Princess-ology 101

The great ones never stop learning.

Peas and Carrots

He's long and lanky.
She's short and sweet.

He's a bit on the quiet side.
And she's...well, not.

He'd wear the same outfit every day.
She changes three times in an hour.

He loves a good story.
She's all about the music.

He owns one pair of shoes.
She has a pair for each day of the week and then some.

As different as night and day, these two.
But some how they go together,
adoring each other like they do,
and they make it work.


"Like peas and carrots, Jenny, like peas and carrots."

A Sweet Surprise...

I was getting the little ones ready for bed this evening when I noticed them.

The first one I saw was posted ever so subtly on the bottom left-hand corner of Lia's bathroom mirror.

A few minutes later I found the one in Alex's bathroom.

Two teeny-tiny, gender-specific, age appropriate chore charts for my two non-readers to help them get themselves ready for the day.

So cute.
So creative.
So not my idea.

No, this was not my doing.

This was not even my suggestion.

This was Lauren's idea from start to finish.  She even explained it to them and they are loving it.

 Seriously, sometimes I just don't know what I would do without that girl!

Go Ahead...

...you be the one to tell her she's too short to push the cart.

(Believe it or not, we did manage to make it all the way down the aisle without knocking over any applesauce).

Queen of the Hot Tub

It starts early with this one.
Usually by breakfast.
"Mommy, I go hot tub?"

Then usually once again while we are on the beach.
"Mommy, I go hot tub, pleeeeease?"

And then at lunch.
"Hot tub time, Mommy?"

Because while she enjoys the sand and surf just fine...

this girl seriously loves her some hot tub time.

And she's not only about the fun either.

She'll work to make sure it's in top form for her enjoyment later that day.

And when you are a tiny thing like she is, you can get in some swim practice too.

They are calling for temps in the low 90's here today.
But I suspect this one will still be asking for her hot tub time.

Wordless Wednesday {Wild Thing}

...praying every day for her future husband :)

Wordless Wednesday {Pink Is Her Signature Color}

Wordless Wednesday {Lia and Friends}

The Chore Chart

It appears that a certain someone was feeling a little left out by not having a personalized chore chart on our refrigerator like everyone else.

Hard to believe she would notice something like that (ahem).


So this morning, she awoke to find a list of chores picked out just for her.

The first few things would take time for her to master on her own.
But the last two?
Got checked off within the hour.

And then got checked again.  And again.  And again.
Cute and feisty.
That's my Lia.

Today's Post Brought to You By...

...the letter p...

...as in pretty pink slippers...

...dangling from the piano bench...

...while worn by a petite princess...
 

In a word...precious.

Wordless Wednesday {Window Shopping}

Gone

...like yesterday is gone.

...like history is gone.

...like Lia's diapers...gone.
Oh yes indeed.  For the first time in 13 years (give or take a few months) the word "diapers" and/or "pull-ups"  will NOT be making an appearance on my grocery list this week.

For 4 consecutive mornings her first words to me have been:

"I wake up."
"I go my potty in my bafroom."
"I big girl." 

Yes you are, little one.  Yes you are.

Editor's Note:  Within seconds of publishing this post, Lia walks right up to my desk, looks me in the eye and says, "I peed my pants."  Oh, the humility.

A Letter to My Daughter {2 years later}

Dear Lia:
 
It was two years ago today that your Daddy and I left Hong Kong after a short night's sleep following our 16 hour flight from the states.  Two quick plane rides and one frantic van trip later, we entered a hotel meeting room in Guangxi, China, breathless from our travels and eager with nervous excitement of what was about to occur in a few short moments.

Before we had time to even catch our breath, there you were.  One of the most beautiful things we had ever laid eyes on.

You came around the corner in the arms of your ayi with those big brown eyes of yours roaming around the room looking for something, anything, that was familiar but finding nothing.

Within seconds she placed you in my arms and we were left speechless.

Though we were stunned by how beautiful you were and humbled that in God's perfect plan you were to be ours forever, it was obvious that you were so scared at everything that was happening around you and to you.

Your eyes brimmed with tears, your lips formed a perpetual pout, and my heart broke for what yours was going through.  How I wished one word, one hug, one kiss could reassure you and make it alright.  But I knew better.  It would take time and consistency to build that bridge of trust from your heart to ours. 

We would later come to realize that many of your tendencies that afternoon and the days that followed were simply ways you sought to deal with these sudden changes.

