It was a strange Christmas for me. Typically we don't talk about that--we are all about celebrating the birth of the Savior and why should we even begin to seem "off" about the giving and receiving of gifts? "Be grateful" we tell ourselves and rightly so. We make comments about good food and eating too much. We take lots of pictures. We debate about when to take down the decorations. My kids are sitting at the table with Gary right now putting together Legos I received for Christmas. (Gary gave me a Lego set for Christmas--funny!) It should make my heart all so full and happy. It does.
But Christmas was strange.
First off, we missed a week of it. Vacationing the week after Thanksgiving threw me in regards to timing and decorations and Christmas cards, and just feeling it. Because my time was shorter than usual, I feel like I missed out on something. I didn't realize that this would happen. It isn't bad--it just felt weird to me. I felt like my preparations were rushed. . . like Christmas was sneaky. I wouldn't trade the vacation and the memories with Grandma Karen. . . I'm just stating the strangeness of it.
Second, we were missing someone. I don't know Michael. I don't know how he sounds or what he feels like when I hug him. I couldn't recognize his voice. Yet I missed him. Gary and I both shed tears as we gazed at the photo of our son and hung up his stocking. We bought him gifts and shipped them off with a prayer. When we were waiting for Simon, we didn't ever experience this. Over two Christmases we were waiting for a girl and would get assigned one when our number came up. God changed our hearts in June and we had Simon by November. So although we hung up a stocking for our Chinese child while we waited, we didn't have a face. Michael has a face, and we spent Christmas without him and he spent Christmas without us. It stinks.
Christmas morning I walked to the road to retrieve the newspaper. I stood for awhile and praised my Creator who sent His Son. It must have been so very hard. . . and I must be so very loved. I wouldn't give up any one of my sons for anyone, especially knowing I would be sending them to a place worse than where they were. Christ left heaven. Christ took on flesh and the limits of flesh. I'm feeling the ache of my missing son and it doesn't even begin to compare with my Father God. I stand in amazement.
I will always remember this strange Christmas. . .it helped me see a new aspect of the birth of Christ. For that I am thankful.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Change of plans
Yesterday was "change of plans" day. It didn't begin that way, but then we just went with it. It was fun to see how the day just evolved. Snow day, lunch at a friends very spur of the moment, she kept my older ducks for the afternoon (nice!), and then supper out.
Two highlights from yesterday. First, we made doughnuts. I don't know how the tradition started, but when I was growing up we made doughnuts on the first snow day--the first school cancellation day--of the year. We'd all get floured up, mom would make the dough and dad would do the frying. We only made them once a year and it was awesome. Since I'm at home, I decided to continue this tradition with my kids. Yesterday's experience went so great! The kids were so helpful and they tasted wonderful. I use the same recipe that I did growing up and the doughnuts tasted like. . . memories. :)
Last night after dividing up duties (me and the older ducks to Meijer to brave the craziness and get a present for today--Gary and Penny off to donate a trunk load of stuff to Africa's Child) we met up at Russ' for supper. It is full of memories as well. We ran into five families from church (love it) and were enjoying our meal. While we were eating I noticed a group of men with santa hats on come in. It seemed like a larger group and I was a little nervous because they were probably going to wait for our table since we were sitting at the largest one in the place. I was wrong. After a few minutes they all began singing and walked into the dining area. We enjoyed "We wish you a Merry Christmas" and "Joy to the World". I loved it! They were great and the kids loved hearing them as well. We all clapped at the end of every song. Then they began to head our way. . . and the leader came over to Noel and asked if they could sing a song just for her. She smiled and nodded. They put a headband with antlers attached on her head and then sang. . . "You are my Sunshine".
You are my Sunshine.
It isn't a Christmas song, but it is Noel's song. See, Noel was named after one of my favorite people--a fabulous woman named Noel Furman. She was one of my campers at Camp Roger and has Down's Syndrome. She would come and sit on my bed, hold my hand, and sing "You are my Sunshine" to me. When my Noel was a baby, I would sing it to her and whisper to her about my other Noel.
So yesterday was great. Great. My plans flew out the window, but I had a great day with my kids. I enjoyed time with a wonderful friend. I accepted help. I didn't get my cleaning and other stuff done, but it's o.k. I was reminded of a wonderful friend and former camper. I feel like God was just giving me a pat on the back.
And those singers--I have no idea who they were. I asked when we paid and they didn't know. Thanks to those men. Thanks for sharing the message of Christ's birth, for venturing out on a Friday night to sing in a restaurant, and for celebrating my Noel. She was so proud.
Two highlights from yesterday. First, we made doughnuts. I don't know how the tradition started, but when I was growing up we made doughnuts on the first snow day--the first school cancellation day--of the year. We'd all get floured up, mom would make the dough and dad would do the frying. We only made them once a year and it was awesome. Since I'm at home, I decided to continue this tradition with my kids. Yesterday's experience went so great! The kids were so helpful and they tasted wonderful. I use the same recipe that I did growing up and the doughnuts tasted like. . . memories. :)
Last night after dividing up duties (me and the older ducks to Meijer to brave the craziness and get a present for today--Gary and Penny off to donate a trunk load of stuff to Africa's Child) we met up at Russ' for supper. It is full of memories as well. We ran into five families from church (love it) and were enjoying our meal. While we were eating I noticed a group of men with santa hats on come in. It seemed like a larger group and I was a little nervous because they were probably going to wait for our table since we were sitting at the largest one in the place. I was wrong. After a few minutes they all began singing and walked into the dining area. We enjoyed "We wish you a Merry Christmas" and "Joy to the World". I loved it! They were great and the kids loved hearing them as well. We all clapped at the end of every song. Then they began to head our way. . . and the leader came over to Noel and asked if they could sing a song just for her. She smiled and nodded. They put a headband with antlers attached on her head and then sang. . . "You are my Sunshine".
You are my Sunshine.
It isn't a Christmas song, but it is Noel's song. See, Noel was named after one of my favorite people--a fabulous woman named Noel Furman. She was one of my campers at Camp Roger and has Down's Syndrome. She would come and sit on my bed, hold my hand, and sing "You are my Sunshine" to me. When my Noel was a baby, I would sing it to her and whisper to her about my other Noel.
So yesterday was great. Great. My plans flew out the window, but I had a great day with my kids. I enjoyed time with a wonderful friend. I accepted help. I didn't get my cleaning and other stuff done, but it's o.k. I was reminded of a wonderful friend and former camper. I feel like God was just giving me a pat on the back.
And those singers--I have no idea who they were. I asked when we paid and they didn't know. Thanks to those men. Thanks for sharing the message of Christ's birth, for venturing out on a Friday night to sing in a restaurant, and for celebrating my Noel. She was so proud.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Treasures
It is the season for treasures. Our Lord came to the earth as a baby which is certainly our greatest treasure. There are treasures underneath our Christmas tree. I'm treasuring family during this time of year. There are treasures (Christmas cards) in our mailbox almost every day. I love it all.
HOWEVER, there is a treasure hunter in our family who has discovered a new place to find treasures. Before I share Garrison's newest discovery, let me share a cute story from Tuesday night. My parents came over to babysit for the night. They gave us a night away for dinner and shopping as part of their Christmas gift to us. It was wonderful. When we got home, they told us about their dinner conversation. They had asked the kids all kinds of questions about our Disney vacation. I wish I could have heard it all! Anyway, when asked about his favorite ride, Garrison responded with "It's a Small World". Mom was tickled as she loves this ride too. She asked him what he liked about it. . . the singing, the different countries. . . what? "Oh no Grammy, I liked all the coins in the water. I wish I could go back and just get all of those coins." Coins. My son spent more time looking in the water than at all the crazy singing dolls! I love him (as I shake my head with a huge smile on my face).
In the past week Garrison has come home with three different treasures he has found in the garbage at school. The garbage! He regularly checks our trash and recycling, but is now wiser to do it where mom can't catch him. He first came home with a foot long thermometer minus the glass bulb that actually measures the temperature. He loves it. It is big and yellow and "all you need to do it get a new middle part and we can find out the temperature." "Yes Garrison, it needs a part to work. THAT IS WHY IT WAS IN THE GARBAGE. Also, we could look right here where our thermometer is in our house." He grinned. Tuesday he came home and complained that his backpack was so heavy. Yup, sure was. It contained 4 catalogs for math curriculum. He has enjoyed reading them before bed. Yesterday, he arrived wearing reindeer antlers (you know those headband things). He loved them and was so proud that he had found them in the garbage. "Look mom, they were broken (one of the antlers had broken off) but I fixed them." He had--with staples and tape.
I did talk with him about food. You are not eating food out of the garbage right?!? "Mom, that's gross." Good. It is gross.
Maybe he will grow up as he hopes and be a dumpster diver. :)
HOWEVER, there is a treasure hunter in our family who has discovered a new place to find treasures. Before I share Garrison's newest discovery, let me share a cute story from Tuesday night. My parents came over to babysit for the night. They gave us a night away for dinner and shopping as part of their Christmas gift to us. It was wonderful. When we got home, they told us about their dinner conversation. They had asked the kids all kinds of questions about our Disney vacation. I wish I could have heard it all! Anyway, when asked about his favorite ride, Garrison responded with "It's a Small World". Mom was tickled as she loves this ride too. She asked him what he liked about it. . . the singing, the different countries. . . what? "Oh no Grammy, I liked all the coins in the water. I wish I could go back and just get all of those coins." Coins. My son spent more time looking in the water than at all the crazy singing dolls! I love him (as I shake my head with a huge smile on my face).
In the past week Garrison has come home with three different treasures he has found in the garbage at school. The garbage! He regularly checks our trash and recycling, but is now wiser to do it where mom can't catch him. He first came home with a foot long thermometer minus the glass bulb that actually measures the temperature. He loves it. It is big and yellow and "all you need to do it get a new middle part and we can find out the temperature." "Yes Garrison, it needs a part to work. THAT IS WHY IT WAS IN THE GARBAGE. Also, we could look right here where our thermometer is in our house." He grinned. Tuesday he came home and complained that his backpack was so heavy. Yup, sure was. It contained 4 catalogs for math curriculum. He has enjoyed reading them before bed. Yesterday, he arrived wearing reindeer antlers (you know those headband things). He loved them and was so proud that he had found them in the garbage. "Look mom, they were broken (one of the antlers had broken off) but I fixed them." He had--with staples and tape.
I did talk with him about food. You are not eating food out of the garbage right?!? "Mom, that's gross." Good. It is gross.
