I suspected that Zachary had something to do with this because of a conversation he overheard last night. Savannah and Wyatt have not exactly been the best of friends since his arrival. While she really anticipated his arrival with excitement and used her own allowance to fill a box of treasures for him, he saw her as a threat to his new found friendship with Julia. Gradually they have come to terms with their relationship, but they are not crazy about each other. I was sharing this with my brother on the phone last night, and Zachary heard my conversation. It really bothered him, and he admitted when asked, that he told Wyatt to draw the picture. Wyatt spelled the words all by himself and put great effort into it, and he and Savannah both seem pleased with it. (Savannah thinks I write too much on the blog, so she doesn't usually read it. It is fairly safe to share this secret here.) Maybe we have reached a turning point. Regardless, both my boys have exhibited their hearts today, and that makes the heart of this mom very happy. (I'll try and remember this when they are doing their best to drive me crazy! -happens almost daily)
2 Warriors, 2 Princesses and My Life as Their Mom
Friday, August 28, 2009
the heart of my boys
Savannah came home from field hockey this evening to a surprise from Wyatt. He drew this picture for her. She was happy to get it, and I was impressed with his clear handwriting as it is normally pretty much illegible. I let Wyatt know how proud of him I am, and he was thrilled to get the praise.
I suspected that Zachary had something to do with this because of a conversation he overheard last night. Savannah and Wyatt have not exactly been the best of friends since his arrival. While she really anticipated his arrival with excitement and used her own allowance to fill a box of treasures for him, he saw her as a threat to his new found friendship with Julia. Gradually they have come to terms with their relationship, but they are not crazy about each other. I was sharing this with my brother on the phone last night, and Zachary heard my conversation. It really bothered him, and he admitted when asked, that he told Wyatt to draw the picture. Wyatt spelled the words all by himself and put great effort into it, and he and Savannah both seem pleased with it. (Savannah thinks I write too much on the blog, so she doesn't usually read it. It is fairly safe to share this secret here.) Maybe we have reached a turning point. Regardless, both my boys have exhibited their hearts today, and that makes the heart of this mom very happy. (I'll try and remember this when they are doing their best to drive me crazy! -happens almost daily)
I suspected that Zachary had something to do with this because of a conversation he overheard last night. Savannah and Wyatt have not exactly been the best of friends since his arrival. While she really anticipated his arrival with excitement and used her own allowance to fill a box of treasures for him, he saw her as a threat to his new found friendship with Julia. Gradually they have come to terms with their relationship, but they are not crazy about each other. I was sharing this with my brother on the phone last night, and Zachary heard my conversation. It really bothered him, and he admitted when asked, that he told Wyatt to draw the picture. Wyatt spelled the words all by himself and put great effort into it, and he and Savannah both seem pleased with it. (Savannah thinks I write too much on the blog, so she doesn't usually read it. It is fairly safe to share this secret here.) Maybe we have reached a turning point. Regardless, both my boys have exhibited their hearts today, and that makes the heart of this mom very happy. (I'll try and remember this when they are doing their best to drive me crazy! -happens almost daily)
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
back to school--Thursday, August 13, 2009
School started last Thursday, and it was a successful first day for all.
Julia loved the frog's first day of school book that her teacher read to the class. Julia's teacher described the day like this:
Wyatt reported that he had "two works" on the first day. That was all, and they were not hard. He also reported that several of his friends from last year are in his class, and there are several new friends too.
Starting middle school did not go so well for Savannah. She was ill the first day but went ahead and made it through the day and even managed field hockey. However, as I type this, it is Monday, and Savannah is at home. She has only been to school on the first day and will not be able to play in her team's first field hockey game tonight. She will be fine but needs to get over this bump in the road, so please pray lots of prayers for her. This is a stressful way to start the year, and the stress is not helping her illness.
Zach said school was good. A man of few words, I later learned that he thinks homeroom will be interesting as the girls don't get along. Isn't that just like a boy?
As you can see, it was dark when they started out. None of them start school at an unreasonable time, but getting four kids to buses and different campuses requires early mornings in this household.