The stiffness of your body even when (especially when) being held.  The way you would hold your Cheerios between your fingers but not once make any attempt to eat them or anything else for a short time.  The way your eyes were always staring but never focusing.  The silent tears that were a window to your precious little heart.

You fell asleep that first night with your clothes on, your diaper unchanged, and your dinner uneaten.  But you were finally at rest and those things could just wait until morning.

Days passed.  We returned home, and slowly we began to see more and more of who you really were.  A precious flower was beginning to bloom before our very eyes.

Smiles began to dance across your face.
Toddles turned into steps.
Words came.

And now, two years later, those first few weeks in China seem like an eternity ago.

Each new day is counted as a gift from Him to know you just a little more...

 

...as the princess of the house wielding your authority effortlessly despite your tiny 25 pound frame.

....as the performer proudly belting out the latest tune you've learned from Barney when asked to (and even when you're asked "pretty please" not to). 

...as the busy little mommy bouncing your baby doll on one hip while simultaneously chatting on the phone and whipping up some breakfast for you and your brother in your play kitchen.  I watch and I learn.

...as the snuggler who loves nothing more than curling up with your beloved blankie and baby until you drift off to the place where sweet dreams are made.

...as the adored mei mei of the family who has all 5 olders wrapped around your itty-bitty pinky finger.  Or at least that's how you perceive it to be :)

...and especially as my beautiful little baby girl stumbling into my room each morning in your footed pajamas, hair mussed, eyes squinted shut, curling up in bed for just a  few more snuggles before the day begins.

Each day brings with it the thought that I couldn't possibly love you any more than I do today.

Only to find that every tomorrow proves me wrong.

Happy family day, sweet Lia Kate.  We are so thankful that you are here.

Forever yours,
Mommy

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Lately, I've been hearing some crazy things come out of my mouth.

Things like...

"Yes, dear. You may watch your Barney movie."


"The one you watch every day."


"The one with the same songs that play over and over and over like nails going down a chalkboard."


"The one that someone you love bought you while we were out of the country for 2 weeks.


"The one that can clear a room of your siblings faster than my uttering the words, "I have a few chores I need done..."

"Yes, dear.  You may watch your Barney movie just because I know how much you love it."

"And just because I love you that much."

Love sure makes you do some crazy things, doesn't it?

Milking It

 Yeah.  I think she's taking her role as "baby" of the family to a whole new level.

Lia...Unplugged

Everything I love about this girl captured in a little over a minute and a half.



Classic Lia.

Wordless Wednesday {Happiness}

Tomorrow

Tomorrow I do one of the most difficult things yet for this adoption.

I pack up 2 tiny suitcases:  one red, one pink.

I pack up a handful of toys and a bag of snow clothes.

I load up the car and I take my two littlest treasures to meet Grandma and PopPaw.

And I say goodbye.

For two and a half weeks.

Two and a half weeks without a pirate to make me walk the plank.

Two and a half weeks without a ballerina to hide from the camera.

Or play the diva...depending on her mood.

Two and half weeks without a Jedi to battle or a superhero to save me from harm's way.

Two and a half weeks without these sweet faces and their "little old married couple" ways to simultaneously drive me crazy and brighten my day all at the same time.

Two and a half weeks.

Love you guys.  (Take it easy on Grandma, OK?)

Another beautiful story...

Written by God
Illustrated by Lauren and Caroline

Lia, Carly, Lauren, and Lily

"Focus."

It's Lia's new favorite word.  And she wields it with much power and precision around here.

Like when Michael is pouring her a bowl of cereal and gets lost in conversation with his other sister.

"Michael, focus!" she tells him.

Or when putting a puzzle together with her daddy who simultaneously is checking some of the latest football scores.

She reminds him not-so-subtly, "Daddy, FOCUS!"

It is certainly a reminder I need all too often these days. 

In a few minutes we will leave for our last Christmas road trip.  Then home again to de-decorate, finish the last bit of preparations for Lily's arrival, begin to seriously pack for China.  And there's also this schooling thing we've got going on too.

In the midst of all that (and really on any given day, not just this particular season of life) it's very easy for me to lose focus and get distracted by the unimportant things.

And I end up like Peter sinking in the water because I have lost sight of Jesus.

There is much joy to be had in this journey even amidst the hardships but it's a battle to maintain it when so many things desire to steal it away.

So today, by His grace, I will heed the wisdom of my pint-size preacher...

...and remember to keep my eyes focused on Him.