Teens to Toddlers: Adventures of the Haske's

Beautiful Nikki and Prom

2011-05-09T11:26:00.000-07:00

It is just so hard to imagine that my beautiful curly haired little girl is now nearly 17 and a beautiful young woman. This past weekend it was prom and Nikki went with her very good friend Connor. She looked just beautiful..and yes I know I am the mom, but she just sparkled. She had her One Act performances on thursday and friday and then Prom on Saturday. Junior year is almost over and then she heads off to Europe for her exchange program. Time has just flown by and I am just so proud of the young woman she is becoming. We love you so much Nikki, and we are just so proud of you. I can't wait to see what the future holds in store for you. Enjoy the photos.
Michele

Getting Teeth Pulled

2011-04-27T12:14:00.000-07:00

Annabelle has been having the strangest thing happen with her permanent teeth. Her permanent teeth are coming in before her baby teeth are even loose. But the two teeth never seem to connect so we have had to pull 4 of her baby teeth because they just won't fall out on their own. She has been such a trooper about this but this last time she was just sick of the whole thing. Enjoy the photos.

Happy Birthday Dad!

2011-04-12T07:30:00.000-07:00

So today is my dad's birthday. He isn't here to celebrate it any more but I can't let the day go by without a Happy Birthday! It has been 8 years since my dad made his last trip to Germany. I have adopted two kids since then. Ryan, has graduated high school and started his first year of college. Nikki has been inducted into the National German Honor society and will make an exhcange trip to Germany this summer. He just would have loved that. It is so amazing how time can go by just so quickly. I miss my dad at the oddest times now. Not just at holidays or birthdays, but mostly when my kids reach milestones and I know he would like to have seen it..been a part of it. When Ryan graduated High School. When Nikke carried the German flag in the homecoming parade...and to watch Sebastian, a grandchild he never got to meet, play soccer. Sebby is wicked fast and an aggressive little player. My dad would have enjoyed it. And Annabelle would have just made him laugh just as Nikki did when she was that age. Annabelle would have loved a twirly Dirndl dress! Dad you gave me the two greatest gifts after you left us and you never even knew you did it.
So Happy Birthday dad, may the heavens sparkle just a little brighter tonight!
Ich liebe dich. Michele

March Has Been Busy!!!

2011-03-20T11:45:00.000-07:00

Wow as usual we have been so busy since the first of the year. In February, we celebrated Ryan's 19th birthday. Then it was Sebastian's 9th birthday followed by his 3rd gotcha day....then we celebrated Annabelle's gotcha day followed by her 7th birthday 3 days later. I just don't know where the time goes. Some times it is just scary how fast the days go by. It still seems like yesterday Ryan was just a toddler with his white blonde hair running around in his firefighter outfit. Now he is a freshman in college and over 6'3"!

Sebastian came home 3yrs ago and he has made so much progress. We certainly have some issues to overcome but he does amaze me with how much he has learned and how well he has done. He is the best helper and is the first one to want to buy for his siblings when it is a birthday or christmas. He is turning out to be quite the athlete and is as fast as the wind. Happy birthday Sebastian, you are just the cutest little boy and have a heart of gold. You humble me with how much you have gone through in your young life and still keep trying and smiling!

Annabelle had a big week with her birthday, kids party and of course the Daddy daughter dance she looks forward to all year. Annabelle you just make us all smile. You are truly the happiest little girl I have ever met. You just sparkle! I can't believe you are now 7yrs old. You love fashion, jewelry and anything that sparkles...we are just so blessed to have you as our little girl.

So enjoy the photos of birthdays, dances and just some of what what we have been doing for the past few months!
Michele

One of The Sweetest moments....

2011-01-10T11:49:00.000-08:00

One of the sweetest moments of our disney trip was when Annabelle met Mulan. We had just finished our princess lunch where Annie and Sebastian got to meet, Belle, Cinderella, Ariel, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, and we were walking through "China" in Epcot when Nikki spots Mulan in the corner greeting kids and taking pictures.
We hustled over to get in line. Honestly I think I wanted the kids to meet Mulan more than they did...but there we were waiting in line and watching Mulan take each child aside have a chat with them and then take a picture. But when it was Annie's turn Mulan took Annie aside, knelt down and chatted with her a couple of minutes and then she leaned in and gave Annie a kiss on the cheek. It was just so sweet..and she didn't do that to any other child in line that we saw. Annabelle was just mesmerized and told us afterward she didn't want to wash off Mulan's kiss ever. It really just brought tears to both mine and Rich's eyes. Needless to say, Annabelle
is now Mulan's biggest fan. It's funny because one of the things we purchased when we were in china for Annabelle's adoption was an original water color painting of Mulan. It has hung above Annie's bed since we came home. We love you "Mulan" thanks for making a little chinese girl just glow. Enjoy the photos.

What do Teens do at Disney? Text of Course!!

2010-12-02T07:28:00.000-08:00

O.K. They didn't text all the time but they did text alot of the time. I do draw the line and meal time. I really enjoy the benefits of texting at times but these teens have to learn to talk to people again. LOL I will admit they did join in the fun and Nikki even got some photo ops with some very cuddly friends from the Hundred Acre Woods! And as you can see even Ryan did have fun, especially with Annie. It is funny Annie's teacher told me that of all her siblings, Annie talks about her brother all the time...she must really miss him. I thought she was talking about Sebastian, but no appararenly her absolute favorite is RYAN!! Go figure...lol

What do kids do at Disney? Become a Pirate and a Princess, Of Course!

2010-11-29T11:15:00.000-08:00

On our second day we went to the magic kingdom. Since Annie and Sebastian had no idea we were even going to Disney until 4am the morning we left, everything was a surprise to them. That included Sebastian being turned into a pirate and Annabelle becoming a princess...her dream come true. Sebastian was overwhelmed by the whole experience and just tried to keep up with all the responsibilities of being a pirate.
Annabelle was just in heaven. To sit in the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique and be turned into a princess was just a dream come true for her. I don't think she could have smiled any bigger. Enjoy the photos. They had a blast.

Where do we go for Thanksgiving? Disney, Of Course!

2010-11-29T11:02:00.000-08:00

"Enchanted April"...or should I say November?

2010-11-08T14:03:00.000-08:00

All I can say is that the play was amazing. Nikki did a great job. She was just perfect. She got a standing ovation every night. And her closing monologue brought me to tears everynight. The cast was just incredible. Each and every actor did a great job. Nikki we are just so proud of you. You have worked very hard at your acting and it all paid off in this performance.

Thanks to all our friends and family who traveled and took the time to come out and support Nikki. I hope you enjoyed the show. Nikki was very touched that so many of our friends and family would come to see her perform. So enjoy the photos of Nikki Haske in "Enchanted April"
We love you Nikki....BRAVO!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

2010-11-04T07:19:00.000-07:00

In the midst of the plague hitting our house and the craziness of getting ready for Nikki's play, Halloween knocked on our door. Of course I forgot my camera for the costume parade at the school but I did take it out for trick or treating. Annabelle was Pochahontas and Sebastian was a Knight. And once again, Annabelle literally ran to every house and in our neighborhood, that is alot of running. We went trick or treating with the neighborhood kids and they really had a lot of fun. Happy belated Halloween and enjoy the photos.
Michele

The Play is 1 Week from today!!!!

2010-10-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

Oh my gosh, Nikki's play premiers one week from today. Hurry and come join us at the theater! "Enchanted April" will run at the high school from November 4-6th. Show time is 7:30. I have to say it is very hard being the mother of the star, (haha) I am way more nervous than Nikki. LOL

I have it on good authority that Nikki is doing a wonderful job. NO, she doesn't say that, in fact when I ask her how its going she just says OK...very humble. BUT sources say in rehearsals she is doing a wonderful job. So head on out Thurs. Fri. or Sat. night and enjoy a night at the theater starring our very own Nikki Haske!

And a special thanks to all our friends and family who have been so encouraging and supportive through it all! See ya at the theater!
hugs,
Michele

Family Weekend at College

2010-10-10T07:45:00.000-07:00

So last weekend it was family weekend at Ryan's college so we all made the 4 hr trip to spend the weekend with Ryan. We didn't get down there until late Friday nite as we had to wait to leave until after Nikki's play rehearsal ended. So, we missed all the Friday activities but on Saturday we picked Ryan up, and of course took him out to eat..what else does a starving college kid want to do. Now I have had a hankering to eat at a Cracker Barrell as everyone tells me how you have to eat at a Cracker Barrell...well we did and I'll just say this, they have an amazing gift shop. But we did enjoy the rockers on the front porch...lol.

We also attended the football game on what was the coldest and most windy day of the fall...Annie was freezing and so she stayed bundled up in a blanket the whole game. Then we took the kids to his dorm to see where he's living and then of course out to eat. We had a really nice time and I have to thank Ryan for actually cleaning his dorm and doing laundry before we arrived! LOL Enjoy the photos. Hugs, Michele

It's Apple Picking Time!

2010-09-28T13:12:00.000-07:00

So every fall in September I love to go apple picking. I don't mean you go to the orchard and buy a bag of apples. I mean going to the orchard walking the groves and hand-picking the apples. You sample the apples as you go and just relax and have a great time. My kids enjoy going but Rich, not so much... but he goes. I have to say since we moved back to IL the orchards have, for the most part been disappointing. Very expensive for very few apples and way to crowded and commercial. So this year we headed in a totally different direction and I have to say...SUCCESS! We found tons of apples that were big, ripe and delicious. Oh and at the end you can take the bad apples and sling-shot them into the field. Annie and Sebastian loved it! There just isn't a better way to spend a beautiful fall day...and the Packers weren't playing so even Rich had an OK time.

Ryan's Home for a Visit !

2010-09-20T14:15:00.000-07:00

So Ryan came home from college for a visit, but we barely saw him as he spent most of his time with Linda to celebrate her birthday. But it was still good to see him and Annie and Sebastian were really happy to have him home.

It's Homecoming !!

2010-09-20T13:55:00.000-07:00

So once again it is that time of year for High school Homecoming. But this year I only had one child attending as Ryan is off to college. Nikki was going with a bunch of friends this year so it was very relaxed. First to start off the activities is the Homecoming parade in town. Last year Nikki was inducted into the National German Honor Society so this year she was chosen to carry the German Flag in the parade to represent the NGHS. I know my dad would be loving this, so in honor of him, here's a few photos of the parade and, O.K., a few of Nikki all ready for the big dance.

First Day of School minus the Teens

2010-09-10T11:30:00.000-07:00

Well back to school has finally come and gone. It was a strange back to school day at our house as Nikki was running late so she flew out of the house without my getting a first day of school picture...I think she did that on purpose. And of course Ryan wasn't even here as he left for college the week before. (I will post those pics another time as those photos are on Rich's camera)

So it was just Annie and Sebastian to keep tradition alive with first day of school photos. Sebastian started 3rd grade this year and Annabelle started 1st grade. A very emotional season for mom as I have one going off to college and my baby going off to first grade. Alot of changes at our house. Both kids love their teachers and so far not one call from the principle. LOL Enjoy the photos.
michele

Happy Sweet 16 Nikki!!

2010-09-10T11:15:00.000-07:00

Yes it has been a while since my last post. Nikki put up some pics of her and Annie and Sebastian, and well, you can see the influence a teen can have on two innocent children...lol Alot has been happening. First, Nikki celebrated her Sweet 16 birthday at the end of the summer and chose to celebrate by going to Great America with her friends. We helped her celebrate by hiring a limosine to drive the teens to and from the park in style.

Despite the weather being a bit rainy and dreary...they actually had a great time.

It amazes me that my sweet curly haired baby girl is now 16 yrs old and so close to getting her drivers license. Nikki is so talented with her writing and her acting. I am amazed at her talent and how humble she is about it. I love to watch her perform on stage and this November she will be the lead in the Fall play at her High School, so if you are in the "hood" come join us at the Theater! Happy Birthday Nicole, you make me proud. We love you so very much. Mom and Dad

Hello Fall

2010-09-03T11:02:00.000-07:00

Saving the Best for Last...visiting our Travel Mates in TN!!

