Happy Holidays from Us to You

Happy Holidays, everyone! Thanks to Liz Mojica for the great photograph of the kids.

Given our circumstances this past year, we've sent e-greetings rather than mailing our usual 140+ Christmas cards. It was a tough 15 straight months of unemployment, and we greatly appreciate the wonderful support from our family and friends.

Daddy Gets a Job!

Late yesterday, Kevin accepted a sales rep job with an electrical components company. He starts January 5th, working from home, his territory ranging from Melbourne to Miami. We're in happy shock, and have a long financial recovery ahead of us, but we will survive.

Even as it's been an unsettling year, in many ways, it's also been an amazing one. Amazing watching Emily blossom in Kindergarten and learn to read. Her vocabulary grows by leaps and bounds, and conversations with her are an absolute delight. And amazing watching David want to communicate, to tell stories and sing songs.


Making Xmas cookies

David has made great strides with his speech, and we hope for more in the coming year. Although he endured several painful surgeries this year and faces several more in 2010, through it all he remains such a happy kid. And he starts 3 days of a special needs preschool in January, while also remaining for 2 days at Grace Lutheran preschool with his long-time classmates and his best friend, George.

Milestones

In 2009 we said a painful goodbye to our beloved kitty, Toffee, and see our 10-year old German Shepherd, Mia, slowing down. Mia lost her long-time buddy, Airedale Duke, and several friends lost their equally beloved kitties and doggie family members.

On the human family front, we rejoice as Kevin's mom, Frani, and my dad, Bill, remain cancer free. We're happy the rest of our parents, and our friends, are in good health.

And hardest of all, this past year we've mourned the loss of several precious babies--little Molly, and tiny twin brothers Corbin and William. These little angels will never be forgotten. They will remain forever in our hearts.

I hope 2010 will be a happier time for all of us. One filled with promise and prosperity, health, and hope.

Much love,

Caroline, Kevin, Emily, and David

Happy 2nd Gotcha Day, David!!

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Dear David,

We had a busy day yesterday and Mommy and Daddy couldn't post our letters in time! Gotcha Day was December 10th, 2007 around 3pm, and David, you were 25 months old.

David, it's been 2 years since that grueling 5-hour taxi ride in the falling snow and wild Chinese traffic to meet you. I remember the moment Daddy and I finally stood in the orphanage office, waiting for a nanny to carry you downstairs. We were so excited to be growing our family.

I sometimes wonder what you're feeling deep inside, after facing yet another doctor, your tiny hands clamping down over each ear, your anxious shouts of "NO!!" The high giggle as they begin to probe your canals, then the heartbreaking sobs of "No, NO, OWIE!!" And that's when your ears aren't even hurting.

You've had a great year and a hard year. Great because you decided talking is a good way to tell people what you want. Whether or not they understand you. Great because you finally decided that loving Mommy isn't such a bad idea after all. Great because you finally let Mommy love you back. Great because you have little friends who love your outgoing personality. Great because your sister adores you and watches over you. Great because you and Daddy can do your guy stuff together.

It was a hard year because you're still battling medical issues, endured two painful surgeries and more late night ER visits while struggling to breathe. Over a dozen specialists, and more to come. And yet, you push on with a lopsided grin and that endearing little boy run, elbows swinging widely, head bobbing happily from side to side. Watching you, I remember the incredible excitement of holding you in my arms for the first time. You. My son.

Rudolph hides in Santa's toy sack

You're an amazing little guy, David. One that really taught Daddy and I to focus our priority forever on family. And really fight for what our children need. You're the glue that holds this family together. Sweet, funny, tender, caring, wild, imaginative, and so easy to love.

Happy Gotcha Day, Buddy.

Love,

Mommy





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Liz M. took this great photo
Dear David,

I can't believe that it has been 2 years since our days in Tianjin City. I will never forget how you clung to me so tightly, only hours after being put in my arms for the first time. How I would reach down to you and your arms went straight in air for me to pick you up.

I still think of our first meal together and how you just kept eating as we placed more and more food in front of you. The whole time you held a beaming smile on your face.

The past 2 years have been difficult, wonderful, sad and full of total joy, all at the same time. I cry each time you do when they put the wrist band on you at the hospital. But you come through every surgery like a trooper.

