{Day 10}: First Christmas Pageant

{Day 10} First Christmas Pageant

Back in October I received an unexpected phone call from the Children's Ministry Coordinator of Washington Conference of Seventh Day Adventists. Through a series of random connections, she had heard about our family and wanted to know if I'd be interested in having Isaac and Mila in their Christmas Pageant (Mila wasn't even home yet).  She proceeded to share her heart to have a Christmas Pageant just for kids with special needs: "for all the kids who have always wanted to be Joseph or Mary or an Angel and have never been able or allowed. "     I was wiping away tears when she asked "do you happen to have a drummer boy and an angel in your family?"  Do I ever!!   

Mila was SO VERY EXCITED to be an angel...not just any angel, A Beautiful Angel.  This was a VERY important adjective.  We bought Beautiful Angel shoes and found a Beautiful Angel headband and I happen to have some Beautiful Angel "slip-skip" (lipstick) in my purse.  In fact, she has edited the Nativity Story to just four characters: Maria, Josephi, Bay-BE Jesus...and the Beautiful Angel. Of course. 

And Isaac.  Oh to be a drummer boy ALL the time. He had to wait until the very end for his grand entrance and he did such a GREAT job!  

 Isaac's end game is STRONG:

This production was such a precious tribute to the children and young adults that participated. No penny was spared to allow each of them to bring their abilities to Jesus, no matter how seemingly big or small. Wheelchairs were transformed into camels. Down syndrome was celebrated. Autism and sensory processing disorders honored. Sign language was prominent. Time was allowed to provide each pageant member with whatever they needed to "play their drum for Him".   It was treasured evening.  (For those that want to see the full production, the video is available on the Facebook page of the Auburn Adventist Academy Church)

I am so very thankful for that phone call in October. For a stranger who loves Jesus and thought maybe, just maybe our family would like to participate. The reality is, my kids would not otherwise have been in a pageant this year, maybe ever.  And I would have missed out on the experience of having kids in something so typical as a Christmas play. My kids learned tonight that they CAN bring all that they have to Jesus and WILL be supported to bring their gifts in every way they can. 

Photo-A-Day 2018: Holiday Edition {Days 6-9}

{DAY 6}: Isaac making introductions. "Wise men meet Joseph, Mary & their new baby"

{DAY 7}: Christmas letter stamping

{DAY 8}: Visit to Watsons---didn't like the reindeer, but LOVED the trees.

{DAY 9}:  My best friend's card made it to my mother's house before mine did. (show off!)

Stay tuned for Day 10...it's a good one!

Photo-A-Day 2018: Holiday Edition {Days 2-5}

{DAY 2}: Bringing in Christmas takes muscles

{DAY 3}: Christmas Tree Farm Snuggles

{DAY 4}: Raising a new Packer fan

{DAY 5}: Christmas Card Assembly Line

To be continued...

52 Weeks of Family: Week 5

Mila:

We've crossed off a couple more medial boxes this week. First, was the pediatric ophthalmologist.  You've got a couple of issues (nystagmus, strabismus & congenital cataracts) in addition to needing to correct your vision, but none need to be surgically corrected immediately. I am glad for this as it will give us a year or so to work on your English so I can better explain things to you. 

We also got your blood work back (all normal!) and the results of your x-rays. A notable congenital hip issue was overlooked when you were a baby and you've somehow made it 13 years without any major issues. We'll see a pediatric orthopedist and get a plan in place. I suspect a major surgery will be needed but not emergently.   

Your expressive English is coming along!  I know your receptive language is much further along, but it is often difficult to get your brain and your tongue to connect. My personal favorite Mila-ism right now is yelling "Isaaci, PLEEEESE come HERE!" when you actually want to say "please stop".  You have literally backed yourself into the wall yelling COME HERE with Isaac continuing to come toward you with a very confused look on his face--he clearly wants to stop, but you keep beckoning him! It's so hard for me not to laugh as I rescue you both. 

