For Today

Well hello Sunday - really enjoyed you today & hate to see you come to an end!

Outside my window: It's dark and BRRRR cold. On the way to church this a.m. it was a balmy ol' 8 degrees. C'mon summer, we need you.

I Am Thinking: About Rebecca. This week we will celebrate our two year anniversary of us becoming her forever family. How can two years just flash by in the blink of an eye? When I think of those first few days with Rebecca, I think of her instantly bonding with Emma and of her pushing me away. She would walk with Brian but she kept me at arms length pretty much the whole time we were in China. But two years later, she's a mama's girl! She loves to say to me "Have a good day mama lovely" when I drop her off at daycare in the mornings. Of course that just makes my day and puts a little pep in my step. Could there possibly be a better start to the day? I'm so thankful to God for answering my prayers and allowing us to be her parents.

I Am Thankful For: Brian. He & I will celebrate 16 years of marriage in a few months. I love that sweet man just as much today, if not more - than I did back in 1995. He's a wonderful husband in so many ways and is just fun to be with and be around. I'll never admit to him that all those times I roll my eyes at his jokes, I'm really laughing inwardly. Have I ever mentioned he has a really odd sense of hummor?

From The Kitchen: Little Emma also received a chocolate making set for Christmas and we finally got around to breaking it out today. We had great fun making little chocolates! And of course trying one or two as well. Yesterday we made Ginger Cookies, a recipe shared by a friend from our travel group to China 2 years ago & they were delicious! Tomorrow I'm making chicken friend deer steak - my family loves it! Then some taco soup with venison burger. Not quite sure about the rest of the week.

I Am Wearing: Gray sweats, pink t-shirt.

On the 'Go Organize' Front: Finally got the toys semi-organized in the basement. Still needs decorating - any one want to come over & offer some suggestions?!

I Am Going: To bed soon, can't believe another weekend has come and gone.

I Am Reading: Lost on Planet China: One Man's Attempt to Understand the World's Most Mystifying Nation - Haven't really gotten that far into it yet but the author's style really cracks me up. Hopefully the whole book will be as good as the first few chapters.

I Am Hoping: That we do not lose any more days to snow this year ... poor kids are going to still be in school come June as it is. Ugh! I would sooo much rather start back to school the first of August than for them to still be in school in June. Any school board members out there who can adequately explain to me why they can't be out by the end of May? There's just something mentally that seems to change after Memorial Day & I know last year that Ryan's classes specifically were watching movies, going swimming - all kinds of non-instructional activities after Memorial Day. Wouldn't it be easier on everyone to just let them out instead? Okay, okay - off my soap box.

I Am Praying For: Our church. Brian has been reading a book called 'Missional Renaissance' and I have liked what he has shared about it so far!

I Am Hearing: Vince Gill - something Brian turned to on TV. Such a welcome relief to football.

Around The House: Almost all the laundry done, but still needs to be put away. The dishwasher running. But other than that, pretty much picked up.

One Of My Favorite Things: Both girls were sitting with me today as we looked through folders of pictures on my laptop. Little Rebecca was leaning over and kissing me and loving on me. What a sweet sweet baby she is! Hard to believe that two years ago today we had left for China to get her. We had left early, early that morning and were already weary of traveling by this time. That is one long flight!

A Few Plans For The Rest of The Week: Deacon meeting for Brian tomorrow night. We'll celebrate our two year anniversary with Rebecca this week!!! Basketball practice for Ryan. Gymnastics for Emma. Dance for Emma & Bex. Dinner out with some really good friends on Friday - just adults - What a treat!!!! Game for Ryan on Saturday.

Have a great week everyone!