Morality Lesson by Milton Bradley

Tonight was one of those nights you just don't want to forget. Tonight, both Marie and Jim met "Chutes and Ladders." (I don't know how Jim managed to be the only child from an upper middle-class family who never went to Disney and NEVER played "Chutes and Ladders" but alas, he is. Don't worry, he is fine.)

It was h-y-s-t-e-r-i-c-a-l. Jim examines the board as I explain the rules and I see his face contort as he starts to wonder....within minutes, he turns to me and says, "There is a little morality play with every chute and ladder, isn't there???" Yes, dear. This image is upside down but you can get the gist; you do something good, you go up the ladder. Bad things like writing on the wall with crayons, well then you go down the chute. The board is littered with all these mini-themes.

In case you don't know Marie well, let me tell you she is extremely reflective. She actually ponders. This game board was just a bonanza of wondering questions. She would point to the bottom of a 'chute' and ask how the unfortunate soul ended up there. "Why did that boy fall off the counter? Why did that girl eat too many cookies? Why did that little boy fall through the ice???" And for each and every one we had to explain how the lost soul made a fatal choice and tragically ended up at the bottom of a chute. She would listen, be silent for a moment, maybe grab Charmin for a quick nuzzle and then move on to the next question. Here Jim is explaining yet another of the lessons contained within the board...

Oh...and Aunt Abigail??? There are 4 game pieces. One each for me, Marie and Jim. The last piece is a little boy with curly brown hair in an awesome 70's maroon vest and pants. She decided that was you. You can see your game piece on the upper side of the game board, watching.

We had a wonderful time. Marie is in her PJ's as we declared this a pajama party. Jim declined the PJ's, rightfully suspecting that he would have to walk the dog when it is all over with. The dollar I spent today at a garage sale for this game was well worth it!

King of the Sippy Cup

Ty has mastered a new skill. He is one proud babe. And pretty much the cutest thing evah.

WHEN...

...Oh When, will Daddy come home??? I wait and long for him....(sigh).

Friends

Even though it is shaky and not in focus, I love this glimpse of my two. They are enjoying getting to know each other and making each other happy; it is an honor to be part of their world.

Bathing Beauties...Marie agreed to bathe with Ty for a few baths to help him get used to the big tub instead of the kitchen sink. Sure enough, if she went in, he had to go in the tub. He lights up when she comes into the room and loves to watch her to see what she will do next. She enjoys entertaining him and will look out for him. He was crawling around in the kitchen the other day and I ran into the other room. When I returned, Marie had put the dog food up on the counter and was in the process of moving the water too so Ty wouldn't help himself to it. Awwww.....

Yes, she sometimes has a hard time sharing toys or understanding why we can't hold her as much...but she is a great big sis and wonderful friend to Ty.

Tuesday Peek

Tuesday is Ty day...check it out.

Ty Speaks the Truth

Ty's gift to me (with some help from Dad) - a onesie for Him and a t-shirt for Me. The black is Velcro so that Ty can be strapped to my chest...just like he likes it.

Jim is a funny, funny man.

Climbing Wall???

Yup. It was cool. More later...

Foster Mother Visit

Ty Ji-tae had 2 foster mothers in Korea. He was born in the southern part of the peninsula (Seoul is a few hours north) so for the first month or so of his life he lived with one foster mother. Then after a month or so, she brought him to Seoul where he was taken care of by a different foster mother (who we met when we were in Seoul). Anyways, Holt International, the adoption agency, sends the foster mothers to the US every once in a while. Ty's first foster mother was in Michigan last week. He and I went to see her in the Detroit area last week. These pictures are of that visit.

I gotta tell you, it was very emotional for me. I was determined to go. But...what to do with Marie? Do we bring her and try to explain this? Does Jim take time off or do I go alone??? Fortunately, we have family in that area so they helped us with a place to stay and some company. Marie was able to stay at school late so she and Jim could stay home. To meet the woman who was one of the first to hold Ty, to get that piece of his life and to Thank her for all she did...it was a magnificent opportunity. We were able to go out to lunch with her and to share a little more time together. She fed Ty, held him and was able to give me some advice (even though she only spoke Korean and I don't...I swear she told me to put a hat on him. Grandmas are all the same, no matter where they are from!) At the end, she and I had a brief moment together alone with Ty in the parking lot. She was very strong and supportive, I was sobbing, trying to thank her. I felt like it was that moment again in Seoul when we got in the cab with Ty at Holt taking him away to the hotel. Except this time Jim wasn't there with me to help get through it. My Guardian Angel took care of me and made sure that my college roommate Lynn was home to help me get through it. She is truly an angel and opened up her home to us. After his nap, Ty and I went over and spent some time with her and her little boy. It was a great way to focus on the positive! Thank you Lynn!!!

In the end, I am glad we went. The opportunity will never present itself again. It is a piece of Ty's history that I am happy to now know. We are truly blessed!