Gratitude

As Eva and I sat down to our ham lunch today, I decided to use the moment as a teaching opportunity:

ME: (Pointing to the ham on her plate), Eva, do you know what kind of animal that is?
EVA: Umm... Chicken?
ME: Nuh uh.
EVA: Umm... Cow?
ME: Nope - a PIG! (Snorting sounds ensue).
EVA: Thank you, Pig!

Ah, gratitude...

The Weight of Good

Today: the day we've been waiting for. For 3+ years in one way, for 12 years in another way... for what has seemed to us a very, very, very long time. Today, in a court hearing to finalize Eva's adoption, legally conveyed on Eva were all rights and benefits of a daughter born to us. And on us, all the responsibilities of a birth parent.

Of course, we needed no court to tell us she is our daughter, or we her parents; our hearts tell us these things. But there is a beautiful finality in having this good, right, God-ordained relationship recognized also by the laws and government of our land.

There is a certain weight to the best gifts God gives us. Like holding a piece of jewelry that is truly gold - or a vase that is truly crystal. You know that it represents something true and valuable. In its earthly endurance, it hints at something of eternity; something that is truly lasting. All of us have received such gifts, perhaps in different measures.

What astounds me is the ordinariness of the days in which these gifts pass into our hands. Today is just a Tuesday. Just another 24 hour period in temporary earthly lives that could maybe last 70 years or so. But gifts like these spark the mundane like sunlight on a breeze-swept lake. What an amazing paradox God has created - that things which speak of eternity enter in so naturally here, bringing joy and hope to a temporary world. Still, the gift of this child: only a glimpse of the weight of His greatest Gift.

Jesus: the weightiest gift of eternity bestowed on those who, in body, are perishing. And the day of His birth - was it an ordinary Tuesday? - another 24 hour period. But how long, how long, had the world awaited His coming. And how long we wait still - for the fulfillment of that coming. It makes me look harder, watch more intently. Eternity will reach again into this dying place. (Actually, He dwells here among us even now - God in our place). May all of us be ready and reaching back. Come, Lord Jesus.

12 Steps To Save The Day

1. Before you can save the day, it has to be in a steep downward spiral. Nothing says potential like leaving a full container of Vaseline on your toddler's bedside table.

2. In middle of night, find toddler's bed, carpet, bedside table - AND HAIR - full of petroleum-based (non-water-soluble) Vaseline.

3. Return to bed and leave mess till morning. Be sure to set alarm earlier.

4. Rise early and throw toddler in bath. Wash hair multiple times making no dent in said Vaseline.

5. Rush child to daycare prior to work. Resist temptation to care that everyone she comes in contact with will think you haven't washed her hair in a month.

6. Enlist hubby to research Vaseline removal, and purchase needed removal supplies: (cornstarch, coke, eggs, peanut butter, Dawn, Tide, etc.)

7. Return home to find 7 web articles on Vaseline removal; at least one recommending shaving child's hair off.

8. Notice bottle of Goo-Gone as you grab the 409 to clean countertops.

9. Notice bottle of Goo-Gone has warning that it contains petroleum distillate. Hmmm... Lightbulb moment!

10. Spray Goo-Gone on paper towel and carefully apply to hair (not skin) of devilishly/angelically laughing/screaming child.

11. Rinse hair with Pantene Clarifying Shampoo and blow dry.

12. Presto-chango! Petroleum hair, schmetroleum hair. The day (and imminent 4th b-day pictures) is saved!!

Birthday Girl

Sometimes, with all the partying around here, it can get a little hard to tell who the 'Birthday Girl' really is. I'm just sayin'...

Love At First Snow

The Condensed Version

Each morning, first thing on the agenda is a Bible story with Eva - and a quick prayer. 'The Beginner's Bible' we have for toddlers is wonderful, but still a little involved for one so new to English. Lately, I've been thankful - and somewhat amused - at how easily we're able to translate Bible stories into Eva-digestible condensed versions. Here are a few examples; maybe you'll even be able to guess which stories they are...

1. Naughty snake; bad apple.
2. Big boat; two elephants; raining, raining.
3. Jacob sneaky; Esau hairy.
4. Baby hiding; water, basket.
5. Bush, HOT! God talking.
6. Hitting rock; water out!
7. Loud trumpets; wall falling!
8. Naomi crying, Boaz kissing.
9. David's rocks; mean giant fall down.
10. Lions grrrrrr; no bite!

Her First Day...

