Bringing Home Maggie: September 2009

Monday, September 14, 2009

9/14/09

Whoa, sorry about the lack of posts. Maggie has recovered well from her surgery and her new lip and nose are just marvelous. When I look at before photos and then after, Holy Cow! I don't know how they do it. Check these out:

Taken tonight in her "new" police car. Graciously handed down by her friends Alice and Jack.

Journey's of the Heart's annual end of summer family gathering

Brrrrrr....it was a cool afternoon

Inside her new log cabin play house. Even big brother likes it.

Just before cake on Candace's birthday

Sebbie's good friends Mandy and Candace. Our older "adopted daughters".

Mommy & Sebbie at Odell Lake in August

Odell Lake Resort/Restaurant

Sebbie's new kitty "Tiger"

Sebbie hit the fishing/catching jackpot at our annual cub scout camping weekend. This year at Yellowbottom Creek Campground.

Maggie's next surgery is scheduled for November 12th. This surgery will be to close her pallet. Supposed to be a rather challenging recovery. We will keep you posted.

Interesting Facts About China

The size and shape of China is very similar to the United States.

The population in China is 1.3 billion.

Only about 10% of the land in China is arable.

There are 55 different recognized minority nationalities in China that make up 6% of the population. The majority ethnic group (94%) is Han.

In some areas of China, the people, food, language, and cultural practices are more similar to those in other countries than majority China. The Uighur people, for example, eat lots of lamb, speak Turkish, and have the physical appearance more similar to those in the Middle East.

Swimming For My Daughter

On October 30th, I began swimming 40 miles in 40 days as a way to mark my 40th birthday on December 4th and to honor the upcoming adoption of our daughter. I called this event "Swimming For My Daughter" because I collected some flat or per mile contributions toward our adoption expenses from any one who wanted to contribute.

During the 40 days I had many wonderful family members and friends that encouraged me and some that even swam with me! Some friends who lived far away swam with me in spirit.

I ended up getting in better swimming shape than I have been in before and met my goal of getting in the water EVERY day. Due to some extra yardage I put in, the grand mileage total was just over 43 miles.

The last workout was a wonderful culmination to the entire 40 days-- a descending set of 40 50's with the last five being on the :40. A large group of regular swimmers and some not so regular swimmers got in the water to join me, while other cheered from the deck. I was able to make all the send offs but I had to work REALLY hard to make the last few. My toes are still cramping as I write this, but the memory of the accomplishment and the support makes me feel so wonderful.

After the final swim, we celebrated with a big party at the pool, complete with a family swim time, trips down the zip-line, a tasty potluck dinner, cake, a heartwarming song (written by my husband!), and awesome company.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, to all of my wonderful family and friends who helped and encouraged me in so many ways--notes, emails, phone calls, conversation, child care, contributions, underwater photos, swimming with me, and celebrating with me. I feel truly blessed.

Thank you to Sebastian who gave more support, encouragement, and understanding toward my goal than I could have ever imagined a five-year-old to do.

My greatest gratitude and thanks goes to by biggest source of support in this swim and in life--my wonderful husband Steve. This journey we are on together gets better with each passing year. I look forward to 40 more!

Bringing Home Maggie

The Law/George Family

Monday, September 14, 2009

9/14/09

Dossier Photo

Interesting Facts About China

Blog Archive

Swimming For My Daughter

Party Details

Swim Update and Schedule

Final swim workout