Beginnings of a Special Day

On Sunday, we will celebrate Katie's 5th birthday. I've been planning her celebrations for a little while now - nothing really spectacular, just the standard fare. Cupcakes at school on Friday, her kids pizza party at the house on Saturday and her family celebration on Sunday. It's been fun to plan, and we are excited. What I did not expect was how emotional I would be when it finally got here. While she was in school on Friday, her first birthday card came in the mail from my Aunt Karen & Uncle Terry. All of a sudden all the emotion surrounding this birthday hit me. Like a freight train. 

Wondering what her first two birthdays were like.

Wondering what her next two birthdays in the orphanage were like.

Amazed at home much has changed for her since her last birthday.

Overwhelmed by how many people love her. 

Blessed by those who are making her life better. 

At school, they did her birthday cupcakes. Each of her classmates also colored a birthday card for her (those made me cry too)

 When I picked her up - she was wearing her birthday crown. She wore it all day, wanted to wear it in the bath & to bed - and put it on again first thing this morning. 

What a great weekend this will be for her - receiving for maybe the first time in her little life that she is so special, so precious & so loved. 

It's Beginning....

On Wednesday, Tanya, Paula and I met for a quick Disneyland fix. Becky and I got there early, so we went to Jazz Kitchen for some beignets - she LOVED them (or at least loved the powdered sugar on them!)

We did the standard rides; Becky's new favorite is the teacups 

Then it happened...we went on "it's a Small World"...which is decorated for Christmas. The lights, the scents, the songs......

We saw the big guy - and liked him this year.....

We saw his wife.....

Pluto's a reindeer.....

I am in the spirit - bring it on! 

Saving

Last night, the girls and I went to dinner with the board of a private foundation that I am a trustee of. I have known these people for a long time - long before I knew Jesus, Doug or the girls. They all loved the girls, and the comment was made towards the end about how we had "saved these girls". We here this a lot - and it make us uncomfortable.

It makes us uncomfortable because it puts the focus on us - not giving the glory to God. It makes us uncomfortable because we did nothing except be obedient to God - something every single person has the capacity to do. It makes us uncomfortable because it many ways - it is true. The life they have now is infinitely better than what they could ever dream of in China - if only because they have the opportunity to know Jesus openly as their Lord and Savior - never mind all the material benefits.

But the real reason this makes us squirm is that the truth is that for all we have done for them & for God - we have been the ones who have been saved. We have been saved from a life of putting ourselves first.

 We have been saved from a life that might otherwise miss the sunsets and small pleasures. 

 That might miss running on the beach and in the waves with abandon

That might now allow for chocolate beaters before breakfast.

These children have saved us from a life of boredom. They have saved us from ourselves. They have allowed us to see the face of Jesus every day - to peek behind the curtain of heaven and experience in some small way God's love for us and for them. 

The true saving here is ours - 

Poor Sailor

Poor Sailor. Last Wednesday, while she was out doing what dogs do & frolicking..she went down on her back leg - hard. Turns out she torn her ccl (the dog's equivalent of the human ACL) and she dislocated her kneecap. She couldn't put any weight on her leg at all, and Tuesday, her orthopedic surgeon determined she needed some pretty major surgery.

She's home now - pink cast & all. Recovering. Pitiful.

We are thankful that we have the expertise close to us to have the surgery done - Dr. Cambridge, you are the best! Thank you! 

Halloween Weekend, continued

Halloween weekend kicked off with a very un-Halloween event - the Nickelodeon "Storytime" show. We went with Gracie - and the girls had a very good time. Becky sure is growing up - she opted to sit with her friend Gracie instead of with mom and dad.....and she's only 3 1/2! 

Katie had a great time - and even Doug enjoyed the show! 

and what would a show be without a snack! 

Sunday morning was "Pre-School Sunday" at Becky's church school. There was a singing presentation - and Becky managed to stay on the stage this time (unlike last year). 

After Sunday school, it was off to the Halloween concert at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. The princess in her yellow hair was ready - 

A pair of perfect princesses.....

Finally - after ALL the ancillary activities,,it was time to trick or treat! Nicholas and Genevieve joined us - and we set off...to all three houses that were expecting us! 

The cutest trick or treaters on the block! 

whew - we have finally finished this holiday.....now...on to Thanksgiving & Christmas!!! 

We interrupt this November....

...to bring a taste of August back!!!! The temps reached into the 90's and we headed to the beach! I picked up Katie from school early - with nary a care - and me and the girls headed to the beach. 

Why not????

I know that there are those who think my children belong in school when school is in session (Katie's teacher being one of them). There are those people that don't agree with "playing hookey" - think it's not responsible. I used to be one of those people. I used to think that there was nothing more important than the formal education my kids would receive.  The school choice, the teachers & the formal learning trumped all - and only irresponsible parents pulled their kids out to have fun.

One of the things that I am learning is that today is the most important moment. My children need school and structure - no doubt. It is critical what they get from school. What is more critical is that we all learn to stop and take a look at today - and all the wonderful things that it holds. 

It was a beautiful warm day today. Ashlee was home from 12 days away - and she was missed terribly by her little sisters. There were some wonderful things that today held - and we enjoyed them! 

Halloween Happenings

Those who know me well can attest to the fact that I do not like Halloween - never really have. As I've gotten older, I like it less. I don't like the witchcraft. I don't like the ghouls. I don't like the skeletons, spiders or gore. Halloween has it's origins in the "All Saints" celebration that was also a time to celebrate the completion of the harvest. If you look at the four major holidays - Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, all have their routes in Christianity (yes - even Thanksgiving). It would be hard for the pagans to hijack Easter or Christmas, and Thanksgiving is rather benign, so I suppose they needed something. For me, I would rather live:
whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
All that being said, it's an inescapable fact of life for us since our kids are in school. So - we go with it a little bit...

At Becky's school, instead of the "Halloween" celebration, they host a "Noah Parade". The kids dress as different animals and they march outside and sing "Let's go collect all the animals. After the parade, they sit and hear the story of Noah's Ark and sing more animal songs. 

My little cow.....

My little cow and her friend Nicholas....

This was Katie's first Halloween - I"m not sure she really understood it all. Her sister picked out her costume. 

Katie's school does the traditional Halloween celebration and party; her class looked so cute! 

I love this picture; Katie's school really strives to include the special ed classes in all the activities and the pre-school special ed led the parade this year (Katie is the adorable pink princess in the background!)

Friday night, the church where Becky's pre-school is hosted a harvest festival. Katie was overdone from the day, but Tia Annie took Becky and enjoyed all the festivities! 

 Very hard at work on her crafts! 

WIth her friend Kayla 

There will be more pictures of Saturday and Sunday's activities.....for someone who doesn't like Halloween, we sure did a lot of it!