Why and The Y

There's a new word in the new English language, and it's "why?" Why? surfaced a few days ago, and it's making a regular appearance. I have officially crossed into an area in which I swore I would never cross as I find the words "because I said so" coming out of my mouth. We all know it's a lot easier than providing an answer that's only going to be followed by another "why?" and sometimes it's the only real good reason. Fortunately for me it's frequently followed by a cheerful, little "okay," but we'll see how long that lasts.

Swimming is Maryn's favorite pastime, and we try to get to the pool as often as we can. Swimming lessons will be on the schedule for as long as she's interested, and right now there's no end to that in sight. I'd love to be able to watch Maryn do the backstroke in competition someday so we need to work on that flutter kick. At this stage of the game it looks a little like she's pedaling a bike, but we've got time to get that corrected. As long as she loves it, we'll keep it going, and I'll continue to enjoy watching her point at me and then point at her eyes to signal me to watch. She has no idea that she doesn't need to tell me to watch because I don't want to miss a minute with our little fish.

My Funny Valentines

Xin Nian Kuai Le

We enjoyed our first new year celebration as a family. It began with us hosting the coffee fellowship at church. Tiger cookies, sugar cookies piped with characters, almond cookies, Chinese lanterns, tangerines and qi paos turned the event into a party. Maryn handed out red envelopes to the kids and some of them were wide eyed as they received their gift. We managed to share some of the traditions with those in attendance, and while admittedly it was a westernized take on an ancient celebration, everyone seemed to enjoy it. After that we went to a local restaurant with friends and enjoyed a little of this and that from everyone's plates. It was a fun way to spend a family day together.

Future Three Chucker

Tonight was Maryn's first basketball practice. The other day the coach called and told us when and where it would be held and that's when we found out Maryn would be the only girl on the team. We didn't want to emphasize that so we didn't say anything about it, but we went to the practice wondering whether she'd notice and how she'd feel about it if she did. She didn't, and she had a great time. The two coaches were good about helping her without singling her out, and the boys were in their own worlds so none of them noticed her either. When they held the skills test two weeks ago, we found out she doesn't have any just like anyone else playing for the first time. Tonight she followed the drills like the other kids did, and the coaches showed her how to shoot the ball. Maryn is eager to learn how to do new things so she follows when someone is showing her something. After many failed attempts at the basket and just as many quiet groans and aughs from her watching parents, Maryn made a basket. We're not sure who else joined in with us, but we weren't the only ones who cheered when the ball fell through the net, so there must of been a few other parents there wanting her to feel the thrill. Tom is quite a mushball, and at one point during the practice I asked him if he was enjoying it and told him I was surprised he wasn't bawling yet. Then came the first basket, and when I said, "How about now?" he looked at me with a wide smile and tears in his eyes. I said, "Now that's what I'm talking about."

When the practice ended, Maryn got high fives from the coaches just like the rest of the team, and we couldn't ask for more than that. Looks like we'll be going back next week.

Snowhenge

Maryn has been enjoying winter. "Mommy, I like-a snow," she says. She wants snow pants, boots, scarf and mittens packed for school so she can play outside during recess, and when she gets home from school she wants to get out in it again. We're lucky that we can step outside our back door and take a short walk to a great sledding hill. The neighborhood kids have really been working it over, and I've had several rides on the saucer myself.

We finally had just the right snow for snowmen, and Maryn and one of the girls next door went to work in our backyard. When they were finished, we had three snowmen and seven large balls of snow uniquely positioned here and there around the yard. It now looks like an unsolved mystery of strange formations out there, probably showing up on satellite images. Don't be alarmed, they'll be gone by spring, if not sooner.

Christmas Joy Abounding

As you might imagine, our Christmas was extra special this year. So much joy to share with family and friends. Maryn knew exactly what to do on Christmas morning like she has been celebrating the holiday her whole life. After opening presents at home, we traveled to my sister's house so we could spend the day with Grandma and Grandpa, Auntie and Uncle and the cousins. I know there were many times during the day when we would catch ourselves smiling thinking about how seamlessly our family fits together with Maryn in it. What a blessing she is for all of us.

The cookies in the bottom picture were done by my nephew for his girlfriend. It was a labor of love, and they were so beautiful when they were packaged for presentation. It wasn't easy to pick a favorite, but the little bear with the green tie in the upper right caught my eye. Good thing they were too pretty to eat.

A Good Night

There is a group of adoptive families in the area, and we have been attending the group events without a child since 2006. They always welcomed us and felt the pain of our long wait. Tonight we went to the group Christmas party as a family, and it was a delight to introduce ourselves as such. Our friends Cindy and her daughter, Iris, and our unofficially adopted daughter, Louise, came along and shared the fun. What a well planned and orchestrated evening it was. Craft tables were available and manned with volunteers to help the kids, the gym was set up with an obstacle course and pinata, and the church's huge climbing/sliding play area was open. Maryn was using her imagination pretending parts of the play area were her house. She showed me where the kitchen was and mommy and daddy's bedroom and which was her bedroom. We took advantage of the opportunity to discuss her sleeping in her own bed. When we arrived home, she had been asleep in the car so we carried her into the house and helped her get settled into her own bed for the first time. She didn't object and slept the whole night on her own. The next night she was asleep in the car on the way home again so we carried her in and tucked her into her own bed. No problem, and it was another great night of sleep for all of us. We had been wondering how we would ever get her into her own bed, and the planets were aligned just right to give it a try. We got lucky. She wants the nightlight on, but she knows where to find us if she needs us, and we have been tucking her into her own bed since. Neither of us parents are getting kicked in the night or clinging to the edge of the bed anymore, and we don't have to tiptoe around any longer. There's nothing sweeter than tucking a child into bed with a story and a kiss unless, of course, you're tucking her into her own bed. Good night, sleep tight!