HOLY BUCKETS, we just got-

Our LOA!

THANK YOU JESUS!

One step closer to this little boy!

And this little girl!

Hoping to travel in the beginning of December!!

Back to school. Finally!

OK. I am back and for real this time ;)

The kids were off for three months this year (while our tax dollars renovated the local schools), but they returned to their routine this week, and so have I. Writing this, seated in the shade of the oaks bordering my sunny deck, with hummingbirds buzzing around, feels like a "stay-cation" now.

With the start of a new academic year (and Max in Middle School!), September always feels like January's onset of a new calendar year. Off to a fresh new start: Supplies, Lunches and Activities are revised.

SUPPLIES

Each year, teachers request many un-recyclable items that I would not purchase for our home (plastic markers for example), but would consider for school use. In a perfect world, teachers would keep "still good" supplies for subsequent classes or at least donate them to the local thrift shops at the end of the year. Better yet, manufacturers would offer non-toxic stainless refillables of modern staples such as markers, and teachers would limit their demands to those available and reuse them. But until then...

Our annual scavenger hunt for school SUPPLIES starts with a preliminary stop in the home office to retrieve last year's leftovers and update lists with truly needed items. For example, the new box of pencils required for Max, did not make it. Afterall, Leo finds pencils on the street all year long ;) - and we have plenty mechanical pencil refills. The disposable wipes on Leo's list did not make it either. I volunteered to purchase reusable ones instead.

We then scout the town's thrift shops with a much simplified and revised list. This year, we bought secondhand dividers, a binder, school paper, and one sharpie (Thank you for your donations, fellow Mill Valley-ans!).

We struck out on backpacks (bigger ones needed this year), glue stick, red ballpoint pen, second sharpie, and had to buy these new, but I am happy to give the local stationary store our scrutinized business. It not only allows us to purchase just the right amount (one is enough for now) and without the extra packaging (sold loose), but it also gives me the opportunity to support a small local business and save on gas (the big chain alternative is two towns over).

For the scientific calculator that Max needed, eBay was the best bet. Bought $4 used and now reused.

LUNCHES

The boys' appetites have grown this summer, so I was delighted to find an array of loose buns at the grocery store. These have simplified the kids lunch making. They are cheaper than baguette, do not need pre-ordering, and are pre-cut by Scott, making it easier for the boys to prepare them. Best of all, the serving size satisfies Max's appetite perfectly.

As mentioned before, I do not usually spend time making what is available to us in bulk, such as pickles. But the long break and the sight of cute little pickling cucumbers at the farmer's market, inspired me to prepare them again this year. They are easy to make with only a few bulk ingredients, the kids love them (they are sweet) and they are a great addition to school lunches. So I thought I'd share our recipe with you.

Bread and Butter Pickles Recipe

5 cups sliced pickling cucumbers (about 5 count)
1 onion
4 tsp coarse salt
1 cup cracked ice
3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
3/4 cup sugar (evaporated cane sugar)
Optional spices

Mix cucumbers, onions, salt, and ice in large bowl
Put a weight on the mixture for 3 hours (see picture)
Drain
Combine vinegar, sugar, drained cucumbers and spices of your choice (1/4 tsp turmeric, 1/8 celery seed, 1 tsp mustard seed for example)
Bring to boiling point (do not boil)
Fill sterilized jars (recipe will fill 1 quart size jar)
For long term storage, you can boil the sealed jar for 10 min. I personally don't. We refrigerate them and they disappear within a month.

ACTIVITIES Never say Never... I am glad I did not.

Now the big surprise for the end. I am about to announce a major change in our household. With much deliberation (six-months long actually ;), Scott and I have finally given up on our video game battle and purchased a used Wii for Leo's birthday. OMG! We have come to realize that our very social pre-teens are losing interest in their Legos, and cannot be kept away from gaming (at least, where we live anyways). In the last year, they have clearly learned to augment their outside playtime with a gaming fix at the neighbors.

Again, in my perfect world, our neighbors and friends would also be against video games and urge their kids to entertain themselves otherwise. We would also agree on the same house rules, dietary needs, all choose zero waste lifestyles, and live happily ever after. Well, since it is not the case, and Scott and I are not willing to move and become hermits or keep the kids locked up, but rather encourage age-appropriate social interactions at home, we considered multiple non-viable options (a trampoline on our hill, fuss-ball in the tiny playroom, etc.), until we faced the inevitable: No matter what we'd find as an alternative, gaming would still be out there and our kids would keep seeking it elsewhere. Then, I thought to myself that as long as we did it in a sustainable way (buying used console and games), with strict usage limits, it probably would not kill me ;)

We've had it now for only a couple of weeks, the kids bring their friends home more and I can share play time (Wii sports) with my fast growing boys. Gaming that fosters social and physical activity, afterall, is not too bad and more controllable than online gaming. And as long as we can mix it up with a variety of other activities, I am OK with it.