2010-07-16T13:14:00.000-07:00

It was by far the perfect way to end a great vacation. A stop in Tennessee to visit our travel mates and friends. We traveled with Emilee and Carrie and their mom to china when we went to bring Annabelle home. They adopted Ellie and Gracey. We haven't seen them since the girls were babies so we were all looking forward to catching up and getting the girls together. It was a GREAT visit.
The girls connected like they have been best friends their whole lives. And between the 3 families we have 10 KIDS!! We had so much fun together. It was great to have our husbands and kids finally meet. I can't express how much it means to me to have had the opportunity to not only meet these two great families, but to share the bond of adoption with our girls. I am continually humbled by the Blessings God has bestowed upon our family through the miracle of adoption.
To Carrie and Emilee, Thank you so much for having us to your home. Thank you for sharing your precious daughters with Annabelle. You were amazing hosts. We has such a great time. We are so blessed to have met you in china, and
feel so lucky to call you friends. We can't wait to see you ALL in chicago. Thank you Leah, Ruthie, Gates, Finn, Ellie, and Gracey for hanging out with Ryan, Nikki, Sebastian and Annabelle. Ya'll ROCK!!
Much love and hugs, from our family to yours!
Michele

Enjoying the Beach

2010-07-15T21:25:00.001-07:00

Next Stop..South Carolina

2010-07-15T21:03:00.000-07:00

After leaving the peach state, we headed to the island and the beach. It was so beautiful. I have never seen anything so peaceful and natural. The weather was perfect everyday and we all had a great time. We will definately be going back but after seeing all that natural beauty, it breaks my heart to see what is happening in the gulf.
We arrived the day before the 4th of July and the next morning the island celebrated the big day with a parade of decorated golf carts. See, once you arrive at the island, you only get around with bikes, golf carts or on foot. So naturally a golf cart parade was the way to go. You can't believe how creative these people were with their carts. It was crazy. Enjoy the photos.

Georgia..South Carolina and Tennessee! It doesn't get any better than this

2010-07-15T20:46:00.000-07:00

So this year we decided to have real trip to the beach so we headed to South Carolina. We rented a house on an island and it was amazingly beautiful and relaxing and FUN! We went with our good friends the K family and had a blast. We being a family of 6 decided to make a road trip and we made our first stop in Georgia where we were able to visit my brother and his family. Unfortuately, due to some traffic delays, we arrived at their house really late, but it was really nice to visit them and see their georgeous home. I can't believe how fast all the kids have grown up. Thanks Mike and Glenda for being such understanding and gracious hostesses. Loved the food.

Wow Have we Been Busy!

2010-07-15T20:32:00.000-07:00

We made it through Ryan's graduation but then had to host the party a few weeks later. It was HOT here but the good news was IT DID NOT RAIN on our party. We had a really great time and it was awesome to have so many of our long time friends here all together to help Ryan celebrate.

Right after the party Rich and Ryan had to head off to college for orientation. And then 3 days later we "loaded up the truck" and we drove to South Carolina for a week of fun at the beach. But more on that in the next posts. Enjoy the photos.
michele

Graduation and Memorial Day

2010-06-01T13:25:00.000-07:00

Well this past weekend we celebrated Ryan finishing his high school career with his graduation ceremonies and by honoring our fallen soldiers on Memorial Day. We took the kids to see the local parade and honor our veterans. How brave are these men and women who risk their lives so we can enjoy ours. Thank You.

It has been a very busy spring at our home and many changes are coming our way. Nikki is finishing her final exams this week and then all the kids are done with school on Friday. In the fall Ryan will head off to college and Annie to first grade. I'm not sure which one will be more difficult; seeing Ryan off to college or Annie to 1st grade. But come fall we will have a freshman in college, a junior in high school, a third grader and a first grader. Crazy times a head! Enjoy the photos.
hugs,
Michele

HE DID IT! Ryan Graduated High School!!

2010-06-01T12:46:00.000-07:00

Well this past Sunday, Ryan offcially graduated high school. I have to admit I have been very cool about the whole event until Saturday. I was outside working on the yard and looked up to see his graduate sign on the front lawn. I just broke out in tears. How is it possible that Ryan is finished with High School? He will go off to college in the fall and our house will be noticably more quiet. I will miss him but I know he is ready to go...with a little push. Congratulations Ryan my tall blonde boy. You are a a great kid and the sweetest most loyal boy I know. We love you so very much. I hope college is the best time of your life. Enjoy the graduation photos.
Michele

It's Prom!

2010-05-03T11:11:00.000-07:00

So here in our neck of the woods, it is prom time and this year, I had not one, but two teenagers attending. A bit of a surprise, as Nikki is only a sophmore, but her very good friend Connor asked her to go with him and she said YES! Having to get 2 teens ready for prom would be difficult enough but add to that they were going to two different Proms. Ryan's girlfriend goes to the opposite H.S. in town so it was very hectic to say the least. But Nikki looked beautiful and Ryan was just so handsome...(O.K. I am biased but if a mom can't brag on her own kids who can?. I hope you enjoy the photos. Next up Nikki performs in her "One Acts" later this week and Ryan graduates the end of the month. Busy days ahead. How is it that I could have a son graduating high school?? The time has just gone by way to fast. Here they are.
Hugs,
Michele

2010-04-15T13:25:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter and Spring Cleaning!

2010-04-15T09:50:00.000-07:00

So Easter has come and gone here...Yeah He is risen..He is Risen Indeed!! But we were so still recoverning from Sebastian's surgery that it came and went in a flash. The weather here in the Chicago area has been really nice so we decided to start some spring clean up projects. Since Sebastian still can't play he offered to help sweep and pick up leaves. He needed some sunglasses but broke his so he came outside with 3D glasses from the movie on his face...what a goof! Annie also insists on using this broom that is bigger than she is...enjoy the nice weather and the photos! Oh Sebastian is healing really well and today can finally start playing again. HOORAY
Michele

Happy Birthday Dad

2010-04-12T16:09:00.000-07:00

Today would have been my dad's birthday. This is a big spring at our house and I often find myself thinking of my dad lately. Our oldest son, Ryan will graduate high school at the end of May and I know my dad would really have liked to be here for that. Nikki was just inducted into the National German Honor Society and would really like to spend a part of next summer in Germany as an exchange student. So I find myself thinking how much my dad would have enjoyed it all. I miss you dad and hope you are enjoying the best, never-ending octoberfest on this your birthday. Ich Liebe dich. Frohe Geburtstag! Michele

He's the Incredible Hulk!

2010-03-30T13:28:00.000-07:00

Day 5 and he's turning green!

2010-03-30T10:19:00.000-07:00

Poor Sebastian, the swelling is finally going down on his lip but his nose is still really swollen and now he's turning GREEN! I also think he is playing way to much Pretty Pretty Princess with Annie as he is liking the jewelry a little too much. Tomorrow to the Surgeon to get stitches removed. Any prayers are welcome for full recovery and patience as he still can only eat soft food and no activity for 2.5 more weeks!
Enjoy the pics...some of them
Michele

24 Hrs Home and Hangin' in There

2010-03-27T13:33:00.000-07:00

So we have been home from the hospital a little over a day now and Sebastian is hanging in there. He is on pain meds every 4 hrs to keep him comfortable. His poor lip has swollen to 3 times its normal size. He looks so pitiful. I have to clean the incision 3 times a day with hydrogen peroxide and it is not fun for him. He has really been a trooper. He will be on a soft diet for 10 days and he is not really happy about this. He also needs to be fed like a baby to avoid trauma to his lip. I am not liking that part. He is having a hard time talking due to all the swelling...(I'm not minding that part)LOL...just kidding..well a little.
Anyway just wanted to give you an update and a couple more photos from the hospital and from today. He really is being such a good little trooper. Thanks for all the prayers and good wishes.
hugs,
Michele and Sebastian

Long but Successful day at the Hospital

2010-03-25T21:02:00.000-07:00

Sebastian was really a trooper. Considering how deathly afraid he is of doctors and all that goes with them, he did really well. He was very nervous and just shut down a few times but overall he did really well. The best was when the loopy medicine kicked in and he was like a silly drunk kid. Kept seeing two of the nurse and all giggly. Surgery took nearly twice as long as the Dr. said it would and gave this mother some very anxious moments, but all is good and he is hanging in there. I did take some photos to document the whole day. You will start with when we first arrived and got settled into our room to when he was loopy (in the blue surgical cap) to after surgery. Thank you all for all your calls and especially your prayers.. Hugs to you all it is now nearly 11 and I am toast.
Michele & family

Surgery Update...

2010-03-25T15:21:00.001-07:00

So my mom informed me that Sebastian went into surgery at 3:08pm, and that the nurse from the OR called in and said that there had been complications, and that it would be another hour in surgery. I guess Sebby was really scared going into it, and crying alot.

We'll let you know if anything else comes up!
Nikki

Surgery Scheduled

2010-03-24T17:56:00.000-07:00

w
Well, just what we didn't want, happened. Sebastian's surgery is scheduled for 2:00 in the afternoon. This is so bad. To tell Sebastian he can't eat all day?...the kid who is literally obsessed with food?? We have to be at the hospital by 12:00. This will be hard on him. But we are scheduled and that is the most important thing. Will post more tomorrow and take photos.
Keep praying, please.
hugs,
Michele

Daddy Daughter Dance!

2010-03-21T12:36:00.000-07:00

Well, it was time for the 2nd annual Daddy Daughter Dance here at our house. I think Annabelle looks forward to this event as much as her birthday. She is a girl who loves to get dressed up. So after getting all ready and getting her corsage from her daddy, off they went to the big ball! They had a great time. (Sorry no photos allowed at the dance).

But while daddy and Annie are off dancing, do not worry Sebastian is not left out. On the night of the daddy daughter dance, Sebastian gets to spend the night with mom and we go out to eat...his choice (he picks Chili's) and then we come home have popcorn and watch a movie..again his choice. He loves having any one on one time without Annie anywhere around. There is just a small amount of sibling rivalry. We had a great time together. I do love when we can spend just a little private time with each of the kids alone. Don't worry the teenagers were gone as usual and I would tell you more about their activities...but they don't want to be on the blog. But I sneak some stuff in once in a while. Have a great week.
Michele

The Daddy Daughter Dance

2010-03-21T12:29:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Annabelle!!!!

2010-03-21T11:59:00.000-07:00

Happy 6th birthday Annabelle!
I cannot believe our little Annabelle is now 6 yrs. old. Where does the time go? It really amazes me that I have had Annie in my life for 5 years and yet it seems like yesterday I held her for the first time. She is the most special of gifts I have ever been given. I thank God daily for this precious girl. I remember every moment of our time in china when she became our daughter forever.
She has grown so much but she has never lost that sparkle and joy for life. I have said it before, Annabelle is the absolute picture of Joy! She is just the happiest kid I have ever met. She takes life on everyday with a smile and a good laugh. She reminds me daily that life should be a blast. I am told often by people who meet her that her laugh just makes them smile. It is so true. So Happy Birthday my sweet, joyful girl. Always know that you are loved beyond measure and you make the world a better place just by being who you are. I will never forget the day I first layed eyes on you in Wuhan, China and I fully realized the miracle of adoption and God's amazing plan for your life.

For Annie's birthday we had to do something totally girly. So she had a make-up and Tea Party with 8 of her girlfriends. First she had her hair all done up and then when the girls arrived they all had their nails done and got dressed up and danced, had contests and went to the Tea Party! It was a blast for all of them. And it turns out Annabelle is the most amazing Hula- Hoop girl. That girl can swivel those tiny hips!! Enjoy the photos!
Michele

It's a Girl Thing!

2010-03-21T11:43:00.000-07:00

I Love This Quote!!!

2010-02-18T13:46:00.000-08:00

" Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and proclaiming, "Wow, what a ride!!!"

Blog Archive

Happy Chinese New Year!!!

2010-02-17T08:38:00.000-08:00

To all our friends in the adoption world, and everyone else,we wish you a happy chinese new year. We celebrated in our now traditional way by going downtown to chinatown and having dinner with Annie's Wuhan "sister" Mya and her family. And Sebastian's Kunming buddies Quincy and Meg and their parents Bridget and Jason. We are really very lucky that both Annie and Sebastian have friends from their life in china that live so close we can hang out together. God does work in mysterious ways. Also, Glenda, Kylie and Lawson joined us and it was loud, crazy, crowded but alot of fun.

Hope you enjoy the photos!

Michele

Today Is Your Birthday

2010-02-16T13:16:00.001-08:00

So February is a very busy month at our house. First it was Ryan's 18th birthday and then just 5 days later it was Sebastian's 8th birthday. And, on February 14th we not only celebrated valentines day but also Chinese New Year!

