Walking into Home Depot, we saw a Hispanic woman with a brown baby in the basket.
"Mommy, that's not her baby," Rowan announced.
"What? Why isn't that her baby?" I asked.
"Because she's white and her baby's black."
Whoa! Where did that come from? And really baby that woman was definitely not white, but I won't get into that discussion with my four-year-old now. Nor will I engage her in a discussion about Latinos being all the colors of the rainbow.
"Where did you learn that?" I asked.
"From Mrs. Wilson," Rowan answered easily.
A discussion with Mrs. Wilson will be happening tomorrow to see what the real conversation was.
"From Mrs. Wilson?" I questioned.
Rowan nodded her head. "White women have white babies and black women have black babies."
"They do?"
She nodded again and repeated her sentence.
I wondered where she thinks biracial children, like herself come from, or where Irish twin came from. Oh the irony.
Monday, June 27, 2011
My baby
As we walked around Home Depot looking for the perfect lights for the house, I carried the baby in my arms. She was knocked out and in REM sleep because she allowed me to cradle her. A semi-conscious Layla would protest that with all her sleepy might. As I cradled her, I looked into her dirty face that she assured me she had washed. Maybe she did, a quarter of her forehead looked clean.
Cradling her, I thought about the baby of yesteryear whom I cradled. The one who didn't have scratches from fingernails that Mommy had let grown too long. The one who didn't have bangs that looked in need of cutting or who didn't have bangs or much hair at all. The one who wasn't rocking her thirteenth pair of earring or who in fact didn't have her ears pierced at all. The one who didn't have scratches and scrapes on her legs from running, jumping, and getting into places or things she shouldn't be or who couldn't even walk at all. The one who didn't sleep with her mouth slightly open so her upper two teeth can be seen or who didn't even have any teeth at all.
As I rocked my sleeping baby in my arms, I thought about the baby I said, "I love you" to in Hanoi and realized that love paled in comparison to the love I feel now to this baby and that this love I feel in this moment will pale in comparison to the love I will feel a year from now.
Cradling her, I thought about the baby of yesteryear whom I cradled. The one who didn't have scratches from fingernails that Mommy had let grown too long. The one who didn't have bangs that looked in need of cutting or who didn't have bangs or much hair at all. The one who wasn't rocking her thirteenth pair of earring or who in fact didn't have her ears pierced at all. The one who didn't have scratches and scrapes on her legs from running, jumping, and getting into places or things she shouldn't be or who couldn't even walk at all. The one who didn't sleep with her mouth slightly open so her upper two teeth can be seen or who didn't even have any teeth at all.
As I rocked my sleeping baby in my arms, I thought about the baby I said, "I love you" to in Hanoi and realized that love paled in comparison to the love I feel now to this baby and that this love I feel in this moment will pale in comparison to the love I will feel a year from now.
Our annual June picnic
Every June, Child SHARE has a picnic near the LA Zoo. This year, we went and I left the double stroller at home. I think we might be growing up. As I turned into the church parking lot, Jory remembered coming the year before. He remembered the firemen who left him speechless, the large but contained open spaces. He was ready to go. Upon seeing the bouncer, the baby and Rowan were raring to go.
We walked safely across the parking lot and the first stop was the bouncer. I stood near the mesh because sometimes the baby can be a bit overwhelmed, particularly when Rowan and Jory take off to parts unknown and leave her by herself, but today wasn't that day. She bounced and bounced and bounced with her Irish twin, and she continued bouncing happily after Rowan left her to explore parts unknown. Then she noticed there was more and she ventured out, out to the wall that required holding onto the rope and climbing up and over or in Jory's case running and jumping high enough in the bouncer to almost make it over the wall, though he did fall the first few tries and reminded me of that show Wipeout. With Jory's third and successful jump landing him in the next part of the bouncy maze, Layla grabbed the rope and started to climb. I wasn't sure if she would be able to do it. She neared the top and it seemed iffy, so I gave her tush a little boost and up and over she went. The next time around she handled the rope, like it was no big deal, and got herself over the wall and through the rest of the maze like no big whoop.
After the thrill of the bouncer temporarily waned it was off to explore other areas, until the face painting was discovered. And not only could they get their faces painted, but they could choose which animal they wanted painted on. TTT were in heaven. Rowan, I'll be honest, scared me a little when she wanted more and more animals on her. I wondered, is she going to be my tattoo girl because tats are whack. But I figured, she was only four and having fun and I wouldn't make a big deal of it. I let her have her fun.
The kids petted animals, including a snake. I tried to stay away from that so I wouldn't know what icky creatures they had touch, but I made sure everyone washed their hands. We had a delicious lunch, hung out with good friends, decorated cookies, then went back to the world of the bouncer. Does a party get better than face painting and a bouncer?
A good time was had by TTT and it was a great way to kick off the first weekend with true summer weather.
We walked safely across the parking lot and the first stop was the bouncer. I stood near the mesh because sometimes the baby can be a bit overwhelmed, particularly when Rowan and Jory take off to parts unknown and leave her by herself, but today wasn't that day. She bounced and bounced and bounced with her Irish twin, and she continued bouncing happily after Rowan left her to explore parts unknown. Then she noticed there was more and she ventured out, out to the wall that required holding onto the rope and climbing up and over or in Jory's case running and jumping high enough in the bouncer to almost make it over the wall, though he did fall the first few tries and reminded me of that show Wipeout. With Jory's third and successful jump landing him in the next part of the bouncy maze, Layla grabbed the rope and started to climb. I wasn't sure if she would be able to do it. She neared the top and it seemed iffy, so I gave her tush a little boost and up and over she went. The next time around she handled the rope, like it was no big deal, and got herself over the wall and through the rest of the maze like no big whoop.
After the thrill of the bouncer temporarily waned it was off to explore other areas, until the face painting was discovered. And not only could they get their faces painted, but they could choose which animal they wanted painted on. TTT were in heaven. Rowan, I'll be honest, scared me a little when she wanted more and more animals on her. I wondered, is she going to be my tattoo girl because tats are whack. But I figured, she was only four and having fun and I wouldn't make a big deal of it. I let her have her fun.
The kids petted animals, including a snake. I tried to stay away from that so I wouldn't know what icky creatures they had touch, but I made sure everyone washed their hands. We had a delicious lunch, hung out with good friends, decorated cookies, then went back to the world of the bouncer. Does a party get better than face painting and a bouncer?
A good time was had by TTT and it was a great way to kick off the first weekend with true summer weather.