Look at all they accomplished in just a half day of school! Julia was picked up by her grandma and Aunt Tessa. They reported that she was chatty and hyper on the way home. She told them about the frog book, doing the monkey bars 12 times on the playground, and that they had corn dog, Cheez-Its, and chocolate milk. She said she loves chocolate milk and will have it every day. Julia also pointed out that Granny has the frog book and about 100 other books in the room where all the grandkids sleep when they go to her house.
When I finally got to hear about Julia's day, she told me about the chocolate milk and the frog book which she liked. She did not mention that Granny has this book. However, she did tell me that she cracked Grandma, Aunt Tessa and herself up when she said "oh, dear." This was Julia's response when they asked her to help carry some pillows, and something about the way she said it had them all laughing.
In case you didn't know, yawning and rubbing your eyes is caused by allergies according to Julia.
Julia loved the frog's first day of school book that her teacher read to the class. Julia's teacher described the day like this:- reviewed our “Rules for Jewels” and selected a crown for the year.
discussed classroom jobs in preparation for choosing one tomorrow.
began learning our first Bible memory verse. (Ask your favorite kindergartener to sing the Bible verse song for Hebrews 11:3.)
took a tour of the campus.
completed a “Circle of Love” activity to be brought home tomorrow.
listened and participated in the story, Froggy’s First Day of School.
drew a picture of something they enjoyed during their first day of school.
completed the prince or princess clip we began during Back to School Day.
enjoyed a stretch break to music.
learned “Good Morning” and “Packing Up” procedures.
learned lunch routine and enjoyed our first kindergarten meal.
played on the playground
Wyatt reported that he had "two works" on the first day. That was all, and they were not hard. He also reported that several of his friends from last year are in his class, and there are several new friends too. 
Starting middle school did not go so well for Savannah. She was ill the first day but went ahead and made it through the day and even managed field hockey. However, as I type this, it is Monday, and Savannah is at home. She has only been to school on the first day and will not be able to play in her team's first field hockey game tonight. She will be fine but needs to get over this bump in the road, so please pray lots of prayers for her. This is a stressful way to start the year, and the stress is not helping her illness.
Zach said school was good. A man of few words, I later learned that he thinks homeroom will be interesting as the girls don't get along. Isn't that just like a boy? 
As you can see, it was dark when they started out. None of them start school at an unreasonable time, but getting four kids to buses and different campuses requires early mornings in this household.
Look at all they accomplished in just a half day of school! Julia was picked up by her grandma and Aunt Tessa. They reported that she was chatty and hyper on the way home. She told them about the frog book, doing the monkey bars 12 times on the playground, and that they had corn dog, Cheez-Its, and chocolate milk. She said she loves chocolate milk and will have it every day. Julia also pointed out that Granny has the frog book and about 100 other books in the room where all the grandkids sleep when they go to her house.
When I finally got to hear about Julia's day, she told me about the chocolate milk and the frog book which she liked. She did not mention that Granny has this book. However, she did tell me that she cracked Grandma, Aunt Tessa and herself up when she said "oh, dear." This was Julia's response when they asked her to help carry some pillows, and something about the way she said it had them all laughing.
In case you didn't know, yawning and rubbing your eyes is caused by allergies according to Julia.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
friends, divine scheduling, middle school and kindergarten
This is the story of a friendship. During first grade Savannah met Emmalee, and they became fast friends. Classmates with a very tight bond, they journeyed through first and second grade together. Role playing Little House on the Prairie was one of their favorite activities. They had lots and lots of fun. When the teacher letters arrived for third grade, they learned they would be separated. This brought on much dismay and sadness. In fourth grade the moms intervened to have them together again only to have them separated in the fifth grade.
Check out these cuties in the first grade:
Through the times together and the separations, these girls continued to grow as friends. Their friendship is a special one because they both have other close friends who do not necessarily cross circles with both of them, and they are in no way exclusive. While they have a lot in common, they are also very unique. Both are highly motivated and successful students. They are also quiet and introverted, and both love field hockey, and more importantly, they both love their savior very much. However, Emmalee is very organized and loves to organize things while Savannah is a mess. I cannot walk through her room right now.
