Hucklebucklebeanstalk

Did any of you ever play this game as a child?  I have the fondest memories of playing this game with my good friends, Deedee and Debbie, when I was a child.  Someone would place an object hidden, but visible from somewhere in the room.  When you found the object, you'd call out, "Hucklebucklebeanstalk!" and you would be the winner to hide the object next time.  The other night I decided to teach this to Ivy, Eva, and Joy.  They loved it.  The first few times, Joy would point at it, saying she found it.  When Eva would hide the blue ball, she'd tell people it was "not next to the fireplace".  Ivy would look at at the blue ball, so you could always tell where she hid it.  It was so much fun to hide things in plain sight!

Where is it, Mom?

Hidden on the pictures!

Last weekend, we went to visit my uncle and aunt, whose son was returning home from spending 4+ years stationed in the military in Japan.  It was so good to see everyone.  I used to spend my summer months at their house and loved every minute of it.  My Aunt Penney taught me to peel potatoes and enjoy eating a pot roast.  I have such fun, sweet memories of being with them.   I would play outside til the sun went down on my dirty feet.

My uncle and aunt

My cousin and his family

 

 My mom with her "friend" (and that is all I have to say about that)

 Notice that my kids hang out with the food?

 My Jack

My sister

Water + Boys = ?

An all-natural Slip 'N Slide!  What else?  It had actually rained quite a bit first.  Then Jack and Seth went outside.  Ivy came in and asked if she could "slide on the grass".  I was not sure what she meant, but quickly found out that it meant this:

and this...

Once the boys splattered Ivy with the cold, wet mud, she decided she did not want to "slide on the grass".  But, the boys had a lot of fun, even though they messed up the yard (it will grow back).  They were quite muddy when they were finished.  So, they stripped down to their skivvies and hosed themselves off (I'm thankful for my 3 private acres of land).

Four Months With Us

Ivy with me - sans make-up

Well, she has been with a family who loves her for 4 months.  Things are good.  She is a great daughter.  I am so thankful that we were allowed to adopt her.

My Bouquet

My girls brought these beautiful weeds flowers to me the other day.  They just had to be put on display!

A Sweet Conversation

The other night while Mike and Jack were out, the girls and I were sitting at the dinner table.  Out of the blue, Ivy said, "I love my dad.  When I came home, I did not love my dad."  Until just recently, Ivy would not go anywhere with her dad unless I was with her.  Just a week or so ago when Mike was going to the store, she asked if she could go with him.  I was shocked, but so excited she had moved to the next step.  It was just Mike and Ivy, no Eva  or Joy.

Then we continued talking about how happy she is now that she is home.  We talked some more about her friends still without a family.  She started talking about her friend who only has 3 fingers on each hand, Ma Ling.

Me:  Does Ma Ling have a family?
Ivy:  No
Me:  Well, Ivy, I wish we could bring Ma Ling home.  It is sad she has no mom or dad.
Ivy:  She could be my sister.  Where would she sleep?
Me:  Jordan will be moving out in about a year, we'll have more room.  Maybe you could move into Jordan's room.  But, we cannot adopt Ma Ling.  It costs a lot of money to fly to China.  (I didn't want to go into details about the adoption process so I left it simple)  We used all of our money when I flew to China to bring you home.  But, we just need to pray for....
Ivy:  ....more money!
Mom:  Actually, I was going to say, pray that a family would find Ma Ling.  Sorry, honey!
Ivy:  When is Jordan leaving?

Ma Ling is in the pink shirt.  Isn't she a cutie?  Ivy said they were in school together.

Now, before you say anything...No, we are not adopting Ma Ling.  I do not know if she is even on the shared list.  Maybe she is your daughter?  She sure is beautiful!

A Soft Spot In My Heart

One year ago, we experienced one of the most painful experiences in our lives.  We did not bring Maggie home with us like we had expected to do for 10 months prior.  The whole experience taught me so much about myself, others, and my Savior.  I realize that I do not have God figured out or know his ways.   I'm now very slow to judge someone about any situation in their lives, especially when it comes to adoption.  Stephanie experienced an almost identical situation shortly after we returned home from China without Maggie.  And, like us, she is about to travel back to China for her daughter.  You can check out her blog here.  And, just like us, funds were a bit tight.  Stephanie is doing a great fundraiser over on her blog to help offset her travel and adoption expenses.  So, if you'd like to pitch in for a great cause, helping a child be an orphan no more, head over to her blog and help her out!  I was so thankful others were willing to help us out.  (Sshh, Mike is getting the T-shirt for Father's Day)