What does or something mean?
After Jory's graduation, Layla and I were waiting to be called for my appointment when the following transpired.
A woman leaned over to me and asked, "Is she your daughter?"
"Yes," I responded, as we watched Layla play with the other children.
"Is her father Asian or something?" the woman continued.
Okay, stop. What is the "or something"? What two ethnicities produce an Asian child? Is it somehow politically incorrect to say Layla is Asian or to call her Asian? But back to the convo.
"Yes, her father is Asian," I answered.
"She really took after him," the woman concluded, continuing to look at Layla.
I'm done. Next time this is how the conversation will go...
"Is that your daughter?" I will be asked.
"Yes," I will answer.
"Is she Asian or something?"
To which I will answer either, "No, she's Eskimo/Mongolian," or "Or something."
And when it's said, "She must look like her father."
Once again depending on my mood I will answer, "Yes, she's created in His image" or "Really, because minus her lack of melanin people tell me we have the same eyes and ears all the time." Now what? Huh, what you gonna say now?
A woman leaned over to me and asked, "Is she your daughter?"
"Yes," I responded, as we watched Layla play with the other children.
"Is her father Asian or something?" the woman continued.
Okay, stop. What is the "or something"? What two ethnicities produce an Asian child? Is it somehow politically incorrect to say Layla is Asian or to call her Asian? But back to the convo.
"Yes, her father is Asian," I answered.
"She really took after him," the woman concluded, continuing to look at Layla.
I'm done. Next time this is how the conversation will go...
"Is that your daughter?" I will be asked.
"Yes," I will answer.
"Is she Asian or something?"
To which I will answer either, "No, she's Eskimo/Mongolian," or "Or something."
And when it's said, "She must look like her father."
Once again depending on my mood I will answer, "Yes, she's created in His image" or "Really, because minus her lack of melanin people tell me we have the same eyes and ears all the time." Now what? Huh, what you gonna say now?
Thursday, June 23, 2011
It's amazing...
Oma is home and people are actually getting dressed. They aren't acting crazy like Oma is home and we have no idea how to do anything, which is their usual mode of operand um.
This is simple amazing. I should videotape this and save it for prosperity. To show them on the days, they go back to acting like Oma is here and we've never heard of something called a morning routine.
This is simple amazing. I should videotape this and save it for prosperity. To show them on the days, they go back to acting like Oma is here and we've never heard of something called a morning routine.
My name...
My name is Jory. I am six-years-old and I am graduating from kindergarten.
When I grow up I want to be an airplane pilot. I want to go to college to learn how to fly airplanes.
I like to see the flaps on the wings move when the airplane lands. I like when the airplane takes off over the ocean.
I would like to fly the plane for President Barack Obama. It is called Air Force One. The End.
That is the brilliant speech the valedictorian of the kindergarten class gave. This kid is a genius. I am madly in love with him. I am so glad all that six-year-old deliciousness is mine.
Every day the sun comes up around him
He can make the birds sing harmony.
Every drop of rain is glad it found him
Heaven must have made him just for me
When he smiles so warm and tender,
A sight for sore eyes to see.
Oooh,
Ain't no son like the one I've got
Oh, no, they don't come better
To make him happy doesn't take a lot
He don't ask for things (except for trains, cars, buses, and planes), no diamond rings
So together, like a hand in glove
Like pages in a letter
Ain't no son like the one I love
When I grow up I want to be an airplane pilot. I want to go to college to learn how to fly airplanes.
I like to see the flaps on the wings move when the airplane lands. I like when the airplane takes off over the ocean.
I would like to fly the plane for President Barack Obama. It is called Air Force One. The End.
That is the brilliant speech the valedictorian of the kindergarten class gave. This kid is a genius. I am madly in love with him. I am so glad all that six-year-old deliciousness is mine.
Every day the sun comes up around him
He can make the birds sing harmony.
Every drop of rain is glad it found him
Heaven must have made him just for me
When he smiles so warm and tender,
A sight for sore eyes to see.
Oooh,
Ain't no son like the one I've got
Oh, no, they don't come better
To make him happy doesn't take a lot
He don't ask for things (except for trains, cars, buses, and planes), no diamond rings
So together, like a hand in glove
Like pages in a letter
Ain't no son like the one I love
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Also on Father's Day
My baby lost another tooth. He lost his first two teeth last year over the 4th of July weekend and now nearly a year later, he lost another bottom tooth. Though I'm pretty sure he helped pull it out. Now the two top teeth are rocking. My baby is slowly morphing into an adult or something. Can't adult teeth come in later, you know when he's closer to being an adult? When he's about to get married?
Father's Day
As we driving to church in the OC, I thought about the fact that it was Father's Day, a day that my kids have never celebrated in all their years. While driving I said a pray for Jory, I prayed that if it wasn’t God’s will for him to have a dad while he was growing up that God would send some on-fire men into his life, that he would have a believing father-in-law that sees him and treats him as a son, not a son-in-law, that Jory would have a heart for the fatherless when he comes an adult. When he and my daughter are at their church and they see a single mom that they reach out to her and her children. If there are fatherless children in their neighborhood that they reach out and show God’s love.
In a perfect world, Jory would have an awesome, kickbutt, George Clooney looking daddy, who loved God more than he loved me….but in that world where Adam and Eve didn’t sin, Jory wouldn’t be calling me mommy.
In a perfect world, Jory would have an awesome, kickbutt, George Clooney looking daddy, who loved God more than he loved me….but in that world where Adam and Eve didn’t sin, Jory wouldn’t be calling me mommy.
An Afternoon with friends
After swimming lessons today, the kids and I drove to our friend, Elisa’s house. Elisa is a wonderful, beautiful, intelligent, super funny woman with the gift to host, like nobodies business. In another life, I wish I could be as gracious and as welcoming as she. And did I mention she was also the girls’ Cubbies leader this year. Jory remembered going to her house last year and I’m sure he’ll remember it again because he got to have marshmallows. Marshmallows are a special treat and he got to use a bow to shoot marshmallows. He was in seventh heaven. Rowan was so excited she couldn’t even sit still to watch a movie, which is her favorite pastime. The baby was equally excited to be around kind, gracious people. The kids acted as if I’ve never taken them anywhere. And to top it all off, Elisa had a dog and we got to take the dog for a walk. TTT is probably hoping heaven is like Mrs. Elisa’s house.
