Sunday, July 15, 2007

Ask Me Anything!


Well, while I wait to hear some good news from Jay's doc on Tuesday, I've seen this post going around the blogosphere and I wanna play too. (I have been finding Stef's questions and answers so interesting) so ASK ME ANYTHING! I would love to know what you would like to know about me. C'mon people, I know I won't get 80 questions like Stef -- we tease her about being "Most Popular" in the blogging community. But, ask away. I'm listening...

I will just answer all of the questions as I get to them right there in the comment section.

But, first, I have to say a lil tidbit about my wee one. I got home from work tonite at 11pm and she comes RUNNING out of bed and wraps her arms around me saying "Momma, you're home! You're home! You all done with work? You get your money?" Yep, she is a crazy night owl, but it's hard to be too mad with a greeting like that.
OK, now ask away!
(P.S. Lily took the goofy picture of me...she loves taking pictures almost as much as I do!)

41 comments:

Middle-Aged Moi said...

Here's my question.....how have you changed as a parent since you first got Lily?

Nikki said...

Wow Janet, good question. I guess I have relaxed quite a bit. At first I worried about EVERYTHING and was a nervous wreck when she was out of my sight. Now I enjoy the break. I am more confident now as a mom. I am learning as I go and I know that I'm gonna make mistakes, but it's OK. I finally (recently) got my priorities straight. My hubby took the backburner for a couple years...
Other than that, I'm still putty in that sweet child's hands.

Verna said...

Nikki,
Been wondering if you have naturally curly hair--noticed some ringlets while in Nashville?
Also, if/when you adopt again, do you think you'll specify boy/girl?
If you were going to work at a different job, what would your dream job be?

Elizabeth said...

SPILL IT on the evasive talk regarding child number two......

Sugar Cookies And Hope said...

What is one thing that you didn't prepare for as a new mother, that you wish you had?
In other words, what shocked the heck out of you (other than how much you fell in love with her)?

Lauren said...

When were you most afraid?


What made you decide to adopt?

Holly said...

What made you decided to adopt from China?

Steffie B. said...

First off.....I am not popular in the blogging world....it hink it is more of people looking at what a freak I am! lol

Question:
Besides "family", what are the little things in life that make you happy?

Where would you like to see yourself in 10 years?

What is "the whip" to you? ;) I already know the answer....do you?

Nikki said...

Holy cow! I knew I shouldn't have made plans today...that's a lot of questions.
I'll take it one at a time.
Verna, my hair is naturally curly/frizzy. It was pretty once upon a time, now I just straighten it daily.
If/when we adopt again I don't think we will request a particular gender. We always thought we would have another girl, but now we are open to whatever God has planned.
My dream job: professional singer.(in a group. not a solo artist)

Nikki said...

Ms. Dragonfly,
I am not holding out on you all regarding adoption number 2...we are still in the thought process of it all. I am going to do some research and go from there. It is exciting to know that our next child could come from ANYWHERE -- but we just now feel in our hearts that there is another little one for us somewhere. (We had closed the door to the idea for a time)...that's all. No big secret.

Nikki said...

Kathy, I was not prepared at all for Lily to bond with Jay and NOT with me. That shocked me and hurt me DEEPLY while we were in China. I wish I had prepared myself for that (as much as I could)...I also wish I could've just relaxed and realized that eventually she WOULD bond with me. Now I can't get her off my hip most days!
Other than that, I am amazed at how much you just fumble your way thru motherhood without much instruction and you do OK!

Nikki said...

Lauren, I will have to think on yours. Trying to remember when I was MOST afraid...I've been scared lotsa times.

Nikki said...

Holly, we decided to adopt after MUCH time spent in prayer. When I first found out we would most likely NOT be having any biological children it took me quite awhile to deal with the news. Then my hubby and I prayed about what God had in store for us. Adoption was His clear answer and He totally opened my heart to the idea.

Nikki said...

Oops, Lauren, I just answered YOUR question.
Holly: we decided to adopt from China pretty much right after we decided to adopt. It took about 5 minutes to decide. There were many small things that led to the decision but it was just an easy choice to make. One we never second-guessed or doubted. Maybe someday I'll do a post on the little things that led us there.

Adele said...

Here's my questions....
What is your idea of a perfect family night?
What is your idea of a perfect date night with your husband. (if you are like me, that is few and far between...haha)
What are your favorite stores to shop at?

Steffie B. said...

Oh....oh....OH.OH.OH. Just because I am a travel mate DOES NOT mean you can IGNORE my questions!

Don't make me get naughty on your blog GIRLFRIEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nikki said...

Ok Stef,

Besides family,little things that make me happy are: being out in the sun, sitting on my back patio in the evening with friends, a good cup of coffee, singing, deep conversations with girlfriends, boating (it's been awhile) and Pingjiang reunions!

Hmmm...in 10 years I would like to see myself raising my 2 children in Tennessee, hopefully my parents and sister would follow me! Maybe I will be teaching communications at a local highscool(?) Or doing back up vocals in Nashville!?
gosh, who knows? Maybe I'll still be right here. that would be alright too. (Hopefully I'll have written my book by then.)

And, what is "the whip" to me? I'm afraid I don't know what you mean. tell me, please. Unless, it is Lily. Is that what you mean?

Nikki said...

Adele, my idea of a perfect family night would probably be a BBQ with my extended family -- that way the adults can chat while watching the kids play...pretty simple.

Perfect date: that's easy. My last anniversary was a perfect example...dinner at a cozy, little restaurant in our downtown. Yummy filets and a glass of wine, followed by a walk around town holding hands, grabbing a coffee and talking -- and people watching, of course.
And, yep, the dates don't happen often enough for us either!
My favorite places to shop: Usually Target or Kohls. I do enjoy shopping (without my little one), but it just doesn't happen much.

