Ten Things

My daughter is wearing two different shoes and throughly searching and removing every item from the small purse that I use as a wallet. However, I have accomplished researching and purchasing a lightweight stroller for use on our trip this upcoming weekend. This seems like a fair trade since she doesn't know how to open lip stick containers yet. This past week has been wonderful - with good news, long naps, time spent as a family of three, and I started a Tom Clancy book (it's really a feat that I'm even writing a blog post. This book is so good that I'd rather not do anything else....even though I am at minimum still feeding the Squirms and changing her diapers) - so I thought perhaps a Ten Things post would be easiest.

1. R received a raise from work. It was a surprise, and out of sync with the company's normal evaluation and pay adjustment cycle. To us, it is more evidence that God is preparing our family for this adoption. (I believe I've already posted that we are now a Waiting Family!!)

2. We celebrated the anniversary of Squirm's Adoption Day! The Squirms and I met friends for lunch; and after R came home from work the three of us went to the toy store and chose a toy. Then we picked up a cake and Aunties H, L, and C and Mrs. MHJ watched the Squirms devour, and play with, the cake over FaceTime.
While she won't remember, she will have video evidence, and it helps continue the tradition of celebrating when she became legally, forever, ours. To us, it is a reminder of why we got background checks, were fingerprinted, filled out lengthly questionnaires on our childhood, extended families, beliefs, let strangers enter our home and lives, expanded our minds and hearts to consider what birth parents go through, researched insurance, tax, and grant information, and asked ourselves questions about our capability to accept and love that required honest answers. A reminder of the ache for a child, and a reminder that God has filled our days with a child more amazing than we could imagine. How could we not celebrate?

3. The next morning, while I was trying to open the toy for Squirms (more difficult than it sounds), R called to say he had passed the PE (Professional Engineering Exam)! He worked hard on his application, sought guidance and references from dear friends and coworkers, studied for months, prayed, and even memorized a map of the conference center where the test was taking place so he wouldn't get lost the morning of (the conference center, in Orlando, is probably larger than my hometown). After the eight hour exam, he had waited over a month for the results. Needless to say, he was relieved.

4.  The Squirms and I had our normal bi-weekly breakfast meeting with LF and this time she brought along her sweet, and very into Star Wars Legos, boys. We had a blast, learned a lot about Star Wars ships, and kept them at Panera for two hours. Even more lovely for me - the Squirms was ready for a nap after our "breakfast" meet.

5. We bought Squirm's her first life vest on Saturday. We were in the store, purchasing the vest so we could safely attend a pool party, when she got sick (Not the kind of sick that's nice to publicly write about). So, we bought a life vest and then didn't go to the pool party. Ah well.

6. I am flattered. MGH wrote a Ten Things post, and referenced this blog. This made me happy - mainly because I respect her, and because this means at least two people have read one of my blog posts. Shout out to Grandma who reads every post!
http://mandghall.blogspot.com/
You can also find MGH's blog link on the side bar.

7. Monday morning, Memorial Day and our 7th Wedding Anniversary, we went to the beach. R and ED surfed while Squirms and I played in the sand (well, really on a blanket, but with a one year old, sand gets on the blanket too). I was relieved to find out my tiny girl was okay playing with her sand castle toys without necessarily throwing, or eating too much, sand.

8. We ate fastfood on the way home from the beach. I was eating Wendy's fries when we passed three very slender girls, in their bikini tops and shorts, waiting to cross the road to access the beach and I thought it's so nice to be married and eating fast food.    

9. Grilled hot dogs. Hot dogs are just delicious. Dinner last night and lunch today. There's just something about a warm bun, raw onions, and mustard.

10. R pulled the living rug back last night. Glenn Miller and his band were playing. We danced.