It’s so nice to fellowship, hang out, and chill with another mom. I don’t do that enough. And it makes it all the better that she’s a Christian so we can talk about all subjects from devotionals to homeschooling to adoption to raising kids to everyday life stuff. Sisters in Christ rock! Mrs. Elisa rocks the most!! And we along with her two beautiful, smart children had a great time on Saturday. So thank you Elisa and family for a wonderful afternoon.
It’s so nice to fellowship, hang out, and chill with another mom. I don’t do that enough. And it makes it all the better that she’s a Christian so we can talk about all subjects from devotionals to homeschooling to adoption to raising kids to everyday life stuff. Sisters in Christ rock! Mrs. Elisa rocks the most!! And we along with her two beautiful, smart children had a great time on Saturday. So thank you Elisa and family for a wonderful afternoon.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Walking
Jory asked to go for a walk and I remembered once upon a time, we use to take walks. We'd walk by the high school where the kids practiced football. I'm not sure why we stopped doing them every summer, but Jory's request sparked the desire to start it again.
I came home from work and off we went. Ten minutes into the walk, the baby was done with walking so I ended up carrying her. Uh, little girl, how is this a walk if I'm carrying you?
We've been having some good walks. And as soon as I hit the door, I can hear the kids yelling, "Mommy's home! We can go for our walk now."
And it's a great motivator. If you can't get your work done or listen when you're suppose to, then how can you go on a walk?
Good exercise. We get to be outdoors. Jory gets to ride his bike. A win for everyone.
I came home from work and off we went. Ten minutes into the walk, the baby was done with walking so I ended up carrying her. Uh, little girl, how is this a walk if I'm carrying you?
We've been having some good walks. And as soon as I hit the door, I can hear the kids yelling, "Mommy's home! We can go for our walk now."
And it's a great motivator. If you can't get your work done or listen when you're suppose to, then how can you go on a walk?
Good exercise. We get to be outdoors. Jory gets to ride his bike. A win for everyone.
Devotionals
We have so many devotional books that the kids handed me one and I thought to myself haven't we gone through this one, then I opened the book and knew we hadn't. I read the introduction and fell in love a little with this book as the writer Sally Lloyd-Jones explained what the Bible is. Tears welled up in my eyes and streamed down my face at this part,
The Bible is most of all a Story.... It's a love story about a brave Prince who leaves His palace, His throne - everything - to rescue the one He loves.
It is a love story. And I love a good romance, glad to know I'm the heroine.
I can't wait to see what this book has in story for us.
The Bible is most of all a Story.... It's a love story about a brave Prince who leaves His palace, His throne - everything - to rescue the one He loves.
It is a love story. And I love a good romance, glad to know I'm the heroine.
I can't wait to see what this book has in story for us.
On Wednesday, June 22
at 11AM, Jory graduates from kindergarten. I can't believe it. A week from today my baby will have on his cap and gown graduating.
We're working on his speech, where once again, he talks about wanting to be an airplane pilot. I'm okay with that job though I've heard doing that as a career and being so high up in the air for long periods of time causes health problems, so we may have to reevaluate this dream of his, but for now it rocks.
I remember graduating from Pre-First, not some lousy babyish kindergarten, at Redeemer. Okay, I don't remember the graduation, but I do remember that it happened and afterwards my mom took me to McD's. I'm pretty sure afterwards she took me back to school because she had to go back to work, but still. An awesome time had by all.
I wonder where Jory will want to go after his graduation. All these years later, I would perfectly happy if he wanted to go to McD's afterwards. It is, after all the greatest restaurant in the world.
My baby is graduating from kindergarten, leaving behind the school, the life he's had there for the last 3 1/2 years. In a few short months, he will embark on a whole new schooling adventure. I am so proud of him and I love him truly, madly, deeply.
Here is where the road divides
Here is where we realize
The sculpting of the Father's great design
Through time you've been a friend to me
But time is now the enemy
I wish we didn't have to say goodbye
But I know
The road He chose for me
Is not the road He chose for you
So as we chase the dreams we're after
Pray for me
And I'll pray for you
Pray that we would keep this common ground
Won't you pray for me
And I'll pray for you
That one day love will bring us back around again
We're working on his speech, where once again, he talks about wanting to be an airplane pilot. I'm okay with that job though I've heard doing that as a career and being so high up in the air for long periods of time causes health problems, so we may have to reevaluate this dream of his, but for now it rocks.
I remember graduating from Pre-First, not some lousy babyish kindergarten, at Redeemer. Okay, I don't remember the graduation, but I do remember that it happened and afterwards my mom took me to McD's. I'm pretty sure afterwards she took me back to school because she had to go back to work, but still. An awesome time had by all.
I wonder where Jory will want to go after his graduation. All these years later, I would perfectly happy if he wanted to go to McD's afterwards. It is, after all the greatest restaurant in the world.
My baby is graduating from kindergarten, leaving behind the school, the life he's had there for the last 3 1/2 years. In a few short months, he will embark on a whole new schooling adventure. I am so proud of him and I love him truly, madly, deeply.
Here is where the road divides
Here is where we realize
The sculpting of the Father's great design
Through time you've been a friend to me
But time is now the enemy
I wish we didn't have to say goodbye
But I know
The road He chose for me
Is not the road He chose for you
So as we chase the dreams we're after
Pray for me
And I'll pray for you
Pray that we would keep this common ground
Won't you pray for me
And I'll pray for you
That one day love will bring us back around again
Layla has become...
the baby in the family like you see in sitcoms. As we were walking out the door to go for a walk, Rowan and Jory stand at the door and asked, “Why can’t we go on a walk with you?”
I turned to answer them, but before I could, I hear, “You don’t listen!” coming from the baby.
“Layla, I don’t need your help,” I informed her.
She nodded.
“Remember you weren’t listening yesterday? You wanted to play instead of clean up the toys,” I gently reminded them.
They nodded and locked the door as the baby and I walked down the driveway. As we were half way past the neighbor’s house, I noticed our door swinging open. I ran to the base of our driveway and shouted, “Close the door!”
As I overheard Jory and Rowan arguing over who got to lock the door, the baby piped in with, “Shut the door, guys!”
“Layla, zip it,” I quickly commanded.
“Okay,” she answered.
When did she become that kid? Telling her siblings why they were in trouble, parroting me, telling her siblings what to do. I’m pretty sure this is how Joseph got sold.
I turned to answer them, but before I could, I hear, “You don’t listen!” coming from the baby.
“Layla, I don’t need your help,” I informed her.
She nodded.
