OPERATION FAMILY EXPANSION

Well, it's time to make the news official:

We have started the domestic adoption process!

Now, I know of you who are used to the traditional method of acquiring a baby might not understand the full meaning of this phrase, so let me equate it to getting a positive on the home pregnancy test.

Brayden says, " I want Jesus to bring me a baby sister. Her name is Faith, and she can play with my frain table (yes, with an "f" sound) and she can sleep in my bed." So we have been praying that Jesus would let us know when the time was right, and we pray for the newest edition every night.

I'm bubbling with excitement!

Three-year-old Brayden carries a hospital green doctors bag in his hand (full of Mickey Mouse figurines, mind you), so I say, "Are you doctor Brayden? Maybe you will choose to be a doctor when you grow up."

With a contemplative expression on his face, he replies, "No, I don't think so."

"Well, what would you like to be?"

"Um...a person."

Good answer!



Brayden stopped taking naps about seven months ago. He gets up at 8:30 and goes to bed around 8:00 in the evening. He never asks to go to bed, but at 5:00, he began asking when it was going to be night time. I could visibly see that he was getting sleepy, but there was NO WAY I was going to let him go to sleep that early!

So, we head to our local Mexican restaurant, his favorite. He all but falls asleep in the car; he was as much asleep as a person can be with their eyes still open (at least we thought so at the time. read on).

So we get him out of the car and into the restaurant high chair. The waiter immediately sets before us our chips and salsa, and then he brings Brayden's customary bowl of queso. For the next ten minutes or so, a very quiet and spacey little boy dips his chips and crams his mouth full.

Then, with a start, his posture perks, his expression changes, and his eyes dart side to side. He says in his confusion, " I didn't know I was here."

It was the funniest sight, and I was glad to have witnesses because this sounds unbelievable!

It’s official: My teetering one-year-old who became my toddling two-year old is now a terrific three-year old! And, of course, he already realizes the advantages. He is developing a very healthy streak of independence, and he clearly distinguishes himself from “babies” (because he’s three, and he can walk and talk. He asks all the time if babies can talk or if they can run; he wants to make certain that he is operating at the big boy level) .

Disclaimer: the above only applies in situations that benefit him. If he wants to hoard all of his toys in a bag and carry it around the room instead of sharing with Isaac, Davey or Chloe, he sees no problem with that!

This year’s party was such fun. We rented a local business that offers lots of indoor play—slides, trampolines, jumpers, obstacle course, etc. The kids felt free to run, and the parents felt free to let them! Long ago, Brayden chose Thomas for his birthday party theme, but as the day approached, he modified it to be a “Thomas birthday and a Dora birthday. “ I did not cave in and oblige, but he received enough Dora paraphernalia that he did not mind.

His favorite gift?
The cheapest one, of course--Backpack with an attached map.
He had been using any available bag as Backpack, but now he has the real thing!

Pictures soon to follow…

“Big present” from Mom and Dad Sunday morning.
Aunt Kelly’s house for early opening the next morning.
Cousin Minnie’s house at 3:30 Thursday for afternoon presents.
Mamaw and Papaw’s house at 6:00 Thursday for evening opening.
Granny and Pappy’s house late Thursday night for another round.
Visit from Aunt Teresa and Cousin Davey some time next week for even more gifts.

And this boy has a birthday in just seven days!

Despite the excited, chaotic busyness of the past few days, Brayden has been exceptionally good. He has had zero meltdowns and very few instances of corrections; only once did he have to go to time out, and I had to remind him a few times about sharing. He was so sweet opening his gifts, and he really appreciated others’ thoughtfulness. At times, he would say “Tanks!” and give hugs without prompting. He would look at an unopened gift and ask, “Is this a peasant for me?”

I, too, enjoyed this holiday—buying gifts early ad not stressing about the details…

What a blessed life I have!

A Winter's Day in Pictures