Grab a Tissue

My brother sent me this clip the other day and I just have to share it. I found the story sad and beautiful, interesting and heartwarming all at the same time. It made me grab my girls and kiss their little faces--grateful to know that I could. You will most likely cry--so grab a tissue or two.

Just a quick suggestion---I let it run once so it could buffer and then I watched it--without all the stopping and starting.

http://www.myfoxutah.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=AC0C351872368ECAE6207EE1ED31EBE2?contentId=6471039&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1


And if you think you can handle it---here is part 2.


http://www.myfoxutah.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=6471230&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1

SWIMMING LESSONS

Olivia just finished taking swimming lessons and she LOVED it!! She is proud of the fact that she can dive in and swim the length of the pool. Olivia enjoyed the last part of each lesson because the kids would race each other using the new technique they had learned that day. The teacher told me Olivia was the fastest one---which Olivia loved hearing because she always had to race the boys. Here's to a great summer of swimming!





On your mark, get set, GO!!!




And the winner by a long shot!!

PICTURE DAY

At a recent adoption hearing the judge mandated that I provide the birth mother with a professional picture of Cosette. I send pictures and letters to Olivia's birth mother on a very regular basis, so I should be fine with providing a picture. However, I have been putting it off for a few weeks. I finally decided I better go get it done. Here are my favorites---needless to say I spent too much money. Thanks Melissa for letting Olivia come play---you are an awesome visiting teacher!!

P.S. Today is day #62----only 8 more days!!!! Keep your fingers and your toes crossed!!

Labor of Love

My sister Michelle is a wonderful cosmetologist. Her daughter's hair always looks so nice. I so badly wish that my sister lived next door to me. I do not possess her talent for fixing hair. In fact in years past I would consider myself horrible at doing hair. That is why I find it quite comical that I was blessed with a daughter that has a beautiful, but challenging head of hair! It is very thick and wiry---a combination that I am told does not bode well for my sanity.

When we adopted Olivia the very idea of doing her hair intimidated me (in fact it still does). I quickly learned that the African American community does not tolerate a child's hair being messy. To them, a neat head of hair is a sign of love, dignity and care and that neglected hair indicates the lack of a mother's love. I did not want anybody to think I did not love or care for my child. I have read books, taken classes, bought more hair product than you can imagine, and have asked other mothers for advice. I am still learning---mostly by trial and error.


Every day as my fingers fumble I worry that someday Olivia will look at pictures of herself and wonder why she was blessed with a mother that has no clue! I do her hair in an effort to show her that she is loved and valued and to take pride in herself. We try to make a big deal of her hair and praise her constantly and it is definitely fun to watch her eyes glow as she looks at herself in the mirror.


I recently convinced Olivia to cut 5 inches off of her hair and we have never been happier!!! Her hair is still thick and wiry---but there is alot less of it. Doing her hair use to take 45 min-1 hr. Now I can finish her hair in about 10 minutes. I was a little sad at first --no more cute, curly ponytails. My sadness was short lived when the next day we did her hair so quickly and painlessly! I love a morning that does not start with tears and rapid heart rates.


I will continue to learn, seek advice, buy new product and always try, in an effort to show my daughter that I value her. Olivia please know that as I struggle to learn and as you cry out in pain that I am doing it out of love for you. You truly are beautiful and I want you to know that.




As her hair thickened single braided piggytails
turned into double braided piggytails



Hair pulled back in a ponytail (my favorite) usually meant lots of tangles the next day(not so much my favorite)




Single braided ponytails led to double braided ponytails



She loves to wear her hair down because she likes when
it whips around as she spins.


Moments after we cut 5 inches off of her hair. She was so afraid she was going to look like a boy---the hairstylist did a nice job of fixing her hair so pretty.

QUESTIONS

These are the questions that ran through my head this past week.

1. How many times do you have to tell a four year old something before they finally get it and obey?

2. How come one year olds climb on EVERYTHING!! Do they not know the top of the piano is a dangerous place to be?

3. If moms are tired can we call in sick?

4. How come on the days we are extremely busy our kids choose to be extra clingy and needy?

5. How come I cried at the preschool Muffins and Moms program.

6. How come I have a hard time not laughing when my daughter puts her hands on her hips and gives me "the look"

7. How come my daughter always needs to go to the bathroom just as it is our turn to check out at Costco?

8. Do the samples at Costco count as a well rounded meal for my children?

9. How come it can't be day 70 already?

10. How come I was lucky enough to marry a wonderful husband who has taken care of all of the household responsibilities this week (and so many other weeks) so that I could fulfill my church duties.

11. How come I don't always like what I hear when my daughter imitates me.

12. How come my one year old can play so well by herself but my four year old can't even grasp the concept?

13. Is Cosette's hair frizzy because she is infactuated with plugs and light sockets?

14. Why are toddlers so intrigued with the toilet?

15. How come I love my calling so much?

16. How come in one moment I can completely understand why some animals eat their young and in the next moment my heart is bursting with love?

Kids Say the Darndest Things -- April 2008

Olivia: (upon discovering the throbbing in her finger due to a knife cut) "Mommy my heart is talking inside my finger.

Olivia: Mom look at this picture of this pretty house

Me: Yep

Olivia: See mom now THAT'S what a clean house is supposed to look like



Cosette: Crawling all over Olivia

Olivia: Cosette I am not a playground---I am just a kid

Olivia crawled up on my lap the other day and gave me a "long and mushy kiss"

Me: Wow! What a kiss. Where did you learn to do that

Olivia: That is a Temple kiss. That is how they do it in the Temple.

Me: How do you know that?

Olivia: I watched you and daddy on the day you were married and I need to practice so I will be ready when Easton and I get married

Mom I want the super nanny to come to our house and live with us.
You do---why.
Because she is nice.
Well she will make you be nice to mommy.
Hmmm...nevermind.

Mom get out of bed.

But sweetie I am so tired.

1, 2, ---don't let me get to 3 little missy

(needless to say I jumped right out of bed)

Why I Love This Picture

This all forehead, all smiles, silly faced little girl reminded me of an important lesson--- Clap for yourself! Cosette loves to clap for her accomplishments---no matter how big or how small. In this particular picture she had been working so hard to climb up onto the bucket. She finally made it and was so pleased with herself! (Nevermind that she was climbing where she shouldn't be) As I took this picture it made me think that I need to be a little bit more like her. I think sometimes as women we tend to be so hard on ourselves and compare ourselves to others. When in reality we should be clapping (even if it is silently) for our efforts and accomplishments. Thank you Cosette for reminding me about this important lesson.