6 Takes...I didn't say that they would all be quick!

--- 1 ---

I turned 40 last Saturday.  I'm doing OK, thanks for asking.  In fact, I am doing great!  J and I had a chance to grab lunch together last Friday and have a mini-date.  I was talking to him about my impending birthday and I realized why this birthday was not hitting me like a ton of bricks, as I had been warned it might.  I'm exactly where I want to be in life.  I'm a happily married wife.  I'm a mom, something that was in serious question 10 years ago, and I mostly like who I am.  Perhaps at 50 I'll be able to say I totally like myself...we'll see!

--- 2 ---

Over Ivan's winter break we traveled to Disney World for a week.  It was a blast!  It was a different trip than the previous two.  Ivan is more opinionated and at times moody.  The World only exaggerates our best and worst qualities and Ivan is no exception to this truth.  However, the trip really represents a shift for me and how I look at Ivan.  That week really showed me how much he has grown up.  It's time for me to stop thinking of him as a little kid.  He is still a kid, but tween is right around the corner and I need to get prepared.  It's time for me to stop sheltering him so much.  I need to be willing to share more information about events around the world - age appropriate, of course.

--- 3 ---

My Bible Study Class concluded this week.  We will reunite in early September.  I always feel like I enter a small desert without the accountability that my Bible Study provides.  However, I did order several books that were recommended by my Moms in Prayer group at school.  I am hoping to improve my prayer life while I take a break from Bible Study this summer.  We'll see if I can be disciplined enough once school is out to get up early and have my quiet time.

--- 4 ---

I say it EVERY year, but my how time is flying!  Third grade is almost over!  Oh my, my kid will be a Fourth grader next fall.  Whoa.

--- 5 ---

J is hosting a rather lavish dinner party for me tomorrow evening.  When he first mentioned it I was less than enthusiastic, but now I am really looking forward to it.  He is serving surf and turf (Fillet Mignon and  Lobster).  Yum....

--- 6 ---

Sadly, Ivan is running a fever today.  Nothing too high like he experienced in January, but still it's hard to watch him not feel well.  Any prayers you could spare for a quick and complete recovery would be very appreciated.  Thanks!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Happy Fall Break!

Today is the first day of Ivan's Fall Break.  He is off from school for the next three days.  I think that we were both ready for a little freedom from our rigid school routine.

This morning when I rolled down the stairs at 7:07 I was met by a sweet surprise.  The lights were out downstairs.  I knew that Ivan was awake and downstairs, I had heard him closing a cabinet door only moments before.  When my feet hit the bottom step he jumped out and yelled "Happy Fall Break, Mommy!"  Then he showed me that he had fixed me breakfast (my choice of granola bars displayed on the kitchen table) and a glass of water.  Since this is what he sees me eat almost every Sunday morning - one of the few days he sees me eat breakfast - this was an appropriate breakfast selection.  He had also made me a lovely poster reading "Happy Fall Break!" that was pinned to the cork board in the kitchen.  It was a very sweet start to what I hope will be a fun Fall Break.

In the groove again...

I can't believe it but Ivan has been in school for three weeks now.  His first day was August 13.  He appears to be enjoying his new teacher, Mrs. Perry.  She has taught third grade at his school since 1998, so she knows how things run and what to expect from third graders.  J and I really like her too.  She is loving and kind, but clearly in control of her classroom.  I foresee another good year for Ivan.

On another note, Ivan finally reached his $127.32 goal and purchased the Hogwarts Castle Lego set.  He earned the money to do so by saving his birthday money, doing his weekly chores for which he is paid a (very small) commission, and by picking-up pine cones in Nana and Papa Wayne's yard.  We pay him a penny per pine cone and I think he has picked up something like 5000 in the past couple of months over there.  I wish I were exaggerating.  He has been saving right along since March when he decided that he really wanted this Hogwarts set.  J and I have tried to help by offering him opportunities to earn an extra $.50 here and there.  He has been very disciplined with his savings and has denied himself many times when we have gone to Target or Wal-mart and he has seen something less expensive that he wanted in the moment.  However, whenever I would say "It's fine with me if that's what you want to spend your money on, but remember it will take XX dollars away from your savings for the Hogwarts set."  Hogwarts won every time and now it is finally here.  He is putting it together as I write this.  1200 plus pieces of pure
Lego joy for my little boy.  

