We Love to Dress Up...Trick or Treat!

3 Ninjas and a Princess emerged from the house after hours at the sewing machine and curlers/makeup for Lydia. Cousins Avery Butterfly and Connor the Pirate joined us for the annual "begging candy from door to door" :)

The boys each wanted $39 Ninja costumes from that nifty catalog that arrives in the mailbox mid-August. I finally announced about a week ago, that I would make them instead. Imagining a design, no problem; getting silky fabric, no problem; obtaining Ninja swords, no problem; finding time to create...a big problem.

With the deadline of sunset looming (typical procrastinator) the fabric was spread out....the scissors flew and the sewing machine hummed for about 3 hours...and then Ninja pants, colorful sashes, and a princess cape appeared.

I am really not an experienced seamstress. I try so hard to pay attention every time my mom explains how to piece together a pattern, or how the nape of the fabric should run; however, it is no use. I just can't grasp what she is saying! It's just like playing cards....one of those things that I REALLY want to be able to do, but I'm just too impatient to figure out the rules!

I am not really a "rule-follower" either (although I try to be, during moments of necessity)....and figuring out something new usually is "do it and see what happens"...that's my learning style (you know, other people won't touch a thing until they sit and read the manual?) Today, I recognized this personality flaw is okay and figured out how to make that unhelpful characteristic work. I have finally learned how to sew! No pattern....just start imagining, hacking away with scissors, and sewing with no particular plan in mind! I really enjoyed it SO much more than forcing myself to adhere to the plan set out by someone else :)

Most of all, it turned out great and the boys were all impressed by my creativity....I informed them not to expect any other sewing in the near future however ;)

These pictures really don't reveal how totally CUTE the boys looked and how absolutely BEAUTIFUL Lydia looked with her curly hair piled on top of her head and eye makeup :)

I dressed up in princess attire as well, so that Lydia wouldn't be the only royalty...she loved it---that we looked the same. (Another tactic to help her deal with interracial adoption issues...that even though she is Chinese, she is the same as us...pointing out characteristics that she and I share as mother/daughter too).

2009---the first time for homemade costumes, Lydia's first time for makeup, AND when the boys realized the value of using a pillowcase to carry their loot...much COOLER than a pumpkin and holds more!

Happy Birthday Lydia!

Today is my little girl's third birthday! What a simple statement, that holds such a powerful message for me. First, merely a couple of years ago I never imagined that I would even have a daughter. In fact, I had basically convinced myself that I was destined to be a boy-only Mommy forever. Many women are, and I was okay with it. But, something changed in my heart and I knew it was a space that only a little girl could fill....what a perfect plan that God had to give us our heart's desire, before we even knew what we wanted. Secondly, I find it amazing that already 3 years have passed since she was born in China...and so much has happened in that little life.

Lydia is still the non-stop whirlwind in my life; a spinning, giggling girlie that is full of happiness and spunk. Yes, I often wonder how I can make it through the day...with her continuing to explore everything, as if all of the world is nice and out to make her happy. Licking knives for example? I understand the curiosity and desire to snag a crumb of cake, but I don't understand the desire to risk your safety to do so...not so nice to slice your tongue!

Yesterday, however, as we prepared to run some errands together, we shared a peaceful moment (rare) that made me pause and just watch her and love her so much. I stood in front of the mirror, putting on a bit of make-up. She stood below me, just watching (rare again). She didn't touch anything, didn't try to open bottles and compacts. Just watched. "What's that Mommy?" with the opening of each item. "It's eye liner to make your eyes bright and pretty." She watched my hand motions intently as I swiped the pencil. She took in every movement and pondered the effects of each item. "For my eyes Mommy?" "Someday," I told her, "someday I'll show you how to put make-up on".

While she watched, my heart melted at the reminder of what a mommy is in a little girl's mind...and that I was that person to her....a little girl who once did not have a mommy at her side. My thoughts wandered to images of me smoothing her hair while we worked together to make her already beautiful face even more colorful and exotic....the thought warmed my heart. And for this brief quiet encounter, I had a living moment of what my little girl means to me...being able to pass on the qualities of being a woman and sharing love and togetherness along the way.

Then fear seized me for just a bit, as I thought that she will be learning these things from ME! Me, who has made so many mistakes. Me, who continues to falter. I'm not the right person to teach her all these things! How to put on make-up is one thing, but how to become a woman of integrity, humility, and outstanding character is another! And then, "oh no, what will become of her!" Lord help me, I'm not sure I can do this (as I replaced the lid on the mascara and tossed it down with a clatter)! She is too precious for me to have, I thought (even though her curiosity and sassy-ness terrorize me daily!) :)

Those negative thoughts were shattered though, by a sweet little voice, saying "You so pretty Mommy. I'm pretty too? I love you Mommy." The fear retreated as I was reminded of my purpose as a mommy...not to be perfect, but to be there....Ah-ha yes, now I get it....all of my faults and fears won't prevent her from blossoming into a woman with a beautiful heart. God has truly made her with a joyful temperament and inner beauty that I could never dream of creating in her....she is who she is... energetic, happy, whirlwind, and all! I know that He gave this particular little girl to us, because we are just crazy enough to handle her! And we then, receive the joy of watching GOD form her into a little lady.