Your FROZEN obsession is in full force. Every day you ask for AnnaElsa! (Frozen). And when I need to say no, you ask for reassurance that tomorrow is still a possibility to visit your beloved princesses.  In my ultimate wisdom I attempted to share with you that Anna & Elsa are actually sisters. Isn't that fun?  You nodded your head, walked away, stopped..then walked back with a shocked look on your face.  "Motër?!" (Sister?!)  Yes!  I said, thrilled to pieces that I communicated a familial concept with you: Motër.  Your face got the giddiest look and then I realized...you only know the word Moter/Sister in relation to the Sisters of Charity...of the global Catholic Church!  I'm now pretty sure you think Sister Anna & Sister Elsa, as you've taken to calling them, are on sabbatical from their Call *facepalm*. I bet you that is a plot twist the Walt Disney Company never considered! 

You also had your first Thanksgiving!  Such a busy week for you!  Explaining the cultural context was nearly impossible, so we talked about the spiritual one...we give thanks to our generous God for ALL that He has done and continues to do for us, including creating families. This you seemed to understand and took joy in helping put together Thanksgiving baskets at church:

Isaac:

You turned EIGHT this week and are doing such a good job stepping into a leadership role with your sister. I often ask you to "show Mila how a family does this" and you jump at the opportunity to model a behavior. Recently you've capitalized on your previous FROZEN obsession to help feed Mila in hers. I "caught" you bringing your Sven & Kristoff into your sister's room to show her how to play with her Anna & Elsa. Sweet boy.  You've also learned that when sister is sad you can bring her her kindle already prepped to the Frozen story book and that makes her very happy. 

I never would have expected this, but YOU have picked up some Albanian phrases from Mila! So much so I've had to update your teachers in case you decide to spice up your ASL & Isaac-English with you know, one of the more popular of world languages...Albanian.   When I hear "john-john!" (gentle) from the other room I know your sister is being a bit too rough, but there is always a hug & kiss at the end.

Me:

You've been much more tired this week and it took a few minutes to figure out why---between running to medial appointments, Isaac's birthday, the extra pie baking, Thanksgiving and ushering in Christmas you've had little time to rest. You've also needed to dial back some of the Disneyland-parenting that is often needed when winning the heart of a new child. It's not a bad thing; the transition needs to be made sooner or later (too late has it's own issues), but that little dose of reality as the adrenaline of transition is wearing off can amplify the physical fatigue. You've picked some Netflix shows to watch soon and are working on a list of Christmas projects YOU want to do after the kids go to bed--good job. Loving a new child into a family isn't a sprint, it's a lifelong marathon.

Also...your daughter asked twice this week if you were giving her Raki, a traditional Albanian home brew. You should probably follow up with the Sisters on that. 

Photo A Day 2018: Holiday Edition {Day 1}

I've done this holiday photo project between Thanksgiving & Christmas the last several years, and with exception of the first year, I've loved doing it. For some strange reason it forces pro-activity during a relatively hectic season. It also forces pause. Stop to take the picture, yes, but stop and reflect---are we doing just for the sake of doing? Or am I building memories for my children with meaning & purpose? More importantly, are we pursing Christ through this season of celebration? I want the answer to always be YES. 

I wasn't sure I wanted to do this project this year, having just brought Mila home and already journaling once per week through her first year home. Surely this was too much! While kvetching with my BFF on the phone, she jokingly mentioned her co-worker was doling out free advice that day, so I left the ultimate decision in the hands of a virtual stranger at Pine Meadow Elementary School in central Minnesota. (Why not?) 

He said YES. 

So here we go...

{DAY 1}: New Thanksgiving Tradition--pie for breakfast.

Happy 8th Birthday Isaac!

My baby boy is EIGHT.  I don't even know how that is possible. EIGHT.

This last year has been tremendous for him, growing physically (another two inches!) and also emotionally. His compassionate heart is evident in his interactions with his friends and family, as well as his sense of humor--dude is funny!

When your family is on adoption lock-down, you have a teeny little pirate party...and have a great time!

Traditional Happy Birthday 'circle toast' breakfast with honey butter *wink* (his FAVORITE).

Birthday dinner:

Isaac you are a treasure that I could not have found on my own if I tried. I love your wit and sense of adventure and willingness to try new things...and even your seemingly unending energy (how do you do it??). Your heart breaks for those who hurt and looking to provide comfort comes so easily to you. I am proud to be your forever momma and want you to always know how much you are loved on this earth and in Heaven. 

Happy 8th Birthday sweet boy.