A letter from Eva's first day of 'day care':

E&V-

We are having a wonderful day. Eva is so smart, and fun. We have been reading books and doing activities about colors, letters, and shapes. I'm so surprised and thrilled about all the letters she already knows. She picked out an "E" and an "M" and an "A" for me today. She also correctly identified something yellow! I get a huge kick out of every shape being a "triangle!" Her vocabulary has increased so much since last week already. She loved music time, and really liked the song where we included everyone's name.

I can't believe how well she does at waiting for the whole group before we go outside, and already she is understanding the concept of turn-taking. (She's not always ready to DO it however, which is very typical for a three-year-old!) She is definitely checking me out for boundaries, looking at me when she does something she is not sure about, or looking to see if she can get away with something when I have told her "no". I love that she is getting comfortable enough to do that! She does listen VERY well when I reaffirm the boundary and redirect her.

I don't need to tell you that she has this amazing energy. She makes everyone around her smile. She is extremely likable, and all the girls are making deals about whose turn it is to sit by her.

She asks about you some, and loves to know the schedule leading up to your return. She has been showing everyone your picture all day. She speaks of you both with such love and enthusiasm.

Eva is awesome at cleaning up, and wanting to help.

I absolutely love your daughter! Thanks so much for letting me be a part of her life. I feel so blessed to have her here twice a week. She truly is amazing.

-inthestory-

T... what a precious friendship; what an amazing gift. Thank you for loving our daughter and so eagerly taking on this key role in her little life. She is so precious to us - and we are truly happy that she is with you during these times each week. We're finally here and God has so obviously done this! We love you and are full of gratitude...

In the Moment, Over Time

Ever have one of those life 'moments' where you get a glimpse of where you are - and, with it, where you've come from seems less important, serving only to magnify the beauty of the moment you're in? Today is one of those days for me. In this moment, I am aware of the following things:

1. There is much to be thankful for.
2. Precious few things are worthy of fear.
3. Love covers over a whole bunch of crap.
4. Time heals deep hurt.
5. Grace is afoot.
6. Joy comes with wanting what we have.
7. In God, nothing is wasted.
8. The good stuff is just a taste of what's possible.
9. Thank God He doesn't always give us what we think we want.
10. The Peace to come might look different than what we thought.

'Papa Enday'

Do you remember, as a kid, asking your parents, "Is it gonna be alright?" I do... in fact, I've been known to ask my husband that periodically during our 12 years of marriage. There's something about it - just hearing someone you love and respect say that it's going to be alright. It's calming, reassuring...

Today was 'day 2' of Ed back at work - 12 hour days for Eva and me to navigate. We're off to a wonderful start, her attachment to both of us building and evening out. And when 'Papa' comes home, there is quite the celebration. Hooting and hollering and a mad dash for the door; my cautious arms extended to keep her from rushing into the garage before the car engine halts. I love the security she's finding in her daddy; she calls him "Papa Enday": 'my daddy', in Malayalam. His presence is the answer to the question she can't yet ask us verbally: "Is it gonna be alright?"

The anticipation and joy with which she runs to him at the end of the day has me thinking about where I run. There are so many options, you know? Movies and Perch Lake are a couple of favorites for me. Sometimes close girlfriends, sometimes my husband. And there's nothing wrong with enjoying any of these... even, I think, in finding some comfort in them. But what's my bottom line - my true Refuge? Movies are shallow satisfaction; Perch Lake could someday close, or (worse) banish flotation devices. Human relationships, even the closest ones, are guaranteed an earthly end.

It sounds trite - and if you're a Christ-follower, you've heard it a million times. But it's starting to sink in in a new way for me that God - and His Word - are truly my Refuge. That when it comes my turn to answer the question, "Yes, my baby girl, everything will be okay..." I will say that, not because I have power to cure all her hurts and questions, or control over the circumstances of her life... but because I know that my 'Papa Enday' is good. That, in Christ, her heart can be safe for always and forever, no matter what.

And, for me, being able to say that - and knowing to Whom I run - feels like what it feels like to be a mom.

Making the Cut

A child's play scissors
should not be sharp to cut hair!
Clippings on the floor...

Served up with a smile
in a blue, plastic fry pan.
Black spaghetti. Mmmmm...


P.S. Thanks for all the super play ideas; top two still under consideration... :-)

101 Ways To Have Fun!

For anyone who's wondering how these first couple weeks have gone, let it be known: we are having an absolute blast! Each day is a somewhat spontaneous compilation of house time and activity time, going and coming home, going and coming home - learning that home is the place we always land. We've seen many good friends at least once, and a few, two or three times. We've been to multiple lakes to swim, and multiple parks, and Como Zoo, and Giggle Factory. We've been to church and a restaurant, and Gramma's house... Still planning to do the Childrens' Museum and maybe a water park in the next 2 weeks.