Most of all, I know that I need her just as much as she needs me....

Happy Birthday my lovely little girl. Looking forward to the day when we can "spa" and "make-up" together...but, as I told you...you are so beautiful already that I don't think you will ever even need to carry a lipstick! I hope you will always know how much we love you and that we hope you will keep joy in your heart....today and always.

Why Classical Education?

Intelligence Plus Character: The Importance of Classical Christian Education

By Chuck ColsonPublished Date: November 08, 2005


"Education which stops with efficiency may prove the greatest menace to society. . . . We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character -- that is the goal of true education." (Martin Luther King, Jr.)

You may remember that I quoted these lines, which come from Martin Luther King, Jr., when I was talking about a student's convocation speech at Dartmouth College. But they are worth pondering, because they raise a very profound question: How, in today's society, do we provide the kind of "true education" that King was talking about, that develops both character and intelligence?

Never have we needed more urgently to find an answer to this question. The modern secular university can not cultivate character in a value-free environment, because if there is no truth, there is no standard of ethics by which we can measure character. So the university has simply given up on it.

And not only are our schools and colleges not teaching character, but they're increasingly abandoning academics as well. The typical student at a great secular university will not learn much about the history of Western civilization. My alma mater, Brown University, an Ivy League school with a great reputation, no longer has a core curriculum. You can go through the school without ever knowing who Plato, Aristotle, Darwin, or Freud were. In fact, you could major in African drum-beating. So from my perspective, the modern secular university has abandoned both the pursuit of classical learning and the development of character. That's why they're particularly dangerous places today, and it's why Christian students must be well grounded before they go there.

And this is also why I so strongly support the Christian classical education movement that is beginning to spread across the country. It combines, you see, the two historic goals of a liberal education: the cultivation of knowledge and the cultivation of character. It shows us the continuum in the intellectual history of the West that goes back to the Greco-Roman era and, therefore, enables us to better understand our own postmodern era. If we cut ourselves off from the past, we can't understand the present. And it's particularly critical, in my mind, for Christians to understand the philosophical and cultural currents that have shaped our society.
Let me give you just one good example. Galileo, as everyone knows, was thrown in jail for challenging Aristotle's philosophical assumptions about an eternal universe. But, as I mentioned in an earlier broadcast, Francis Bacon, sometimes called "the father of modern science," was influenced by the Protestant Reformation, and he embraced Luther's idea about abandoning the constraints of tradition and going back to the root: the Bible. He applied this principle to freeing science from philosophical assumptions and instead looking at what God has made -- go back to the root of things, as Luther did. This allowed modern science to pursue truth uninhibited by philosophy.

Why is this relevant today? Because we're dealing with the same issue. Naturalism is the philosophical assumption that binds modern science. And this is at the heart of the intelligent design debate, but you only see this when you know your own history.

I believe that every serious Christian needs to be classically grounded, not only to understand the history of our own civilization, but also to contend for truth in the marketplace. So I hope that you will check for a classical Christian school in your area -- as a place for your kids and as a cause to support."

Totally Amazing

Well, I've known this for about 2 months now....I have just ignored it and keep trudging through my day. Before I realize it, a week passes and I have done nothing about it. But now, it is starting to become a problem. I can't overlook it anymore!

What I have been pushing aside for all this time....is my purse. It is a cute metallic-type bag, about 12x5 in. (i.e. not too big) and it matches nearly everything. Because of it's sheen, alligator-type patten, and mono-chrome color it goes with black or brown...no need to switch purses. I carry it everywhere. And despite it's normal size, it can hold a ton; and THAT is the problem.

Tonight, I decided to clear out the mess in there, and this is what I found (get ready): 2 cute packets of half-empty tissues, a round retractable tape measure, a Gymboree brochure, an important receipt from Yong's alterations (can't forget to pick up that suit), a tiny case of business cards, a 4x4 bag (containing 2 tubes of lip gloss, a mirror, and 2 lip liners), 2 headbands, a small notebook (to write down those things not to forget), a case of dental floss, my wallet (which is so packed with junk that it is bursting open), my long lost comb, a 4 GB travel drive, more makeup, a penlight, a discarded chunky bead necklace, my lime green phone (hiding in the bottom of course), a fat tootsie roll (?? I hate those), 3 old Costco lists, a small "chip clip" (what!?), a new package of Burt's Bees lip balm (waiting to be opened), 2 Lego guys (one with his head missing), an empty bottle of Tylenol, 3 lint-encrusted pieces of spearmint gum (with the wrappers half off), 2 silver spoons (from yogurt lunches that were never eaten), 4 pony-tail holders, 5 pens and 2 markers, a large metal button (that came off my pants one day), a cool pair of handmade beaded earrings, a set of 8 University keys, 4 hair clips (two large and 2 small), a 2-inch stack of receipts, a speeding ticket (watch out in Lone Jack!), and $1. 86 in coins.....