“Remember you weren’t listening yesterday? You wanted to play instead of clean up the toys,” I gently reminded them.
They nodded and locked the door as the baby and I walked down the driveway. As we were half way past the neighbor’s house, I noticed our door swinging open. I ran to the base of our driveway and shouted, “Close the door!”
As I overheard Jory and Rowan arguing over who got to lock the door, the baby piped in with, “Shut the door, guys!”
“Layla, zip it,” I quickly commanded.
“Okay,” she answered.
When did she become that kid? Telling her siblings why they were in trouble, parroting me, telling her siblings what to do. I’m pretty sure this is how Joseph got sold.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Conversation with Layla
"Mommy, you said when I was bigger I could go to school," the baby began.
"Yes, I did say that," I confirmed.
"I bigger," she informed me.
"Yes, you are bigger, but you need to be big enough to fit in your uniform," I told her.
"I bigger now," she continued.
"Yes, you are bigger, but you're uniform is still too big," I retorted.
"When I bigger, I can go to school with Roro and Jory?" she inquired.
"Yes, when you're bigger you can go to school," I answered. When you're bigger aka September you'll be going to school with Rowan and Jory will be off to his new school.
"Yes, I did say that," I confirmed.
"I bigger," she informed me.
"Yes, you are bigger, but you need to be big enough to fit in your uniform," I told her.
"I bigger now," she continued.
"Yes, you are bigger, but you're uniform is still too big," I retorted.
"When I bigger, I can go to school with Roro and Jory?" she inquired.
"Yes, when you're bigger you can go to school," I answered. When you're bigger aka September you'll be going to school with Rowan and Jory will be off to his new school.
Conversation with Jory
“Jory, do you want a new brother or sister?” I asked, as we were driving away from Home Depot.
“Yes,” he answered enthusiastically.
“But you already have younger sisters,” I reminded him.
“Yes, but there’s only one of me,” he replied.
My baby is growing up. He realizes that he’s the only man in the house. Awww!
"Where would we get a baby from?" I asked.
"We adopt one," he said simply.
I wonder if that's what Jory is going to say to his future wife/my future daughter when they talk about starting a family. "We'll adopt one."
"How do we adopt one?" I asked him.
"We ask a woman with a baby in her belly to give us her baby," he answered.
Wow, this kid is really putting the pieces of the puzzle together. I know a pregnant woman named Steph, I wonder if I can ask her to give us her baby. :)
“Yes,” he answered enthusiastically.
“But you already have younger sisters,” I reminded him.
“Yes, but there’s only one of me,” he replied.
My baby is growing up. He realizes that he’s the only man in the house. Awww!
"Where would we get a baby from?" I asked.
"We adopt one," he said simply.
I wonder if that's what Jory is going to say to his future wife/my future daughter when they talk about starting a family. "We'll adopt one."
"How do we adopt one?" I asked him.
"We ask a woman with a baby in her belly to give us her baby," he answered.
Wow, this kid is really putting the pieces of the puzzle together. I know a pregnant woman named Steph, I wonder if I can ask her to give us her baby. :)
Conversation with Rowan
As I was taking Rowan's braids out of her hair, she started a conversation with me.
"I want a new mommy," she said to me.
“You want a new mommy?” I repeated back.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“So I don’t get in trouble?”
“Why do you get in trouble, Rowan?” I inquired.
“Because I don’t listen and obey,” she answered correctly.
“You don’t think you should get in trouble when you don’t listen and obey?”
“No,” she said, matter of factly.
“Your new mommy wouldn’t punish you for not listening and obeying?”
“No,” she responded, confidently.
“Oh, okay.”
“And my new mommy will paint my fingernails. And I would get new sisters. You would be my old mommy,” the four-year-old concluded.
Wow, you don’t get in trouble, you get new sisters, and your fingernails painted? Now I know what the perfect mommy does.
"I want a new mommy," she said to me.
“You want a new mommy?” I repeated back.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“So I don’t get in trouble?”
“Why do you get in trouble, Rowan?” I inquired.
“Because I don’t listen and obey,” she answered correctly.
“You don’t think you should get in trouble when you don’t listen and obey?”
“No,” she said, matter of factly.
“Your new mommy wouldn’t punish you for not listening and obeying?”
“No,” she responded, confidently.
“Oh, okay.”
“And my new mommy will paint my fingernails. And I would get new sisters. You would be my old mommy,” the four-year-old concluded.
Wow, you don’t get in trouble, you get new sisters, and your fingernails painted? Now I know what the perfect mommy does.
Final Night of AWANA
Firmly AWANA stands
Led by the Lord's commands
"Approved workmen are not ashamed"
Boys and girls for His service claimed
Hail! AWANA!
On the march for youth
Hail! AWANA!
Holding forth the truth
Building lives on the Word of God AWANA stands
Our Savior following
With steps unfaltering
And love unaltering
His banner over us
In service glorious
We'll fight victorious
For Christ our King!
Youth on the march!
The theme song for AWANA which we sang at the beginning of the AWANA ceremony. It was the final AWANA night, we sang the theme song, said the pledge to the American flag, and the AWANA flag.
Layla walked away with a participation award. Yippee!!! Which really means either you joined late in the year and didn't finish a book, or in Layla's case other than the intro verses didn't recite any other verses. Next year, like her big sister did this year, she'll get called on stage for being one of the children in Cubbies who finished her book.
Jory's spark class learned over 1100 verses this year. Eleven hundred verses. How awesome is that? Jory was called on stage because he completed one book. And I learned you can do extra credit too. SCORE! Through Jory, I've come to realize that I'm competitive but seemingly only with him. Odd. Right now, he's not competitive at all, which sometimes really irks me.
Jory used his AWANA cash and bought the girls a purse. Then he later discovered it wasn't a purse, but a drum, until he finally figured out it was actually a bank shaped like a purse complete with a handle. And with some more of his money, he bought a calendar for his new room. My boy is so considerate and smart. I love this kid!
Then after the ceremony, we went to the gym where they were not one, but two jumpers and free hot dogs and chips!
A great night had by all. I'm so proud of TTT and very thankful to the people who turned us on to AWANA.
Led by the Lord's commands
"Approved workmen are not ashamed"
Boys and girls for His service claimed
Hail! AWANA!
On the march for youth
Hail! AWANA!
Holding forth the truth
Building lives on the Word of God AWANA stands
Our Savior following
With steps unfaltering
And love unaltering
His banner over us
In service glorious
We'll fight victorious
For Christ our King!
Youth on the march!