Two weeks from today, Ed goes back to work and our days will change significantly. Ironic for an introvert, I find myself craving people and activity during this transition time. The thought of 12 hour days at home without some kind of fun activity to break up the day (especially without Ed) seems crazy to me - Eva is a very active girl!

So... what I'm looking for via this blog post is a list of about 20 or 30 fun kid-oriented activities. Summer, winter (especially), indoor, outdoor, home or away. What are your top two or three FAVORITE activities to do with toddlers during the day? Give specifics - names, locations, good times to go, etc. Let me be clear: we're NOT bored; just looking to expand the repertoire in prep for Papa's return to work...

We'll do this similar to how the recipe post went down previously... The first 2 activities our family decides to do, the suggestioners (I know - making up words) may very well get a call to see if they're available to join us... So - think hard: if everyone out there comes up with two or three ideas, maybe we can brainstorm our way to 101 ways to have fun (with toddlers)! :-)

Things I Love About Motherhood

In no particular order...

-Tickling and cuddling.
-Peeking in her room while she's asleep.
-Rocking and singing before nap and bed.
-When she discovers something new, points, and starts teaching us about it.
-Eating healthier, and more frequently.
-Toweling off after her bath-time.
-Discovering Ed is a 'natural' at fatherhood. Watching him lead.
-The joy of surprise when she says a new word.
-Feeling balanced and happy at a time I expected chaos.
-Feeding her a bottle of warm milk after her nap.
-More intentional daily structure. (Feeling more rooted to reality).
-Watching her fears melt away.
-Accomplishing housework. (I know - weird).
-Pretending to put make-up on her, to appease her.
-Watching her run to show Daddy a new outfit or piece of jewelry.
-Doing things with increased sense of purpose and intentionality.
-Dora the Explorer bubble bath.
-Her singing in the carseat, in Malayalam (she needs no radio).
-The little thing she does with her lips on my neck when I rock her before bed.
-Watching as her defenses go down around friends and family.

Prior to our traveling, so many reminded us to cherish every moment. So far, that has been very, very easy... Thank you is not a big enough word for all the prayers, love and support you all have lavished on us. Please know that it's all been so very fruitful...

Thanks for your patience with the blog posts (or lack thereof). I often need to choose between naps and blogging - and naps are winning out so far. :-)

Snehum = Love

The 'Delhi Belly' is subsiding and 'Mummi' is back on line... :-) Ed has been so wonderfully faithful with updates so I'll just catch up from where he's left off. We (Ed, Prathibha and I) just returned from our third and final visit to the embassy where we picked up her completed passport and visa, and the sealed envelope we will give to US CIS at the MSP airport. Surprisingly, some of the sweetest words we have ever heard came to us at the embassy where we first heard, "Everything is in order - you are good to go." And then, "Congratulations - we understand how long you have waited and all you've gone through to get to this point. We commend you for your patience and wish all the best to your new family." (Or something very similar to that). I tried not to cry. :-)

There is no exaggerating the beauty, sweetness and humor of our sweet Prathibha. Ed has already described so eloquently, but I will add some of my own perceptions about her, and our first days together:

1. She is strong and resilient, as evidenced by her embracing us as her parents, and handling all the ups and downs of this travel with courage and patience. I am truly in awe of how calm and good-natured she has been.

2. She loves men, in general, (often smiles and reaches out to them) and her Papa in particular. :-) He is the center of her world right now. This has shifted since the first couple days of our meeting and being together and may have had something to do with my being down and out while sick - though I did my best to connect during that time. We've been well prepared for the fact that it's common for children to connect most strongly with one parent or the other at first though, and this makes sense since a parenting and family dynamic is a completely new concept. I am thankful she is finding comfort in her Papa, thankful that she allows me to be part of that when she's in a happy mood, and knowing that this is part of a natural progression in our family's relational development. In the meantime, Papa needing to take a potty break can be a somewhat traumatic event. I told him, "Fame comes with a price." ;-)

3. Communication has not been a major issue. Either because of context, or our limited understanding of Malayalam (and of course, her intelligence), we have had no major incidents of her asking for something where we don't know how to provide what she needs. To me, this is completely amazing. Though we've heard her vocabulary in Malayalam is not large, we've sensed that she is highly intelligent and able to make some relatively complicated connections.

4. Prathibha has a very sweet, cuddly side - in general, but especially prior to nap and bed time. She loves to be tickled and nuzzled, and soaks in affection like a sponge.

