Little Miss Independent

A couple of weekends ago we ventured to an Air Show, and it was hot! As a treat we stopped at a favorite ice cream “parlor” afterward. We all (Jason, Jack, Samuel and I) got our cones, and I picked up a spoon so that I could share with Lydia. Well, turns out, the girl just isn’t into sharing these days. Nor does she want help. She wants to do it herself. It was really cute … at first. The cuteness wore off when the ice cream started dripping, and she refused to give up “her” cone. This was accompanied by not-so-cute screaming and crying (let me clarify … by Lydia … I was refraining from these behaviors ... this time).

How often am I like that? So independent that I have a hard time accepting the help of others? And, so selfish that I am just worried about myself? Ouch. How many times do I “throw a fit” because I can’t have what I want or do what I want? Too many times to count or to keep track of (and, thankfully so, because who wants all that being kept track of?). Aren’t we blessed that our Father doesn’t keep track? That He loves us despite our selfishness, despite our “I can do it myself” attitudes? And, that He is the ultimate example of selflessness? Jesus’ death has provided life for us. What a gift we have in that.

“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:16-17

A New Chapter

When I get into a good book, I have a really hard time putting it down.  I have been known to sacrifice sleep, reading by my little book light into the wee hours of the night.  And, then, as I finish chapters and finally the book, I am disappointed that there's no more.  That's kind of how I feel about this past school year.  It was such a fulfilling and rich year with so much growth and learning, not only for the boys but for us as well.  New relationships with teachers, new life experiences, so much.  I have said it before, and I pray that I will continue to feel this way, but our experiences in this community and with this public school system have been so positive.  We are so blessed.

And, so now, a new chapter begins as we move into summer break and the few months that separate the boys from officially becoming 4th and 1st graders.

The Ceremonial Last Day of School Photos - 2011

And, of course, little sister wanted her picture taken too!

You may remember this post, the 1st day of school, these boys have grown so much (as has this little lady).

Three Blue Balloons

Happy 3rd Birthday, Sweet Owen!

We love you, Sweet Little Boy and miss you so!

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

China Girl** Update

We've been getting questions on the status of the adoption process, so here it is.  Our dossier has been in China for nearly two years. The current wait time for "healthy" little girls under the age of two is approximately five years.  Yes, five years.  Unfortunately, the wait time does not seem to be getting any shorter.  However, we do know that in mid-2007 the requirements for adoption through China changed, becoming more stringent.  Perhaps once the China government gets to mid-2007 dossiers the wait time will start getting shorter? 

We continue to be in the pipeline to review referrals of special needs children as well.  We have, however, requested that any referral we review is of a little one younger than Lydia as we would prefer not to break birth order.  For now, we are content with the waiting.  But, I do know that as the months and perhaps years tick away, we will become anxious.  We often wonder when we will get to meet our little girl - how old will the kids be when China Girl officially becomes a part of our family?  We know that we will need to lean on God for strength and patience as we continue the journey.

We often talk about what life will be like when China Girl is here - how will our family dynamic change?  We keep little reminders here and there to remind us of our future daughter.  One of our reminders is this little kimono dress from China that Lydia is sporting (one day China Girl will wear this - perhaps it will flow a little better on her as Lydia's generous belly stops a bit of the flow - ha ha).  

**For anyone new to my blog, please know that we refer to our daughter as China Girl in a loving and affectionate way.  When we began the adoption process, this was how these guys could understand describing their one day sister.

Then & Now

Easter 2010

Palm Sunday 2011

My Grandma

This time of year brings so many emotions ranging from deep pain to glorious celebration for many reasons.  Namely, we mourn Christ's crucifixion, and we wonder in awe how God would so intentionally choose to sacrifice his Son for us, sinners in this world.  Easter then culminates in glorious celebration as we rejoice knowing that Christ rose from the grave to save us.  

Spring and the Easter season also bring me to reflect on life and loss in general.  In a little over a week, we will celebrate and we will mourn the loss of my sweet friend's daughter.  Elizabeth would have been celebrating her 3rd birthday.  Oh, how we miss Elizabeth, and we continue to wonder why?  A question that may never be answered this side of heaven.  We also near Owen's 3rd birthday, and we continue traditions that we were able to make when Owen was full of life in utero ... burning the Christmas tree, making stepping stones, and the Awana Grand Prix, to name a few. 

