Brittunia, The Sweetest Sister Ever,

Britton Elizabeth will not, very often, pose for pictures. So I have to take what I can get. Forgive this ugly brown background, but I thought the shots were adorable. (I have to share that...Last Spring, we bought a giant, movable sofa for the family room. It has four pop out recliners plus more seats and is THE most comfortable sofa on the planet and is perfect for teenagers, their friends and the whole family to pile on. I was not even going to consider it until John made me sit on it. Then it was all over. I couldn't wait until it arrived. We LOVE it! But I do hope one day to have a 'pretty' family room again...to cheer me up when my teenagers have both become college students and I am trying not to be depressed!)

Until then, John and I both are appreciating and enjoying every second we can get with our big B people. They are both such great kids, we can hardly believe it. I was So worried about the teenage years and here I am surprised that it is going so fantastically well! (Still keeping my fingers crossed though. It is an emotionally charged, full of potential pitfalls, period of life. )

It is also full of possibilities, potentials and promise. And so many feelings of parental pride.

Last night Britton kept Bailey and made sure she had such a great time that Bailey couldn't wait to see her again as soon as she woke up. Britt took her down and fed her breakfast. Luckily she didn't cry when Britt left for school, she cuddled up to me but there have been other mornings like this where she did cry. She appreciates so much having such a fantastic big sister, when Britton isn't too busy with her very full life. Thus the overly effusive title. (The Brittunia loves to be with her friends, be very involved in a sport, shop, and get her homework done...in that order) And she loves to be a help. Yesterday she sent in her application to work with a group that in turn tutors disadvantaged children, serves in a soup kitchen and other needs. This is a little risky, we had to sign medical waviers and John and I needed to research it a little so that she felt she needed to express to us her strong desire to do this. And...She is thinking of becoming an Elementary school teacher as her career. I think she would be inexpressibly amazing at that. What a difference she will make in her little corner of the world,.. in fact, I think she already does. (I really need to post her Jamaican missions trip photos from this past summer!...okay. I rounded them up and here they are. I think they speak for themselves...)

Back to The point of this post....

I see memories being made and a bond that will last even when Bailey has to go most of her growing up years as an only child. This Fall, our family dynamic will be different, will change, Britton and Bailey will be the only children at home and then the next year...well, I hope the Big B's will come home very often and visit.
To think of the future makes me so sad and so excited for them at the same time. And I want to freeze every sweet moment of this time left, while I can.

Sweet, Precious Sisters

Next, I'll have to do another ''snapshot' post, soon on my high school senior, Barrington.
Now that his collar bone has healed, he is spending every spare moment snowboarding.
We have scheduled a family 'Cruise' vacation for Spring Break so we can all be together for what John and I hope will be one of those 'Times of our Lives'.

BoHo Bailey

Today, Bailey got all dressed up in (what I call her 'boho') outfit,
to go visit her friend Raina.
The Play Date

Boho-chic is a style of female fashion drawing on various bohemian and hippie influences, that, at its height in 2004-5, was associated particularly with actress Sienna Miller and model Kate Moss in the United Kingdom and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and Nicole Richie in the United States. This trend had been going on since late 2000 and appeared to be on the wane by early 2009, but some elements of boho chic could be seen in 2010.
-wikapedia

She was so excited to go, I could hardly keep her from walking out the door! She packed up a few toys to share in her pink poodle bag that came from John's Uncle Jim and Aunt Marilou.

It's this fuzzy poncho/shawl that cracks me up and the gauzy linen top and pants with a little ruffle at the hem. I thought she was so adorable I had to get some shots even though the sky was gray.

The poodle is the 'Ultimate' boho bag!!

The piano always makes a great distraction. Today, she sounded almost good!

The Prodigy wantabe tickles the keys...see them giggle...

I tried painting for a short time and realized
that I was not a child prodigy at painting.
-Kim Weston

My beautiful girl. She is a work of art.

Bailey is extremely adept at writing and
loves to do it more than anything, the little lefty!

She has really been enjoying being home schooled. We sit at her little table for an hour just about every morning and work on her letters (sounds and tracing, writing and coloring) , numbers, a little math and some worksheets that ask her to follow directions like matching, circling groups, counting, etc. She still goes to her T/T preschool but she is very ready for this intensive practice on these subjects and I want to provide her with it.

She lost a little weight this past week with that fever but i thought she was photographing exceptionally well today. I loved so many of these shots, this might even be longer than usual.

The sun even made an appearance to help me out!

So, she ate a little lunch...

And then we were off.



