This Friday we received a precious Christmas Card from one of the families we travelled to China with. Sarah was sitting by me when I opened the card and we chatted about the little Chinese girl in the photo.
She said "She is from China, like me." Yes, I said. We oohed and Awed and then went to put the card on the angel card holder that will display cards through out the holidays and probably won't get taken down until June. :)
About two hours later, as I sat typing my research paper, Sarah walked up to the card holder. She pointed to the little girl in the picture and said,
"Her mom went to China and chose her" "But, You Chose Me!" Her hand went to cover her heart and she bent her knees a little leaning into her words. "You Chose Me, Mommy!" And then she was bouncing on her toes delightedly. Her smile beaming. And again she giggled "You Chose Me!"
I smiled at her, stunned by the exhuberant emotion. I tried not to cry as I thought of the miracle her life is becoming. I thought about God and his Grandeur. And I thought about His love.
"Sarah" I said. "I chose you. Daddy chose you. And God chose you!"
"Yes" She squealed and then turned heal and bounced down the hall filled with joy.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Can a Birthday get any stranger?
We have a tradition in the Golden/Stevens family that a birthday lunch is always held on the Sunday closest to a family members actual birthday. Last Sunday, it was my mom's lunch. Dad set up the whole thing and told me to bring the cake and a particular present He had is all planned out. I was happy to let him do the planning, but as the saying goes...The best laid plans of mice and men....
When we arrived at Mom and Dad's house, the steaks were coming off the grill, the salad and beans were on the table, and everything was set. We were ready to eat - and we did. It was yummy as usual. My dad can really make a great salad and mom never misses with anything. Plus, I had made be most moist and scrumptious chocolate cake for dessert. And I even had candles!
The only real problem was that both the grown children had forgot their presents for their dear mom. But, she galantly took it in stride and said some soppy motherly thing, like we were all she needed. (pause for awe, isn't she the best)
As usual, the children finished their food first and were excused to run outside and play. Presently, one of them popped his/her head back in the kitchen and asked where Jake was. Jake is the geriatric dog in the family. He is also not the smartest dog in the kennel and so we all started looking for him. The family fanned out in different directions. We called for him, but there was no thumping tailed answer in response. Then I bent down and peeked under a bush. I saw a tail. It was brown with small black stripes across the back and furry. I called to Jake and sill no tail thump, Uh Oh...Isaac confirmed our worst thoughts when he poked Jake with a stick and declared him hard as a rock.
We gathered shovels and the family headed to the back part of the property. The men dug a grave while us women watched. Sometimes one of the kids would pick up a spade and begin to dig, but mostly they just played. When all was said and done, Jake was laid to rest. We said our goodbyes to the old family dog and went back to the house to have birthday cake.
When we arrived at Mom and Dad's house, the steaks were coming off the grill, the salad and beans were on the table, and everything was set. We were ready to eat - and we did. It was yummy as usual. My dad can really make a great salad and mom never misses with anything. Plus, I had made be most moist and scrumptious chocolate cake for dessert. And I even had candles!
The only real problem was that both the grown children had forgot their presents for their dear mom. But, she galantly took it in stride and said some soppy motherly thing, like we were all she needed. (pause for awe, isn't she the best)
As usual, the children finished their food first and were excused to run outside and play. Presently, one of them popped his/her head back in the kitchen and asked where Jake was. Jake is the geriatric dog in the family. He is also not the smartest dog in the kennel and so we all started looking for him. The family fanned out in different directions. We called for him, but there was no thumping tailed answer in response. Then I bent down and peeked under a bush. I saw a tail. It was brown with small black stripes across the back and furry. I called to Jake and sill no tail thump, Uh Oh...Isaac confirmed our worst thoughts when he poked Jake with a stick and declared him hard as a rock.
We gathered shovels and the family headed to the back part of the property. The men dug a grave while us women watched. Sometimes one of the kids would pick up a spade and begin to dig, but mostly they just played. When all was said and done, Jake was laid to rest. We said our goodbyes to the old family dog and went back to the house to have birthday cake.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Words, Words, Words
I love words! I love reading words, writing words and thinking about words. So, it doesn't surprise me my children are incredibly verbal. However, the ferosity of their verbage (how's that for words) is very different.
Isaac likes to talk about what he loves and all the time! Sometimes the talk goes on so long that I begin to hear only a Whhhaaa Whaaaa sound in my ears. Sarah, of course, is still learning words and picking everything up a great speed. - This is probably because her mother and brother are talking constantly. :)
Then there is Aaron. The reason for this post. My Aaron, that usually is the rough and tumble action before words type boy, will occasionally bring an audience to a stand still with his vocabulary. This week he has been impressing his teachers and me with the following vignette. Mind you, he is in the second grade.
