Merry, merry Christmas!

Dear Family and Friends,

It's time to hang the stockings (check!), it's time to light the lights (check!).  It's time to drink some eggnog with the Gannaways tonight!  It's time to make the cookies, it's time to bake them right!  It's time to cover the past year on the Christmas note tonight!  It's time to wrap the presents (haven't started), it's time to right the tree (fell over yesterday), it's time to get things started on the most sensational, inspirational(?), celebrational(!), Gannanational(?!?) This is what we call the Christmas note!  (Come on, you know you all sang that to the tune of the Muppet Show....)

Faster than I'd like, Christmas approacheth and 2013 is quickly coming to a close.  Where did it go?  Cliche, I know, but so true for us right now.  We make an honest effort to stop and enjoy and try to fully live this season of our lives, but with four young children, the time goes by far quicker than we ever imagined. I'm quite positive I can still find enough to talk about to get you into a Christmas coma, so grab some wine and settle in.  It's another Gannaway Christmas letter!

We're so thrilled to be home as a complete family this Christmas Season.  The last two Christmas Seasons have been spent split apart with total chaos and the season seeming entirely too short.  This year we're together with total chaos and a season that actually IS chronologically entirely too short. I'd be a liar if I said we didn't feel a pull to be packing for a trip to China this year, but it was merely a tourist interest this time and not that pull in my heart that says one of our children awaits (much to Steve's immense relief!). 

Kailin is in third grade now and growing up so fast.  She's often walking the line between being a little girl and being a young lady and it's definitely a bittersweet line for this mom.  I'm pretty sure she was just holding my finger, learning to walk last week.  Kailin has truly grown to love reading this fall.  It's been really fun to see her interest take off and her delight in the world she finds in books.  She is still our fiery, spicy Hunan girl and her emotions are ever present on her sleeve (just like her mom).  She's learning how to reign in frustration and anger, but I pray she will always let her joy spill over.  She's happily involved in Brownies (and equally happy to be uninvolved in sports of any kind) and has lots of fun adventure there.  Kailin is a girly girl and finally persuaded me to let her get her ears pierced earlier this year.  She is eagerly awaiting the go ahead to wear "dangly" earrings.  She is a talented artist and spends a good deal of her free time drawing, crocheting, and knitting.  She is a "mini-me" through and through!

Colby is our resident first grader.  He is finding so much adventure in first grade and is navigating the social arena that all day school brings.  Math is where he excels, but he's coming along with his reading, too.  He has no use for vowels at all (leading me to believe that perhaps he should have been born in Russia), so that can be a challenge!  He played baseball over the summer and soccer this past fall and really enjoyed both.  He's ALL BOY in every sense of the word and for a mama who grew up with only a sister, it's been an eye opening experience!  He loves video games and still loves playing with his castle set - making elaborate set ups and having a ball with his "guys".  He adores all things art and is often making fairly elaborate drawings of action scenes or Minions.  He's quite a little artist and I love to see him express himself.  We were graced, this month, with a "Nin-gingerbread" man that had us all in stitches for quite some time as Colby explained that he'd given him candy canes in place of nunchuks.  Oh my. 

Carter is about to be five.  FIVE!!!  One more day to go.  He is excited to leave four behind.  I'm not so sure about that.  He's grown like a weed this past year and is very tall for his age which breaks this mama's heart just a little bit more - he's surely not the almost three year old we brought home in December 2011!  Carter started 4k four mornings a week this fall and loves it!  He is so excited to board the bus in the morning and has an adoring relationship with his teacher (it's very mutual, she tells me).  He tried out tee-ball over the summer and soccer this fall.  Soccer seems to be his game - he was a real go getter and always keen to be at the front of the drill line!  I think it's a good fit.  Carter is still our tender heart and is often more sad that he's hurt someone than he is when he gets hurt.  He loves to be loved on and I'm always happy to oblige!  I know the rest of 4k is going to whiz by and soon he'll be learning to read, too.

Molly Kate is a three year old whirlwind!  She is always on the go and keen to tell you all about it.  Her English is really coming along and her comprehension is fantastic.  We learned in March that she had a 35-40% hearing loss in both ears (a common issue in children with dwarfism).  In April she had tubes placed and we realized just how much she hadn't been hearing.  We're so thankful that she can hear well now and it's made a huge difference in her language development!  She's home with me during the day and loves to play all things "food" and "baby" and also has a penchant for games of all kinds.  That's a hit with this game loving mama for sure!  She'll head off to school this coming Fall and let me tell you - she is counting the days!

Our children are our biggest blessings (and often, our greatest challenges).  Kailin is witty and helpful and always my problem solver.  Colby is our comic relief and my go-to guy for a snuggle if I'm feeling down.  Carter's often-present smile can warm a room and always warms this mama's heart.  His "can-do" attitude is an inspiration to us and to others.  Molly Kate's light shines bright and spills over.  She is enchanting and incredibly easy to love.  She is charismatic and a joy most days.  We honestly couldn't have begun to imagine the blessing these children would bring when we embarked on this journey eight years ago.  

Steve and I are about the same, to be honest.  We just celebrated our tenth anniversary last week.  I'm not sure where those ten years went, but we sure have had some adventure along the way!!

Our year has been very full.  We had to say goodbye to Steve's Grandma, Ida, this spring and two of our beloved dogs this summer, but welcomed baby Tyler on my side of the family and a new (to us) dog, Maggie, in May and June.  We have been blessed to spend time wonderful friends, old and new,  this year and have had many joyful family adventures together.  We're hoping to take a big family road trip next summer - west!  I'm sure that will be fodder for next year's Christmas letter as there will be many looong hours in the car!

We truly pray that your year has been one of blessing, that your hearts and homes overflow with joy and warmth this season and that the New Year will be one where the joyful adventures overshadow the challenges in your home and in ours.  Time goes so fast and we don't have nearly the opportunity to connect and visit with our friends and family the way we'd like to.  Please know that although you may not see us often, you are never far from our thoughts and prayers.

With much love,
Sarah, Steve, Kailin, Colby, Carter, and Molly Kate

Unbroken

Our Christmas tree just fell over.  This is not the first Christmas tree disaster we've suffered through the years.  We had one fly off the roof of the car en route to our house.  Another year the dog leaped up from her peaceful slumber just seconds before the tree toppled.  And still another year I found myself in tears as I struggled to right the tree while serving breakfast to several young children.  It was a big tree that year, I'd discovered that my beloved angel ornament - always the first on the tree and the last off - had broken her wing, and I was just frustrated and terribly sad.  This year, however, I simply found myself thankful that no one was hurt when the tree toppled and even though we lost the ornament I bought Kailin the year she came home, one of the snowflake ornaments from our wedding, and the ornament we bought on our honeymoon is damaged (but salvagable),  I wasn't even one bit sad over the ornaments. 

