Monday, July 20

We started the day with a surprize: We were going to have company a day earlier than planned. Johnny's sister, mom, & nephew were coming two spend 2 weeks with us, but because Ben's team didn't do very well at the tournament they would be coming sooner. Which is good because I thought their trip out here was already too short for all their is to see. The more we see, the more we have to share. So, while we are cleaning camping gear, we are also doing laundry and cleaning our rooms and the bathroom that Juliet & Jaymark use will also be the guest bathroom. So Jmk helped clean the toilet & floor and Jlt did the sink & bathtub (what a ring it had around it from our busy, dusty, outside summer life ! Then we folded laundry and the kids went off to play on the stairs. However, J & J's voices get louder & louder. He has been throwing a ball down the stairs (no problem with that, and they are laughing, but it seems she said something to make Jmk mad. He went running to his bed and hid in it. Upside down. He won't talk to me. No one will talk to me. Juliet goes down to the living room and plays by herself. I ask her what is making him mad. She won't talk. I say, " I am sure you said or did something to make Jmk mad and that makes me sad, because I had told him it was ok to throw that ball down the stairs. So I don't know if you took it from him, or said something that made him mad, but you don't need to make your brother mad." After about half an hour, I go get Jmk and bring him downstairs. It is easier to clean with them out of the way, but I don't wan them to be mad all day, we have somewhere to go today. I went to tell Jmk that I was sure that Juliet mad him mad, but that he didn't have to hide from me. I carried him downstairs even though he didn't like it at all, I wasn't worried that he tried to bite me and kick me. I put him on the couch and gave him some legoes, and he started building. He was fine in a few minutes, and I was able to continue dusting and getting lunch ready. The day went on as if nothing happened. I didn't find out what Jlt did to make him mad, but later on in the evening, she told me she teased him and that made him mad. he had gotten tired of it. This would happen quite a few more times before they went home. Later on in the month, they were better at telling me what happened earlier in the day when there had been a problem. During evening prayers, if they had to, they would apologize. They would have a lot of laughs, and loved joking & teasing with each other until all of a sudden...one would get mad. As much as possible, we tried to have one of us sit in the back seat of the Honda with them because most of the teasing was done in the car.

We got as much as we could done this morning, and after lunch, off we went to Parties R Us to go jump on the jumpy things. We had plenty of adult supervision, so I could sneak off to get my allergy shot for 20 minutes and upon returning, we found that most of the kids were playing other games and eating popcorn and not as much interested in the jumpy things. Then they would chase each other and tease and hide and play basketball, and run back to the "ding-ding-ding" games and go back to the jumpy slides, but to me it seemed they were having lots of fun. That Popcorn sure was a hit ! AS they got tired, they were snippy with each other, and adults had more work to do to keep them satisfied.

We grabbed a few things at Walmart on the way home, mostly fruit, and I put Jmk in the cart. Jlt pushed it. As I told them what was on my list, she found it on the shelf, and Jmk meticulously stacked it in the cart. Really cool. He was always so particular. She was just the opposite while with us. I wished then we had $ 40,000 in the bank so we could adopt them it would be nice to have this help all the time. When we got home and put away the groceries, I was trying to decide if we had time to go for a quick swim when at 5:00, in walks Johnny's family. We visited, but the sad thing was, it would be Juliet's last chance to swim, only we wouldn't know that for 2 days. When Jny came home, he helps them with biking as Juliet has got it, but Jaymark still needs help with balance & brakes. He never gives up. Tonight, Johnny came home with training wheels, and so Jaymark goes too fast for his new freedom, falls and gets a bad scrape on his knee. I never liked the idea of training wheels, because at his age & size, I thought it would be better to learn to balance. His other problem is that he doesn't use the brakes, or he presses on them when he is going forward, and it makes him come to a halt too fast, or he can't get going. He will get it though !

Since Jny's nephew plays soccor, we thought that would be popular with Jmk, but it wasn't as much as I thought it would be. They did play some, but there was a new distraction: A little white dog called " Lotus" that would add lots of action to the house. Jmk would chase him and often be found in the guest room with Lotus. Then Lotus would terrorize our cat and eat her food, so we had to put that up high, but finally the cat got some of it's own treatment as she terrorizes our Mazie dog. It was a zoo, but so funny to watch. Jmk would run around calling "Lor-des" and it took us over a week to realize he was calling the little white dog. We thought he was using a tagalogue word for dog or something like that ! I guess it was just his cute accent ! Jmk just really enjoyed the smaller new dog and after that, he forgot to help feed Mazie as he had done every day, unless I reminded him, and he'd go, "oh, yeh !" After a few days, I didn't remind him any more. He had to be with "Lordes" every moment ! What a laugh !

