Summer Kickoff!

Today we met our friends at a really cool pool that just opened nearby. It was so fun! There is a big kiddie area, a swimming pool, 2 very big water slides for the big kids and a lazy river.

The kids were toast after 3 hours of nonstop swimming. Hunter and Ella both begged for a nap when we got home. It was 4:00 and there was no way we wanted them falling asleep that late in the day. It felt 99 ways of wrong to be saying "No, you may not take a nap!"

Good times. There is just no better way to spend a hot summer day than at the pool with friends, spending every bit of energy you have without even noticing until you can barely walk to your car when it's time to go home!

Feeling Grateful

Our Hunter(7) just completed his first grade year and brought home his report card today. I teared up(SURPRISE) when I read the comments by his teacher and looked over a year full of all E's and 3's (1st grade code for wonderful).

Here's what Mrs. C. had to say:
"Hunter continues to excel in all areas. His story writing is amazing whether it be research based or fiction. His writing voice is developing and makes his writing pieces quite enjoyable to read! It has been a true pleasure to teach Hunter. He is a wonderful boy!"

That last sentence is what got me. It does a mama's heart good to know that his teacher sees him as we do - a wonderful boy. Of course I am thrilled that he does so well in school, but we are most excited about who he is. Every one of his teachers at school and even teachers he doesn't have stop me, and remark on what a good kid he is. His teacher this year has developed Hunter so much, I could never thank her enough. When Hunter started the year he did not enjoy writing very much at all. She used the Writer's Workshop approach and Hunter ate. it. up. - loved it. She did lots of science and projects, Hunter's forte, and encouraged him and challenged him all along the way.

You know I have a hard time with goodbyes. I really hate saying goodbye to Hunter's 1st grade year, but it makes it a little more bearable knowing that in a week we'll be in the Colorado mountains - yippee!!!

I'll sign off with a little note his teacher sent home that I think is worth sharing:

Inside each of you is something very special.

It grows each time you face a fear - Courage.

It grows each time you admit you were wrong - Character.

It grows each time you allow someone else to shine - Humility.

It grows each time you learn something new - Knowledge.

Keep Growing!

No Pain. No Gain.

I went to the orthopedist today, and I am pretty excited about my diagnosis - chondromalacia otherwise known as "runner's knee"!

"Chondromalacia patella is a common cause of kneecap pain or anterior knee pain. Often called "Runner's Knee," this condition often affects young, otherwise healthy athletes."

I was so afraid he was going to tell me I had arthritis, but now, not only do I not have arthritis, I have a chondromalacia - apparently a common problem for athletes. Young, healthy athletes! For anyone remotely acquainted with my fitness level at the moment, you may chuckle now.

I am in the worst shape I've ever been in, and the most I've run in the last year is around the couch while Piper screams "tickle, pickle, pickle - tickle me!!".

A few months ago I did get on the StairMaster and start doing leg lunges and a few arm weights. That's about the time me knee began hurting. But then a week ago, it completely seized up on me as I stepped out of my car after an extended shopping trip at IKEA. You know IKEA, where all the young, healthy athletes train.

The doc gave me a shot - IN MY KNEE - eewww, and put me on steroids and in a knee brace. Apparently I'm not supposed to run 10-20 miles anytime soon. What will I do with myself without my running? I am already feeling an identity crisis coming on.

It's the life of an athlete you know. Well, young, healthy athletes that is. One day you're up, the next day you're down. One day you're just a middle aged, out of shape mommy. The next you are a young, healthy athlete with chondromalacia. Oh, and if you see me out and about with my knee brace on, please feel free to ask me how my RUNNER'S KNEE is. Just make sure you do it real loud, in front of a lot of people. Thankyouverymuch.

If you have daughters, or sons, or have ever gotten so overwhelmed by life that you've ever hurried through bath time, or bed time with your kids - watch this.

It's Steven Curtis Chapman's Cinderella video. The first half is the song and the 2nd half is him telling the story on how he came to write that song. Considering recent events, it really takes your breath away. My hubby is not what I would consider a really emotional person, but this video really impacted him. After he watched it, he said something to the effect that he's got 2 Cinderellas and a prince, and while they are here with us, we must make our time with them count. We always think we've got so long with them, but none of us really know if today could be the day that our clock strikes midnight, as it did for the Chapmans on Wednesday evening.

The day before the Chapman tragedy, I had listened to a podcast by Steve Saint. His father was a missionary along with Jim Elliot, and was speared to death by the very people they had come to help. Later in his life Steve Saint experienced another sudden death in his family. Many of the words he said have helped me sort through the Chapman tragedy, especially at the end of his talk. It can be found here. The story is of loss and redemption. Their story was made into a movie called The End of the Spear. We haven't seen it yet, so we are going to rent it this weekend.

