LFCN Trunk or Treat

Lily's first shot at trick-or-treating this year at our church this past Wednesday. She was Chip from Beauty and the Beast. Kudos to G'ma R for her bargain hunting the uncovering this steal of a costume YEARS ago! Lily enjoyed the hayride too! She was fine wearing the teacup while she was going from trunk to trunk, but once we were done with that part . . . I think it was a tad heavy for her. BTW, I really don't like the pic of me, but I'm trying to keep it real :)

H-burg Visit

I started this post last weekend and never finished it. Here's the rest:

Lily came up to the other Burg to visit Steve yesterday afternoon. We enjoyed dinner and a wonderful walk around Shenandoah Lake. The Welty's home is all but right on the lake. The leaf colors are at their peak. The weather was beautiful after a rainy drive from one Burg to another. I didn't take the camera on the walk kinda on purpose. I wanted to really soak in this, albeit brief, time as a family. Lily trapsed around the lake and would occasionally chack back when she couldn't see us anymore. She is growing up so fast! Thank You God for a wonderful visit.

Then Lily and I headed to Gordonsville, VA for a short visit with some friends, the Adams family, from Indiana. They were vacationing at Shanandoah Crossing. The visit was a double-edged sword. I really enjoyed seeing them again, but it made me miss them and our other friends from IN even more! No pics there either.

Cease Striving

I will try to make this quick as time seems to be something I do not have enough of!

Yesterday I had a REALLY bad day. I yelled at Lily when I should have remained composed and the day was one of those days to begin with. My mom came over and she offered support and let me vent. I woke up with high hopes and a relatively relaxing slow morning today.

I read Ps 46:10 (God basically laid it in front of me)- Most people who know that verse know it as the "Be Still and know" verse. I read it in another version this morning and it said, "Cease striving and know that I am God." This just seemed to click for me.

I intended to think on it/meditate while driving to work. I arrived at Branches to drop off Lily and realized I didn't have her lunch. To keep this short, I nearly started bawling. Felt like it was too far to go home, but HAD to.

Started home, checked by bag for my cell phone and it wasn't there. I was pretty sure it was at home. In checking though, I grabbed MY lunch box. It occured to me that I could leave it for her instead of heading home. I could charge lunch at school.

After I got on the road, I felt like God was clearly telling me that this morning was a perfect example of how I was striving to have everything perfect and in line. I need to let God be God and not let my emotions get the better of me.

I am convinced that God prompted me to check for my phone and gave me the idea to leave my lunch for her.

Now for just a few Lily stories . . .

________________________________

One the way to church tonight, Lily was talking about "the king." I thought she was talking about a book we have been reading, so I asked her who was king. Lily responded, "Jesus!"

________________________________

On the way home from daycare, Lily was banging her drum she had made at school. I asked her what song she wanted to sing while banging her drum. She started singing "Jesus Loves Me."

________________________________

We stopped for gas after church this evening. I left the radio on while I pumped gas. I got back into the car, because it was so cold and found this. Sorry, my voice is so loud on the video. I took it on my cell.




If you haven't guessed, we seem to spend quite a bit of time in the car!

It's a . . . .

Girl!!!

Here _______ Is!

Well, that was the planned title of my post for Woof #2. I also planned to post a picture (although not a "revealing" picture). We got the news, but are having trouble with the DVD that the Dr.'s office gave us. First off, I assumed there would be pics along with the video. Not so. We'll have to ask for those. Secondly, none of the files will play on our computer.

Do you want to know what we are having? You'll have to ask Lily! How's that for suspense? Although, I am not sure that you will get the correct response. On the way to dinner last night, she kept insisting that the baby was the opposite of what we told her! The tech printed L her very own picture to carry with her.

Bye for now!

p.s. We aren't hiding the info. Just being playful! Any guesses out there?

She fell asleep WHERE?

I can hardly believe that I am taking time to write a fun post. The days are going by so quickly and I feel like I am missing/forgetting so much of my precious daughter's life.

This past week L has really made me laugh on several occasions.

_____________________________________________

The first was last Thursday, I think. My days run together, so I am not sure. I picked her up from "school" and the afternoon helper told me she fell asleep just before nap -- are you ready for this? ON the toilet! They have been letting her be the last one to use the restroom lately to try and help with making it through nap. Her teacher said that she had been in there awhile and thought she better go check on her. She was asleep sitting on their toddler-sized toilet! Her feet can reach the floor, so I suppose she got REAL comfortable. I told her on the way home that she will NEVER live that down. L said, "Uh-uh. Yes I will." Regardless, we will talk about that day long after she has her own children, Lord-willing!

_____________________________________________

We have been trying to make adoption language and being born in China a part of our everyday language. Obviously, by this incident, we haven't done a very successful job!I was asking her if she was from China. L kept say, "No, I'm from ksadjfdklsjf. Baby is from China (her Asian doll)." I asked her to repeat to several times, but just couldn't decipher it. She was starting to get exasperated with me, as she often does when I can't understand her. I asked one last time and I heard, "sdfsdf-burg." The light came on.

