Parker's new shoulder extension

My parents are en route to visit their 7th continent, so Maltby is living with us for a few weeks. Parker is in heaven and the bird rarely leaves his shoulder. I think the boy is a little torn between his longing to see Gaga and Papa and his regret to see Maltby go home.

Potty Dance

A very short-lived illness forced Parker and I onto the couch for most of yesterday morning. He absorbed all of the cartoons his little mind could handle, pausing only to refill a bowl with his breakfast, and I got to cuddle him while listening to church on headset. It's not quite the same as fellowshiping with the saints in person, but since sickness is one of the only things that can get Parker to sit still long enough for me to really love on him, I certainly couldn't complain. Even when the service was over and the kid shows deteriorated from mildly entertaining to barely tolerable. However, one of the less-desirable programs redeemed itself with one hilarious commercial. Or maybe it's only funny to those near to that fun stage of childhood called "potty training." Danny didn't find quite as much joy in this video as I do, but since many of you are or have recently been in the same boat, maybe you'll get a laugh too. So try out the Potty Dance. (And if you have an even better version you can enter their contest to win a $5000 room make-over.) Fun stuff!

4th Photo

I've been tagged by my friend Jenny, and since I happen to like the 4th photo in my 4th folder, here it is! I'm sure most of you have done this by now, but if not, consider yourself tagged.

This was taken just moments after we met Reagan for the first time, steps away from the little room where she spent the first six months of her life. Look at how calm and sweet she is! And notice (or don't!) how frizzy my hair is. The akward hold is a function of my inexperience in holding babies wearing no diaper. I quickly overcame my trepedation over being peed on, and though I was rewarded with cuddles I paid the price in wet clothing. The joy of that day now pales in comparison to really knowing the girl in those photos. I'm still amazed at the ease with which she bonded to us, and especially amazed at her transformation since then into a girl who is in every sense our daughter. God is so good!

Unanswered prayers

Remember the old Garth Brooks song? Or the relatively new “Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts? Here is where I disclose my love for country music (though I can most often be found listening to Veggie Tales Silly Songs, G.T. and the Halo Express, an Awana handbook set to a tune from the 1970’s, or on rare, cherished occasion, talk radio). But that is not my point. My thoughts today don’t even specifically relate to prayer. The theme of these two songs (and my post) is God’s grace in not sustaining certain relationships. Guys I wished and prayed and hoped would be mine, who God in His wisdom withheld. I dated a fair amount I guess. Danny teases me relentlessly about the number of guys my sister and I spent time with. One of his favorite games is “state-a-male-name-and-guess-which-sister-dated-someone-with-said-name.” It rarely works out quite as tidily as he expects, but then, compared to his family where both of his siblings dated their now-spouses for 6+ years, almost any amount of dating would look excessive. I had a handful of “serious” boyfriends through high school and college. I had a lot of male friends, some of whom I naturally developed crushes on. I usually had a date for the major school dances and banquets. I was by no means popular, but I wasn’t often lonely. My heart was not broken many times, but I remember longing for a man who would love me unconditionally and commit to me for life. There were a few times before I met Danny that I thought I knew who would be “The One.” Now I wonder what in the world I was thinking! Through the miracle of the internet, I’ve recently reconnected with many of the guys I was once interested in. Most of them are now mature, godly, responsible men. I’m still proud to call many of them friends, and not just of the Facebook variety. But they aren’t half as cute as I remember. Quirks I recall as endearing just aren’t. They have personality traits clearly incompatible with mine as a mate. In short, they don’t hold a torch to Danny. In fact they generally are attractive, fun, and interesting to talk to, but they weren’t made for me. I intend no indictment on these men, but rather want to give testimony to God’s wisdom in choosing the right man for me. Despite my many pleas (then) for others. I prayed for guys who clearly (now) were not that man. Instead, God kept me just for Danny and for that I will always be grateful. He was the perfect guy for me nearly 10 years ago, and he’s even more perfect for me now. Danny is the prayer I'm glad God answered with a "YES"!

Brought to you by the letter "M"

Because I'm woefully low on blogging ideas (and even lower on energy to put to pen the ideas I actually do have), I'm borrowing a post from Dania over at Adoption to Remember. Here are the rules: If you want to play, leave a comment on this post letting me know and I’ll assign you a letter. You write about ten things you love that begin with your assigned letter, and post it at your place. When people comment on your list, you give them a letter, and the chain will continue.

So here are my 10 favorite "M"s, in no particular order:
1. Morgan - Alyssa's Bitty Baby, who Reagan and I probably enjoy more than Alyssa does. Have to say that I hate the American Girl doll store though: I can't think of a better way to breed discontentment and materialism in a little girl.
2. Music - especially Scripture set to music. Especially when my kids are singing it.
3. Make-up - I'm not at all adventurous in this department, but it is rather miraculous when used properly. I'd be lost without my concealer and Revlon Sandstone lipstick.
4. Missionaries - my favorites undoubtedly being the Dick family serving in Croatia and the Biedebachs in Malawi. They are dear friends who serve the Lord with joy and insist that it is no sacrifice.
5. Mexican food - Whenever I go abroad, this is the taste I crave the most. One of my most memorable meals were enchiladas prepared by one of my professor's wives about 3 months into my semester in Israel. Why isn't this cuisine enjoyed worldwide?
6. Muscle memory - Without this phenomenon there's no way I could still play Chopin. Or ride a bike for that matter. Or ski.
7. Mercy - God's withholding of the punishment my sin deserves.
8. Manly men - Guys who aren't afraid to be the leaders God has called them to be. Like Danny.
9. M&Ms - Perfect little bites of chocolate, capable of satisfying my sweet tooth. Also capable of motivating two-year-olds to use the toilet.
10. Mornings that start later than 7 am - Granted at this point in my life such mornings are few and far between, but I treasure those few extra moments of sleep made possible by the occasional sleepover at grandmas.

Anyone else want to play?