I have fun when we play in the park together. I enjoyed our first fishing trip together and seeing your look of pride when we pulled your first fish from the water.

Looking forward I see many more fishing trips, hiking, bicycling and of course the occassional trip to Cold Stone for a bowl of ice cream...sometimes you even get some in your mouth instead of just on your mouth.

The road ahead will be a great adventure, but there will be potholes. Just remember that Mommy and I will always be there to lift you up and put you back on the right path. And we will always be walking right along side you.

You have been, are now, and will always be, my little buddy.

Happy Gotcha Day! You are loved!

Love,

Daddy

David turns 4!

Hi all,

Well, Bruffie did it, he turned 4 on November 11th. Next month he'll be with us 2 years. How time flies! Speaking of flies, David started "Lil' Sports" last week at a local recreation center with little friends Casey and George. What hilarious, adorable fun! The boys began t-ball last week. Take a look...

The coach runs the kids up and down the gym first, they walk backwards, pitch balls, then go to bat and actually run the bases. It's nonstop, giggling mayhem as the coach tries to control the very excited 3- and 4-year olds, who are running everywhere the bases! We love it. :)

Happy Birthday, Bruffie!

David woke up on his birthday wearing a big smile. We started the day with a rousing rendition of the Beatles singing "Happy Birthday", with the kids playing along on toy guitars. Later, David made a mosh pit of the couch.

Kevin bought David a giant pirate balloon that David adores. Interestingly, we've had several very windy days. So David wrapped the balloon around his waist and ran outside to wait for the wind to take him away just like Mary Poppins. We tried to explain the physics, but he didn't believe us! I just couldn't get a good picture of him, but it was priceless.

Thanks to everyone for the great cards and gifts. He loves his new dress-up costumes...sure beats wearing Emily's dresses! Papa and Rea, David's buying the Batcave with his gift certificate! Thanks to George and Jack for the cool Thomas Firehouse! We're surprised David hasn't slept with it!

Happy Birthday, David!!

Halloween 2009

Hi all,

What a fun Halloween! The kids visited the library and went on a scavenger hunt, locating the eggs of the Golden Goose (the library director). Emily fell in love with the goose, and followed her around, touching her soft, downy feathers. Too cute! She and David won a free book each and trick-or-treated at several desks in the library.

Then, Halloween night began!

Emily decided she and I would be Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School Bus series. She made her own magic schoolbus costume, and we stuck dinosaur stickers on our ears and all over ourselves, just like Ms. Frizzle's theme clothes. Too bad the baby dinosaur eggs wouldn't stick to our shoes! Emily does a great imitation of Ms. Frizzle yelling "Yahoo!!!!" I dyed our hair red, and something horrid happened to mine. I was asked by two different neighbors if I was "Little Orphan Annie"!!! Emily's fine Asian hair refused to pick up much color, while I looked like I was on fire!!

Friends Cindy, Jack, and George Rhoton stopped by on their way to a Halloween party, and then the Mojicas came over to do ferocious battle against the Lewis men! It was a fearful sight. Little Graeme and David fought valiantly.

The Mojicas (Ray and Liz) took Emily, David and me and a crowd of friends trick or treating. It was great fun for the block that David lasted! Emily isn't fearful this year, so she ran along with the group. Poor David, though! He tires easily on his little legs, and in spite of pulling him along in a wagon--er, his ship--he feared the dark and was exhausted, so we had to call it a night. He fell asleep right as the trick-or-treaters began coming up our driveway. Poor little guy had night terrors throughout the night, so it was a long one for us.

Meanwhile, the neighborhood kids enjoyed the Pirate house. Kevin was at his best, doing battle before the kids could walk the plank for their candy. He received hugs, and the best compliment of all. One little boy, now 12, told him the kids save our house for last so they can battle the pirate! It just made our night. :)

Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween. We sure did!

Pumpkin Patch Antics

Oh what fun! We fooled Mommy by running like crazy through the patch. She kept behind us, snapping pictures like a madwoman. Just wait until Halloween!

