salmon eye

Steve worked a double shift yesterday to facilitate some training with folks over in India.  India canceled, but Steve worked the double anyway and then had today off.  After some discussion, we decided that the weather (low 70's and plenty breezy) was perfect for a hike and a picnic at a State Park not far from us. 

There are natural sand dunes at the Park.  We hiked the boardwalk that runs up and down and all around the dunes.  The kids loved it.  They raced, they strolled, they giggled, and they shouted with glee.  It was wonderful.  We had tons of fun watching the big waves on Lake Michigan.  We saw bugs and examined ant habits.  We enjoyed the Monarch butterflies as they floated past on the breeze.  We found a really big (and seriously GROSS) caterpillar. 

Did I mention the breeze?  It was actually more of a gale.  That's all fine and dandy unless you're hiking dunes.  A gale has a real tendency to blow sand into your face.  Repeatedly.  Often.  Carter often wanted to be carried during the sand blowing events so that he could face out of the wind (and the sand).  I'm pretty sure he was trying to say "sand in my eye!" but it totally sounded like "salmon eye!"  Over and over, "Mama!!  Salmon eye!!" 


I'm glad our little salmon eye epidemic was easily cleared up.  By the time we'd finished our picnic lunch, during which there was an outbreak of "spiderwebs" (daddy long legs), salmon eye was all but forgotten.  Not by me, though.  I'm locking that one away for a rainy day. 

Seven plus seven

It's seven days after Kailin's seventh birthday.  The darn crochet.  

Seven.  SEVEN.  I can't believe it no matter how many times I repeat it.  I'm almost positive that it was only seven minutes ago that she was taking her first steps.  I sound like every other mother in the history of time, but it's so true. 

I can't believe how much she's changed.  Even just since last year there have been marked changes.  Her thought process is maturing and she's moving more into "deep thinking".  She's a little better able to control her emotions sometimes and certainly better able to articulate them.  She still wears them on her sleeve.  Always.  She has learned who her good friends are and which friends aren't true friends.  It makes me sad that she's learned at at age seven, but it makes me proud that she can see who is worth her time and friendship.  She conquered learning to ride a two wheeler in two days after declaring that she was certain she NEVER would.  She is eager to help me in the kitchen and I've even let her use a sharp knife now and again (and simultaneously honed my breath holding skills). 

We have been so incredibly blessed by this girl.  That our happiness came at someone else's heartbreak seems cruel.  I'm so thankful that her birthmother chose to give her life and chose to leave her where she would be found.  I pray that she can somehow know how cherished and loved her little girl is and what a wonderful person she is turning out to be. 

I'm excited for this next year and to see what it will bring and how Kailin will change.  I'm not excited for the post next year when I'll have to say that she's *gulp* EIGHT.