Congratulations on your celebrating 15 years when you got Arielle. I can’t believe that she’s 16 years old and in Drivers education classes. My how time has flown! I remember her being very young when I was first reading your blog. Meanwhile your nude is really coming together especially. adding the blanket for perspectives.
Thank you so much, Susan! I so appreciate your support of my blog and my art! Yes, it's hard to believe that Arielle is taking Driver's Ed. She has grown into a lovely young lady. The nude I'm working on has been challenging, but I'm glad it's coming along. I hope you are well.
Happy Anniversary of your Forever Family Day! What a wonder that you and your daughter found each other a half a world apart. You are such a creative -- writing, art, family. You have a knack for making things and underscoring their beauty. And I love watching the process of the nude on the blanket. Building a life is not dissimilar. Big hugs. You are in my heart.
Thank you so much for your kind anniversary wishes. It is a miracle that she and I met at all. We managed to find each other. The Chinese government arbitrarily matched us randomly.
And thank you so much for your words on my creative nature. You are an awesome creator yourself! And I loved what you said about building a life being like creating artwork. You certainly have a way with words!
Congratulations to you and your daughter! Wow, 15 years! That must've been a stressful flight back home. And those first four days... talk about an introduction to motherhood! You have done such a wonderful job raising her - despite the challenges you both have faced.
The nude painting is even more striking now with the addition of the blanket. Love the blue. Great trick to hide the part of her leg you didn't like. Looking forward to seeing the next revision.
Thank you so much! Yes, motherhood was rough going for awhile. I think she missed her previous caregivers and didn't like the change. It was a 12-hour flight back home, and it felt like a year, not because she was a behavior problem -- she was amazingly well-behaved, sleeping/resting quietly the entire time -- but having her on my lap for so long and desperately wanting to be home made the trip seem like forever.
Thanks for your kind words about my mothering skills. :) As you know, parenting is such a difficult job. All one can do is do their best. And hope things turn out OK. I've made mistakes, but every parent does.
Thank you for the feedback on the blanket. I'm glad you like it. This painting has been challenging to say the least. But I'm determined to make it the best I can.
I’m so glad things have worked out for you to be able to adopt and raise your daughter. What a journey! Congratulations to you both! And congratulations on your one year anniversary of Substack. The blanket looks great! This is going to be a fantastic painting!
Happy Gotcha Day! This painting is looking so good! I think you did a great job with the blanket and I agree it helps to cover part of the leg. Looks more natural to me. Looking forward to your updates.
Thanks, Pam! I never quite feel sure of myself when it comes to fabrics. Definitely an area that I continually have to improve and work on. Thanks for all your support when it comes to the art I try to craft. Yes, I'm so glad I covered up part of the leg.
Hi Gerry, Thank you for your insightful comment. Adoption is certainly fraught with challenges on all sides, as you know. It's a tale of beauty -- and also of loss. I often think of my daughter's biological family and wish she could have had a picture of them. She feels the loss of her biological family and the loss of her culture. Although I've tried to keep some of that culture alive, I'm a poor substitute for providing her an authentic Chinese lifestyle. All any of us can do is try our best to cope.
Congratulations on your Gotcha Day Beth! As an adoptee myself I can confirm that it is a heroic yet rewarding challenge to take on the responsibilities of caring for another human life. While being adopted adds a thick layer of complexity for all involved, I think it’s this kind of self sacrifice țand your love for motherhood that is really meaningful and essential in the end!
Congratulations on your celebrating 15 years when you got Arielle. I can’t believe that she’s 16 years old and in Drivers education classes. My how time has flown! I remember her being very young when I was first reading your blog. Meanwhile your nude is really coming together especially. adding the blanket for perspectives.
Thank you so much, Susan! I so appreciate your support of my blog and my art! Yes, it's hard to believe that Arielle is taking Driver's Ed. She has grown into a lovely young lady. The nude I'm working on has been challenging, but I'm glad it's coming along. I hope you are well.
Congratulations to you and your beautiful daughter - I can't believe she's 15!
Thank you so much, Marie! She's actually 16 (gulp!). She was a little over a year old when I met her. And, get this, she's learning how to drive.
Happy Anniversary of your Forever Family Day! What a wonder that you and your daughter found each other a half a world apart. You are such a creative -- writing, art, family. You have a knack for making things and underscoring their beauty. And I love watching the process of the nude on the blanket. Building a life is not dissimilar. Big hugs. You are in my heart.
Hi Stephanie,
Thank you so much for your kind anniversary wishes. It is a miracle that she and I met at all. We managed to find each other. The Chinese government arbitrarily matched us randomly.
And thank you so much for your words on my creative nature. You are an awesome creator yourself! And I loved what you said about building a life being like creating artwork. You certainly have a way with words!
Hi Beth,
Congratulations to you and your daughter! Wow, 15 years! That must've been a stressful flight back home. And those first four days... talk about an introduction to motherhood! You have done such a wonderful job raising her - despite the challenges you both have faced.
The nude painting is even more striking now with the addition of the blanket. Love the blue. Great trick to hide the part of her leg you didn't like. Looking forward to seeing the next revision.
Hi Nancy,
Thank you so much! Yes, motherhood was rough going for awhile. I think she missed her previous caregivers and didn't like the change. It was a 12-hour flight back home, and it felt like a year, not because she was a behavior problem -- she was amazingly well-behaved, sleeping/resting quietly the entire time -- but having her on my lap for so long and desperately wanting to be home made the trip seem like forever.
Thanks for your kind words about my mothering skills. :) As you know, parenting is such a difficult job. All one can do is do their best. And hope things turn out OK. I've made mistakes, but every parent does.
Thank you for the feedback on the blanket. I'm glad you like it. This painting has been challenging to say the least. But I'm determined to make it the best I can.
I’m so glad things have worked out for you to be able to adopt and raise your daughter. What a journey! Congratulations to you both! And congratulations on your one year anniversary of Substack. The blanket looks great! This is going to be a fantastic painting!
Thank you Alene! It was quite a journey, indeed! I'm really not confident in my fabric-painting abilities. I so appreciate your feedback.
Happy Gotcha Day! This painting is looking so good! I think you did a great job with the blanket and I agree it helps to cover part of the leg. Looks more natural to me. Looking forward to your updates.
Thanks, Pam! I never quite feel sure of myself when it comes to fabrics. Definitely an area that I continually have to improve and work on. Thanks for all your support when it comes to the art I try to craft. Yes, I'm so glad I covered up part of the leg.
Hi Gerry, Thank you for your insightful comment. Adoption is certainly fraught with challenges on all sides, as you know. It's a tale of beauty -- and also of loss. I often think of my daughter's biological family and wish she could have had a picture of them. She feels the loss of her biological family and the loss of her culture. Although I've tried to keep some of that culture alive, I'm a poor substitute for providing her an authentic Chinese lifestyle. All any of us can do is try our best to cope.
Congratulations on your Gotcha Day Beth! As an adoptee myself I can confirm that it is a heroic yet rewarding challenge to take on the responsibilities of caring for another human life. While being adopted adds a thick layer of complexity for all involved, I think it’s this kind of self sacrifice țand your love for motherhood that is really meaningful and essential in the end!