The theme song for AWANA which we sang at the beginning of the AWANA ceremony. It was the final AWANA night, we sang the theme song, said the pledge to the American flag, and the AWANA flag.
Layla walked away with a participation award. Yippee!!! Which really means either you joined late in the year and didn't finish a book, or in Layla's case other than the intro verses didn't recite any other verses. Next year, like her big sister did this year, she'll get called on stage for being one of the children in Cubbies who finished her book.
Jory's spark class learned over 1100 verses this year. Eleven hundred verses. How awesome is that? Jory was called on stage because he completed one book. And I learned you can do extra credit too. SCORE! Through Jory, I've come to realize that I'm competitive but seemingly only with him. Odd. Right now, he's not competitive at all, which sometimes really irks me.
Jory used his AWANA cash and bought the girls a purse. Then he later discovered it wasn't a purse, but a drum, until he finally figured out it was actually a bank shaped like a purse complete with a handle. And with some more of his money, he bought a calendar for his new room. My boy is so considerate and smart. I love this kid!
Then after the ceremony, we went to the gym where they were not one, but two jumpers and free hot dogs and chips!
A great night had by all. I'm so proud of TTT and very thankful to the people who turned us on to AWANA.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Alan Jackson
has a song entitled Five O'Clock Somewhere. Jimmy Buffett joins in and the end and says, "It's always five o'clock in Margaritaville." That makes me smile because I happened upon a Margaritaville when we were cruising the Caribbean and I went in to the bar/restaurant to get my friend, Matthew, a little something because he loved Jimmy.
The point of that story was that Rowan and Jory got fake watches in Rowan's speech class and the baby loves wearing Jory's. And at least twice an evening she'll turn to me and say, "Mommy, it's seven o'clock." In Layla's world, it's always seven o'clock. Not sure what significance that time has, but she loves it being seven o'clock.
The point of that story was that Rowan and Jory got fake watches in Rowan's speech class and the baby loves wearing Jory's. And at least twice an evening she'll turn to me and say, "Mommy, it's seven o'clock." In Layla's world, it's always seven o'clock. Not sure what significance that time has, but she loves it being seven o'clock.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Singing Morning
This morning was song morning. I woke up, slowly woke the baby and sang, “When I wake up in the morning, Lord/And the sunlight hurts my eyes.” I thought instead of the sunlight hurting my eyes, because all my windows are covered by sheers and curtains and anything else my mother can think of so no one could look inside our house, I get to wake up and see this precious little face and I thank God that He blessed me with the privilege of being Layla, Rowan, Jory’s mommy.
Then instead of turning off the TV which Oma leaves on in the mornings, I turned it to CMT and it was playing Shania Twain songs. I picked up Jory and sang to him, “You’re the reason I believe in love/And you’re the answer to my prayers from up above/My dreams came true because of you/From this moment/As long as I live/I will love you/I promise you this/There’s nothing I wouldn’t give/From this moment on/I will love you/As long as I live/From this moment on.” Jory laughed and giggled as I sang with tears in my eyes. I put him down and grabbed Layla and sang to her. Then I grabbed a constantly in motion in my arms Rowan and sang it to her too. Sometimes I can be such a sappy romantic.
Yes, the terrific trio can drive me absolutely batty and drive me to the brink of insanity, but where would I be without them? They are such a blessing. And I am in awe and completely humbled that God entrusted them to me to rear and the amount that I love them is a drip in a bucket compared to how much He loves them and me.
Then instead of turning off the TV which Oma leaves on in the mornings, I turned it to CMT and it was playing Shania Twain songs. I picked up Jory and sang to him, “You’re the reason I believe in love/And you’re the answer to my prayers from up above/My dreams came true because of you/From this moment/As long as I live/I will love you/I promise you this/There’s nothing I wouldn’t give/From this moment on/I will love you/As long as I live/From this moment on.” Jory laughed and giggled as I sang with tears in my eyes. I put him down and grabbed Layla and sang to her. Then I grabbed a constantly in motion in my arms Rowan and sang it to her too. Sometimes I can be such a sappy romantic.
Yes, the terrific trio can drive me absolutely batty and drive me to the brink of insanity, but where would I be without them? They are such a blessing. And I am in awe and completely humbled that God entrusted them to me to rear and the amount that I love them is a drip in a bucket compared to how much He loves them and me.
Realization
I found this youtube video an adoption and orphan civil forum at Saddleback Church. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p78Y3ZMLv9Q
Russell Moore was on the panel. He wrote the brilliant Adopted For Life, which every Christian needs to read. I’m paraphrasing him but in the forum, he said when he and his wife were carrying the one-year-old sons from their Russian orphanages, their sons were crying, their hands out reaching for the orphanage. He said he thought why are you crying? Why are you reaching for that pit? Do you know what you have to look forward to? Grandparents, Lagos, Happy Meals. Later that day, he said the Holy Spirit spoke to him and said your sons are you. You have a mansion prepared for you, you know what awaits you in heaven, yet you still cling to your past.
Tears slipped down my face at the truth of his words, at his realization. I still cling to things of the world. Won’t let go of the things that God wants me to let go of for my good. Yet I know that if I give it up that only the best things await me.
Russell Moore was on the panel. He wrote the brilliant Adopted For Life, which every Christian needs to read. I’m paraphrasing him but in the forum, he said when he and his wife were carrying the one-year-old sons from their Russian orphanages, their sons were crying, their hands out reaching for the orphanage. He said he thought why are you crying? Why are you reaching for that pit? Do you know what you have to look forward to? Grandparents, Lagos, Happy Meals. Later that day, he said the Holy Spirit spoke to him and said your sons are you. You have a mansion prepared for you, you know what awaits you in heaven, yet you still cling to your past.
Tears slipped down my face at the truth of his words, at his realization. I still cling to things of the world. Won’t let go of the things that God wants me to let go of for my good. Yet I know that if I give it up that only the best things await me.
The baby was this close
to start school. On the cruise, I thought she can start school in June. She'd get to wear the uniforms I bought on Black Friday. She'd get to be part of Jory's graduation. It'll be great.
Sunday evening, I told everyone, because I was so tired, if they took a bath early I would let them watch a movie. They all did and they put in a He-Man dvd. I was going to lay in Oma's room with them while they watched it, but I saw Oma going in there so I went to my room and laid down.
Cut to this morning - The kids, particularly the baby were utter nightmares. I think Oma fell asleep and the kids were still up. The baby was crappy and crying and crying and whining and crying about everything and nothing.