Maybe he will grow up as he hopes and be a dumpster diver. :)
Monday, December 16, 2013
Water pill please
When did I become that mom?
I love the water. When I was little I loved going to a pool or the beach. I was thrilled when we went out on Lake Michigan on the boat. I didn't want to lay on a towel, I wanted to be out in the water! Let's jump off the boat! Let's see how far we can dive down! When I began my career at Camp Roger, a friend gave me the nickname "Queen of the deep" because it was evident that I loved being in the water. I became a lifeguard. I was the waterfront director for a couple of summers.
I've noticed this past year that I'm not as enthusiastic about being in the water. I'll still go in with my kids, but not as much and not as often. When we had our vacation in Florida, we swan three times, but I only put my suit on once and managed to sit in the kiddie pool for a few minutes.
What has happened to me? Where has my love of all things water gone? Is this another by-product of turning 40? ACK! The inability to lose weight and now the loss of water entry loving!?! I wish there was a special pill I could take for both. Let me know if I'm off my rocker. . . then again. . . maybe not. :)
I love the water. When I was little I loved going to a pool or the beach. I was thrilled when we went out on Lake Michigan on the boat. I didn't want to lay on a towel, I wanted to be out in the water! Let's jump off the boat! Let's see how far we can dive down! When I began my career at Camp Roger, a friend gave me the nickname "Queen of the deep" because it was evident that I loved being in the water. I became a lifeguard. I was the waterfront director for a couple of summers.
I've noticed this past year that I'm not as enthusiastic about being in the water. I'll still go in with my kids, but not as much and not as often. When we had our vacation in Florida, we swan three times, but I only put my suit on once and managed to sit in the kiddie pool for a few minutes.
What has happened to me? Where has my love of all things water gone? Is this another by-product of turning 40? ACK! The inability to lose weight and now the loss of water entry loving!?! I wish there was a special pill I could take for both. Let me know if I'm off my rocker. . . then again. . . maybe not. :)
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Growing up
My kids are growing up.
1. They decorated the Christmas tree and did a pretty nice job! We finally got around to putting it up today. We cut it down before we left, but today was the day we got it up. They were thrilled to open up the ornaments and I loved hearing them exclaim about so many of them. I love that they have memories of certain ones. They loved putting their hands into the molds from when they were three. Plus, I wasn't super crazy mama about the ducks handling them. They are older. I only had to make a few comments about "bunching". (Some branches shouldn't hold four ornaments.)
2. Penny had a fever yesterday, but was herself for most of the day. Then tonight she was off again and her temp was rising. She wanted to snuggle (yes of course!) and after she refused to drink any juice, I told her she could go to bed. She went. Hmmmm Then after being tucked in, she cried and when I returned she asked for "the bowl". I gave her a bowl and asked if she was going to throw up. She didn't think so. 20 minutes later I went to check on her and she had indeed thrown up into the bowl! My little girl made it all into the bowl! Hallelujah!!!!
Yup, my kids are getting older. They can handle ornaments and throw up in a container all on their own. Woo-Hoo! I'm loving it.
1. They decorated the Christmas tree and did a pretty nice job! We finally got around to putting it up today. We cut it down before we left, but today was the day we got it up. They were thrilled to open up the ornaments and I loved hearing them exclaim about so many of them. I love that they have memories of certain ones. They loved putting their hands into the molds from when they were three. Plus, I wasn't super crazy mama about the ducks handling them. They are older. I only had to make a few comments about "bunching". (Some branches shouldn't hold four ornaments.)
2. Penny had a fever yesterday, but was herself for most of the day. Then tonight she was off again and her temp was rising. She wanted to snuggle (yes of course!) and after she refused to drink any juice, I told her she could go to bed. She went. Hmmmm Then after being tucked in, she cried and when I returned she asked for "the bowl". I gave her a bowl and asked if she was going to throw up. She didn't think so. 20 minutes later I went to check on her and she had indeed thrown up into the bowl! My little girl made it all into the bowl! Hallelujah!!!!
Yup, my kids are getting older. They can handle ornaments and throw up in a container all on their own. Woo-Hoo! I'm loving it.
Monday, December 9, 2013
And we're back!
We are home. We are tired. We are happy. We are blessed.
So we did the whole Disney thing. It was magical and wonderful and tiring and overwhelming and amazing.
Here is my top ten lists of our Disney Vacation.
10 things I loved about our Disney vacation. (So many, but here are some highlights!)
10. I didn't have to drive or park a car. Loved that we had busing everywhere we needed to go. Loved walking for several miles every day.
9. Being on the Disney meal plan meant that I didn't prepare any meals for a week (except for PB&J for a couple of breakfasts). We had to plan where to go, but it was refreshing to have a break. . . and eat some really delicious food.
8. A hotel room with two bathrooms.
7. Beautiful weather.
6. I really enjoyed many of the rides/shows/attractions through the eyes of my kids. My boys went to Jedi Training Camp. I think I was more excited than they were.
5. Setting up Fastpass online. In general, Disney is an amazing machine. They move people with efficiency. They get it and work to make the entire experience something you can't find anywhere else.
4. I intentionally spent individual time with each child every day. What a treat!
3. Watching Penny meet Cinderella. It was so touching to watch them together. I know someday her imagination will wane, but for now I'll celebrate her joy at the imaginary.
2. Spending awesome time with Mama Petty. The two of us even got a night out at Epcot with just the two of us. Love her!
1. Praising God for giving me the family that He did.
10 things I didn't love about our Disney vacation.
10. It's over. :)
9. Colds. A few of us got them--our own fault really. We went to bed too late.
8. Who scheduled a 6:35 a.m. flight home anyway? Getting up at 2:15 and then taking care of tired children after a long/great vacation. . . we survived, but it wasn't pretty at times.
7. Noise. Gary and I commented to each other every day about how loud it was. There was no way to escape the noise. . . except in our room.
6. Penny missed the 40 inch height requirement by 1 inch and Simon/Noel missed the 48 inch requirement by 1ish inches as well. So close!
5. SO. MANY. PEOPLE.
4. "Shanda. Just to let you know. I will be going to jail tonight if one more person knocks down one of our children."
3. Many of the attractions have "scary" elements that don't need to be there. As a mom with sensitive kids. . . this was hard to deal with at times.
2. Some poor timing for our meals: either too early or too late. One night was at 7:00 and our kids just couldn't handle it well.
1. Waiting in line for everything. I was so glad to get home and not wait in line for our car. :)
We are thankful for the opportunity to go and will treasure this vacation time. It isn't something that will happen often. Many thanks to Mama Petty for taking us and being such an important part of our lives. I'm praying for the ducks today as they go to school and deal with re-entry. :) Penny is sleeping early and I'm trying to finish putting the house back together. Hard to believe that just 3 days ago I was swimming outside in 86 degree weather.
So we did the whole Disney thing. It was magical and wonderful and tiring and overwhelming and amazing.
Here is my top ten lists of our Disney Vacation.
10 things I loved about our Disney vacation. (So many, but here are some highlights!)
10. I didn't have to drive or park a car. Loved that we had busing everywhere we needed to go. Loved walking for several miles every day.
9. Being on the Disney meal plan meant that I didn't prepare any meals for a week (except for PB&J for a couple of breakfasts). We had to plan where to go, but it was refreshing to have a break. . . and eat some really delicious food.
8. A hotel room with two bathrooms.
7. Beautiful weather.
6. I really enjoyed many of the rides/shows/attractions through the eyes of my kids. My boys went to Jedi Training Camp. I think I was more excited than they were.
5. Setting up Fastpass online. In general, Disney is an amazing machine. They move people with efficiency. They get it and work to make the entire experience something you can't find anywhere else.
4. I intentionally spent individual time with each child every day. What a treat!
3. Watching Penny meet Cinderella. It was so touching to watch them together. I know someday her imagination will wane, but for now I'll celebrate her joy at the imaginary.
2. Spending awesome time with Mama Petty. The two of us even got a night out at Epcot with just the two of us. Love her!
1. Praising God for giving me the family that He did.
10 things I didn't love about our Disney vacation.
10. It's over. :)
9. Colds. A few of us got them--our own fault really. We went to bed too late.
8. Who scheduled a 6:35 a.m. flight home anyway? Getting up at 2:15 and then taking care of tired children after a long/great vacation. . . we survived, but it wasn't pretty at times.
7. Noise. Gary and I commented to each other every day about how loud it was. There was no way to escape the noise. . . except in our room.
6. Penny missed the 40 inch height requirement by 1 inch and Simon/Noel missed the 48 inch requirement by 1ish inches as well. So close!
5. SO. MANY. PEOPLE.
4. "Shanda. Just to let you know. I will be going to jail tonight if one more person knocks down one of our children."
3. Many of the attractions have "scary" elements that don't need to be there. As a mom with sensitive kids. . . this was hard to deal with at times.
2. Some poor timing for our meals: either too early or too late. One night was at 7:00 and our kids just couldn't handle it well.
1. Waiting in line for everything. I was so glad to get home and not wait in line for our car. :)
We are thankful for the opportunity to go and will treasure this vacation time. It isn't something that will happen often. Many thanks to Mama Petty for taking us and being such an important part of our lives. I'm praying for the ducks today as they go to school and deal with re-entry. :) Penny is sleeping early and I'm trying to finish putting the house back together. Hard to believe that just 3 days ago I was swimming outside in 86 degree weather.
Friday, November 29, 2013
Making a list and checking it twice
I have many lists going--packing lists.
We are leaving for Disney World tomorrow morning! It has been so busy and chaotic and we've been focused on other things. . .we were finally able to put packing lists together today. Gary's mom is taking us to Disney as our Christms present. Wow. I'm so grateful already and we haven't even gone yet. I'm excited to see her.
Mostly I'm excited to be with my family. I'm going to watch my kids and just bask in their excitement. I'm going to talk with Gary and hold his hand. I'm going to love talking with my mother-in-law and learning and laughing with her. Things have been so off lately. . .so stressful. . .God knew way back in March and this would be a wonderful time for us to get away as a family.
So see ya! Enjoy your week. I will too. Hopefully my list is complete and we'll remember everything on it. :)
P.S. If you are praying about our adoption paperwork, thanks. Would you please join us in petitioning God that our I-797 comes? It is supposed to take 2-4 weeks and we are at 5 1/2. Thanks. Hopefully when we return it will be in our mailbox.