Sunday, July 19

Summer of HOPE w/ Juliet & Jaymark:

First, the KEY:

Jlt = Juliet

Jmk = Jaymark

JJ is both of them

Jny = Johnny

and

I'm deb

The kids really liked all four of us sleeping together in the tent. We only have 4 sleeping bags, but we had to give one to Chris, so we put old sleeping pads down, and a heavy blanket and the extra sleeping bag on top of them, but it seems through the night they took turns rolling the blanket around themselves, so when we awoke, we found Jmk shivering in a corner of the bag. After he went to the bathroom, which is what probably woke him up, we got him tucked in better. What I remember most about the evening, though, was the quiet beautiful prayers after the wild evening. There had been someone at the campground who had her 18th birthday party, so there was a live band for all of us to hear (whether we wanted to or not) which was actually pretty good, so many of the kids, including ours ran off to the dance while adults had the privilege of sitting around a campfire and visiting. As good as that was, the quiet moments we had with them as they prayed in the tent were even better. Jlt prays in English and Jmk in Tagalogue, such sweet voices they have ! How loving their words. They zonked out fast after that. A very full day. No tears from Jmk, as he was very happy to sleep with all of us together. We slept until about 9 a.m. this morning. I enjoyed sharing breakfast and lunch with everyone. There was no bickering in the car going home today. They were too tired and slept almost the whole way home. We saw Bald Eagles, and Canada geese and many kinds of bird life, but since they just slept through it all, Johnny and I actually stopped a few times and visited with each other. Since we came separately, we drove home in 2 cars, but to keep each other awake, we yacked on the cell phone along the way. What was really cool though, was how hard the kids slept, yet when we pulled into the driveway, they woke up, went up stairs, cleaned their teeth and went straight to bed. Here is video of Johnny going for a ride with Jaymark in his canoe in the morning.

Saturday, July 18

Summer of HOPE w/ Juliet & Jaymark:

First, the KEY:

Jlt = Juliet

Jmk = Jaymark

JJ is both of them

Jny = Johnny

and

I'm deb

Johnny is making a canoe carrier so we can take 3 canoes up to Canyon Ferry this weekend, though it has been a slow process. I got going about 1 pm by the time we were packed, and Jny came back from taking Chris over to the Blockey's to get clothes for the weekend. Chris used the morning to catch up & respond to his e-mails, so we are finding out that Jaymark is actually 8 instead of 9 years of age, as there has been a mix-up in the paperwork somehow.

Jny is to follow us up to Canyon Ferry where we will camp with the Blockey's on the edge of the lake in our huge tent. He is supposed to be a few hours behind us. Saturday we arrived about 4/4:30, but not until we drove to dam near Kim's Marina, then drove back to the sign we had seen at milepost #5, only to see the sign said, in very small red letters at the bottom, "2 miles past the damn" so we went back AGAIN ! Also, the first time we arrived at the sign, I remembered only to turn at the second flashing light. I couldn't remember the name of the marina we were going where we would meet up with other families that were joining us for the weekend, families that were hosting, or had in the past, and families that were looking to meet the children we were hosting that might want to consider adopting them. I needed to call Johnny to get better directions, but we were out of cell range, so we kept going up a hill until we got where we could catch a cell. We called Johnny for better directions and he couldn't remember any more than I did, and that it was called "Kim Marina" and we found out he was leaving pretty soon, which he didn't, really, but anyway, if we couldn't find it, he still might beat us !

Then we turned around to go back down to read the sign the said "Kim's Marina", or to turn to the marina by the sign. But there was no lake around, the road too small and the roads looked more like someone's driveway so we went back on the road and as far as the damn. That didn't look right, and it looked like the end of the lake, so Chris and I agreed to go back to the sign, it had to be one of those roads. So we went back to the sign and went farther down those roads, but they did end up being posted as private lands. So we went back to the sign, and this third time we saw the red letters at the bottom of the sign, finally knew to go past the damn 2 miles. This is when I finally found the directions in my box in the Honda, where I keep suntan lotion & stuff. I had put it in a few days before and it slid down to where I couldn't see it, and then I forgot I had planned ahead ! Oh, brother.

I will always wonder what the kids thought with us turning around 5 (or 7) times and finally going past where we had been several times ("hmmm, this place looks familier !") before finally driving on. I call Jny with the directions we had and where he was to go, but he didn't answer, so I guessed (wrongly) that he was on his way already. AND he turned at the first blinking light and then came around the Lake the opposite way we had come ! Never heeded or needed my directions ! Somewhere in the middle of this kaos, my friends Kathy called and she was up near here, too, yet our activities wouldn't allow us to meet up with them.