My heart did break a little bit, though, when I realized that I didn't get a picture of the tree before it fell.  This is the first Christmas in my memory that I didn't have anything to do with decorating the tree.  I didn't even hide the pickle - Kailin earned that privilege.  I loved how the tree turned out - clumped up ornaments and all.  I had been meaning to take some pictures, but was still trying to figure out the best lighting, and to be honest, filling Christmas crochet orders.  Now my opportunity is lost forever because I have had a hand in the tree - I replaced the dozen or so ornaments that flew off in the fall.  And then I took some artsy photos of the shards to post here.  A little "ode to broken" if you will.  I went to get my card reader so I could upload them and there was my memory card, plugged into the reader.  The shards are long since cleaned up and thrown away and that opportunity, now, is also lost.  It's a good lesson in taking the time to do something in the here and now.  There are no guarantees of later.

I've been doing a lot of thinking this Christmas about the broken.  Not only about the people who are broken this Christmas - who are feeling hopeless and alone, who are mired down in needing "more" and wondering how to pay for it all, who feel like they aren't enough, but about what Christmas has become.  It wasn't many Christmas' ago that I was broken, too.  That first year that we didn't exchange gifts felt so alone to me.  I'm still not sure why, but I know it was a very very dark time in my life.  I'm so thankful to have been lifted from that darkness.  I'm thankful that I can remember that the light of Christ shines whether there are a hundred gifts under the tree or two or none.  If my name isn't on a single box under the tree this year, I'll still be surrounded by the greatest gifts God has given me - my husband, my kids, and our families.  It's taken me a long time to realize that and I'm proud to be a little less broken than I used to be. 

I have a ways to go yet, but I'm working on it.  We chose what we feel are meaningful, or useful, gifts for our kids this year.  We hope to teach the value of quality over quantity.  Santa is bringing gifts addressed to us all - to share - and they all revolve around family togetherness.  We are encouraging aunts and uncles to help us have experiences - like museum memberships and movie tickets - rather than add another toy to the pile.  I've brought the joy back to my Christmas Season and I pray that I will continue to find ways to do so.  I've not carved out enough time for the things I love about Christmas this year, and I am committing now to change that next year.  One little step at a time, I will move toward being unbroken. 

two!!

A week ago today (do you see a theme here?) Carter had been ours for two years.  TWO YEARS!!!  I can't believe it's only been two and then just like with Molly Kate, I can't believe it's already been two.  Next week, he'll turn FIVE.  I'm really struggling with that.  I feel like he was two just yesterday.  I know that Christmas time will always make me wonder where the time has gone with those two kids. 

Carter's changed so much since we met him and yet he is still the same boy we fell in love with in those early days.  His joyful smile can still light up a room - and lights up my heart every single day.  Carter's still the most likely of our children to be "into something".  And he's still the most afraid of being caught in the act (too bad that fear doesn't seem to deter him from getting into mischief - it only serves to prompt him to hide while engaging in it!).  He is a sensitive soul who is just as likely to cry if he's hurt someone else as he is if he's the one who's been hurt.  He can't let go.  He'll cry again 20 minutes from now over something he did 20 minutes ago that has long been forgotten by everyone else.  I love his tenderness and then again it often drives me a little batty. 

It's been a joy and a blessing to call him ours these two years and to watch him grow from a toddler into a young boy.  I can't even begin to imagine the changes we'll see in these next two years when I'll be back to say that he's... gulp...turning SEVEN.  I know one thing - it will be an adventure!

promises, promises

Today our family walked into a courtroom (frankly, I hope it's the last time we all need to be in a courtroom together!).  Steve and I took turns taking the stand where we assured a judge that we understood that we MUST provide Molly Kate with food, shelter, clothing and education.  We promised that we fully understood that in having the State of Wisconsin recognize her adoption, it means that Molly Kate can inherit from us - and we from her.  We agreed - to it all - and it was as easy as breathing. 

It struck me tonight as I was tucking my merry little sprite into her bed that a year ago on this night, bedtime was much rougher.  Bedtime was always the time that Molly Kate's grief overcame her.  She would raise her tired little arms to me and I would bring her into the bed - on my chest - where she would dissolve into pitiful tears until exhaustion overcame her and she drifted into sleep.  Things could not be more different this year - she is most often glad to go to bed.  She runs hard all day and she's "tire" by the time bedtime rolls around.  She's comfortable.  She's safe, she's warm, and she knows that we love her. 

We promised, a year ago in China, to love her and provide for her forever.  It was as easy as breathing even then - there was never any question.  But now...well...now it's different.  Now we know just exactly who we're promising for and that makes it even easier than breathing.  It was my honor today to pledge to be her mama forever and ever.  I pray that those of our children for whom it's a challenge to remember that we will love them forever and ever.  Absolutely. Without question. were listening and heard those words - those promises - and the ease with which we made them.

One year of thanks

Last Monday (yeah, a day(week) late and a dollar short AGAIN) we celebrated Molly Kate's 1 year Family Day anniversary.  One YEAR?!  How is that even possible?!  And then in the same breath I want to say ONE year?  ONE?!  How is that even possible?! 

We've come so very far in a year.  She came to us very loved, but lied to and very frightened.  Then angry, sad, and grieving.  My heart ached for her every minute of the day.  I've finally begun to prove to her that I will come back.  Every.single.time.  Always.  Her ability to believe it is still, most often, lacking.  She will fight tooth and nail to come with me.  It doesn't matter where I'm going.  It runs deeper than a child who just doesn't want to stay home.  It runs to the very core of her being - she isn't absolutely sure she'll ever see me again.  And it scares her to death.  While it's wonderful to be loved in that way - to make someone feel safe and secure to the point where they will choose to be with you over any other human being on the earth, but it's a bittersweet wonderful when you know that the need to be with you stems from fear of loss so tremendous you couldn't imagine being able to bear it again.  Molly Kate is much more profoundly affected by her transition into our family.  Every day. 

From our perspective, Molly Kate has melded into this family like she's always been here.  She is deeply woven into the fabric that makes our family what it is and we can scarcely imagine life without her.  Yet just two years ago we didn't even know she existed.  And that is one of the beautiful things about adoption. 

We weren't sure we wanted to say yes to another child.  We REALLY weren't sure that we wanted to say yes to dwarfism.  As with all of our other children, though, when we saw Molly Kate's face none of that mattered.  She was ours.  And she's the best risk we've ever taken. 