We are leaving for Disney World tomorrow morning! It has been so busy and chaotic and we've been focused on other things. . .we were finally able to put packing lists together today. Gary's mom is taking us to Disney as our Christms present. Wow. I'm so grateful already and we haven't even gone yet. I'm excited to see her.
Mostly I'm excited to be with my family. I'm going to watch my kids and just bask in their excitement. I'm going to talk with Gary and hold his hand. I'm going to love talking with my mother-in-law and learning and laughing with her. Things have been so off lately. . .so stressful. . .God knew way back in March and this would be a wonderful time for us to get away as a family.
So see ya! Enjoy your week. I will too. Hopefully my list is complete and we'll remember everything on it. :)
P.S. If you are praying about our adoption paperwork, thanks. Would you please join us in petitioning God that our I-797 comes? It is supposed to take 2-4 weeks and we are at 5 1/2. Thanks. Hopefully when we return it will be in our mailbox.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Raw feelings
I was awakened early this morning by a bad dream: we had to leave for Disney and we hadn't packed, I needed to clean my stove (there was pea soup all over it), and I had a very nasty mosquito bite. You can imagine the horror. :)
As I was waking up I was flooded with thoughts from the day before and I knew there was no getting back to sleep. Well then, 5:30 is it. I began to pray, turned off my alarm, and decided to blog and read before Gary and the ducks get up. We have a busy day. We had a busy day.
I reached out to my Facebook community last night after receiving the news that we won't be traveling until April to be united with our son. I keep saying the word "April" like it is a smack in the face. My Facebook friends comforted me just like I was hoping they would. I cried at every response and felt God's love wash over me as so many told me they were praying. Prayer is amazing. I know why we aren't traveling until then, but it isn't very kind to share it. I might say something about somebody that isn't true or helpful. We were also informed that some of our paperwork might be expiring so we'd better go get it sealed next week. Sweet.
All of my tears surprised me in a way--in a good way. When we first submitted to God that Michael was ours, I was glad that there was time. I wasn't ready yet to have him in our house--to be a mom of five, so paperwork was fine. As we've gotten closer to traveling my love for him as grown, and though I'm still a little scared for what lies ahead, I'm getting excited. I felt the same way with my babies. There came a point where I was finally ready. Last week I told Gary that I was ready to have him home and excited to go and get him. It was time.
And then suddenly it is not time.
I'm thankful for that reaction because it shows how my heart has changed. I've gone from sitting in God's plan and having a heart for an orphan boy that was going to be left behind to loving him and thinking of him as my son. It is good.
God knows why we are going in April. I'm feeling much more peace: thanks to my prayers and the prayers of others. God offers peace and I'm sitting in it. I'm thankful that Michael is in a wonderful place. I'm thankful that he has plenty to eat. I'm thankful that we can skype with him and that his caretakers will explain to him why we aren't coming yet. (There are those darn tears again!)
We have a busy morning, so this extra early thing isn't too bad. I'll prepare with some time with the Father and also plan a nap for this afternoon. Gary is working all day so I'll need to gear up to be a single mama. It'll be a good day.
As I was waking up I was flooded with thoughts from the day before and I knew there was no getting back to sleep. Well then, 5:30 is it. I began to pray, turned off my alarm, and decided to blog and read before Gary and the ducks get up. We have a busy day. We had a busy day.
I reached out to my Facebook community last night after receiving the news that we won't be traveling until April to be united with our son. I keep saying the word "April" like it is a smack in the face. My Facebook friends comforted me just like I was hoping they would. I cried at every response and felt God's love wash over me as so many told me they were praying. Prayer is amazing. I know why we aren't traveling until then, but it isn't very kind to share it. I might say something about somebody that isn't true or helpful. We were also informed that some of our paperwork might be expiring so we'd better go get it sealed next week. Sweet.
All of my tears surprised me in a way--in a good way. When we first submitted to God that Michael was ours, I was glad that there was time. I wasn't ready yet to have him in our house--to be a mom of five, so paperwork was fine. As we've gotten closer to traveling my love for him as grown, and though I'm still a little scared for what lies ahead, I'm getting excited. I felt the same way with my babies. There came a point where I was finally ready. Last week I told Gary that I was ready to have him home and excited to go and get him. It was time.
And then suddenly it is not time.
I'm thankful for that reaction because it shows how my heart has changed. I've gone from sitting in God's plan and having a heart for an orphan boy that was going to be left behind to loving him and thinking of him as my son. It is good.
God knows why we are going in April. I'm feeling much more peace: thanks to my prayers and the prayers of others. God offers peace and I'm sitting in it. I'm thankful that Michael is in a wonderful place. I'm thankful that he has plenty to eat. I'm thankful that we can skype with him and that his caretakers will explain to him why we aren't coming yet. (There are those darn tears again!)
We have a busy morning, so this extra early thing isn't too bad. I'll prepare with some time with the Father and also plan a nap for this afternoon. Gary is working all day so I'll need to gear up to be a single mama. It'll be a good day.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Standing in Victory!
There is drama happening. Serious drama. About a month back I went through a very difficult time of spiritual warfare. . . all stemming from another neighborhood family. I've claimed victory in Jesus and He has given it to me.
It's back.
Some of the circumstances are different, but the warfare is the same and the evil one is doing his best to disrupt my life again. He. Will. Not. Win.
NOT. WIN.
In our Bible study this past week on Gideon, Pricilla Shirer had us work through a lesson on physical weapons vs. spiritual weapons. We often fight with physical weapons when in reality, it is a spiritual battle and God is asking that we fight with spiritual weapons. It may not have seemed logical to Gideon to use trumpets, torches and jugs to defeat the Midianites, but that is exactly what God asked him to go. Not only that, but God gave victory in a very surprising way.
I'm claiming that today and enjoying God's peace. I'm fighting with faith. I'm fighting with prayer. I'm praying for my enemies and for those who persecute me. I'm enjoying the peace that only comes from trusting in the Lord. I know that victory will come through God alone and I'm standing on that promise.
So I'm excited today and in the days that follow to see exactly how God takes care of this situation. I'm sure that it will be cool. . . and nothing that I had thought of.
I'm also praying. . . well begging God to send our fingerprinting. We were told it would take 2-4 weeks and we are now beyond that. I have complete faith that this is o.k. and that God is knitting together our journey as only He can. He knows the best time for us to go to China. My faith that He has it hasn't stopped me from watching for the mail carrier and rushing to the mailbox. :) I'll praise His name when it comes. . . and I'll keep asking for it to come every day. We are getting closer and I'm getting more and more ready to hold my Michael.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Blowing it
I blew it twice this week-end. . . well I know that it was more than that, but two times are rolling around in my head.
One of the times I lost it with my kids, took something away, threw it down. . . and broke it. My intent was not to break it, but I did. I did. I sat in the car with my kids while three of the three cried. (For the blog record, Garrison was crying because he wanted a piece of the broken toy and I announced I was throwing it away. A treasure is a treasure whether it is usable or broken!) I hung my head and prayed for forgiveness and then I asked for forgiveness from my children. "Anger isn't wrong" I explained. "How I handled my anger was wrong. I'm sorry." We sat in a church parking lot while the tears subsided. We prayed together. Then we arrived late for school. Good times.
I shared the story with a friend and she talked about grace. Our book club at church is reading through Yancey's "What's so Amazing about Grace?" this fall. Noel announced to me that two of her friends in her class were named after each other because each of them has the middle name "Grace".
Grace.
I offer it freely to so many, but beat myself up. Two things this week-end. . . two poor decisions. . . two learning experiences. . . and I keep thinking about it. It is great to learn from mistakes and from sin. (One was a mistake and the other well. . . the anger in the car thing was sin.) God is teaching me in so many ways and these are two of them. Why is it that I accept His grace, but can't find it to offer myself grace? Grace to not be a perfect mom. Grace to mess up, but put a smile back on and keep going. I may have to bring this up in book club.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Hi again
It's been way too long yes?!?
I'm back today with three Penny stories. Are you ready?
1. I had conferences with Penny's teacher on Monday morning. We prayed together and then she shared with me how Penny is doing in class. She knows all of her colors and shapes (Yes. She. Does.). What tickled me the most was that Mrs. Wolters handed me a paper and said that Penny was doing really well with cutting! CUTTING! It made me laugh out loud so much that Mrs. Wolters asked me what was going on. I shared with her the pajama story and the tablecloth story. That might Penny found a pair of scissors in the basement and proceeded to give one of Garrison's stuffed animal angry birds a haircut. She was punished. I laughed afterwards.
2. Last night at church we were finishing up dinner. Promptly at 6:45 VBS music is turned on and all the kids race out of the gym for their classes. The adult programs begin at 7:00. It works well. Both Noel and Penny were still finishing their dessert when the music sounded so I assured them they could finish and head downstairs when they were done. After about a minute, the music was turned off so the adults could continue their conversations. Noel finished, cleared her spot, and headed downstairs. Penny and I chilled out. Are we clear? Here is a recap. 1. Kids gone. 2. Music off. 3. Penny still upstairs. Penny finished her cake and said that she was ready to go down and she wanted to hear the VBS music. I told her that the music was done, but she could still go downstairs and I would go with her if she wanted. It was at this point that our friend Mr. Jones joined us as Penny's face fell. She climbed over to me and laid her head on my shoulder and began to get teary. She explained to Keith Jones and me that she needed her VBS songs! She wanted to leave and couldn't without her VBS songs! She wasn't hysterical or making a scene. . . she was just very very sad. Sad Penny. Then Mr. Jones stepped up to the grace plate. "I can turn them on for you if you want." "Keith, you don't have to do that. We can work it out. Plus, I don't want to bother all of these adults." "So what?!? I'm going to go do it." He got up. "Wow. Thanks. Just put it on quietly, you don't have to be loud." "Oh, it'll be loud." You should have seen his smile. I leaned in towards Penny and whispered that she should listen. I wiped away her tears and we waited cheek to cheek. The music blared and she jumped for joy. "VBS songs mom!!!" She danced her way out of the gym and I danced too as I followed her out. I turned to smile my thanks at Keith. The music lasted about 15 seconds. It was only 15 seconds, but it changed the world for my daughter. Most folks will never know why the music mysteriously came on again that night. I know. :)
3. After church on Wednesday nights the kids are all riled up. It is hard to get everyone in bed and settled down. Penny had a very difficult time. Around 9:30 I finally crawled into bed with her and snuggled with her. She told me that she could not sleep. I didn't say anything, but I just began to stroke her hair and her face. I watched her slowly settle down. . . watched her eyelids flicker. . . felt her body relax. I thought it was about over until she suddenly opened her eyes and turned to face me. We were both on our sides and facing each other with her almost asleep when she took both of her hands and put them on either side of my face. Then she fell asleep. I spent several minutes praying for her while she held me face loosely in her hands. I can't believe that I get to parent this very special gift from God. Then she shifted in her sleep and turned. I carefully slid out of her bed and turned off her closet light (we are in a little bit of a scared phase). She immediately woke up and cried and screamed for me to turn it back on! Oh well. . . the moment was nice there for a little bit. :)
I'm back today with three Penny stories. Are you ready?