5. There's a dog here - she's gone from screaming at it to, more recently, wimpering and half smiling at it. We think she's going to be fine once she gets used to Guff and Duncan... (Just now, Ed and P were outside - she saw the dog, pointed and smiled, and said 'Padi' - dog in Malayalam). :-)

A million more 'first' observations. She doesn't love baths (this will get better when we're not dumping water on her head). She has a thing for powder... we learned that this is because Deepa, her favorite caregiver, made a game of making designs of powder and water on her face - we're honored that Prathibha would desire to share this intimate tradition with us. She's 'girly' - loves bracelets, necklaces, brushing her hair - all that stuff - mummi and papa are in full support. :-) SO many more things... I am treasuring up each new moment of learning her, her needs and rhythms and heart. What a sweet time.

We finally learned to say her name right. PRAH-tee-pah. Same emphasis as 'Powderpuff', with a slight roll to the 'R'. We've only been using this name so far... it's so beautiful. Plus, if there's any sense, on her part, that something is being taken from her in these days so soon after we've brought her away from all she knows, it seems right to honor her name here. Perhaps when we're home, we'll move more into 'Eva Prathibha', then to 'Eva'. We're 'just feelin' that one...

Today we celebrate. We have the papers now - it's official. Tomorrow we head home to begin a brand new life together in WI. It's hard to express how much we've cherished every email and comment from all of you. Thank you for all your support and prayers and love. Snehum to you all. Snehum all around... :-)

Seeing You

"One gets only a day or two in an entire life as incredible as the day we first saw your face."

-Nancy McGuire Roche, adoptive parent, excerpted from a book of quotes about adoption-

(Thanks, Sofi).

Here We Go!

Seventeen years have passed since that warm summer evening to remember. We were kids, Ed and I - and not old enough to have learned that yet. We were young, in love (seriously), and eager for a Selma's ice cream cone to cap off the evening.



On our way, through the driver's side window as we cruised through Afton, the sun was setting through thick fog covering a wood-lined hayfield. Its glow sank in a hazy blur of purplepink. It was pure magic. And because we loved beauty, and because we loved metaphors, and because we were young and in love, we stopped the car.

In Faith, Through Thick Fog

Two kids hopped the fence
and, in total innocence,
ran without seeing.

Just because we could.
Just because it meant we would
run together through...

Life - no matter what.
Other side of fences "shut",
and smile, victorious.

Knowing, even then,
Someday, we would run again
in faith, through thick fog.

Here's to the sweet unfolding of another metaphor, part of the larger Story.

Pray if you do, as we 'run'... Thank you.

See you soon, as a family of 3! :-)


-1 Corinthians 13:12-13, The Message-

"We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing Him directly just as He knows us! But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love."

"You've Got To Be Kidding Me..."

Okay - maybe we're a little biased, but pretty sure she is the absolute most adorable thing we've ever laid eyes on...

-E & V-

Time to Fly

June twenty-ninth: we
leave to pick our daughter up.
July 10th, we're home.



July 3rd is huge;
things will never be the same.
That day, we hold her.

What words can we say
that will calm her wide-eyed heart?
"'Sarumillya', Love"

Nesting: in progress,
but it's almost time to fly.
Waiting has an end.

The Fullness of Time

I can feel the miracle of the knitting-together of you,
in a secret place beyond myself -
where science can't define, nor moral judge.

No act of man and woman overshadowed
the fruit of dreams and prayers all intermingled,
stitching what is permanent; not flesh, but love of you.

The kick of you is felt a world away -
no swelling of a breast, but of our hearts.
Emerges, the awareness of His forming
in these moments where a new forever starts.

(By -V-, 8/23/07 - the first day I 'knew' without knowing).















And so it is that our full-blooming tulips truly do announce the long-anticipated assurance that Eva is, indeed, our precious daughter. We have been granted guardianship and are planning travel within the month! We received the news on the 22nd (Ed's b-day) - we believe God has done all of this, and we celebrate with full hearts. And because we've been in the midst of what He's doing, we've been witness to pieces of HOW He's worked; I view it as my joy, and my job, to testify in what I know of His amazing work:

1. Weeks ago, as I prepared for Ed's b-day party scheduled for yesterday (with 30+ family and friends), I simply prayed that we'd be able to announce the good news at that time.

2. Sunday the 18th, a sister was compelled to seek prayer with a prayer minister at the front of their church. Together, in tears, they cried out to God to remove any remaining obstacles and, specifically, to bring Eva home by this time next month.

3. Monday the 19th, an aunt called my mother to share that she had had a dream about Eva - she and I happy, together, on a blanket. She woke with assurance that it would be soon, and shared that with my mom.