Her light shines so bright it fills a room.  She is funny, tenacious, tender, loving, spunky, smart, and the light of our lives.  Her smile always reaches (and squinches) her eyes and it is contagious.  Her laughter remains elusive but is one of my very favorite sounds.  She is joyful most of the time and she is insanely easy to love. 

Christmas Season is upon us and although we celebrated last year, having her home to experience all of our traditions has given this Season new joy.  Most often, Molly Kate is joy embodied and I am so blessed to be her mom.  So thankful.

just one moment

A minute ago, as I sat here at the table assessing what needed to be tackled next, a certain little sprite of a girl sidled over and coyly asked, "I hab gum, Mama?  No, wight?"  I told her that she could, in fact, have gum.  She melts my heart in ways I never could have imagined and I often find it nigh onto impossible to tell the girl no.  About anything.  So especially when the matter is trivial, I say yes. 

The joy on her face was bright and undeniable.  She started over toward the fridge (upon the top of which one would find the gum supply).  I beckoned her back silently with my index finger curling toward me.  When she realized I hadn't followed her, she turned back, saw me asking her to come on back, and she did.  And then I was going to scoop up that happy little sprite of mine and give her a hug and marvel in the beauty of the love I feel for her.  Instead, I accidentally thunked her in the head. 

No matter - she was unhurt and still keen to be lifted into my arms and be snuggled.  "I buy more kuh!(hug)" she gleefully said, and then gave me one to prove it.  A kiss on the cheek followed.  Often this is the "toll" I charge for doing something the kids ask.  I looked at her - deeply - as only a mama can do - and I said, "Mei, I love you SO much."  It wasn't an exclamation (this time).  It was a soft, straight from the heart declaration.  She turned her head toward me and said, "I wuh ju, too, so muh, Mama."  And she didn't exclaim it, either (this time).  And knowing that she really does love me...that she knows what love really is...that she is really learning that I AM her Mama...well I'd like to just keep that little moment forever.  I am so very, very blessed.

I dooney dare you!

I think that the "dooney dare" would fall right after the "triple dog dare" in the dare escalation diagram.  Just kidding.  The dooney dare isn't a dare at all. 

"Dooney dare??" is a phrase oft heard around our house and always uttered by a nosy rosy three year old with bright eyes, a most likely messy face, and fat little hands who is keen not to let a single detail of the goings on around her slip past her.  "Dooney dare, Mama?"  "I'm just mincing garlic for supper."  "Myyyyy supper?"  "Yes, sweetie.  For all of us."  "Oh." 

Dooney dare about 37 times a day until it ALMOST loses its charm.  Almost. 

It's all good unless I'm hiding somewhere trying to sneak a piece of chocolate.  Then the telltale "Dooney dare?" will send a ripple of disappointment through me.  Busted.  Again.  "Dooney dare?"  "Nothing."  "Wasss in dare?  (if I don't immediately give her an answer or a look inside my mouth, she'll open hers and point so I can fully understand what she means)"  Busted.  And I'll have to share.  Just try to sneak something past her.  I dooney dare you!

And they're off!

This morning, I sent my two oldest kids off to 3rd and 1st grade.  Wow.  Oh wait... the plan was to send them off.  Then we missed the bus.  It drove away as we hurried out the door and never looked back as Kailin and Colby ran their hearts down the sidewalk.  Nothing like yelling "Winner winner, chicken dinner - and on the first day!" as your neighbors and friends look down the block at you in your shame.  Oh well.  I had to take Carter to his 4k "meet the teacher" day right after school started anyway.  What?  Actually show up late to school so that you can be the crazy mom telling your kid to "get the lead out, we're late!" on the first day of school?  That was the plan all along, right??  And forget the camera for the 4k meet and greet.  Definitely put that on the list of things to do.  Check!!

I can't believe I have two kids in full day school.  I also can't believe that I'm saying that the house feels empty and quiet after the number of hours I spent counting the days until today this summer.  But it IS quiet.  And I suspect that the quiet might be a little deafening come Friday morning when Carter boards the bus for 4k. 

I can't wait to hear about the first day of school!  I CAN wait for two kids with homework and the advent of Saturday soccer games.  I am wise enough to know, though, that someday I'll wish it all back, so I'm going to sit back and try to enjoy this crazy season of my life.  And tomorrow WILL be better.  Right??

10 things

I'm so far behind on blog posts that it isn't even funny.  I feel a lot like that's just how I roll lately.  A day late and a dollar short. 

I've been meaning to post for quite some time about ten things my kids have taught me.  These aren't in any particular order and some of them just might be a little "tongue in cheek."

1.  How to dance.  I've never been a good dancer.  I'm still not.  I am, in fact, horrible at it.  Really, truly, terrible.  But I used to be terrible and self conscious.  I probably still would be in front of adults.  But my kids have shown me how to let myself feel the music - all the way deep down into the heart of my being - and let my body respond.  I'm sure I look like a dork.  The point is, though, that I don't FEEL like a dork.  It feels good, actually, and I try to take the opportunity when it arises.

2.  How to be late.  I'm not sure "taught" is as appropriate here as "caused me to" would be, although most often if I get down to the nitty gritty of it, it is my faulty expectations that lead us to be late.  It's not like they're purposely stalling when we're trying to get out the door to Nai Nai's, a party, or the beach, but they ARE going to take approximately 37 minutes to use the bathroom and find their shoes (each) and I almost ALWAYS fail to account for it.  I'll think we're doing WELL and then have the audacity to actually go ahead and "think it out loud" and then poof - there goes our extra time and now we're LATE.  Again.

3.  How to be really, truly sorry for something and apologize for it.  I wish I could say that my children are such fabulous and sincere apologizers that they've taught me a thing or two, but if I said that I suspect I'd soon smell the smoke from my smoldering pants.  They are, at times, the most INsincere apologizers I've EVER met!  (I know I wasn't like that as a kid - for sure I wasn't.  I definitely didn't have "tone" when I apologized.  Ever.  I'm pretty sure.  Well, maybe one time....)  However, their apology skills aside, I've been able to hone mine apologizing to them for the times when I've managed not to be the mom I'd like to be.  And sometimes when I've not only not been the mom I'd like to be, but have actually been some kind of psycho freak mom from another planet.  And it's good.  It doesn't make me FEEL good that I've done something that, afterward, makes me feel like such a huge schmoe that my heart hurts even after I've looked in their eyes and apologized and told them that mamas make mistakes, too.  What's good about it is that they see that I am a person.  I make mistakes.  It's not always about the fact that you made the mistake.  It's about being truly sorry that you made a bad choice.  It's looking someone in the eye and telling them that you're sorry - that you'll try your very best to do better next time - and it's about being able to forgive and move on.  I hope someday when they are parents and they lose it and act like a psycho alien, they'll remember that it's okay to make a mistake.  And I hope that they don't have "tone" when they apologize to their kid - I hope to train that right on out of them one of these days.