What a whirlwind couple of weeks. Ryan turning 18 is just twisting me up. How could my sweet first born, tow-headed, little, baby boy be 18 years old? I just can't believe how fast the time has gone by. He is finishing up his senior year in high school and then college? We will see. He is still trying to figure it all out himself. I do know that although school is not his favorite pastime, Ryan has proven himself to be a very loyal, caring, responsible young man. He has never given us reason to doubt him. He is a good brother and he makes me proud to be his mom. I loved him from the first moment I knew I was going to be a mom and I love him even more today. Happy birthday my handsome son. I am blessed to be able to call you my son. You make me smile.

Now Sebastian! On thursday, Sebastian will celebrate his 2nd anniversary of joing our family. It has been an amazing 2 years. Sebastian has come so far in the last two years. He has had his whole world turned upside down and he has come up swinging and smiling. I won't lie, it has been at times, very difficult and challenging. He is a very resilient and stubborn little boy. He is also incredibly sweet and charming. He wants what he wants and nothing else will do. He is the most caring little boy and will drive you nuts with his never ending questions. But I love him and last week he celebrated his 8th birthday with a dinner at chili's and some new Wii games and a brand new bike! Just wait until the snow melts. I am very proud of my youngest son. He reminds me everyday of what really is important in our lives. I love you sweet Sebastian and Happy Birthday!

Scroll down and click on "older posts" to see the birthday photos!

Happy Birthday Ryan and Sebastian!

2010-02-16T12:45:00.000-08:00

Pinkalicious Princess!

2010-01-25T12:43:00.000-08:00

We just finished redoing Annie's bedroom and it is so HER! She loves it. She also just loves the new ourfit she got for Christmas from her Aunt Linda. Pink and sparkly, what else would a 5yr old princess want? Enjoy the photos but beware they are PINK! Thanks Linda you couldn't have picked better!

We spent New Years with our good buds, Larry and Glenda and family and the P's again drinking, eating and bowling. We had a great time just hanging out. It is amazing how all our kids ranging in age from 17 to 5 can have so much fun together. And Cosmic bowling doesn't hurt! LOL

Happy New Year

2010-01-25T11:59:00.000-08:00

Wow, 2010 is here and busier than ever. Christmas was good although I have to say it just didn't seem like Christmas usually does. Maybe because it just snuck up on me. Yes I know it always comes the same time of year, but this year just seemed different. Anyway, it was all good and I think all the kids were happy with what "santa" brought them.

The weather here has been so cold and snowy that it just makes me bummed. I love it when Annie and Sebastian can play outside because they are both just outside kids. Sebastian just loves the snow. He comes from a part of china where it doesn't snow...very much like San Diego here so snow is just the best to him. They both can stay outside for hours just messing around. Me, well I just want to move someplace warm. I have lived here in the Midwest all my life and I need SUN! And it doesn't help that Rich is traveling to Hawaii for business regularily. I know, I should go along but I have this small issue of 4 kids to pawn off on someone and funny no one is jumping up and down to have 2 teenagers and 2 little asians! LOL

Ryan is visiting colleges and making decisions about where to go...and go figure he is leaning towards my alma mater....(not I did not pressure him). NIkki has made the speech team for her high school and has made finals all but one time....not common for her first year. Her speech is so funny and she is amazing to listen too. Yes, I am very biased, but she is such a good writer. I love to hear her perform.

Sebastian is really picking up steam in school this year. He has had some moments of trouble but those stories are for another post. He will have his first of 2 surgeries on his lip this march. The good news he has no palate issues and never did. The bad news they really do need to do some work on his cleft lip and then he will be even more handsome than he is now. We are also looking at some possible lazer surgery to cover some of the scars he received at the orpanage. Not a nice place.

Annie is turning out to be a really talented gymnast and is now at level 2 pre team for her gymnastics club. She really seems to like it and I am amazed at what she can do...though sometimes I can't watch the flips. She also wants to try cheerleading. We just redid her bedroom and it is now officially a totally pink Annabelle room...it is totally her.

Rich continues to travel and I just keep things rolling on the homefront. That's about it from here. Enjoy the photos.

Michele

Oh Goodness.

2009-12-17T16:44:00.000-08:00

Why did my mother put that picture of me with my friends at homecoming on the blog? I think you can figure out which one I'm talking about...the crazy faces one. Not my best angle....

haha just kidding :)

Merry Christmas everyone!
-Nikki

Merry Christmas and What's Been Happening

2009-12-16T12:41:00.000-08:00

Wow have I been away or what? Well 4 kids can keep you hopping. I have posted a bunch of new photos below so you can see all that has been going on. The first one is Annie from her Christmas sing at church. And then they are random photos from summer and our Montgomery family reunion...the youngest of the clan...meaning my cousins kids. Also Annie started kindergarten this fall and I don't know how that happened...MY BABY! But you can see her first day with dad and her new buddy Miss K. they are two peas in a pod..

We had an amazing vacation with our Wisconsin neighbors and their china travel group up in the Great state of Minnesota...and got to visit my good friend Sue. Then Ryan and Nikki had homecoming. And to say that Ryan is a senior and Nikki a sophmore just boggles the mind. And though life with teenagers will definately age you, I am really proud of both of them....most days. Ryan is making college decisions now...and I can honestly say I am good with that....really GOOD! LOL

We went to a fall festival that a co -worker of Rich's hosts every year and what blast for the little kids. You get to dig through hay mounds for candy...and Annie and Sebastian are Pros!
O.K they knocked out a few little kids to get the stash, but Hey, survival of the fittest right? Kidding. Then Halloween. Sebastian was a fierce Batman and Annie a 50's poodle skirt girl...Rich says Annie literally ran to every house...did I mention that kid is obsessed with candy?

So it has been busy, but all good. .. well that might be exaggerating a bit...mostly good I do have 2 teenagers... and you know how that goes. And yes it is crazy and busy and exhausting, but I love it all.

Merry Christmas to you all with love from all of us to all of you!

Catching Up with Photos

2009-12-16T10:49:00.000-08:00

Well it has been a while since our last post, in fact I think Nikki made the last post. But I am here now. I have to be truthful, I have wanted to post many times, but have just not been able to do so. I have always felt the blog was a place to "keep it real" and I just have been unable to do that. Truth be told I have been having a very hard time of it lately...too many questions and no difinitive answers.

You see my heart aches for one more little one to come home...to be a member of this family...but is that just me or is God calling me to do that? The truth is sometimes I just can't tell. I pray and pray about this and I just don't know. Then the questions start in my head... Why wouldn't God want me to do this? The Bible tells us "What you do for the least of these, You do for Me" But then reality comes crashing through. Where do I get the money? How do I do all that paperwork again? How do I give each of the 4 kids I have now enough attention? How much of the pleasures of life do we give up to support another child I'm sure many of you in my adoption world know exactly what I am talking about, the questions and excuses never end.

But then I see the children waiting, all the children who need a family, the ones who are living in the orphanages who would give anything just to have a mom and dad...the kids who are close to turning 14 in china and at that time "age out" and must leave the orphanage. How do you say NO?... How do I say, I just don't have it in me...... I'm tired... I want a new kitchen... I want to go on vacation...Blah, Blah, Blah, the never ending litany running through my head. Real concerns, I know.

And, then I watch Annie and Sebastian and I see the miracle of adoption. I see the light in Sebastian's eyes, the curiosity that never ends and the joy he gets from the simplist activities. I see a little boy filled with hope and love. And even though that kid can drive us nuts,(keeping it real here) I love him to no end and I know Sebastian will do something wonderful in his life...all because he has a family and love.
And Annie, well there is only one word to describe her and that is JOY. She is full of JOY! She just sparkles. She is the happiest kid I know...unless she is going at it with Sebastian! LOL! The truth is, she makes people smile...she brings us joy everyday. Would she be the same person if she were still in china? I will never know, but what I do know is that she has blessed my life every single day and I can't imagine my life without her in it.

Someone said to me recently, "I thought you were done with all that", talking about adoption...but here it is, I will never be done with it. I will never forget the children waiting. If I never get to bring another one home to my family, I will never forget the orphans. So I don't know if we will adopt again, but I will keep praying about it and trust God will lead me. Please remember the orphans this Christmas... pray for them, keep them in your heart. Pray for the families who are waiting to bring their children home.

So that is as real as it gets. I will post some new photos of all that has been happening in our lives over the past couple of months. I hope you enjoy them.
Hugs to you all,
Michele

Hey Blog People!

2009-09-16T17:10:00.001-07:00

Sooo what's up? It has been a couple of long, homework filled weeks. School has started for all four of us, and as you can see from the pictures below, Sebastian was looking forward to it with a bit of anxiousness, I was not into the whole "first-day-of-school-pictures" thing, but put up with it. Ryan was...less than happy about the start of his senoir year (!!!) and Annie...Annie was just excited for life. With good reason, because she is in KINDERGARTEN now! That's just crazy. Completely insane.

Also...I hope you enjoyed the new addition to the top of the page. My Chem. is one of my favorite bands, they fall JUST below Fall Out Boy on my list, and I was really excited when my mom let me put some lyrics up. The cool thing is the song is an unreleased one, and should be coming out on their new album at the end of the year. 9My excitement towards this is unbelievable.) The boys in My Chemical are a huge inspiration to me, and I'm glad to be sharing their message of hope with the Blogging and Adoption world.

ANYWAY, just to bring you up to date, we had a Family Reunion just before school started, and the girl you see in some of the pictures with me is my cousin Brieanna. We are wearing matching striped pants, which we bought together earlier this summer. The reunion was alot of fun, it was cool to see people we haven't in a while, and meet people who I didn't know were family!

Hope all is good with you,
Nikki :]

Pictures

2009-09-16T16:21:00.001-07:00

2009-08-14T07:13:00.000-07:00

Wow, where has the time gone? I feel like I say that all the time, but it seems to be flying by and sometimes it just scares me how fast the days go by. Well here it is the end of summer and another school year is just around the corner. I have finally posted some updated pictures. Yes I know Ryan and NIkki aren't in alot of photos, but that is because they don't often want to be on the blog...teenagers.

Nikki felt we needed some new stuff on the blog so she has added her own stuff with a new quote and headers. I hope you enjoy the pictures of our summer vacation. We headed up north to Minnesota with good friends and had a great time. A big bonus for me was getting to see my good friend, Sue. We spent the day with her and her boys at her lake home. Sue is in the first photo holding Annie. We had a great time tubing and swimming and riding the ATV at her place. It is just the best to spend the day with good friends.

The best part of the trip is sharing it with Sebastian. This was his first real vacation and three days in a row he said: "This is the best day of my life!" He had such a great time. He even told everyone that when he is a dad, he is going to bring his children back so they can see how much fun the place was.

The quote of our trip did come from Annabelle while tubing. She was sitting in the boat while Sebastian and Nikki were tubing and after several trips around the lake she says: "why do we keep going around in circles? doesn't she know where she's going? LOL priceless.

Enjoy the photos and have a great last couple weeks of summer.
Hugs,
Michele

More Pictures

2009-08-13T19:20:00.000-07:00

End of The Summer Pictures

2009-08-13T17:37:00.000-07:00

Recital Pics.

2009-06-09T19:07:00.000-07:00

Annie's Dance Recital

2009-06-09T18:11:00.000-07:00

Bringing You Up to Date

2009-06-09T17:48:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

Wow, it's been awhile. Sorry there haven't been any updates; no excuses really, just been super busy. You know what's cool? I'm watching the Fall Out Boy concert that I went to in Decemeber and can see myself in my favorite song. But now I'm listening to this cool European band. I don't know where I find this music...but it's so much fun...you can hear the accents. Eek! Okay, I'm done.

So...the major thing is.... IT'S SUMMERRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!! This is very very very exciting. It's so cool, Sebastian's made it through first grade, he's now officially a 2nd grader. It's amazing, that boy has grown so much, he's so smart. One of his friends at school asked if he could go to a movie tomorrow. And he's a ladies man! He'd come home in the begining of the year and say, "Yeah, I met another girl friend today." He's incredibly annoying at time, and he's still very socially awkward, but he really is a cute little guy.

Annie is going to be a Kindergartener next fall, which is absolutly insane. How did the little girl I used to play with on the carpet in the family room. I told her she's not allowed to go to school next year.

Ryan is going to be a senior next year! *gasp!* I can't believe that he's going to be a senior. Crazy, crazy stuff.

