I wish I could answer that question with just a word or two, but I can't. Because the Tongginator is complex. And vocal. And quite larger than life. And she isn't a what, but a who.
So who IS the Tongginator?
The Tongginator, Summer 2005, 15 months oldMeet my daughter, a five-year-old firebrand who stole our hearts AND earned her Tongginator nickname four years ago this month, a half a world away in a nation called China. The Tongginator is many, many things, including a Miss America wannabe, The Butterfly and a girly girl enginerd. I spend my days chasing after her while trying to remain as invisible as possible, all the while wondering "how THE HECK did my tomboy life become this Princess-y?" and, at the same time, "why did God bless us so very, very much?"
People usually stick around Our Little Tongginator for one of five reasons:
1. My pathetic parenting and tremendous ability to embarrass myself makes them feel better about their own lives.
2. The Tongginator makes them laugh. A lot.
3. Their lives have been touched by adoption in some way.
4. They want to move into the house that's for sale just down the street. Because they know our neighbors are the coolest people in the world. Truly.
5. They adore China. And Chinese culture. And love to imagine me speaking Mandarin with a southern accent.
Oh, wait... I forgot one more reason. And it's quite probably why most people hang around.
6. They tolerate my inane blog in order to read incredible posts about adoption and transracial, adoptive parenting. These posts are Absolutely Amazing because I don't write them - I link to stellar stuff penned by adoptive parents, foster parents, first mothers and adult adoptees each week with my Sunday Linkage.
If you think - as I do - that your life will be better for knowing my daughter the Tongginator, then pull up a keyboard, grab a cup of coffee and stay awhile. I'm glad you're here.
71 comments:
i'm confused.
is there some way i can help you win one of your favorite prizes?
cause you know i will.
I stick around for all 6 reasons.
Fur shure. ;)
Love the fortune cookie. Especially the old one. I think it was somehow hinting towards your laundry mishap, but a little off on the location.
and, we are probably going to sell our Ergo soon if you don't end up winning one....
Silly you, don't you know you're supposed to add 'in bed' after every fortune cookie? Although, that one might not quite work...
I stick around cause you are so darn funny and I like you I REALLY REALLY like you
and for reason #7
cause tonggo mommy is super coo! cool, just said cooler ;)
Love your sense of humor and all of your six (or is it 7) reasons listed! Will have to check out some of those prizes! Have a fun weekend and you all get better, ok!
Janet
I love the picture! Thanks for stopping by my blog. My sister also has trouble with sulfites. It makes it hard to know how to cook when we're together (avoiding gluten and sulfites).
Hi! It's so nice to meet you and thanks for stopping by! Your daughter is precious!
I just love your blog for all of those reasons! You always make me smile! And I know that in addition to that hyterical sense of humor you have a heart of gold!
Hugs and hope you feel better.
Well I'm happy I found your blog a while ago and I'm here for your 6/7 reasons...not going anywhere anytime soon. You are a sweetheart TM!
And I hope you're feeling much better!
Wow I am impressed you really do have a flare for words !! I love this blog so far.
Have a wonderful Party Day !!
Happy UBP!!! I am a professional blog hopper:-) Nice to meet you!
You're so funneeee! : ) I hope you are on the mend and back to yourself soon. I just love your blog...I always come away with a smile! Hugs
I'm here for SO many reasons...but, mostly, I harbor a secret desire to meet The Tongginator and see how she stacks up to BBJ!
I am pretty sure I will be sticking around - even though my google reader is filling up fast and the party has not even been on for 24 hours...oops :) Thanks for the wonderful addition to my party!
Have fun at the party and good luck winning!
Oh dear heart, I read you and stay just because I love you! I found you through Chinese adoption I stay because you are witty and fun and and and ... a million reasons. (But being your neighbor would also be cool!)
Cheers, hope you win something fun and wonderful.
Kiy
You are very blessed! Party On!
I just popped in from Robynn's Ravings... and I'm really really enjoying this whole UBP thing!
Although what it's going to do to my reader list, is anybodies guess!
