Monday, October 5, 2009

JULY 2009




June turned quickly into July. We had a CALDERWOOD family reunion. The first summer get together in many years. We started with lunch in Saratoga Springs while we determined if the road to the cabin would allow vehicles to pass. It was so good to see Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins that I haven't seen in a long while. Again it was nice to have them meet Quincy as well.

June 2009

Summers are the best for family reunions. It was nice to be able to introduce Quincy to extended family. Our first reunion was with The HALL Family. Pictures of course are on Paul's computer.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

August 5, 2009

Not a Milk mustache... Milk beard!



June 27, 2009 It can be frustrating feeding a failure to thrive child when all they want to do is chew the bottle. I need the milk in his belly not out and dripping down his neck and back. He did this so much this month. We finally got smart and started putting a blanket under him so clean up would be easier.

Q's first time swimming


Quincy didn't know what to think about his first time in the swimming pool. We wasn't too into the floaty, but as soon as I took him out he was kicking and enjoying himself more. The water was warm, but outside was still chilly for us since we were use to HOT HOT HOT in Ghana. I put him on the biggest sweater ever and finished swimming with Madison while he hung out in the stroller.





June 22, 2009 Madison and her friend Campbell set up a snowcone stand in compitition with Campbell's sister and a friend who had a lemonade stand down the road. I was surprised when the pair went around the neighborhood to find customers. Madison was quite determined to make money to buy her fish.

Later that day we counted her money. She was upset when I told her she needed to pay some as tithing until I showed her the large about she gets and the small amount Heavenly Father received.

Birds

5 little birdies sitting in a nest...one fell out and broke his neck. 4 little birdies sitting in a nest... one fell out and broke his neck. That left 3. At first it was fun watching these birds. Then the momma bird decided to fly at our faces every time we went out the front door. This was June 19th. Two to three weeks after the babies flew the nest, the mom was back laying more eggs. The next batch three fell out of the nest. The last one to fall was almost ready to fly. He hopped around the front porch. Slept in the courtyard, and was found in the morning in the grass.
Why I am rambling about a stupid bird's nest is beyond me... especially since I knocked it down this morning.

Q's 1st time at the dentist


We didn't waste anytime getting into the swing of things. June 17th was Q's first time at the dentist. Of course he hated it, and I hated having to hold him down.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Home and Happy!




I decided to ditch the idea of posting the first part of my trip to Paris and Accra. Why? Really! By now it is history. So let us start at the End of May. We came home to a warm welcoming committee at the airport. Yaw was now being introduced as Quincy or Little Q. We had tons of visitors the first and second week. We also had dentists and doctor appointments. Life was crazy just because I had more things to do and take care of. But we are happy. And as soon as I go to the downstairs computer, I can pick some new pics to show yall.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

LAST HALF OF AFRICA

I am posting finally, but it will take two days. This is Last of April and May. Check out older post also cuz there is so much. 

HE'S OURS!!!!


The court date was quick and easy. It was the getting to that point that was crazy. My lawyer was very nice (Above picture.) I wish Paul could have been there, but I had to go alone. Lord only knows why!

If you gotta go....


So anytime you go to a third world country, you have to expect that the restrooms are not ideal, but I never expected this.

At the court house on Yaw's adoption hearing, I had to go so bad. Vivian scoped out the building to find the restrooms and came back and slyly reported that she had found the place, but that she didn't think I would want to use it. 

Wow! I was glad that I had a bottle of water, a bottle of shampoo, hand sanitizer, and kleenex. I was also glad I wore a skirt because I found out that when you pee on cement it splashes. I had to wash my shoes!

I came back giggling and saying "I just peed in a hole." I was so entertained that I kind of forgot that I would be getting a son officially in a little while. 

The funny thing is that that was not the worst place I had to go. The worse was at the birth certificate building (same town) It was an actual room with stalls and toilets, but no water. and the place looked like a storage room with stuff everywhere. To top it of a dead roch was in the place. (I hate those things)

To be fair to Ghana, I did find 3 very nice restrooms in Africa. The Rhapsody restaurant, Captain Hook's Restaurant and my own!

"You White People."



So a lady at church loved to make remarks about "you white people." Oh man I lived for those comments. It was so fun to be the minority and have people judge you, your culture, and your country. I loved the ward I attended. Here I am making myself at home at one of the weddings of a girl in the ward. 

Lake Volta















I had the best time with the Abu family. One weekend we went to a family wedding. I felt bad for the aunts and uncles who thought I was Sonya, Stephen's wife. Poor confused people. I feel bad for Sonya also cuz I was a "White dancing fool" They had good tunes and I couldn't help shaking my bootie. There was a lot of video being taken of me on people's phones. It may creep up on you tube one of these days.

On mother's day we went to Lake Volta for some sight seeing and dinner. Peggy and I just keep dancing. The best part of being with the Abu Family is the humorous stories and much laughter that we shared in the many car rides to here and there. 

It is official. They said I could be part of their family now. I am so glad.

Missionary Friends


I don't know what took me so long to realize that I could be of service to the Lord's servants, but on May 4,  2009 I invited the Missionaries over to the house for some "American food." They were so excited. They get hardly any $$$$ to live on. I feel for them. We had "Grandma's" stew and Vivian made her famous spaghetti

After that Elder White and Elder Fedderson would stop by everyday for food. It was nice to have people help me eat my cooking so I didn't have to eat left overs for 5 meals. 

I keep in touch with Elder White...He is the handsome black missionary. We had good food, good company, and good conversations. 

Chocolate...a world wide favorite.

MAY 11, 2009 Yaw's first time eating chocolate. He loved it.

Yaw baby sleeping


When we were all together in the beginning of our adventure, we all shared this bed. Paul was on the right, then Quincy, me, and Madison on the left. At times I would curl up at the bottom like the family dog.

Once Madison and Paul left, and Quincy started rolling, I had to create barriers with the suitcases and pillows. 

Quincy also had to get use to sleeping on the desk at the office, the seat in the car, and his stroller. There were days we were out of the house from 6 to 10 pm. He was quite a trooper.




African Style


Everyday we would pass shops that had the most beautiful sundresses. I wanted one so bad, but every time I tried on the African Style, oh it was horrible. 

My friends Vivian and Mark finally just bought me a Bubu (boo-boo). I didn't want to result to the style that most of the larger women wear, but that was the one that fit my body type. I was even impressed they picked my favorite colors. Vivian had to teach me how to tie the scarf. I should have learned that in the beginning since I couldn't do my hair while there. 

It is comfortable and I do love the scarf. Thanks my friends.