We drove around "all the other loops" at the Marina before we found the one Blockey's had parked at. As soon as we arrived at the campsite, the kids were so glad to see familiar faces of their new friends, and were out of the car and guided to where they could change and put on their lifejackets & into the water where went to play in only a few minutes. I have a favorite video from this water play. I took many shots trying to get a good video, but as usual, the first one was still the best... They had quite a variety blow up spiders, whales or sharks and other wild floating animals to play with. Jny finally arrived about an hour later than I thought he would @ 7:30 p.m.

Then I called them in for a few minutes to eat a bit, because we hadn't had lunch and I figured we'd have dinner soon, so we had some Peanut Butter on pita bread---that was their big thing this weekend; they are good eaters, but have their preferred choices at lunch.

When we all gathered together for dinner @ 7:30 pm, they went for the hot dogs, ketchup, and chips as if they had been american all their life ! Then quickly, they went back to swimming and later, we went canoeing. As we were going around the point of land that protects the bay from the bigger portion of the lake, boats that were coming & going made the canoe rock. The kids didn't like that and all told me to turn around, "go back, go back" they said. Thank you to Jess for telling me what the kids were yelling about !! SO I told her to tell them it wasn't safe, that we had to go somewhere where it was safer to turn around which we did. It wasn't safe to do so right there, I had to keep going until I came to a quiet bay to we wouldn't risk tipping if we turned sideways into a wave. Then we went back, and got another batch of kids to take out for a ride. Johnny was taking Jmk out in his solo canoe. Looks like he enjoyed that.

What I found out was that the Philippine kids had a strange habit of (1) never taking off their underware,and (2) changing into dry clothes as soon as they got out of the water. Then they would change and get back into the water again. About 6 times that night. It was very warm out (too hot for me !) but they did get cold easily, so I kept moving their chairs into the sun light. Jlt didn't like swimsuits & the lifejacket at all, and yet, loved the water. But I really had to stress the safety first, because with so much going on and so many kids and so many people to visit with, I couldn't be watching her every moment. This is the first instance of her becoming like a donkey, and getting stubborn. What she didn't like to do, she didn't do, though sometimes she told us, "no like" so we at least knew why she was not doing it. So I told her that if she didn't want to wear the lifejacket, she needed to stay by the side of the water, on the beach. She pushed the limits and would go way down the beach and get out in the water deeper & deeper. Until she saw me looking at her. Because they were playing with their friends so much, she didn't seem to want me to bother her, otherwise I would have gone to play with them.

The scariest part of all this was her disappearing without telling me where she was going to. At first, I presumed she was hanging with girls in the big camper Blockey's had come in. But later that evening, the girls all went to the shower house for a shower, and she went along. The next morning when I couldn't find her, I would find out that is where she went, but again, without telling me, she would go over there several times to change, dress, comb her hair, or shower. I had no idea where it was, and couldn't go looking for her.

Next time I would vote for a smaller campground. But, the kids loved it here & played hard.

What was so Sad is that Sunday was so windy, that we didn't get to go out in the canoes much because it was so windy & waters were rough. I lolligagged (rested) in the morning and visited, then after lunch wanted to go when it was warmer. Jessica & the girls were like "when are we going canoeing?" and then when it got so windy after lunch, I wished I had taken them out ! I will always feel bad for being so tired I didn't what to move, because when afternoon came, and I wanted to go, I ended up taking another nap in the very hot tent because it just wasn't safe to go out on the lake in a canoe.

But for the kids, playing was alot of fun. Juliet spent some time in a chair combing the hair of the dolls she brought along --- a favorite pastime of hers. Breakfast was fun---Julie B. made pancakes in the motorhome which were very popular and I made scrambled eggs out in the sun on our table and everyone just shared whatever they had. Everyone else ate whatever they wanted. This is when I found out J & J liked pancakes, and so I would make that for them for breakfast a few times. Jmk had a sweet tooth for these. After so me more playtime, and some good visiting with other host families, it was time for lunch, other families showed up. I didn't know where they all came from. It was a busy day, I couldn't believe when it was time to go home. The day went so fast.

Summer of HOPE w/ Juliet & Jaymark:

First, the KEY:

Jlt = Juliet

Jmk = Jaymark

JJ is both of them

Jny = Johnny

and

I'm deb

Up again Early --- We have to pick up Chris, (the Escort from the Philippines, he flew over here with them. We need to go to 3 Forks for their well-child check up with Doctor Johnson.

First though came the dilemma of solving this question: if Chris in 45 minutes to the East, and we have to go 45 to the West, what time do we leave or how do we get him here ? 7 a.m. we have to leave ? It would take 1 1/2 hours just to go get him.

Then Julie Blockey helped solve the problem by telling us she worked in Belgrade where we are, and would bring him out at 7 a.m. when she comes to work ! Yeh ! We can pick Chris up at 8:15 and get to where we are going.

This is also the day that Jlt tells us that Jmk has been sleeping under her bed in the mornings because he is lonely. They come from orphanages where many kids sleep together, so we understand.