Behnaz and her MIL, Helen served us tea and the girls played while we talked. They are getting ready to go visit her parents on the other side of the world for a month so we will miss them while they are gone. Bon Voyage, sweet friends!! Also congratulations and much love to Andrea and to Kayce who are in China right now. And to the incomparable Fliss who just received her referral of a gorgeous baby girl after such along wait.

I usually don't have any Friday Finds but finally did this week. Although didn't think I should add one more thing to this post....
So click here to see them.

Baileyisms

Update: The world Expo in Shanghai China is having a Chinese American wall
To learn more or post your China adopted child, click here.

"Can I talka you?" Bailey asked yesterday in the bathtub.
"Of course you can, what do you want to tell me?"
"Um...When I go up, first I be a mommy then I be a Dad.... And I cook food."
Me: (trying not to crack up) (Ignoring the obvious) And what kind of food do you want to cook?"
Bailey: "Boccolli, jus yike YOU!"

I bought a bunch of Pink tulips to cheer up all the gray outside and have gone a little over board with the photographs of them. Hope you won't mind a few more.
I promise to stop after this post! lol But I think Bailey would like me to look at her instead. What she said is below. Also, I took this shot of Bailey the fairy from the summer and processed it but couldn't make up my mind which one I liked better. I have resorted to old photos of her since the lighting is terrible in the house right now and we can't get outside with all the rain. Yesterday, I spent a bunch of time researching a vacation, only to find out Bailey is a year too young for a guided tour. Next year, I hope we can escape a little of the winter! It was very fun to dream about all the places I'd love to take off to right about now and also to steal a little super quality family time before Barrington leaves the nest in the fall.

Bailey woke up with a high fever two nights ago so I haven't had much sleep. Motrin and a cold cloth get it to go down but I am always a little nervous when she is going through that.

Bailey: "Can you do sompin 'bout me?.
Me: "Like what?"
Bailey: "Get some mecine in my body.' pause...."and some noodle soup!"

We were suppose to go back up to the mountains this weekend with our bible study group but I am home with the sick one and John woke up early and took B2 for the day to snowboard. So we have just waved goodbye when Bailey tells me...
"Mommy, I a fower."
Me: 'Oh yeah? Why are you a flower?'
Bailey: "Cuz I booful in dis pink bafrobe. Jus yike YOU, cuz I wuv you.
I look down at our matching bulky robes (I look like heck in my pink bafrobe!)
We both have had two rough nights, and we both have bedhead. Her eyes are glassy.
Me; "Bailey, you are definitely a booful flower in that pink bafrobe!"

And I love you too!
More than all the flowers...
or vacations, or ski weekends
in the Universe.

Mad for Madison

First, I have to say I was excited to have been asked this morning in an email, if this photo, "Promise" could be put up as 'Photo of The Day' in an online Newspaper, GoodNewsNow. Click here to see it. ( Although you might be too soon or too late.) That kind of made my day.

We all were so glad to get together with my very best friend Cathy and her family when they flew out to visit and ski. Bailey has met them before when we were visiting my parents but this time Madison who is 5 1/2 and she, played and had so much fun together, Bailey is still missing her. It was great to see them have such a connection, like a second generation friendship. Besides, Bailey has been wearing so many of Madison's hand me downs, I already have them connected in my mind.

I wasn't really in the picture taking mode and only grabbed these few 'casual' shots right before we all went to bed, but they are still cute. We looked at albums and showed each other our music lists, especially John and Cathy who are so into their music! Next time, I will have to make sure to get lots of shots of Jonathan who I somehow missed this time. I think he was packing the car for an early morning departure when I took these. Ben, who is in the third grade this year, was showing us his dance moves and being so cute all evening. I think he is finally worn out here but I think it still shows how handsome he is...

There is nothing like a visit from great friends to warm up your chilly winter.
Hurry back guys!!

Adorable Girls

Sweet Sixteen

This weekend Britton's friend Chloe spent the night and she took this cute shot of them posing on her cell phone. I asked Britt for it and she emailed it over. I have said it before but it is just too bad that probably the very best shots of them are low quality cell phone images. Better than nothing though!!... I adore this fleeting age of spend the nights and girlfriends.

Hope everyone is having a great week and to my very beloved blogger buddies, Please forgive me for hardly ever getting comments to you these days!! I keep hoping I will get back in the groove but my family only allows me very limited computer time. I know each one of you knows about that! lol

Take My Picture, Mommy!

"Take my Picture Mommy!"
Here this precious little girl.
Such a special moment,
to capture my priceless little pearl.

There are little eyes upon you
and they're watching night and day.
There are little ears that quickly
take in every word you say.

There are little hands all eager
to do anything you do;
And a little girl who's dreaming
of the day she'll be like you.

You're the little darling's idol,
you're the wisest of the wise.
In her little mind about you
no suspicions ever rise.