Most Improved!

Last night was Ivan's swim team banquet.  He was named the Most Improved 7-8 boy for this season!  All of that hard work he put in paid off, and a couple of 1 breathers didn't hurt either.  Way to go son.

edited to add:

August 19, 20012 - Tonight was Ivan's tennis team banquet.  Coach Jim awarded Ivan the "Coaches Award" for the 8U group!  Ivan had an AWESOME attitude win or lose every single match.  He worked really hard this summer on improving his tennis game too, but I think that the good attitude put him on top for this award.

Proud Mom over here.

Quick Takes #4

--- 1 ---

I can not believe that a week from tomorrow, we leave for our annual week at the beach!  This is the big family trip of the year.  My parents, my sister and her family are all there.  It is a week of fun, sun and chaos!  You never come home rested but it is always fun!

--- 2 ---

One week until the 2012 Summer Olympics officially begin!!  Our family is Olympic junkies.  J will watch anything if those 5 rings are involved.  Ivan and I are a little bit more discerning, but not much.  My sister and I swam competitively as kids and teens, so our whole family will be watching the swimming while we are at the beach together.  I can't wait!

--- 3 ---

J will be moving to a new job on Monday.  He is still with the same company, but in a different position.  He will now be a Project Manager as opposed to a People Manager.  The job came with a nice raise and extra bonus opportunity.  J is excited to be in a challenging new role, but I know that he is a bit nervous as well.  Neither of us loves change...at first.  Sadly, J will be travelling on business during the beach trip this year.  With the new job and all the timing is not right for vacation.  

--- 4 ---

We are having a great, but busy summer this year!  Ivan is on the swim team at our local pool, and on the tennis team too.  Those two teams have kept us hopping this summer.  Plus of course he had VBS and a week of basketball camp.  I don't believe in over scheduling Ivan's summer, but these were all things that he wanted to do and has enjoyed them immensely.  Now that we are almost done with swim team (this was our final week) we are really just down to tennis from here on out.  Also, as he gets older I see that he can handle more activities without getting overwhelmed.  

--- 5 ---

We are continuing to "church shop" this summer.  We gave our official resignation at the beginning of summer to our old church.  It's been more difficult than I would have hoped, but in the end it will be worth it because we will be where God wants us to be.

--- 6 ---

Wednesday we celebrated our 7th Family Anniversary Day!  We went to dinner at a local fondue restaurant at Ivan's request and enjoyed being together.  My Mom and Dad gave us a lovely keepsake book with all of the emails and pictures that we sent home while we were in Kazakhstan that summer.  It's a real treasure.

--- 7 ---

J and I have begun to plan our surprise trip to the "Happiest Place on Earth" .  Our code name for the trip is Las Vegas.  We have booked a hotel room and secured park tickets.  Now we are trying to plan for our dinner reservations, so that when we are 180 days out I can call and get our tables reserved.  We are planning to give this to Ivan as a Christmas gift this year.  We will be travelling during his winter break in February.

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Swimmer of the Week!

Today Ivan was named as the 7 - 10 year old boy swimmer of the week for our summer swim team!  He works so hard at every practice.  He may never be like Michael Phelps, but he sure tries hard.  The coaches were particularly impressed with how diligent he is about counting his strokes into the wall in backstroke every. single. time.

Way to go son!

Quick Takes #3

--- 1 ---

Ivan was out for Winter Break the first three days of this week.  It was really nice spending some extra time together.  We especially enjoyed not having to be so structured each day.  I love structure as a general rule, however, it is always nice to be a little less rigid.

