Getting Elizabeth... and Rachel

This is the week

This is the week where we'll learn whether Hua Hua is attending the christian school we applied at or the public school. Hua Hua will be interviewed Wednesday. Dan and I will be interviewed Wednesday. The interviews are the last step in our many, many, many step application process. and then by Friday we will know whether or not we qualify for a scholarship - which is what admission is hanging on for us.

I've been thinking and praying a lot about school lately. The more I pray, the more I hope the Christian school works out. Tonight i read an article in the freep that i just can't shake. Apparently a school district near us (Trudy - it is your district, if you're reading!) will add to its sex education curriculum so that 7-9th graders will practice properly putting on a condom on some sort of model in class, and they will be playing sex games - designed to teach them other safe sex practices in a fun way. (nothing like de-sensitizing them and giving them tips!!). The school previously had an absence program. I found this whole article absolutely incredible. Why do kids need to be taught this in school? Why?

I can't wait until we know where our girl will go ... just four more days to wait -- and pray.

Busy busy...

This is ....

the last full week of preschool.

The week of Hua Hua's dress rehearsal (tomorrow) and dance recital (Saturday).

And the beginning of life - hopefully - getting a litte less structured as one by one school, then dance, then soccer, and finally chinese school break for the year. It feels like this frantic race to the end of the classroom year is about to come to a screeching halt - and I can hardly wait. Let summer begin!!!

Mother's day...

Today is Mother's Day. It's not that long ago when I dreaded this day. As much as I loved my mom (and of course still do!), during our 10 year infertility experience, Mother's Day was a painful annual reminder of how God had not answered our prayer for children. it was a day when Motherhoood was celebrated everywhere so there was no escaping the wound of being barren, a wound that stung more than I could ever put into words. I remember avoiding church every Mother's day - and still cringe at how church's handle this day. While no one means to do anything other than to honor moms, for those who long to be moms, who pray continually to be one, and who are met, for whatever reason, with unanswered prayer, the church's policy of handing mothers flowers, having them stand and be applauded, praising their work while never acknowledging infertility -well, it's the worst.

So, I guess because of this background, even today i approach Mother's day with mixed feelings- excitement for the now, still remembering the pain of the before. Today I woke up not expecting much. Dan took his choir to Ohio and cedar pointe yesterday for a competition. he got home at nearly 2 a.m. today. He's exhausted. But by 5;30 a.m. I knew soemtihng was up. Hua Hua was awake and in our room wondering if it was time for the surprise. At 7 a.m. Hua Hua and Dan were up, and I was told to stay in bed. A short time later both girls, and their Daddy slowly came into my room. Both girls were jumping up and down with excitement. Much to my surprise they had fixed me a glass of mango juice - in a beautiful new wine glass. With some help from Daddy they had cut up a mixture of my favorite fruits served in a beautiful new bowl. and they had filled another new shiny bowl with my favorite cereal, all served on a new shiny tray.

While rachel said happy birthday :-) --- Hua Hua said happy mother's day. They smoothered me with hugs and kisses, and I never felt more loved while daddy smiled on from nearby. While God did not answer my prayers for motherhood how I envisioned or in my timing, He sure has blessed me more than I could ever hope for or imagine and I can honestly say would not want things any other way than how they are today. I love my girls and husband so much. This is already the best Mother's day i've ever had. Happy mother's day to all the mom's out there ... and all those who long in their heart to be one some day.