The Life of Kids

A Florida wedding

Hi all,

The kids are doing great, loving school. Emily is reading and writing, and drawing constantly. Her art litters the tables and floors of three different rooms! David's passion is more mechanical, setting up trains and cutting every piece of paper he can find.

David as Harold and the Purple Crayon

Both kids love dressup, and while David is still Emily's occasional pawn, he has his own mind. No more fairy dresses for him, he's into Superheroes! Batman, Spiderman, Superman, he can sing the theme songs for all three. A flowing scarf becomes a cape, held together by snack clips. We don't just walk into the bedroom, we fly!

Here are samples of the kids' latest art:

About David

Healthwise, David's in for a challenging year. Ten days ago he had surgery #5 to correct some boy issues. He faces a followup surgery in six months. A big THANK YOU to our friends whose kids made cards for David, and our friends Estelle, Cindy, Leah, Liz, and Nicol, for the fabulous Honey Baked Ham and great side dishes during David's recuperation. Oh gosh, were they ever appreciated!

David also faces some sort of surgery to correct his probable short palate. Within a year after that, we're looking at reducing scar tissue around his lip (for speech and appearance before Kindergarten) and opening up his right nostril so he finally breathes better. He doesn't handle anesthesia well, nor pain narcotics. Nor the hospital and the poking and prodding.

Ah well, it's all for speech, after all. And he's finally trying to speak...really trying. After 22 months at home, he cares about communicating.

In June, after surgery #4 (tonsillectomy, ear tubes) he finally attached to me. I mean, really attached. After 19 months of being home. Now he's my best buddy--he wants my love. He seeks me out constantly, wanting hugs and kisses. He finally let me into his heart, and it's a lovely place to be. And he's more relaxed now that he's stopped fighting me. (He was afraid I'd disappear like all his previous nannies.) So, he wants to talk. Most people still can't understand him, but his family understands those vowel sounds! We're all incredibly proud of him.

What About Mom n Dad?

Kevin and I volunteer weekly in Emily's class, and occasionally in David's. (Preschool doesn't ask for parents as often.) It's a great experience, and the kids in Emily's class are so excited and affectionate with us. Although, it feels like a marathon, some days, keeping them focused! Kevin's business, Bamboodah, is off to a nice start. (The website is in work.) We're not in the clear by any means, but we're plugging along. Kevin's determined to make it succeed.

Hope you're all well.

Take care,

Caroline

Farewell Toffee, 1994-2009

So one Saturday I’m volunteering with my mom at the local humane society. A litter of 5 kittens arrives, no surprise. But only weeks old, their eyes barely open, dumped off without their mother. Shelter staff nervously ask each other who could take them home for their nighttime feedings. But everyone's house is already filled to the brim with pets, owned and fostered. I immediately pipe up with "I will!", then thought maybe I should call Kevin first for permission. Oh well!

Kevin remembers answering the phone that day, hearing, "promise you won't get angry with me... ." He eventually learned to reply with, "how many this time?" (What a guy!) And Toffee entered our lives.

She was the largest kitten in the litter, easily double the size of her litter mates. And she was the most energetic. She hopped around like a tiny rabbit until finally crashing from sheer exhaustion. That litter of kittens gave us quite a challenge, crying, eating, and pooping throughout the day. One day they even squeezed their tiny bodies between the equally tiny bars of their cage and ran amuck. They loved to sleep on a soft blanket inside a deep laundry basket that we could pick up for easy transport around the house. They also loved to sleep with my brother (a house guest at the time), all 5 kittens cuddled around his neck. He never slept much during those nights, too afraid he might roll over on a kitten. Yet he just couldn't bring himself to disturb them.

A few weeks later, the kittens chubby and happy, the time came to return them to the shelter. Luckily, two were already adopted by friends. Two were adopted within hours at the shelter, leaving only Toffee. We thought her the most beautiful kitty in the litter, yet nobody wanted her! Home she went with us until the next weekend. During this time, our other cat, Moon Pie, fell in love with her, and curled around her like a momma cat every chance he got.

The next Saturday at the shelter, alone and frightened in her cage, she refused to let anyone near her. Worried, I called Kevin, who replied, "Well, Moon Pie just loves her. Why don't we just keep her?"