This week these two girls start middle school as sixth graders. This means a bigger campus with many more students. On Monday we went for the orientation and sat through a lengthy meeting before the students could get what they all wanted; their schedules and locker numbers. Melissa (Emmalee's mom) had been praying that her girl would have a friend in every class. Having done the middle school thing with Zachary, I felt pretty confident that this would be a good year. God had a great surprise in store for all of us. In a random, computer generated schedule, Savannah and Emmalee landed in 6 out of 7 classes together. Savannah is taking band, and Emmalee is not, so they are separated that period...and God went even further and placed their lockers right next door to each other. This was not lost on Melissa and me...this very special blessing on a special friendship. Yes, God is cool, and a copy of Savannah's schedule is now in our memorial box. If you missed my post on the memorial box, check it out by clicking this link: http://lifewiththepages.blogspot.com/2009/04/fingerprints-of-god.html
This is a transition year for both of my girls; Savannah to sixth grade, and Julia to kindergarten. Unfortunately this week has not gone so smoothly. Savannah has felt ill off and on which led to a doctor's appointment today (one day before school starts) in hopes that she will be okay to attend school tomorrow (definitely looks promising).
...and remember this bespectacled girl? Well, she is bespectacled no more. Yes, those glasses that are less than a month old, are now broken after a basketball game with Wyatt that resulted in a ball to the face. Interestingly, she did not notice the missing lens. Does she really need these things? Once again, God is good. Julia was not at all hurt. We did seriously consider doing without the glasses. We can't find the missing lens, and because they were completely covered by insurance the first time, we did not buy the replacement plan. I went today to face the music and get them fixed, but she needs a new pair...and will get them for free. Yes, God is good.
Check out these cuties in the first grade:
Through the times together and the separations, these girls continued to grow as friends. Their friendship is a special one because they both have other close friends who do not necessarily cross circles with both of them, and they are in no way exclusive. While they have a lot in common, they are also very unique. Both are highly motivated and successful students. They are also quiet and introverted, and both love field hockey, and more importantly, they both love their savior very much. However, Emmalee is very organized and loves to organize things while Savannah is a mess. I cannot walk through her room right now. This week these two girls start middle school as sixth graders. This means a bigger campus with many more students. On Monday we went for the orientation and sat through a lengthy meeting before the students could get what they all wanted; their schedules and locker numbers. Melissa (Emmalee's mom) had been praying that her girl would have a friend in every class. Having done the middle school thing with Zachary, I felt pretty confident that this would be a good year. God had a great surprise in store for all of us. In a random, computer generated schedule, Savannah and Emmalee landed in 6 out of 7 classes together. Savannah is taking band, and Emmalee is not, so they are separated that period...and God went even further and placed their lockers right next door to each other. This was not lost on Melissa and me...this very special blessing on a special friendship. Yes, God is cool, and a copy of Savannah's schedule is now in our memorial box. If you missed my post on the memorial box, check it out by clicking this link: http://lifewiththepages.blogspot.com/2009/04/fingerprints-of-god.html
This is a transition year for both of my girls; Savannah to sixth grade, and Julia to kindergarten. Unfortunately this week has not gone so smoothly. Savannah has felt ill off and on which led to a doctor's appointment today (one day before school starts) in hopes that she will be okay to attend school tomorrow (definitely looks promising).
...and remember this bespectacled girl? Well, she is bespectacled no more. Yes, those glasses that are less than a month old, are now broken after a basketball game with Wyatt that resulted in a ball to the face. Interestingly, she did not notice the missing lens. Does she really need these things? Once again, God is good. Julia was not at all hurt. We did seriously consider doing without the glasses. We can't find the missing lens, and because they were completely covered by insurance the first time, we did not buy the replacement plan. I went today to face the music and get them fixed, but she needs a new pair...and will get them for free. Yes, God is good.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
sweet and sassy!!!
SWEET!!
