Schooools. Out. fo. Summa...

It seems a lifetime ago I was walking away from Wild Man on the first day of Kindergarten. That day, and in the weeks that followed, I was so anxious about how his days in "Big Boy School" would go. It did not take us long to discover we had been blessed with an amazing teacher, Mrs. Polka Dots. She quickly learned what makes Wild Man tick and hit the ground running. She has been out of school on maternity leave the past few weeks but came back to see the kiddos a few times this week. Wild Man was SOOOO happy to see her before summer vacation and to meet her new baby boy as well. I wish we could take her to First Grade with us next year but I'm pretty sure she wants to stay in the comforts of Kindergarten.
This is Mrs. C, Mrs. Polka Dot's Assistant and Wild Man's Reading Partner. Mrs. Polka Dot's started the Accelerated Reader program with Wild Man a year early. He was ready and it gave him something extra to work toward. Both teachers cheered him on for months (along with many hours of reading at home). By the end of the year, he was reading at almost a 3rd grade reading level! We are sooo proud of how he has transitioned into school. He is such a bright little boy with so much potential. We are praying his First Grade teachers will create the same wonderful learning environment he experienced in Kindergarten.

AWANA Awards...

Wild Man received his first book award in AWANA tonight. That is a huge accomplishment for a six year old. We are so proud of you Wild Man!

And the Award goes to...

Mrs. Polka Dots gives out her own class awards at the end of the year. In addition to school wide awards, she believes that every child deserves an award. Today Wild Man received the Outstanding Reader award for Mrs. Polka Dot's class!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Play...

Every year the Kindergarten classes put on their own production of the Very Hungry Caterpillar (based upon the book by Eric Carle). This year Wild Man was given the part of {insert dramatic music here} a pickle. That's right. He was a pickle...the best little pickle in all of Kindergarten. He practiced his lines every day for weeks. "...one pickle...but he was STILL hungry". Here he is in action...
Once the caterpillar turned into a beautiful butterfly the entire Kindergarten sang the chorus of "I Believe I Can Fly". It was really sweet {but all I could picture in my mind was R. Kelly singing in the middle of the corn field--one of those strange memories from my first year of college}.

Searching for us in the crowd...
Take a bow...
The cast of characters (back in the classroom)...
Grammy and Little Miss cheering him on...

The story...

Two months ago today we received one of the most important calls in the history of our family. In an instant we changed from a family of 4 to a party of 5! {You know, I've always wanted to say that---Womble, party of 5---Womble, party of 5---your table is now available. Ahhhhhhhhhh-- that makes me so excited!} I finally got around to completing the story of how we became MeiMei's family. If you would like to read the story...

3-27-09: Every Good Girl Scout Plans Ahead and THE CALL!
3-28-09: Waiting for the Sky to Part...
Part One -- Part Two -- Part Three -- the Finale

Who Me?

I don't know what you're talking about? I didn't eat anything! Sneak a snack when Mommy isn't watching? I would never do a thing like that. And I certainly would NEVER lie to my Mommy when she asks repeatedly what I've been eating.
That is, until my Mommy leads me to the mirror and points out that she can see the evidence on my face. Then I had to tell the truth. You know, Mommy is much smarter than I give her credit. Maybe I should remember to tell the truth next time.

Six-OH! Is it time to go?

Nope. Not even close...
Today MeiMei turns 14 months old!

OUCH again...

Tonight we celebrated our friend Elizabeth's birthday with our dear friends, the Lacys. Things were going well until Wild Man tripped and feel head on into the corner of the door trim. In the 10 seconds it took me to get to him after I heard the crash and subsequent SCREAMING of BLOODY MURDER, a HUGE {and I do mean HUGE} knot popped up on his head. When we tried to take a look he would scream even louder telling us how bad it hurt. In hindsight, there was no reason for me to feel it (though I did very gently). We could SEE it sticking up like a horn on the top of his head.I'm not exaggerating. It looked just like a cartoon. It was bleeding. He was screaming. All I could think was that is HUGE! We scooped him up and headed to the ER. Two hours, a few ice packs, a nice MD and orders for 24 hours of every hour neuro checks later, we were on our way home. Thankfully it was just a mild head injury. Chalk one more ER visit up to the Wild Man.