The vocabulary word is sphere.
Teacher: Does anyone know what a sphere is...
Aaron: Yes, it is like a scepter. You know one of those things on the end of a staff. It is round and kings put it out to people when they make an oath.
Teacher: Yes, that IS like a sphere.
The other children are left in the dust still trying to figure out what the first word meant.
The vocabulary word is sphere.
Teacher: Does anyone know what a sphere is...
Aaron: Yes, it is like a scepter. You know one of those things on the end of a staff. It is round and kings put it out to people when they make an oath.
Teacher: Yes, that IS like a sphere.
The other children are left in the dust still trying to figure out what the first word meant.
Monday, September 13, 2010
One Year
A year ago, we met the best little girl in the world. Those of you who know her well will see the changes she has made.
Tonight, I am thinking of the year gone by and I am happy and sad all at once. Words can not express the feeling of joy mixed with something else that may be part grief for not having the pleasure of her company her whole life and for her not having the gift of a forever family at birth.
Still God gave her to us - even with our flaws. He entrusted her life and its purpose to us. I am overwhelmed and awed.
Thank you God for Fan Xiao Fu who was born in a country far away but was meant for the USA We love you Sarah - our beautiful princess.
Tonight, I am thinking of the year gone by and I am happy and sad all at once. Words can not express the feeling of joy mixed with something else that may be part grief for not having the pleasure of her company her whole life and for her not having the gift of a forever family at birth.
Still God gave her to us - even with our flaws. He entrusted her life and its purpose to us. I am overwhelmed and awed.
Thank you God for Fan Xiao Fu who was born in a country far away but was meant for the USA We love you Sarah - our beautiful princess.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Conversations with Sarah
I am simply amazed by this little girl. I love the way she calls the special people in her life "my ___(insert name)___" and a love her delight at anything brand new. She is certainly a treasure.
Recently, I sat down with her for breakfast and I talked with her about our day and how it would unfold. This was a particularly busy day. We had a camping trip to plan for and a house to clean.
I told her we would need to clean all our stuff. She looked at me very seriously and said "We have a lot of stuff. I have a lot of stuff. Mommy has stuff, Daddy has stuff. Isaac and Aaron have stuff." All the while, her hands are going in giant circles sweeping around to show me all the stuff.
It suddenly struck me how much we take for granted concerning all our "stuffs". Eleven months ago, Sarah had no stuff. Her clothing and toys were all communal and therefore ownership was something very alien to her.
So now she has stuff and she is proud of her stuff. Often she wants more stuff and I admit that usually I give it to her just to see the pure delight on her face. I wonder, do the rest of us middle class Americans see our stuff for how amazing it is and revel in what we have. I usually spend my time wanting different stuff. But I should change that because I do have a lot of stuff - even when I start thinking that I don't.
Recently, I sat down with her for breakfast and I talked with her about our day and how it would unfold. This was a particularly busy day. We had a camping trip to plan for and a house to clean.
I told her we would need to clean all our stuff. She looked at me very seriously and said "We have a lot of stuff. I have a lot of stuff. Mommy has stuff, Daddy has stuff. Isaac and Aaron have stuff." All the while, her hands are going in giant circles sweeping around to show me all the stuff.
It suddenly struck me how much we take for granted concerning all our "stuffs". Eleven months ago, Sarah had no stuff. Her clothing and toys were all communal and therefore ownership was something very alien to her.
So now she has stuff and she is proud of her stuff. Often she wants more stuff and I admit that usually I give it to her just to see the pure delight on her face. I wonder, do the rest of us middle class Americans see our stuff for how amazing it is and revel in what we have. I usually spend my time wanting different stuff. But I should change that because I do have a lot of stuff - even when I start thinking that I don't.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Sometimes Inquisitive Kids Pay Off
About a month ago, I decided to take all my children to see Karate Kid. I have this thing about movie previews - I love them about as much as a the movie itself and therefore, I feel cheated if I walk in late to a movie. I was very pumped about seeing both the movie and the previews for whatever might be coming next.
So we all piled in the car at 6:50 pm and made our way through our road construction laden town and finally came to the theater at 7:10. There I discovered our movie had started 10 minutes before. Angst!