So anyway I'll make some posts with pictures only, and you can enjoy those. Thanks for reading!

A year of Annabelle..Happy Birthday Sweet Girl

2009-03-10T14:22:00.000-07:00

2009-03-10T13:51:00.000-07:00

2009-03-10T12:56:00.000-07:00

Happy 5th Birthday Annabelle!!

2009-03-10T12:31:00.000-07:00

On March 10,2004 on the other side of the world, a baby was born in china.
On March 7, 2005 she joined her forever family. I witnessed a miracle that day in china. My life forever changed in that single moment when I held my daughter in my arms.

Oh my goodness, how can it be that my beautiful baby girl is 5 years old today?

Often it seems like she has been with us forever and then it seems just like yesterday that I waited in the civil affairs office in Wuhan, China to hold my baby. Li Jia Chun started screaming the second they put her in my arms and yet it is the most wonderful of memories. I was given a gift from God that day...a miracle. Then 3 days later our sweet china doll celebrated her first birthday with her new mom and dad.

Now 4 years later she is the most lively, active, silly, sassy, sweet joyful child. She just sparkles. She fills this house with laughter. Many people will tell you how lucky your child is that you adopted them. The truth is this. We are the lucky ones. I have been Blessed by this child. She renews my spirit everyday. She brings me joy. So, Happy Birthday precious Annabelle. Your family loves you beyond measure. And I thank God every single day for the miracle of adoption, and the gift of Annabelle Faith Jia Chun Haske.

Birthdays, Gotcha Day and more...

2009-02-14T14:31:00.000-08:00

February has been a very busy month. First we celebrated Ryan's 17th birthday. How is it possible that we have a 17 year old son. Poor Ryan had big plans of going to see his first "R" rated movie on his own (not to worry, mom has to approve of all movies) but the poor kid got sick and so still now "R" rated movie for him.

Next we celebrated Sebastian's 7th birthday yesterday. He also had his first Valentines party yesterday at school. He has had so many "firsts" this past year for a boy of 6 years. He is doing amazingly well and is making incredible progress in first grade. We still have hurdles to overcome, but he is an amazing little boy.

Next week we celebrate his one year anniversary of joining his forever family. I can't believe it has been a year since we first looked into his beautiful brown eyes in Kunming. He is just not the same child. Next week Sebastian will have his first ever kid birthday party with 12 of his buddies!

And on March 7th we will celebrate 4 years since we were first handed the most beautiful baby girl in Hubei, China. Annabelle will then celebrate her 5th birthday on March 10th!

It has been a very busy start to the new year...It has been exhausting and stressful at times, but what a ride! I wouldn't have it any other way.
Happy Valentines Day to you all
Hugs,
Michele

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET SEBASTIAN!

2009-02-14T14:17:00.000-08:00

It's his first Christmas!

2008-12-20T15:48:00.000-08:00

Wow, I can't believe Christmas will be in just 4 days! Where did this year go? A year ago at this time, I was anxiously waiting to travel to china to meet our new son and bring him home. Now here we are one year later and he has been home almost 10 months and getting ready to celebrate his first Christmas at age six! I almost feel guilty at times telling him the Santa story. And as Sebastian is the boy of a million questions a day, he has been asking every question you could think of...and some I have never thought about...quick thinking is our new mode of operation around here! LOL

Seroiusly Sebastian doesn's even look like the same little boy we brought home the end of February. He has made so many adjustments in his new life. After we brought Annabelle home, I told people she humbled me. She was the bravest person I ever met. I feel the same with Sebastian. These children have been through so much. They have lost so much, and yet they bounce back and are willing to trust, hope and love again.
At six years old Sebastian is learning what a family is. What it means to have a family and how to live as part of a family. Too often, I forget that, and don't have the patience I should. He humbles me everyday, just like Annabelle.

He started school in September, and it had to be so hard for him. But he went everyday with a big smile on his face. He goes to church every Sunday. He has no clue what we are doing there and yet he was excited to go. He struggles with his siblings, not sure how to really interact and where he fits into the whole and yet he embraces them daily....well maybe not Annie everyday...but most days. Would I do as well if put into his situation? NOT A CHANCE! He loves it here and now freely gives me huge hugs and says "I love you mommy" Who is the lucky one? We are.

I have found the reason I was put on this earth. I am here for the orphans. I believe with every fiber of my being this is my purpose and I struggle daily with guilt that I haven't done enough. I will never do enough. Every child deserves a home and a family to love them and care for them. Oh I wish I could go back one more time and bring one more child home. Who knows. China has a way of getting in to your soul. I don't necessarily love it when I'm there, but the gift you take home with you is worth it all.
I don't mean to sound preachy, but everyone reading this blog has known the love of a family, or at least one person. Can you help an orphan? Maybe it is the holiday season, but I ache inside for all the kids that won't have a family to be with this week. There are so many wonderful organizations that support orphans around the world: Love Without Boundaries, Half the Sky Foundation, Brittany's Hope, and a ton more. Maybe you could check them out. Make a difference in the lofe on just one child.

Oh well, enough of that. Take a look at all the new photos. Sebastian and Annie meeting Santa. At Halloween. Sebastian was really into his Spiderman pose and thought he had to do that at every house. LOL Annie was a fairy.

I also have to show off Annie with her "diva" girlfriends from Preschool. Maddie, Eva and Jenna are the best and cutest, hippest girls in town! Annie loves them all!

Sebastian had his first visit to the Brauhaus. My dad would have enjoyed it. I actually think Sebastian thought we were all nuts singing German songs...but he had a great time.

Enjoy the photos.
Thanks again for sharing the journey to Sebastian.
Hugs,
Michele

About the Pics...

2008-12-20T12:15:00.000-08:00

It's a pretty diverse group of 'em. The first few are when Annie and Sebastian met Santa...oh yeah...it was big. Sebastian wouldn't stop asking questions from the moment we got in line and was abosolutley thrilled when he sat on Santa's lap. Annie was really excited too, and I love the pictures my mom got.

The next few are a mix of Halloween and going to The Brauhaus in downtown Chicago for my Grandmother birthday. It's a German restruant so...that explains the hats. LOL. Attractive, aren't they?

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a fabulous New Year's.
-Nikki and the Haske Family

(And...shout out to Fall Out Boy...they've got a new album {Folie a Deux} It's awesome. <- sorry 'bout that.)

Halloween-Santa Pictures!!

2008-12-20T11:43:00.000-08:00

There's alot here, to make up for the lack of pictures recently...

Happy 11 Days Until Christmas!

2008-12-14T15:58:00.000-08:00

I think it's 11 days, anyway. How is everyone out there? It's been another month, we have trouble getting posts out quickly...

Annie's sick on our end. She's got a cough and a bit of a fever, I think, but she's quiet a trooper.

OH! Before I forget...Ryan's ameba (I KNOW I spelled that wrong) is gone! It's so exciting...and just in time for Christmas. I know he's extremely happy, although it does seem a little strange to see him without glasses. At least he can play Water Polo this year, which is great.

There's nothing more, I guess. Annie and Sebby had there Christmas Show at church today, which was cute. You could hear Annie belting out Away In A Manger with all her heart and Sebastian didn't really know the songs, but he tried to sing along. they both met Santa yesterday and I SWEAR I'll have those pictures up by the end of this week.

Hope you all have a great week...
Nikki

La La La

2008-11-09T14:16:00.000-08:00

There's not much to say but...whatever. I'm waiting for a teacher to e-mail me back about a homework question and was bored in the meantime.

I DID check out a couple blogs my mom had told me about, families with adopted children, mostly, and...okay I'll admit...a band I like's website. Anyway, some of you guys have amazing stories. I won't mention names because I'm not sure if you want them mentioned, but I was pretty amazed at the journey's of some families adoptions.

I would add on that but Sebastian and Annie are SCREAMING like lunatics, and I'm trying hard to be nice. He's a fiesty little thing, Sebastian, it's...irratating, but we get through it. (Fine, fine, fine, me and him don't exactly go skipping through meadows together..it's more of a charging at each other...but he's my brother and I love him.)

It's getting colder here, and, sadly, I'm going to have to start wearing my winter coat to school. I'm not a fan of that bitter coldness, snow and winter blah-ness, and I always get more irratible when these days rear their icy head. I like hoodies though, so at least I'll have an excuse for wearing those. I guess it's the weather that I don't like about winter, but I like that coziness. Drinking hot apple cinder, decorating the Christmas tree and being all warm in bed. But enough of my rambling.

*Sigh* I don't think my teacher has responded yet, but I'm going to wrap this up anyway. I hope everyone is doing fine, and that you enjoyed my appetizer of an entry...we should have Halloween (My favorite holiday...yay!) pictures up soon, (Is that like the main course?) and...yeah...check those when they come out!

comment! comment! comment!
^they're fun to read!

Toodles!
Nikki

WOW, it has been awhile....

2008-10-12T11:02:00.000-07:00

I am so sorry to have been away from the blog for such a long time. But well, with 4 kids, I don't get much computer time these days. However, I thought I would fill you in on all that has been going on since we last posted.

Let's see, Well Sebastian lost his first two teeth and since no one in china had ever mentioned that he would lose his baby teeth, he was very concerned and when we told him he was going to lose all his baby teeth, he thought we were complete idiots from an alien planet....but he will soon see we are right! LOL Now explain the tooth fairy to a six year old boy who has no clue...then go on to explain about Halloween and then follow that with Santa and Jesus's birth and Christmas...Well you get the idea, he is over the top and now thinks America is GREAT!!!

Sebastian is changing so much he hardly looks like the same little boy we met in china. He is very inquisitive and asks a million questions a day. He is getting better with playing with toys and Thankfully he and Annie are getting along much better these days. He also started 1st grade and is struggling a bit but he is so smart and I know he will catch up in no time. But get this, his struggles are not with english....he tested a 30 out of 30 for language and vocabulary....he has more social issues...but he is doing better every week.

He also started playing soccer this fall and once again he had no idea what soccer was or how to play...but he is an aggressive little rascal on the field. O.K. so I have to share a funny story. His first game he is getting ready to run out on the field and I yell " Go Get 'Em Sebastian"! and he stops dead in his tracks and looks at me and yells..."what? Get who? What am I supposed to Get?"" Ahh learning a new language is so funny. Made the team parents laugh!

What else? Well Ryan got his driver's license in July and is now our errand man. Big news in the life of a 16 year old boy. He is now 6'2" and we think still growing...apparently he got Matt's genes.

Ryan and Nikki went to homecoming (not together of course) but I think they were two of the best looking kids in attendence....o.k. I am biased...but I am the mom.

Annie started 4 year preschool and Hip Hop and Jazz dance class and loves both. Annie is the social butterfly of the family. Rich and I are scared of what she will be like at 14, but she is still the happiest kid I have ever met. She is also bossy, feisty and stubborn, but mostly she is very silly and sweet....and thinks she is the original Hannah Montana!

That is all the news for now....Hopefull we won't wait so long to post again, but with two teenagers and two little ones....man the time just flies. So I hope you enjoy the new pictures.
Until next time,
Hugs to all,
Michele

SIGH Even MORE Pictures

2008-10-12T10:44:00.000-07:00

More Pictures...

2008-10-12T09:44:00.000-07:00

I realize it's not much but after the last post I realized I didn't have any of Annabelle. I've gotta make up for that or she'll hate me...lol.
Let me know if you can see these...just leave a comment. They're coming up as little red X's for me so...
Off to play The Sims now.

-Nikki
P.S.- Viva La Vida is one amazing song...that and the new Fall Out Boy single...(Had to say it!)

Pictures For YOU! (Yes...you!)

2008-10-11T15:12:00.001-07:00

We're Back!

2008-10-11T14:02:00.000-07:00

Whew!
Sorry for the lack of posts for like 3 1/2 months...it's been hectic, although that shouldn't be an excuse. Here's the update on us kiddies:

Annie: She's loving preschool, she and her best friend Jenna are two peas in a pod, which is adorable. She's our little fashionista, judging by the fact that she told my mom the other day that another girl at school had the same shirt as her, so she needed a new one. Annie also has this creepy ability that she's had for a while now to know what we're talking about when we spell words out. Like if my mom is letting me and Ryan know that Annie's not going to see "G-R-A-N-D-M-A" she goes, "I'm not seeing granny?"

