So Many Small Moments

I2 found a book about skyscrapers that measures nearly 3 feet tall.  Daddy checked it out and has been poring over it ever since.  The kids have caught him doing so and are mimicking him.  H4 loves "the building that goes 'round and 'round like a shell."

*****
M12 has been giving her sisters impromptu piano, violin, and recorder lessons.  S11 came dancing happily into the kitchen, "I can read music now!! [M12] taught me how!  Did you hear me play?" 

I did hear her, and it is heaven.  All of them.  The piano is in action at almost all hours of the day.  I love to hear them play, and I try to tell them so.

*****
A7 made lunch for us the other day.  At first she said she couldn't do it--make peanut butter and jam sandwiches.  But then I said, "That's okay.  [S11] can do it instead."  So A7 said she'd try.  She did a great job. 

*****
S11 continues to ask me at least once a day how she can help.  Every time she does it I feel a miracle in both of our hearts.  I tell her over and over again, "I couldn't do without you.  I'm so thankful for your sweet help."

*****
We celebrated the summer solstice with friends.  On the spur of the moment we invited some new church friends to come over, and we had a water balloon fight, ate giant ice cream cones, and caught fire flies.

That's all.

It was perfect.

*****
A friend of ours knows a set of 4 siblings that need a permanent home.   She told me about them in hopes that maybe since we're looking to adopt and these kids need to be adopted, there might be some sort of cosmic serendipity.  s.

My kids freaked out.  The oldest child in this family is an 11 year old girl.  We already have an 11 year old, a 10 year old and a 12 year old, and my girls said it was "too much."  They were furious with a fury that actually frightened me.  I let them talk and talk and talk.

Then I said, "We're not even approved for adoption.  We could have months of paperwork still ahead.  Dad and I have made no decisions.  We haven't even met these kids.  We haven't fasted or prayed or gone to the temple about any of it.  Mrs. S-- says that their foster mom doesn't want them adopted by members of our church, and we don't know how much say she has about it--it could be a lot.  They've been available for adoption for nearly 2 years now.  The only people who ask about adopting the kids only want the littlest one, or only want 2 of the kids.  No one wants all of them.  Can you even imagine?"

They were silent.

I could feel sorrow emanate from their very beings.

They spoke not another word.

*****
Over and over again I hear, "I'm so bored.  Can I play on the computer?"  I say no.  Children stomp off furious that they're stuck with the worst mom in the whole world.  They sulk and moan and throw their bodies around.  I offer to let them fold laundry or scrub the kitchen floor.  They glare at me. 

Then they go find something to do.

Read a book.
Give a sister a makeover.
Pull out the dress up clothes and make believe.
Draw pictures.
Go outside.
Play with a pet.
Write a story . . .

It is marvelous to behold.