A Belated Announcement

When I went to my appt with Guy two Mondays ago, I was going to have him write the gender of our baby in an envelope for all of us to open as a surprise. My friend, Danika, suggested it and I thought it sounded like a lot of fun. But I bailed out. Too excited! I then immediately called Chancho but kept it a surprise from the kids and my parents until that night. We had a little Family Home Evening and then I had the the kids (and my dad) color a picture of a baby either as a boy or a girl to see who was right. Here were their guesses.Deedle has been praying every night for the past several weeks, "Please bless that the baby is a girl." Guess who guessed (and prayed) right?
Yep, its a GIRL!!!

It's Halloween Miracle

Several weeks ago I bought a henna kit at Michael's and my niece, Jessica, did some lovely designs on my scalp to try it out. I thought I would have some beautiful head art for Halloween and wanted to see how it would work. Well, not so well. Jess spent so long,, and the design was beautiful, but after waiting about 6 hours and removing the cracking henna, the design ended up very light and didn't last for more than a day or two (the box said it would last 10 to 14 days). It may have been our inexperience or a cheap henna, or probably both. But in the end I decided that sharpie markers would be much easier and less expensive.

When the kids asked about Henna, I told them a little about the tradition in India and showed

them some photos on line. SC declared that she MUST be an Indian Bride for Halloween. I thought, "sure, no sweat. I'll find a plain dress, drape her with some lovely fabrics or scarves and it'll be great." But, as the time grew closer, the costume was definitely NOT great. The closest type of dress we could find was a bridesmaid dress from my sister Nancy's wedding reception which was light blue and glittery, but it had a puffy skirt. All the pictures we'd seen had these gorgeous gowns bedecked with a million jewels, and nothing like a puffy, princess skirt. I had

already declared that we had to save money and we were NOT going to buy any costumes this year. Aunt Amy came up with a great little SWAT costume for Loumy (Mia wanted it but once it arrived in the mail it was too small so she gave it to us. Thanks Ampse!). Deedle had lots of choices from past SC costumes, options from cousins, and friends. She decided on a cute witch costume from friend Elle (thanks Patti!). But SC was adamant on the Indian Bride. We went and

dug through Kathy's bins of past costumes and I tried to talk her in to something else, but she would not be dissuaded. So, we put the blue, princess dress back on and I started draping some of my scarves across her shoulder and she looked in the mirror and we both seemed to think,"Oh well. Okay." Did it really matter? I guess not. It would be fine.

Some years are great costumes. Some are not.

On Tuesday night (or Monday?) I was in Riverdale to pick up Deedle's costume from Patti. SC was at a friends house and Loumy and Deeds wanted to play at Patti's house for awhile so I went to run a couple of errands. We needed colored hairspray for "crazy hair day" so I went to a local thrift store, "Savers". Savers is usually just your standard, used fare. But on Halloween they carry lots of new costumes, wigs, face paint, sprays, etc. So, I decided to check there. The only color they had was fluorescent yellow (which happens to work great for Loumy's hair). While

there I decided to look around to see if there were any scarves or anything I could drape on SC that would look a little more Indian. I was about to give up when I saw a rack of used costumes at the back of the store. On the ground I saw a beautiful, long, drapey, yellow scarf-type thing with embroidered flowers, jewels, and a lovely ribbon sewed around the edge. It was old but

looked perfect! I picked it up but it didn't have a price tag. Only something that said, "2X". Even though I'd said we weren't going to buy costumes this year, I had said, "new costumes", so an old scarf would be fine. I started browsing through the costumes to see if there was anything else similar to this lovely wrap I'd found. Old, dirty bunny. Homemade knight. Busted Spider Man. Then I saw it. Could it be? It was something reddish, orange, covered in jewels and sequins and looking very much like what I would picture a girl to wear to some sort of celebration in India. It was indeed a tunic of some sort. Long with slits on the sides. It was obviously old and some of the jewels were missing but it looked to be very well made and was even nicely lined inside. It was

beautiful! Price: $6.99. I took it up to the counter and asked about the price on the scarf. They said that the 2X meant it came as part of a 2-piece set. I told them I found it on the ground and hadn't seen anything else it would go with...except this tunic...but it wasn't marked 2X. So the

cashier called over the manager, she marked the dress 2X and gave me the scarf for free.