She believes in you devoutly,
holds all you say and do;
She will say and do, in your way
when she's grown up just like you.

There's a wide-eyed little darling
who believes you're always right;
and her eyes are always opened,
and she watches day and night.

You are setting an example
every day in all you do;

For the little girl who's waiting
to grow up to be like you.

...Author Unknown

When you thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator,
and I wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat,
and I thought it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me,
and I knew that little things are special things.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer,
and I believed there is a God I could always talk to.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I felt you kiss me goodnight,
and I felt loved.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes,
and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared
and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked...
and wanted to say thanks for all the things
I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.

...Author Unknown

Today marks my 3 year anniversary
for Blogging!!

Lately, I have really been aware of how very Aware Bailey is now that she is four. She is writing (backwards) and typing her full name, math is coming in, she knows all her letters.

(click here for her favorite homeschool, free,
preschool letters and words computer game, Starfall.)

Her little mind has entered fully that special, amazing time period known as 'The Sponge". She is taking in and learning at an amazing rate, every thing she sees and WE DO! It is a little wild, to say the least. The pressure to be the best you can during this time. I am just praying she pays more attention to the good things we do and say and ARE. I want her little life to be filled with every lovely,beautiful, perfect, wonderful thing to equip her to be the most lovely, beautiful, perfect, wonderful Bailey she can be and life she can have.

Bailey the Ski Bunny

Bailey's first fall

Traverse: One of two ways to stop while skiing.
Tree: The other method.
~Author Unknown

First time on skis ever.
Bailey was so excited to do it.
She never thought for a moment that she couldn't.

Skiing combines outdoor fun with
knocking down trees with your face.
~Dave Barry

Skiing is a dance, and the mountain always leads.
~Author Unknown

Ski School was great but...

Skiing: the art of catching cold and going broke
while rapidly heading nowhere at great personal risk.
~Author Unknown

Turn right, turn left, repeat as necessary.
~Author Unknown

After that full day of skiing,
Bailey must have been
looking for the END!


(I will have to make sure that
I take that little joke off of here
before she is old enough to be embarrassed!!)

The Gift of Trust

Giving a little treatment to a few older shots since I am stuck in the house. It is pouring outside!

“We're never so vulnerable than when we trust someone -
but paradoxically, if we cannot trust,
neither can we find love or joy”
-Walter Anderson

(Click here to see these in large.)

My best friend Cathy and her family came to visit us and we all went skiing. Bailey and I tried it but had to come right back down the gondola. She enjoyed her ski school last week, but didn't seem ready for the big hills. I just have not been taking many pictures lately and the ones I have taken do not seem to have come out very well, so I stuck a few older shots on just to log in something and let every one know we are still alive. Hope you all are having a great year so far!!

We have had a lot of fog and rain so Bailey and I have been having quite a few snuggle up in the house days. It was great to get together with friends though and have some activity.




“Few delights can equal the presence of one whom we trust utterly.”
-George MacDonald

I wanted to just touch on the subject of 'trust' in this post, mostly to attempt to write out my thoughts. Cathy's husband, Jonathan's sister came up to Tahoe also and we all had dinner together. This was the first time she had met Bailey and asked many questions about the adoption. I found myself relating things that caused me to 'relive', if you will, a few emotions, thoughts, and just looking back in hind sight... what caused this closeness we have with Bailey. It seems to me maybe it was because she simply 'trusted' us and that allowed every thing to fall into place. What do you think? Maybe this miracle of adoption cannot be put in a box or is too complex to ever fully explain. Or maybe it is simple, at times, if everyday miracles like trust and love and happiness and bonding exist...
even with out our ever fully understanding where they come from.

I wanted to express here, since I have been thinking of it,
my gratitude that Bailey
was able to give us the gift of her trust.

We had a long, tedious drive home through blizzard like snow
tonight so I hope I made at least some sense. lol

PS Praying for the people of Haiti
Here is an amazing slide show of shots...click here.

Christmas 2009

We just cannot seem to get the perfect family photo.
Maybe I am too picky.

Someone is always out of focus, or has a double chin or isn't smiling.
But these are a few pretty good ones.

My mom was a genius and did the peace sign, rabbit ears
behind my father's head as he took the picture
so we were all cracking up.
Best smiles ever!

My lovely 16 year old baby with her mother,
before church and dinner out on Christmas Eve.
She has grown to be a 1/4 inch taller than I am at 5'7".
I am crazy about every inch of her!

Our Darlings

John is trying to put a sweet face on here in spite of the fact that he was so upset. He had gone for a mountain bike ride and came home with very muddy bike clothes. I scooped them up and washed them while he was in the shower. When he got out and went looking for his I Phone, guess where it was? (his wallet too). His life is stored on that phone.

