To: God 38/365

They have a internal mail system at the kids school.  Every month there is a stack of undeliverable mail. Generally it is because it isn't addressed to anyone, or signed, so they don't know who to send it back to. Today, as they went through the undeliverable stack, they came across this letter.  The sweet teacher that is in charge of this program is a friend of mine, so she read it, and gave it to Noelle to bring to me. On the outside it is addressed to God and Jesus.  This just warms my heart.  She could write a letter to anyone, and she chooses to write one to God.  I wonder if she is expecting a letter back. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.  Luke 18:17 Maybe we should all take a lesson from LeeLee and write letters to God.

Lantern Festival 37/365

Today is a special day in China, it is the 15th day of the first lunar month, so that means it is the Lantern Festival.  This is one day that I intend to be in China for at least once in my lifetime.  Hunter and Noelle helped me plan and gather up the special things we needed to pull off dinner.  When we told the little girls, they got so excited.  So while I was cooking, they were busy getting dressed up in their Chinese dresses.  When they came down and saw the dining room all lit up with Chinese lanterns and candles, the excitement built.

They take turns praying at dinner, but we decided to let both Hope and LeeLee pray tonight.  Hope said the normal things she says, but when we got to LeeLee the cutest little prayer came out.....Dear Lord, thank you for tonight, thank you for making me Chinese, thank you for Chinese food, thank you for this special holiday, I love holidays!  Thank you Lord for my family, I love them, and thank you for this good food.  I love you, and I am so happy!  Amen

They really enjoyed our Chinese feast.  I fixed egg rolls, beef and broccoli stir fry, and rice with sweet and sour sauce on the side.

 I love that they have each other to share these experiences with.  They loved playing with the lanterns in the dark and watching the lights reflect on the ceiling.

I really hope that one day, we can stand as a family in China during this festival and release sky lanterns. For now, I will just marvel at the beauty that God has given to our family through these two girls.....it was beautiful to share tonight with them just a little part of their culture and to watch their excitement and pride about their heritage.  Happy Lantern Festival Ya'll!!

The Freckles Are Out 36/365

The sun is finally out and shining down on the loveliest village on the plains.  The kids have been wearing short sleeve shirts and shorts.  I just commented the other day about how we haven't even bought winter coats for this year.  I guess, this late in the season, we may not even need them.   With the sunlight we get freckles.  Well, at least four of us do.  Hunter looks so cute with his freckles popping out.

Oh Sweetness! 35/365

Just in case any of you wanted to nominate me for mother of the year, I thought I would go ahead this early in the year and give you the true goods on how I really would never deserve such an award.  This picture would be my children eating their dinner. What is in those bowls?  Oh that would be hot fudge cakes.  You know, ice cream, chocolate cake, hot fudge, peanut butter cups, and whip cream on top.  And yes, it is dinner, they got two helpings.  It does cover three of the food groups, so I am in no way feeling guilty over this.  Also, look at them, they look like little rug rats....I think they are still precious, but I have allowed them to look like this all day long.  So, it is with great pride that I withdraw myself from any nominations for mother of the year.  

My Over Achiever 34/365

Noelle isn't exactly what I would call normal...but neither am I, so this really is not a huge surprise.  Now that I think about it, I'm not really sure anyone living under our roof is normal.  Noelle loves school, and excels at school.  She doesn't like to miss, and will often lie to me about how she is feeling for fear that I may keep her home.  In science, she and her team have made an ecosystem.  They do observations on them and keep detailed drawings of what they see in their science journals.  Noelle has been frustrated with her group because they won't allow her enough time to count the rocks in the bottom of their aquarium.  She wants to know the number of rocks, so that her drawings are perfect.  

So, her sweet teacher scooped her up about the same amount of rocks that they used in the bottom of the aquarium, and told her that she could just count those instead.  She is excited to count them all, and report back with a number.  See what I meant about not being normal.  Why would any normal eleven year old subject themselves to this?

Sparkly Shoes! 33/365

While I didn't lack much in my childhood, I realize through raising my own children, that there were a few things that I would have changed.  You see, I had what I like to call an expressive side, but I think my parents would have labeled it more of a tacky side or trashy side.  I can remember wanting a pair of sparkly shoes, and my mom just wouldn't allow it.  The closest I ever came to sparkly shoes was the famous Jelly Shoes of the 80's.  I remember thinking I was hot stuff when I finally got a pair, and now in retrospect, I wonder what any of us were thinking.  Those things were uncomfortable and ugly.  Nonetheless, I was excited to have some shoes with at least a hint of sparkle.  So, maybe I need some type of therapy, because when I see sparkly shoes for the girls, I spontaneously have to buy them.

I mean seriously, they are adorable!!  I wish they had my size.  I would wear them everyday.  I think everyone needs a little sparkle in their lives.

Squirrel! 32/365

I love the movie UP!  I couldn't help but think about it this morning when I walked out to take the kids to school.  Hunter had set his trap, and I could here it rattling.  I look over, and just like Doug from Up, I screamed, "Squirrel!"  Hunter's face lit up.  He took off running for the trap and was overjoyed as this is his first squirrel to be captured.  I have to say, the squirrel is a little more lively than the chipmunks that we regularly catch.

We didn't have much time to marvel at him before we had to release him.  It is so sweet to see the excitement that a squirrel can bring to my boy's face.  I guess it is the simple things in life that sometimes bring us the greatest joy.  I am thankful that God sent us this message this morning, because I needed the reminder.