--- 2 ---

I made some more homemade hummus this week.  Yum!  Might I suggest that you read the comments and watch the video before making it.  There are some really helpful hints in the comments.  It is also great with some chipolte peppers mixed in.  Enjoy!

--- 3 ---

I was asked this week to co-chair our church's VBS this summer.  I really prayed about it and am still a little unsure if I am following God's plan or my own fear with my answer.  I declined on Wednesday evening.  Sadly, this has never been a ministry I felt led to serve in, much less co-chair!  I am feeling a little smarmy because I am a "pleaser" and I KNOW that my answer was not pleasing.

--- 4 ---

I went to the dentist this morning.  A good report overall, just a few fillings that need to be replaced.  Ugh. However, at least they are not crowns!  I have had one crown done and it was terribly expensive.  Thank goodness for dental insurance.

--- 5 ---

Ivan's birthday is just around the corner.  He will be eight!  I can hardly believe it.  He is really starting to explore testing boundaries with me in particular.  I need to pray for more patience and consistency in my parenting.  He is a great kid overall, but he is willing to push my buttons from time to time.  I guess we would call that normal!  

--- 6 ---

We are planning a week at the beach for Ivan's Spring Break.  I am getting very excited about this trip.  The weather will likely not be as good as last year (we are going two weeks earlier) but the getting away part should be just as rewarding!

--- 7 ---

I am trying to be more thankful in my prayer life this year.  So far, I have been fairly successful with including thanks for many (seemingly mundane) things each day in my prayers.  However, I feel that I am becoming a little static with my thanks.  I need to really work on moving beyond where I am now and dig a little deeper to share with God my appreciation of all that he has done/is doing/will do for me.

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Quick Takes #1

Wow, the above was easy to add thanks to Jennifer's quick and easy template.  Thanks to Ellen for sharing that little tip with those of us who are "Blogger Challenged" like me!


 --- 1 ---
It's been way too long since I have posted here.  It's not that we haven't been busy, it's just that I want to share something important and worth remembering.  However, for the sake of memory keeping I must drop that requirement and just get on here and post sometimes.  Otherwise, I forget half of the little things that I want to remember!

--- 2 ---
Ivan is well into second grade now (the first day of school was August 15).  He is thoroughly enjoying his teachers.  I say teachers because he has a student teacher in his class for the first semester.  She has attended Liberty University and has been studying to become a teacher at a Christian School.  She has four children and honestly looks younger than me!  She seems great and Ivan likes her a lot.  His primary teacher is a little older than me and has two children who attend Ivan's school.  So far he is having a very successful year in all respects.  We'll take each week as it comes though.

--- 3 ---
Our sweet Cairn Terrier, Oliver, continues to be a sweet, little, delight for the whole family.  He has hair for days, but thankfully doesn't really shed.  I am trying to get a handle on how to hand strip his coat myself, at least partially.  To have it done by a professional is very expensive.  

--- 4 ---
I am no longer watching my wonderful niece CCB in the afternoons, as she has started kindergarten this fall.  Her school does not get out until 3:45, so there is no need for me to watch her.  I miss seeing her on a regular basis and so does Ivan.  However, it gives me some time back that I was spending in carline at preschool.  

--- 5 ---
J and Ivan visited the USS Yorktown with their Y-Guides tribe last weekend.  They had a blast from all reports.  They slept on the boat for two nights and ate all of their meals on the boat.  Ivan even brought me back a recipe for 10,000 chocolate chip cookies.  The recipe calls for 500 eggs.  It is said that when the ship was active they made this recipe at least every other day. 

--- 6 ---
While the boys were on their trip  I was here alone for 48 hours (just me and Oliver).  It was bliss.  I really needed the time to myself.  They arrived home Sunday afternoon and I felt recharged and rested.

--- 7 ---
Last, but certainly not least, J and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary this month.  I love him so much, and know that he is the man that God wanted me to partner with for this lifetime and I am so grateful.

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Outstanding Student and All A Honor Roll!