Truly amazing. I'm really not kidding. ALL of this just came out of a little purse, that is smaller than a toaster!!! Now to decide what stays and what goes...hmm, it all seems somewhat important. Decisions, decisions!

Happy Birthday Avery!

My niece has turned 5 ! The night she was born, I slept in a hospital lounge area waiting for her arrival. Her little face reminded me of Sam as a newborn :) And I had the joy of babysitting her from 6 weeks until age 2 :)

Happy Birthday sweet girl!

Happy Birthday to My Middle Guy!

Can't believe Jack is 7 ! The night he arrived, we had to leave the Oktoberfest in LS to get to the hospital and finally at 3 am (exhausting), he appeared. What a chubs when he came out, and a big mop of dark hair! Still has the thick hair (which seems to be getting darker).









Jack is our considerate one, and will basically give you the shirt off his back, the food from his plate, or the last piece of gum.

He really loves to look at his baby pictures on his birthday each year...what precious pictures of Sam and him as the two brothers :) I stared at pictures of them for awhile tonight, Sam hugging Jack's little baby neck...and thinking about what buds they've always been.

Tonight, Sam helped Jack read his math page; the whole while, Jack stroked Sam's finger in affection while he listened, appreciating that his older brother would take the time to help him...awww....I hope they will always have this bond.


We spent his birthday weekend at G'ma and G'pa's, where he wanted a bonfire and cookout. Not only did he get his wish, but I was told that he had THE best birthday ever! Well, that's good to hear...a mom never wants to hear that they had the worst event of their little life :)


Jack spent the day doing all things he enjoys---road his motorcycle, shot his new bow (insane, I know), and shot the .22 with G'pa and Dad (again, insanity). Then doughnuts to school for his friends and went out for steak in the evening. Let the Fall birthdays begin---Avery, G'ma, and Lydia are next!












I love you, my middle boy.

Grade School Pranks

After picking up the boys from school, I toss out the usual mom inquiry..."So, what did you do today? Did you have a good day?" "Yup" or "Oh, the usual" are the responses I typically get. Today though, Sam's 4th grade answer made me smile and sent me on the memory train back to when I was in fourth grade.

I had barely closed the van door, before he jumped into his seat and announced, "Guess what happened today?!" in such an excited voice, that I thought someone must have lost their lunch at a pivotal moment, or at least had bloodshed on the playground. I didn't even have to answer or wait for a delayed turn in the conversation. Before I even pulled out of the carpool line, he dove in.....

"Mom, ___ got sent to the Headmaster's office today! Because he launched applesauce from his spoon like a catapult and it splatted into a girl's hair!"...then silence from the backseat...

I should have said, "Oh really? Yes, we shouldn't do that." But, I just couldn't! The animation in his voice and picture in my mind of a little girl dripping in applesauce made me burst out laughing. After I gained a bit of composure, I looked into the rear view mirror...I think the boys were shocked at my response and my next question, "He really got sent to the office for that?!" They just looked at me and then began lamenting the fact that it was unfair that other friends had to go as well, just because they had their spoons pulled back in "ready position," but never fired...the injustice!

As I pulled out of the parking lot with a smile on my face, I recalled the one and only time I got sent to the Principal's office (not counting the times I had to sit in the hall and copy "I won't talk out loud" sentences 500 times...something about that is just wrong...didn't I have any schoolwork to do??). I vaguely remember that it was a sunny day out on the playground and I was on the teeter-totter with a certain boy...one of the cute, smart boys...one that I always longed to have attention from...however, this certain dude was also mouthy and a smarty-pants. I remember that he must have said something to peeve me, just at the moment that I realized there were a few pebbles underneath the seat of my teeter. I'm not sure what possessed me, I guess whatever he said, but I picked up the pebbles and launched them at his head! I think I missed, and I think we were both even laughing; however, the teacher was not amused...I guess I wasn't covert enough, because she saw everything, and marched over, jerked me off the play equipment and into the office. "She threw a ROCK at another student!" she spewed to the principal. I remember feeling misunderstood, confused, and also a little miffed that I was caught...and also bewildered at how it all happened in the first place!

All of these scenes ran through my mind as I heard further testimony about the misfortune of 4th grader ____. I kind of felt sorry for him, while also imagining the sound that pureed apples would make when hitting the soft fluff of girlie hair. Ah, fourth grade pranks...such a learning experience (and kind of fun)...just glad it wasn't my kids doing the pranking!