Sebastian: He's taking the world by storm! Sebby's playing soccer, in first grade and telling my mom that "There was no surprise in my lunch today. Why did you not give me a surprise in my lunch today?" He's a tough little guy. I'm so proud of the way he's done in school. It's been hard, yes, but Sebastian is so willing to learn and excel, and he's doing a million times better then I would if I were put in his position. And he's athletic! Sebastian loves soccer, and my dad is the assitant coach for his team, which makes Sebastian love it even more.

Ryan: He's good too, Ryan's a Junior in High School now, which is crazy. What's even more crazy is that he'll be seventeen in February. That blows my mind. What happened to the brother that I used to Pokemon Cards with? Time is so slippery. He's such a great brother, I don't give him nearly enough credit. He's got a driver's Liscense, and he drives me to school sometimes. How cool is that? I get to drive to school with my Upperclassman brother? Nice!

Me: I'm doing okay. I'm not loving school but not counting down till Graduation, either, which I think is the same for Ryan. Oh!...I'm soooo excited because Fall Out Boy has a new CD coming out in November!!! (Sorry...had to mention it...they're my favorite band, lol.)

Mom and Dad: They're good... I think my mom is enjoying the peace of Sebastian going to school. (lol) Like I said, my Dad is helping out with Sebastian's soccer team, and he must be doing a good job because they won their past two or three games.

Ok, I'm trying to upload these pictures into the computer, and it still has 25 minutes remaining. Lame! So I think I'll end this post and start a new on when these pictures are on the computer.

Until then...
Nikki

MORE Pictures!!!!

2008-06-13T10:01:00.000-07:00

So we've been pretty good about getting pictures out lately, huh? I think this is the third post in two days. Wow. Everything's good here, not much to report. Thanks to the people that linked to us on their blogs, that's pretty cool.

I wish I could think of somemthing more interesting to say, but I'm not being very creative today. HOPEFULLY we can get our laptop's internet working again and post some videos on YouTube and then on the blog. Very annoying thing to do, and if anyone has a better [faster] way of getting videos on their blog, I would LOVE to know. We've got Sebastian's Baptism and hopefully some other stuff on the Video Camera that would be pretty cool to put up on the blog. Hopefully seems to be the key word right now.

Besides that, I was looking at the picture at the top of page from when Sebastian was in Kunming still. What a change, huh? He looks so much older now. I realize he's only 6, but stil...

Hope all is good for you guys!
-Nikki

New Pictures

2008-06-12T13:44:00.000-07:00

New Pictures

2008-06-12T13:19:00.000-07:00

New Pictures!

2008-06-11T08:54:00.000-07:00

I realize there aren't alot of them, but there should be more later. I can't find the cord to hook up the camera to the computer. These are from our party for Sebastian's Baptism. Probably later today we'll have some others.

-Nikki

Is Summer Great or What??

2008-06-10T19:24:00.000-07:00

O.K. so I haven't posted in quite awhile. Well Nikki posted a couple of weeks ago and most of you prefer her entries anyway, and so do I. But, I thought I better fill you in on a few happenings aound the Haske household. It has been very busy around here the last few months. Bringing a new child into the family is hard. It's like giving birth, but to a 44 pounder with a very strong will and some issues.

I have to keep it real here and tell you that, the first month home I honestly thought I had made the biggest mistake of my life. I was exhausted and Sebastian was testing us or maybe he was just trying to survive in a world that, for him had turned upside down.
My sweet Annie went nuts and turned into this evil, mean, crying and sceaming little tyrant! My two teenagers weren't happy either. Then Ryan ends up with a very serious and dangerous parasite in his eye that requires constant trips to the cornea dr and I swear Sebastian must have thought the mini van was our house! LOL
All I could think of was that maybe we weren't supposed to adopt again. What had I done to my family? Afterall it is me who pushes to bring these children home. How will we survive this chaos? Well we have and I have to say...I love this little boy. He is simply amazing and once again, I am humbled.

On Mother's Day, Sebastian made me a card ( with a little help from big sis Nikki) But he told Nikki what to write in the card and this is what he wanted to tell me:
"Thank you for the Pizza (I had made homemade pizza the night before) and you are very cool" "I love you" Sebastian. Can a card get any better than that? He loves my pizza and I'm very cool!

Next I went to his closing program at his Pre K class. Sebastian only joined this school in April. The theme was centered around The Wizard of Oz. Sebastian sang every song and knew all the words and motions. 2 months at the school and only 3 months home from china and there he is singing his heart out.

This past month, Nikki made her Confirmation and graduated 8th grade and two weeks later we had Sebastian Baptised. I took Nikki to have her Hair cut and highlighted and she was thrilled. Nikki has very very curly hair and has wanted this new do for a long time. She looks amazing and about 18 years old (not something her dad is happy about)! I can't believe my little girl is going to start High School in the fall. I am so proud of her. This has been a year of ups and downs for her but she makes me proud.

Sebastian had his Baptism on June 1st and he did so well. I know he was nervous standing up there with the whole congregation looking at him, but he was very brave. In the morning when we were getting ready, he had the choice to wear his chinese silk shirt or his blue dress shirt and navy pants. He tried on his chinese shirt and I could tell he was so proud and really wanted to wear it, but he was hesitating, so I asked him which outfit he was going to choose? He looked back and forth and then pointed to the dress shirt and pants and said "I wear blue because I not chinese no more" He melted my heart. So I said "Sebastian you will always be chinese, now you are just an American chinese, but you will still always be from china and be chinese" He gets this big grin on his face and says " then I wear my china shirt"! And so he did. He looked so handsome. I will have Nikki post some photos from the day. What a great party and what amazing family and friends we have.

Now summer is here and we are hanging out, playing and getting organized. Sebastian got a sandbox from our good friends the Ashe's and he loves the sand. I love the Ashe's because he and annie will play in the sand for at least an hour and I can get some stuff done. LOL The new swing set is built ( Thanks Rich for building it and doing a great job and for getting it done in time for the party!) and Annie and Sebastian love it. I am getting more grey hair watching them hang upside down and climb like monkeys.

Ryan is running around so much with his buddies that we hardly see him around here. Just 17 more hours until he can get his license. Doesn't sound like much, but it takes forever. We are going to have to make a few trips to Wisconsin just to get the time. I am in no hurry! HIs eye is getting better slowly but surely. He will be on medication drops at least through September according to Dr. M the cornea man. He can only swim with goggles and of course no contacts until all this is cleared up. This has been a long road, but he still has his sight so I'm thrilled.

Oh yeah, and princess annie. Well she is getting better and is adjusting to her new brother more and more everyday. They really do have a love/hate relationship. But they can play together more and more everyday without fighting.....as often. She has almost stopped biting him....and now they can laugh, get silly and play together for quite a while before they remember they don't like each other. They also hug and dance together quite often....and then she hits him...no I'm just kidding....sort of! Annie is still my little miracle. She is so sweet and loving and she makes me laugh several times a day. She is animated, funny, bossy and very generous. She can't carry a tune in a basket, but will sing at the top of her lungs just because she likes the song. Oh to be so free and easy!

So that is what has been happening around here. I pray that you all have a safe and fun summer. I am enjoying all the "firsts" with Sebastian. The first time he played in the sand, the first time I took him to the pool, the first bike ride, the first time he said the prayer at dinnertime, the first bubble bath, watching him hit a baseball...you forget what it's all like until you experience it through his eyes. It's all new and exciting. I'm trying to remember that and feel it too.

keep checking for new photos...and remember to treasure each new day...that is my goal for the year!
Grace and Peace,
Michele

Very Recent Pictures!!

2008-05-29T17:37:00.000-07:00

Hey Everybody! I realize we haven't posted in a while...sorry about that!

QUICK UPDATES:
Sebastian: He's been doing SOOOO well. He can talk in more or less a sentence, and his writing is amazing. He's graduating 4/5 Preschool this Friday, (tomorrow) so we're all really excited. My dad just finished building his and Annie's new Treehouse, and they love playing on it. I can't believe this is the same little boy with that nervous little smile on his face back in February.

Annie: WOW. She's doing pretty good. I feel kind of bad, I haven't really been paying too much attention her lately, which I should do more of. She's been getting back to her normal, silly self more and more, but we're still not quite there.

Nikki (Me): What can I say? I got a haircut, which I really like. You'll see in the pictures, it's always strait, which it's meant to. I love it. Besides that...me, my mom, my friend Emily and her mom went to see one of my favorite bands, Panic At The Disco, last Friday. It was so amazing. They were really good preformers, and, although Emily lost her shoes in a mosh pit, it was a really fun night. If any of you reading this are my age and have heard of Panic, you should try to see them live, like I said, they were incredible.

Ryan: He's finishing up his Sophmore year, (Eek!) and still getting those hours for his Driver's License. Personally, I can't wait for him to get it, maybe he'll drive me places. Ryan's been a great brother to all of us since we got home from China. His eyes doing better, he takes drops I think 4 hours apart, which is much easier than every hour. Please continue to pray for him.

So, without further adieu, enjoy the pictures, and leave lots of comments!
-Nikki and the Haske family

Brittney's Hope Walk Of Love

2008-04-30T19:08:00.000-07:00

Hey!

We just set up our website for Brittney's Hope Walk Of Love, so click on the link below and check that out. We need TONS of donations in order to reach that goal of $1000. As some of you might know, this is an awesome organization, so please donate!

http://www.active.com/donate/2008WalkOfLove/sebastiansjourneyhome

Sorry about no recent updates...
Nikki

More pictures...

2008-04-11T09:33:00.000-07:00

Just like in China...here are the pictures!

-Nikki and everyone else here...

Is already April?

2008-04-11T08:55:00.000-07:00

Well, actually, it's April 11th, so this is a bit overdue.

It's Nikki. I have to admit I was thinking that I was done with these posts when we got home, but I guess not. That's okay, I love reading the comments about what we post.

As my mom said before, Sebastian has been doing amazingly well. I don't even know where to start, anything we thought we would have a problem with, we don't. He eats any and everything, and his English is way better then my Chinese. He makes me laugh everyday, even when I get home from Track and just want to get my homework done and sleep.

Again, as my mom said, he was testing us with everything when we got home, but he's pretty much stopped that, as far as I know. (Well, I'm not the one home with him all day, so you might want to run that by my mom.)

Like I said, Sebastian's English has grown amazingly well. He knows what we're talking about probably 75% of the time, which is pretty amazin, if you ask me. Not only that, but he can write numbers 0-30 in English, and count them for you. I was watching the music video for the song 'Everything' by A Cursive Memory (Very cute song, you might want to check it out) and Sebastian had come in the room and was watching it with me. He really liked it, and sadi, "Nikki, more?" when it was over. We played it a few more times, and by the third time, Sebastianwas singing the ENTIRE SONG IN ENGLISH. Now he walks around the house singing, "You're my E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G, Everywhere, Everytime, Everything" It's the most adorable thing ever.

Hope you enjoy the pictures, most are pretty recent...so yeah! Hope all our travel mates are doing well!
Nikki

Two Weeks Home and What a Change!

2008-03-16T18:59:00.000-07:00

Well we have been home two weeks now and have things changed. I am not going to tell you everything is peachy and going perfectly, but we are making progress everyday. Coming home from 16 days in china leaves you physically and emotionally drained. All you want to do is just sit, sleep and be a zombie...but oh yeah, you just brought a new child home with you and there is no sitting, sleeping and being a zombie. You have to jump right in with both feet and start your new life. Well, I won't lie it hasn't been easy. Sebastian tested us at every turn the first week and then Annie decided she had enough of her new brother and him taking all her stuff! The sweet little girl, who shared everything with her new brother in china, was done being miss nice. She has regressed and been very difficult. They tattle on each other all the time and both holler "it's mine" constantly. CALGON TAKE ME AWAY! I will admit the first 10 days I really thought we had made the biggest mistake of our lives. I am too old for all this. And then that magic moment happens when your child looks at you, smiles and says, "I love you mommy" Your heart melts and you know you can make it through one more day.

Yesterday, Rich took Sebastian to watch Ryan play water polo and I took the girls for some "chick time" When we got home and were pulling into the driveway, Sebastian was coming toward us on his new bike. I swear he couldn't have smiled any bigger if he wanted to. He saw us and waved me in with that magic smile of his and pointed to his bike and gave me the thumbs up sign and said "Daddy very good" He made me cry. This is why we adopt. To give our children a home, a life and joy!! Every child deserves joy. And the joy he can give to me. One of those smiles can wipe out all the stress. He has been so brave. He is picking up english so quickly and it must be so frustrating for him. I remember when I was young, my dad made us go to Germany so many summers and stay with someone. Before I could understand and speak german, it was so boring and depressing to constantly be around a family speaking another language and I couldn't really communicate with them. Sebastian deals with this every day. Yet he wakes up with a smile on his face.