This will be a LONG DAY ! We have accepted an invitation to go to Anna's Wambeke's Youth Center, and also to a rodeo in 3 Forks in the evening. AND we are planning to go even farther west, while we are in 3 Forks and go to Lewis & Clark Caverns. I have been there, and I know kids love them. Johnny has always wanted to see them, too, so here is his chance. Afterwards, he will understand why we are not taking his mom --- there are so me tight spots, steep stairs and a place where you have to slide down to the next room, somehow by separating the top of you from the bottom of you, and moving it more to the right than your bottom has to go. Tight & twisty squeezes along the way, and bumpy. I forgot about this little roughness. Great for kids. AND a very busy day.

Whenever we go anywhere in the car, they often fall asleep. Travel has been no problem. So far. Except that while we are going very slow stuck in construction traffic between Belgrade and Manhattan (they have to resurface the roads & highways in the summer !), Jmk opens the door, and I pull off the road immediately. Chris tells him we can't open the door while we are moving. I was only going 20 mph but it scared the rivets outa me. Ever been glad you were going so slow in traffic ? However, they will be enticed by the windows, locks and doors the entire time they are here, and finally we will have to lock them in more permanently with the kid lock, but they will figure it out, and I will try to use the window lock but they will always catch it the moment I have to open it for a good reason (like to stop at Yellowstone Booth before entering the Park) and they will make the windows go up & down as much as they can---either to frustrate us or to have "wars" with each other. Eventually, Johnny will take the fuses out of his truck, and out of my windows, but that will have other problems !

Anyway, after this episode, it takes forever to get back into the traffic, because the line of traffic must go all the way back to Bozeman, and no one wants to let us in. Finally I can pull back in in front of a semi-truck, but it is not my favorite thing to do.

They do very well at the Doctor's, and entertain themselves, but also, they are tired, and so pretty quiet for the most part. There is a nice play corner for them, books, so they have plenty to do while they wait for each other.

BUT, I am already tired and exhausted, so since Johnny and Chris are there, I sneak out to the car and catch a few winks and that really helps. After they come out, we go to Anna's Youth Center, and J & J get to try all kinds of games, ping pong, and foose ball, watch & play TV games, have snacks, pizza, and other treats, and we are here 2 hours, at least !!

Then as planned, we go to Lewis & Clark Caverns --- such a cool idea on such a HOT day !

We arrived at the caverns about 12:30, go get signed up for a tour, and go find a lunch spot I thought might have tables in the shade, but instead we got mosquitoes and a see saw for a table. I can 't even reach the ground where I sit down, but we got some shade for a while, because we move the table. BUT, it is still a flat table an a sharp hill, held up on one end with a few rocks ! NOT real stable.

We take the tour. The kids do really well,and enjoy the Beaver Slide. Jmk wants to be first, though, and we have a challenge keeping up front with him. They show no fears when the lights go out and where the cave is the darkest. The problem we had was the guide. She talked so fast, that I couldn't understand her so I ask her to speak slower so our visiting kids from the Philippines can easier understand her. She trys, but isn't too good at that. At the end, she asks if she did better, and I answer, "better". I can't help wondering if the Chinese guys on the walk could understand her fast words.

Next, we check out the gift shop, and tell them not to touch, but the first thing at the door is the really cool magnetic rocks, and we all have to touch that !! oh, brother ! Since I live with an "gotta have ice cream Sherer" (I think they believe that 's what makes them tall & skinny!), we have ice cream.

Then, Chris, deb, & J & J decide to hike---I had asked if they wanted to walk down to the camp ground, what I thought was 1.3 mile, but it was 1.8 instead. Took longer than I expected. But when I said "walk down", I found myself and Chris nearly running down to keep up with J & J !!! We stopped them to warm them that if they fall, the rocks are very sharp and they would get very hurt. That didn't stop them. We finally had to warn them off rattle snakes, though we saw none (PTL !!!), but that didn't slow them down either. So I said I needed to see them and when I couldn't keep up, and they got too far, I would go "YOOHOO !" and they had to stop until I caught up. Then they started playing games, like hiding when I called, and letting us think we were left behind, and then they popped put behind a tree or rock. It was fun, and made the hike go faster than I expected---UNTIL THE HILL: Then Jaymark goes, "How far" Answer: "Until we see the campground." "How far is the campground ?" I don't know---we'll know when we see Johnny, who had driven the car down, and was to have dinner waiting for us, chairs out, water poured, and he did. But Jmk didn't like the last part of the hike where we had to hike up hill to get over the last hump. "How long ? How long ?" Same answer---but it did seem longer than I expected, and it turned out to be 1/2 mile longer than I expected, yet I have hiked here before, so I knew we were almost there. Once they saw the campground, though, off they took, running downhill again. BUT we couldn't find Johnny at first !! We got some drinking water, and had to get them wet to cool them off. Jlt didn't like the water on her and made an awful face. SO did Jmk, but at least he retaliated ! The hot day needed us to get wet and it felt good, but finally we all (including Jlt) got just enough wet to be happy.