1. I had conferences with Penny's teacher on Monday morning. We prayed together and then she shared with me how Penny is doing in class. She knows all of her colors and shapes (Yes. She. Does.). What tickled me the most was that Mrs. Wolters handed me a paper and said that Penny was doing really well with cutting! CUTTING! It made me laugh out loud so much that Mrs. Wolters asked me what was going on. I shared with her the pajama story and the tablecloth story. That might Penny found a pair of scissors in the basement and proceeded to give one of Garrison's stuffed animal angry birds a haircut. She was punished. I laughed afterwards.
2. Last night at church we were finishing up dinner. Promptly at 6:45 VBS music is turned on and all the kids race out of the gym for their classes. The adult programs begin at 7:00. It works well. Both Noel and Penny were still finishing their dessert when the music sounded so I assured them they could finish and head downstairs when they were done. After about a minute, the music was turned off so the adults could continue their conversations. Noel finished, cleared her spot, and headed downstairs. Penny and I chilled out. Are we clear? Here is a recap. 1. Kids gone. 2. Music off. 3. Penny still upstairs. Penny finished her cake and said that she was ready to go down and she wanted to hear the VBS music. I told her that the music was done, but she could still go downstairs and I would go with her if she wanted. It was at this point that our friend Mr. Jones joined us as Penny's face fell. She climbed over to me and laid her head on my shoulder and began to get teary. She explained to Keith Jones and me that she needed her VBS songs! She wanted to leave and couldn't without her VBS songs! She wasn't hysterical or making a scene. . . she was just very very sad. Sad Penny. Then Mr. Jones stepped up to the grace plate. "I can turn them on for you if you want." "Keith, you don't have to do that. We can work it out. Plus, I don't want to bother all of these adults." "So what?!? I'm going to go do it." He got up. "Wow. Thanks. Just put it on quietly, you don't have to be loud." "Oh, it'll be loud." You should have seen his smile. I leaned in towards Penny and whispered that she should listen. I wiped away her tears and we waited cheek to cheek. The music blared and she jumped for joy. "VBS songs mom!!!" She danced her way out of the gym and I danced too as I followed her out. I turned to smile my thanks at Keith. The music lasted about 15 seconds. It was only 15 seconds, but it changed the world for my daughter. Most folks will never know why the music mysteriously came on again that night. I know. :)
3. After church on Wednesday nights the kids are all riled up. It is hard to get everyone in bed and settled down. Penny had a very difficult time. Around 9:30 I finally crawled into bed with her and snuggled with her. She told me that she could not sleep. I didn't say anything, but I just began to stroke her hair and her face. I watched her slowly settle down. . . watched her eyelids flicker. . . felt her body relax. I thought it was about over until she suddenly opened her eyes and turned to face me. We were both on our sides and facing each other with her almost asleep when she took both of her hands and put them on either side of my face. Then she fell asleep. I spent several minutes praying for her while she held me face loosely in her hands. I can't believe that I get to parent this very special gift from God. Then she shifted in her sleep and turned. I carefully slid out of her bed and turned off her closet light (we are in a little bit of a scared phase). She immediately woke up and cried and screamed for me to turn it back on! Oh well. . . the moment was nice there for a little bit. :)
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Eggs and grace
Not one of my hard boiled eggs pealed well today. Two of them are lost. Just lost. All that is left is the yolk--which I can give to one of my kids. I forget who likes the yolks best. One of them only eats the white and one only eats the yellows.
Do you have that? Do you ever forget something about one of your kids? Or friends? I do. I'll laugh and then move on.
Do you blame one of your kids for something because they are the ones the "typically" do it? I found stuff in the bathroom downstairs. Based on the sight and smell it has been there for some time. I have one child in particular that neglects to flush. As I was climbing the stairs after taking care of the offending mess and grumbling to myself and planning out the punishment. . . er. . . consequences for this child, I realized that it might not have been this person. I'm quick to assume when it comes to my kids.
I'm quick to assume what they know--and I've often been surprised at how much then know! My mom babysat for us last week-end and shared a wonderful story with us when we got home. My kids were telling her all about how Jesus is our Cornerstone and what that means. They knew a ton and I didn't have a clue. I love that they are learning at both school and church, but I need to pay more attention I'm thinking. I'm assuming and not asking and not listening.
Here is the deal. I mess up all the time: with eggs, with kids, with being a wife, with being a daughter of the King.
My family will still have 10 strange looking eggs to eat. My kids still think I know them best. My husband still loves me and wants to be with me. My God has not nor will not give up on me. Grace.
Grace from Him, from Gary, from my kids. . . and from me. I'll learn, give grace to myself and move on. You can too.
Do you have that? Do you ever forget something about one of your kids? Or friends? I do. I'll laugh and then move on.
Do you blame one of your kids for something because they are the ones the "typically" do it? I found stuff in the bathroom downstairs. Based on the sight and smell it has been there for some time. I have one child in particular that neglects to flush. As I was climbing the stairs after taking care of the offending mess and grumbling to myself and planning out the punishment. . . er. . . consequences for this child, I realized that it might not have been this person. I'm quick to assume when it comes to my kids.
I'm quick to assume what they know--and I've often been surprised at how much then know! My mom babysat for us last week-end and shared a wonderful story with us when we got home. My kids were telling her all about how Jesus is our Cornerstone and what that means. They knew a ton and I didn't have a clue. I love that they are learning at both school and church, but I need to pay more attention I'm thinking. I'm assuming and not asking and not listening.
Here is the deal. I mess up all the time: with eggs, with kids, with being a wife, with being a daughter of the King.
My family will still have 10 strange looking eggs to eat. My kids still think I know them best. My husband still loves me and wants to be with me. My God has not nor will not give up on me. Grace.
Grace from Him, from Gary, from my kids. . . and from me. I'll learn, give grace to myself and move on. You can too.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Bit by bit
I cut out the box tops for education tag from the Honey Nut Cheerios box and put it in the baggie located in the top drawer. It may not seem like much, but each time I cut out a top, our school gets ten cents. There is a drive every January (I think) where the kids bring in their box tops. It is amazing to me how an entire school community can bring in so many little ten cent tags and the school ends up with over five thousand dollars.
Lots of little donations brings together big results.
I just totaled up the donations that friends have given to us for our adoption. I hardly know what to do such generosity toward our family. We have received donations from lemonade stands and from pop cans. We have found checks in the mailbox from former students and found forty dollars in cash from an anonymous donor in our church mailbox on more that one occasion. Friends popped in last Saturday and handed us a tithe from their summer work. Several aunts and uncles have sent money as well. The orphan care team put together the mannequin night at church in September. Over and over again we have been blessed by the Father through the hands of others.
I am humbled. I am grateful. I am speechless. Thanks. Thanks for the donations totaling $12,662.63. Thanks to those who have blessed us financially. It is one piece of the puzzle, but it seemed like such a huge obstacle for me personally. God has shown me through you that He is so much bigger than our biggest obstacle. God owns the cattle on a thousand hills and He sold many of them to help us.
The donations don't cover the entire adoption, but they go a long ways toward helping us. . . toward helping Michael. He is worth more than any adoption process price tag.
I ran to the mailbox today to see if our fingerprinting approval arrived. It didn't. I still blessed God because we didn't receive a rejection letter. We had our prints done two weeks ago and our approval will hopefully come in 2-4 weeks. Of course I was hoping for today.
Thanks so much. Thanks for being a body of believers who believe in us and believe in Michael and his place in our family. We got his bed ready today! Soon we'll be welcoming him home.
Lots of little donations brings together big results.
I just totaled up the donations that friends have given to us for our adoption. I hardly know what to do such generosity toward our family. We have received donations from lemonade stands and from pop cans. We have found checks in the mailbox from former students and found forty dollars in cash from an anonymous donor in our church mailbox on more that one occasion. Friends popped in last Saturday and handed us a tithe from their summer work. Several aunts and uncles have sent money as well. The orphan care team put together the mannequin night at church in September. Over and over again we have been blessed by the Father through the hands of others.
I am humbled. I am grateful. I am speechless. Thanks. Thanks for the donations totaling $12,662.63. Thanks to those who have blessed us financially. It is one piece of the puzzle, but it seemed like such a huge obstacle for me personally. God has shown me through you that He is so much bigger than our biggest obstacle. God owns the cattle on a thousand hills and He sold many of them to help us.
The donations don't cover the entire adoption, but they go a long ways toward helping us. . . toward helping Michael. He is worth more than any adoption process price tag.
I ran to the mailbox today to see if our fingerprinting approval arrived. It didn't. I still blessed God because we didn't receive a rejection letter. We had our prints done two weeks ago and our approval will hopefully come in 2-4 weeks. Of course I was hoping for today.
Thanks so much. Thanks for being a body of believers who believe in us and believe in Michael and his place in our family. We got his bed ready today! Soon we'll be welcoming him home.
Friday, November 1, 2013
The practice of October 31
Last night my kids dressed up in costumes and trick-or-treated around the neighborhood. I passed out candy and Gary walked. In other years we have been elsewhere including my sisters house and church. One year we were at a baby shower. We've handed out pretzels (one kid was happy) and McDonald's coupons (no one was happy about that). We've been intentionally gone so we wouldn't have to deal with it.
I've been seeing many commentaries posted on Facebook and various blogs about Halloween posted in the past two days. There are such a variety of opinions, especially when it comes to being a Christian and "doing Halloween". I sat in McDonald's on Tuesday with three women I respect and each of them had a different view; each family would spend October 31 in a different way.
