My kids have been in a creative funk recently. The newest past time is creating signature desserts. Z was the first inventive chef. Last night, J took a stab at it. The only problem is that J's was so close to Z's that Z was claiming copyright fraud. I told her he was merely taking off on a good idea with a few tweaks of his own. I explained that this happened all of the time in the world of business and told them that they were both free to do their own thing. We talked about what different customers might desire. Some might go for better tasting, even if it was more expensive. Some might prefer a little less glitz if it is more affordable.

A little while later, they came to me with a shopping list of items they would need to get their "businesses" under way. We allow our kids to sell and purchase things from each other with a charging cap of no more than a dime, unless cleared through the CEO (Daddy D). These are great life teaching moments.

Today, we ventured to the store and collected the needed items- strawberries, bananas, "white" Koolaid, whipped cream, and marshmallows. Along with these items, several things from the cupboards were also used. This afternoon was creation time.

While Z was intently forming her masterpiece, she had out the food coloring. One of the bwins was watching. Z warned him not to touch the blue coloring she had open. Well, all of you know what came next... he reached up and squeezed it. This caused the blue to run out all over his fingers. He tried to hide, but luckily Z brought him to me (wouldn't want it on the carpet, walls, or furniture). I went over the fact that Z had warned him and he had not listened. Then I proceeded to tell him to go wash his hands.

He went in to scrub down. A few minutes later, the crying ensued. I went to see what was wrong. He was hopelessly scouring his fingers, only to get more on his chin and other arm. He was fighting a losing battle. Then I realized what he thought... he would be blue for life! I did not tell him about the food coloring's non-permanency right away. I felt it was a good natural consequence for his behavior.

However, after quite a while of fit throwing, he finally calmed down. I explained that it would come off in a few days, but until then it might help him to remember to listen to what he is told.

Even now, I catch him scrubbing vigorously and picking at his fingers, hoping to remedy the stain. Thus is the legend of Ole' Blue Fingers.

B, L, El, and N meeting for the first time.

After my dad's retirement parties, we were privileged to meet the Pisariks. El and L had some clothes that they had outgrown and I also had some clothes that I had bought for our first referrals that never got used by the bwins. I had emailed Lea to see if her boys might get some use out of them.

We had a great time. They live in a really pretty house in a beautiful neighborhood. In fact, I was a little worried about the Crew messing something up. I was also worried about being a little overwhelming to her two boys. My kiddos love little ones and tend to be a little overbearing on them. My kids had a blast. They enjoyed N and B so much. They said they reminded them of our first referrals, I and B. They were right. They also enjoyed the ping pong table upstairs. (I just hope they didn't tear anything up!)

Anyway, we were able to visit and swap stories. It was very nice. Our boys were not too far from each other in Russia. It was interesting to hear what info they had about their boys, what their orphanage was like, and how their process went. They were so gracious, allowing all 9 (we had one extra) of us to barge in for an hour. At one point, she asked if it was always this busy and loud at our house. The answer of course was yes.

This was the second blog friend meeting I have had and it is so neat to see them in person and get to really visit. I feel so privileged to have met this wonderful family and hope to see them again sometime.

My "baby" getting ready to leave for 11 days.

Growing up... Letting go... Cutting the purse strings ... Releasing

All of the above phrases have been heard when one is describing the advancement in life of a child from one stage to the next. Throughout our parenthood, we have had to do this many times and know that as they grow older, new and harder releases are in store for us.

Yesterday, I experienced the biggest one yet. My oldest, H, left yesterday morning on a mission trip to Canada. She's going out of the country, passport and all, ...without us. This whole adventure started last fall. Even though they will have fun on this trip, it is a work trip. Not everyone got to go. Last October, H had to interview with her youth pastor. Those that passed the interview were then required to read a few ministry books and write 2 page typewritten reports over them. The reports were not to be about the books. They had to be about how the books influenced or changed their lives and how they would apply that to their mission trip experience. They also had to do fundraising.

Last night, she called to let us know that she was in Nebraska for the night. She even sent us an email. Good kiddo, keeping us informed. Today, they will make it to North Dakota and go on into Canada on Sunday. There they will participate in a work camp. Different groups of them will have various assignments- anything from painting elderly people's wheelchair ramps, cleaning up various places, landscaping, etc. The one H hopes to get to participate in is putting on a party for some local orphanage children.

They will start back home on the 13th, stopping in Minnesota for a day, then on to Kansas the next day, finally returning home on the 16th.

H was so excited. It was something she has been looking forward to for a long time now. Many of the other mothers were crying as their kids loaded the vans and were anticipating their departure. I did okay, knowing she was so privileged to have this opportunity. However, I did get a "misty eye"(as D would say) when the vans actually pulled out and were on their way.

God, in His usual caring way, had been preparing me for this. Just the day before, I had read a section on surrender in the book I'm reading. It's called "So, You Want to be Like Christ?" by Charles Swindoll. It was talking about our need to surrender all to the Lord. There was a whole section on children and family. Here is a small excerpt:

One year ago today, a Russian judge officially ruled us parents of the bwins.

We were not allowed pictures in or near or anywhere around the whole courthouse, so this is a picture of the proud new parents in front of our hotel after court.

We didn't get to see the boys that day. This is a picture of them on July 5, the day after court.

This is a picture of them today- one year after becoming ours.


MeMa and PaPa brought them new bubble mowers to help celebrate!
(Now if only the yard was dry enough to mow!)

We debated about our "Gotcha Day". We really felt like today was the day that they really became ours, whether we saw them or not, whether we actually brought them with us or not. This was the day that the judge said, "Yes". After that, it was relief and celebration. I'm really glad we went ahead with today. We have had a lot of fun celebrating and getting to celebrate the Fourth along with it just makes it more fun.

Happy Gotcha Day, L and El! We love you more than you will ever know!

This past Friday, June 29, 2007, my dad retired. He had worked for the same company for 26 straight years! Before that he had done various other jobs. He was honored at his work with a retirement party. Different people that he had worked with over the years stood up and spoke about my father. Some of it was rather funny, including pasting a picture of my father's head onto several crazy photos and telling some funny stories. My dad even got given a gift of a pool stick because apparently he beat everyone on a business trip a while back. I learned something new about my dad.

However, most of what was said about my dad was very uplifting and honoring. People all around the company were asked to give one word to describe my father. The top words that came up over and over were integrity and virtuous. They couldn't have described him better. My father is a wonderful man. Our family honored him with a plaque thanking him for all of his years of sacrificial service to us. He always made sure we had what we needed. For many years he worked the night shift to make ends meet. He and I would leave each other notes during the week. He gave us some of what we wanted, but not everything. We had to work and use our own money to get many of the extras. I truly appreciate that life lesson, and am using it with my children now. He pointed us to our Heavenly Father. That was the most important thing he could have ever done and has changed my life forever. I am so grateful to my dad for everything throughout the years-the spiritual, the emotional, and the material.

My dad is a hard worker. I know that with this retirement, he'll finally (hopefully) get the rest he needs, but I also know he will stay busy. He's a fisherman and loves the outdoors. Now he will have a lot more time for those kinds of things. I know I'm a little biased, but I think my dad is the best dad in the world and I am very proud of him.