4.  How to cry.  All of my kids are "easy criers".  I was not.  I don't think I've actually learned it from my kids per se, but I do know that the moment I became a mother, it was all over.  I cry.  All. the. time.  Over everything.  Over nothing.  Thankfully, it's most often not out of true sadness.  Sometimes it is over utter ridiculousness (like a commercial - I mean, come ON!!).  The other day, while watching the kids at swim lessons, I watched a teenage boy (substitute instructor) get totally amped over watching two girls in his class execute perfect dives off the side of the pool.  His fist went up and he pumped it for them - even though they couldn't see.  I teared up.  I cry during at least one hymn during every church service.  It doesn't take much to move me to tears anymore.  It's sometimes a little embarrassing.  But I think it's an improvement.  I'm pretty sure I wasn't really FEELING for a long time.  A very long time.  And embarrassing as it can be, it's nice to feel something again.  Motherhood gifted it to me.

5. That sand can keep surprising you for days and days and days.  It's everywhere and it's nowhere all at the same time.  You think you have it cleaned up, cleaned out, and cleaned off of everything and suddenly there it is again.  Forever.

6. Little boy pee STINKS.  I didn't even know that little boy pee had a distinctive smell until I potty trained a few.  My downstairs bathroom permanently smells like the stuff and it doesn't matter if I've cleaned four minutes ago or four days.  Little boy pee.  We'll replace the toilet seat (and maybe the linoleum, too) someday when we don't have any more little boys and when, please Lord I hope, they won't be missing the mark quite so often.  Until then, don't be offended if you visit us and "eau de little boy" is the fragrance of the day in the downstairs bathroom.  I've tried to help it, I truly have.  The bathroom is probably clean.  But the scent of little boys will linger. 

7.  That Play-Doh gets EVERYWHERE and even if you try to ferry the Play-Doh playing child up and over the mess when they're done, you'll still find Play-Doh bits mashed into the carpet.  Every time.

8.  That mama kisses and BandAids do truly hold mystical healing powers.  I'm always glad that I have an ample supply of both!

9.  That little stuff matters.  That dandelion bouquet covered in ants was lovingly picked for me by my child who believes that dandelions are one of the most beautiful flowers on the planet.  And it's up to share in their joy, blow the ants off, and see the beauty in the gift or I can see it as a bunch of anty weeds and crush that joy just as quickly.  I try pretty hard to share in the joy whenever I can.  It doesn't take much to be my children's hero and I've been working really hard to take the opportunity more often.  A little inconvenience for me can make all the difference to them and I do my best to keep that in perspective whenever I can. 

10.  How to appreciate what you have and understand what you need.  Again, I'd love to say that my children are pillars of being grateful for what they have and the blessings they've been given and that they are NEVER ungrateful or imply that they are lacking.  If there's one thing my kids are, it's real.  We're working on the "being grateful for what you have" bit.  A lot of adults I know haven't mastered it, though, so I cut them some slack.   The lessons my kids have taught me about appreciating what I have and understanding what I need go a lot deeper than being gracious what's under the brightly colored wrapped paper they maniacally tear away.  We've made a LOT of "sacrifices" so that we could pay for four adoptions over seven years and so that I can be home with our kids.  We're still paying off adoption debt and will be for several years to come.  We don't eat out.  Basically ever.  Not even McDonald's.  I coupon.  A lot.  I menu plan based on what's on sale this week, not on what I'd like to make for supper.  Steve and I often don't exchange gifts anymore, not because we've run out of things we think the other would enjoy, but because it saves us a few dollars.  We don't see movies in the theater unless we have a gift card or we can get in free or pretty cheap.  We don't hire babysitters.  We just traded my 2000 Dodge Caravan (that was gifted to us for free) for a 2005 Toyota Sienna.  I'm not sure I ever would have guessed that I'd be over the moon excited about getting a "new" vehicle that is already 8 years old, but I totally am.  I don't say any of this because I think anyone needs to feel sorry for us.   We made our choices.  We put family first and the cost of that is that we chose to put "things" and sometimes experiences, second.  I wouldn't change that for anything in the world.  It would be lovely to "have it all" so to speak, but actually I don't think I'd want to change these years of lean.  My perspective has changed a lot.  Sure, it would feel nice to have a new shirt just because and I would love to take a vacation.  And I did admittedly get mired down in feeling like I "deserved more" a few years back when living lean was new to me.  But do I NEED a new shirt today?  No.  Will my kids have a full, fun, and memorable childhood without Disney?  You bet they will!  And will they still have each other when childhood is over and memories of Disney would have faded?  They will, and they'll be continuing to make memories with each other and with us.  That, to me, is worth wearing the same shirt until it literally wears out, evaluating how big the holes in my socks need to be before I can justify pitching them and buying new, and watching a movie on the couch instead of in the theater.  That's not who I was nine years ago.  At all.  And I'm so thankful for the change.  I do hope that we'll get to take some vacations as a family - maybe not Disney, but a road trip to someplace that will really wow the kids - but I'm okay, most days, with waiting a few years for that.  My children were the best thing that ever happened to me.  They've taught me so much about who I am and who I would like to be.  The things I don't have now have helped me to keep my focus on what I do have - four beautiful and amazing children and a loving and devoted husband.  Wouldn't trade them for anything in the world.

farewell to a good friend

This week we made the very tough decision to say goodbye to a dear friend.  Our almost 11 year old Peanut, whom we used to joke was a foxhound/goat/kangaroo mix (a mix that produced a dog who looked like a beagle on stilts who could jump SUPER high and ate everything in sight) will truly be missed.

Peanut's supersonic superpower hearing allowed him to hear threats real and imagined from such distances as three counties (or states) over.  He was always on patrol and keen to warn us early of any approaching danger or nefarious plots.  His warnings had escalating levels depending on the perceived urgency of the situation.  His ears were constantly twitching - at the ready for any new intel.  The nearly constant low growl was kind of like threat level yellow - nothing serious, but we should be vigilant nonetheless.  The growl kicked up a notch when the threat level went to orange - someone/something was on the move or the grass was perhaps blowing in the wind three blocks away.  Row row row!!!!!!  was kind of in the orange/red zone - and he was incensed if we didn't see the imminent threat and respond accordingly.  Threat level red meant throwing himself with all of his medium sized canine force into a barrage at the door or window, full bark/sometimes scream, hair on end, ready to rip to pieces the forces of evil that plague our neighborhood......kids on bikes, CATS!, and occasionally the person with the audacity to walk a dog past our house.  He was a pleasure to walk as long as we didn't see any other dogs and as long as he didn't perceive any threats - near or far (so....rarely).

