Determination!

When I was a little girl, I remember looking through my parents' bookshelves for new things to read.  From James Herriot to Laura Ingalls Wilder, there was always plenty of new material to get lost in.  I also remember their non-fiction books, and the one that was particularly tattered, "The Strong-Willed Child".  No, that book wasn't for me, it was for my brother.  I didn't really understand what him being strong-willed meant when I was a kid, but now that I'm raising one of my own do I ever get it!

Our youngest . . . she is something.  It's not unusual for Ethan and I to look at each other with eyebrows raised and mouth, "What the heck?"  when she is in the midst of a new explanation or adventure.  She is a pure delight and keeps us on our toes.  She is determined!  Whether it is to sing on the radio (like she did earlier this year) or learn to read (so she can figure out what adults are spelling when she's in the room), she will do it!

Last night I got to witness some of this when she wanted to go to the park.  I told her I had to finish vacuuming and sweeping, and then we could leave for the park.  She said, "Mom, I'll vacuum."  She has vacuumed a little bit before, but it's usually just in one spot.  I knew that we had a LOT of chip crumbs under and around our dining room table, and I never thought she would even notice it.  I was wrong.  Our little 30 lb. girl moved ALL the heavy chairs away from the table and somehow managed to vacuum up every crumb.  I kept expecting her to give up, but she wanted to go to the park!  She did the entire thing like it was no big deal.

We love our strong-willed sweetie and are eager to see what else she will do with her life!

Here We Go!

Last night was a very big night for our family.  For the last several months (and I mean SEVERAL) we have been working on an adoption home study.  Last night the big night when the social worker came out and interviewed us and looked at our home.  To say I was nervous would be an understatement.  The interview was actually really great.  She started by asking our kids questions about their basic information and how they felt about having a new child join the family.  It was so sweet to hear their thoughts.  The worker asked them what might be a downside to having a new sister or brother, and Giggles (who is now nine) answered that she might have to share her room.  She was asked if that made her feel differently about adopting, and she said "No, it's okay!  I don't mind!"  What a sweetie.  :)

The home inspection was so much easier than I had anticipated.  It was nice that we (and by we I mean Ethan) completely re-organized the garage this weekend, but she didn't even look in there.  Same thing for the inside of the fridge and showers, which I had scrubbed like a madwoman.  I'm not complaining, though; we have really appreciated having everything so clean and organized for the last few days!  

I had no idea how long it would take for the study to be approved.  I feel like I've been holding my breath for so long, just waiting to see if we will be able to do this.  When I asked last night, I just loved our social worker's response.  She said, "Oh, the approval on this will just take a couple of weeks, and it's not your family that is being approved, it's my report.  If I'd had any concerns about you I would have mentioned it by now."  What a great thing to hear!  I was so worried that we wouldn't be good enough.  But now that the we have gotten this far we will just be waiting to hear that we are certified to adopt!!  I can't wait.  

One last funny moment from last night.  Bubba (who is now seven) is really into sniffing (and occasionally licking) people, and he probably sniffed the social worker a half dozen times.  Luckily she has a daughter with special needs herself and she was very accommodating.  We just love his crazy quirks!