It's Mama Time

I am one very blessed mom. My Chunie-bug LOVES Mama time. She can never have too many hugs or snuggles. She climbs into my lap often. She still wants me to rock her at night. She asks for "a thousand kisses, Mom!" Admittedly, there are times when I want to say (and have said), "A little personal space, please!" However, every mom I know tells me to treasure it now because the days pass so quickly. I know they are right, so I am trying to memorize the feel of her little arms around my neck, savoring the snuggles for the days when she is grown.

Amelia's First Art Exhibition

Amelia's class had its first art exhibition. She was happy to show off her creations!

An Update Without Photos

I know...you come here to see my precious Chun-bug! However, since I have not taken the time to get the photos off the camera an onto the computer in awhile, is it okay if I promise that the last 3 months will be updated in photos at another time?

Amelia update: My girl is 6. It happened before I knew it. One day I had a baby, and now I have a big girl. Being a big girl includes thinking that your Kindergarten teacher knows wayyyy more than Mommy, becoming Mom instead of Mommy (most of the time), wanting Mom to drop you off in the car line at school (as opposed to walking you in every day like she did in Pre-K), trying out certain tones of voice that Mom finds unacceptable, and losing the first tooth. It also means asking Jesus into your heart. That's the best part about being a big girl - making big girl decisions that affect your whole life from here to eternity, literally!

This fall, Amelia has been on a soccer team (notice, I don't say "playing soccer" because that implies making actual contact with the soccer ball in a way that is meaningful to the team), she is taking ballet, she has been participating in Awana and choir, and she has been generally enjoying herself. We made the difficult decision to stop private Chinese lessons for a season. It was really hard for us to keep up with the homework and the lessons, and Amelia was not enjoying it at all. I really didn't want language lessons to become something she resented, and when I asked her which activity she wanted to stop, that was the one thing she immediately wanted to sacrifice. It did break the mama-heart in me just a little, because I don't want to be the mom that fails to give her every tool and every opportunity to embrace her Chinese heritage, but the truth is, she just isn't interested right now. I have to be okay with that.

Baby Er (that's the number two in Chinese for those who don't know) is still somewhere on the horizon. Some days that horizon seems farther away than others. Several days ago, I moved into the #1 slot on the waitlist, so that is exciting news. We could spend a week or several months in that spot. It's up to the Lord! My cyber-friend, Shanda, says the referral is coming October 21. So we shall see! I hope she's right!

Hope you are having a blessed and bountiful fall season. I love Fall...I sort of feel like God shows off in Fall...everything is just so beautiful in the fall - perfect sights, perfect sounds, perfect weather.

Amy

Happy 6th Birthday, Amelia!

What fun we had celebrating Amelia's 6th birthday! As it turned out, her classmate and good friend, Katie, had scheduled a party on the same date at the same place. The two moms decided this was too much pressure on the rest of the parents in the class, so we opted to combine the party for one big celebration. The girls were thrilled with this plan. This year was Amelia's first to depart from a 'character' party - she opted for a pink leopard print party theme at a pottery painting shop. I can't believe my baby is six. WHERE does the time go?

Amy

Fall Fun

Good times at the pumpkin patch. I went with the Kindergarten class as a sponsor as they explored the corn maze and pumpkin patch. Have I mentioned lately that I love being AiChun's mom?

Amy

Back to school

The Chunster is loving school this year. She tells everyone recess is her favorite. Hmm, isn't the Lord funny? Recess was always my LEAST favorite thing. I am so not athletic, and I didn't love being outside. I am the person who would have loved double library time and no recess. Leave it to me to have a kid who wants to get the academics part of the day done as fast as possible so she can PLAY.

First day of Kindergarten

My baby went to Kindergarten today! I thought I would be a little sad, but instead, I felt something akin to, "Go forth and conquer." Each new milestone brings nostalgia for the days gone by, but excitement for the things ahead.