Although he tried his very best to be a good dog, his alter ego, Larry, often visited.  Larry was naughty through and through.  He jumped up to steal things off of counters and the kitchen table, chewed up the kids' toys (particularly fake food and army guys) with zest and without prejudice, and occasionally peed in the house. 

Peanut loved to snuggle and had a blanket detecting radar that could sense a blanket being pulled out even from a different floor of the house.  He would look longingly at you with his big, bright eyes, shift his ears forward, and cock his head to the side a bit in a "saddest little puppy on the block" way that had you inviting him to share your warm and comfy blanket even if you'd sworn only moments before that this time it was all yours.  He delighted in lurking until you got up from your spot on the couch and then in the blink of an eye, he'd have it thieved and was all snuggled in and ready to look pathetic upon your return.  He often began the night under the covers, but soon grew too warm and would shift himself up and put his head on the pillow next to Steve - just like a little person.  And he snored like a little person, too.   While I'm recounting his nasal noises, he also used to run to the door and lift his head as far up as it would go and make little pig grunts.  He didn't seem to mind being affectionately called "Piggy Piggy" as a result.

His many quirks are part of what endeared him to the hearts of those of us who loved him. He was forever convinced that if he just stared at a doorknob long enough, the door would indeed open.  Much like a cat, he preferred to hang out on the back of the overstuffed chair or sometimes even the couch.  As a puppy, he was totally enamored with shiny things and once ate my diamond pendant (which was recovered eventually after "nature had run its course").  The hound in him caused him to howl on occasion, although we never did quite figure out what would spur him to "sing",  and the howl ALWAYS always ended in him choking and shaking his head.  It never failed to make us laugh.

For as bad as he often was, he was a good dog with a fierce love for our family (and food, if we're being honest here).  Although our plastic troops and supply of fake food are no longer in mortal peril, our house sure will be quiet without him.  He will always have a place in our hearts and he will truly be missed. 

A mid night visitor....

Not a midnight visitor, but a mid night visitor. 

We were having a little down time watching tv when I heard the telltale whump whump whump of one of the boys on the stairs.  I knew it wasn't a girl because it was too much heel action to be a girl and also because Kailin is always trepidatious about coming downstairs after bedtime and Molly Kate just stands at the top of the stairs and whines.  The speed of the whumps led me to believe we were dealing with Colby. 

Sure enough.  In he walked, eyes wide open, shirt hiked up, scratching his bare belly, smacking his lips.  "Umm..err....ummm...those people....uhhh...rmph....hrm.....those people...just...those people...."  I stifled a laugh and said, "What did you say?  What about the people?"  He was irritated, "Oh nevermind."  There wasn't a soul stirring on the street or in a yard and along with his brazen assault on the living room, I was fairly sure that what we had was a sleep walker.  I asked again and was eventually informed that "those people" were making him angry. 

He's come down a few other times - always boldly, typically entirely annoyed, and he's always asleep when he does.  The lights are on but clearly no one is home. 

I asked him if it would help if I sent the people home.  He said it would.  I said I'd do just that and we should get him back in bed.  I got him all snuggled in and then reaffirmed, "I sent all the people home."  "What people?" he asked.  "Nevermind," I replied.  I chuckled to myself and said a little prayer of thanks for that moment.  It was a rough, rough day yesterday and that little moment of humor was exactly what I needed. 

This morning he remembered none of it, but he was really amused by the story and wanted it recounted several times over.

Molly Kate's puppy

If I owed a dollar for every post I haven't made.... oh dear!

I have A LOT to catch up on, but this one I just can't let go.

We celebrated Father's Day today out on the lake in our recently acquired boat.  The kids had a great time and we thoroughly enjoyed watching their excitement.  I remembered imagining that my bobber went down below the surface every time Colby would yell "I think I have a bite!  Do I have a bite?"  There was definitely a lot more "reeling in" than was necessary. 

I declared that I was going to start calling Molly Kate "crank bait" because alllllllllll she did was reel it in (and when you're fishing with worms and bobbers, that's not exactly supposed to be the game plan).  When she wasn't reeling it in, she was busy pushing the tension release button.  So even if we had gotten a bite, we'd never have been able to set the hook.  I got such a kick out of her.  At one point, her bobber drifted a bit close to the boat.  "Alright, Mei, it's time to reel this puppy in, " I said.  "Puppy?  Dat Mei Mei's puppy?"  From that moment on, the bobber (hers, mine, Steve's, anyone's) was a "puppy".  I'll be curious to see if it sticks for next time. 

Kailin caught the only fish today.  Tiny little blue gills.  She got two and was elated with both.  That earned her $2.  $1 for the first fish and $1 for the "biggest".  All the kids were sad that we couldn't keep them to eat, but they wouldn't even have been a bite a piece!  Better (and hopefully bigger) luck next time!

I'm so thankful that my kids have the kind of dad they do.  The kind of dad I had.  One who isn't afraid to tell them he loves them and shows it, too.  A dad who teaches them to love and respect the outdoors, isn't afraid to have a little fun, and one who holds the important stuff dear to his heart.  I hope it was a happy Father's Day for the best husband I could ask for - and the amazing man my kids get to call Dad. 

Joy and Sorrow

Last week was one of mixed emotion for our family. 

On Wednesday, we celebrated Kailin's Family Day.  I cannot believe that it's been SEVEN years since we first held our beautiful baby.  It truly does, in some ways, seem like yesterday.  She has grown so much since that day, May 15, 2006.  She's come from a scared, sad, uncomfortable baby whose eyes lacked a gleam and who could barely even sit up at 9.5mos old to a confident, fiery, capable almost eight year old whose eyes shine.  She is learning handwriting this year and loving it.  Not surprising given her affinity for arts and crafts.  She has made real friends in this past year and although some of the lessons were somewhat painful to learn, I'm proud of her for being able to recognize the difference between friends and true friends at such a tender age.  She's still leggy and super flexible and delights in wowing (and occasionally grossing us out) with some new and different bendy pose.  She loves to run and has a sincere disdain for sitting still for any more than 37 seconds unless she's REALLY into her activity.  She is, as always, tenderhearted and sensitive.  She loves to be funny and I love to see her smile.  She still, like me, wears her emotions on her sleeve.  It means that what you see is what you get -100% genuine Kailin, but it also means that often her emotions run high and she can run from hot to cold in just a few seconds' time.  I think that as she learns to get a handle on it (something I am still learning, too), it will serve her well.  For all the trials and tribulations of the past seven years, all the lessons learned by her and by me, too, for all the joys and all the sorrows we have been so very blessed to have been chosen to be her parents.  We are so very proud of her and so blessed to have her in our life!