We did this for a few minutes before they ran off to the climbing gym/playground equipment for the next 15 minutes, and while Johnny got the cold part of the meal out of the cooler. Jny came over to show us he had found a nice spot under some trees, and it was already 5:45. We didn't have much time to play, and all I had dreamed of coming down the mountain was the moment I could show them the great play ground and then sit in a chair read, watch them & take a nap while the guys watched them. Got jiped of my nap. No time. Eat & go to be at the Rodeo on time to meet the Wambeke's. The day went so fast !!

The rodeo was also very cool, though I haven't been to one since 1979. I was a bit worried of the kind of people who like being thrown off animals like that ! I can't even imagine what J & J were thinking. I can't tell if they like the Rodeo or not, and I know they had to be very tired. They did well, though, so we got to see most of it. It was so cute when they leaned over to me and said, "Time to go" but we really couldn't yet, as the part they wanted to see was supposed to be next. But it wasn't, and J & J said to me again, "Time to go home now" and soon after that, we were able to leave. They slept all the way home that night.

They fell into bed, and I didn't even care that they didn't clean their teeth or went to bed dirty. They cleaned those teeth though and wouldn't forget that. But, we bathed the next morning.

Chris stayed with us tonight, because we are taking him up to Canyon Ferry tomorrow. Good Night !!

For some reason, there are no pictures of this very busy day --- I don't know how that happened.

Day 3---Thursday, July 16

Summer of HOPE w/ Juliet & Jaymark:

First, the KEY:

Jlt = Juliet

Jmk = Jaymark

JJ is both of them

Jny = Johnny

and

I'm deb

They are up and showered & bathed & dressed by 6:00 a.m. AND playing quietly when I got there at 7 a.m. Later in the day, Juliet will tell us that Jaymark, after being told he couldn't sleep with Juliet, crawled under her bed to sleep after he got up in the middle of the night, probably to go to the bathroom. All I had to do was ask them to where sneakers (tennis shoes) or shoes that covered their toes and they do as I ask immediately but when they come down to breakfast at 7:30, they are both in other clothes.✼✽✾❀. Oh, well, I really did like what they had on at first, and told them so. This will happen for the next 2 days, too.

Today, they go up to Lion's Ridge for the day with Johnny, Nicole and Craig Blockey. I want to work in the garden, but I end up at a specialty dentist who charges me $75 for not finding anything wrong, after being referred by the family dentist. Grrr. By the time I am cleaned up in the kitchen, it is time to go to the dentist, then I drive all over town looking for a booster seat for Jaymark because he is so small. I looked at Sacks, salvation army, New2U, and then came home. The one excuse I got is they don't take them in because they have no way of knowing which ones where recalled, so it is safer not to handle them. I drop a note to Pastor Chip about needing a booster seat, he sends out a note to church body, and 5-6 persons respond right away and we have a booster seats to choose from. Then Johnny comes home with one ! Lots of help with that---all so greatly appreciated everyone ---THANKS !!

Lion's Ridge Trip, which is a trip to a camp in the mountains & where they play on a ropes course, play games, take a hike and do a variety of outdoor activities. When they get home, Johnny mentions that Jaymark has trouble keeping his mind on one activity, listening to instructions, and staying on task. I think it is normal for a child who only understands some english, is so young, has had trauma in his life (as he has had many) and is exposed to so much at once. He is interested in many things at home too, but eventually he finds his favorite thing(s) to do. I guess he seems like he is doing well considering --- but maybe I am just looking at it from a Preschool Teacher perspective.

Johnny also mentions what a wonderful drawer of flowers Juliet is --- I haven't seen this aspect yet. Good news. He doesn't think of grabbing the picture and saving it as I would so I have no proof, but I find a picture some one else has taken. (Thanks Nicole !) Jaymark seems to be hyper active according to the guys at the ridge, with low attention span. BUT, I ask if they had a good day, and it seems, that they had a GREAT DAY !! They tried all kinds of new things like hiking & a ropes course, they stayed safe. Good enough for me on day 3 of their time in a very different country !

Right now, the Doll house is the favorite toy in the house. Jaymark does try cars for a while, but prefers the dollhouse with Juliet. Later on, when I show him a pirate ship, he gets all excited, but only plays with it a few days. They will meee their favorite thing this evening.

