Jazzie and Tahlia

Biography school project

Jazzie's latest school assignment was to read a biography (any biography) and do a project on it. After looking at manyl biographies at the book store, Jazzie decided on Anne Frank. This brought up many questions from Jazzie that were hard to answer at times. But being from Holland, having read the book and having visited the house several times, I really enjoyed helping Jazzie with this project. 

Sisterly love

Here is a (rare) loving moment between two sisters:

I use the word rare, because unfortunately that's the way it is right now. Tahlia is very loving; Jazzie.... well, not so much. I love Jazzie to pieces and she is amazing in many ways, but she does have some selfish tendencies. I have had MANY conversations with Jazzie lately about the importance of thinking of others and not just herself. About sharing. About being considerate of other people's feelings. 

I just keep thinking that if I remind Jazzie of these things often enough, that one day it just might sink in. Imagine my shock (and delight) when the girls were watching TV this evening and Tahlia got a bit scared. I heard Jazzie say to her: "Are you scared, Talley? Do you want me to come and sit next to you?" She proceeded to sit next to Tahlia and put her arm around her to comfort her.

I was so proud of Jazzie and made sure to tell her so. Maybe she is listening to me after all?

This and that

It seems like I don't have much to blog about lately, so I'll just post a mismatch of pictures.

First, a picture of a typical Friday evening for us: the girls watching a movie or one of their DVR'd shows, eating popcorn and drinking a smoothie:

Look at this smiling, happy face!

I still can't get over how much she has changed from this sad looking little girl at Yangchun Orphanage Guangdong, China:

Half marathon training is in full swing and I'm really enjoying it. I love running with a group of people; it makes the time go by so much faster and I've enjoyed meeting some new people. I've noticed a big change in my level of fitness compared to last year. Right now I can say that the training has been relatively easy, but I know that will change once we get up on mileage.

I think that this past Saturday was the coldest temperature that I have ever ran in. It was in the single digits, windy and bitterly cold. Let's just say that I was very glad that I invested in some proper cold weather gear!

I went to the Asian Market the other day to get some decorations for Chinese New Year. I bought some red banners with things like "There will be harmony in the family", "Wealth will enter the home", etc. However, I was not sure what to make of this one and no, I did not buy it ;-)

Greek meatballs

Here is one of my favorite WW recipes. These meatballs are simmered in a hearty tomato sauce with a hint of cinnamon. Different, but so good!

For the meatballs you will need:

• 3/4 lbs lean ground turkey
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/3 cup plain bread crumbs
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup egg substitute
• 3 Tbs chopped parsley
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Mix well and form into 18-20 balls. Place on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with non stick spray...

Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, turning them once. Set aside...

Now for the sauce:

• 1 can whole peeled tomatoes
• 2-3 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 3 Tbs tomato paste
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Spray a large saucepan with non-stick spray and add the onion, garlic and the oregano. Cook until the onion is soft and add the tomatoes, tomato paste, 1/4 tsp salt and the cinnamon. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cook until sauce begins to thicken slightly (about 15 minutes). Add the meatballs and simmer for another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

I serve this over orzo, along with a greek salad. One serving is 3 meatballs with 1/2 cup cooked orzo. The WW points for this is 8. I love this meal. The cinnamon makes the flavor quite unique. It makes plenty for leftovers that freeze really well. Try it, you'll love it :-)

Tahlia's turn

Amazingly sweet.

Amazingly giving.

Amazingly selfless.

Amazingly strong.

Amazingly energetic.

Amazingly insecure (at times).

Amazingly daring.

Amazingly polite.

Amazingly kind.

Amazingly, our daughter.

Jazzie...

Incredibly smart.

Incredibly focused.

Incredibly quiet.

Incredibly strong-willed.

Incredibly stubborn.

Indredibly determined.

Incredibly analytical.

Incredibly ornery.

Incredibly self-reliant.

Incredibly driven.

Incredibly, our daughter...

Hearing Birthday

Today is Jazzie's Hearing Birthday. Eight years ago, her first cochlear implant was activated and Jazzie heard her very first sound. She has come a long way since then. We've seen her go from a 16 month old girl with absolutely no speech or hearing abilities, to a normal, almost tween (!!!!), girl. 

I've used every adjectiev imaginable to describe Jazzie's journey: amazing, miraculous, astounding, unbelievable... But none of them truly capture how I feel. My deaf daughter is talking just like any other girl her age and can hear within normal limits with her cochlear implants. People that just meet her, have no clue she is deaf. Jazzie, truly is amazing.

January 3, 2004 - The audiologist is getting everything in place before turning on the device:

Her very first sound ever:

When Jazzie first got her cochlear implant, the processor was so much larger than it is now. She actually carried it on her back in a harness for a long time.

You can see how large her backpack was in this picture. When Jazzie first got her device, they didn't have a black magnet for her, so she wore a brown one until the black one was back in stock. The magnet is so visible not only because it's brown, but because Jazzie's hair hadn't grown back yet.

Jazzie certainly has come a long way, but so has the cochlear implant processor. She no longer wears her processor on her back, the entire device now fits snugly behind her ear (like a large hearing aid). Jazzie actually wears an older model; the newer ones are even smaller than what she has now. We will probably upgrade to those in a few years when we are eligible for the upgrade and our insurance will cover them ;-)

To celebrate, I had brownies waiting for Jazzie when she got home from school.

Year of change

Well, another year has come to an end. I can honestly say that it has been a year of transformation for me. I lost over 100 pounds, ran a half marathon AND a full marathon. I feel better about myself than I have in years. I've learned to let go of negativity in my life. I've learned to say no more often. I've learned that I am stronger than I thought I was. I've learned that a few people in my life weren't able to accept the new me, but I've also learned to not let that bother me. It is what it is.

Half marathon:

Full marathon:

Before and after:

Matt and I have attended the annual OVV Gala for several years. This was the first year I bought a sassy dress and felt fabulous:

Happy New Year, everyone. I'm looking forward to what 2012 has to offer. I hope it's as great as 2011 was!