On Thursday, we said goodbye to Steve's grandma.  Grandma Gannaway was a force to be reckoned with - she didn't let her vertical challenges (I've heard she was 4'7" tall, but even that seems too tall to me.) stand in her way of living life large.  A sassy, witty little lady, she was always ready to take her grandsons (or one particular son-in-law) to task.  She was fiercely loving and tenderhearted, but just as happy to cuff you one if you touched her hair.  She loved to be involved and was still attending the birthday parties of her great grandkids at age 88.  She was always very welcoming to me and it was so very easy to love her.  Apparently I wasn't the only one who thought so.  I was kind of surprised to see how many people filled the little church where her funeral was held.  It's not that I was at all surprised to learn just how loved she was.  I just didn't realize how active she stayed even when she couldn't really get out much anymore.  During part of the service, people were invited to say a little something about Grandma.  Steve's Uncle Jerry stood up and said his somber piece and then followed it with some pretty humorous stories (including one involving a water bed) that had us laughing through our tears.  I was so happy to hear that he has a pat impression of her down - I'll have to ask him to pull it out when I'm missing her.  Aaron stood up and told us all some stories about how he'll remember Grandma.  It was a wonderful description of a beautiful relationship between the two of them.  I don't know if I'll ever watch a Packer game again without wondering what crazy (and, according to Aaron, perhaps even numerically impossible) score she would have predicted.  Then some of her friends stood up and told stories about memories they'd made with her and how much they'll miss her.  And one told us that a group from church went caroling at Grandma's house one time.  She wasn't expecting them and her friend, Retta, told the group she'd better go to the door first and announce them.  She banged on the door and yelled "Ida, it's Retta!"  Grandma either didn't hear or didn't believe her 100% because Retta said she answered the door with a baseball bat in hand.  Like I said - she was a force.  She will be missed terribly, but I'm so blessed to have attended her funeral - a celebration of her life as much as it was an event to mourn her death.  I know that she had no question about where she'd go when her life here was done and that is such a comfort in sad times - it's what allows us to celebrate her life.  That's what she would have wanted anyway - as long as we didn't touch her hair.  I hope I'm full of as much zest for life when I'm an old grandma.  She is unforgettable and her legacy will live on for generations to come with stories and laughter.  I hope we can make her proud.

Sing it to me, baby!

Last week I took Carter to his six month checkup with the orthopedic surgery.  The fabulous news is that the bone is reacting well to the plate and we can delay removing it for at least a year.  WAHOO!!!! 

On the way there, I was treated to the following from the back seat, "B-I-N-G-O and Bingo was his name is!!!"  We sang that one a number of times as well as a few other children's favorites. 

We got a new (to us) van last week and have been using our iPod transponder to listen to kids' songs on the way to school every morning.  This afternoon I have been listening to several rousing choruses of "Polly put the Kettle On".  However, it would be purely boring to sing it the way it's been sung for decades - maybe even a century.  No, not here.  Here was jazz stuff up.  So what we sing here is "Polly put the cattle on.  Polly put the cattle on.  Polly put the cattle on, we'll all have tea. (or maybe we sing 'Polly put the cattle on' about thirty seven more times before we have tea - Polly is apparently about as good a listener as my kids are.)  Susie (Sookie's on vacation?) put the cattle off.  Susie put the cattle off.  Susie put the cattle off, we'll all run away!"  My best assessment is that having cows to tea seemed like a good idea, but turned out otherwise.  Then, in a last ditch effort to avoid a stampede of cows anxious for their tea, Polly has turned to Susie to fall on her sword and put the cattle off while everyone else (maybe Polly is too fond of Sookie to make her the martyr) runs away!  Wish I could figure out how it comes out!

He was there

Sunday we baptized Molly Kate.  She, like the other kids, wore red.  Red?  Yep, red.  Red is the color of celebration and happiness in China - and also in the church.  We wear red every year on Reformation Sunday.  We choose red for our children's Baptismal outfits to honor their heritage.  In Molly Kate's case, it is also a striking color on her. 

We sang "I was There to Hear Your Borning Cry" - a song near and dear to my heart.  It's special to me because it was sung at my Confirmation, but also because it was my Dad's favorite, and we sang it at his funeral.  Its meaning has grown deeper to me as we grew our family through adoption - "I was there to hear your borning cry....I'll be there when you are old..."  takes on new meaning when I myself wasn't there to hear my children's borning cries.  It gives me strength to remember that God WAS there with each of them when I was not and he is with each of us always.  

The baptism went off beautifully, although she was a little wary when my sister tipped her back toward the font.  Luckily some sneaky looks from Daddy and some gentle and reassuring words from my sister did the trick.  I think it helped, too, that she quickly realized that we weren't washing her hair, and in fact very little water was going on her head.  She was smiling by the third time the water hit her head and was more than happy to be introduced to her new Church family afterwards. 

We didn't take many pictures at church - I think the volume was a little too much for our newly "hearing the world at a much greater volume" girl and she was kind of fussy by the end of the service.  I couldn't make this up if I tried, but between the time we left for church at 7:15 and the time we got home and got everyone into the house and the brunch in the oven at 10, it had sleeted, rained, hailed, and snowed.  I don't need to say why we didn't get any outside pictures that day.  I do wish I'd taken some with her sponsors individually, and with my mom and Steve's.  I just didn't think of it, to be honest.  I did get her out for some pictures on Tuesday, though, and I'm so glad I did.  What a beauty she is - inside and out. 

I'm excited for Molly Kate's faith journey to begin and truly excited to see where it takes her in life.  My own journey has been full of twists and turns, but I'm so thankful for the promise of life everlasting and for a God who loves and guides me through all of my days. 

best gift EVER

Today is my birthday and I got the best gift EVER. 

Molly Kate had her adenoids out and ear vents (tubes) put in.  Her hearing test last month showed that she had 35-40% hearing loss in both ears.  She never seemed like she had a hard time hearing.  We didn't need to speak louder than normal and we didn't need to turn up music or movies for her.  The bone conductivity test showed that her auditory nerves were functioning fine, so it was determined that putting the vents in should resolve much of her hearing loss and thankfully there was no sign of chronic infection, so there shouldn't be any permanent damage. 

We got to the hospital at 6:30am for her 8:00 surgery.  I made sure to check and double check that the entire medical staff knew that Molly Kate is a Little Person and that she has a different airway.  I don't even care if they thought I was a neurotic mother!  Actually, they were all really supportive and seemed very knowledgeable.  Molly Kate was in great, albeit reserved, spirits.  We got her all checked in and she put on her gown.  They gave us two sizes - both of which were laughably large on her.  Oh well.  Hospital gowns have never been known for their fashion forward appearance, right?  We settled in to watch some early morning cartoons while we waited.  "Zoomi Zoomi" anyone? 

