 weeks has seen almost a frenzy in Will's abounding adjustment. Almost like someone threw a light switch he is so animated and talkative! Suddenly he just took off. Not just with words but with actions too. Swiftly we have progressed to the point we can have a true conversation. I can ask him questions about school and no longer get that, "I don't know", which was his pat answer for almost everything. I have been able to ask him some questions about his time in China and have gotten coherent answers. I think this is really a big step in our adjustment and I find the boy I thought I knew and loved to be even more exciting and adorable than I ever knew. By God's Grace in all things..............Jane

Greater than riches of gold

Last night we read a book about a boy with a pet dragon. At the end the boy says, "I love you dear Dragon." I turned to Will and said," Just as I love you Will." He then replied, "I love you Mommy." If he never says those words to me again, I will be forever blessed to have heard them this one time. To have his heart trust me with his love, when all he has known these many years is abandonment and betrayal, it is indeed a gift greater than gold.