This past week was so sad for him and for me. We had to start all the doctors appointments and they needed to draw a ton of blood from him. Well I don't know what went on in china, but this boy is completely terrified of doctors. It took three of us holding him down and a nurse getting the blood. All the while he is screaming and crying out in chinese. It breaks your heart as a mom. I held him as tightly as I could and then he started crying out "mommy" that was it. Rich gets to take him the next time. On Tuesday we will go see the specialists at Children's memorial. Please let their be no more tests.
Also this past week we discovered Ryan has an ulcer on his cornea. At first I'm thinking, and eye infection. But NO, the specialists inform me this is very serious. He has been to the opthamologist three days in a row and has to go again on Monday. His eye isn't looking any better to me...so I am worried. Could you say a prayer for him??

And finally it was Annabelle's 4th birthday. I can't believe my baby is 4 years old. Where did the time go? Annie was so excited for this birthday because she was having her first kid party at Chuck E. Cheese. (Yes, I thought I was done with chucky) She had a blast! She was strutting around that place like she owned it. The funny thing is, she thinks he is Mickey Mouse....who am I to tell her differently. I'm sure Mickey isn't pleased! lol. She got a scooter and loves it. Her and Sebastian have a riot riding around the house and chasing each other. He is on her tricycle and she on the scooter. He is too big for the tricycle, but he doesn't care. I love listening to the two of them laughing....until they remember they are arch ememies and the fighting starts again. But everyday it gets a little better. I can't wait for spring. Today we went looking for playsets and Sebastian just smiled the whole time. He kept saying "Thank you mommy and daddy" and we haven't bought anything yet! I love this little boy. He tries my patience, but he is the sweetest, most compassionate little boy. I can't wait until we can really talk to him. He must be getting more comfortable, because now at bedtime, he is in his room and he starts talking to his stuffed monkey in chinese. He is very animated. O.K. I realize he could be telling his monkey that we are complete idiots and he wants out of this nut house, but I choose to think he is happy and telling his monkey all his adventures...even the time outs....

Enjoy the photos and we will put more up every few days and keep you posted on the crazy happenings at the Haske household. Thank you to each and every one of you who followed our journey to china. It meant alot to know so many friends and family were back home cheering us on and keeping us in prayer. We love you all.
Have a Blessed Easter. May God bring you Peace and Joy as you celebrate his Resurrection!
Hugs,
Michele and family

New Pictures!

2008-03-16T15:38:00.000-07:00

This is kind of a Picture diary of since we've been back. It's been kind of hectic, but I'll spare you the details right now, my mom will get into those later. The highlights have been Annie's 4th birthday (Ahhh 4 already??) several Doctor appointments and a trip to the dentist. Sebastian's done absolutly amazing, he's adjusting so well. He loves his brother Ryan very much, especially going to watch him play water-polo. I can't believe the transformation in him.One of his favorite things is his new bike, which he can't seem to ride without a huge smile on his face. There are a few pictures of him on that, and you can just see the joy he gets from it. Sorry for the wait on pictures and an update, like I said, it's been crazy.

Can't wait to hear how it's going with all our travel mates!
Nikki

We're Home...

2008-02-29T17:39:00.000-08:00

Finally...

Home at last. I would write something about the trip back, except I'm half-asleep, and we're still reuniting with Ryan and my Grandma and Grandpa.

So this is just to let you all know that we had a safe trip, and that we're extremely happy to be home. maybe I'll post tomorrow, but I can't promise anything.

~Nikki

MY FINAL POST FROM CHINA

2008-02-28T04:54:00.000-08:00

WELL IT IS OUR LAST DAY HERE IN GUANGZHOU AND AS
ALWAYS IT IS BITTERSWEET. ON THE ONE HAND, YOU ARE SO
HAPPY TO HEAD HOME, AND THEN AGAIN, YOU ARE A LITTLE
SAD TO LEAVE YOUR CHILD's BIRTHPLACE. THIS TRIP HAS
SEEMED VERY LONG AND TRYING TO KEEP FIVE PEOPLE IN TWO
SMALL HOTEL ROOMS HAS BEEN TRYING AND EXHAUSTING
ESPECIALLY WHEN TWO OF THOSE ARE 3 AND 6 AND VERY
ACTIVE KIDS BORED AND LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO.

I ASKED NIKKI IN HER FINAL POST TO LIST THE THINGS SHE
MISSED MOST FROM HOME AND I WOULD DO THE SAME. I
HAVEN'T SEEN HER POST YET SO THIS SHOULD BE
INTERESTING. TEEN PERSPECTIVE VS. ADULT.

I MISS HAVING BREAKFAST IN THE MORNING WITH RYAN WHEN
HE IS GETTING READY FOR SCHOOL. IT IS USUALLY JUST HE
AND I AND IT IS QUIET AND HE IS VERY SWEET MOST OF THE
TIME.

I MISS TELLING HIM TO WATCH OUT FOR CARIBOU, MOOSE AND
BARNEY AS HE WALKS OUT THE DOOR....INSIDE JOKE

I JUST MISS RYAN BEING AROUND

I MISS MY GLASS OF COLD SKIM MILK EVERY MORNING. I
KNOW MOST OF YOU ARE GOING GROSS, BUT I HAVE A COLD
GLASS OF MILK EVERY
MORNING. I WON'T TOUCH THE MILK HERE BECAUSE I DON'T
KNOW WHAT ANIMAL IT CAME FROM AND IF IT HAS BEEN
PASTURIZED, PURIFIED,YOU NAME IT.....I'm NOT DRINKING
IT.

I MISS ICED TEA OR ANY DRINK WITH ICE....CAN'T DRINK
IT HERE.

I MISS CLEAN DRINKING WATER FROM THE TAP, YOU CAN'T
DRINK THE TAP WATER OVER HERE AND YOU CAN'T USE IT TO
BRUSH YOUR TEETH...IT IS NOT CLEAN AND YOU WOULD GET
VERY SICK....WE NEED TO USE BOTTLED WATER FOR
EVERYTHING.....IT GETS VERY OLD

I MISS CHURCH. I MISS SEEING OUR FRIENDS AND GETING
MY SUNDAY HUG FROM LARRY....I MISS WORSHIPING....AND
I'M NOT JUST SAYING THAT BECAUSE MY PASTOR CAN SEE THE
BLOG...LOL

I MISS MY NORMAL ROUTINE, HAVING LUNCH WITH FRIENDS
AND WALKING MY NEIGHBORHOOD.

I MISS TALKING TO MY MOM AND HAVING LUNCH WITH
HER.....I MISS MY MOM...

I MISS MY KIDS GOING TO SCHOOL....LOL

I MISS HOME COOKED FOOD AND FOOD THAT DOESN'T LOOK
BACK AT YOU ON THE PLATE...ENOUGH CHICKEN AND DUCK
HEADS ON MY PLATE

MOSTLY I JUST MISS MY ROUTINE, MY FRIENDS AND HANGING
OUT WITH MY FAMILY. I MISS RICH GOING TO WORK AND
COMING HOME AT NIGHT WITH NEWS.

I WOULDN'T TRADE THIS EXPERIENCE FOR ANYTHING, I
WOULDN'T GIVE UP SEBASTIAN IN OUR LIVES, DESPITE THE
FACT THAT HE IS THROWING A FIT RIGHT NOW AND BUGGING
ANNIE.....HE IS SWEET AND FUNNY AND VERY CARING.

SO THIS IS OUR FINAL POST FROM CHINA, I CAN'T WAIT TO
SEE YOU ALL AND FOR ALL OF YOU TO MEET SEBASTIAN.
ENJOY THE NEW PHOTOS AND WE WILL SEE YOU IN
CHICAGO.....

LARRY AND GLENDA THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE RIDE..
HUGS AND LOVE TO YOU ALL AND THANKS FOR SHARING OUR
JOURNEY....WE WILL POST FINAL PHOTOS ONCE WE ARE HOME.
MICHELE RICH NIKKI ANNIE AND SEBASTIAN

As We Pack to Return Home

2008-02-27T05:01:00.000-08:00

It's strange to think we're going home in two days. Even stranger to think that we're taking home little Sebastian. Personally, I don't think he'll do well on a 14-hour flight...but that's beside the point.

The trip has been amazing, and I don't say that lightly. How many people can say they've been to China?? Now I can. I got to see things like the Great Wall, Forbidden City, and Stone Forest, that not many people can say they've seen. I expierenced the feeling of seeing my little brother for the first time on Gotcha Day. And, of course, I got to write some of the posts for the blog.

Although my journey has been incredible, I have one thing to say: Thank God I'm going home. Quite frankly, I've been sick for the past few days, am tired of Chinese food and Lucy's, and if I'm asked to go look in one more shop by it's owners, I think I'm going to go insane! So, in honor of my anticipation of waiting to go home, I've made a list of things I miss about it, and my mom will have one later in the post. Here you go:

- Chili's. I have no idea why, but I had this craving for Chicken Crispers yesterday, and it hasn't gone away.
- My Friends. I've talked to some of them on AIM, but for those I haven't, I really miss you. Besides, time differences get me all mixed up, and I end up IMing you at 6:00am your time. I just really miss you all.
- My iPod speakers. I hate having my iPod in my ears when I'm just sitting there, reading a book. Besides, I can't listen to Fall Out Boy nearly as loudly as I'd like with all of us squashed in a Hotel room.
- Which brings me to this: I miss my own room. You really have idea what the little things that annoy you are until you're stuck with the same four or five people for two weeks. Seriously, personal space is a huge thing for me now.
- Ok, I know above I said my friends, but this is sort of different...I miss freaking out over the most random things, with my friends. Things like a new journal post on falloutboyrock.com, or if we have some crazily hard paper to write for Language Arts, and none of us really know what to write. (Word to the wise, literary analysis's are not fun to revise at nine o'clock at night.)
- School. I wish I could say "No, I love being away from school!" but I really can't. I guess I kind of like it. I know that the first week I get back I'll be begging to be taken out again, but for now I want to return to a normal schedule. Wake up, go to school, come home, do homework, eat, TV, sleep. Order, sweet order.
- American Idol. Ok, I haven't heard ANYTHING about what's happening on that show!! Where are they in it now? Who's still in it? COME ON, PEOPLE, I NEED THIS REALITY SHOW!
- Those pretzels at the mall. The big puffy kind, and the lemonade they sell at the same place. Those things make me so happy. I could eat a gazillion of them.
- My own room. Oh, yeah...I said that already....
- Tap water. Is it really so much to ask that a country PURIFIES ITS WATER!!! Geez, China.
- This list is long. Anyway, I miss normal internet speed. If you're waiting to travel for the first time, and are used to high-speed internet, beware: It's incredibly slow here. You have no idea how lucky you are until ou try to watch a video on YouTube.
- My Cell Phone. I wish I could use it here, but I can't, obviously. I can't text normally, so I don't miss that, but I miss calling people in general.
- My Grandparents. Granny and Grandpa, Thank you sooo much for helping! Grandpa Dick, I miss you! Can't wait to see you guys!
- Fine. I'll say it, but picture me mumbling...I miss my brother Ryan. No, I'm just kidding. I miss you Ryan. See you soon. Ha, you're going to have your hands full when we get back with Sebastian. He is looking forward to meeting his big-brother.
- I miss Jamba Juice. Smoothies really are delicious things, in my opinion superior to coffee and tea. I never realized how wonderful they are until I was deprived of a Carribean Passion for two weeks. I can taste it already.
- Last one, so I'll make it good. Ahhh I know. TiVo. (TV in general) Along with American Idol, I need some CSI: Miami, Loaded (Paramore could have been on while I was gone) and a whole lot more. Plus, fast-forwarding and pausing TV is so much more fun then watching commercials. (can you IMAGINE??)

Well, I guess I'm done with my list now. MOms actually sleeping, so she'll make her list and post tomorrow...One more day, One more day. Hoped you liked the pictures, I can't wait to talk to some of you soon!!!!!

~Nikki
P.S. Was the World War One and Two Test hard? I'm nervous about that one...

Pictures!!!