Wyatt and Julia started soccer today and both were very excited about it. Both of them did a great job, and we were especially impressed with Wyatt because he had some pretty good kicks, waited his turn, and did not put his hands on the other players. On our way home, he asked us why we came to China for him. I responded by saying that we thought you wanted brothers and sisters who do not leave and parents who do not leave, and we thought you would like to know Jesus. "Yeah," he said. Wyatt then said he told his China parents he wanted new parents. He then asked, "do you know what kind of mom and dad I want?" "What?" we asked, and he said, "you guys." I'm not sure we will stop smiling today.
SASSY!!
Andy has been out of town all week, and I needed to be in a few places at once last night, so I left Wyatt and Julia with my parents. Upon my return, my mom asked what Julia has been watching on TV. Apparently, Julia was making a birthday list and stated she wanted a couch and chair and trash can for her room. Mom told her she doesn't have room for that stuff. Somehow it was decided that she actually wanted a house with a fountain out front and a pool out back. Mom told Julia that she is too young for a house, so she declared to my mom, "don't you temp me to SNAP, SNAP, SNAP!" which she declared while snapping her fingers back and forth in front of her face and chest. She then told her to "give it up, give it up Girrrlllll!"... stated while making a hand gesture I don't even know how to describe... sort of cupped and moving toward the other person. Savannah revealed that some of this comes from "Scooby Doo" as for the rest, we have no idea.
Wyatt and Julia started soccer today and both were very excited about it. Both of them did a great job, and we were especially impressed with Wyatt because he had some pretty good kicks, waited his turn, and did not put his hands on the other players. On our way home, he asked us why we came to China for him. I responded by saying that we thought you wanted brothers and sisters who do not leave and parents who do not leave, and we thought you would like to know Jesus. "Yeah," he said. Wyatt then said he told his China parents he wanted new parents. He then asked, "do you know what kind of mom and dad I want?" "What?" we asked, and he said, "you guys." I'm not sure we will stop smiling today.
SASSY!!
Andy has been out of town all week, and I needed to be in a few places at once last night, so I left Wyatt and Julia with my parents. Upon my return, my mom asked what Julia has been watching on TV. Apparently, Julia was making a birthday list and stated she wanted a couch and chair and trash can for her room. Mom told her she doesn't have room for that stuff. Somehow it was decided that she actually wanted a house with a fountain out front and a pool out back. Mom told Julia that she is too young for a house, so she declared to my mom, "don't you temp me to SNAP, SNAP, SNAP!" which she declared while snapping her fingers back and forth in front of her face and chest. She then told her to "give it up, give it up Girrrlllll!"... stated while making a hand gesture I don't even know how to describe... sort of cupped and moving toward the other person. Savannah revealed that some of this comes from "Scooby Doo" as for the rest, we have no idea.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
whirlwind
Wyatt and Julia both finished the summer term at gymnastics this week. Wyatt finished on Tuesday, and Julia finished today. Unfortunately, Wyatt's teacher did not have the kids stand on the podium to get their ribbons, so I didn't get a picture of him. Wyatt really liked gymnastics but wants to move on to swimming. Julia wants to continue, and her bar work, handstands, and cartwheels are really starting to look good. We, however, have decided to take a break for the next 8-10 weeks. It is simply too expensive and waaaay to hard to manage with the other activities fall brings to this household. Don't feel too sorry for these two as they both start soccer on Saturday. They got their shin guards tonight, and Wyatt has told me those shin guards are special to him, and he does not want to lose them - good plan since you are not allowed to play without them.Today is my birthday, and life is good. The kids tried to do some cleaning while I was at an in-service today learning to teach like a rock star. I came home and raced Savannah to field hockey practice, got in a very short nap then took Julia to gymnastics, made a side trip to the sporting goods store for soccer and field hockey equipment then picked Zach up from football. It is great to have family close by as my mom picked Savannah up from field hockey and dropped Zach off at football. Andy is out of town, and we are all looking forward to his return tomorrow --lots of fun planned for the next few days as we kiss summer goodbye and gear up for the start of school next week.
P.S. -forgot to add this funny story...When we were getting out of the car at gymnastics, I announced, "Let's go kids!" Julia responded with, "I am not a kid. I am your daughter." So, I said, "Let's go children!" Julia followed that up with "I am a WOMAN!" all righty then---it is a laugh a day with her
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