4. Monday, a dear friend's heart was led - she dropped to her knees in prayer to ask that Ed and I would receive the assurance of Eva's coming home by his birthday (the 22nd).

5. Monday, another dear friend began having dreams about Eva and me which recurred through Wednesday. She called me Thursday (before we announced) to share this - and it was all I could do to keep the secret till our announcement yesterday!

6. Another friend shared that she was 'distracted' with prayer on behalf of us, and Eva this past week. That she was called to especially pray for the remaining paperwork to wrap up - for the success of angels to intervene in a situation we could not control. Her faith (and ours) was strengthened as we got the news in response to these specific prayers.

7. Tuesday, I shared our story with a Christian friend on my business trip who promised to pray for us - and to add us to his church's prayer list.

8. Wednesday, as I returned from AZ on a business trip, I read a chapter on emotional needs in an adoption book I've been reading. Eva's soon coming-home was impressed on my heart as I could clearly see in this chapter ways He's shaped, not just these past few years, but our lives and marriage, to be the parents of this precious girl. Her homecoming ceased to be a question for me on that plane ride home.

9. Many close friends 'knew' in a way you can know without knowing that the time was imminent - the 'feel' of the waiting had changed.

10. As Ed got the call on his cell phone Thursday (his b-day), he knew what the call was for before being told. As he called to share the news with me, the weight of so MANY years of waiting lifted off me and I cannot even describe (outside of hyperventilating from crying too hard) what that feels like.

I could write books on all He's done throughout this process of waiting. So much of it good, so much of it, honestly, tough. Worth it all? Absolutely - every step. But a journey that, (as on all faith journeys), can get tiring and confusing - with limited 'visibility'. As we celebrate, there are still others who wait. Some waits have been even longer than ours, and my heart goes out to them with deep compassion. If you know someone in this place, please pray for them whole-heartedly as you have prayed for us. Please support, encourage, and listen - as you've done for us. And, though it is only an attempt to graciously relate, please avoid informing them of the other couple you know whose adoption process was complete in 3 weeks... or advising them that domestic adoption is much easier, when they have chosen international. Sure, they're strong - they can handle it... but, despite all good intentions, not everything (seemingly) relative is beneficial.

As we celebrate this peak point, we are, simultaneously, aware that in the grand scheme, this is a beginning of another long journey of faith that may require even more patience, strength, and trust. Parenthood is not for wimps, as they say. In coming months, we too, will need your grace, patience and continued support in prayer and encouragement. Thank you for being our community and family.

That's about all, I think. We'll let you know travel dates when we know them - but blogging will thin out for awhile from here. SO much to prepare! Once we return, I'll try to do at least weekly updates on our family's transition. Blessings on you all and thanks for reading!

P.S. The title of the poem above (written exactly 9 months prior to this week's announcement - and recorded and dated, in pen, in my journal)? 'Conception'. Hmmm.

The Weight of Tulips

I try not to do it... (you fellow intuitives will know what I mean): in shameless scorn of all logic or reasoning, building metaphoric associations between completely unrelated concepts or circumstances. I guess we all do it to some extent though - even if only in fleeting thoughts... tying a groundhog's shadow to a season's length, a broken mirror to fortune's status.

I am aware that this is a sure way to experience disappointment - at best, we waste thought on silly superstition; at worst, we, albeit unwittingly, venture to control (by prediction) things far beyond our reach. There is some sense of human poetry to it, however, and sometimes I simply can't help myself; the best I can do is try to keep my logically irreverent metaphors to myself. But, alas, in what I'm about to share, I will not succeed even in that.

I did a post last Fall - on planting bulbs. Whispered a short prayer for God's help in making the bulbs come up this spring (after 3 years of failed attempts), and promised to post pictures if they did. What I didn't share in that post was that, for 3 years, each Fall I've planted bulbs, I was simultaneously weaving a metaphor between their possible future blooming and my daughter coming home.

"Okay... if the bulbs bloom next spring, it's a sign that this is the year... if they don't, that's a sign too."

Well... for what it's worth, the tulips above are in my garden. And there are 10+ more set to bloom in the next few days. Ironically, this open one had a close call with an eager toddler fist yesterday afternoon (a friend's little girl). Had it not been for my silly metaphor, I'd have let her pick it... and next year, (God willing), Eva can have her pick. But, all things considered, little Ava Witkowski and I took a fun walk to collect pretty dandelions for her mommy instead. :-)

Maybe this is the year... Perhaps such signs are better based on her brimming closet, cookbooks as reading material on my dresser, an overflow of toys in every room of the house, a growing sense of readiness and unfolding hope. But the tulip metaphor is in my favor this year; think I'll stick with it. Too bad for the daffodils and hyacinths - they're going to miss the party!