Toffee and Moon Pie

The largest kitten in the litter grew to weigh a mere 6 pounds. She remained tiny all her life, and best friends with Moon Pie.

Fifteen wonderful years after that second phone call to Kevin, this easygoing, very independent kitty decided her time with us was up. After a brief struggle with liver disease, it was time to meet Moon Pie at the Rainbow Bridge. Emily sobbed last Tuesday when we told her Toffee was going to kitty heaven. We told her that Moon Pie would meet her at the Rainbow Bridge, and that Toffee would be able to see us from Heaven. So now we look for clouds in the sky that look like Toffee, and that comforts her. Even David, who doesn't quite seem to grasp what happened, looks to the sky with Emily and waves to the clouds.

You were six tiny pounds and so easy to love. Farewell, Toffee. You'll always be that tiny kitten to us, with Moon Pie curled lovingly around you.

First Days of School 2009

What a week! What a milestone...Kindergarten!! After months of refusing to talk about school, Emily met her Kindergarten teacher twice in a week, and was suddenly excited! The first day (today) went well. Armed with her Princess backpack and lunch bag, she marched right into school with us, up to her classroom door. There was one tense moment when she panicked as I said goodbye, but luckily the mayhem drew her inside the room, and Kevin and I beat it out of there.

Mommy, Daddy and David attended the "Boo Hoo Breakfast" in the cafeteria, an event for traumatized mommies and daddies of new Kindergartners. What a neat idea, because I was passing out tissues to my friends! It was hilarious. All you had to do was ask a mom, "are you ok?" and the tears began to flow. (And yes, I right in the ranks of the crying brigade.) You'll see from the last slide photo that Kevin slipped a shot of me moaning with girlfriend Becky, looking my very best...UGH!! Thanks to Liz Mojica and the PTO parents for a great Boo Hoo breakfast. We really did have fun.


Day 2, Emily rides the bus with her beloved Maya (at left). Em was so excited!


Wait a minute, that's her face and she looks scared. ARRGGHH, THAT'S MY BABY!! (Sound of a mother's heart breaking.)

Wow. This was a hard milestone. Like my friend Cindy Rhoton says, we can't protect them from being hurt now. Emily was already upset over being called "small" by another child--her pet peeve since she's the tiniest girl in any class. We already had our discussion about teasing versus an innocent comment (which it was) and how to respond.

And now time is really going to fly. Kevin and I vow to enjoy every minute we have with our precious children. Now let's see if we can do it with the manic school schedule! Up at 6am, bus at 7:10, David to school by 8:45. Oh, at least that one's easy. But time has gone by so fast already...how fleeting will it be now?

Update on Bruffy

Although David's having trouble watching Emily leave on the Magic Schoolbus, he's doing GREAT in his 3-year old classroom! That's no surprise since most of his 2-year old class ended up in the same 3-year old class!

David's speech is coming along slowly. He can say "Batman" (bah-man) and "Batmobile" (bah-mo-bih) if he pinches his nose (helps air flow), and he's always trying to sing songs and imitate his sister. His teacher knows sign language--yeay!

Next month David's due for a Fluroscopy to determine whether his palate is functioning properly. If it's not, we're looking at another surgery, sigh! But he's a happy little guy, and I'm loving my time with him while Emily's at school. Today he took a kiddie Zumba class at the library, followed by storytime. What a riot it was to watch a group of preschoolers attempting latin dance moves! :D

Take care, everyone,

Caroline

Happy 4th Gotcha Day, Em

Dearest Emily,

Another year has come and gone, and you continue to be an absolute joy. Such an imagination, such kindness to your friends and family, and you're a great big sister, too! We love our conversations with you and introducing you to new things (the Magic School bus, violin, advanced swim lessons). Watching you walk regally around the house in your wedding gown, or following you as Ms. Frizzle (the teacher in Reading Rainbow's Magic School Bus series), watching David imitate every new idea you have...it's enchanting.


My favorite memories this year are of watching your relationship with Bruffy grow deeper. Seeing you two arm in arm, holding umbrellas and belting out a Mary Poppins song, hanging upside down on the couch with homemade capes (Mommy's shirts) so you can be bats in a cave (thanks, Magic School Bus!), marrying your firefighter brother for your 5th birthday, and just seeing you just grab Bruffie for a tight hug. I love it.