Oh, and this video of SCC and his daughters is really cute. Maria seemed to have had a wonderful life, what a treasure she is! She reminds me so much of Piper.

Meanwhile, I'm off to "dance" with my Cinderellas...

Last week we went on a field trip with Hunter(7) to a science museum. I think Piper got the most out of the experience - she LOVED it! Her favorite part was the floor air conditioners that made her dress fly up all Marylin Monroe like.

What cracked me up was all the attention she got from the boys in Hunter's 1st grade class. When they saw me, they immediately asked about Piper's whereabouts. I pointed over to where she was turning circles and falling down in a mess of giggles. They were riveted by her every move. Since when do 1st grade boys think a 2 year old girl is more interesting than dinosaur bones?

Anyway, today has felt so heavy that I needed to take a little time to focus on the little blessings right before my eyes. Melissa said in the comments that when she heard the news about the Chapmans, she went and hugged her little one from China, Madelyn, extra tight. I'm doing the same.

Steven Curtis Chapman and his daughter Maria

*Update: Here is a good article that their hometown newspaper ran. Also SCC's manager is posting updates here.

Our hearts are so very heavy for the family of Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife Mary Beth. Yesterday their 5 year old daughter Maria was tragically hit by an SUV in their driveway, driven by one of their teenage sons.

I remember hearing SCC talk about how Maria came into their family. He was in an orphanage in China and something drew him to her. He felt God speak to his heart that she was to be their daughter. She was the youngest of 3 children adopted from China.

I follow the blogs of their family, and his daughter Emily had just posted yesterday that she had gotten engaged over the weekend. All of his children are strong Christians. His 2 teenage sons tour with him, and my heart is broken for the road of grief ahead for all of them, but especially for their son who was involved in the accident. As a parent, I just can't imagine. Grieving for your child that you have lost, while trying to help your other child who feels responsible, who is also grieving for his sister. It's just, so much.

Here is a post by a friend of the family. Mary Beth's blog has lots of pictures of the family, including little Maria. They are such a beautiful family who have dedicated their lives to show love to the fatherless. Right now they are in the process of building a huge orphanage in China for special needs children.

Please, please pray for each family member. I pray they would be overcome with God's peace and comfort as they grieve and walk this very difficult road ahead. I don't know the why of what happened, but I do know that God chooses to work throught the prayers of his people, so LET'S PRAY - right now. There is power in the prayers of God's people, we can help them, by praying earnestly for them.

Go here to see an adorable video of SCC and Maria washing dishes, taken just a couple of weeks ago.

*They have set up a page where you can leave a note for the Chapmans.

I can hardly imagine...

How about a little good news?

My friends Christie and Anton just became parents after a very long wait! I couldn't be happier for them - go here and see their precious little guy.

Ella has a fever and has been up since 4:30 this morning - hooray! I went to the doctor yesterday and found out I probably tore some cartilage in my knee - hooray! Tomorrow is suppossed to be Ella's last day of Pre-K - hooray! But, she probably won't be able to go...ok, I'm losing my positive attitude right about now.

So far, these pictures of little Quint have given the me the biggest smile of my day. He is an answer to so many prayers, and has the cutest little grin. Makes me want to adopt again!

Dena

Goodbyes

Hunter and Kayla
Kayla, Hunter, and Ella


Tonight we said goodbye to our neighbors and friends of 4 years. They are moving - far, far away, and we are sad. It's surprised me a little how much each one of us is feeling this. I walked over there after we'd put the kids down tonight, took one look at my neighbor, Philana, and we both got teary. After we said our goodbyes, I couldn't help the tears that fell on the sidewalk from their house to ours.

Hunter and Kayla are in the same grade at school and have been fast friends since they met at age 3. Kayla and Ella are also very close and can get each other giggling like only little girls can. Kayla's little sister is a year older than Piper, and is full of life. Both of them are just good kids, with good parents. I could on and on about all that we've shared with them over the years. We know stuff about each other. We've helped each other out. When our kids are driving us crazy, we pick up the phone and invite the other one over. It is such a blessing to have a neighbor like that. I am already feeling their absence.

Today we picked Kayla up from school and got to have her over one last time. The kids had made her cards and had gotten she and Brianna a little present. As they sat down for a snack, Hunter said he'd like to say a prayer. He spoke a blessing over sweet Kayla that I will never forget, and then asked God to comfort us, as we got used to missing them. That 7 year old prayer was one of the most honest, pure prayers I think I've ever heard. And, yes, I cried.