2008-02-27T04:10:00.000-08:00

2/26/2008

2008-02-26T06:40:00.000-08:00

SEBASTIAN"S MEDICAL CHECK TODAY

Well today the weather in Guangzhou turned very cool
and we felt like we were back in Chicago with the
windy conditions. Nikki is starting to feel better at
last, and Annie is begining to turn the corner as
well. Today we had to take Sebastian for his medical
exam prior to leaving china and being allowed into the
U.S. He walked into the building cool as a cucumber
and was doing really well until he had to go into the
room where the doctor examines him. Then he started
to lose his courage. He is just so sweet, he tries so
hard to be brave and such a big boy, and then he
begins to wipe his eyes and the tears start to fall.
He is very quiet, but the tears keep coming I ache
for him at times. He obviously has seen his share of
doctors and he was afraid. I pulled him on my lap and
just kept whispering to him mama is right here. He
let me hold him and he did everything they asked of
him, but he was so afraid.

On the other hand, he is so smart and funy. Today he
was watching the television and it was a cartoon in
english. He looked at the television and said mama
and pointed to the t.v. and started to count in
english all the ducks on the t.v. He is saying more
words in english everyday....and now when we say "wo
ay ni" (I love you) to him in chinese, he will say it
back to us! He also will give me and nikki and annie
(at times) kisses. NO he will NOT kiss Rich...oh
well!

Annie had a rough 24 hours the other day. First she
hadn't been feeling well and then yesterday, I decide
to take Sebastian to this museum with the rest of the
travel goup while Rich stayed back at the Hotel with
the girls who weren't feeling well. No sooner had
Sebastian and I stepped on the bus, when Annie threw
up in the restaurant all over a clean table,herself
and Rich..I must say I have taught my kids well they
rarely htrow up on me, mostly they hit Rich...LOL. I
bet the poor server who first passed by Rich was
thingking, "Don't look at me, don't look at me" Then
later that evening we were taking group photos with
all the kids and Annie was running around and tripped
and fell and split her lip open,,,poor thing was
miserable. However she did end the night by getting a
light up princess crown from our china program
director...so the day did end up on a high note....you
can see her crown in the photos!

This afternoon we spend about 2 hours doing paperwork
for our Consulate appointment on thursday. We will
wait in our rooms on Wednedsay until our guide tells
us all our paperwork is in order and we are clear to
go to our swearing in ceremony on Thursday.

ON Wednesday afternoon we will celebrate Sebastian's
6th birthday with our travel group. I had been told
that the orphanage doesn't celebrate the children's
birthdays, and that must be true because if you ask
Sebastian his age he will tell you he is 5. Tomorrow
he will find out he is indeed 6! I have ordered a
chinese birthday cake, and I think you will enjoy the
photos. the chinese decorate their cakes really cool
and very differently than we do in the states.
Look for more photos tomorrow. We miss you all very
much and are very anxious to get home. It just has not
been the same without Ryan being with us. We miss him
alot. Please keep us all in your prayers, especially
Sebastian as he continues to adjust and learn to live
in a family and the outside world. We have been
Blessed by God with this little boy. He is
challenging and requires a lot of patience at times,
but once again, God has given us a gift and we are the
lucky ones.

Check in tomorrow for new photos and our last two
posts from china.
hugs to you all and thank you for joining us on this
amazing journey. it means so much to all of us that
you care enough to check in.
Much love,
michele, rich, nikki, annie, and sebastian

Pictures At Last!!!

2008-02-25T18:12:00.000-08:00

Sorry...

2008-02-25T04:31:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the lack of posts lately, we got to Guangzhou and, guess what? The internet in our room doesn't work! It's Beijing all over again.

An Ming had his first plane ride, he did very well. The morning of the flight, he was the same little boy he's been all week, but when we began to board the plane, he got shier, and held my hand tightly. Of course, on his first plane ride, we got the one row in the entire plane that didn't have a window, so he couldn't see the plane take off, or the view during the flight. Sebastian hung on to his dad for dear life before we took off, but made it through the flight by doing rude boy things with dad. All in all, he did very well...much better than his mom.

But before we took off, here are some interesting events at the airport:

- The elegant woman who blew a loogie on the floor of the waiting area...not once, but twice.
- The same woman patted Annie on the head after we landed. I don't want to think about which hand ahe used.
She was really a lovely lady. Very well-mannered. All my dad could say was "snot nice."

We landed, but there was no one waiting for us at the hot, busy airport. We had to wait for our guide for a half hour. To top it all off, I was sick, and an airport is not a fun place to be when you're not feeling well. Especially one in China.

It was good to see some of our group from Beijing on the bus going to the hotel, but not good enough to make me feel better. I got the the hotel and crashed. I think I slept the entire time the rest of my family went to lunch at Lucy's, and most of the day after that.

Yesterday we decided not to go to the Zoo. I still wasn't feeling quite up to it, and Annie had woken up in the middle of the night with a stomach ache, too. We hung out at the Hotel, where her, An Ming and my mom and dad had some quality bonding time. Just think, the two most entergetic kids you'll ever meet in a hotel room, bouncing off the walls. I'm told my parents were about to go insane. I don't know, I was still not feeling well, and stayed in the other room.

Today my mom and Sebastian went to the Buddist Temple, my dad, me, and Annie stayed back at the hotel. Remember how I said Annie hadn't been feeling well? we thought she had just been trying to get attention, but the minute An Ming and mom boarded the bus, we started to go back to the room...and Annie threw up. Poor thing really had been sick. She's doing much better now, except for the fact that we had to wash her favorite blanket, and it's still not dry to sleep with. She's going to have to rough it with the...other blanket...terrifying, isn't it?

Sorry there aren't any pictures, but, like I said, the internet in our room doesn't work, so we have to use the hotel business center, and I don't think they want us loading our pictures onto their computers. Pft...whatever.

Until next time!!!
~Nikki

more photos from 2/21/2008

2008-02-21T06:23:00.001-08:00

Hello Everyone!

2008-02-21T06:09:00.000-08:00

It's Nikki again, we just finished a rousing round of "Wheels on the Bus", which is Sebastian's new favorite song...both in English and Chinese. It's the only thing that gets him to go to sleep. So, naturally, we sing it about a million times each night.

We went to the Minority Villages today, luckily we were able to convince Lisa to let us sleep in, and go at 11:30, so we ate lunch before heading out.

And what an interesting expierence lunch was, I got to see exactly what my mom and dad were complaining about the last time they went to China. One of the first dishes they brought out was a fish. No, not like somthing you'd get in the states, nicely cut, with the skin off. Instead, we got literally a fish with the head, fins, and tail left on...the works. We all sort of stared in horror, and waited for the next dish to come out. A few more dishes came out, none of which looked very appetizing. A waitress brought out some seasoned French Fries, but before we could eat any, she mumbled an apology in Chinese, and took them away. Our grouped watched as the one thing we actually wanted to eat was taken away. We each ate some rice, and waited for something...edible came along, but nothing came.

Then one of the waitresses brought in a bird-like thing, that looked crispy and tasty. It's wasn't. I think it was duck, and, although it was crispy, it was like eating cardboard. I'm not kidding. While I was chewing, Mia, a little girl in our group from Canada, picked something up from a plate of chicken, that looked like it was prepared similar to the duck. She only speaks French, so she held it up and showed it to her mother, who told us, "Look, Mia found the head!" And sure enough, when I looked closely, you could see that it was the beak, and the little holes where the eyes would be. I looked at the duck, which was still in front of me, and found the head was mixed in with the meat in that dish, too. I'm a pretty picky eater, but this was just plain gross. Who eats something that's still looking at you??? I don't want to have a conversation with my food!!!!!

After finishing up at lunch, which no one ate much of after the head incindent, we went across the street to the Silk Museum. Actually, none of us really wanted to go, because we'd all seen it before. It was interesting the first time, but there's only so much that you can 'ooh' and 'ahh' about. Besides, we'd already bought stuff from the one in Beijing.

We got to the Minority Villages, and they were very pretty. By that time, I was pretty wiped out, though. We'd been walking around all day, and An Ming wanted me to pick him up the whole time. Ryan, when we get back home, you'll find he's alot heavier then Annie. So after the first village, I was thinking, "Okay, this is cool, but I'm ready to go now." It was pretty funny, however, when we got to one of the Villages, (I don't remember which, they all run together after a while) and this guy was singing some native song. I know it's not really funny, but he was trying to add too much power to his voice, and the volume on the speakers was turned up too loud, so it sounded really bad. We ended up calling it "Kareoke Night at the Minority Villages" if that gives you an idea.

Well, it's late, and I'm pretty tired. It was a long day, even though we didn't do much. I'm really excited, we're going shopping downtown tomorrow, which should be really cool. More pictures soon!

~Nikki

2/20/2008

2008-02-20T14:15:00.000-08:00

Ni Hao from China!

It's Nikki, we just got back from the Stone Forest, and Wei's (Spelling?) Pizza. It tasted sooo good to have some semi-American food for dinner. The pizza was good, but it was still lacking...something. It was the best food we've had in Kunming so far, though, and definitely the best French Fries. It's crazy how such a simple food can taste so horrible in different places.

Before I go on about today, we never got a post out for yesterday. As most of you know, my mom and I went to the Sebastian's Orphanage for a tour. I was so excited to go, and see where my brother has been living for the first six years of his life. When we got there, we were allowed to film and take pictures of the outside of the buildings, but nothing inside. I recognized the walkway where some of An Ming's pictures were taken, which was sort of bitter-sweet. It was kind of cool to walk where he might have walked when he was little, but then again, I thought about how I was walking with my mom, and Sebastian would have been walking with a nanny, and not a mom.

When we were getting the tour, someone mentioned An Ming's name, and a woman working looked up, and pointed to a room with a few bed's in it. Actually, you can barely call them beds. They were like toddler beds, but a little bit shorter then a loveseat. They were TINY. I don't know how little Sebastian could have slept in that. He's small, but not that small. Anyway, she pointed to a specific bed, and said, "An Ming". It was his bed. We waited until the guide wasn't in the room, and then my mom snuck a few pictures. I know we weren't supposed to...but it was his bed, his room. And besides, rules are meant to be broken right? (Just Kidding)

As we continued, we saw where he had had his classes, but we couldn't go into that room, because there were children in it learning. They looked about his age, so I wouldn't be surprised if they were his classmates. When we started to leave those doors, a nanny and a young girl came up to us from the other end of the hallway. I forgot how it all happened, but someone said An Ming again, and the little girl looked up, and said something. As it turned out, she was one of An Ming's friends. we told her that my mom was An Ming's mama, and that I was his sister. She acted excited, and kept hugging us, but you could tell she was sad. When we asked her name, we got a flat out "no." the guide and workers wouldn't tell us her name. I wish they would have, though. She was the cutest thing ever...next to An Ming of course.

The rest of the Orphanage was okay. I found it hard to believe that kids can have alot of fun in a room that's so sterile you feel bad about walking in it. It was just too clean. I know from experience that having just one toddler can destroy a house in a day or two, so shouldn't more of them create chaos? Maybe they just have an amazing cleaning team...

Moving on to today....

As I said before, we went to the Stone Forest. For those of you who don't know, or who have heard about it, but don't actually know how rocks can make up a forest, here's what it is: (I was once one of you) it's an area in Yunnan that was once completely underwater...keep in mind, this was 2 million years ago. As the earth changed, the water levels lowered and lowered, and created different levels of rocks. They end up looking roughly like a forest, with most of them standing strait up everywhere. What's really amazing are the horizontal lines going across multiple formations. They go strait across, and you can tell where the water was for a while. It's pretty creepy to think that where you're standing was once underwater.

As for An Ming, he's doing great. He smiles alot, and I'm teaching him some words in English. Most of which he only remembers for a bit, enough time to tell mama and baba and then moves on to something new. That smile can make you melt. He even does this thing where, if I say "big smile" he makes two peace signs with his hands, and gives me the brightest smile that, besides Annie, I've ever seen. There are times, though, usually when we're driving somewhere, when he'll look at us, or put his head on the seat in front of him, and even the things that always make him laugh, won't work. I know he still doesn't quite trust us all the way, and that he's still wary about his new family, but it's still so heart-breaking.

Wow, this is a long post. Last paragraph, I swear. I don't want you falling asleep at the computer. I like this trip, and it's cool seeing new things and meeting new people, but I'm tired, and I miss everyone back home. Actually, I was listening to my iPod today, and I started paying attention to the lyrics of this one Fall Out Boy song, Homesick At Spacecamp, and I realize how much the lyrics apply to how I'm feeling right now.
"My smile's an open wound without you
And my hands are tied to pages
Inked to bring you back
Tonight the headphones will deliver you the words that I can't say
(Tonight I'm writing you) A million miles away
Tonight is all about:
We miss you."