I love your sense of humor, and that great big laugh that explodes out of you. You and Daddy are positively silly together! People exclaim at your vocabulary and how your just say what's on your mind. Well, except for that guy smoking at the public pool--you marched right up to him and said, "um, excuse me, smoking stinks and is bad for you!" We'll forget that one!


In just another month, your world will explode as you enter Kindergarten. I'm excited and sad at the same time. Excited that you will embrace learning, but sad because my little girl is growng up. I hope we both make it through those first school days. I'll be at the parents' Boo-Hoo Breakfast, that's for sure!

Daddy, Bruffie and I love you like crazycakes, Emily. Happy Gotcha Day.

Love,

Mommy

P.S. Gotcha Day was actually yesterday, July 11th, and I posted late Em, sorry!

The Long Hot Summer, so far

Hi all,

It's sweltering down in Florida. Hope the rest of you are comfortable! Yesterday the heat index was 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Ugh! The kids are enjoying their Summer, though. We sleep late this month and start waking up earlier in July since Emily will need to be at Kindergarten by 7:45 in August!

Emily's enjoying musicals like Mary Poppins and Mama Mia, and belts out tunes wherever she is. She and David do a great "Every Day's a Holiday with You" from Mary Poppins (the park scene), arm in arm with Emily holding an umbrella. Kevin's teaching David to swim, and both kids start swim lessons next week, too!

Bruffy

David had his tonsils removed a few weeks ago. It was certainly an interesting experience. On the bright side, he bonded more tightly to me than ever. On the sad side, his past surfaced and the poor little guy alternated between rages and terror in the hospital.



Luckily, Emily and Daddy visited daily, and lifted his spirits. Here Emily serves Bruffy tea Alice in Wonderland style. Notice the handmade Alice dress from Grami Frani. It was a big hit in the hospital.

David stayed overnight in the hospital after surgery so he could be properly hydrated, but after 5 days at home he began refusing medicine, food and drink. Back into the hospital we went, and he was furious, slapping the nurses, refusing to cooperate, and shouting and struggling with his IV if I left his side. (It took 3 of us to hold him down for the IV insertion.) Turns out, his throat was swollen and required steroids to reduce the inflammation. With adult size tonsils in his mouth, who could blame him? I asked him several times if he was scared, and he moaned a solemn "Yeh!", and clung to me.

Now he's feeling much better, breathing better at night and he's actually giggling every day! His apnea and acid reflux seem to have abated, and we're hoping he doesn't really have asthma after all.



A neat side of being with him in the hospital was watching the medivac helicopter do an evening takeoff. It sat on the rooftop straight across from us.

More photos...

Hope all you dads had a great Father's Day! We fed daddy a breakfast omelet with bacon...yummy! The kids made Daddy a photo book about him. It was a fun day.

Happy Birthday to June Babies

Happy Birthday Jackie Blair, Kiera Dillon, John Gardocki, Ella Grace Gilbertson, Cindy Koullias, Emily Lewis, Ethel Skrine, and Stacey Strickland. And a Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary to dear friends Brent and Margot Baldwin!

Bringing Home Brett at Last!

Be sure and follow the Bolton's journey to their third child, Brett, in Henan, China. Cindy, Russ, and big sister (jie jie) Abigail and little sister (mei Mei) Chloe have waited an entire year for new brother Brett. Cindy and Russ leave on Wednesday, June 24th for Beijing. We CAN'T WAIT to follow their journey!!!

Good Luck, Addison!

Addison Braun is entering the hospital the same day the Boltons leave, for a tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy. After what David went through, we're keeping Addison in our thoughts for a speedy recovery. At least Melissa and Scott have been through this before with sister Kate, but you never know how the kids will react. We'll be thinking of ya!

Take care, everyone,

Caroline

Emily's Wedding

Hi all!

Emily married her brother the firefighter in a brief but lovely ceremony this past Saturday. A brief, chaotic, but really fun wedding parade followed the bridal pair to the altar. The father of the bride gave Emily away. Here are the vows, written by good friend Natalie Duncklee...