The funny part of this story happened the next morning. I had to wake him up throughout the night asking random questions to check his mental status. By 6 am he was OVER IT! I woke him up and without opening his eyes he said...

My name is Wild Man. I am 6 and a half. I hit my head at Mrs. Rebekah's. It hurt really bad. It was bleeding and you took me to the hospital. The doctor's hair was black. I don't remember his name. CAN I GO BACK TO SLEEP NOW?

I was about to roll off the bed I was laughing so hard. I let him off the hook on the pupil check and went back to bed. Clearly his neurological status was not impaired if he remembered all of the questions I asked him throughout the night. Thankfully God made noggins to withstand a lot of accidental abuse.

Hope...

To wish for something with expectation of its fulfillment--
To look forward to with confidence or expectation



I love this song...

Wordless Wednesday...

Brought to you today by the letter J...

As an end of the year assignment, each student had the opportunity to play teacher by presenting a letter of the alphabet to the class. Wild Man chose the letter J and set out to create a lesson. I helped him come up with a plan but he had to execute it in the classroom.

He began his presentation with his best teacher rendition of "1-2-3-eyes on me". He must of said it 5 times until he had every students complete UNDIVIDED attention. Not a shy bone in the kids body. Not one.

First he presented a few items beginning with the letter J...Jump rope, Juice box, Jeep, and Joke book...Then he moved on to his main demonstration--how to make JELL-O. I served as his assistant boiling the water and holding the cheat sheet Just in case he forgot one of the steps...

I tried to inconspicuously snap an action shot but as you can see he paused mid-stir for a photo op. Thankfully it's only Kindergarten. I'm sure someday he will lose a few points in Public Speaking 101 when I bust out my camera for a scrapbook moment. :-) I'm only kidding... well... maybe...
Like a pro, he remembered all of the steps to making Jell-O without the cheat sheet. Wooohoooo! He moved on to asking his classmates other words that begin with J and praised them all for their correct answers (as any good teacher would do). The only part of the lesson he selectively forgot was how his Mommy FORBID him to tell any Jokes from the Joke book. He pulled that secret out of his back pocket for the grand finale...

His chosen Joke from the "Jokelopedia: the Biggest, Best, Silliest, Dumbest Joke Book Ever"...

Q: Why did the kangaroo lose the basketball game?

A: He ran out of bounds.

Bwaaah-haa-haa-haa! Can't you just hear the six year old laughter erupt?

To our Wild Man--I mean Mr. Womble--you did an EXCELLENT job! Perhaps you'll have your own classroom one day. If you do, please do all the kids a favor and leave your Jokelopedia at home.

Visitors...

We were lucky enough to spend some time with the Daniello's as they were passing through on their 6 week--8,000 mile--RV tour of the US. The Marler's joined in the bedlam last night but I forgot to snap a picture of all the kiddos before Jacob left. I grabbed the camera for a last second shot right before I took Wild Man to school this morning. Kara and crew left at the same time we left for school. They have lots of places to go and people to see before they head back to Massachusetts this weekend. I hope one day, when the kids are older, we can vacation in their neck of the woods. We miss you guys but we know how important having family nearby can be. Happy Trails to you--we hope to see you again soon!

In case you are wondering, Little Miss dressed herself. ;-)

Last Day of Mother's Day Out...

Little Miss and her teachers in their matching tie-dyed t-shirts. They made them together for the last day of school...

