A Few Lilly-isms that Warm my Heart

So, last week as I was doing Lilly's hair one morning, she asked if her "pink tails" were done.  I took note of her pronounciation--didn't correct it, as she has quite a few pronunciation issues that we are working on but this one was pretty cute--but wasn't entirely sure I had heard her correctly or that she had intetnded to say "pink" rather than "pig."

Yesterday, however, she very clearly requested "pink tails" when I was doing her hair.  Oh, so cute.  And appropriate for this 7-year-old who is girly and pink most of the time.

On a more serious, but no less touching, note, last night as we were reading our BIble stories before bedtime, Lilly asked with concern in her voice "Mom, do Chinese people not believe in Jesus?"  When I responded that there are many CHinese people who do believe in Jesus, but there are also many Chinese people who have never heard about Jesus, she pondered it quietly for a moment and said with determined resolve "well, I can go tell them.  Even in Chinese.  When I'm bigger and we go back to see China together, Mom, I can tell them about Jesus."

Oh, my heart.  This child has a heart for her birthland, and she has a passion for making Christ known.  Lord, grow this desire in her heart, grow her love for you, and strengthen her for whatever calling You have for her.

"Tank-full Tuesday"

Many bloggers use weekly titles like "Wordless Wednesday" (to post photos only) or "Thankful Thursday" (to talk about what they are thankful for). 

I was just struck this morning with the many different things for which I am extremely thankful.  So, in the vein of Thankful Thursday on a Tuesday, it's "Tank-full Tuesday" because I am thankful and the tank of my heart is full of gratitude.

• Jared survived his 3-week stay at SALT--where the boys were challenged physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  He learned a lot, made some good friends, and rose to the occasion for the many challenges they threw at him.  And it's so good to have him home again, bug-bitten and weary as he is.
• Lilly and Isabel are, most of the time, really a lot of fun together.  They crack each other up and when they smile at one another, my heart melts.  Even though we are working on behaviors and attitudes in many areas with each of them, I am thankful these sweet little girls get to grow up together.
• Anna is maturing and is becoming a hard worker at home and a helper at church.  She is helping the preschool teacher for this week's vacation Bible school at church and is really enjoying it.  She is also enjoying her summer league swim team which is a little bit less intense than her year-round team.  She is dropping time on all of her swims and is one of the fastest girls in her age group, which is a nice change from being middle-of-the-pack during the winter season.
• I am thankful for healthy bodies and minds, for an extended period of an infection-free Lilly, for a church family where we are making new friends and hearing solid Biblical preaching, for neighbors who are friendly and fun and helpful.
• I'm thankful for a partner in Tom--for shared love, vision, and commitment.  Even though our lives are so full and time for us to be alone or "date" is limited, I am thankful for the fact that Jared and ANna are old enough and responsible enough (and Bella is comfortable enough already) for us to head out to run quick errands or grab a quick bite together now and then.
• I'm thankful for our families and the upcoming opportunities we're going to have to spend time with each of them this summer.

Tanks for reading!

Just Some Spring Break Pics

My methodical Lilly! 

Bella loving a loaded paintbrush!

Headed to the National Zoo on the metro...

The panda cooperated and let us have a good look!

Catching up on the news on the metro.  Good Washingtonian kids.

At the indoor water playground with some friends.

Waiting for Joshua and Abby's play "12th Night" to start--Bella meets her cousins on my side for the first time!

The cute little cousins!

A few of the many cul de sac kids who decided to start up a cul de sac band practice one evening. They were awesome!

Happy Birthday to Lilly!

It has been an exciting week here...first Lilly's one-year anniversary of her joining our family, and--since she be under sedation on her actual birthday (25 March)--today we celebrated her birthday with some neighborhood friends and preschool friends.  What a beautiful day to play in the front yard--sidewalk chalk, bubbles, train table, balls, bouncy castle (borrowed from the Currys--thanks guys!)--and eat some yummy food and birthday cupcakes! 

I wasn't sure how Lilly would do with a pretty good sized crowd--I purposely kept it fairly small knowing she doesn't like huge crowds.  She did great, with just a moment or two of not wanting friends to take her balloon or other toys, etc. 

What wonderful friends we have been blessed with here. Here are some photos from the big day! Enjoy!