A bragging Mother

This post is more or less a bragging post, but we are so proud of our daughter that I need to share :) Ruby was on the honor roll again this quarter and was also nominated for one of the local Optimist Club's youth awards. The award was nominated through the school, but also considers the strength of the child to overcome challenges and to be an inspiration and role model for others. Way cool!

All is well in other news - haven't posted for awhile. I'm back to work full time. I'll miss the part time days for sure, but it was worth every dollar not coming in. There is no way possible that my bond with Ruby would be as strong as it is working full time. All you mothers out there that work full time jobs and have children - I give you so much credit! My mother - even more amazing...four kids, full time job and going to college! I'm still learning to balance everything and of course my personal time is put on the back burner. I hope to learn to make time for myself soon :) Yet, I love my new job as the Assistant Operations Director/Family PLUS Coordinator. Mike's log furniture store is still doing well, despite the economy. Hopefully, it will continue to last. Luckily, there are still homes being built in our community and lots of retired people looking to update their homes.

Christmas was a blast and Ruby did well. I think the first week was an adjustment, but by the last week she was a pro at long term care travel in the Midwest. Ruby has the overall picture and connection of the family. This has really been a positive experience and I think it is comforting for her to know there are so many people that love her.

FYI (especially for other adoptive families).
Some differences we have seen in Ruby....

her self-esteem has improved. Not that she had low self-esteem before, but there were many things she was unsure of in the past and also just trying to fit in. She accepts compliments more now and says thank you when people give them to her. This is something we worked on over the holidays. On the other hand, Ruby is questioning her skin tone. Some kids at school mentioned that she is a brown or black person. She has expressed this has made her sad, but she also said that she thinks her skin is special. I pointed out that everyone has different colors of skin...even birth families. We looked at various photos of family and other random people on the computer and in books. It was very comforting for her to realize that America has so many different people of color.....unlike rural China (Ruby has mentioned that only Chinese people were seen in her community). As we were talking, Ruby even brought up the President and I was able to show a photo of his mother and father....she was surprised of the differences in them! It was a learning moment and hope she feels more confident in her own skin :) We are trying to let her know that being yourself is very cool!

Ruby is also starting to play a little more by herself. This was a big issue until after Christmas. She went through this phase of not wanting to do things by herself - homework, playing or even taking a shower. I think she played more by herself during the first month home...but then she bonded with us and hated to even be in a different room. Ruby is doing a lot better now and takes showers without me in the room ....last week she even played for two hours alone...the longest so far!!! I think this is improving because ...a) she knows we aren't leaving her b) we will help her if needed c) Mom and Dad need to work around the house sometimes and have lives too d) she realizes if she doesn't play by herself, she'll get bored e) she is becoming more comfortable with herself

all for today - not sure how often I'll be posting for awhile...just very busy! sorry to all my blogger friends...I'll catch up on your blogs this upcoming month :)