Mrs. Carrie...
and Mrs. Melissa...
Our little social butterfly has had so much fun at Tuesday/Thursday school this year. Last fall we hesitated in letting her go but I'm so glad we did. It was the right decision for her. She LOVES her friends--all of them! She loves music class with Mrs. Lori. She loves making crafts. She loves to paint (which Mommy doesn't do often). She loves her teachers and has really blossomed in their classroom. Little Miss is excited about spending the summer with Wild Man and Mommy but I know when fall rolls around she'll be ready to see her friends again.



See how much she has grown?

First day ----------------- Last day

Most Outstanding Boy...

Remember last fall when I sent my baby off to Kindergarten? Remember how I worried about the year to come? If he would be placed with the right teacher? If she would "get him"? If she would be willing to go above and beyond the typical Kindergarten classroom to meet his educational needs? Keep all of that in mind and fast forward 9 months...

Last week we received an invitation to Wild Man's school awards ceremony. Of course we checked the box that he would attend and returned it the next day (it was by invitation only) . Then we waited to find out what all the fuss was about.

Apparently we didn't get the memo that we should have arrived several hours early to snag a decent seat. I'll have to tuck that away for future reference. Anyway, once we all settled in to the very last row on the far side of the gym and threatened the life of explained the importance of the evening to baby sister the program began. In came a boat load of smiley Kindergarten through 2nd grade students. You could tell they were so proud of themselves.

Kindergarten was up first. There are 11 Kindergartens so it took some time to get to Mrs. Polka Dot's class. He was about to jump out of his sweater vest waiting for his turn on stage. He couldn't wait to get up there. Finally it was his turn. Mrs. Polka Dots is out on maternity leave so his interim teacher presented him with the award. He looked like such a big boy walking across that stage. The Principal, Mrs. Goodness, announced

Most Outstanding Boy
in Mrs. Polka Dots class...
Wild Man Womble
"This award is presented to Wild Man for your academic brilliance and all around great attitude."Each class had a Most Outstanding Boy, Most Outstanding Girl and Most Improved along with any Perfect Attendance or related arts awards. These are Wild Man's classmates who received awards tonight minus Most Outstanding Girl, Rosemarie. She had already gone before we took the group photo.Both Grammy and Nanny came to see him receive his award. He LOVES to have both of his grandmothers together. We have been so blessed this year with a wonderful school and most of all a phenomenal teacher. She was the key to his success this year. Mrs. Polka Dots went above and beyond the typical Kindergarten atmosphere to make sure Wild Man was being challenged. She praised him daily for his success. She learned his quirks and helped fine tune them. She disciplined without breaking his sweet spirit. She communicated with us and listened to our concerns. Most of all, she loved our baby little man while he was learning all about the great adventure of "big boy school". We love you Mrs. Polka Dots! Thank you for everything!

March 2009-Mrs. Polka Dots surprise baby shower hosted by the class Moms

50 -- NOT so nifty...

Do you find it sad...

that this glass jar filled with green leaves, purple roses and pink hearts has been hanging out in our freezer for ten years? That's right (as she hangs her head in shame). Three moves. Two freezer deaths. Two and a half small children later. TEN YEARS!! Who wants to guess why? If you've ever wondered if I have issues this is going to seal the deal. My flower girl basket from my Aunt and Uncle's wedding (when I was 5)...in the attic. My favorite high school t-shirts...a box in my closet. Every Birthday or Christmas card I have ever received in my adult life...check. The extra napkins and programs from our wedding...Oh yeah. AND you guessed it...the mints from our wedding reception...

It's not like I thought we were EVER going to eat the nasty things. Well, they weren't nasty at our wedding but I'm pretty sure they were after about month #6. I just could NOT part with them. Letting go--even when it comes to mints--not my strong point--but after reading this post you would NEVER come to that conclusion, would you? Well, I'm happy to announce I'm turning over a new leaf. **chuckle--chuckle--leaf--chuckle--I just sounded like my six year old**
I saw on one of those organize shows you should take photographs of the things that are special to you and then toss 'em. So I did!!!! I had a little photo session, gave that jar a big squeeze, said a few respectable words about their existence and then I did it. I tossed that jar straight into the big black can and walked away. I'll admit I quickly turned around to question if I made the right decision. Then I mustered up all the strength I had and closed the door behind me. It was tough but I knew it had to be done.