Here is our deal. Three years ago after being gone and not handing out candy, I had several families tell me the following day that they missed seeing me, missed seeing our kids. Gary and I prayerfully talked about it and decided that we wanted to be intentional about our neighborhood and on the night of October 31, neighbors came to our house. We would be home. We would open our door and smile and greet and love the variety of costumes. I would not fawn over the grizzly costumes that I didn't like--the evil ones. Bring on the ladybugs and camouflage! So the past two years we open the door and make conversations with the kids and the parents. It is what we feel God has asked us to do. Last night was good for us as we've been having some bus stop issues and I wondered if a couple of the kids would come to our house. They did and I was able to smile at them.
I have another friend who turns off the lights and doesn't open the door. She doesn't agree with the entire premise and has a distaste for all the folks who truck their kids in from parts unknown to pillage the neighborhood. I respect her decision.
I have a friend who throws a party at her house and hands out candy to the kids at the party. They do fall things and enjoy the night with pizza. The kids have a great time and don't wander around the neighborhood begging and she doesn't answer the door. I respect her decision.
Our church had an indoor night last night with pumpkin painting, photo booth, homemade doughnuts and all around great fun. I loved it. Though we weren't there, I saw pictures and know that it was a wonderful night and many people had barrels of fun. I respect the folks who chose to participate and volunteer there.
God has given us many options for Kingdom work. I'm glad that He led us to do one way of ministry for our family and others have been led to do something else. Isn't that what we want to share with our kids? Though there are some very right and very wrong things in the Kingdom, there are also many right ways to do things. Worship, discipline, books, television, halloween and the list goes on and on--there are so many wonderful ways to use and teach and minister in each area. Parents need to pray and think and then teach our kids. We want to tell our children why we are doing something a certain way. I hope that my kids engage with other Christian kids who are doing something a different way. In many instances, both are right.
Garrison turned all of his candy in for four dollars. Simon and Noel are still deciding if they way to take that deal. (Keep ten pieces and turn all the rest in for five cents each. That was our offer.) Penny doesn't have a clue.
It was a fun night. It was a wet night. Today marks the first of November and I'm not so happy about it. Good-bye October. You are my favorite.
I've been seeing many commentaries posted on Facebook and various blogs about Halloween posted in the past two days. There are such a variety of opinions, especially when it comes to being a Christian and "doing Halloween". I sat in McDonald's on Tuesday with three women I respect and each of them had a different view; each family would spend October 31 in a different way.
Here is our deal. Three years ago after being gone and not handing out candy, I had several families tell me the following day that they missed seeing me, missed seeing our kids. Gary and I prayerfully talked about it and decided that we wanted to be intentional about our neighborhood and on the night of October 31, neighbors came to our house. We would be home. We would open our door and smile and greet and love the variety of costumes. I would not fawn over the grizzly costumes that I didn't like--the evil ones. Bring on the ladybugs and camouflage! So the past two years we open the door and make conversations with the kids and the parents. It is what we feel God has asked us to do. Last night was good for us as we've been having some bus stop issues and I wondered if a couple of the kids would come to our house. They did and I was able to smile at them.
I have another friend who turns off the lights and doesn't open the door. She doesn't agree with the entire premise and has a distaste for all the folks who truck their kids in from parts unknown to pillage the neighborhood. I respect her decision.
I have a friend who throws a party at her house and hands out candy to the kids at the party. They do fall things and enjoy the night with pizza. The kids have a great time and don't wander around the neighborhood begging and she doesn't answer the door. I respect her decision.
Our church had an indoor night last night with pumpkin painting, photo booth, homemade doughnuts and all around great fun. I loved it. Though we weren't there, I saw pictures and know that it was a wonderful night and many people had barrels of fun. I respect the folks who chose to participate and volunteer there.
God has given us many options for Kingdom work. I'm glad that He led us to do one way of ministry for our family and others have been led to do something else. Isn't that what we want to share with our kids? Though there are some very right and very wrong things in the Kingdom, there are also many right ways to do things. Worship, discipline, books, television, halloween and the list goes on and on--there are so many wonderful ways to use and teach and minister in each area. Parents need to pray and think and then teach our kids. We want to tell our children why we are doing something a certain way. I hope that my kids engage with other Christian kids who are doing something a different way. In many instances, both are right.
Garrison turned all of his candy in for four dollars. Simon and Noel are still deciding if they way to take that deal. (Keep ten pieces and turn all the rest in for five cents each. That was our offer.) Penny doesn't have a clue.
It was a fun night. It was a wet night. Today marks the first of November and I'm not so happy about it. Good-bye October. You are my favorite.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Thursday, October 24, 2013
I met him!
It was wonderful and chaotic and crazy and fun! The time came and went for us to connect on Skypenand we thought that perhaps the internet was down. Low and behold--our ringer wasn't on! They had been trying to connect. Well. . . when we saw that they were trying to reach us we connected in a hurry. :)
Gary suddenly declared: "There he is."
There he is.
We moved from the living room to the dining room table so that we could set the computer on the table. We took turns moving in front of the screen so that we could talk with him. We introduced ourselves. He dutifully repeated what his teachers were telling him to say. "Mama. Baba. Love you. Hello." The teachers standing behind him were fascinated with us. They fell all over themselves when Simon showed his cute face. Barbara, the teacher who was in charge of the whole thing, was Simon's main caregiver. She is the one who took him home on week-ends, who potty trained him, who loved him so very dearly and delivered him to us. . . who felt such a loss when he left. So she was very excited to see Simon again. We asked if Michael had received the birthday gift we sent and they held it up. It made the trip! Michael opened it in front of us--what a gift to see! He was pretty clueless about the sidewalk chalk, but lit up with the Legos! (Note to self: bring Legos to China, which is a funny statement because aren't Legos made in China?!?) They also went through the photo book with him. Now he can see us every day and become familiar with what we look like and what our names are.
Our time ended with Penny having a major meltdown--a couple of the other kids weren't holding up so fabulous either. Their questions to him in Mandarin became things like "Do you like to eat eggs?" He does. "Do you like to eat apples?" He does. It was over an hour past their bedtime and we needed to be done.
So I talked with my son for the first time and he called me mama. He might not know what that means, but I do. They kept wanting to know when we were coming and we can't tell them. We just don't know when we'll get invited to travel, but we are still hoping for January or February. He seemed to talk well which I'm so thankful for. He kept eating a snack which I loved to see. (The boy is small: probably from undernourishment in his earliest years.) He smiled and my heart skipped. It won't be long and we'll see each other face to face. Woo-Hoo!
Gary suddenly declared: "There he is."
There he is.
We moved from the living room to the dining room table so that we could set the computer on the table. We took turns moving in front of the screen so that we could talk with him. We introduced ourselves. He dutifully repeated what his teachers were telling him to say. "Mama. Baba. Love you. Hello." The teachers standing behind him were fascinated with us. They fell all over themselves when Simon showed his cute face. Barbara, the teacher who was in charge of the whole thing, was Simon's main caregiver. She is the one who took him home on week-ends, who potty trained him, who loved him so very dearly and delivered him to us. . . who felt such a loss when he left. So she was very excited to see Simon again. We asked if Michael had received the birthday gift we sent and they held it up. It made the trip! Michael opened it in front of us--what a gift to see! He was pretty clueless about the sidewalk chalk, but lit up with the Legos! (Note to self: bring Legos to China, which is a funny statement because aren't Legos made in China?!?) They also went through the photo book with him. Now he can see us every day and become familiar with what we look like and what our names are.
Our time ended with Penny having a major meltdown--a couple of the other kids weren't holding up so fabulous either. Their questions to him in Mandarin became things like "Do you like to eat eggs?" He does. "Do you like to eat apples?" He does. It was over an hour past their bedtime and we needed to be done.
So I talked with my son for the first time and he called me mama. He might not know what that means, but I do. They kept wanting to know when we were coming and we can't tell them. We just don't know when we'll get invited to travel, but we are still hoping for January or February. He seemed to talk well which I'm so thankful for. He kept eating a snack which I loved to see. (The boy is small: probably from undernourishment in his earliest years.) He smiled and my heart skipped. It won't be long and we'll see each other face to face. Woo-Hoo!
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
It's a big day.
From the title--you want to know why today is a big day. Soon. First, fingerprinting yesterday. The last time Gary and I were fingerprinted, Garrison was 14 months old and it took over three hours. We both laughed yesterday as we remembered trying to entertain him in the office. The office is a melting pot. I love seeing who is there. I love hearing a middle age man explain to his father what the officer needed him to do. He even prompted his father to say "thank you" in English when it was all over. It took Gary about five minutes to complete his fingerprints. It took me almost 25! The computer did not like the way the prints turned out of my left hand. They will probably get rejected. So the officer got out the old school ink and took them this way as well. I'm hopeful that both won't get rejected.
So fingerprinting is done. I'm beginning to think about childcare and I get a bit panicky. I know that things will fall into place. I know that God has it. I know that two weeks isn't very long in a lifetime, but two weeks of finding childcare is a big deal. They are my kids and I adore them. I got teary eyed this morning as I thought about us returning home from China with Michael and greeting our kids in the airport. We are three months away we think. Three months. Deep breath. What excitement and what a lot to do! :)
So today. Tonight after church we'll come home and our kids will be wired. They are always wired after church on Wednesday. I'll be a little wired too. Tonight is the night that we talk with Michael on skype. Tonight. Internet has been down recently in Hengyang (typical) and so in the past few days there has been a flurry of e-mails. Tonight for us, tomorrow morning for him. . .we'll meet each other. I'm so excited. . . and a bit nervous. What do I say to my son whom I've never met yet love so very much? What will he think of this crazy bunch that he sees for the first time? I want to ask him so much and I just want to watch him. Tonight. Tonight I will interact with him for the first time.
You can pray for us. You can pray that the evil one stays far away. . . that computers work properly. . . that he isn't scared. . .that God calms his heart. . .that we can understand each other. . . that we begin to see his heart.
I'll let you know how it goes. :)
So fingerprinting is done. I'm beginning to think about childcare and I get a bit panicky. I know that things will fall into place. I know that God has it. I know that two weeks isn't very long in a lifetime, but two weeks of finding childcare is a big deal. They are my kids and I adore them. I got teary eyed this morning as I thought about us returning home from China with Michael and greeting our kids in the airport. We are three months away we think. Three months. Deep breath. What excitement and what a lot to do! :)
So today. Tonight after church we'll come home and our kids will be wired. They are always wired after church on Wednesday. I'll be a little wired too. Tonight is the night that we talk with Michael on skype. Tonight. Internet has been down recently in Hengyang (typical) and so in the past few days there has been a flurry of e-mails. Tonight for us, tomorrow morning for him. . .we'll meet each other. I'm so excited. . . and a bit nervous. What do I say to my son whom I've never met yet love so very much? What will he think of this crazy bunch that he sees for the first time? I want to ask him so much and I just want to watch him. Tonight. Tonight I will interact with him for the first time.