Ivan finished First Grade today with flying colors!  His teacher selected him as the "Outstanding Student of the Year" in her class.  Ivan's teacher chose him because she felt that Ivan most thoroughly represented the Christian characteristics that the school is striving to instill in the children.  Obviously, J and I are SO proud of him.  He is a  wonderful example of Christ...he is so kind, positive, caring, sharing, loving...the list goes on and on!!  Ivan also achieved the all A honor roll for the year.  He made straight A's throughout First Grade.  His school is definitely academically challenging, so this is a really awesome achievement.  The funny thing is that J and I never really discuss grades with Ivan.  We talk about how hard he works and how proud we are of his tenacity, but never about A's, B's or whatever.  I guess this recognition may change that...only because now he will be aware of "grades".  Second grade is a few months away, so we will see.

For now we continue to be so grateful that God saw fit to place him in our lives.  He shows us how we should live just by being himself.  

7!

Today Ivan turns 7 years old!  What?  How did that happen?  (I think I say that every year, and I MEAN it every year too!!)  I still remember him when we first met him.  So tiny and precious and just utterly perfect.  He is still all of those things to me except tiny.  While he will never be the tallest in his class, he likely won't be the shortest either.  God will reveal that in His time.  He still has a smile that will melt anyones heart.  He laughs often and genuinely.  He plays hard and sleeps hard.  He feels deeply and thinks even deeper.  He astounds me with some of his questions, especially about the Trinity and the power of the Holy Spirit.  Thankfully the Holy Spirit has provided me with some good answers when I was completely boggled about how to answer a question.  He loves his cousin C about as much as any friend he has ever had.  They are like siblings - only better because they are only together a couple of days a week, so they don't argue as much.  He adores his dog Oliver (who looks nothing like that picture now that his adult coat has arrived) and they play often in the backyard.  He loves to put Oliver's food bowl down and cover it with his hands and say "This is MY food and you CAN eat it."  Then he uncovers the food and walks away.  Oliver thinks Ivan is the greatest human ever and loves to help wake him in the morning before school.

My kid rocks and I feel so blessed to have been chosen to be his Mom.  I think about his birth mom a lot around this time of year.  Wondering what she must be thinking and or feeling, knowing that I will never know or really understand.  I am certain that the day does not pass unnoticed.  You don't carry a life in your womb for 9 months then give birth and forget.  I know that much at least.  I pray for her to know that he is well and thriving and LOVED beyond belief.  I pray that she is comforted in the knowledge that he was adopted and not raised in the orphanage.

7, my goodness how fast you have arrived.  No longer a little boy, but a boy.  Before I know it you will be a preteen, and then a full fledged (shutter) teenager!  And then an adult.  11 years until legally you will be considered one anyway.  There are so many adventures to experience between now and then and so many after that time too.  I can't wait to watch them all unfold and walk them with you when that is the right thing to do.  I love you son, like I have never loved anything or anyone.  Keep being wonderful you, always.

Lord, I thank you for the precious gift that you bestowed on me and J.  Keep helping us to raise him as you would will it.  Keep him safe in your arms.  Amen.

Did He Come? Did He Come?

Every Christmas of my unmarried life started with those three words.  "Did he come? Did he come?"  My mother would ask my sister and I as we waited for Dad to give the OK for us to enter the den.  My mother was referring to Santa Clause.  However, now that I am older and closer to the Lord those words have a totally different meaning for me.