In addition, we approach the anniversary of my Grandma's passing.  At the end of the month, it will be 10 years ago that my Grandma passed away.  It saddens me that my children never met her, never tasted the fruit of her labor.  We did get to tell Grandma that we were expecting (Jack) literally days before she left this earth. 

So many little things remind me of Grandma - flowers and baking especially.  And, with that aprons.  It seems aprons have become popular and trendy again, and that makes me smile.  A couple of months ago I won this fun apron in a giveaway. 

It makes me think of my Grandma.  She was a pastry chef, a really good pastry chef.  She made the best sticky buns ever, ever!  In fact, I haven't even had a sticky bun or attempted to make them since Grandma passed.  I'm convinced that nothing could compare.  One of Grandma's other specialties was pies.  She helped me win blue ribbons with homemade pies for 4-H at the county fair when I was in junior high (okay, so I think my memory is a little skewed as I know she did far more than "help" me, I'm pretty sure that she did the work while I sat at her kitchen counter observing and probably snacking). 

Pies seem to be regaining popularity again as well.  So, in memory of my Grandma, I donned my apron, tinkered in the kitchen and whipped up this little rustic blueberry crumble top pie.  It was good ... but not as good as Grandma's. 

I miss my Grandma, especially this time of year as we are surrounded by so many reflections of life, loss, and immeasurable blessings.  While we remember lives lost, I pray that we also turn our eyes toward heaven and remember what Christ did for us.

Pause music at bottom of blog to listen to Casting Crown's Glorious Day.

Three Weeks Later ...

Contentment

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope ..." 

Romans 15:13

Smocked Dresses and Little Monkey Toes

Today I pulled this sweet little smocked dress out of Lydia's closet (with long sleeves under it, of course, as this is Spring in the Midwest). 

Jason's first comment was that he was wondering if Lydia was wearing a curtain.  That's okay, we won't judge him just because he doesn't understand little girl fashion.  I told him that if we lived in the South, Lydia would just blend in with the other little girls in an outfit such as this.  His response - maybe we should move south?  With the weather we have been having, that does sound enticing!  Thanks to Kelly at Kelly's Korner for influencing Lydia's wardrobe.  I LOVE how Kelly dresses her little girls - so sweet.  And, just for the record, Kelly does live in the south.  And, just being honest here, I do get a little giddy when I see that Lydia has the same or a similar outfit that Kelly's daughter Harper has.

Aren't Lydia's shoes so sweet as well?  I stumbled across a (non-Etsy) fun site - Little Monkey Toes with a crazy selection of shoes for children, along with other fun boutique items.  While these little shoes did not come from Little Monkey Toes, they do sell this brand, and I did buy a different pair of cute shoes for Lydia from Little Monkey Toes, likely for Fall, a couple of weeks ago.  Great customer service, so personable!  If you "like" them on Facebook, you can get advance notice of special sales and discounts.  Almost makes me want to give in and get on Facebook ... almost.

I know, I'm a little obsessed with dressing our little girl.  I do not take for granted how blessed we are that I can splurge on sweet little dresses, shoes, and hair accessories for Lydia (and to be put away for China Girl).  This smocked dress came from eBay as did the shoes - both new and both discounted.  I have picked up a few things from Zulily, a site with daily deals and discounts, and I tend to buy ahead, off season if I can, to find better deals.  So, that's that. 

On a different note, my project referenced below is coming along and is nearly finished.  Every day life has consumed us these days with not much extra time for crafting!!!  Here's a peak at what I'm working on.  Can you guess?

It's a gloomy day here in the Midwest, perfect for crafting.  Maybe I'll get this done yet!

Inspired

I would love to learn how to sew, there are so many amazing patterns and fabrics available ... how I would love to make Lydia peasant dresses, apron knot dresses, ruffle pants, and other adorable handmade treasures that I stumble upon when exploring Etsy.  And, I'm sure the boys wouldn't mind me whipping them up super cool costumes and such.  But, I'm just not that skilled and one could argue that I really don't have any waking hours to fit that in at this phase in our lives. 

But, I really do enjoy projects, creating and crafting, and I have been wanting to tackle what seems like a pretty easy project for some time now.  I finally got the supplies ...

I am anxious to see how this little project comes together.  Stay tuned ...