*sigh*
Oh wow!!! I think you may be my favorite blog find of the day!!! I love that Sunday linkeage!! I will totally be coming back and checking that out. And your daughter is both beautiful and hysterical (but that I already knew). :)
glad I stopped by on my bloghopping tour! party on!
Greeetings from another partier with the UBP09!
THANK YOU For stopping by my blog! Enjoyed reading about your little girl and so excited for you about your next adoption.
We have two sets of friends who have adopted special needs little girls (3 of them with identical issues) from China. We adore them and think adoption is the greatest!
God bless you as you increase your family and share His love!
I always love a good party! Happy UBP '09.Ypur daughter is adorable.
I am visiting from The Ultimate Blog Party to say hello and to check out your blog. I am
looking forward to a fun week!! :)
Goodluck on winning a prize.
I have an adopted son (Australian at 13 months) who is now 15 yrs ...fun times teenage boy and adopted.
Cheers
Trish
My Little Drummer boys
This is my first time visiting, but I'm adding you to my reader right away becase I can tell you're going to add more laughter to my life!
Just going from party to party to see how others are doing this blogging thing.
Love the pigtails!
My prize is #115 check it out!
Have a good weekend
I am faithful to your blog for one reason and one reason only...I love your heart for the Lord. Big hugs and you have a great weekend!
Well....maybe that is not entirely true....you do make me laugh ALOT!
i'm finally stopping by the party!!! i love your blog. 'nuff said. and other than where you regionally live, i'd move to that for sale house in a HEARTBEAT... i want neighbors. i want friends. i want community. is it so much to ask?!?!?! ARGH
sorry i just ranted at your own party! :)
if you win the ergo, you're gonna have to intro me to your friend CC! :)
LOL - LOVE.this.BLOG. Thanks for making me chuckle! I hope you and the Tongginator have a wonderful weekend!
heh, took me a minute and I had to go back and re-read your post but finally got what the heck you were talking about!! Jeez....why ya gotta be so confusing?
(Little T just came into the bedroom babbling away - something pretty serious by the expression on her face!)
Hugs,
Carla
You are too funny!
I am stopping by from The Ultimate Blog Party to check your blog out. What a great week we are in for!
Check out my place for your chance to win a LeapFrog Tag Reading System. :)
Stacie
The Divine Miss Mommy
http://www.thedivinemissmommy.com
http://www.twitter.com/stacieinatlanta
Happy party!
If you like pandas, check out #538 Bumpkin Bears at the party.
Thanks for stopping by & leaving message earlier. I'm glad God is growing your family.
The Lord bless & keep you.
Ditto, girl. You know I'm hooked on you and your blog! Happy UBP (and great post BTW)
LOL! I like your style.
Thanks for stopping by She Lives. So glad we met up via UBP 09!
I mostly stick around because it's fun to mock you. :-) Oh, and the Tongginator is cute.
Thanks for clearing that one up. Isn't she just adorable. what a sweetheart. great blog. thanks for the post by commenting....a lot like a drive by but with out a car. Chow
Hello! Poppin' in from The Ultimate Blog Party...all the way from Queensland, Australia! G'Day! I hope you have time to visit my party soon.
Ta!
why are my fortunes never this entertaining?
adore your blog, will be checking back often. you are my kind of funny.
I love your blog cause your just so matter-o-factly. Even if most of us don't truely know your true idenity, we mostly know your heart and it is true.
Have fun party animal ;O)
I seen a fortune cooke that said...." You've been good this week, have two deserts on the weekend"......unfortunatly it wasn't mine....
Nice to meet you! You have a beautiful daughter! Hope you are enjoying the party
I would also like to invite you to join Show off your blog Saturday. I would love to read your favorite post!
Hi. I came by from the party. What a beautiful little girl you have. Your blog sounds like lots of fun.
Have fun at all the parties and I hope that you get a chance to stop by mine.
I love your blog and am a regular of sorts. I love reading stories about T as she reminds me sooo much of my X. And I love your easy style, sense of humor and honesty!
Hmmm well my parenting skills cant be any better than your parenting skill so we are both in the same blogoshere of not so great parenting moments.