By the time Ivan came home J and I were much more mature in our spiritual lives than when we got married nine years before.  As people who felt closer to the Lord we wanted to share that relationship with our new son.  Our first Christmas with Ivan we wanted to start off right and make sure that it wasn't all about Santa.  We wanted to find a way to balance Santa and Jesus.  We planned a Birthday Party for Jesus with my sister and her children.  We read stories about Jesus' birth.  Finally, we decided to take the baby Jesus out of the manger scenes that we have around the house.  Ivan was so little at that time that he never noticed the abrupt change.  On Christmas morning Jesus "arrives" in the manger scenes and stays with us until Epiphany.  Now that Ivan is older he notices right away that the babe is not in the manger.  He asks when he will arrive and J and I tell him "When he is born on Christmas day!"  This is the first year that he seems to know that it is not a mystical force that brings the babies to their appropriate scenes on Christmas morning, but in fact Mom and Dad.  That's OK with me though.  By leaving the baby out Ivan stays tuned in to the manger scene beyond the first day that it is set out.  The first several days that they were out he would look periodically to see if perhaps something may have changed.  He's since stopped checking, but he has told several people that he is looking forward to the arrival of the baby Jesus' at our house Christmas morning. 

So now when I ask Ivan on Christmas morning "Did He Come?  Did He Come?"  I am not talking about Santa but the true reason for this wonderful season, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!  Blessedly I can answer that with a resounding "YES! And He will come again someday!!"

Biker Boy

Today Ivan rode his bike without training wheels for the first time!  He did a great job and I couldn't be prouder of him!!  We removed the training wheels a while ago, but just had not found the right time or weather to get out there and try it.  Today however, all of those things just lined-up and off we went.  J helped him get to the cul-de-sac and then we took turns helping him along.  He needs to work on not leaning to one side or the other and of course trusting himself, but those things will come with time and practice.  He does have a skinned knee but it is actually from the scooter ride (he's been riding his scooter for well over a year now) that he took after riding his bike.  The pine cone just jumped out in front of him...or something.  He's getting so grown-up!

Student of the Month!

Today Ivan was honored as September's Student of the Month for his first grade class!  The teacher chooses the child that she feels best embodies the months character trait.  This months trait was kindness.  Anyone who knows Ivan will not be surprised by this honor because Ivan is one kind soul.  J and I were informed about this honor last week so that we could attend chapel to see him receive his certificate.  Tomorrow he will have lunch in the student life center with the Lower School Principle.  He is SO excited!  J and I are so proud. 

The Lord has blessed us beyond our wildest dreams with our little boy.  Thank you Lord.

Setting the Record Straight...

We were driving home from school this afternoon when God blessed me with a wonderful moment of ...validation, maybe?  I don't know the right word at the moment so that will have to do.  Anyway, Ivan, cousin C and I are slipping down the road towards home.  The two of them are always very chatty after carpool and usually it is nothing worth hearing, so I tune them out.  Today however, was different.

C says "W was the first child out of mommy's tummy and then you came out of your mommy's tummy..."  Ivan immediately interrupts her with "No.  That is not right. "  C says "Yes, it is.  W, then you and then me."  Ivan says again "No.  I did not come out of my mommy's tummy.  I came from another ladies tummy and then my mom and dad came and adopted me.  The other lady is still in Kazakhstan.  Punch buggy green!  No punch backs!!"

I don't know why this touched me so much, but it did.  J and I refer to her as his birth-mother not "the other lady".  He is 6 though and was trying to get his point across before he was interrupted, so I let it go.  It was validating perhaps because it shows me that he sees us as mom and dad not his "adopted mom and dad" and that he has absorbed at least some of what we have tried to share with him over the years about his "history".  I wanted to record this so that  when he is a nasty teenager and possibly throws that one out I can be reminded that at his core and in his heart we are just mommy and daddy.

 

Swimmer of the Week!

Today Ivan was awarded Swimmer of the Week at our swim club! The coaches award this honor once a week in each practice level. Ivan is in the 6 and unders this year and he was recognized as the Boy Swimmer of the Week in his practice. This is Ivan's second year on the swim team and he is doing great. The coaches announced what makes someone swimmer of the week and I think that is what makes it such a wonderful recognition.

The Swimmer of the Week is described as follows:

*The swimmer comes to practice every day

*The swimmer works hard during practice

*The swimmer has great sportsmanship

*The swimmer has a positive attitude

I must say that when they were describing what makes the swimmer of the week I thought to myself "that sounds like Ivan!" I'm his mom I know, but he's a good kid who works hard and really does stay positive! He is not one of the top swimmers, but he goes to practice every morning and works on whatever the coaches are instructing about that day.