Our favorite ENT was running behind, so we watched some more shows and then the time was nigh.  The nurse offered to let me walk to the end of the hall with them so I did.  Molly Kate marched on down the hall all on her own, belly out, confident as always, smile on her face.  It was when the nurse bent down and picked her up and she realized in that instant that I was coming no further that she crumbled and dissolved into tears.  Oh my heart.  My heart, first and foremost, ached knowing that she couldn't bring herself to believe unequivocally that she'd ever see me again.  And a tiny part of it was glad because she needs me.  I know that she does in my head, but sometimes you need a little proof and that girl is so laid back and outgoing that sometimes I wonder. 

Surgery went really well and our doc assured me that we'd made the right choice both on the vents and the adenoids.  They brought her to me silently sobbing, and it took all the ache out of my heart when she lolled her eyes open and saw me and I said "It's okay, baby, mama's right here." and she stopped crying, relaxed her body, and went right to sleep.  Sleep she did.  FOUR AND A HALF HOURS!!  My tailbone was screaming but it was such a small price to pay for my baby, safe and sound, sleeping in my arms.

I figured we'd see a little difference, but WOW.  Today, she truly heard the world for the first time.  There were so many sounds she'd apparently never heard.  The first time our guinea pig wheeked this morning she came running from the living room screaming "Gie pig!!  Gie pig!!!" asking to be picked up to pet her.  Then she launched into "who da??" and I thought "what?  There's nothing going on..." but actually the washing machine was emptying into the sink in the laundry room.  I had no idea she couldn't hear that.  There was a chorus of "who da?" throughout the day marking all the new sounds she was hearing.  It was lovely and truly the best birthday gift a mom could ever ask for. 

Easter

This was our first Easter as a (complete) family of six.  And what a lovely Easter it was! 

We dyed eggs with cousins a week ago, and celebrated Easter with another set this week. 

Molly Kate really had fun looking for eggs and enjoying liberal quantities of chocolate.  I really had fun watching my kids together and with their cousins.  It's almost more fun to watch them the older they get - their relationships with each other and with their cousins have blossomed so much - they're so much more real now.  It's a lot less about breaking up fights (most of the time) and more about listening to them joyfully play together. 

I'm just going to post a bunch of pictures here, because really, they tell the story better than I could have, anyway.

**I've said it before and I'll say it again.  I've HAD IT with Blogger and attempting to do anything with photos.  I've spent far too much time trying to make them go two across or look jaunty....Blogger is NOT my photo friend!!**

the gimpies

This past weekend I stumbled onto "The Princess Bride" while channel surfing.  I'd kind of forgotten about that one, but it was a high school favorite of mine and I knew we owned it.  It seemed to me that it  might be a hit with Kailin and Colby both.  So Saturday morning I put it on.  I was right, but actually all four kids watched it with intrigue.  There are two (yes, two) "choice" words in the movie that I didn't remember, but I was still glad that I showed it for them. 

Sunday afternoon we had a request for a repeat showing and I obliged.  I'd been pondering letting the kids watch another of my childhood favorites (and Steve's), "The Goonies".  I decided to go for the double feature and we watched it.  Several more "choice" words in that one, but other than that it was pretty harmless.  None of my kids scare very easily, so I wasn't too concerned.  The kids really loved it! 

Tonight at supper, Colby was being a goof.  Steve encouraged him to say "I love you, Chunk!!" (Steve's favorite line from the movie.)  Colby giggled and said in earnest, "I love you, Chuck!!"  Steve and I busted up laughing so hard!  Then Colby wanted to know if that line was from the movie, "What was it called again?  The Gimpies?"  Yeah, Colby, Chuck was the star of "The Gimpies". 

We had a great time at supper tonight - it was loud at times, but there was lots of laughter.  I love nights like these!

standing up

I got home from a school board meeting earlier tonight feeling pretty good.  It's not my habit to attend school board meetings, to be honest, but something came up in the last couple of months and it was time to ready myself to fight the good fight for something I believe in.  There were rumors that the 1/2 day 5k program was coming to an end.  As of the 1st of the year, they didn't have the numbers to justify having a 1/2 day class next year. 

Colby's class this year (not the 1/2 day 5k class - the class as a whole) was enormous - the biggest the school has ever seen.  Not surprisingly, next year's class is quite small.  So then it would follow that next year's class, in a relatively static community, would likely be quite small.  Likewise, the already typically somewhat small half day 5k class would be unusually small.  Several people argued that point at the last school board meeting.  Had I been there (I was in Madison with Molly Kate seeing the dwarfism expert), I would have followed suit. 

I had other arguments to make as well.  How was it different, I wondered, to force some of those asking for a full day program into a half day program than forcing those wanting a half day program into full day.  Yes, we have the option to go and pick our children up at 11:30, but what a great way to set them up to be ostracized or differentiate them from their classmates.  We've heard time and again from our first grade teachers that there is no academic difference between the kids who are in half day vs. the kids in full day.  So why not force some (few) parents to have a half day student?  Seems to me that looking at the numbers, forcing 3 families into half day when they'd prefer full day is less 'forcing' than forcing 9 families who want half day into full day.   Yes, there are children who need full day kindergarten.  Don't make those among the 3.  Identify the kids who will do best academically in full day and cull those from the group of potential half dayers.  There are children who can't make a full day at 5 years old.  There are those, like Kailin, who are the youngest in their class - not so young that they should be held back, but young enough that half a day of school is enough at five.  It's a disservice to our children to allow some parents' desire for free daycare (in my opinion, that's what it boils down to) to dictate whether or not my child's educational needs are met.  I'm sure the argument that would matter least to the school board, but matters most to me, is that kids are only little just so long.  I truly believe, to the very core of my being, that kids need time just to be kids.  To do nothing.  Goof off.  PLAY.  Once they're in school full time, they're in school full time until they (hopefully) work full time.  So let them be kids.  It's only for a minute. 

Tonight I attended the school board meeting to show my support, and to argue if necessary.  There were at least 10 parents there tonight, and the entire kindergarten staff, standing in support of a program they believe in.  Twelve families have committed to half day for next year - and that was the minimum required to continue the program.  More than one of us, in talking after the meeting, agreed that we'd be right back there arguing for the program to continue even after our kids are beyond it.  We believe in it.  And it was lovely to talk with people who share my passion for half day 5k and who understand and agree with my feelings that kids are only little just so long.  It made be proud to be part of a small community - and a community where parents stand up for what they believe in and take a stand when they need to.

Although this battle was won, I'll be right back there next year fighting for it again if need be.  If we don't have the numbers, I'm hoping we parents will be able to offer enough convincing evidence to make a difference.  At the minimum, we owe it to our kids to try.