They were testing my patience. I finally gave up and brushed the baby's teeth, dressed her through the tears, and the whining. I placed her on her own two feet to see how she looked in her uniform. The shirt was too big so the top quarter of her undershirt was showing and the pants were dragging the floor. With her crying, my growing frustration, and no clue as to wear safety pins might be, I made the decision that Layla could start school when she didn't have to wear a uniform.
So I took off the uniform and she cried some more, "Mommy, I wanna go school with Jory and Roro!" Oh good, whining and crying about going to school. "You said I could go when I'm bigger." Crap, I did say that. "You need to be big enough to fit your uniform."
One day, this little girl will start school. One day.
Sunday evening, I told everyone, because I was so tired, if they took a bath early I would let them watch a movie. They all did and they put in a He-Man dvd. I was going to lay in Oma's room with them while they watched it, but I saw Oma going in there so I went to my room and laid down.
Cut to this morning - The kids, particularly the baby were utter nightmares. I think Oma fell asleep and the kids were still up. The baby was crappy and crying and crying and whining and crying about everything and nothing.
They were testing my patience. I finally gave up and brushed the baby's teeth, dressed her through the tears, and the whining. I placed her on her own two feet to see how she looked in her uniform. The shirt was too big so the top quarter of her undershirt was showing and the pants were dragging the floor. With her crying, my growing frustration, and no clue as to wear safety pins might be, I made the decision that Layla could start school when she didn't have to wear a uniform.
So I took off the uniform and she cried some more, "Mommy, I wanna go school with Jory and Roro!" Oh good, whining and crying about going to school. "You said I could go when I'm bigger." Crap, I did say that. "You need to be big enough to fit your uniform."
One day, this little girl will start school. One day.
Eleven Years Ago...
today my dad died. The last thing I said to him was, "Have a good day." And he had the ultimate good day cause it ended around 6PM hearing "Well done, my good and faithful one, well done." A day doesn't end better than that.
It seems like he's been gone for forever. I no longer remember what his voice really sounded like. What his laugh sounded like. This year, thank you Jesus, my mom stopped putting his picture on the Christmas tree. I get she wants her dead husband not to be forgotten, but I found it creepy that the dead guy was on my tree, particularly when the only other picture on the tree was a Christmas bulb containing a picture of my favorite two nephews wearing the greatest college t-shirts in the world their favorite aunt bought them. Pictures of dead people and alive people can't be on the same true. That's a rule and I'm pretty sure it's in the Bible in 2 Hesitations.
I don't remember much from that time. I remember Chi calling the next morning to make sure me and my mom were doing okay. I remember how light he felt, moving him from the sofa to the floor to perform CPR. I remember wondering what on God's green earth was taking so long for the ambulance to come and running to our neighbor's house to use their phone to call 9 1 1. I remember my aunt had the phone still in her hand, that she had been talking on to my dad when he died, when she my uncle and my other aunt came to pick me up to take me to the hospital.
I remember now that at the face of my mother's greatest loss, she was still a mom. She told me to wait for someone to come pick me up.
Sometimes my mom will say, if you're dad was alive we wouldn't see Jory at all on Saturdays because he'd be involved in some sport. She's right, but my dad was no sexist as the girls got old enough they'd be playing sports too.
One day, he'll get to meet the three greatest kids ever and instead of spending twenty or thirty years getting to know them, he'll have eternity.
It seems like he's been gone for forever. I no longer remember what his voice really sounded like. What his laugh sounded like. This year, thank you Jesus, my mom stopped putting his picture on the Christmas tree. I get she wants her dead husband not to be forgotten, but I found it creepy that the dead guy was on my tree, particularly when the only other picture on the tree was a Christmas bulb containing a picture of my favorite two nephews wearing the greatest college t-shirts in the world their favorite aunt bought them. Pictures of dead people and alive people can't be on the same true. That's a rule and I'm pretty sure it's in the Bible in 2 Hesitations.
I don't remember much from that time. I remember Chi calling the next morning to make sure me and my mom were doing okay. I remember how light he felt, moving him from the sofa to the floor to perform CPR. I remember wondering what on God's green earth was taking so long for the ambulance to come and running to our neighbor's house to use their phone to call 9 1 1. I remember my aunt had the phone still in her hand, that she had been talking on to my dad when he died, when she my uncle and my other aunt came to pick me up to take me to the hospital.
I remember now that at the face of my mother's greatest loss, she was still a mom. She told me to wait for someone to come pick me up.
Sometimes my mom will say, if you're dad was alive we wouldn't see Jory at all on Saturdays because he'd be involved in some sport. She's right, but my dad was no sexist as the girls got old enough they'd be playing sports too.
One day, he'll get to meet the three greatest kids ever and instead of spending twenty or thirty years getting to know them, he'll have eternity.
Rowan rocks!
After missing two weeks worth of lessons, Rowan, the one who would scream for at least a half-hour of her hour long swimming lesson, didn't cry when she got back into the water and she held onto the kick board all by herself in the deep end of the pool. Mr. Will wasn't holding on to the kick board at all. GO ROWAN!!!! If you had asked me back in February or March if in June I would see what I saw today- - I don't know if I could have even answered that question. It wasn't even something I even thought about because I just wanted my stubborn daughter to realize she couldn't just kick her legs when she got ready to, but when her coach said to kick.
It was amazing to watch. She was so proud of herself. Her Oma was very proud of her. I was very proud of my big girl. Now if only her sister hadn't acted crazy...but that's a story for another day.
Rowan rocks!!!
It was amazing to watch. She was so proud of herself. Her Oma was very proud of her. I was very proud of my big girl. Now if only her sister hadn't acted crazy...but that's a story for another day.
Rowan rocks!!!
Jory did not
get to attend the final regular AWANA because it took him three days to find his Sparks book. Three days - - three straight evenings after his dinner, homework was completed, bath taken, he "searched" for his book. The first night, he was two inches away from it but he didn't see it.
His "searches" somehow involved a toy or watching TV. At first, I was on him about really looking and not playing. My frustration and my temper were rising and finally I just laid it out there, if you can't find it then you can't go to AWANA. I mean really dude? We don't leave in a mansion. There's only four places a book could be: the desk, my nightstand, on the stereo, or under the bed. But somehow my son couldn't find it until day four, after he stayed home from school.
Where was the book? On my nightstand. I was sad that he missed AWANA, but he has to learn actions have consequences. So if you don't really look for something, then maybe you don't get to go to somewhere you really want to go.
