First, Second, Third, Fourth and

now Erin has Fifth Disease!

She woke up yesterday morning with red cheeks. You know how when you wake up sometimes you have a red face? And then it goes away. Well she woke up around 6:30 / 7:00. We were getting ready to go to my niece Riley's birthday party. Around 10:00 I called David to tell him what was going on. I took a few pictures of her face & he took a peek at them. Unfortunately, we decided that going to the birthday party was out. We had one very unhappy little girl.

In the end I called the pediatrician's office to ask if we needed to do anything or even come in for a visit. Everyone's favorite nurse called us back to answer my questions. I described Erin's face to her, & she told me that Erin has what is called Fifth Disease. Erin is NOT contagious at all. Actually, the child is contagious up until the rash comes out but now that the rash is out, we have the all clear. She'll have the rash anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks, & then it should go away.

Erin was really upset at first. Aside from having a rash on her face, she couldn't go to the birthday party. The poor kid thought this was her fault. It took a while for me to get her to believe that she didn't do anything wrong. I explained to her that she'll need to stay indoors & get plenty of rest over the next few days. Oh. And she also can't sleep in inter jammies all bundled up like she likes to do. (For a kid who has never lived in cold areas, she prefers flannel jammies.)

I took her over to Target for a while. She loves to go shopping but even better she can get her favorite treat there. Our Target has a Starbucks inside. She loves to get one of their Strawberry & Creme drinks with whipped cream on top. It was a nice day for us since David had to go to work. She got 4 bathing suits, some Bakugan, puzzles & coloring sheets.

David has to go to work again today. He has a BIG project he's working on. Erin & I were supposed to go out to a dance recital for her friend Lauren. We decided to keep her home with just a quick excursion out later today so she doesn't feel punished.

Alice Cooper says it all

Well we got no choice

All the girls and boys

Makin all that noise

'Cause they found new toys

Well we can't salute ya

Can't find a flag

If that don't suit ya

That's a drag

School's out for summer

School's out forever

School's been ***************

No more pencils

No more books

No more teacher's dirty looks

Well we got no class

And we got no principles

And we got no innocence

We can't even think of a word that rhymes

School's out for summer

School's out forever

School's been ***************

No more pencils

No more books

No more teacher's dirty looks

Out for summer

Out till fall

We might not go back at all

School's out forever

School's out for summer

School's out with fever

School's out completely

Hebrew school is out for the summere. As always I'm in desperate need of some good ole fashioned rest. Don't get me wrong.

I always dread the beginnng of the year. What new obstacles will I have to overcome? What new plan will I need for that student who just doesn't "fit the mold?"

And the last day of school? I cry as I watch "my kids" move on to the next grade. When they came to me, they knew a few of the Hebrew letters & had heard some Bible stories. By the last day, my students have learned all of the letters & even write them. (If you have ever seen Hebrew, you know the letters look nothing like the English language.) Many of them might even be ready to start reading! They know their Bible stories & can discuss (on their level) the meaning behind the story.

But for now School's Out for Summer!

Citizenship

Today was the day we have been waiting for! At 8:00 a.m. this morning, May 12, 2009 Erin had to appear at the local field office of the US Dept of Immigration. She was finally being sworn in as an American citizen!

As of February 2001 when an internationally adopted child enters the United States on an IR-4 visa (indicating both parents travelled), they are an American citizen. HOWEVER, (isn't there always a "however?") there isn't a government agency that recognized that federal law. David & I flew to China knowing that Erin would be granted citizenship as soon as we both set foot on U.S. soil. And then we received her Resident Alien card in the mail.. Huh? Wait a second! She's a citizen. Nope. Not one agency recognized this law. I was one ticked off mama when I had to argue with the lady at the Social Security Administration on the day I registered to get Erin's social security number. The reality is that if your child received a Resident Alien card, then the government doesn't recognize your child to be a citizen.

In 2007 I realized that I wasn't going to win. I completed all of the paperwork within hours of the application fee being doubled. A few weeks ago, David called me at work to let me know that Erin was finally being granted citizenship.

Last night we all went to bed early so we could be up bright & early for the day's special events. We left the house & got to the field office by 7:35. As we walked in, we were greeted by security & had to pass through the screening process. Then we waited in a long line until they allowed us to go in to the Swearing In room at 8:00.

The first thing upon entering the room, Erin & I sat down at a table so that I could verify the information that is on her paperwork. Let me tell you I was pissed. We entered the U.S. on June 11, 2003. Her citizenship is effective October 2003. David made me shut up so that we get it all over with. He was probably afraid that Erin wouldn't get her citizenship.

After finishing up at "the table," we were directed to the seating area for the swearing in. Because Erin is a minor, one of us was allowed to sit with her while the other sat in the guest area (right next to her it turns out). David was stepping aside to let me sit with Erin. Our very decisive little girl decided that she wanted to have her daddy sit with her. That said, David sat with his girl while I sat on the sidelines.

While we all waited for the ceremony to begin, I got to observe David & Erin together. They played & chit chatted each adoring the other. They looked through the plastic bag that each new citizen is given. Inside was a small American flag. Erin loved waiving her flag around!

The ceremony started.

• The field officer welcomed all of the people as they were becoming citizens.
• Everyone rose to sing The Star Spangled Banner.
• The field officer announced how many people were being granted citizenship & which country they came from. (China had 3 people.)
• Everyone rose to say the Pledge of Allegiance. This was lead by one of the new citizens. He lead everyone beautifully.
• The field officer then called each person by name to come & get their Certificate of Citizenship & have their picture taken. Erin turned her head into David's shoulder at that point & refused to look up.

When we were done, it was picture time! David snapped a few pics inside - even got one of me!

I Made It

I got through yesterday & not too badly if I do say so myself. May 7th is my mother's birthday, & yesterday she would have been 70 years old. I can't really imagine that. In fact, when I think of what my mom looked like, I remember her from the Mother's Day before she died. I have a picture of her with my brother Seth & me. That is how I see her in my mind's eye. That is when I can picture her alive. It's hard because my last memory of her is from when the paramedics took her out of our house to bring her to the hospital.

Yesterday, I had a migraine. I usually feel sick on my mom's birthday. I guess it's the stress of the day & missing her. I did my best to focus on the day & ignore her birthday. I didn't cry. I didn't scream. I tried to be stress-free. And to some degree, it worked.

Happy birthday Mommy! I miss you & I love you.