Now I had a battle in my mind, walk in 10 minutes late after the show was obviously in full swing, all the previews missed by a mile, or go to another theater. I whipped out my handy 3G phone and found another theater and another time. I convinced my kids to sit in a car a little longer and off we went to the Harbor in Rockwall - on a Thursday night - in the summer.
As I turned down the street to The Harbor I noticed lines and lines of cars EVERYWHERE. My first thought was: - "I wonder which incredibly wealthy family was having a major party" and then it occurred to me that it was Thursday night - at The Harbor - during the summer and that meant - Free Concert and a million people. It also meant no parking places, cars going every which way and a sea of people trying to fit themselves into a key hole sized lawn for a free concert. And All I wanted to do was take the kids to a movie.
Then I saw my oasis. Valet. I pulled up, handed my car over and all the kids piled out onto the pavement. I thought this was a very wise way to spend 10 dollars. No hassle. The only unfortunate consequence was Sarah not understanding why I had just handed my car keys to a total stranger. I wasn't sure I was going to get her out of the car for a minute. But when no one else seemed alarmed she relented her hold on the door frame and into the movie we went.
Two hours, three drinks, a package of candy and one giant popcorn container later - and we were back outside going to get my car. As we approached the valet hut, my heart sank.
Where did all these people come from. Literally over 200 people were smooshed into a 300 foot concrete radius with the Valet Hut as its center. I pushed myself and the three very grumpy, candy and soda spiked kiddoes to the front of the counter and looked at the frenzy of activity. Keys flew passed me and people ran back and forth grabbing tickets. Where was the line? Where was some help? And hHow was I going to manage this at 10:30 p.m., with three grumpy kids for what looked like at least an hour wait to just get my car back?!
That is when the inquisitive kid syndrome hit my older two boys. They had also been watching the busyness of the valet hut and were astonished by how it ran. They began to ask the valet guy questions. Incessant questions. Questions about the keys to all the cars. Questions about the valet guy. Questions about headlights, flashlights, and their uniforms. I tried to pull them away and get them to sit,but my heart wasn't in it.
After about two minutes the Valet guy told the boys to start looking for our keys ourselves. My boys went after the search with gusto! But the questions just didn't stop. Now the questions were: Do you see a Nissan key? Mom does it have a clicker on it like daddies? Is that it? Hey look at that one! We need a flashlight! and Sir, do you have a flashlight? The Valet guy looked at me and saw that I had one child hugging my waist while whining, plus two boys that were pretty sugared up. With an exhasperated sigh, he asked for my ticket. I happily handed him my valet ticket. He promptly found my keys and put them at the front of the line. I sheepishly smiled at him and thanked him while literally pulling my two boys from the Valet Hut.
15 muntes later, we were in our car and on the road home. Thank you inquisitive boys!
So we all piled in the car at 6:50 pm and made our way through our road construction laden town and finally came to the theater at 7:10. There I discovered our movie had started 10 minutes before. Angst!
Now I had a battle in my mind, walk in 10 minutes late after the show was obviously in full swing, all the previews missed by a mile, or go to another theater. I whipped out my handy 3G phone and found another theater and another time. I convinced my kids to sit in a car a little longer and off we went to the Harbor in Rockwall - on a Thursday night - in the summer.
As I turned down the street to The Harbor I noticed lines and lines of cars EVERYWHERE. My first thought was: - "I wonder which incredibly wealthy family was having a major party" and then it occurred to me that it was Thursday night - at The Harbor - during the summer and that meant - Free Concert and a million people. It also meant no parking places, cars going every which way and a sea of people trying to fit themselves into a key hole sized lawn for a free concert. And All I wanted to do was take the kids to a movie.
Then I saw my oasis. Valet. I pulled up, handed my car over and all the kids piled out onto the pavement. I thought this was a very wise way to spend 10 dollars. No hassle. The only unfortunate consequence was Sarah not understanding why I had just handed my car keys to a total stranger. I wasn't sure I was going to get her out of the car for a minute. But when no one else seemed alarmed she relented her hold on the door frame and into the movie we went.
Two hours, three drinks, a package of candy and one giant popcorn container later - and we were back outside going to get my car. As we approached the valet hut, my heart sank.
Where did all these people come from. Literally over 200 people were smooshed into a 300 foot concrete radius with the Valet Hut as its center. I pushed myself and the three very grumpy, candy and soda spiked kiddoes to the front of the counter and looked at the frenzy of activity. Keys flew passed me and people ran back and forth grabbing tickets. Where was the line? Where was some help? And hHow was I going to manage this at 10:30 p.m., with three grumpy kids for what looked like at least an hour wait to just get my car back?!