Yes, I know it's Fall Out Boy, and that they don't mean much to many people, but this song is really fitting right now. It could be like my China theme song...
I miss all you back home! Enjoy the pictures, more soon!
~Nikki

Photos from KunMing

2008-02-19T19:12:00.000-08:00

HE IS A NEW MAN....AND A HANDFUL

2008-02-19T05:29:00.001-08:00

Well it is true a day can make all the difference. This morning Sebastian woke up a different little boy from the night before. He had such a bad day on Monday and putting him to bed was so difficult. He was so scared. He didn't want to put on his pajamas, he sat on the side of our bed and just rocked his legs non stop and kept wringing his hands. We kept getting up and trying to get away. We read the wheeels on the bus a hundred times and he would smile during the song, but then just couldn't go to bed. Finally after about 1 hour and 20 minutes he jumped up and said he had to go to the bathroom. He came out of the bathroom and just walked into the other room and climbe into bed with Annabelle. He slept about 10 hours and woke up a new boy.

Today, he has been very smiley and sweet. He is very animated and engaging. He is also a wild man at times. He is into everything so he really does have to be watched all the time. It is really like having a toddler alot of the time, except he can feed himself, brush his teeth tie his shoes. He is also very generous if he has a snack or a piece of candy. He readily shares what he has, without being asked. And today he is playing with Annie and is being very affectionate with her. He will hold her hand and help her if she needs it. He is about 4 inches taller than she is, so they are very close in size. I bought him all size 5 clothes and the pants are huge and the tops big. He can wear the tops, but the pants are just way to big in the waist. I will have to do some shopping in GZ.

He is really very sweet and calls me mama and rich baba (dad in chinese) all the time. Today he started calling Nikki by her name. He cleans up his messes and really tries to please. This morning Rich was in the bathroom and had left his money, watch and phone on the desk. Sebastian came into the room and started picking up atll the stuff on the desk, I didn't say a word, I just wanted to see what he would do with all of it, Well he loaded up his hands and took it all to baba. He very sweet and has a smile that can light up the room.

In the afternoon Nikki and I went to visit the orphanage and rich stayed back at the hotel with the little ones. I had planned to take Sebastian back for the visit, but it being only one day from gotcha, I didn't feel he would handle it well. I will post more about that visit tomorrow. I just need some time to process it all. It made me very sad to think this place is where he spent the first 6 years of his life. Don't get me wrong, it was very nice, but it is still and institution. However, they really knew him there and all recognized his name and would show me his room and bed and classroom. I know he was loved at this place.

Ryan you are going to have your hands full once Sebastian understands he has a big brother. This little one is all boy and loves his swords and acting like a ninja! WATCH OUT!

Well I need to go to bed, thank you all for all your prayers and kind emails. They mean alot to all of us. Please keep Sebastian in your prayers.
We miss you all.
Michele, Rich, Nikki, Annie, and Sebastian

Photos coming soon...

photos from Sunday...

2008-02-18T19:29:00.000-08:00

He is being So brave...

2008-02-18T19:11:00.000-08:00

HE Is Being So Brave...
Our sweet Sebastian is trying to be so very brave. He did have a few good hours in the afternoon yesterday and we did get some very big smiles and almost had him laughing, but when we went to get some dinner, he didn't want anything we had ordered and he wouldn't answer the waiter, and then he put his head on his hands and once again fought so hard not to cry, but he lost that battle. It is so hard to see him suffer like this. I know it will get better but right now I ache for him.

. He does let us snuggle him and hold him. That is good, and I am happy he is grieving instead of just being stoic, but I must say, it has been very frustrating that our guide is just all business. I fully understand that her job is to facilitate the adoption, but it would have been nice for a little time to have her help us communicate with Sebastian and explain things to him a little better.

After the paperwork was done, she just dropped us at the hotel and off she went. Whe was making plans with another family to go to dinner last night, and I said, oh are we meeting for dinner? and she laughed and said, no their dinner is included in their package. We were obviously not invited. Then we hear last night that her parents were hit by a bus. Seriously, what are the odds? I feel really badly for her, but I have no idea where we stand now. We are supposed to visit the orphanage this afternoon. We will see.

When Sebastian is feeling better, he is so adorable. Very sweet but you can also see he is all boy. He acts like a Ninja at times and will take something of Annies and then hold it over his head so she can't get it, but he always gives it back...with a smile. He shares his snacks, but doesn't want anyone really touching his backpack or toys. We have gotten a few good smiles and hopefully today will go a little better. We just love this sweet little boy. I just want to see happiness on his face. And I just have to add how proud I am of Nikki and Annabelle, they have just been amazing during this whole trip. Nikki is my computer savior and Annie is just been a joy....no fussing. We are so Blessed to be the parents of these children. And a special hug and thank you to my mom and Jack and Ryan back home who have had to deal with a pipe bursting in our home and the fire dept., the plummer and the contractor working in our home....life is never dull! Enjoy the new photos of Sebastian and we'll post more tonight after our visit to the orphanage.
Michele

SEBASTIAN!

2008-02-18T03:38:00.001-08:00

We have An Ming

2008-02-17T21:20:00.000-08:00

We just got back from Gotcha Day. Sebastian, who we've been calling An Ming, entered the room with three other children, and was led into a room just off the one we were in. We were able to see, take pictures and video of him, still. When they allowed the children to go to there parents, he showed us the photo album we had sent, along with a red car we had also sent him. All through the pape work, he had this polite little smile on his face. We only got one or two real, wide smiles. He said next to nothing, and, obviously, anything he DID say was in Chinese.

A high note is that he refered to my Dad as "Ba ba" (Daddy) right away, and when I asked him where mommy was, he pointed to my mom with out hesitation. We've shown him his backpack, which he really likes. We just got it off him for the first time a moment ago. He's very protective of his things, and cleans up before moving on to another toy. He also didn't take off his coat, or even unzip it. He kept it zipped up tight, with the hood up. Like the backpack, we just got him to take it off.

As I said, he was very calm, very quiet when we got him. An Ming didn't cry, didn't complain, or resist about going to us. He didn't really show any emotion, except that polite little smile. It was like he wwas saying, "I don't know about this, but I'll be a good boy anyway."

When we got to the hotel, he followed Annie wordlessly to our room, and when we got into it, he looked around, and walked around to the couch. My mom tried to take off his backpack, and he finally said something to us. This time the polite little smile was gone, and he broke down into tears. As sad as it was, it was good to see him really express some emotion, and show us how he was feeling. He cried for a while, but after some cookies, and comforting, he stopped.

Right now he's listening to Annie's FP3 player, and, although that little smile is gone, he's alot more comfortable. I think he likes us, but I know he's scrared and confused, too. It breaks my heart to see him like this, but I'm also so glad our little Sebastian is finally here.

Houston: We Have Blogger!!!!

2008-02-17T02:02:00.000-08:00

What a joke. We spent the entire afternoon after getting to the Hotel in Kunming trying to get Anonymouse to work,
and, after suscribing to the VIP status, we actually can view and post on the blog!!!! (This is a big step for us)

As I mentioned yesterday, our hotel room in Beijing was 1313. What's ironic, was in every corner of the Hotel (I'm not exaggerating) there were fire extiguishers. Yes, there were even two outside our room. You know, in case a fire were to break out RIGHT THERE, we'd be covered. We realized today, though, that the floor we were on was 13, the room number was 13, we left for China the 13th, Sebastian's birthday is the 13th, and what row were we in on the flight to Kunming? You guessed it, 13. I don't know about you, but I find that a bitt creepy. trust me, if this Hotel had a 13th floor, we'd be on it.

Yesterday was really cool. I know I said that about the day before, but we went to the Forbidden City, Tian An Man Square, and the Temple of Heaven. As for the Forbidden City, we met up with my mom's brother, Matt, and my Aunt Jen, who we didn't know was coming. They also informed us that my Grandma is also watching their dog at our house. Granny, for caring for Ryan, keeper, and Jack the Bulldog, you are now officially my hero.

The Temple was Heaven was beautiful. We stood against the Echo Wall, where, if you stand on one side, and your friends stand on the other side, you can talk to each other. We didn't believe it would work, but when, after calling out to Annie, we heard a quiet little "Mommy?" we all freaked out. It's a really cool place. Especially when, on our way out, we had to go through a corridor outside, where hundreds of locals gather every day to socialize. There were groups singing folk songs, military songs, playing cards, knitting, and all just hanging out. I actually think that was the best part of the day. We got to see how the locals live, what they like to do with others, and what they do when with their friends. It was overall just a fun enviorment, besides the people that would hunt us down trying to make us buy things. "Five for ten dollars!" was a phrase we heard quite alot of.

After the Temple of Heaven, while Lisa and her family (It was great to meet them, we had a blast hanging out in Beijing) went to dinner, we headed out to where my Uncle was staying, and ate dinner there. We were all to tired to eat out, so we ended up just ordering up food from the hotel resturant, and settling in for, "Matt's Movie Night" Let's just say Matt's Movie Night failed, but it was hilarious watching it crumble. First of all, we asked for a chair to be brought up, but it never was, then, while ordering food, we were on and off with the resturant, beacuse we kept asking for things like Fanta and popcorn. (which, for some reason, was interpreted as peppercorn.) Meanwhile, the TV wasn't working, so we had two employees working on it. That didn't get fixed until our food came. When the man came to pick up our cart of plates and food, he asked my Uncle, "How was the food?" Matt's response? "Not good." Without skipping a beat, the man replied, "Thank you." We had to work hard to contain our laughter.

That about sums up our day, we have some pictures of the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, either in this post, or we'll just post something with only pictures. Only a few more hours until we have Sebastian!!!!!!

~Nikki

Teens to Toddlers: Adventures of the Haske's

Beautiful Nikki and Prom

Getting Teeth Pulled

Happy Birthday Dad!

March Has Been Busy!!!

One of The Sweetest moments....

What do Teens do at Disney? Text of Course!!

What do kids do at Disney? Become a Pirate and a Princess, Of Course!

Where do we go for Thanksgiving? Disney, Of Course!

"Enchanted April"...or should I say November?

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

The Play is 1 Week from today!!!!

Family Weekend at College

It's Apple Picking Time!

Ryan's Home for a Visit !

It's Homecoming !!

First Day of School minus the Teens

Happy Sweet 16 Nikki!!

Hello Fall

Saving the Best for Last...visiting our Travel Mates in TN!!

Enjoying the Beach

Next Stop..South Carolina

Georgia..South Carolina and Tennessee! It doesn't get any better than this

Wow Have we Been Busy!

Graduation and Memorial Day

HE DID IT! Ryan Graduated High School!!

It's Prom!

Happy Easter and Spring Cleaning!

Happy Birthday Dad

He's the Incredible Hulk!

Day 5 and he's turning green!

24 Hrs Home and Hangin' in There

Long but Successful day at the Hospital

Surgery Update...

Surgery Scheduled

Daddy Daughter Dance!

The Daddy Daughter Dance

Happy Birthday Annabelle!!!!

It's a Girl Thing!

I Love This Quote!!!

Happy Chinese New Year!!!

Today Is Your Birthday

Happy Birthday Ryan and Sebastian!

Pinkalicious Princess!

Happy New Year

Oh Goodness.

Merry Christmas and What's Been Happening

Catching Up with Photos

Hey Blog People!

Pictures

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End of The Summer Pictures

Recital Pics.

Annie's Dance Recital

Bringing You Up to Date

A year of Annabelle..Happy Birthday Sweet Girl

Happy 5th Birthday Annabelle!!

Birthdays, Gotcha Day and more...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET SEBASTIAN!

It's his first Christmas!

About the Pics...

Halloween-Santa Pictures!!

Happy 11 Days Until Christmas!

La La La

WOW, it has been awhile....

*SIGH* Even MORE Pictures

More Pictures...

Pictures For YOU! (Yes...you!)

We're Back!

MORE Pictures!!!!

New Pictures

New Pictures

New Pictures!

Is Summer Great or What??

Very Recent Pictures!!

Brittney's Hope Walk Of Love

More pictures...

Is already April?

Two Weeks Home and What a Change!

New Pictures!

SIGH Even MORE Pictures