Evening:

Spagetti tonight, with lots of vegies in the sauce (it is how I always make it) and they eat well. After dinner, we walk down they alley to meet our pastor---he isn't there, but the boys are, so we get a bigger bike for Juliet. My extra bike is too big and the one we found for Jaymark is too small. This extra bike from the Pastor's family is just right for her ! She takes off riding on her own and does pretty well. Wow ! Jmk is running down street after her yelling in his language and laughing. Fun scene sketched in my mind forever. Thanks YOU Zabrowski's !!

I go to work in the garden out front so I can see her riding, and as Jlt rides by she is yelling, "Tia, tia I riding !!!" How proud she was that night ! I cheer her on and laugh as Jmk is running as fast as he can to keep up with her !! What a big cause for celebration !!! Everyone is smiling.

I try and dig a hole in the ground for a plant, and Jmk wants to help. I show him how. Pretty soon it is too dark and we all go in.

It has been a big day for first's. They tried alot of new things. They eat all they take. They didn't like my putting hummus on their sandwiches for lunch, but after it is scraped off, they do better at eating their lunch. Sorry guys ! I thought you might like it. Juliet starts helping by washing the dishes at the sink and clearing the table. So wonderful.

They are such wonderful kids !! BUT, off for a bath now, clean teeth, a book, prayers and beds.

Jmk is again crying, and I sit with him and rub his back for a long time. I go & get Johnny and Jmk hides from him. Johnny just tries to assure him that he is safe & will protect him from any harm. At different times through out the month they will express both fear of Johnny and complete love for him, on & off, as it was the father that was harmful to them & their mother. At times, Juliet will actually flirt with Johnny and prefer him to me, and then another day she will avoid him and choose to be closer to me.

Yipes, another late night !

For more photos, see:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2033896&id=1053788011&l=5afd94d9c1

Wednesday, September 23

Hopefully, I'll be back later today to add to this---had some company and helped a neighbor with her kids while she got ready to move---In the mean time:

SInce my garden (did you see the pics ?) is mostly flowers, I have to be thankful for the many cherry tomatoes I have to snitch everytime I go past the cherry tomato plant ---the other plant is regular tomatoes, is very heavy with pink & green tomatoes, but boy am I thankful for a very warm September---so much better than starting (& Losing everything) right on September 1st like last year with a heavy frost. AND---my Morning Glories have lots of buds and is just starting to bloom YEH, YEH, YEH !!!Maybe beans and beets next year ! I don't know---kinda like my flowers. May have to dig another garden (but not until next year) ! What I didn’t like was the heavy wind I came home to Sunday, when I found the big, thick strong 7’ tall Cosmos laying on the ground, snapped off at dirt level.

Day 2: July 15 with Juliet & Jaymark

All that I wrote about the first day ? And now comes the first full day of journaling --- Three pages handwritten:

First, the KEY:

Jlt = Juliet

Jmk = Jaymark

JJ is both of them

Jny = Johnny

and

I'm deb

Since they didn't get up until 10:30, which I actually thought was pretty early considering they had been on the plane nearly 24 hours getting here, I was able to make hot cereal, boil the eggs, and start writing in the journal before they got up. After we ate, I asked J&J if they wanted to go see animals, and from then on all I heard was "rabbits & horses." First though, we went to the Emerson to have lunch on the Lawn and hear the music. J7J seemed to love watching the other children run around, do cartwheels, dance & and chase the Moose around. BUT, they also seemed content to sit in their chairs and watch everyone. The music was country, not my favorite, but still fun to be outside. Juliet ate her peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but Jaymark didn't like his. She kept telling him to eat it or try it, but he wouldn't. So I scratched off the jelly, and later he ate that. I didn't try PB & Jelly sandwiches for another 2 weeks.We found plenty of other things they did like.

On the way to The Emerson Lunch-on-the-Lawn, we drove past Ted's (Turner's) Grill that has a sign with a buffalo on it. I told J&J that it was a buffalo. Later on while still at the Emerson, Jmk grabs his penis area, and says "CR" like he did at the Airport, (maybe so we don't mistake him ?) so we go running inside to find him the bathroom. Afterwards, we stop & stroll a bit through one of the rooms or "Artist Closets" open with paintings. He shows off his english words by telling me what he sees: " apple, frog, house", and other items, but the biggest surprise was that after being told the word "buffalo" only once, he seemed very proud of the fact he could tell me that the biggest painting was a buffalo !!

I learn a batch of the English he knows.

