Can you see my belly? It is at 6 months along, not as big as Kristy’s but, getting there. And to think, she will be birthed already potty trained, using a sippy cup and wondering who her strange-lookin mommy is! I am getting so excited……it is becoming on the edge of real. (As if all the girlie clothes in her closet doesn’t bring it home enough….) I am such a practical shopper, she has all party dresses and no undies, socks, etc, hee hee….
Will she let me cuddle her? Will she grow to like mommy kisses? Will she love me like I love my mommy? Will we start a battle of the wills at get go on whether or not folks can view her belly button in public and what parts of the anatomy are acceptable piercing locations? Will she see herself in my eyes? Will she ever regret being American Chinese rather than Chinese Chinese? Will her older brothers fix her up on dates? (oh my)…. Will I be able to pack enough Kleenex boxes in my suitcase? I wonder if it is poor etiquette to blow your nose in public in China?
Saturday was spent in sunshine, breeze, contests of true concentration and strength. Minature golfing with my little tribesmen! Fun and some frustration....was had by all. It is best when we don't keep score...
The world according to Anthony: According to Anthony this is how you get a frog in your throat and what it is doing to make you cough:
Sometimes when you are eating, or just have your mouth open, a little baby frog can sneak into your throat. He then hangs out there and pulls on the skin inside your throat, because he wants to eat it. When he pulls on the skin inside your throat, that is what makes you cough.
Glad we got that....eh, hem..... cleared up!
Casting Crowns most current CD is so anointed and heart rending..... http://www.castingcrowns.com/
There is this one song on it that breaks my heart....(one of many) because it was me for so many years...and I see this same story played out is the lives of young women all around me... It is called, Does Anyboy Hear Her?
Then it ends with the line:She is running
A hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction
She is trying
But the canyon's ever widening in the depths of her cold heart
So she sets out on another misadventure just to find
She's another two years older and she's three more steps behind
Does anybody hear her
Can anybody see
Or does anybody even know she's going down today
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her
Can anybody see
She is yearning
For shelter and affection
She is searchingFor a hero to ride in
To ride in and save the day
And in walks her prince charming and he knows just what to say
Momentary lapse of reason and she gives herself away
If judgment looms under every steeple
If lofty glances from lofty people
Can't see past her scarlet letter
And we never even met her
Does anybody hear herCan anybody see
Or does anybody even know she's going down today
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her
Can anybody see
He is running a hundred miles an hour in the wrong directionMeaning Jesus is running after her….
I like the picture below. You can see Nicholas on the indoor soccer field, far right...and in the reflection you can see me, watching and taking a picture...
I thought it capture the heart of being a mom. I love to watch my sons enjoy themselves, struggle and succeed. Soccer is hard for Nicholas, but I see some good character in Him.
I wonder if God sits in the bleachers for our games....and takes pictures and cheers us on.
Nicholas and I have a little sign, when the game is getting rough or he starts to get upset, I put a closed fist to my heart. It means be of strong heart and do what is right. Sometimes he will shake the sign off, like a pitcher shaking off a sign from the catcher, but even at those times, within a minute I see him dig deep internally and adjust.
I am proud of my little man...
..then why am I writing?
Two sick children, three days locked in, four times watching Madagascar, two times Scoobey-Doo, and assorted others.... Plus a sinus headache on my part..... gets a little weary.
On the other hand, I have to admit, three days of doing nothing and just being with my boys was a nice reprieve, if not for the fevers and headaches....
I am DTC (Dossier to China) ...they should have received it 3/13.....a hurry up has now turned into a wait.
Nicholas just said.. “What is Gossip?"
I told him.
And he said, "OOOOH I thought Gossip is when you tell someone about the Lord.”
I said “ No that is the Gospel.”
Seesaw...the word seesaw and why is it called seesaw. Nicholas thinks it is this:
When you go up you SEE, when you go down you have already seen, so you SAW.
Isn't he a clever one?
In this case, Tax Woman....
I had an appointment with my tax accountant today. And after an hour meeting as we shook hands at the door, I said, this has been fun....and then laughed and said, that is an odd thing to say, huh? Spend an hour with your tax accountant and walk away laughing.
She has a great personality, we have a lot in common and we just crack up over my finances. HA!