Driving home I just couldn't believe it. I felt this overwhelming feeling of peace and calm, like Heavenly Father was truly aware of me and my daughter. At home, I took off the Saver's tag and looked at the real tag attached to the dress. It had an old, yellow sticker, which was about to peel off the back which read, "Vipons Rs 2090". Could Rs mean Rupees??? No way did this tunic ACTUALLY come from India. I am sad to say that I have met very few Indians in my life. When I was 16 and had an actual job, I called "Save the Children" and began to sponsor a beautiful little

boy from a city near Calcutta. His letters were amazing to read but even more enchanting was the Hindi handwriting (which, of course, had been translated for me). Chancho worked and

became very good friends with several guys from India while working at Tomax. But I honestly have never lived near or had the opportunity to become friends with anybody from India. Strange. MELBM is married to a Ram, who is from India and seems super cool, but I've never met him. I've seen lots of movies and especially documentaries based on the country. I've had family and friends visit there. I find what I know to be very fascinating. I'd love to know more and I'd love to visit, though it is a vast country and I'd want to spend months in different areas. Anyway, that is mostly to say that there is not a big population of Indians in Northern Utah, so its not likely you'll find lots of cast of Indian garb at a local thrift shop.

Anywho...I gently peeled off the Vipons sticker and this is what I saw underneath.

Of course there is the English writing, but there is a foreign telephone number and, in pen, some additional writing that looks like it could be Hindu. In a shaking voice, not-unlike Jimmy Stewart's, I said to myself, "Its a Halloween Miracle!"

I know it is such a silly thing. Would God really care what SC wore for Halloween? Did He really worry that much about us that He would have a little miracle like that happen? Well, I believe that He did and He does. I believe that He often allows or causes little things like this to happen...often it is through something that somebody else does or says, or it could even be by "chancing" upon something to thrill your 8 year old child and make her feel super special at a

Thrift Store. Its called a Tender Mercy. And this Tender Mercy really helped to make for one gorgeous, enchanting Indian Bride, if I do say so myself.

October Birthdays

Similar to the past 5 years, we have celebrated two birthdays in October. Loumy on the 9th and Deedle on the 12th. This year we let the kids each choose a special family activity and dinner. On Saturday for Loumy we went to see Toy Story 3. The big kids enjoyed it. Chancho and I took turns with Finn out in the hallway while he ate popcorn off the floor and threw around all of the booster seats. Loumy then chose to go eat at Chuck-a-Rama.

On Sunday we had a little combined party at the Cox grandparents house. Deedle and Loumy each decorated half of a round cake.On Tuesday, Deedle chose to go bowling, where we each showed off our perfect form and where Finn constantly tried to crush himself with heavy balls or get his hands mangled in the ball return.

Deedle then chose to go to Chiles. I love these children so very much and feel so blessed to have had them for these 6 and 7 years!

String Cheese Gets an Award

Remember at the Beginning of Sleeping Beauty when the fairy godmothers come into Princess Aurora's christening and bestow special gifts upon her? If I remember correctly, the gifts were something like beauty, wit, and a beautiful singing voice. Those are nice. But if I could choose just one gift to be bestowed upon any of my children, it would be KINDNESS. I've spent a good deal of time thinking about this and I really cannot think of another more important attribute that I hope and pray my children will possess. I believe that kindness can be developed, but for some it is just a gift that comes naturally. Such is the case with my firstborn little princess.

