Last night we rented the movie Smile. We hadn't heard of it and didn't know anything about it. It was called a "feel good" movie. Perfect for Valentine's Day, right? The movie unfolded to reveal the story of a little girl abandoned in China because of a cleft lip. She is found by a man in China who gives up everything meaningful in his life to raise this young girl, losing even his wife and biological son in the process. The movie chronicles how a non-profit group of volunteers literally offers the girl "the world" through restorative surgery.
We weren't prepared for the emotions we found ourselves experiencing.
We cried as the abandoned girl was left. We couldn't shake the image of our own precious daughter left in China. How long did she cry? Was she cold? Hungry? Scared?
We could barely breathe as we watched the young girl's life unfold. How long Chinese children have suffered if they are not born "perfect." Thankfully, this is slowly changing.
We thought of our lifetime friends who traveled to China in our group to adopt little girl's with cleft lips and more. They have made a commitment to love and care for these beautiful girls for life....like the father in this movie. Their roads aren't always easy, yet they walk them.
All the time people say, "It takes a special person to adopt." Actually, the special person is the adopted child. The strength, grace, beauty, and vulnerability these children possess in offering their hearts, in trying to love again, is absolutely awe-inspiring. We have received far more and learned far more from M than we have ever given.
2.14.2009
2.11.2009
How was preschool?
Time for a little preschool update.
Last week, M barely cried when we left her. She stopped within a few minutes and was then happy as a clam. On Thursday, one of her classmate's grandmothers hosted a real tea party. She is from Great Britain and did it "right." Real teapots, real napkins, etc. They even made little British flags. M came out BEAMING. This week, she remembered. 20 minutes early she put on her coat and backpack and walked around the house asking for "school." She took herself into the preschool room and happily spent her morning.
At lunch, she said "school" and then told me "ball." We asked if she played with a ball outside. She beamed and smiled big. Then she said "throw." Her first time initiating conversation about something she's done.
At dinner, R returned from traveling out of state. He asked her what she did at preschool. We all expected a sweet smile with no answer. To our amazement, she smiled big, put her little hands out Italian style and shook them while saying clearly, "I Don't Know!" We all BURST out laughing which she appreciated. She then yucked it up with "I Don't Know!" about 100 times. :-)
Too Funny!
Last week, M barely cried when we left her. She stopped within a few minutes and was then happy as a clam. On Thursday, one of her classmate's grandmothers hosted a real tea party. She is from Great Britain and did it "right." Real teapots, real napkins, etc. They even made little British flags. M came out BEAMING. This week, she remembered. 20 minutes early she put on her coat and backpack and walked around the house asking for "school." She took herself into the preschool room and happily spent her morning.
At lunch, she said "school" and then told me "ball." We asked if she played with a ball outside. She beamed and smiled big. Then she said "throw." Her first time initiating conversation about something she's done.
At dinner, R returned from traveling out of state. He asked her what she did at preschool. We all expected a sweet smile with no answer. To our amazement, she smiled big, put her little hands out Italian style and shook them while saying clearly, "I Don't Know!" We all BURST out laughing which she appreciated. She then yucked it up with "I Don't Know!" about 100 times. :-)
Too Funny!
2.09.2009
"You have a beautiful family!"
Yesterday was the kind of day you dream about before you have children. HA HA. It began with N making his famous scrambled eggs for G and M - then moved into all four kids playing happily while I got ready for church. Big brothers helped M get her church shoes. All the boys actually found their own black socks. Everyone brushed their teeth WITHOUT being reminded. :-) Happy sigh.
Fast forward to church. They were amazing. I'd like to say that our children are ALWAYS amazing in church, but they're pretty normal kids who must do a lot on their own on Sundays with their Dad doing the pastor thing and their mom doing the Worship Team thing. At one point, I looked down to see G helping M get crayons. At another point, J was helping M read a book. It went on and on. After church, N watched M while I chatted with friends.
I decided to risk it all. I decided to take them out to eat. Kind of a "nightcap" on a great day. :-) But had they used up all their manners?
We went to a buffet place. Not my kind of thing at all, but TOTALLY a kid thing. The kind of place you can eat the MINUTE you get a table. And you are awed by the volume of food. And you can go as many times as you like. So great for BOYS.
We sit down and N says, "Mom, would you like me to be G's helper?" and he proceeds to take G to all the different stations and help him select and reach food. And J says, "Mom, why don't you let me watch M while you get some lunch first?" I'm so happy I could cry. They weren't even TRYING to be good, they just WERE. The whole lunch went this way. I even heard them say to each other, "Let's just take small helpings as we go...we don't want to waste the food for the owners!"
Before we left, not one but two men came to speak to me to share "what a beautiful family" we have. One said, "I didn't even realize there were CHILDREN sitting next to us. What incredible manners. They are so kind!"
It was pretty amazing.
I debated about sharing our day because it could seem prideful. I decided that it's ok to brag on our kids sometimes. They let their lights shine....and who knows? Tomorrow could be ugly. I'll enjoy this one while I can! :-)
Fast forward to church. They were amazing. I'd like to say that our children are ALWAYS amazing in church, but they're pretty normal kids who must do a lot on their own on Sundays with their Dad doing the pastor thing and their mom doing the Worship Team thing. At one point, I looked down to see G helping M get crayons. At another point, J was helping M read a book. It went on and on. After church, N watched M while I chatted with friends.
I decided to risk it all. I decided to take them out to eat. Kind of a "nightcap" on a great day. :-) But had they used up all their manners?
We went to a buffet place. Not my kind of thing at all, but TOTALLY a kid thing. The kind of place you can eat the MINUTE you get a table. And you are awed by the volume of food. And you can go as many times as you like. So great for BOYS.
We sit down and N says, "Mom, would you like me to be G's helper?" and he proceeds to take G to all the different stations and help him select and reach food. And J says, "Mom, why don't you let me watch M while you get some lunch first?" I'm so happy I could cry. They weren't even TRYING to be good, they just WERE. The whole lunch went this way. I even heard them say to each other, "Let's just take small helpings as we go...we don't want to waste the food for the owners!"
Before we left, not one but two men came to speak to me to share "what a beautiful family" we have. One said, "I didn't even realize there were CHILDREN sitting next to us. What incredible manners. They are so kind!"
It was pretty amazing.
I debated about sharing our day because it could seem prideful. I decided that it's ok to brag on our kids sometimes. They let their lights shine....and who knows? Tomorrow could be ugly. I'll enjoy this one while I can! :-)
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