Easter

Well my dream of getting the most perfect Easter dress sort of failed.  For some reason, I had it in my heart that when I someday had a girl, I would enjoy all things girly with her, and the much anticipated Easter dress shopping was at the very apex of frilly and girly satisfaction.  I just could not find anything that came close to my ideals in the stores.  I ended up ordering a beautiful dress and coat set from Amazon, but when it arrived it was WAY too big!  Maybe it is meant for next year.  Norah did not seem to care one way or another, and that made me wonder what the heck I was getting so bent out of shape about!  She has incredibly cute stuff in the closet that she has not even worn yet!  Besides, she would be cute dressed in a burlap sack.  Expectations and ideals had overtaken the joy and ease of the holiday.  I really needed to focus on the importance of Easter.  After all, it is the BEST holiday in the year!  GOD IS NOT DEAD!  He is alive and because He raised, we have life... and life forever. 

My kiddos did, however, look very lovely and handsome in their Easter Best! 

Will protested the Easter outfit, until he put on the shirt and the hat, and realized he resembled Indiana Jones.  He got so into it.  He kept practicing whipping his gun out of his belt, and took my exercise ball and made it to roll after him (like the big stone in the cave scene).  It was amazing.  He used a yo-yo as his whip in the yard! (Nobody was hurt, and he was only allowed to use it when everyone else was at a distance)

After an incredible Easter message at the Boiler Room, (shameless plug.  Really, if you are reading this, go to the website and download the podcast!!  click here)  we went to an Easter celebration in Gillam Park.  They had pony rides, a bounce house, cotton candy, that sort of thing.  Norah had been on me all morning about riding the ponies, so we were on a mission for those horses!  We waited in line for 25 min, but it was finally her turn.  The boys got to the bounce house first, but then Sam came to the ponies too.  They both did great, but Norah's horse did a shake and knocked her off!  It was a gentle fall, but nonetheless, she was on the ground!  The trainers helped her up again, and she finished the ride!  She wasn't that upset about it either.

 

We finished off the day by celebrating with a ham dinner at Grandma's.  Of course there was candy baskets for all the kids, and she loved that.  Norah broke off her front crown on a chewy caramel, and came to me confused about why her mouth was different!  AHHHH!!!  We found the crown in the candy quickly though, and were glad that at least it did not get thrown out or worse...  She did not mind having a snaggly looking tooth for the rest of the day.  She sat in the dentist's chair the next day like a champ to have it re-cemented.   I am NOT looking forward to that tooth coming off on a regular basis... lets hope it stays put.

Songkran

We celebrated Thai New Year on April 12.  It's a holiday called Songkran, and Thai people celebrate with their naturally cheerful flare!  It is a holiday filled with WATER!  Thais will spray one another with water, or douse passer-bys on the streets.  We went to another Thai adopting family's house that lives close by.  We are so blessed to have 7 Thai adoptive families in the Kansas City area, (that we know, there are probably more) and we will get together every once in awhile to celebrate the Thai holidays.  Norah likes seeing the other Thai children, but since we are not on a regular routine of seeing these families, she still is quite reserved when she is around them. 

 

These pictures are of Norah throwing water balloons with the other kiddos, and also a group shot of some of the other kids in our Thai group:)  There are 3 families in our group that are still waiting on first approval to bring their kids home!  

Another neat part of Songkran is that it's customary for the children to pour scented water on the hands of their parent, or elders.  It is a symbol of respect and honor.  So all the children did it to the adults, with lavender scented water.  It was so beautiful, and we sure could use more of the blessing and honor Asian culture stresses on it's older people!  We had a delicious spread of different Thai dishes, most of which Norah found too spicy or just did not love.  Her palate is getting more Americanized, and her tastes are getting pickier... *sigh*  I hate that I am used to it, but I am with my two picky boys.

It's Been Awhile...

It has been way too long since our last post!  So much has happened with Norah, and she continues to thrive in transitioning into our family.  In February, Norah had to go through extensive dental treatment.  I fortunately took her to an amazing doctor that put me at ease of all my anxiety around her treatment!  She had to be put under general anaesthesia because there was no other way to get 6 crowns and a filling done on a two year old without it!  My nerves were all over the place.  What if she is that .00001% that would not wake up?  I don't know her extensive family health history or any if there are any adverse reactions to anaesthesia in her bloodline.  It all turned out fine, with a very out-of-it toddler at the end of the appointment! 
Norah started acting normal a few hours later, and was upset that the band-aids on her hands were not cute.  They just used normal medical tape and cotton balls!  The nerve!  This girl insisted on Hello Kitty band-aids.  So I did what any mother would do.  We went to Target, and I opened the gates to whatever she wanted!  Cute band-aids.  Check.  But then what else would she pick?  Then, to my heart's desire, she chose a dress with a sparkly heart on the front, and a coral orange tulle skirt!!  I asked her if she really wanted this dress.  "Do you want a toy instead?  Or should we look at other things?"  I asked.  "NO.  I want heart for Daddy!"  She insisted.  She had her father in mind when she chose her prize for bravery, and wanted her dad's heart to melt:)  You can bet it did the trick!

Norah's "Heart for Daddy" Dress

Norah's English has really taken off.  She speaks like most other kids her age, and repeats everything!  She is such a fast learner, and very competent at many things.  Grandma Ruth was with her just this week, and was amazed at how she wanted to do the kitchen chores with her, and actually did them with surprising accuracy!  This girl continues to amaze us. 
Ever since we had dreamed of having a girl, there were a few things I set aside in my mind of pending excitement, that is only fulfilled in having a daughter.  One of them was going to get pedicures done.  It was my birthday this week, so I asked Norah if she'd like to go together to get our toenails painted.  She looked up and said, "Sure!  Let's go!"  So I explained that she would have to sit very still, and she agreed to all of it!  So we went Wednesday to get our toenails painted, and she sat and behaved like a star.  The other dreaming I've had, amongst others, is buying an Easter dress.  I don't know why this purchase is some sort of important purchase, but to me it is!  I have not found it yet, but we continue to look.

 

Playing Horsey with Dad

Sam and Will are amazing brothers.  They really do love Norah so well, and are getting used to sharing more of their time and stuff with her.  Will is still adjusting to his new place as the middle child, and throwing around his new-found (perceived) authority with her all the time.  That boy is a BIG TEASE!  David and I really are exhausted with all the bicker and teasing that goes on, but realize, it's totally common sibling stuff.  Which is great news if you want to look at the glass half full:)

This picture was taken a few weeks ago.  Norah wanted to wear every bow in her basket!  She looked like she was wearing a hat of bows, and she loved it!  She walked over to the neighbor's house to show off her creative style.