Oh my WORDS!

O.K., the reality is, she's brilliant.  I'm not biased because she's my daughter ... I simply am speaking truth ... she leaves me with no words .. well, o.k., I have a few.

Maliah LOVES to learn!  She just turned five on November 3 (yes, backlogged on that post too).  She is going to a pre-school 3 days a week that is a private little school ... 12 kids plus one amazing teacher in a classroom attached to her home.  It is a Christian based school that utilizes many of the curriculum programs one may use while home schooling.  The teacher also incorporates her own, the bible, scripture and most importantly ... the 10 commandments.  Mrs. Kim has been doing this for over 25 years and the waiting list to get in is incredibly long.  We are blessed!   Maliah is LOVING it!
Every day when the big kids come home from school they have home work.  At least 30 minutes of reading and 10 minutes of math facts are involved plus anything given that day (spelling, projects, you name it!).  Every day they have home work is a day that Maliah does too ... according to her.  She sits at the table working on her letters, cutting, reading and writing.  Eagerly she shares her accomplishments and with excitement her big brother, sister and Mommy cheer.  Yes, the Martine house home schools ... from 3-4:30 or 5 every day!

So today, she asked to do some cutting.  From a little Kumon book we have, she cut out some pictures and then decided to glue them to paper for her beloved "Mrs. Kim" (teacher).  A few minutes later I could see her working hard to sound out her words ... and when I had finished what I was doing in the kitchen, I walked over to the kitchen table, looked over her shoulder and found this.  Seriously.  

She wrote this!

To add, she also knows how to do her addition facts.  She can easily add numbers up to 20 and eagerly practices ALL THE TIME ... SERIOUSLY!

Looks like in Kindergarten she'll be helping teach.  She leaves me with no words ... she is brilliant!

Backlog Blogpost - 3.) 4th Gotcha Day Anniversary

On September 4th, we celebrated our fourth Gotcha Day anniversary with Maliah.  It is so hard to believe it has already been four years since we first stepped off the plane with our precious little girl.  In the same breathe, I cannot remember nor imagine life without her!
Maliah is incredibly bright.  She is learning to read and loves to do her addition facts with her big sister.  She is loving and nurturing towards her friends and siblings.  She is outgoing and doesn't seem to know a stranger.  I sometimes watch her from afar and wonder just what the Lord has in store for her precious life.
This past weekend (November 6 and 7th) was "Orphan Sunday".  Doug and I were hosting a table for America World at a church here in our area.  During the service the pastor asked if anyone in the audience had been adopted or had adopted to please stand.  With pride, my precious girl stood up in her chair and began to raise her hands.  Her brother and sister proudly stood at her side.  Indeed, she is proud of her story so far.  We talk often about China and most recently over dinner she informed us she wanted to go back.  At first, I was a little surprised and didn't know what she meant.  She then clarified that she wanted to go back and "see the ladies who took care of her before we came on the big plane".  Maliah, I can't wait to give you that wish someday!
So each year we spend our celebration with the Foote family.  Libby and Maliah were from the same orphanage and with all intensive purposes have known one another since birth.  Since each of them were brought into Xuwen Comprehensive Institute at birth, we know this is true.  They are 20 days apart in age. It is special to have them so close in proximity to each other and even more special that they adore one another.  Maliah would surely call Libby her "bestest friend".

Four years ago, only hours after we first met

Maliah and Libby and Klaire - Xuwen Sisters

Four years and many wonderful days later!

                                                  

Sisters

Maliah and Libby

Gracie - "Cheese"

Figuring out Chop Stix

The awesome big brother, Canyon

Canyon and Dakota

Try getting a picture of 5 kids all looking at the camera. HA

My girl!

                                        

 
 

Me and my honey

  

Maliah adores Gracie

Fun and games

The girls

Our annual family picture.  Gotcha Anniversary 2010

 

Blog Backlog - post 2. Family Camp!

Labor Day we enjoyed our second year of Laity Lodge Family Camp.  This is for sure one of our summer highlights.  We spend 3 nights and four days in the beautiful hill country, worshipping and learning God's word, playing in the river, skeet shooting, arts and crafts, zip lines, cousin time and lots of delicious food.
We are already registered and looking forward to next summer.  Who could pass up the fun?  Check it out!