Hi, stopping by all the blogs in the party that I can get to. It's very nice to meet you and your blog! With how many blogs in the party right now, that is 254 blogs per day for 4 days! Wow!
I am blog-hopping with the Blog Party and enjoyed stopping by your blog. Your little girl is precious!
I LOVE your blog! Very fun to read! I will surely be sticking around!
Happy UBP 2009!!
I'm sticking around for #1...and the fact that I adore you : )
TM...you never fail to MAKE MY DAY...I stick around because you are hysterically funny, an awesome writer, an incredible mama to Little Miss T and someone that I know I would just adore if I met you in person one day.
Other than that....well, other than that...I'm usually on the edge of my seat wondering what the T will do each day......
Hope you are feeling back to your old (young) self!
Thank you so much for stopping by. It was nice meeting you and your tongginator :D really cool nickname :) Have a great day and have fun!
Thanks for partying at my blog. You kinda left your used Diet Coke can, but all's forgiven cos your gal's ADORABLE!!! :) I love your blog! So... Do you speak Chinese? Haha! :)
Heh heh! Made myself comfy and poked around your blog a bit - and yes you CAN speak Chinese! ;) Not that much of a 老外 after all! One of my fave website is definitely Engrish too! :P
It's great to meet you! What a wonderful blog. Hope you have a wonderful bloggy party!
Thanks for stopping to say hello!! Your blog is adorable and I cannot wait to read more about your preschooler's antics. Cute stuff!!
I've been here a few times before through THAT family. As I recall, you are a fellow HS band member and you live in the same state as me. Hope your enjoying the party. I plan to be back again!
Thanks for hosting a blog party! I look forward to getting to know you and your little tongginator better.
Your Tongginator is just adorable!
Nice to meet you!
Talk about a party!
I'm quite intrigued and am learning how to get around!
Just stopping by from 5minutes for moms blog party!
Love your blog!! Thanks for stopping by mine!! Happy Partying!
This is my first visit to your blog, and I will definitely be back! Happy partying!!
What a great party. I am a new blogger and am in the process of introducing each of my
family members in my blog. Please stop by and read about them.
Also sign up for my FIRST BLOG give away...a GREAT gift...the most popular item in my gift basket business for the past 15 years.
So glad to meet you and love your blog!
Teresa
I am A Giveaway Addicted Mommy and I am thrilled to be in your top spot! Good luck!
If you get a chance:
You can visit my party HERE!
♥
Kari
Hello there. Knocking on your door from the blog party. Hope you don’t mind.
Mike
http://somethingaboutparenting.typepad.com
Twitter: About Parenting
Love your introduction post for the UBP. Seriously. I find my own introduction lacking now that I've read yours. Thankfully I included a few of my favorite posts in my introduction.
Stop by if you get a chance. I like to embarrass myself as often as possible to make my readers feel good or if nothing else "not alone". http://babylovingmama.blogspot.com/
Happy UBP!
I heart you for all six reasons.
And even though I took part in this, I have no idea how the giveaway/prizes thing works, but I'll hope that you win the Ergo and others. And I believe hoping helps!
Hi! LOVE your post. I will definitely be back... I've subscribed already.
Just blog hopping in through the party link list.
Stop in on my party if you've got a minute!
I'll stick around too - just out party hopping - lovely to meet your blog
Hi! Just passing through with the Blog Party, but I'll be looking forward to coming back and reading more about your little Tongginator! :)
I am enjoying all these blogs. Yours is one of the best especially your graphics.
Happy blog party! I enjoy very much these blogs especially yours!
your blog is very helpful. I am really having fun looking at all these blogs
Hola ~ just party hoppin' for a bit. Nice to meet you :)
Stopping by for the party. Nice to meet you. Looking forward to reading more!
Blog Party Woohoo! Talk about fashionably late, right, sorry. I have been sick which left me in a fog all last week, so I am still trying tomake my rounds. Better late than never I figured. Anyway, hope you had a great week at the UBP. Hope to see you again sometime!
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