After this, we go over to the County Fair to see rabbits & horses, and of course, I take the money in the form of a card, not thinking that they would prefer cash. So we have to go back to the car, but I am not sure how to explain this to the kids. I just said, "Oh, we'll go back to the fair." But what I really have to do is get cash and my checkbook, and then go back. I was wondering what they were thinking.

we saw chickens and pigs too both which also seemed to amaze them. As we leave the first pavilion, 2 chickens are fighting each other from their cages, and we all get a kick out of that. Someone stuck a card board between them, but that wasn't going to last long. Finally, the meaner chicken got some of the feathers of the other bird, and I thought it was a good time to leave. Looking for the horses, we came upon the pigs first, and we had fun trying to climb the gate to get Jmk up high enough to see the pig & piglets. Wasn't sure we'd get out of their, so a few times I reminded Jmk that we should go find the horses. As we came out of the shelter, up comes a few horses, but I am not sure where to find the show or the judging, but it is clear that they were glad to see horses that close. As we go through where the horses are, some of the kids tell us it is OK to pet the horses, but the first one scares me as he is jumpy, so we were hesitant, but after a while we were able to pet their noses and neck. We head over to the arena, which looks more like a practice session, and it is near some swings. We sit in the shade of a big pine tree and have a snack. When other kids get off the swings, Jlt tells Jmk, and off they go laughing and babbling together. But they can and still are watching the horses, and more come. After about 15 minutes, they come back to me and say, "Time to Go" and we do. On the way out, we stop at the kids play arena, where they can play & build with legoes, blocks, rocks, and other gadgets, and then we got to pet the baby animals---There was a piglet, llama or alpaca, goats, miniature horse, and several others. J&J are brave and want to pet the animals, but when the animal comes over or moves, they jump. It was pretty funny ! Even I did at one point, because the goat bit me. Some example I was ! Wednesday Evening is approaching fast, so we must hurry home now, and get some veggies & rice steamed up for the FIRST of the weekly potlucks with the other hosting families.

The pictures of the day will be of J&J playing ball at this potluck. Turns out there are about 100 people at the Blockey's for this --- people who have adopted and families that participated in the program to Host kids in years prior to this year. We get to see the Johnson's & their Jonathan, and tons of kids as well as the other kids who came over from the Philippines this year. What fun and what a beautiful evening. Everyone is here.

J&J pick out a lounge chair, and make themselves at home in that, but J&J don't act like they want to play with others yet. Then they get tired of sitting & waiting for dinner when we line up so they go over to the swings because no one is there any more. They are in line to get food. Since I've met John, we are almost always last inline at any potluck, (he loves to talk) we get J&J to join us at the end and all they take is rice & HOT Dogs. Well, now we know they like hot dogs !

WHile we are visiting, J&J go off and start playing on the playset with other kids, and I was glad to see Nicole got pictures of that because, I wasn't.

Highlight of the evening for us:

#1: They wouldn't play with other kids at first, but by the end of the evening they got better---Jmk was afraid to go down the tunnel slide before dinner, but afterwords, he conquered that. Got some fun movies of this, where everyone was chasing somebody, racing, jumping, pretending to go down then not going down, tricking and laughing.

#2: Juliet takes off on one of the host family bikes and starts riding. One of the other boys who came over with them is helping her. Eventually, JOhnny goes out to join/help her but she doesn't need him anymore, so he works with Jaymark more. Then out came the training wheels & he was happy to be riding with his sister. They wouldn't quit until the sun went down, like about 10 pm out here.

Fortunately, someone else talking photos got some great pictures of J&J (and many others)

with some great character & joy on their faces.

Concern or observation: Not playing too well with other children, and of course, with those they don't know well. Jmk woke up on Jlt's pillows on her bed. They were both laying sideways on the bed like I have often seen in a foreign country.

Grateful, though that they understand enough commands that we are getting around quite well. They are quick to respond, & follow directions. Jmk had made his bed perfectly without even being asked. He is very neat.

Late night getting to bed. They just fell right in. But Jmk cries, a quiet whimpering sound. I rub his back for a while. Then Johnny goes in and about 12:30 (after midnight) I go and find Johnny has fallen asleep in the chair next to Jmk !! Should have gotten that on camera.

4 select pictures from today are included. For more, go see:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=685282&l=b6f494ac82&id=1053788011

Wednesday, July 15

Summer of HOPE w/ Juliet & Jaymark:

First, the KEY:

Jlt = Juliet

Jmk = Jaymark

JJ is both of them

Jny = Johnny

and

I'm deb

When I awoke early the next morning at 6:00 am, I found Juliet and Jaymark sleeping sideways on her full bed. He was on the pillows, she at the other end. But they slept until about 10:15 am, so I got some pictures on Facebook, some journaling done, and breakfast cooked. I couldn't believe all I wrote about the first day, and they were only here about 8 hours (awake) so far !! OH MY !! Today , I will include a few pictures Juliet took in the house, but most were on her first, non digital camera. I'll be back later.

The journal for today is very long. So maybe pictures first ?

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2033081&id=1053788011&l=f9c0b62b92

Tuesday, July 14 --- The journaling begins !!