His "searches" somehow involved a toy or watching TV. At first, I was on him about really looking and not playing. My frustration and my temper were rising and finally I just laid it out there, if you can't find it then you can't go to AWANA. I mean really dude? We don't leave in a mansion. There's only four places a book could be: the desk, my nightstand, on the stereo, or under the bed. But somehow my son couldn't find it until day four, after he stayed home from school.
Where was the book? On my nightstand. I was sad that he missed AWANA, but he has to learn actions have consequences. So if you don't really look for something, then maybe you don't get to go to somewhere you really want to go.
Conversations from the ship
"I have one, two daddies at my house," the baby said, while sitting in the formal dining room, waiting for dinner. "Two daddies."
"You don't have any daddies," Jory quickly informed her, sitting next to her and across from me.
"Yes, I do," she insisted.
"No, you don't. There were no daddies when you came home," he reminded her.
Wait- - when you came home? My words are sinking in. I always say, when you came home blah, blah, blah. Subtle, not too heavy handed way to talk about adoption.
The baby dropped the conversation so I looked at my son and asked, "Where did the baby come home from?"
He paused, thought about it for a moment, looked me dead in the eye and simply said, "From heaven."
I will take that answer gladly. That kid is a smart one. And the baby is a little piece of heaven when she's not being a maddening terrorist. They all are. I'm one blessed mommy.
"You don't have any daddies," Jory quickly informed her, sitting next to her and across from me.
"Yes, I do," she insisted.
"No, you don't. There were no daddies when you came home," he reminded her.
Wait- - when you came home? My words are sinking in. I always say, when you came home blah, blah, blah. Subtle, not too heavy handed way to talk about adoption.
The baby dropped the conversation so I looked at my son and asked, "Where did the baby come home from?"
He paused, thought about it for a moment, looked me dead in the eye and simply said, "From heaven."
I will take that answer gladly. That kid is a smart one. And the baby is a little piece of heaven when she's not being a maddening terrorist. They all are. I'm one blessed mommy.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
My son thinks I'm going to cave...
but he is so wrong. If it takes him an hour to finish each math problem, then I guess he'll be sitting at the table for twelve hours. I can hold out much longer than he can.
The baby
often sings to herself, mostly its songs she learns during devotionals or ones she hears me singing. As we were driving to Happy's, I heard her singing softly to herself. I couldn't make out what she was singing. I turned the radio down to hear her better, but her version of the lyrics weren't ringing any bells at first until I heard
Whoa-oh, Whoa-oh
Then it hit me and I smiled. Wow, those little ears are listening and those brains learning. So I joined in with her.
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Stuck like glue
You and me baby
We're stuck like glue
My baby rocks my world! And Sugarland rocks my world too!
There you go making my heart beat again
Heart beat again, heart beat again
There you go making me feel like a kid
Won't you do it, do it one time?
She started singing the song that night at home and Rowan and Jory joined in. So once again, I laughed and sang with them.
There you go pulling me right back in
Right back in, right back in
And I'm never letting this go
I'm stuck on you
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Stuck like glue
You and me baby
We're stuck like glue
How true is this song? I truly am stuck like glue to the terrific trio.
Whoa-oh, Whoa-oh
Then it hit me and I smiled. Wow, those little ears are listening and those brains learning. So I joined in with her.
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Stuck like glue
You and me baby
We're stuck like glue
My baby rocks my world! And Sugarland rocks my world too!
There you go making my heart beat again
Heart beat again, heart beat again
There you go making me feel like a kid
Won't you do it, do it one time?
She started singing the song that night at home and Rowan and Jory joined in. So once again, I laughed and sang with them.
There you go pulling me right back in
Right back in, right back in
And I'm never letting this go
I'm stuck on you
Whoa-oh, whoa-oh
Stuck like glue
You and me baby
We're stuck like glue
How true is this song? I truly am stuck like glue to the terrific trio.
Happy Memorial Day!!
Jory woke up, threw on some pjs, since he fell asleep in his clothes last night, he was so tired and was pushing his trucks around the house. Glad to be home!
Later in the day, he put his electric train together, and spent the rest of the day with his engineer cap on from Alaska and conducting his train.
The simple pleasures of life.
Later in the day, he put his electric train together, and spent the rest of the day with his engineer cap on from Alaska and conducting his train.
The simple pleasures of life.
Goodbye NCL & Seattle, Hello LA
Irish twins who want to walk, a six-year-old who says he's sleepy, four pieces of luggage, six carry on bags, a double stroller, and an airport handling two cruise ships worth of people, who thought family vacations were good ideas?
Victoria
Trying to feed sleepy children is just a very poor idea. One day, their Oma will understand this. One day.
Ketchikan
Her evil plan is for me to never experience anything or she has the smallest bladder in the world. Which is it baby?
And if Jory gives my mommy a heart attack by his need to run when outside on wet ground in near a forest like place, it will be ON between the two of us.
And if Jory gives my mommy a heart attack by his need to run when outside on wet ground in near a forest like place, it will be ON between the two of us.
Glacier Bay
So I can't jump off my balcony with my lifejacket on to take a break? That would be wrong, right? EARLY BEDTIME!
Skagway
If another person has to use the bathroom once we finally find a table to eat at and we just left the cabin - - it will officially BE ON!!!!
Goodbye Seattle, Hello Norwegian Cruise Line
I'm on a boat! This baby of mine, I think, has lost her God given mind.
Seattle - Day Two
Banging my head against the wall seemed like I really good idea this afternoon. EARLY BEDTIME!!!
Leaving for Vacation
We got a late start, but we're off. I'm also writing a travel blog and since I can't keep up with both I figured on this blog I will just rate the day TTT had.
Day one - - ROCKED!!
Day one - - ROCKED!!
You're always someone's baby
I laid everything on the table that I needed to disburse between TTT's backpacks and the still open suitcases. My mom saw the clock ticking away and was worried I wouldn’t get any sleep or enough sleep before my aunt’s “we need to be at the airport by 4:45AM” call time so she decided she would help me. But her help was messing with my flow and organization and my triple checking that everything we needed was either on the table or already in the suitcases.
So after I finally told her point blank that she wasn’t helping me, she saw the kids’ birth certificates on the table along with the my passport and said,
“You know you can’t leave those lying around. Are you sure you’re going to be able to keep up with them?” she asked.