You can pray for us. You can pray that the evil one stays far away. . . that computers work properly. . . that he isn't scared. . .that God calms his heart. . .that we can understand each other. . . that we begin to see his heart.
I'll let you know how it goes. :)
Monday, October 21, 2013
Good Morning
It is 3:27 a.m. Both Penny and Noel have had struggles tonight. Noel was coughing something fierce, so I got up. I put her in a shower with the door shut and let er rip. The steam and heat were great and I haven't heard her cough since. We'll see what the sunlight brings. Penny is having her usual bad dreams. . . no terrors tonight though.
So I'm up. It is a time to be quiet and reflect. I'm listening to a sermon that a friend sent me. Right now it is the praise and worship time, so I'm blogging until the sermon begins.
Today is my birthday.
Forty one years ago God changed my parent's lives forever. I'm so thankful that He placed me with them.
Saturday Noel tried something new. She goes to a gymnastics class once a week. On most Saturdays there is an open gym, and this was the first week that Noel could go. I took her and as soon as we hit the parking lot, she changed. My confident secure girl clung to my legs and kept her head down. She was a completely different person! I told her we'd hang out for a bit together. . . I'd stay and watch her. . . Why doesn't she just try it for awhile and see if she finds one of her friends. . .I tried everything I had in my bag of tricks. Two other mamas saw and tried to help--in a good and not annoying way. This did nothing. I was at a loss of what to do until one of these mamas stepped in again. "Hi. This is my daughter Sarah. She is in the same level as you are. Do you want to go in with her?" Noel lit up and nodded. She and Sarah went into the gym and that was it. Noel needed a friend.
I sat there praying for her and smiling as I saw them running around together. After about fifteen minutes, Noel ran over to me and with a huge smile said "I'm o.k. mom You can go." The same girl that wouldn't let me go was now dismissing me. :)
I'm the same way. I get nervous going to a school event by myself. I find myself scanning the crowd and looking for a friend. . . someone I know. I wonder if I'll know someone at my table at church. Will someone want to sit by me at a social event? I do better in new situations. . . and in familiar ones with a friend.
I'm thankful today for my friends. I'm thankful for folks who say that they are on the same level as me.
We are walking together through parenting.
We are walking together through church.
We are walking together as believers.
We are walking together as adoptive parents.
We are walking together trying to lose weight.
We are walking together through marriage.
We are walking together through grief.
I feel better with you. I do better with you.
Thanks.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Happy Birthday!
We had chocolate cupcakes with whipped topping and sprinkles for breakfast. I also made pancakes. It was a cake morning.
Today is Michael's birthday and he is six. Six. The next year for him is going to involve a lot of change. I was told that he had a party today with all of his friends. I'm thankful.
Want to see a new picture of Michael? Want to read about a family that volunteered? Want to see what our family will do in the future?
Let the pictures keep going and you'll see him. And his best friend Biao. And we sponsor Biao. And I can't wait to take a picture of me in the middle of these two boys.
Fingerprinting on Tuesday. Sent off the applications for the boys passports today. You read that right: boys. Garrison totally wants to come with us. We weren't planning on it, but there are good reasons to take him along. There are also good reasons to keep him home. Getting the passport gives us the option. We are praying about it.
Penny is into using tons of toilet paper. And into plugging the toilet. Simon is into having lots of expectations of what he wants to do after school and being very unhappy when my plans don't line up with his. (2 hours of wii, shrimp for supper, Legos for nine hours) Garrison is into books about birds. Lots and lots of American birds. . . he brought home an encyclopedia of American birds. Noel is into being dramatic. Oh man.
We sold our truck yesterday. Yes! God keeps knitting plans together. Amen and Amen!
Monday, October 14, 2013
A very important letter
We received a very important letter in the mail on Saturday. It indicated our appointment time for our fingerprints. When the U.S. Government summons, you'd best be there. I'm bummed that I have to miss Bible Study next week, but I'll be there.
The appointment comes with mixed emotions. I'm excited that our paperwork was in order and that we have our appointment time. There is a wisp of fear that creeps up because we are closer and that means thinking about traveling and leaving some kids behind and where will they stay and how will they do without us and and and. . . .
It doesn't help me at all that I can't seem to find the joy joy joy joy down in my heart. There isn't anything wrong, but I'm not completely right. I love my Lord so deeply and I'm so grateful for a husband who is beyond supportive. I know I'll make it through this, but as a friend said to my yesterday "Your smile isn't around very often and takes awhile to appear." She is right. My heart is heavy and it shows on my face. Right now there are tears in my eyes--they appear often. Argh! I just want to be done with this. It'll come. God is good all the time and I serve Him.
Other than that, we are chugging along. The boys begin a new adventure today called Math Pentathlon. I'm not sure of what all happens there, but it involves math and games and since both boys love math and games. . . it sounds like a winner to me. They are excited. I'm not sure Garrison will be able to save his snack for after school. We've talked about it. Noel spit off of the top bunk into Simon's bed and lost her ipad. The kids argued about who farted in church. I've had a great eating day today--to try and counteract the terrible eating days I had this week-end. We might have sold the truck, but maybe not. Penny turned me into a dragon this morning with her magic ring. We hiked yesterday and enjoyed great colors and company. You know--the usual for Sprick Nation.
Time to put Penny into bed. She isn't excited today, but I'll get her there. I'll leave you with this beautiful image. We went to the library this morning. Penny wore a ballerina costume, purple crocs, a princess sweatshirt, a duck mask around her neck and a scarf tied to her waist which dragged on the ground. She was happy and it brought a smile to my face as well. She isn't fashion forward, she is just forward.
The appointment comes with mixed emotions. I'm excited that our paperwork was in order and that we have our appointment time. There is a wisp of fear that creeps up because we are closer and that means thinking about traveling and leaving some kids behind and where will they stay and how will they do without us and and and. . . .
It doesn't help me at all that I can't seem to find the joy joy joy joy down in my heart. There isn't anything wrong, but I'm not completely right. I love my Lord so deeply and I'm so grateful for a husband who is beyond supportive. I know I'll make it through this, but as a friend said to my yesterday "Your smile isn't around very often and takes awhile to appear." She is right. My heart is heavy and it shows on my face. Right now there are tears in my eyes--they appear often. Argh! I just want to be done with this. It'll come. God is good all the time and I serve Him.
Other than that, we are chugging along. The boys begin a new adventure today called Math Pentathlon. I'm not sure of what all happens there, but it involves math and games and since both boys love math and games. . . it sounds like a winner to me. They are excited. I'm not sure Garrison will be able to save his snack for after school. We've talked about it. Noel spit off of the top bunk into Simon's bed and lost her ipad. The kids argued about who farted in church. I've had a great eating day today--to try and counteract the terrible eating days I had this week-end. We might have sold the truck, but maybe not. Penny turned me into a dragon this morning with her magic ring. We hiked yesterday and enjoyed great colors and company. You know--the usual for Sprick Nation.
Time to put Penny into bed. She isn't excited today, but I'll get her there. I'll leave you with this beautiful image. We went to the library this morning. Penny wore a ballerina costume, purple crocs, a princess sweatshirt, a duck mask around her neck and a scarf tied to her waist which dragged on the ground. She was happy and it brought a smile to my face as well. She isn't fashion forward, she is just forward.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Parenting is hard
I sat across from a dear friend today and she looked at me and simply said "Parenting is hard." She is right.
We had walked together and shared prayer requests, dreams, and struggles. My parenting life has been a struggle recently. I'm not talking about how Penny snuck out of bed, grabbed a scissors and shredded her pajama bottoms. That is easy stuff to me. You didn't finish your duck duties? I've got tools to use in that case. "Quit hitting your sister. You are not the mom today. If you do that one more time I'm going to put you in time out." These are regular issues for me. I can handle them and feel like for the most part, I handle them well.
Hard stuff affects my heart because I see my kids hurting. Hurting because of friends on the playground. Hurting because they can't quite fit in. Hurting because they thought they were doing fine and enjoying themselves and instead they hurt someone. I've shed many tears this week and the blog has been silent. Silent because there is a time to not share these hurts. Silent because my heart wasn't sure what direction to go. Silent to protect my kids and let them learn and grow without comments outside of the house.
Tonight I need to walk to a neighbors house and talk with a girl from the bus stop. We have to resolve an issue. I'm torn up about it! I feel like an idiot, and yet I thought I was doing the right thing. Seems like I'm facing some of the same issues as my kids. I may need to ask them for advice when they get off of the bus. :)
We had walked together and shared prayer requests, dreams, and struggles. My parenting life has been a struggle recently. I'm not talking about how Penny snuck out of bed, grabbed a scissors and shredded her pajama bottoms. That is easy stuff to me. You didn't finish your duck duties? I've got tools to use in that case. "Quit hitting your sister. You are not the mom today. If you do that one more time I'm going to put you in time out." These are regular issues for me. I can handle them and feel like for the most part, I handle them well.
Hard stuff affects my heart because I see my kids hurting. Hurting because of friends on the playground. Hurting because they can't quite fit in. Hurting because they thought they were doing fine and enjoying themselves and instead they hurt someone. I've shed many tears this week and the blog has been silent. Silent because there is a time to not share these hurts. Silent because my heart wasn't sure what direction to go. Silent to protect my kids and let them learn and grow without comments outside of the house.
Tonight I need to walk to a neighbors house and talk with a girl from the bus stop. We have to resolve an issue. I'm torn up about it! I feel like an idiot, and yet I thought I was doing the right thing. Seems like I'm facing some of the same issues as my kids. I may need to ask them for advice when they get off of the bus. :)
Friday, October 4, 2013
Treasures
Garrison is a treasure hunter and a treasure keeper. He loves his special things. These can be things or animals he finds, makes, is given, or purchases. Thankfully, he is not spectacular and remembering all of his special things, so sometimes I get to be a treasure throw-away-er.
Recently, I've been encouraging him to get rid of the treasure or in some cases, let the treasure go so that it can continue living in the grass. Garrison has struggled some with this, but his smart little brain found a way to get around it.
"Mom, can you take a picture please so that I don't forget?"
These are all from the month of September.