So, a couple things I learned, the state income tax is higher in Oregon and the property tax, but there is no sales tax. So I realized...I must do more shopping when I am up there to make up the difference. Is that a good thing or not! :)
I just love Sundays....
This morning we got to sleep in a bit...Nick was first up and came into my room, a found-Pooh in tow, and after cuddling under the quilt a bit, decided to read a book to me. I often read to Nick and Anth, but I can't remember the last time someone read to me. (an audio book of Contented Cows, doesn't really count.) It was such a treat as he sat in the rocking chair by the morning light through the window, reading his chapter book, Boxcar children and the Mystery of the Black Widow Spiders... Just listening to his voice, as I scrunched deeper under the covers.... Thank you Lord.
Later Anthony and found-Teddy joined us and snuggled under the covers. The place booked marked, we started our day.
I fixed breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage and sour dough toast with an inquisitive discussion on why they call sour dough sour dough and what makes the dough sour. (Guess I have some internet research to do. :) )
Boys playing, before they get dressed, CeCe Winan on the cd player, looking forward to church and worshipping our awesome God. Although, I worship Him in this moment, in this essence of Him that He gives us in families.
When we drive to church and turn that corner off Wool to Natoma and rollup to the church parking lot, we all always get a big grin as we first search and then spot Nanny and Papas van in the parking lot. What joy seeing an navy blue van brings our family! Nanny and Papa are here! And anticipation of a day with those who are dearest to us.
God is good...He knows the simple blessings are the ones that linger with us.
So why did you give me a drill set for Christmas if you did not want me to use it? :) I took the desk apart and moved it piece by piece into the other room.
There is just something that makes me feel so .....grunt, grunt, "Tim the tool manish", when I have a power tool in my hand. Invincible! I can build furniture, I can hang curtains, I can assembly bicycles...... Makes you feel like you can do almost anything....
Sorry, Dad, I am my father's daughter...and I could not wait! :)
Nick and Anth's future wives will either thank me or scratch their heads perplexed over the two hopeless romantics I have cultivated.
Friday night dinner of t-Rex and Triceratops shaped chicken nuggets, and Ravioli ala Chef Boy-R-Dee was not complete for them unless we turned out all the lights and lit the candles. What's a mother to do?
Andrea Bocelli on the CD player:
"Mom, what kind of music is this?"
"Italian"
"Mom, what kind of food is ravioli?"
"Italian"
"How about green beans?"
"Could be pretty much anything."
"hmmm"
"Mom, can you put on that's Amore?"
:)
So are you really missing?
Kidnapped?
Or Escaped?
Two little boys are frantic,
because you've been misplaced.
One afternoon was acceptable,
one evening a little tough
yet thinking you would still turn up
if we looked hard enough.
Lastnight Anthony's wimpers
Soon drifted off to sleep
But tonight the bearless lullabies
cause my boys to weep.
Nick would like to think
He's too old for this stuff,
but when it comes to bedtime
No Pooh snuggles....is too tough.
Anthony's still young enough
That he will boldly say
If Teddy's not in bed with me
I'll stay awake til day.
I've quickly tried to look around
the playroom, 'neath couch and chairs
closets, beds and on top bunks,
but Bears, you are not there!
Tomorrow the house gets really tossed
as they say, upside down,
and Pooh and Teddy, ya better come out
and let yourself be found!
“If you cannot be a poet, be the poem.”
David Carradine
My little poetry reader, Anthony, had a spring recital today. He was so well practiced, complete with gestures and sound effects, as he quoted The Woodpecker. I was so proud of him…I know his heavenly Father was too, as be bent over to watch his little one. Anthony practiced for weeks and weeks and this was so important to him. Thank you Lord, for such a blessing to me!
I am trying to upload a couple photos of it...but not having success....
Because of the recital, I had an hour of "down time" this morning. I got to spend some uninterrupted time doing bible study reading and prayer journaling. what a difference it makes!
One verse that stuck out to me 1 Timothy 6:19
Take Hold of the life that is TRULY life!
Yes! Take hold of it. It takes conscious, focused effort on our part. Not passivity, but pursuing God....O Lord that I could keep that more in mind and prioritize my day with it.