P.S. I cooked pw's Penne Pasta with Asparagus and Bacon this weekend. After a near miss with boiling the pasta, I did just fine! I'm sure to remember to let the water boil first next time... ;-) Thanks, pw - it was great! (And Ed's calling to schedule dinner this week).

The Other Dog

Sunday: technically, my first Mother's Day. A good and happy day - a celebration of hopes realized, but the fullness of joy still yet to come. Not much different, I suppose, than any pregnant to-be mom on Mother's Day... only my child is in the world, and active - eating, playing, sleeping...




My husband, who regularly loves me in ways I cannot deserve, out-did himself this year. He collaborated with his father (a gifted illustrator) to write me a children's book. Well... actually, I guess, Guffman and Duncan adapted it from a book Madeleine l'Engle already wrote. Now that I'm done sobbing, I'd like to share it with you:

THE OTHER DOG

First of all, you should know that we are the authors of this book. We put our heads together - figuratively and literally - and the creative juices flowed (at least that's what we assumed they were).


Believe you us: without us authors, a book would never get written. And you can't chew on a book that hasn't been written! So, we - W.F. Guffman and Duncan Rankin - wrote this book, with the assistance of that inferior canine, Eva.

This summer, our mommy went away for A HUNDRED YEARS.

Or a few hours. It's hard to tell.

And when she came back, she brought with her...

another dog.



















If you ask us, this was a great waste of money. Dogs are expensive to feed, clean up after, and repair. We don't know how Mommy can afford to lose any more shoes.













We have mad skills.

We can play endless hours of any game Mommy can think of (as long as it involves fetching a ball). We can snatch flying balls right out of the air!

We are very talented.



















And until this other dog was brought into our home (without warning), our master and mistress seemed perfectly happy with us.


















As pets, we regard ourselves as professionals. We are positive that no other dog could have honed the skill of cuddling to the caliber that we have.

So why another dog?













We swim like the graceful sirens of marine lore. Our master and mistress love to look at us.

So why another dog?












We afford our master endless pleasure in his off-hours when he bathes us and plays with our ears and squirts strange substances in them. We sit still while he pokes and prods and sprays and massages.

No other dog would be so good and patient.

We are tremendously useful in defending the home. We always announce to our master and mistress the slightest movement on the street in front of our house. No one could be more efficient, conscientious, or loud about this than we are.

Our master and mistress have no idea the number of jogger and deer related attacks they have been spared due to our diligent surveillance.

So why another dog?

But what's done is done. The other dog was brought home, and we had to learn to make the best of it.



















Nevertheless, from the start we noticed a great many mysterious and horrifying things. For instance, when we are taken out to get some fresh air, we always have to walk - even when it rains.

The Eva is taken out in some kind of cart, and when it rains she doesn't get to go out at all.

And another thing.

During leisure time, we are content to lounge at our mistress' feet or some other canine-appropriate locale on the floor.

Eva openly climbs on all the furniture and lays about with impunity!

At least one thing remained clear. Of all the dogs, we are the most important.

You see, each afternoon we all go outside, this dog called Eva and us. However, only two balls are thrown by the ball thrower. When pitted against our keen radar and freight train engines, she is no match for us at fetch. She does not get a ball from the ball thrower.

Well if that doesn't show you who's who around here, we don't know what would.

And another thing. This Eva-dog gets fed whenever she wants.

We only get fed twice a day.

Of course, there may be a reason for this.


You see, we have frequently been told that our tails are like mighty alligators and our tongues are like proud flags aloft.











Eva-thing hasn't any tail at all and only a little tiny tongue! Perhaps they think that if they feed her and feed her, she may grow into a majestic flag-waving alligator like us.














And, by the way, our Eva - as well as having no tail - has practically no hair. Certainly not enough to brush. So, when people come to call, we have to put clothes on her. All we need is a good hair-brushing.


















The Eva-dog is growing bigger and bigger every day, and more and more rambunctious. She clearly needs to be protected and kept company.

Since we know the ropes around here, we better stay close by her side in order to maximize fun and safety.














We have become more use there than as the life of the party. It may be useful, but it's not nearly as much fun. But since we have Eva-dog, someone has to take care of her, and we will do our part.

















We must admit, though, that in our few conversations she's been most interested in everything we've had to say. Which is, we think, a definitely encouraging sign of intelligence.

She also sometimes tastes good and has good snacks.