That's one sappy sentimental item down--I'm not telling one single soul how many more to go. It's a good place to start and we all have to start somewhere? RIGHT?

Happy Mother's Day

Breakfast in bed. A beautiful corsage. Worshiping the Creator of motherhood. A yummy lunch with my Mom. An afternoon nap-HALLELUJAH! A dinner prepared for the queen (that's me). My hubs and my babies (even the one I know in pictures). Happy Mother's Day to me!

Happy Mother's Day...

Transcending: Words on Women and Strength by Kelly Corrigan...

The details...

How appropriate that we would receive PA (pre-approval) on the day of our 10th wedding anniversary. I do not have a copy of it yet but our agency said it is dated 4-8-09...12 days after our referral. Who knows why it took C2A2 30 more days to notify us but I am choosing not to focus on that. We are just thankful to know Ch*na understands we are HERS and she is OURS.

This photo was our first glimpse of sweet Mei Mei on referral day. As it slowly loaded onto the computer screen a little piece of my heart was filled by her sweet little face. Over the past 42 days I have memorized every inch of it. Her sweet little bald head. The way her arms stick out to the side from the 16 layers of clothes she's wearing (in Southern China). But the one thing that draws me in every time is her eyes. Those beautiful eyes. It's as if she is staring straight into the window of this Mommy's heart.

Receiving this information yesterday was no accident. For us, it is one more God sized confirmation that she is very much meant to be our daughter. This story--HER story--is so much bigger than us. I do not understand it. At times I don't believe it. I still feel like I'm going to wake up on March 27th to a camping adventure before us. Then I stare straight into those eyes and remind myself this is not a dream. It is God making what was once seemingly impossible...possible.

INTRODUCING...

The best TEN of my life...

Ten years ago today, on a sunny spring afternoon, I met this handsome guy at the altar and said "I do". If you had told us then where the next ten years would take us we would have laughed. Yet here we are. The good, bad and the ugly--we're still here. Has it always been easy? Nope. Have we had days (even weeks) we were ready to strangle each other? Absolutely--but never once have we forgotten the promises we made that day...

to have and to hold from this day forward,
for better, for worse, for richer or for poorer,
in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, 'til death do us part,
according to God’s holy ordinance, and thereto I pledge you my faith.

The year before we married, Shania Twain released "You're Still the One". Even then, before we had "made it" this far, it always reminded me of us. I loved the lyrics and knew some day they would be appropriate for us. I think today is that day.

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

We beat the odds together
I'm glad we didn't listen
Look at what we would be missin'
They said, "I bet they'll never make it"
But just look at us holding on
We're still together still going strong
You're still the one...

We were all of 21 and 20 years old with our entire lives ahead. We could have listened to those who said we were too young to get married or taken to heart the insinuations of those who thought it but never said it. Instead we listened to our hearts. I'm so thankful we did.

A few weeks ago this amazing man I have the privilege of calling my husband planned every detail of a 10th anniversary getaway. I didn't even know where we were going until less than an hour before we arrived. The entire weekend was AMAZING! Seriously AMAZING! This is the most beautiful place I have ever been. I hope when I'm old and gray I can still remember the details he planned for our weekend. Every single minute was heaven on Earth.
(Please no comments about the Chief at the spa. He was stepping WAY outside his box on that one!)

To my handsome hubby...
You are still the one I love regardless of passing time or circumstance. Ten years ago you were the love of my life. Time has only strengthened what we started way back when. Thank you for being everything I could have ever dreamed of in a husband, a Father and as my best friend. Happy Anniversary! I hope and pray 40 years from today we are reminiscing about this milestone as if it were yesterday. I love you.

40 days...

To the Chief...

I haven't laughed like that in days...thanks Laura Non-Blogger!

A few things for Mei Mei...