The Non-Kosher Nativity

Thought you might get a kick out of one of Reni's newest "skills"... (video length: 17 seconds)

'Tis the Season...

... for Christmas programs and parties!  On Thursday we attended the program "Christmas in the Country" put together by the students in the Horseman in Ministry (?) class.  The equine program at Asbury has exploded in the past 5 years and it's now the 3rd largest major on campus.  Thus we knew a lot of students involved and wanted to support them with our presence.  (Plus it was free and included activities for kids, so now that Ellie's past her fear of horses, it's a fun diversion for the kids to take them to the barn). 

Reni and Ellie are petting a horse (new to them) which is used for vaulting.  If you are unfamiliar with this sport, it's basically gymnastics on the back of a moving horse.  This horse was a BEAST!  Gentle, but HUGE.  I could easily see why he is used by the vaulting team, especially after watching the program with up to four girls at one time on his back while he walked around the arena.

Ellie had so little fear, that we had to keep a close eye on her not to get too close.  While the horses at the farm are quite acclimated to crowds and kids, with her frequent toe jumping, we have to be sure she doesn't inadvertently startle a creature or make it unusually nervous as her jumping increases in correlation with her level of excitement.

Yes, Reni is alternately chewing on cookies and using the same hand to pet animals.  We didn't plan the order of our circuit through the barn too well.

At 7 we all entered the arena, donned gloves and pulled out blankets (aluminum bleachers are cold!) and settled in for the performance.

From horseback, the students delivered the story of the fall of man to the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ (the reason for Christmas).  The kids loved it and it made for a fun evening!

On Friday night we hosted our student cabinet for an overnight Christmas party with a photobooth, games, and movies.  We were up 'til nearly 3 and then up again at 8 to make breakfast (and in those 5 hours of sleep there were a few crawls out of bed to attend kids -- yes, we're feeling our age, but it was so worth it).

Saturday night we had Wilmore Old Fashioned Christmas but I didn't bring my camera (still recovering from the short night of sleep, I suppose).  It's always fun to stroll main street and see so many of our friends and neighbors.  The kids were excited to see and crawl into some real fire trucks, and we were excited to see some old friends that we hadn't seen in years (hi, Allie and Sarah!).

Our schedule hasn't seemed to slow down in spite of the semester winding down, but I hope to make some time for a good update on the kids and their development (if for my own journaling's sake, if nothing else)! Thanks for checking in!

Saying goodbye

After church this morning, we enjoyed lunch with PaPa and Nonna at a downtown deli & bakery.  As the time approached to say goodbye, Ellie repeated her question, "How many sleeps 'til Christmas?"  Then, as plates were cleared, she started bargaining.  "How 'bout YOU make a paper chain, Mommy, til you come pick me up at Nonna's house?"

(above) Ellie thought it was funny to eat off all the decorations from her gingerbread man cookie first.
(below) this is Reni's way of "kissing" -- pressing cheek to cheek.

The picture below is heartbreaking for me.  As a mom, it upsets me to see Ellie so distraught (transitions are just plain hard for her).  But I'm also so appreciative that she loves her grandparents so much (she has done this the past several 'goodbyes' with both sets of grandparents).

She eventually calmed down and eased herself through the transition telling me the things she missed about home.  Her number one thing she was looking forward to at home?  Her cereal.  Ha!

5 Years Ago...

5 years ago Friday, on the day after Thanksgiving, we made the momentous trip down to Vlora to meet Ellie. If not for the fact that we were traveling all day Friday, I would have posted a mention of this sooner.

 Click here for a slideshow of that first meeting if you haven't seen it before...

Thanksgiving with Nonna and PaPa

We have been enjoying a nice, relaxing weekend with Nathan's parents.  I think the kids (and their parents too) are enjoying a change of scenery and fellowship with family!  I haven't been taking a lot of photos, but here are a few snapshots from the day (I've gotten phone messages from grandparents in Albania that a post would be appreciated, ahem).  Below, Nathan reads to the kids while the last of the preparations on Thursday were coming together.

Yes, the crowd around the table was much smaller this year, but I think Mom and Dad made the same amount of food!  It was yummy!

Happy Thanksgiving

Five years ago at this time, on the night before Thanksgiving, Nathan and I were safely settled into two seats on an Austrian Airlines flight headed to Vienna.  We had navigated some very busy airports in Cincinnati and Washington D.C. with lots of travelers on their way to visit family, and so were we.  Except we were on our way to be with our daughter whom we had not yet met!  Every Thanksgiving week since then I can't help but let my mind drift back to what we were doing on that day of that week -- from packing our suitcases, to checking in at the airport, and waiting at crowded airport gates.

Five years later, that baby girl is now a gangly 6 year-old for whom we are even more thankful for than we were in those first weeks and months of the parenthood-honeymoon love.  As we endeavor to cultivate a heart of thankfulness in her, we are reminded that gratitude is not a 'natural' state of the heart. Naturally, our hearts long for "the next best thing," failing to recognize the blessings which surround us each and every day. So as we anticipate Thanksgiving tomorrow, I am grateful for a day set apart to remember God's blessings and a reminder to daily thank Him as the source of all things good.

Go Team!

Saturday was a rare day with no appointments.  Just a day at home to work on projects with football on in the background.  Reni humored me and let me snap a few pics of him in a hat sporting his daddy's favorite team.  Of course, I couldn't resist that cuteness and just kept snapping pics.  I seriously am loving this two-year-old stage.  If you think his face is cute, you should hear the words that come out of his mouth!  I guess that means time for video...

Yeah, I still can't believe he's ours either.

Counting down the days...

Life has felt hectic but we see a break coming and boy, does it look welcome!

Like us, our daughter is looking forward to a change of pace and when the calendar turned a page, she immediately began anticipating the Thanksgiving holiday.  Thanksgiving means no school, a road trip, and a visit to Nonna and PaPa's house.  Unfortunately, she thought that Thanksgiving fell much earlier in the month than it actually does, so to help the sanity of our household, we made a paper chain.

When I brought in the strips of paper cut back in the office, she started to cry at the number of pieces (this was about 2 weeks ago).  She obviously was discouraged at the length this chain would be!  So I quickly started writing activities on various strips that represented plans that included her (trip to Cincinnati, dental appointment, visit with friends, decorating for Christmas, etc.).  This chain has been a lifesaver and an item of great worth to her (she even takes it to bed)!  As you can see, the chain is getting shorter!  And yes, you can also see that we decorated the center for Christmas (last night -- another big task behind us!).  Meanwhile, her parents are taking deep breaths and counting the number of sleeps until we too, get to go to Nonna and PaPa's house.  A break is coming...!!!!