Mall Santa

This evening it just so happened that Santa was visiting our local mall. Can you imagine that? It was our luck that the little boys had just gotten haircuts, had clean faces, and were wearing adorable matchy-match sweaters (and if you actually believe this was all a coincidence I have some swamp land in Florida I'd love to sell you.) Kai ran up to Santa and mobbed him with a giant hug. Ash, not frightened of Santa but definitely worried about the location of his reindeer, was more aloof. They both got onto the old man's lap and Kai began his diatribe of what he wants from Santa. It's a long, rambling story that begins with "a big remote-control car" and ends with "a real Mac truck that Lightening McQueen can fit inside." Next Santa asks Ash what he wants for Christmas. Dave and I are listening intently because, so far this year, Ash has only answered this question with "a toy." Amazingly enough, Ash thinks on his feet because he coughed out "a motorcycle." I'm not sure what Santa's gonna do with the motorcycle answer but I'm glad we have one more successful Santa photo encounter behind us. Cheers!

Cruella Has Left the Building

There are times when days, even weeks, go by and things are going so well in our corner of the woods that I think to myself, "I really am a good mother." My children are happy, intelligent, well-rounded little people that are a joy to be around. I may not be Carol Brady, but I am a mother of the Millennium and my kids are better for it. I have convinced myself that I will meet my Heavenly Father one day at the pearly gates and He will say, "Heather, my child, you really stunk at a lot of things in life but you did raise those 4 kiddos well. Go ahead and enter."

Unfortunately, this was not one of those weeks. To be completely honest, I gave Cruella de Ville a run for her money. Kai has pneumonia, Ash has a fever virus (whatever that is?) and I have a raging bacterial infection which has spread from my lungs into my left eye. To make matters much worse, JD had a concert on Thursday night, Piper was in the Nutcracker twice this weekend and David had his office Christmas party tonight. Yes, I sucked it up and went to all events, although several people at the office party looked at my oozing eye and quickly walked away like I had leprosy. Our crazy schedule and family sickness put me in a foul mood all week. I truly felt like a chicken running around with it's head cut off. ***Take 2 kids to school. Drag other 2 kids to pediatrician for multiple prodding/poking tests. Check Piper out of school and fight downtown traffic to take her to dress rehearsal (drag sick little boys with 104.8 temps along.) Rush back to 'burbs to pick up J.D. at school. Fly back downtown to pick Piper up in rush hour traffic (still dragging along 2 sick, grumpy 4 year olds.) Drive home (Daytona 500 style) to change clothes and get ready to head out to nightly event (ie. football banquet, band concert, Nutcracker performance, Christmas party, etc...) During one event, get manic phone message from oldest child that Ash is channelling Satan and I must get home to give him a spanking.***

I'm vowing now (Sunday 9;34pm CST) that Cruella has officially left the building. I will not allow our hectic schedule, another snotting nose or drippy eye, or one more trip to the doc ruin our Christmas holiday. I'm so sorry my sweet children - your real mommy will be back when you wake up tomorrow morning.

Mom, I Think I've Been Dumped

My little man (who's not really so little at all) is dealing with his first heartbreak. Well, the word heartbreak may be a bit of an overstatement, but JD is definitely mending some hurt feelings right now. The sweet girl he has called his girlfriend for over a year dumped him this week. Or at least he thinks he was dumped (his words, not mine.) After having a long talk with him tonight before bed, I have convinced JD to call her and clear things up. There's nothing more convoluted or neurotic than 6th grade gossip. To make matters worse, there's a middle school Christmas dance coming up that has all the kids in hysteria-mode. I explained to JD that all heck could break loose if he was, indeed, mistaken about said break-up and he took another girl to the dance. Cross your fingers that all goes well. If only the girls could see what I see in my little man. They'd be fighting just to get a chance with him.

Recipe for an Incredible Vacation

1) Start out by renting a shack gorgeous chalet in the mountains.


2) Spend some quality time with your siblings.

3) Take in some amazing scenery.

4) Don't forget to get out and play a little (mountainside football anyone?)

5) Then relax your aching muscles or...

6) Catch up on a good book.

7) And last but not least, try something really fun (and new to some members of the family.) Anyone up for a trail ride?

Absolutely incredible - that's the best way to describe our 4 day holiday weekend in the mountains of north Georgia/Tennessee. We stayed up late every night playing cards, enjoyed our fair share of hiking and horseback riding, and took in some breathtaking views. It truly doesn't get any better than this.

Thankfulness

I am thankful for...

the miracle of birth

and the blessing of adoption.


I am thankful for...

two women in China who gave life to my boys

and four dark brown eyes who wake me up each morning.


I am thankful for...

a daughter who shines brighter than all the stars in the sky

and a 12 year old son who is still loves to snuggle with his mother.


I am thankful for...

our soldiers, especially those that are away from home this Thanksgiving

and my children's teachers who are incredibly dedicated yet grossly underpaid.


I am thankful for...

healthy parents

and a sister to share the trials and tribulations of motherhood with.


And this year I am most thankful for...

an amazing husband who holds my hand through life's adventures

and the four children that spread love and laughter throughout our home.

National Hug an Asian Day?

JD jumped into the car this afternoon and immediately gave both of his little brothers a huge hug. I looked at him in astonishment and asked him if he felt okay. He said, "They announced that it's National Hug an Asian Day at school today. I've already hugged 8 people and I thought I should include Kai & Ash!"

I'm still scratching my head over this. Has anybody else heard of this so-called holiday? Is this real? JD went on to say that his school always announces special "National Days". According to him, next week includes National Hug a Freemason Day. Hummmm...?

Thoughts for the Day

I've been thinking about how nicely things have been going lately and it just hit me that Ash has only been with us for 4 months. Wow. It's amazing - completely and totally amazing that I first hugged my little angel this summer. I would love to post a videotape of him talking to let you all see how wonderful his English is coming along. His most irritating habit - the incessant whining - is also getting much, much better. Of course, the whining beast does rear it's ugly head a few times on most days, but he now understands what he's doing and tries to stop (most often to avoid a time out.) Kai and Ash have grown to love each other as much as they drive each other crazy. I'm not sure one could fall asleep without the other (which is nice since we don't have enough bedrooms for them to each have their own.) Ash has no idea what Christmas is about, but I'm earnestly trying to get him excited for the holiday. I've been singing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" about 5 times a day. It's never too early to teach your child that acting naughty = no Christmas presents!

In addition to the Christmas joy already in our house, I'm still on cloud 9 about my trip to Africa. Thanks to all of you who sent me good wishes for the trip. Ever since we adopted Kai, my heart has ached for all the little ones left behind. The children who go to bed hungry, the children without winter coats, the children with no mothers or fathers to kiss them goodnight. Two years ago, we were able to tour Kai's orphanage in northwest China. The tiny, cold babies tightly tucked into their cribs were heart-wrenching. However, the older children, many with disabilities, are what I remember most about our visit. Most likely, they will not be adopted, but rather live out their childhood in the institute. I've recently learned that Ethiopia has 5 million orphans. Can you even imagine 5 million children? I honestly can not. I know 10 days volunteering with the orphans in Africa is not even a tiny drop in a very large bucket, but I'm really looking forward to putting in my small contribution.