I hope someday when my kids are thinking about the things that I did while they were growing up, standing up for what I believe in and for what I think is best for them is one of them. 

let down

This morning I missed an opportunity to be my oldest's child's hero and although it is small in the grand scheme of life, I will regret it forever.  I have learned a valuable lesson this morning and I pray that I won't soon forget it. 

The phone rang at 8:30.  It was the school on the caller ID.  What, I wondered, could possibly have happened (short of a puke incident on the bus) before school even started?  To my surprise, it was Kailin on the other end of the line.  "Mom?  I forgot my lunch."  Sure enough, there it sat on the kitchen counter.  "Well, honey, you'll just have to have hot lunch today, okay?"  "No." "Well what's for lunch, today?"  "I don't know."  I couldn't find the lunch calendar, either.  "Honey, can you just eat hot lunch today?"  "No."  "No?"  "Can't you just bring my lunch?"  And here's the big fail.  BIG FAIL.  This is where I should have said, "Of course I will!"  But this is where I actually said, "I'm not going to load up all the kids and come up to school.  You need to just eat hot lunch."  The moment I heard the quaver in her voice my heart sank right down into the pit of my stomach and I felt HORRIBLE.  "Okay, bye Mom."  Oh my heart.  I did it ALLLL wrong.  ALL wrong.  And I knew it from the moment the words left my mouth.  Yes, I can change it.  I got the lunch to school (thanks to a friend who was going that way anyway, although I would have taken it myself).  But I can't change that I let her down and caused her horrible disappointment in that moment.  Over something stupid.  Over something I could fix.  There are SO MANY things in her life that I won't be able to fix.  So many times she'll have to be disappointed and there won't be anything at all I can do about it.  But to have failed to be her hero, failed to bring her comfort, and to have CAUSED the disappointment when I didn't have to...oh it makes me want to cry even now when she's probably already gotten her lunch and knows that the day is saved after all.  I can just feel her relief when her wonderful teacher allowed her to call home so that I could bring her lunch....and then the horrible, sinking disappointment when I wouldn't save her.  Epic fail. 

I know - you're all going to say that this was such a small thing and that I need to not beat myself up over it.  Or maybe you're going to say "Yeah, you should feel pretty bad.  What a cruddy thing to do to your kid."  In truth, I am going to feel bad for a pretty long time.  I hope she reads the little note I put in her lunchbox that says, "I'm so sorry that I said that I wouldn't bring your lunch to school today.  I love you SO much!" and feels even the slightest bit better.  And I hope some mom reading this who gets a call from school about her kid's missing lunch will save the day and her mama heart. 

stuff I hear

**I'm updating this blog post to add a few words and phrases she uses alllllll the time that I forgot in the original post.**


Molly Kate's English is really starting to blossom.  She is full on into the parrot stage and anything we say is immediately (attempted at least) repeated back to us.  Her recall is getting better as well - she's actually using words in appropriate context and doing less searching when she's looking for a word.  She's got "bye bye" and "baby" mastered and we hear a lot of "seeping" (sleeping) when she's playing babies or as it gets toward bedtime. 

Here are a few other things I'm hearing these days....

"Wud you!!" (love you)

"Pee pee boo!!" (peek a boo)

"Thank!" (love, love love that she leaves the S off the end - I'm going to miss this one when it's gone)

"Welco!" (her version of  'you're wecome')

"Mahny, mahny, mahny mo!"  (eeny meeny miny mo - a huge presence in our home these days thanks to having two school-aged children around!)

"Jammies on!"  (This one applies to the act of putting the jammies on at night or.... does double duty as a noun naming the object.  I love it.

She's working on her siblings' names and we have Taylin-ah, Boby, and CarDEHR.  Not too shabby!

I can't remember if I've mentioned this one before, but she goes renegade Italian sometimes.  "Yang Yang too-teh!"  "Babu!  Tooteh!!"  I never tire of hearing that one.  And it amuses me greatly that she is pleased as punch to lay claim to her noxious fumes!

Mahny, I'm kind of sad to say, is already gone.  I'm definitely Mama or occasionally, Mom. 

Bathroom times continue to be a springboard for conversation between the two of us.  She likes to bid her Kailan undies "Ni Hao!"  Last week she was examining her underwear, to see if a "Ni Hao!" was in order.  They happened to be princess underwear.  As she pointed to each princess, I said the name.  I said, "Sleeping Beauty" and she parroted back, clear as a bell, "Seeping Booby!"  I laughed from deep in my six year old heart at that one, and wished I'd captured it on video.  Sadly, it was a one shot wonder. 

"Whodah??"  It's an interchangeable phrase meaning both "who is that?" and "what is that?"

"Eh-woe?"  Commonly heard as she begins one of a gazillion cell phone conversations in a day.

"Wahr you?"  Where are you?

My absolute favorite of all is "Dooney."  "Dooney, Mama?"  It's her version of "what are you doing?"  Every  day when the bus comes at noon to bring Colby home, Molly Kate catches sight of it and leaps up and excitedly screams "BOBY!!!  Dooneeeey???  Wahr youuuuuuu???"  Melts my heart every time. 

I'm sure there will be many more fun words to document in the coming months.  I'll have to do it here, because I can't keep a video camera trained on her for more than 37 milliseconds before she has to come and "see" the results. 

something for everyone

Colby's Sunday School class has been working on learning the Lord's Prayer.  They're going to lead the congregation in saying it this Sunday in church.  Last night we were reviewing the prayer with him at bedtime.  I am still having to prompt the beginning of most of the lines, but he's getting there!  Here is what we heard....

"Our Father in Heaven, Father be Your name,
Your kingdom come, Your will be done,
on Earth as in Heaven.

Give us today our Daddy bread,
and forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of tribal,
and deliver us from evil,

For the kingdom and power glory are Yours,
now and forever. 
Amen.

Something for everyone there.  Dads get bread, Survivor fans will go on to live another day (he's never seen Survivor, so I am particularly amused by that one) and we have power glory in there to finish it off!  Love that little stink!

boys

I got a new stove recently.  It wasn't necessarily on my list of things to buy right away in January (or at all this year), but after almost a month with no working oven, I was ready to take the plunge.  I do love it so far. 

The kids love the box.  LOVE LOVE LOVE the box.  It's been a rocket and a car and a house - the appeal just never seems to wear out. 

A couple of days ago I heard this from inside the box.
"HEY!!  Someone tooted in here!  WHO tooted in here?"
"I did!  It was me!!!  Heh heh heh....Smell my toot!!!"

Boys. 

(no one came boiling out of there, so I trust that the toot that inspired such pride was, in fact, not so bad.)