We put it in rice and it is finally today reactivating, thankfully. But that night, he could not shake off his disappointment until the church service. They played a short clip, movie about a man who had had a very bad year, no job, bills in the mail box, big family to support and then lost his father. He slipped in the snow and just stayed down. After that, John was able to enjoy his own Christmas with a fresh perspective. It is always so magical when Church can help give you that kind of gift.

(And John, who is the most amazing person I know,
never even 'blamed' me!! lol)

Grandma Judy sent Bailey this very special doll, above.
She has named her Ashley
(and sometimes Alex after her middle name).
Baby Rose has a new sister and Bailey loves being a mommy.

This bear was a gift to Britton years ago.
Bailey wanted to have her picture taken with him
so I got some really good ones of her with...oh, its a girlbear.

Bailey adores this little Jesus in the manger.
She wrapped it and put it under the tree,
then opened it about three times since we set it out.
(Too bad its a homely little version of our savior!)

John's parents sent a cheese cake so we had a birthday party for baby Jesus. Christmas Eve, late, we sat around the fireplace and the tree with Christmas music, egg nog, a few gifts opened and a story or two and then watched 'The Nativity' before bed.

(After we sang 'Happy Birthday' and Bailey blew out the candle, we went around the room sharing what we were most grateful to God for this year. There were some beautiful words spoken. Bailey and Britton both expressed how thankful they are for their family.
I kept trying not to tear up.)

Christmas morning...

I only took a very few shots so I could 'be' there but I am so glad I got these...

Grandmother Leah gave John and Barrington matching Black, rocker shirts.
They loved them!

John and I thought these PJ bottoms would be cute on Christmas Morning.

Santa brought her fancy blue dress and a pink kitchen and Aunt Shelly sent the perfect cupcake baking kit. She has not stopped playing yet.

Hope everyone had a very special Christmas.

Bailey the Christmas Priss

Today is John's Birthday and he is off work for the holidays, (Happy Birthday Sweetheart!!) so we are in full Christmas mode already. Britton gave Bailey her bath this morning and dressed her in Barrington's favorite dress (thanks Uncle Jim and Marilou!) and did her hair. Bailey was feeling extra cute and happy so Britt took some shots of her showing off in full 'Priss Mode'.

Britton seems to be able to get her to play for the camera way better than I can!

I interrupt the display of 'Princess Priss' for a moment to bring you a little teenage romance...

David came to dinner to spend some time with Britton and exchange gifts. (With all the sports they are both involved in, they don't see each other outside of school very often), but He had been telling her she was really going to like the present he had bought for her and boy did she...

A floating heart with diamonds that he picked out himself.
She was thrilled.

(The ring she is wearing is one I have had since I was 16. It just happened that it was given to me by an old boy friend too. There was another ring also with pearls that he had given to me a few years after, one Christmas. I gave it to Barrington for his 18th birthday since that was the age I was when I received it. He gave it to Rachel right before they went to homecoming.
I know this might seem a little strange but these were special to me at the time and I had saved them for my future children since college. John reluctantly understands. lol. No really, John is very secure in our marriage, as well he should be. And he often find himself understanding of my sometimes peculiar ways... hehe)

Anyway, I enjoy watching my teenagers in their first relationship and how cute they all are.

The jacket David is wearing is from Britton. (Barrington went with her to pick it out and was drooling over it.) David didn't take it off the rest of the night, even though we were sitting by the fire in the living room after dinner. Also, we asked David if he wanted to say the prayer before the meal and he accepted graciously...and did a great job!
(I just have to log all these sweet things in to remember later.)

Grandmom and Granddaddy told Britton and David some stories about their own dating years.
And they both really enjoyed hearing them!


Okay, back to the Christmas Priss...

(Every little thing she does makes us smile. She laughs outloud and we can't help but laugh too. She is just such a bright little light in our household and the joy she is feeling as Christmas draws near, spreads into every room)

Look at all those stuffed animal 'friends' that Bailey has organized on the middle of the sofa.
She is really enjoying TOYS.
I can't wait to see what she does on Christmas morning!

Needless to say, she is having a blast with her grandparents.
And all the family home together.

Our little cutie pie...
who is really turning into a four year old, big girl. Below, is Britton's favorite shot of all (guess who showed her how to pose like this!?! Wonder which one is the biggest Christmas Priss of all?)...

Hope you don't mind my sharing this kind of casual family life post but since its Christmas,
I thought I could get away with it!!
(PS As I type, John is on the phone with his parents getting the 'one year closer to death! song. We miss not being with them this year but plan to keep in close phone contact!!)
And I do hope to post again for Christmas, if I can.