I get to keep the best treasure of all: Garrison. And I have the photos to prove it.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Feet
It could be worse. I could have a heart problem or cancer. I could have chronic back pain. I could have a child in the hospital. I could have no food in the house or be without a house.
So my situation is not bad. I'd just like to take a moment to complain/whine/beg for sympathy about my feet.
I'm not a fan of my feet. I like that they get me where I want to go and hold me up, but I don't really think that they are fabulous. I don't like people touching them. I try to hide them really.
So my one toe is healing nicely. The other one not so much--I'm walking too much perhaps? I've had more pain this time. Ugh. So not only do I have toenail cut off issues, but I have way too much cracking in my skin on my heals. I know you didn't want to hear it, but it is that way! I always have problems with my skin breaking open in the winter, so this next piece of news isn't news. IT ISN'T WINTER YET. Yet I have issues and they aren't going away with my usual treatment. (I'm so not a fan of slathering petroleum jelly on my heels and sleeping with socks on when it is hot out. Not. A. Fan. I'm not a fan in the winter either, but socks help keep me toasty in bed so it's o.k.) So I asked my podiatrist for help. He gave me this super special super duper cream. I tried it last night.
Here is the deal: put it on, wrap your feet in plastic wrap, put on socks, and sleep all night long while the magic cream does its job. There is no warning on the label about children waking up with bad dreams or coughs and beware of getting out of bed and slip sliding your way around. I don't think I'm supposed to skate around at 12:30 a.m. nor at 4:00 a.m. Humorous now: not so much then. I'm glad we have walls in the house because I needed them to stay on my feet.
We'll keep trying the new cream. . . and I'll try not to fall in the middle of the night. Some day my kids will appreciate all that I do for them. . .then again, hopefully not. I hope they all got Gary's feet.
So my situation is not bad. I'd just like to take a moment to complain/whine/beg for sympathy about my feet.
I'm not a fan of my feet. I like that they get me where I want to go and hold me up, but I don't really think that they are fabulous. I don't like people touching them. I try to hide them really.
So my one toe is healing nicely. The other one not so much--I'm walking too much perhaps? I've had more pain this time. Ugh. So not only do I have toenail cut off issues, but I have way too much cracking in my skin on my heals. I know you didn't want to hear it, but it is that way! I always have problems with my skin breaking open in the winter, so this next piece of news isn't news. IT ISN'T WINTER YET. Yet I have issues and they aren't going away with my usual treatment. (I'm so not a fan of slathering petroleum jelly on my heels and sleeping with socks on when it is hot out. Not. A. Fan. I'm not a fan in the winter either, but socks help keep me toasty in bed so it's o.k.) So I asked my podiatrist for help. He gave me this super special super duper cream. I tried it last night.
Here is the deal: put it on, wrap your feet in plastic wrap, put on socks, and sleep all night long while the magic cream does its job. There is no warning on the label about children waking up with bad dreams or coughs and beware of getting out of bed and slip sliding your way around. I don't think I'm supposed to skate around at 12:30 a.m. nor at 4:00 a.m. Humorous now: not so much then. I'm glad we have walls in the house because I needed them to stay on my feet.
We'll keep trying the new cream. . . and I'll try not to fall in the middle of the night. Some day my kids will appreciate all that I do for them. . .then again, hopefully not. I hope they all got Gary's feet.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Crying over a bunk bed
Welcome to October! I feel like this month was made for me and I allow everyone else to enjoy it. :) The weather today is amazing and I mark it because I know that it will soon be over.
I'm into marking events. I've blogged about it before. I like to mark the beginning and end of events. I enjoy change (ahem. . . five kids in 10 years) and recognizing the beginnings and ends helps me to cope and celebrate and not get so very emotional.
So I got emotional last night. A friend donated a set of bunk beds to us. It was an awesome gift--our plan is to put the three boys together in the larger kids bedroom and the girls in the smaller one. My original plan (when we just had two boys and two girls and then we were done) was to have the girls in the big one and the boys in the smaller. I even had the beds that my sister Tricia and I used for Noel and Penny. It made me smile to see my girls in the same beds that my sister and I slept in. . . and played in. . . and fought. . . and moved. . . and snuggled. . . and read. . . oh I'm so sentimental!
Well, yesterday afternoon Gary and I worked hard to get the new bunk beds set up in the big room and then it just kind of happened that we began switching. I kept moving clothes and sorting and taking off sheets and washing them. . . and before I could really process it. . . the boys were in new beds and the girls had moved into the old bunk beds. My old bed was gone. Gone! We tucked them in and then Gary made me sit down. I had toenail surgery again on Monday and I've been moving too much (too much bleeding!) so he told me to sit down. I listened. Then I'd sneak up and take out the garbage quick and he tells me to sit down again. He is good for me that Gary! We were talking and I began to cry. Perhaps it is because I'm tired and we had Bible Study which takes a lot out of me. Perhaps I was frustrated about my toe. The biggest reason though is because I didn't get to mark the last night of the girls in their room. I didn't get to gaze ta Penny one last time in her bed just like I had during her last nap in her crib. I didn't get to look at the boys room and celebrate the memories I have of my boys. You'd think that my kids were leaving! They had just switched rooms, but it marks the end of something and the beginning of something new.
I'm o.k. today. We've been laughing because Garrison wanders into his old room to get ready for school. Penny kept crawling out of her bunk bed to explore the surprises under the bed that haven't been purged yet. I get excited to think of tucking in my three boys every night and hearing them whisper in Mandarin to each other.
We are entering a new season. That empty bed is a tangible reminder in our house that we aren't complete yet. God is getting us ready!
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Mannequin Night
Tonight members of the Orphan Care team at our church are hosting a fundraiser for our family. I'm rejoicing and having a hard time with it.
Hard time: It goes against my "pride" to accept this help. It is hard for me to attend an event where folks are donating to help us financially.
Rejoice: Our friends care so much about orphans and specifically about Michael and our family that they are willing to donate time and money to help bring him home. Imagine how much Our Father is smiling about that one!
So tonight I will put aside my pride. Instead I will focus on how much we all love this sweet little boy whom I don't even know yet. I will be amazed at how God moved the hearts of others to help us in this way. I will laugh and I will cry. I know it. I won't stress out that my kids can't hold a pose while pretending to be mannequins. I will pray often during the night for Michael. . .knowing that God will bring him home in His perfect time. Then tomorrow I will rejoice even more as I worship Him. It is going to be quite a night.
May God be glorified through it all.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Coasting
So I came to the conclusion this morning that I've been coasting when it comes to school and Penny. I'm working hard to get it together with the older ducks. I'm checking newsletters, I'm packing lunches, I'm looking on the chart to see what specials are on for the day. . . I'm trying to be on my A-Game every day.
Penny however goes to school once a week. She is three. I've been less concerned with her. Hey--go to school! Enjoy it. Play dress up. Keep your clothes on this week. Love it.
Yeah--you might remember how last week I brought her at the wrong time. I did get that right this week. (Pat myself on the back.) Well, I did not bring along the show-n-tell for this week. Everyone had something that is a circle and Penny. . . Penny did not. I took one of my earrings out (thanks for the suggestion Lori!) and Mrs. Walters gave me a baggie to put it in. I explained to Penny that this was a circle and she should identify it as such when it was her turn. I'm not sure if she did. I received the earring back, but the only thing she could tell me was that she wanted to sit on the special chair and Mrs. Walters said "no". (It'll be her turn when she is the special person--October 9). I did get this response when I asked her if she had listened to a story. "Yes. It was about Jesus (my heart swelled a bit) and how he was at the beach and got a spider." Good job sweetie. Glad you are having fun in class.
I had a wonderful week-end, especially on Saturday. I had a date. Not just any date with Gary, but a day date. A date at night is great, but I'm tired. We leave before dinner, have dinner, chose an after dinner activity, and come home. It is wonderfully nice to be together and to not put the ducks in bed. But a day date is different. We are awake and alert. We laugh a lot. We covered two meals! Gary's boss couldn't use tickets to the Notre Dame/Michigan State game in South Bend. He gave them to Gary! We had a great drive, we had a decent tailgate (I'm not good and/or comfortable with making small talk with strangers.) and enjoyed the game. We sat in the wrong seats twice. We laughed and laughed at the folks around us and their comments. We loved seeing the bands! We loved watching the student section. We cheered for good plays on the field. I stood with other Notre Dame fans and watched the players run by on their way into the stadium. I held Gary's hand for much of the day. It was great. Great great great. Our kids stayed with friends and then on some other Saturday, their kids will stay with us. Good trade.
This afternoon I tried a new hair coloring product. I'm feeling rather albino as my hair is almost white and I think I burned my scalp. There is still a little pain (I took it off over and hour ago) although it isn't as red as it initially was. Gary said he's going to buy me pink contact lenses to go with the rest of my albino head. I might not leave it on as long next time.
Penny however goes to school once a week. She is three. I've been less concerned with her. Hey--go to school! Enjoy it. Play dress up. Keep your clothes on this week. Love it.
Yeah--you might remember how last week I brought her at the wrong time. I did get that right this week. (Pat myself on the back.) Well, I did not bring along the show-n-tell for this week. Everyone had something that is a circle and Penny. . . Penny did not. I took one of my earrings out (thanks for the suggestion Lori!) and Mrs. Walters gave me a baggie to put it in. I explained to Penny that this was a circle and she should identify it as such when it was her turn. I'm not sure if she did. I received the earring back, but the only thing she could tell me was that she wanted to sit on the special chair and Mrs. Walters said "no". (It'll be her turn when she is the special person--October 9). I did get this response when I asked her if she had listened to a story. "Yes. It was about Jesus (my heart swelled a bit) and how he was at the beach and got a spider." Good job sweetie. Glad you are having fun in class.
I had a wonderful week-end, especially on Saturday. I had a date. Not just any date with Gary, but a day date. A date at night is great, but I'm tired. We leave before dinner, have dinner, chose an after dinner activity, and come home. It is wonderfully nice to be together and to not put the ducks in bed. But a day date is different. We are awake and alert. We laugh a lot. We covered two meals! Gary's boss couldn't use tickets to the Notre Dame/Michigan State game in South Bend. He gave them to Gary! We had a great drive, we had a decent tailgate (I'm not good and/or comfortable with making small talk with strangers.) and enjoyed the game. We sat in the wrong seats twice. We laughed and laughed at the folks around us and their comments. We loved seeing the bands! We loved watching the student section. We cheered for good plays on the field. I stood with other Notre Dame fans and watched the players run by on their way into the stadium. I held Gary's hand for much of the day. It was great. Great great great. Our kids stayed with friends and then on some other Saturday, their kids will stay with us. Good trade.