We must admit that in spite of ourselves, we are becoming very fond of our other dog.

So somehow or other, we have come to the

unpredictable
surprising
amazing
astonishing
admonishing
astounding
confounding
tantalizing

conclusion...

In every home there should be at least three dogs!



















Welcome, Eva - and lots of love.

-Guffman and Duncan-

And The Prize Goes To....

Okay, first of all... EVERYONE'S meal ideas are going in the Rankin recipe book. We have them printed out and are excited to try them all - THANK YOU THANK YOU to everyone for taking the time to submit ideas!



As we agreed, however, someone's coming over for dinner... And the winner is... pw! The Penne with Asparagus and Bacon, AND Baked Potato Night have lured me in especially - and I plan to try them for my college friend, Elizabeth, during her visit next week. Pw, one of us will be calling in the next few weeks to get our dinner on the calendar. :-)

Honorable mentions go to Tami for the pork shoulder crock pot idea, Katie for the Mac 'n' Cheese dish and Laura for the Calzones (which Ed has said is the only thing he ever wants to eat for dinner ever again).

Stacy - your lentil recipe is a similar concept to what we've heard Eva eats in the nursery; we have it bookmarked as an impending favorite!

Thanks again to everyone - we will use them all!

Caption Please

Yes, this is really Ed. Caption wizards, do your magic... :-)

Whew!

It's alive!! The happy orange Iris is the glory of my garden when it's in bloom... It's the only truly orange (not peach, etc.) Iris I've ever seen - and the only one of its kind in the random greenhouse sale dump-pile where I found it last year. Last June, I'd planted it just before it went into full bloom, so I was concerned about whether it would return this Spring.

Whereas my new blue/purple bearded Iris has more green on it than anything else in the garden, this treasured orange one had remained brown and dead until last week when a tiny green leaf poked up. The dogs promptly stepped on it and it turned brown and died. But now there's another one! I'm guarding that hope-leaf with my life... :-)

Whole Foods; Whole Life

As a direct result of what I took away from tonight's 'Whole Foods; Whole Life' church event, I'm sitting down with a WHOLE bowl of Starbucks Coffee Almond Fudge Ice Cream and two WHOLE chocolate chip cookies. I don't plan to juice them, however.

P.S. I plan to address recipes this week. THANK YOU for all the great contributions to the future Rankin meal book! Results TBD soon...

B.U.H.D.

Back. Up. Hair. Dryer. Never be home without one. Well, at least not when you plan to be at church at 7:30 AM to lead worship all morning...





Leaving for work with wet hair? It's been done. Friends and family gatherings? No big deal. Even Saturday night church service might not have been a complete disaster. But Sunday morning?? Oh, the sinking feeling in my stomach as I turned on the (20+ yr. old) hair dryer to hear only a lifeless click. Double checked. Triple checked. Tried multiple outlets. Pried off filter to clean and quadruple check. Dead. Dead. Dead.

So the following phone conversation occurred at 6:30 AM, upon my realization that I had no other options:

DIALING: 1 ring... 2 rings... 3 rings... 4 rings... (uh oh) 5 rings...

JASON: Um...ullo?

VONDA: Hi, Jason - it's Vonda. I am SO SO sorry to be calling right now. Can I talk to Michele?

JASON: Oh, um... is this an emergency?!

VONDA: Yes.

MICHELE: Vonda!! Are you boarding a plane for India?!?

VONDA: Um, no... Ah... My hair dryer's dead and I have to leave for church in 1/2 hr.

MICHELE: (Spunky laughter...) You. Coming here. Letting yourself in with the garage code. Coming to my bedroom and getting the dryer out of the bathroom drawer. Bye.

V's RELIEVED COMMITTEE MEMBER: THANK GOD!! :-)


May we all have friends whose bathrooms we can raid for hair emergencies in the middle of the night...

Oh - and B.U.H.D. also stands for a favorite napping stance on an amazing (finally sunny!) afternoon at Perch Lake:

Blankets
Under
Happy
Dreamers

They're Coming For Us

Told you so.

Completely Free

“Because of the gospel’s power, you can be completely free of all condemnation.

Not mostly free; completely free.



Don’t buy the lie that cultivating condemnation and wallowing in your shame is somehow pleasing to God, or that a constant, low-grade guilt will somehow promote holiness and spiritual maturity.

It’s just the opposite! God is glorified when we believe with all our hearts that those who trust in Christ can never be condemned. It’s only when we receive his free gift of grace and live in the good of total forgiveness that we’re able to turn from old, sinful ways of living and walk in grace-motivated obedience.”