I said, "Lynchburg?" She smiled SO big and nodded a BIG yes! I have never told her that she is from Lynchburg or that we live in Lynchburg, but we do use the name a bit. Especially, since I work in another town and G-ma G-pa R live in another town. Now, I am not one of those dreamy moms who think their child is THE genius . . . But I was so proud of her figuring that one out on her own!

___________________________________________

Lately, she has take to using some words/phrases that just melt my heart. She saw me with a new shirt on this morning and told me, "That's cute." Much is cute these days. She also started telling me more about how she is feeling. She has verbalized for awhile when she is mad or sad, but lately it is - "I'm happy" or "You make me happy" or "You make me laugh."

___________________________________________

One the baby front, I am 18 weeks tomorrow starting into my 5th - can you believe it - 5th month. That is half way! Right now, time seems to be flying! There are days when I forget that I am pregnant. I remember when I lift something that is a little too heavy or a couple days after a melt down. I think - oh yeah - I am pregnant. Just the other day, I read that generally most expectant moms have felt their baby for the first time by the end of the fifth month. My mom asked me just a couple hours after I read that if I had felt the baby yet. I told her that I hadn't and wasn't expecting to for several more weeks at the earliest.

I received quite the surprise this morning in church! I truly believe that I felt him/her. I have heard that it feels like a "quickening" or "butterflies." Not really knowing what "quickening" meant - I just thought it would be quite some time before I felt the baby. I felt it and thought - wait a minute. Then I started asking myself questions. Was I bloated? Nope - quite comfy actually. Was I hungry? Nope - GREAT snacks in Sunday school/life group! Then I started doubting myself and started to put it out of my mind. Then it happened several more times. All in all 4-5 times. I am sure that is what it was!

BTW, did you know the baby is beginning to react to sound now. Pastor Stephen was preaching on fasting. Maybe he/she wanted me to know he/she was there, so I wouldn't attempt that right now!

___________________________________________

Not to leave anything out . . . God really blessed us with something really special today. Someone from church randomly brought us a casserole for me to put in the oven! We really didn't NEED it, but I was just thinking this morning that I needed to head to the store YET AGAIN for something to finish the cooking for the week. More cooking yet to be done and I was just tired. It wasn't even a complaint - really. Just a sigh of - oh well. Here we go again. Thank you God and church and friends for listening to the Lord's nudges! It MADE my day and I think maybe my week!

___________________________________________

I finally got the battery charged for the camera, so here a couple from - I think - yesterday morning. Lily had gotten into the lotion in the bathroom. I love her smile in the more clear one, but the one that is slightly out of focus shows more of the lotion! The pictures don't do the situation justice. She had it all over her legs too!

___________________________________________

Gotta run! I wish I could keep track of all the amazing and funny things that Lily does. She is growing and changing so much! Just about the time I thought I might be close to being done with diapers for awhile . . .

Wasted Time and More

Last night I was wiped and wanted to just veg at the computer for a little bit. Haven't done that in a little bit. Blogging about our life isn't vegging - too much thinking involved. I read a few blogs and sites, but this was just after dinner. Lily kept asking to go outside.

When we finally made it outside, I felt really guilty. It was a beautiful evening and I missed most of it! I let her stay up a little later than normal. We played outside, I pushed her in the swing, we had a tad bit of ice cream on the front porch (me rocking in my chair and L in hers), and sang a few songs while I rocked her.

Thank you God for redeeming my wasted evening and giving me a few special moments with my daughter who is growing up WAY too quickly.

We slept in about 45 minutes, watched some Kai-lan, and made french toast for breakfast. I had a family friend come over to watch Lily during my accountability group this morning. L and Kelly had a great time. That was yet another amazingly refreshing good morning. Kelly, I cannot thank you enough for your generous use of your time!

This afternoon when she wakes, we drive to H-burg to have dinner with Steve, and get a pumpkin with said Daddy(according to L this is the most important part of the trip). All to return to L-burg this evening.

No pics yet. I have misplaced our battery charger for the camera battery. I know ti is here somewhere, but haven't the time to find it.

Pregnancy is going well/normally according to doc. We find out the gender of the baby on October 9th! I am enjoying having Steve in the midst of his Women's Health class. I know he would rather be done with class, but it's fun to watch/listen to his excitement (as excited as he gets) as he is learning about what I/we are going through! One night he called me back after we talked just to ask me about what the docs had said about pain relievers. He was relieved himself to hear that the dos had told told me NO aspirin/No NSAIDS for pain. Here is why he was so concerned.

School is starting out much better than last year. Lots of reasons, I guess. Lots of changes for the school, new kids, etc. BUT, I am convinced evermore that GOD knows how much I can handle an he is giving me grace for this season. God is indeed in control. I am NOT and the sooner, I learn to live my life with that in mind - the better!

Okay this is WAY longer than I intended, so I guess I will close and rest before L decides to wake and we head to H-burg. Continue your prayers that are felt and valued!