Steffie B. said...

yes......of course I mean Lily. Remember that phone conversation we had? I told you that Sophia was just "it" for me! That she was the whip! ;)

dawn said...

What do you believe is the most important lesson you can teach a child?

Nikki said...

Oh my goodness, Dawn. The most important lesson to teach a child?
For me it would have to be that in life bad things do happen (even to good people) but that God is still in control and can be trusted with our lives.

Gwen Oatsvall said...

Love this game and will have to play myself some day ...

Question: What holds you back from moving to TN and making all your dreams come true NOW? Since you brought up the book thing - How far along are you on Lil Tibits(remember I want to be your rep when you move this way)...

Dannye said...

did you guys try any type of fertility?

also, how did you come up with Lily Lin's name?

Nikki said...

OK Lauren, the time I was most afraid was when we thought something was wrong with Lily -- she was screaming and bent over in pain periodically for a few days. We took her to the emergency room and ended up taking her in for x-rays at the hospital to check out her tummy. Never got any answers, but she got better. I was TERRIFIED! I would cry uncontrollably and could barely function. Nothing is scarier than the thought that something might be wrong with your baby!

Nikki said...

Gwen, we haven't moved yet for several reasons.
1. our families are here and we are very close.
2. Neither of us has a job in Tennessee, so we would have to work on that one.
3. It is almost impossible to sell your house in Michigan right now.
4. fear of the unknown.

I have gotten NOWHERE on my book. I suck.

Nikki said...

Dannye, no we never did anything medically to try and become pregnant.

We thought FOR YEARS about names for our future children, I had several lists of beautiful girl names, but when we chose China my mind began to shift to other names. I read a book early in our adoption process and its main character was an Asian girl who actually ended up adopting from China. Any guesses as to what her name was? Yep. So that's where Lily came from.
Lin we liked because it sounded like the American name Lynn (my aunt's name and my sister's and cousin's middle name) and it was the chinese spelling. We LOVE our daughter's name -- it fits her perfectly.

Anonymous said...

Nikki,
Are you sensing an abusive side to Stef?? She threatened me if I didn't comment on her blog. Something about getting out her huge van and driving over here!!!
;) ~v

redmaryjanes said...

My question is...when you getting out here to have dinner with me and Steffie????

Steffie B. said...

Verna....don't make me spank you!

Nikki said...

Kim,
I'd be more than happy to meet you for dinner -- but Stef is starting to scare me...we'd better leave her at home!

Just kiddin' Stef!
Please don't threaten to spank ME!!

Praise and Coffee said...

Ok, so when are we ALL going out to dinner, Stef doesn't scare me- we've already had a park day!
:)

Sue

Nikki said...

OK girls, let's get something on the calendar before summer's end.
Stef, you're in charge -- since you have just been crowned Rockin' Blogger Queen!

insanemommy said...

Any regrets? What do you still want to achieve in life? Ok, now the nasty thong or granny bloomers?!

Nikki said...

Rony:
Ouch! This one is gonna hurt a bit. As much as I'd love to say I don't have regrets...I'd be lying. I do. I regret some of the choices I made in my 20's. I drank too much, dated the wrong guys, was in an abusive relationship, didn't take school seriously, etc. etc. I mean, all's well that ends well, but I do sometimes wish I had made wiser choices. I also wish I had taken college more seriously and pursued something else (perhaps photography?) and gotten a degree a little less general than Communications.
Before I die I would like to have some kind of a career...I have always been in the restaurant business. I want to see what something else would be like...I also want to write a book.

And, NEITHER! I can't stand thongs, although I do wear them on occasion because my hubs loves 'em.
And granny panties are just...well.. for grannys.

Diana said...

I'm BAACKKK!!!!! Yipee, taking a break tonight from Reno 101.
My question is what is your drink of choice?
Also, are you a camping type of gal or a hotelier????(if that's even a word).
And one more, where would you like to visit that you haven't already?

Nikki said...

Hey Diana!
My drink of choice is lemonade lately, and if I'm letting down my hair a bit, then Pinot Grigio.

I enjoy camping in a camper -- I'll pass on the tent (especially with a toddler) BUT I prefer a hotel...a nice one at that. I like to be pampered when I'm away from home!

Place I'd like to visit? I've always wanted to go to France, Hawaii, and Australia. Also, if we adopt again I'll obviously want to go to his or her birth country.

Pam said...

Come on down here to TN. We will love to have you near us. Oh, they are hiring at my job. :)

Question:
Do you have any tattoos and where?

Nikki said...

Pam, we ARE definitely talking about moving down by ya'll, but nothing will happen real soon.

As for my tattoo: I can't believe you didn't see it at the reunion. I was wearing a two-piece all weekend and it is right there on my lower back -- 2 daisies (it was the picture on our wedding invitation).

Kim said...

What's your favorite family vacation memory and why?

p.s. thanks for visiting my blog!

Nikki said...

Kim, my favorite family vacation memory? That is sooo hard cuz my family has taken so many wonderful vacations. So I will just say that the 10 summers in a row that we spent in Traverse City hold the most incredible memories in my mind and heart...it was my family of 4, my aunt and cousin, and my grandma (whom I miss dearly). We stayed in the Holiday Inn on Traverse Bay and just had a blast every single year...makes me nostalgic just thinking about it. I have a great family and we have so much fun when we all get together...we laugh till it hurts.

Jody said...

What is your favorite thing to do with Lily?

Logan