- C.J. Mahaney, The Cross Centered Life, 39, 40-
('First Importance' - link to the right)


...Thank you, C.J. Of all the quotes I've read that summarize my journey of Grace begun a year ago (but much longer ago than that), this is the most concise. Love how good quotes can sink a truth in further...

No 'V' in 'Kitchen'

Anyone who knows me even a little knows this about me: I don't cook. There are many half-way coherent excuses for this (tomboy, emotional scarring from Target food-court job, work outside the home most of the week, Ed likes the kitchen, etc.)... but no reasons that have ever helped me to feel justified in utterly scorning/ignoring this area of 'normal' human existence. There is no 'V' in kitchen yet... but reality is quickly nudging me in that direction and I am approaching readiness to take baby steps.

But if I need to start preparing meals, I want to like it... or at least not loathe it. Know what I mean? (I'm well aware that most women don't). So... I'm wondering if you can help. What do I need? FAST, EASY, NON-THREATENING, HIGH-SENSE-OF-REWARD, MOSTLY HEALTHY meals (not just recipes) that will, ultimately, interest me enough to lure me closer to the kitchen. If someone can actually accomplish this, you will earn renown from my relatives and friend-circle, AND surprised delight from moi. Here are the rules:

Submit one meal idea (main course and sides), with prep instructions, via comments or email...

1. Has to take 20 minutes or less to prepare. EASY.
2. Doesn't have ingredients I won't use often or can't pronounce.
3. Will taste really super good to me, my toddler and husband.
4. Doesn't contain obscene amounts of unhealthy junk.
5. Allows the option to freeze left-overs for future use.

Ed and I will soon sit down to organize current recipes. Ones that don't meet this criteria will be filed in the very back of our new family cookbook. If your recipe is the first one to 'lure me in', (in addition to the aforementioned renown) I will, at some point during 2008, have you over to share it with us (with me preparing it - not you). :-) Remember, "EASY" for me means: you could do it blind-folded with one hand tied behind your back the first time you ever tried to cook anything.

Thanks for your help, friends! Who will put the 'V' in 'Kitchen'? Ultimately, 'V' will. But I'll post results soon on the most alluring meal idea... :-)

3 Feet Tall

We got a fun email from the nursery last night with answers to some questions we'd asked about Eva. Here are some (shareable) quotes:




1. "We have formed a list of the words that are used which we will give to you when you get here to get her. She came to us with only a few words and now she speaks in sentences but some of the words are not clear yet."

2. "When she is upset the child care worker will take her and ask her her why she is upset and then, holding her, will divert her attention to other things which she likes: [photo] album or toys."

3. "She is very happy with the gifts she got from her parents. She loves to see the album and knows her 'pappa' and 'mammi'. She likes to carry the bag that is sent and it is her favorite. She likes her teddy bear too." (Mom & Dad - this is the one you gave her at the November shower). "...She gets sad if somebody takes or grabs her toys. She does not like to give her album and toys which she got from her parents. She gets angry if some one takes her album bag and teddy bear."

4. She's 3 ft. tall and 28 lbs.

5. "Favorite food is rice, milk, crackers, biscuits and cookies." (Her mama's sighing a big sigh of relief here). ;-)

6. "Favorite toys are bags and dolls. She likes to play with dolls and likes to dress them."

7. "Her favorite person is 'D', her preschool teacher." (Our baby is in pre-school!!!)

8. "She can run fast and is active and social; she likes music and sings. She is a happy child but sometimes she is very stubborn." (Now we know she takes after her mommy AND daddy, respectively...)! :-)

9. "She has seen an eye specialist and has prescription glasses and she loves to wear glasses. She looks cute with her glasses and likes to show off."

10. "There are no dogs in [the nursery] and so she has no interaction with dogs. But when 'E' brought in her pug to get the older kids familiar with dogs, she was scared and started screaming which made all the others cry too. Maybe the pug's face is not to her liking!!!" :-)

11. "The child care workers show her the album and explain the pictures. She likes her home pictures and dogs pictures. She is happy to show the pictures of her family and home and dogs to others. I hope you got a rough idea about her activities I think she likes the pictures of dogs but when they are in living form, she is scared as she is not used to them I believe."


So... all you moms with 3 yr. olds - what clothing size best fits a 3 ft. 30-pounder? Also - those who are praying, I know it's low on the scale of critical issues, but can you join us in praying for a warming of Eva's heart toward canines? We look forward to the day of gently working with her on that too - and most kids come around. But dogs are a big part of life around here and don't want her to feel traumatized at any point... Thanks for praying with us!