Dear Friends and Family we are gathered here to today to celebrate Princess Emily's Wedding Birthday Party. Emily has found her true love. She was walking one day in her castle when she came across a handsome fireman named David. It was love at first sight, and they became best friends forever. They have chosen to get married today.

Princess Emily do you take Fireman David to be your Brother? Do you promise to take care of him, not fight with him and love him forever? Fireman David do you take Princess Emily to be your Sister? Do you promise to take care of her, not fight with her and love her forever?

Fireman David do you have the ring? Please place it on Princess Emily's hand. Princess Emily do you have the ring? Please place it on Fireman David’s hand. With these rings you have made a commitment to love each other forever.

Now you are declared Bruffy and Sissy. You may hug each other.

And then the bride and groom waltzed together. It was too cute! And then it was so hot it drove the entire wedding party indoors. Here are the photos...

So who's idea was this for a wedding? One guess (and it wasn't Mommy)...Emily had input in every aspect of her wedding. She told friend Wanda--who helped plan, bought the cake, and made the flowers--exactly what she wanted with colors, cake flavor and size. I dubbed her "Bridezilla" at one point, because I know who will be leading the show 20 years from now! Guess who even taught her brother to waltz! We had a great time.

Update on David

David's scheduled for a tonsillectomy tomorrow (Thursday), so wish him luck! Poor little guy, yet another operation. He might need 2 more this coming year (speech and growth related). We did receive good news on him today. He grew 2 inches since coming to America, which is huge considering he has growth hormone issues. Hopefully he won't need hormone shots! Time will tell. His endocrinologist believes David will grow to as much as 5'9" in adulthood!

Take care, everyone,

Caroline

Hi all,


The kids in their new porch "library"

March was a REALLY challenging month for us since everyone was sick at one point or another. Colds, bronchitis, fevers, and Daddy's now famous kidney stones plagued us constantly. Sorry about all the birthday celebrations missed, but we were too pooped to party.


Daddy eats his St. Pattie's Day cabbage

Kevin's doing better after 3 various surgeries, although everyone in Emily's preschool class knows about Daddy's "stones in his tummy" and how to cough hard into a handkerchief thanks to Mommy's double bout with Bronchitis. Mrs. Hogan, Em's teacher, says we can't begin to imagine what kind of things we hear from the kids. I'm sure! Here are photos of the kids from our neighborhood Easter party (which I ran) and around the house. Thanks to Liz Mojica for some really great shots!

Update on Emily

Emily starts kindergarten next year, so the paperwork has begun! The kids will visit the local elementary school in a few weeks, so hopefully Emily will look forward to going. Right now it's all a big unknown for her. I signed up to volunteer in her class, and to hopefully be a class mom for David's preschool class, so that should be fun.

Update on David

David is changing every day. Today I realized why rock stars wreck hotel rooms while watching David hurl plastic kids chairs around the kitchen, all the while giggling to himself. Burps make him giggle, as do "toots" and peeing in the potty. Ahh, boys! After another visit to the cleft team, we changed our speech approach to focus on low pressure sounds (m, n, h), and David's vocabulary is finally increasing! He loves to say "why?", "me", and "MINE!" He's becoming easier to understand for others, which is great. His imaginative play is just wonderful, as you can see in the video, much to Daddy's horror.


David finally eats blueberries (he hated the skin) with Emily
In addition, David needs a tonsillectomy to eliminate his sleep apnea and reflux, and a palate lengthening procedure in the next year since the Cleft team determined he has a short palate. His asthma is causing more problems during his endless battle with colds, so we're really hoping the tonsillectomy works! (His tonsils are too large for his throat.)

Milestones

Check out the Bolton's website, Bringing Brett Home to see the latest news! We may be meeting Brett in just a few more months!! It's about time!!

A belated welcome to sister Cindy and family's new teacup Yorkie, Bella! Bella was the size of a hamster when she came home--I'm not kidding, I actually held her. And she's a real cutie.

Also welcome friend Ashley's new bunny, Tiara!

With a heavy heart, we say a fond farewell to Duke Cordelli, a really incredible Airedale and friend to Mia. He leaves behind his parents, Wanda and Gary, and his brother Pluto, another Airedale. Those boys were just hilarious together.

Take care, everyone,

Caroline