This school year has been rough for her. She really misses her last school and her friends. She has some fears and worries about how things are done at this school and doesn't feel she's made any really close friends. The other day my heart broke and then I was filled with the desire to smack a certain 8 year old's face. SC had her lunch tray and was looking for a place to sit. Sara, a girl in her class, said, "Over here! Over here!" SC smiled and walked toward the table. When she got there, Sara said, "I wasn't talking to you! Why would I want you to ever sit by me?" Apparently she had been waving to somebody BEHIND SC. SC slowly turned away and found another table.

Despite this and many other similar experiences, SC continues to show kindness any way that she can. The first week of school she told me she felt very sad because there was a boy in a wheelchair crying out at recess. When she asked why he was crying he said that the teachers wouldn't let him play. SC was very upset about this and I assured her there must be some reason he couldn't be involved in the other activities. I don't know his story or even why he's in a wheelchair but a few days later SC said that the teachers said he has to be very careful and he bleeds very easily so he has to stay away from a lot of kids and their rambunctiousness (or something like that). However, the teacher did allow for SC to get a ball and bounce it back and forth to him. She now often spends her recess with her new friend, Darius or Aderius.

Last week we received a letter in the mail which said that SC would be receiving some kind of an award and to come watch her at the school. I had no idea what it was about but discovered it was to be given to her and several others during a school-wide assembly. At their school they have a "Circle of Courage" which includes Mastery, Independence, Generosity, and Belonging. SC's special award was for being one that helps others feel "valued", "welcome", and like they all "belong" together.

I am so grateful for this beautiful, KIND girl of mine! I love you SC!

Happy Birthday Tyler!

Modest Baby

When I found out that I was pregnant, after I got over the shock, I felt excited and thought that this surely must be our missing daughter. Chancho told me the same and we thought, "Okay, well, fine, I thought we'd adopt her, but I guess she's coming this way. I felt comforted to know that she was coming and that I'd no longer have to have that lingering question in the back of my mind about whether or not the dream really meant anything or if our little girl was out there waiting for us some place.

However, during an ultrasound at 12 weeks Guy said, "Hm, that sure looks like a boy to me!" He usually won't say what he really thinks until he is sure. But he said he was about 75% sure. I just laughed. I was a little mad because I'd already bought these super cute, pink w/ fur boots. So, I took them back and shook my head at how I have absolutely no motherly intuition when it comes to my unborn. But I felt fine. We weren't planning on a baby, but it was obviously meant to be and if it was meant to be a boy...well, then that was fine.

At 14 weeks I went in for another ultrasound. This time the baby was looking "more girl". I rolled my eyes a bit. Its my fault. I am the one who always insists on these early ultrasounds, just so eager and itching to have a confirmation on who it is I'm carrying.

Today (15 weeks), the baby looked great. All is well. But baby was very modest. At first baby kept putting hands in front of private parts. Its a very cute hand. I could make out each finger. Guy shook my belly a bit, trying to get baby to move. But baby only moved into a position so that the chord went right down and through the legs. Guy was patient. Baby is big enough now to be able to tell for sure. But nothing doing. We waited. We shook me belly some more. But finally had to give up. We'll have to wait a bit longer to find out who will be joining our family.

Up to School

One of the most nostalgic things about living at my parents home has been walking with the kids to school every morning (and picking them up in the afternoon). I don't remember ever being driven to school as a child, although it may have happened. The school is only blocks away, so it was usually a walk.

Each morning starts with a walk through the backyard and a right turn onto Robins Ave. At 21st street we turn left and head up the hill. The wind is usually fierce every morning until about 9:30 or 10am. The steps leading up to the front door are so long and steep! I was thinking that maybe they just seemed worse because I was still little. But pushing Finn up the grass side next to the girls on the steps each morn gives my glutes a major work out! Loumy goes to school at lunch time and then I pick up all 3 of them in the afternoon. Then it is time for homework. What beautiful children I have!

Goodbye...

Dear House,

You were very good to us. I always knew we would not be together forever, but you were a lovely place and hold lots of happy memories for our family. We hope your new owners will be happy and treat you well.

Love,

Your Old Family