First Communion

Today Ivan had his first Communion at church.  It wasn't planned it just happened in God's way and in His time.  (Which of course makes it just right)  We were getting ready for that portion of the service and J asked Ivan if he would like to go up and get a blessing from our pastor.  At first he declined and then asked if he could have communion with us.  J looked at me and I looked at him.  We both nodded and sat back in the pew with Ivan to listen and respond to the ritual.  As we watched the ushers ease their way back to our pew we reviewed quickly and quietly how he was to receive the sacraments.  Then it was time to go forward.  J was marvelously quick and got in the line that would lead us to our Senior Pastor.  He was well aware that Ivan had not taken communion yet and what a big moment this was to J and me.  Ivan took his bread and wine with respect and reverence.  Then he prayed with us at the altar rail.  As I prayed beside him I teared-up at the thought of him taking this large step in his faith life.  He is such a blessing to behold.

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!!"

Praise the Lord for GOOD NEWS!

I had my mammogram and ultrasound today and all is clear!  The Dr's did not see anything that gave them alarm.  However, I was strongly urged to keep a check on the lump that I found and to let them know if I notice any changes in it.  So the first of each month I am to check things out. 

God is good and I am so relieved. 

Lumpy

I found a lump in my breast.  I'm scared and waiting to find out what to do next.  I went to my Dr. yesterday and they are sending me for a mammogram and possibly an ultrasound.  I am waiting to hear from the radiologist about when I should come in.  The chances are probably very slim that this is anything at all...but there is still a chance and I am scared.

Praying for patience and peace.

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.

 

The First Day of First Grade!

I can hardly believe it, but Ivan is now an official First Grader!  Today was his first day back at school and from what I've heard so far, all went well.  He is clearly tired and is presently in his room working on a jigsaw puzzle.  He loves to "work" a puzzle when he is decompressing.  It used to be building train tracks, but recently it has been "puzzling".  I'll share more later...

To the BEACH we go!

Ivan and I are off for our annual beach week with my family!  Good times ahead!!  See you on the flip side.

I don't know why I love you but I do...

Oliver's favorite place in the house...the fridge!

I'm about to admit something that I am not proud to share: I didn't want to love Oliver. Sure, I wanted to like him. I was planning to like him a lot, but love him? No. The pain when we lost Sherman was so awful I was convinced that I did not want to go through that ever again. However, as always God has a better plan for us than we have for ourselves. In short, I have fallen so hard for this sweet little guy. His antics make me laugh out loud daily. I love to watch him explore the house and yard. I enjoy playing with him, except when he nips me...not loving that. I enjoy watching him nap too. In short his presence here has been more than just a balm for my soul, he has shown me that my heart can (and has) grow.

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.

A New Addition...

Today we added a new member to our family. Welcome Oliver Twist the Cairn Terrier! Oliver turned 8 weeks old today. Here's to many happy years in our family!

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!!

I wanted to say no...

This afternoon I was feeling a little blah. Not sad exactly, but not my usual self for sure. I was on the couch in the den when Ivan came in from his playroom. He climbed right onto my lap and we were face to face. He asked me what I was doing and I asked him what he was doing and then he asked me if I wanted to go out and play basketball* with him. I wanted to say no. I wanted to say no way, I am sitting here feeling all blah and I don't want to get off of the couch and go outside where it is cold. But I didn't. I looked into those wonderful, brown eyes and said "Sure, that would be great". I knew it would lift my mood and that those are the moments that memories are made. I was right. We had a great time, a ball in fact. J joined us about halfway through and it became a family moment. Life is good.


*Basketball at this time/age is passing the ball, dribbling the ball and very little shooting. He loves it though and that is enough for me.

Another First...

Tonight Ivan read ME a bedtime story. It was book 1 from his summer enrichment program that we purchased from school. He saw it in our room and wanted to practice a little and voila! I got a bedtime story. Love that kid!!

Losing my mind!

It's been a long couple of weeks around here. Niece sleepovers two parties at school in as many weeks and hardly anytime for me to breath. I am gratefully looking forward to this weekend with no commitments whatsoever. I'm so zapped that I just tried to hand J Ivan's juice complete with lid and straw. Calgon take me away!