I am glad that we invest our lives into the lives of others, but man, it hurts when you have to say goodbye. I'm resisting the temptation to go find Michael W. Smith's "Friends are Friends Forever" and wallow in self pity, as I belt out - "Though it's hard to let you go, in the Father's hands we know, that a lifetime's not too long...to live as friends"!

So, I got home from our neighbors house and came inside to see the latest news out of China. Wow. Enormous loss. Some have lost their home, parents, spouse, and child - all in a moment's time. We did hear that Piper's hometown is fine, as well as her orphanage. But there are several orphanages that have not been heard from at all.

Loss is an inevitable part of life, and I want our kids to learn how to walk through loss well, not run from it...or get stuck in it. The funny thing about parenting, is the only way to teach them is to show them.

Tomorrow we will bake some brownies and be ready to meet and welcome our new neighbors...

Earthquake in China

Update: The death toll is now over 8,500. NPR happened to be doing interviews in Chengdu when the quake hit there. Listen here. You can hear it hit as she is conducting the interview, which seems to be about churches in the area. It is quite dramatic.


The 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit in Piper's province. Remember when we were in Chongqing a little over a year ago? I'm just trying to picture what must be going on there right now. There are SO many very, very old, tall buildings everywhere. Reports now say the death toll is b/t 3,000-5,000 and rising by the hour.
My heart goes out to the adoptive parents who have been matched with their children, but have not traveled yet, and they have no way of knowing if their child is ok, and for all of the families involved, both here and in China. Of course, I wonder about Piper's birth family and her orphanage.
I'll be checking http://www.chinaadopttalk.com/ today to see if there is any news from any of the orphanages in China.

9:24 a.m.

Ella(5): "Mommy, you are not what you think you are."

Really?

"Yes, you are really made of molecules, but the molecules don't move, but they are like alive.
Mommy, how would you feel if Hunter spilled wet paint all over your bed?"

Uh, angry?

"Right, angry. But if your had a shrinkulator you would see that the paint was actually rainbow paint. You wouldn't be angry anymore because you would be exploring the molecule world."

I truly hope I never need this information.

The list

So, has it really been 2 weeks since my last post? Geez, May is always so full of this and that when you have kids in school. I did try to post twice, but blogger would not let me in. I took it as a sign from above that I should get up from the computer and put a dent in the layer of dust that had formed on every surface of our house while I was busy field tripping and teacher appreciating.

The only way I get through he month of May of is to live off lists. So, in that spirit, I'm going to get some things I want to write about out of my brain and onto a list. That way, when I have time to write, all I will have to do is pick something off of my list - no thinking - it's a beautiful thing.

1. The prayer that was answered in our family, despite my 1/2 of a mustard seed of faith.

2. slide show of Piper's b-day pictures

3. Piper's latest, and trying to cook dinner with a 2 year old attached to your leg

4. Attempting to regain some level of fitness

5. Summer plans

6. My living room

7. Ella and Piper's room

Ok, that's a good start.

In case I'm not back by Sunday, Happy Mother's Day to all the mamas!!!

I picked Hunter(7) up from school early today after the school nurse called to tell me he was in a mess of allergy misery - eyes itchy and watering, headache, sore throat...

I gave him some medicine and it appears he's on the mend, as he had enough energy to do the unthinkable.

Ella(5) just came into the kitchen and plopped herself down at the table in a pile of tears. From the emotions pouring from her broken heart, I really thought maybe Hunter had taken scissors to her beloved blankie or stuffed spotted dog.

No, it was much worse.

"Hunter, sob, Hunter, sob...sob, sob, sob...Hunter...turned...my twin dollhouse... into a, sob, sob, into...A...HOTEL!!! SOB, SOB, SOB..."

I'm real serious when I say that I really hope Jesus returns before the teenage years. Holy Moly.

edited to add: *To her credit, Ella bounces back from such trauma incredibly quickly. Less than 5 minutes later I overheard her up in her room singing "I'm happy, happy, happy!!! Happy, happy, happy!!!".

The Goop that keeps on giving...

Piper and Grandma at Piper's "Messy Party", in the goop. The "goop" is just cornstarch, water, and blue food coloring. It has a really cool feel to it - sort of soft and gooey, but dry feeling, you know, like goop.
My nephew couldn't get enough of the goop.
Piper and Grandma

This afternoon, Piper in her new swimsuit, socks, Ella's tap shoes, and a whole lot of sand and leftover cornstarch goop.
She was real concerned about that one white spot on her arm, kept showing it to me saying "messy, messy!!".
She takes her sand mixing very seriously.
Beautiful, even covered in Grandma's famous cornstarch goop.

