Why I Always Carry My Camera

Because you just never know what you'll see on your way in to work. Really. On an average Tuesday. Guy playing bag pipes. In a kilt. In front of my building. No idea why.

Happy Birthday, Jane!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cherishing My Cinderellas

I heard the sad news this morning about the tragic accident that took the life of Stephen Curtis Chapman’s 5 year old daughter, Maria. The Chapmans adopted Maria in China the same year I adopted OBaby. I can’t even imagine their heartache right now.

Someone sent me a link to a SCC video for his song “Cinderella”. At the end of the video, he explains how he came to write the song. As he was telling the story, all I could think about was how many times I have missed the moments with my girls because I was too busy or too tired or too stressed to slow down and just enjoy them. Although the song is about a father and his daughter, the first verse and the chorus really applies to all parents.


She spins and she sways to whatever song plays,
Without a care in the world.
And I'm sittin' here wearin' the weight of the world on my shoulders.
It's been a long day and there's still work to do,
She's pulling at me saying "Dad I need you!
There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited and I need to practice my dancin'
"Oh please, daddy, please!"





So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I will dance with CinderellaI don't wanna miss even one song,
Cuz all to soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

Excuse me, I've got some dancing to do.

Hardwood Floor: 1 Forehead: 0

Thanks, Aunt Manny for sending me the picture! (Yeah, I still don't know how that phone thing works.)

Preschool Picnic

Yesterday was OBaby’s farewell picnic at preschool. Today is her last day of school. Yes, my baby girl is going to kindergarten in the fall. (We don’t know where, but that is a whole nuther story!)

So, yesterday we braved the cool temperatures and threat of rain to eat our lunch out on the playground. Afterwards we went inside where the kids sang to us, recited some poems, and then showed off all of the projects they’ve been working on this semester. OBaby especially enjoyed the unit on firefighting and wanted to show me how cute she looks in the gear. That coat weighs like 20 pounds! I don’t even know how she could stand up with it on. And note the boots – just a smidge too big!

When I picked up YBaby yesterday she had fallen while running on hardwood floors. She had a nice goose egg right in the middle of the forehead. I took a picture with my cell phone, but I don’t know how to get it off the phone! Yes, I teach technology but my cell phone baffles me. Oh well, take my word for it, the lump is big and purple and apparently doesn’t hurt at all. (I say this since I had to wash chocolate ice cream off of it last night and baby didn’t even flinch. Yes, she had ice cream on her forehead. No, I don’t know how things that this happen, but they do.)

Everybody off the sidewalks!

Olivia has learned to ride a 2-wheeler! Ok, last week she learned to ride - I'm a little behind (story of my life). She's been wanting to ride a bike without training wheels for awhile, and last week she asked her preschool teacher to help her learn. 5 minutes later, OBaby was OBaby on Wheels as she just took off riding. We took the training wheels off of her little bike at home on Saturday and she's been riding like a pro. Ok, story about taking the wheels off - she asked me to do it Saturday evening after a long day of shopping at the outlet mall. Since the grandparents were coming the next day, I suggested that we could wait and let Grandpa take them off since Grandpas like to do stuff like that to feel useful. A little later, OBaby looked at me and said wistfully, "I wish you knew how to take training wheels off, Mama." Seriously, the kid took my laziness for being unable to do it! So, naturally we headed to the garage where I broke out my socket wrench and socket set and proceeded to remove the training wheels from the bike. Had to, you know. I can’t have my girls thinking that there are things girls can’t do. For her part, OBaby was sufficiently impressed. I am the best Mommy in the world and I know how to do everything. Keep on thinking that, baby!

Happy Mother’s Day

Dear Mamas,

I don't know your names. I don't know anything about you, really except that you both live in China, and both, for whatever reasons, left a daughter to be found. How I wish I could meet you and ease the worries you must have over the fate of these daughters. I would want you to know that they are safe and warm and well-fed (very well-fed!). I would tell you how loved they are – by me, by each other, and by everyone who has the privilege of knowing them. Then I would tell you what amazing little girls they are. Your February baby, Mama, is so smart and funny and has such a loving heart. And your August baby, Mama, is strong and clever and loves to laugh. And, because I know you would want to know, I'd tell you how happy they are. Both girls find great joy in life. Every day is a new adventure – always something new to learn and to experience, and they each, in her own way, leap into those adventures.

I also want to thank you. You have given me two of the greatest gifts any woman could ever hope to receive. Thank you for having the courage and the strength to make the decision you had to make. I can't image how hard that must have been for you. You, Mama, to say goodbye your daughter on a chilly February morning when you had barely had the chance to say hello. Or you, Mama, who held on to your baby long past August and all the way into the fall – loving and nurturing her until she was strong enough to survive without you. I will never forget that everything I have, I owe to the two of you – all the joy and happiness in my life I have at your expense. Thank you seems so inadequate. I hope that I will be able to teach our daughters to love and respect the two of you as I do. You will always be an important part of our family. Happy Mother's Day, Mamas.