First, the KEY:

Jlt = Juliet

Jmk = Jaymark

JJ is both of them

Jny = Johnny

and

I'm deb

Juliet Sarmiento & Jaymark Lameseria arrived at the gate with very anxious, but ambitious faces surrounded by all the children that came to Bozeman for the summer, and Chris, the Escort who flew from the Philippines with them and will be available to the children through their month here... We are invited to a room to meet with them in family groups. Several other kids will act as interpreters, as they have been adopted in earlier years. It is good to have them with us !

Most of the kids were quiet, shy and probably a bit scared. Juliet & Jaymark look a bit like they are cornered by a tiger, but everyone is trying to be friendly. Soon, ANother couple who have just adopted their son from the same orphanage, Larry & Jeanie Johnson come over and say hello to them. Johnny had interviewed them one evening, so we had seen good pictures of Juliet & Jaymark before they arrived, as the Johnson's had pictures from a birthday party while they were in the Philippines. They recognized Matthew Jonathan right away, but only with a sign of recognition. They still wouldn't say anything. But their eyes lit up ! Then Jonathan said he didn't know what to say because they wouldn't talk to him. Great ! Jeanie said to Juliet, "I heard ...you know English pretty good and we know that." Still no one would talk---but we weren't the only ones to experience this. We know some kids were talkative, and some cute little girls were going around taking pictures almost from the minute they arrived. Sometimes Juliet ( Jlt) would lean over to talk to Jaymark, but it was so quiet no one could hear her. Finally, she leaned over to me and whispered if she wanted something, or what Jaymark wanted or was saying.

Someone finally brought us star cookies & chocolate chips with juice, but all they wanted at first was water --- when Jaymark (Jmk) tried the juice, he just made a face, though Juliet tried to encourage him to drink.

Eventually, we were escorted out to show them the bathrooms, and then Jmk came alive at seeing the different animals at the Airport and in the gift shop.

We came home and showed them their rooms & toys (doll house in Jlt's room and cars and pirate ship in Jmk's room) But as Jlt was showing me her Photo Album of her life that the orphanage folks had put together called "Life Books" Jmk started plying right away with the doll house and seemed right at home.

While I got dinner ready, they went with Johnny to try and ride their bikes. They don't have the balance down very well, and Jmk keeps putting on the brakes to go, but they are getting very good on the first try. "Jlt is almost doing it" said Johnny as he came in from dinner, he had been running up & down the alley with them on the bike, and was exhausted, but said they were doing "very good" and that they loved it.

Jmk does push back on one pedal while pushing the other one forward, so may be a bit frustrated when he doesn't go anywhere, but with a little more practice, and balance, he'll have it.

Dinner at home went well (Stir Fry, vegies and rice with homemade bread) Jmk watched me put butter on the bread and then did it the same way. Jlt ate her bread like Johnny does, plain. It remained this way the whole month they were here. They ate everything they put on their plates, and after we put blueberries on frozen yogurt, and they gobbled that right up.

After dinner, Juliet gets up goes over to wash up all her dishes, and then ours, but has no idea about soap or the dishwasher, so that will come later.

The best icebreaker of the night though came when we asked if they knew UNO. They talked happily among themselves and their eyes lit up bright, and Jlt told us " he (or we) know UNO"

They started talking. They knew their colors and numbers, and it was such a great way to get started with some conversation. They could read the reverse, draw two and skip and wild cards. But we found their was an American & Philippine way to play.

When they don't have a card they need, they just picked one. WE, on the other side of the table, take many, and so we had to do it their way the first time, then explain why Johnny took many when he needed a card. So the second game was played the American way and lasted much longer. Right up until we were all yawning.

Bedtime would turn out to be some of our favorite moment with them, so after bathtime, where Jlt didn't want any help (aged 11) and Johnny helped Jmk, for some good conversation (bonding time ?) we read books to them the first night. That is after, I had Juliet move: she had just laid down on the floor where I needed to pull out the hide-a-bed too. SHe was so tired, I didn't think I would get her in the bed, but we did. No prayers tonight, she fell asleep too fast !

Jmk climbed right into bed, but started crying. I rubbed his back & then he calmed down a bit. so I went and go Johnny to check on him in a few minutes, but by then he was sound a sleep.

Summer of HOPE w/ Juliet & Jaymark: Juliet's Shots

Picture's of Jaymark, mostly at the house. Remember, it was July 10-August 10 that they were here, and we also had the company of Johnny's sister, Mary Ann, his mom, and his nephew, Ben. She does a nice job of catching Jaymark's character.

For more of Juliet's pictures of her brother, see:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2032994&id=1053788011&l=9f568ef0d5

Commercial time:

Here is the cat's favorite place:

Commercial: The cat was terrified of all the company & attention she got his summer, and we never knew quite where to find her. BUT, she is back in sight now, but has taken up a new residence !