This afternoon I tried a new hair coloring product. I'm feeling rather albino as my hair is almost white and I think I burned my scalp. There is still a little pain (I took it off over and hour ago) although it isn't as red as it initially was. Gary said he's going to buy me pink contact lenses to go with the rest of my albino head. I might not leave it on as long next time.
Friday, September 20, 2013
I hate my toenails. Oh well.
I'm sitting here with my foot up. Sitting. I'll be sitting most of the day because I had surgery on the big toe on my right foot. In ten days I get to do it all over again on my left foot. Woo-Hoo! (Read that again in a very dull tone please.) My feet are not beautiful. My toes are not beautiful. I remember a friend laughing at my feet saying she had never seen toenails like mine. Right now I'm super numb and it will last for 10 hours. I'm all about that. The worst part about it is getting numb with three shots--this is the third time I'm having this done--so I knew what to expect. It wasn't too bad though.
Last night was the circus--Garrison won tickets on a local radio station. It was awesome to watch my kids watch the circus. I love being a mom and seeing the world in a new way through their eyes. A late night meant an off morning though, especially when I forgot to have them do their homework after school on Thursday so I had them work on it during breakfast. Simon kept adding wrong. Noel cried. Garrison forgot to keep eating. Penny kept wanting to "see it". It was a morning and they made it to the bus on time--although not all of the homework is done.
Tomorrow I'm going on a date. Gary's boss gave us tickets to the Notre Dame/Michigan State game and we are going! I'll keep my toe up as much as I can. :) Hope that you enjoy your week-end.
Last night was the circus--Garrison won tickets on a local radio station. It was awesome to watch my kids watch the circus. I love being a mom and seeing the world in a new way through their eyes. A late night meant an off morning though, especially when I forgot to have them do their homework after school on Thursday so I had them work on it during breakfast. Simon kept adding wrong. Noel cried. Garrison forgot to keep eating. Penny kept wanting to "see it". It was a morning and they made it to the bus on time--although not all of the homework is done.
Tomorrow I'm going on a date. Gary's boss gave us tickets to the Notre Dame/Michigan State game and we are going! I'll keep my toe up as much as I can. :) Hope that you enjoy your week-end.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Wednesday
So I think I'm going to like Wednesdays, other than the fact that my little girl is growing up.
Penny went off to school today for the first time by herself. She wasn't even phased that I dropped her off at 9:30 when school actually began at 9:15. It didn't phase her either that her mom managed to pick her up on time. I was extra careful about that one. Meanwhile, I need to change the three-school start time on my calendar. In my defense, this is the first year it is at 9:15 instead of 9:30.
She could barely even kiss me good-bye as she eagerly rushed over to the paints. I'm thankful for that. . . not for the rushing off (although I'm thankful for that too--no drama) but for the painting. Paint away at school dear! Paint on! You won't be painting at home. I'm all about mud and water and dirt and bugs and frogs and toads and bones and bikes. . .painting not so much. Mrs. Walters says they might paint every week! That is totally worth the money.
So, what did I do with my first time off. . . my first time ever with my kids in school? No I did not blog. I didn't shop. I didn't get many things checked off of my list. I buzzed over to my folks. My mom's best friend Bev breazed in last night and I needed to see her. I had a delightful morning visiting with my favorite mom and my second mom. Bev told me I looked so beautiful. I may need to go and visit again next Wednesday.
I picked Penny up and loved seeing her smile. I was thrilled to hear that she was able to play with the dress-up clothes. Penny has been talking about this all week since her first parent visit to the classroom. I was a little afraid she had missed her time since we were. . . ahem. . .late. Mrs. Walters let me know that Penny was all about dressing up. I smiled so proudly until she added that Penny had taken off all of her clothes before she put on new dress-up clothes. When Mrs. Walters explained that she should keep her clothes on in class, Penny emphatically assured her that she would be too hot if she kept them on underneath a princess dress. I should probably warn Mrs. Walters to watch Penny around fire alarms.
We went home, ate lunch, and watched an episode of Dora before nap time. As I watched my big girl walk down the hall, I got a little nostalgic. I asked her if I could just please carry her to bed, after all she was growing up and I was a little sad about that. Penny said "No mom. Don't be sad. I'm growing up but my hair is growing down." Makes perfect sense.
Penny went off to school today for the first time by herself. She wasn't even phased that I dropped her off at 9:30 when school actually began at 9:15. It didn't phase her either that her mom managed to pick her up on time. I was extra careful about that one. Meanwhile, I need to change the three-school start time on my calendar. In my defense, this is the first year it is at 9:15 instead of 9:30.
She could barely even kiss me good-bye as she eagerly rushed over to the paints. I'm thankful for that. . . not for the rushing off (although I'm thankful for that too--no drama) but for the painting. Paint away at school dear! Paint on! You won't be painting at home. I'm all about mud and water and dirt and bugs and frogs and toads and bones and bikes. . .painting not so much. Mrs. Walters says they might paint every week! That is totally worth the money.
So, what did I do with my first time off. . . my first time ever with my kids in school? No I did not blog. I didn't shop. I didn't get many things checked off of my list. I buzzed over to my folks. My mom's best friend Bev breazed in last night and I needed to see her. I had a delightful morning visiting with my favorite mom and my second mom. Bev told me I looked so beautiful. I may need to go and visit again next Wednesday.
I picked Penny up and loved seeing her smile. I was thrilled to hear that she was able to play with the dress-up clothes. Penny has been talking about this all week since her first parent visit to the classroom. I was a little afraid she had missed her time since we were. . . ahem. . .late. Mrs. Walters let me know that Penny was all about dressing up. I smiled so proudly until she added that Penny had taken off all of her clothes before she put on new dress-up clothes. When Mrs. Walters explained that she should keep her clothes on in class, Penny emphatically assured her that she would be too hot if she kept them on underneath a princess dress. I should probably warn Mrs. Walters to watch Penny around fire alarms.
We went home, ate lunch, and watched an episode of Dora before nap time. As I watched my big girl walk down the hall, I got a little nostalgic. I asked her if I could just please carry her to bed, after all she was growing up and I was a little sad about that. Penny said "No mom. Don't be sad. I'm growing up but my hair is growing down." Makes perfect sense.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Fall
It's fall! It's fall! It's fall! It's fall!
This is my most favorite season. Yes. Yes. Yes.
I love the colors. I love the weather. I love the apples. I love the campfires. I love the smells. I love the schooling. I love jeans and sweatshirts. I love the beginning of Bible Study. I love turning on my electric blanket. I love the candy pumpkins. I love all the pumpkins in general. I love I love I love!
Fall Fall Fall
Do you hear me clapping for God? I am because He decided to create seasons and that was so very thoughtful of Him. He is glorified in every season. I'm always ready for the next season to hit and I love that too.
Plus, fall means that we are one season closer to getting our son. :) There is a fundraiser for our family at Holland Heights Church on September 28 at 7:00. It is a live mannequin night with desserts. It is donation. You are invited to come. Our family is doing a scene---how do you think Penny will do sitting still? :)
For now though, get excited for fall!
Monday, September 16, 2013
Not so well
From the title, you'd think that things aren't going too well. Things are fine. . .good. . . great really. I have an amazing life, but this week-end there were a few things that didn't go so well. Here is the deal--sometimes things in life just don't go so well. I'm going to blog about them and then move on. . .maybe. :)
1. So my asking for non-profits in my last blog post didn't go so well. I thought there might be twenty or thirty comments of great organizations posted. There wasn't one posted. I'm not sure what to make of this. Was I unclear? Was I arrogant? Are people afraid of posting comments? Gary and I will still donate the fifty bucks to something that God lays before us. Don't worry--it won't go to waste. I'm sad though because I was excited about seeing where the hearts of others are. I don't have a very "commenty" blog. Oh well. . . moving on.
2. I hung up on the AT&T service representative this morning. We were without phone, television, and internet. I called on my cell phone (there must be really great techs in this area! For those who might not be in on this little joke here--my sweet hubby is a cell phone tech!) for help and got frustrated. No I can not see the dot with red around it. No I will not stick a hairpin (who has a hairpin handy while on the phone?!?) into it. It seems that you cannot help me over the phone. Good-bye. Plus, I was sick of being called ma'am. He said it after every sentence. STOP IT. He called back and said that we must have gotten cut off. I told him that I had hung up on him. He responded by saying that he would send someone out to help me tonight. Thanks. That would be helpful. The tech should probably bring a hairpin. (um. . .I'm a little snarky can you tell?) So now you wonder how I'm on-line at the moment? Great question. The neighbors were installing u-verse and we got unplugged.
3. Penny pulled the fire alarm at church. Yup, you read that right. She is into reaching and touching and that awesome red box with a little spot for a little hand was too tempting. I was with her and grabbed her hand shouting "no", but the damage was done. I was in tears as all the kids who were trying to find their classes for the first time had to be herded outside. I saw all my fabulous older friends standing outside in the rain wondering if this was a drill or if we were really on fire. So I'm totally laughing now. I'm thankful that our church isn't burnt down. I'm thankful that Penny was very scared of the loud noise (don't do that again!). I'm thankful that it was my three year old who did it and not a 13 year old child of mine. I'm thankful for kind words and forgiving nods from everyone to whom I apologized. I'm thankful for laughter and memories. What I'm not happy about are the good hearted folks who made comments like this to Penny and to our older kids "That's alright. We needed a drill anyway. That is so funny!" These comments make it o.k. for kids to pull alarms. It is not o.k. I don't want my children to think that they can do this and get a great laugh from their friends at church or school. I want there to be consequences for making this choice. I know that these comments weren't intended to be enabling, but they are. We had a great talk in the car about what happens when a fire alarm is pulled. I will laugh about it though. I will laugh a lot about it. The last thing we sang as we left the sanctuary was "Show your mighty hand heal our church and land Set your church on fire. . ." The alarm was pulled five minutes later. Good thing I'm so in love with that girl.
4. Finally, Miss Kansas didn't win the Miss America pageant. I'm embarrassed to write this, but it is what it is. I watched the "behind the scenes" show about the pageant, and then I just wanted to see it all happen. Gary laughed at me and frankly, I laughed at me too. Miss Kansas was profiled and I liked her and wanted her to win. She made it to the top ten (?), but didn't make the top five. Whatever. I'm over it.
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