Ivan was really excited about the whole thing. He got a new QHST Swimmer of the Week backpack to keep and carry. He took it to Nana and Papa Wayne's last night as his overnight bag.

I'm so proud of who Ivan is becoming.

This That and The Other...

This is as they say a "catch-all" entry.

Tomorrow Ivan finishes Kindergarten. What, how, when? This blessing of a year has gone by SO fast that I find that I am rather shaken by the speed of it. How did we get here so fast? I am so proud of how well Ivan has handled the intense academics that have been handed to him this year as well as many new social situations too. He has handled everything with a maturity and grace that really is rare in a six year old boy. J likes to say that Ivan is an old soul...I think he is really on to something there.

Last weekend I was so fortunate to spend a night away with my best girlfriend, S. We went to a large city that is kind of half way between our two homes. We laughed, shopped and ate until we dropped the following afternoon at the time of our departure. We usually like to have a "mission" when we shop and this time it was to find me a new handbag. I found one alright. The black and white one on the left. Notice the price? Yeah, me too. I'm just too darn practical to spend that kind of money on a handbag. I could justify it in that I typically keep a handbag (and use it everyday) for three or more years. My current one has been with me since I left the diaper bag behind 4 years ago. However, I just can't spend that much on something for me. No way. So, I will look on ebay and call the Coach outlet stores every few months just in case it should lower by more than 50% into a range that I MIGHT consider. For now though, I found a wonderful bag that is similar in shape and size and was only a fraction of the cost of THE bag.

Ivan and J are out fishing with my Dad right now. Ivan has never fished before, and I can't wait to hear all about it. He has been into "man time" since my absence last weekend. J planned a jammed packed weekend of fun while I was away, so it came as no great shock when Ivan asked when I would be leaving again. I always tell J that "I can't teach him how to be a man, that's your department." So far he's doing a great job!

We should be getting the puppy in just a couple of weeks. We are all SO excited! It will be an adjustment for sure, but the good times will far outweigh the bad times. Sherman's life was proof of that.

Life here is good. We are blessed to have a lovely home, a great school for Ivan, each other and of course an ever growing relationship with God. Life is good.

Puppy Blues...

Poor Ivan. He is just devastated at the news we received last night. The puppy that we thought was going to be the new member of our family is not doing well. Our breeder called and said that she is not comfortable allowing him to come home with us since his health appears questionable.

We are trying to remind Ivan that things happen in God's time and not ours, but it is a hard lesson, no matter how old you are. I'm just praying for Ivan to continue to be patient. We are the first in line for the next litter that will be ready to come home in about a month.

Poor kid.

Moms and Muffins...

This morning Ivan and his class hosted Moms and Muffins. I totally forgot about it since we were at Disney last week. However, God did not forget. He placed it in my mind as I was in the line at the bank. I raced over to school and was 15 minutes late, but I got there and this wonderful little gem was waiting for me when I arrived.

Mothers are special...

This is how my mother looks...her is really tall. Her has brown eyes, like me.

Her age is...37.

She really likes to...read with me and play games.

She likes to cook...pizza...but she buys it! She cooks french fries.

My mother does not like it when I...draw on something I'm not to.

I make my mother happy when I...clean up my room and do my chores in one day!

My mother is special because...her is my mother!

Ivan's teacher read all of these out loud (the part I missed) then the children served us a muffin, some wonderful strawberries and a drink. Then they cleared our plates and we were able to visit and enjoy the rest of the day together. What a blessing and to think that I almost missed it! Praise the Lord that I did not!!

When you wish upon a star...

We are off to the house the mouse built for a week! I'm sure that there will be plenty to share when we return. We are all SO excited!!

TTFN!

Happy Birthday!

Today is Ivan's 6th birthday! Wow, time flies when you are having fun!!