We had Piper's 2nd birthday party in our backyard on Saturday. The theme was all things messy, since that's Piper's specialty right now. I'm working on a slide show of the party pictures from the messy party. Well, to be honest, it's really just in the planning stage at this point. I keep going to the sites that help you make a slide show and there are just too many choices. It's stressing me out!

So for now, this is it.

Maybe tomorrow I will wake up with an enhanced ability to make a decision.

Or maybe I'll just go play in the goop.

24

Piper Grace, you are 2! For your birthday I thought I'd list 24 reasons I love you - one for each month of your life, because 2 is just not enough. Here goes, in no particular order:

1. Your resilience - I personally don't know anyone who has this down better than you, adults or children. You are simply amazing.

2. Your openness to love - once you feel safe with someone, you LOVE THEM real good - with your whole heart, I love that.

3. Your perceptiveness, this one is between you and me girl, but I love it!

4. The way you love other children - your siblings, their friends, their classmates, your cousins and friends. I love how you know the names of several of Ella's favorite friends from pre-K, and shout them out when we get to her school. "MACY!!! GWACE!!! EMMA!!! ABBY!!!"

5. I love because we've seen Ms. Linda at Hobby Lobby twice, every time we go there you get excited and shout "Ms. Linda! Ms. Linda!" and start looking for her. When we don't see her, you tell me to "call Ms. Linda!".

6. I love your beautiful face.

7. I love how much you love being outside. It is your favorite thing to do, and you are the happiest running free in the yard or playing in the sand or "widing bikes" with your brother and sister.

8. Your love of shoes - it has endured since we met you at 10.5 months old. To see the joy you get from shoes - it makes me smile.

9. Your voice - I love your sweet little voice.

10. Your language abilities - At 24 months you can communicate just about anything you want to. You have hundreds of words, can sing the ABC song, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, name most parts of your body - your favorite being elbows, can name orange, blue, purple and green, & count to 13, way beyond that with a few numbers missing. For someone who did not hear English until 10.5 months of age - wow!

11. I love the way you tell me to sing You Are My Sunshine, "SUNSINE, SUNSINE!".

12. I love watching you mother your baby dolls, holding them, and gently patting their backs. Then you shout "Nigh Nigh!!!" and put them to bed.

13. I love that you get excited to see me each morning.

14. I love that you have stolen Hunter and Ella's hearts as well as your daddy's and mine. You join right in with their pretend games, wrestling, and chase.

16. I love watching you pray along with Ella at dinner time, and smile when she thanks God for you every single night.

17. I love that when we go to pick Hunter(7) up from school you get excited and shout "Hunter's school! Hunter's school!" each day.

18. I love the way you complete our family and make each one us of better than we were before.

19. I love that you are Chinese. You make our family so much more interesting! Because of you, we have a connection to a country so rich in history and culture.

20. I love the way you are the answer to so many prayers.

21. I love the way you love to turn round and round in circles until you are completely dizzy.

22. I love that when we get in the car you shout "Allelula, allelula!!! Hear it!" because you want to hear David Crowder's "All Creatures #2".

23. You make me smile from the inside out every single day.

24. I love that the other day, you rubbed your heart and said, "luv Papa", talking about my dad.

25. One to grow on! I love that when I sat down to write this list, I thought it might take me all day to finish, but here I am at the end, still with an endless list of reasons why I love you. Like how I love the way you pay attention to the tiny details of a person and mimic the smallest of gestures, the way you get so excited to see a bird or hear an airplane, the way you "help" me with chores around the house...
See? How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

Happy Birthday, sweet girl! I love you!

I went to check my sitemeter to see if any poor soul is still checking my blog for an update. It'd been so long since I'd checked it, that it treated me like a perfect stranger and asked me for a username and password - RUDE! Like I can remember my username and password...

Before I go to bed tonight, I have to say:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET BABY PIPER GRACE!
We love you like crazy.
You have rocked our world
in the best possible way!!!

Pictures coming soon...

"I have everything I need"

Hunter decided he wanted to memorize Psalm 23. His ability to memorize large volumes of information is nothing short of miraculous considering he has 50% of my genes, seriously. I sometimes draw a blank on my own phone number - home phone number, scary.
But I digress, back to Psalm 23. His version of the bible starts it like this: "The Lord is my Shepard, I have everything I need." That little phrase has been running around in my mind for the last few days. What if I really lived that and believed that?

I have everything I need...to handle whatever the Lord allows in my life. What if I believed way down deep that He will supply all of my needs, even when I feel completely overwhelmed? Or I find myself worrying about a "what if...".

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
As it is written: For your sake, we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:35-39

Working on being 100% convinced that I have everything I need for whatever comes my way.

"I believe, help my unblief!" Mark 9:24 - love that verse.