That said, do not fear, we are nowhere close to turning TV back on...

Gifts For Luke And An Update On Mia!

Now it's time to send Luke his gift! This little boy has an issue with his pants always falling down!! 

He has the tiniest bottom and a bit of a gut! Once the pants get on the down slope they're going, going, gone! So he is getting a pair of overalls and 2 pair of suspenders! Along with a pair of lite up shoes, sunglasses, a hat and a few other things!

 I am especially excited for him to get the photo album!

He has some pics of his family but these will be new ones for him!

Tomorrow is day 40 of our LOA wait. 

If we get our LOA this week we can go to China in early December BUT later than this week would most likely mean traveling after the holidays.

I feel so bad, he has waited so long...

He needs to come home asap- he has some serious dental issues.

Praying it comes soon!

We have been so blessed to get pics of Luke through his foster home's blog!

They had a volunteer that did many blog posts and posted tons of pics of the children!

I am forever spoiled... I mean thankful!

Here he is looking at the first photo album we sent him!

We had a wonderful surprise this morning! 

Updated pics of Mia and her measurements!

What a treasure she is! I can't wait to get these two home!

We got 6 pics! YEP 6, can you believe it! I am holding back the others and going to put them up with other posts! Check out the individual ones on my sidebar for a peak at one of Mia's other pics!

She is just about the same size as Anna! And just a pound or two heavier!

After seeing how well Ava, Anna and Sam have done together (after a couple months), I am not at all concerned with adding Mia into the mix!

And BTW isn't Mia a perfect name for her!

Be still my heart!

God's blessings are so great!

I got the family rules plaque from a blog during an adoption fundraiser. I do not know how to get others BUT hopefully- Kathy will comment and let us all know!!

Yes, It Starts Tomorrow!

Everyday the children ask "Does school start today"?

Tomorrow I will finally be able to say YES!

We have been moving a few of the rooms! The bonus/ playroom has become the school room.

The toys are back downstairs in the new playroom.

      

Johnny no longer has the whole basement. It was nice to be able to do that when the kids came home at a rapid pace. It gave him an opportunity to adjust to so many siblings but it is no longer necessary. In fact Johnny spends most of his time on the main floor with us. So the basement sits empty for much of the day. 

NOW the toys are down there and the kids love it!!

There are no pics of the playroom! It's a mess and will get organized later!

This is from an adoption fundraiser- I love it! We will be reviewing it on our first day of school!!

Each child has a basket with their school books for the school year!

Sarah has a different curriculum and sits at a different desk. No she does not feel left out! She is very proud of how well she is doing in school and that she is ahead of everyone else! She is 11 years old and doing a 2nd/3rd grade curriculum. We are amazed at her progress! When they say they go to school while in CHina- take it with a grain of salt! She knew very little and had mastered nothing. In fact she didn't even like to learn. Now she is asking questions constantly and loving learning!
My goal for this year is that she will start enjoying reading books on her own- that would be so wonderful!!


I'll teach the other children together!

Luke and Mia will join us at the big table! We will see what Mia will be able to do? I am guessing she is not being educated in China- but I don't know? 

Luke sits up at the head of the table with Momma so I can keep an eye on him! 

I am guessing he will be playing on the floor or running around or bugging Sarah!

I have never homeschooled with a 3 year old in the family! It should be interesting! Most likely I will be praying my way through the school year and adjusting as necessary!!

Last school year we had a little trouble sharing the crayons! Everyone needed to brown or whatever color at the same time. Now they will each have their own supplies! We also put two tables together so they all have their "own" space!

All the bedrooms are being moved too!

I know- I forgot to consult all of you! I'm sorry! You are my #1 bedroom advisers!

Although things were going great with everyone in the same room we knew we had hit our limit- 8 in the same room just wasn't going to work out!

The kids get along beautifully but we want to make sure they don't get caught in the group mentality!
They are all individuals with their own preferences and desires.


This is the beginning of the "big girls" room! Sarah, Emma and Ellie will be in this room!


We can put the 5 littles together- Ava, Anna, Sam, Mia and Luke but are leaning towards the 2 boys having their own "boy" bedroom. Then the 3 little girls will be together!
This mean we will not have a guest room- bummer. BUT Johnny will be going to college in a year and we can use his room if necessary!


This also sets us up for more treasures- IF that is in God's plan??
Really not sure what the future will bring? I am sensing the HE has plans that I don't know about YET?


Hope you had a wonderfully long and fun weekend!
God's Blessings on your school year!

He's a Senior!

I can't believe he is a senior!!

My sweet little boy is in his last year of High School!

I know you've heard this a million time but here we go again-

They grow up too fast!

Just yesterday we were saying goodbye to the older sibs as they headed off to school.

Johnny was my sidekick!

We had so much fun together- doing puzzles, reading books and running errands- well at least I had fun!!