Deep, deep breaths I took before I turned to look into her eyes. Did she miss the envelope the birth certificates were sitting on? Did she realize I was heading off to Seattle by myself, alone, with the three children under the age of six who call me mommy? Did she not know that I carried vitally important documents by myself on a flight from LA to Taipei from Taipei to Saigon and didn’t lose a single one? And I had to carry those documents all the way back on the return trip, but this time with an eleven-month-old who had only known me for not even two weeks? Okay, well maybe she didn’t know those last two things. But she did know that I managed to college in Northern Minnesota and Malta by myself and not lose anything important and came back in one healthy piece.
But I couldn’t say any of that, instead I said, “I’m putting them in the envelope they are sitting on. Yes, I’ll be able to keep up with them. I’m keeping them on my person.” She was just being a concerned mother. Because even though I’m a mommy of three, I’m still and will always be as long as she lives her baby. As maddening as she can be at times, I’m so blessed to have a mom that cares enough to ask questions, that loves me, and only wants the best for me. That I even have a mom that’s still alive because there are peeps my age who don’t. I’ll have to repeat this to myself the next time she drives me bananas.
So after I finally told her point blank that she wasn’t helping me, she saw the kids’ birth certificates on the table along with the my passport and said,
“You know you can’t leave those lying around. Are you sure you’re going to be able to keep up with them?” she asked.
Deep, deep breaths I took before I turned to look into her eyes. Did she miss the envelope the birth certificates were sitting on? Did she realize I was heading off to Seattle by myself, alone, with the three children under the age of six who call me mommy? Did she not know that I carried vitally important documents by myself on a flight from LA to Taipei from Taipei to Saigon and didn’t lose a single one? And I had to carry those documents all the way back on the return trip, but this time with an eleven-month-old who had only known me for not even two weeks? Okay, well maybe she didn’t know those last two things. But she did know that I managed to college in Northern Minnesota and Malta by myself and not lose anything important and came back in one healthy piece.
But I couldn’t say any of that, instead I said, “I’m putting them in the envelope they are sitting on. Yes, I’ll be able to keep up with them. I’m keeping them on my person.” She was just being a concerned mother. Because even though I’m a mommy of three, I’m still and will always be as long as she lives her baby. As maddening as she can be at times, I’m so blessed to have a mom that cares enough to ask questions, that loves me, and only wants the best for me. That I even have a mom that’s still alive because there are peeps my age who don’t. I’ll have to repeat this to myself the next time she drives me bananas.
Packing and dressing
I had been slowly packing for the trip for weeks. I had a list of things I needed and slowly collected them over the weekends and weekdays leading up to the trip. I spent one night taking out all the kids’ long sleeve shirts and realized without Miss Ashley’s presents Jory would truly be lacking in the long sleeve shirt department.
I wasn’t going to dress the girls alike and then I thought, who am I kidding. I found identical shirts (thank you God for Children’s Place awesome sales) for most of the days we would be gone. I thought about picking random long sleeve shirts for them to wear, but that was a dumb idea so I decided we could move from identical shirts to theme shirts. They both had shirts that said, “I’m a big/little sister” and ones that in different ways said, “I’m madly in love with my grandma.” Theme shirts worked for me. Having Irish twins so rocks!!!
Their cousin sent them neon green shoelaces with hearts on them which fit perfectly into their white, Stride Rite like walking shoes. You would be able to see their feet coming from miles away.
My biggest hiccup came when trying to decide what everyone should wear to the airport. At the eleventh hour, I thought jogging suits. Those are simple to put on, easy to sleep, since our flight left at 6AM I decided it was going to be the kids’ Black Friday, which meant sleeping in their clothes. But you know what stores aren’t selling in May- - jogging suits. So my dream died fast and furiously on three identically dressed children moving through LAX. Thanks to a late sent birthday present for Rowan, she and Layla could at least both have on purple jogging suits. Then I remembered Jory’s lined jogging pants that were a little too big, but I figured it would go with the jogging suit theme. Luckily everyone had a white turtleneck so we were set with outfits for the airport. And since everyone had dark blue turtlenecks thanks to their school’s uniform colors, on the way home, I decided they would wear dark blue jeans and the turtlenecks. So they wouldn’t be dressed identically, but at least they’d be dressed similarly.
So glad God put it on my heart to have kids close in age. How would be able to accomplish these clothing feats if my kids were years apart in ages?
I wasn’t going to dress the girls alike and then I thought, who am I kidding. I found identical shirts (thank you God for Children’s Place awesome sales) for most of the days we would be gone. I thought about picking random long sleeve shirts for them to wear, but that was a dumb idea so I decided we could move from identical shirts to theme shirts. They both had shirts that said, “I’m a big/little sister” and ones that in different ways said, “I’m madly in love with my grandma.” Theme shirts worked for me. Having Irish twins so rocks!!!
Their cousin sent them neon green shoelaces with hearts on them which fit perfectly into their white, Stride Rite like walking shoes. You would be able to see their feet coming from miles away.
My biggest hiccup came when trying to decide what everyone should wear to the airport. At the eleventh hour, I thought jogging suits. Those are simple to put on, easy to sleep, since our flight left at 6AM I decided it was going to be the kids’ Black Friday, which meant sleeping in their clothes. But you know what stores aren’t selling in May- - jogging suits. So my dream died fast and furiously on three identically dressed children moving through LAX. Thanks to a late sent birthday present for Rowan, she and Layla could at least both have on purple jogging suits. Then I remembered Jory’s lined jogging pants that were a little too big, but I figured it would go with the jogging suit theme. Luckily everyone had a white turtleneck so we were set with outfits for the airport. And since everyone had dark blue turtlenecks thanks to their school’s uniform colors, on the way home, I decided they would wear dark blue jeans and the turtlenecks. So they wouldn’t be dressed identically, but at least they’d be dressed similarly.
So glad God put it on my heart to have kids close in age. How would be able to accomplish these clothing feats if my kids were years apart in ages?
Jory's two front teeth
Jory laughed and as I stared into his mouth I noticed for the first time a gap. Wait, he didn't have a gap in his teeth. Never has. What was going on? Then I remembered his top two teeth were loose and I came to an awesome realization- - his mouth was being prepared for the baby teeth to leave and his permanent teeth to come in.
How uniquely and wonderfully are we made that gaps our created in our gums, between our teeth, to welcome in the adult teeth. God is so AWESOME! He thought of everything, every little minute detail when He created us.
How uniquely and wonderfully are we made that gaps our created in our gums, between our teeth, to welcome in the adult teeth. God is so AWESOME! He thought of everything, every little minute detail when He created us.
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