That is when the inquisitive kid syndrome hit my older two boys. They had also been watching the busyness of the valet hut and were astonished by how it ran. They began to ask the valet guy questions. Incessant questions. Questions about the keys to all the cars. Questions about the valet guy. Questions about headlights, flashlights, and their uniforms. I tried to pull them away and get them to sit,but my heart wasn't in it.
After about two minutes the Valet guy told the boys to start looking for our keys ourselves. My boys went after the search with gusto! But the questions just didn't stop. Now the questions were: Do you see a Nissan key? Mom does it have a clicker on it like daddies? Is that it? Hey look at that one! We need a flashlight! and Sir, do you have a flashlight? The Valet guy looked at me and saw that I had one child hugging my waist while whining, plus two boys that were pretty sugared up. With an exhasperated sigh, he asked for my ticket. I happily handed him my valet ticket. He promptly found my keys and put them at the front of the line. I sheepishly smiled at him and thanked him while literally pulling my two boys from the Valet Hut.
15 muntes later, we were in our car and on the road home. Thank you inquisitive boys!
Monday, July 12, 2010
The Pit Party
It is a tradition in Okeene, Oklahoma to attend the annual Pit Party. This is not a town function really, but the kind of easy going, whoever wants to come (and by the way- bring some food) affair that I have always dreamed small towns were made of.
So once a year, right after the 4th of July when fireworks are cheap in OK, people show up at the shale pit. It is set a few miles down a couple country roads. You wouldn't know how to get there unless someone told you and even then a city slicker could easily get lost if they missed the cattle guard in the road and then forgot to turn left at the second gate. (These were not the real directions, since I never drive there, but as a city slicker rely on my friends to take me)
This year, we got lucky to my standards and found ourselves eating and playing in the pasture above the pit. It was a lot less dusty and I didn't feel completely caked in red dirt afterward. The pasture did offer new challenges in that giant piles of cow pies were laying around everywhere - some fresh. When the cars started showing up, the cows moved on, but not before we all got to see a little bit of the herd including a calf and a pregnant cow. Sarah thought that was really cool. However, she was still oblivious to the down-home fun that was about to transpire.
Out of the back of a huge truck, black cats, sparklers and other types of poppers started flying into the hands of excited children and watchful adults. A prayer of safety was said over the group, and then the shooting began.
Dizzying sounds of popping fireworks with the occasional bellow of warning mixed with the squeal of delight reverberated around the pasture. The wind was blowing as it does in Ok. and so a few times, a firework would shoot into the air, go off and then we would be sprayed with debris. This was usually followed by figuring out who the culprit was and telling them to move on down the hill so ash wouldn't get in the hamburgers.
In all, it was a good time, as always. We watched the kids have fun, made small talk with our old friends and some new friends. And then, when all the fireworks have been used up and there wasn't one sparkler left for the kids to light, we all went home to happily hit the hay :)
So once a year, right after the 4th of July when fireworks are cheap in OK, people show up at the shale pit. It is set a few miles down a couple country roads. You wouldn't know how to get there unless someone told you and even then a city slicker could easily get lost if they missed the cattle guard in the road and then forgot to turn left at the second gate. (These were not the real directions, since I never drive there, but as a city slicker rely on my friends to take me)
This year, we got lucky to my standards and found ourselves eating and playing in the pasture above the pit. It was a lot less dusty and I didn't feel completely caked in red dirt afterward. The pasture did offer new challenges in that giant piles of cow pies were laying around everywhere - some fresh. When the cars started showing up, the cows moved on, but not before we all got to see a little bit of the herd including a calf and a pregnant cow. Sarah thought that was really cool. However, she was still oblivious to the down-home fun that was about to transpire.
Out of the back of a huge truck, black cats, sparklers and other types of poppers started flying into the hands of excited children and watchful adults. A prayer of safety was said over the group, and then the shooting began.
Dizzying sounds of popping fireworks with the occasional bellow of warning mixed with the squeal of delight reverberated around the pasture. The wind was blowing as it does in Ok. and so a few times, a firework would shoot into the air, go off and then we would be sprayed with debris. This was usually followed by figuring out who the culprit was and telling them to move on down the hill so ash wouldn't get in the hamburgers.
In all, it was a good time, as always. We watched the kids have fun, made small talk with our old friends and some new friends. And then, when all the fireworks have been used up and there wasn't one sparkler left for the kids to light, we all went home to happily hit the hay :)
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