Have a wonderful senior year, Johnny!

Active Discard

Friday is housekeeping day in the Johnson household. The day is usually marked by hidden treasures emerging from my kids pockets.

This is how I discovered a non-recyclable one this week:
Max: "Wow, we really don't have that much trash."
Bea: "What did you throw out to notice what was in there?" ;)

As Max was putting his dirty laundry in the machine, he found the plastic wrapper of RealD 3D glasses in one of his pockets. In our previous life, we would have discarded it and never thought about it again (...and repeated the same disregard for our discards, each subsequent viewing of a 3D movie). But today, that wrapper (and others going into our trash container) calls for further investigation and one or more following actions:

-Finding an ALTERNATIVE: In the future, Max will keep the 3D glasses for reuse instead of placing them in the dedicated recycling container at the theater.

-Contacting RealD by PHONE (888-334-3577): Their sales representative explained the company's operation. Movie goers use the glasses, theaters collect them, and send them back to RealD. RealD then sanitizes and re-packages them. Talk about "cleanliness standards" needing revision... I suggested that her company reconsidered its impact on the environment.

-EMAILING RealD (support@reald.com):
Hi: I am a simple movie goer, who also strives to live a zero waste lifestyle.
I found out that you reuse the 3D glasses which is great, but I do not support the plastic sleeve, which is meant for the landfill. So here are some questions that you might want to consider:
-Is sanitizing really necessary, are plastic sleeves necessary? It seems that our society has gone germaphobic; Sanitizing and plastic sleeves only supports that unnecessary fear of germs and subsequent unnecessary waste.The last time I visited Disneyland, their reused 3D glasses were neither sanitized nor wrapped in plastic.
-If you truly feel that the sleeve is needed, how about using paper instead? It would not only be recyclable but also biodegradable/compostable.
-How about adding a note on your wrapper that would encourage viewers to reuse their glasses? I doubt that 3D is going away, so might as well encourage people to keep their glasses for next time. (Your receptacle in movie theatres could be used for extras.)
-or better yet: "How about selling longer lasting glasses (real glass lenses in metal frames) to users instead? as a one time fee option to a movie ticket?
I thank you for your time. I applaud your reusing efforts, you are going in the right direction. I look forward to seeing your environmentally caring improvements.
Sincerely yours,
Bea

-MAILING to RealD (100 North Crescent Dr., Suite 120, Beverly Hills, CA 90210) the plastic wrapper with a note such as the copy of the email above or just a few words: "are these really necessary?" or "Please reconsider wasteful practices".

The most common email that I receive from newcomers interested in Zero Waste is about the lack of bulk in their town and their loss as to what to do beyond it. My advice to them, apart from adopting reusables, is quite simple: Let your voice be heard! (I can't stress it enough).

We all have a choice: We can throw it in the "can" time after time, and therefore condone wasteful practices - or we can actively do something to make change happen in our communities. Don't wait for change. Ask for it. Make it happen. Speaking with the grocery store manager to request bulk, suggesting an alternative or no packaging to a manufacturer, or calling a junk mailer, might be time consuming. But a weekly email, call, or letter, is manageable and is a powerful way of pro-actively supporting Zero Waste beyond bulk shopping.

In the comment section, I invite you to share your examples of constructive, to the point letters. Please no rambling :) I hope to make it easier for our community to send or re-purpose our constructive feedbacks. Remember, positive feedback is welcome too. Last week, I contacted Rayovac (800-237-7000) to congratulate and thank them for their innovative cardboard rechargeable battery packaging.

Do you have some letters to share with others?

PS: I hope you remembered to vote today ;) http://www.THEGreenAwards.com/Default.aspx?v=221

Sammy's Surgery!

We have heard from Cincy and Sam has his surgery dates! 

I have been praying about this and putting it in God's hands. With so much going on, I knew I could never plan it all out! His timing is perfect timing!

I want so much to leave now and get Luke and Mia but we are still waiting on our LOA... we are on day 33 right now, which is already longer than our wait with Sam and Ava.

Waiting is so hard...


But, since we have to wait we might as well get a few things done before this crew of 6 littles becomes 8!

The Colorectal Center in Cincinnati is number one in the country for pediatric gastrointestinal repairs!

Sam's fist surgery is scheduled for November 2nd! We will be gone for 5-6 days and will return again 2 weeks later for a recheck. We head back to Cincy for his last surgery on January 26th. They will take down his colostomy and Sammy will "go" just like the other kids! Of course we have to be careful with what he eats and it will take time for everything to work correctly!

We are hoping/planning that we will go to China in December between the surgeries.

Anna will also have a surgery coming up but we are unsure of the timing right now. It will be a lip and nose repair along with necessary dental work (meaning taking care of 7 cavities-yikes).

The following pics are for your viewing pleasure! 

These two are absolutely crazy about each other!