Wednesday, January 9, 2013

3 Month Stint of Parenting

"What just happened?" John and I asked each other after we dropped off Kayshawn and Imani after 3 months of life together. 

For the past 3 months we were a Safe Family for KK and Chuchie.  It came up when I saw a post on The Table (our church's social networking site) about hosting these two children.  My usual routine is to glance at the posts and then swipe over to the next app to see what else will keep me entertained for the next few unoccupied minutes.  But, this post caught my eye.  The kids were students at my school.  Immediately I got the wild idea that John and I could do this... we could do it! I forwarded the post to my husband and googled "Safe Families."  After praying and weighing the cost, we decided to go ahead and complete the training and application process to become a Safe Family.

Only about 2 weeks later, Kayshawn and Imani walked through our door with their suitcase and a Little Caesar's Pizza.  We sat down for dinner, and began to imagine what the next months would be like--who are these children?  What do they think about us?  Are they nervous?  Do they like vegetables (no, they don't!)?

I remember  the first week, we asked Kayshawn, "Do you know who Jesus is?"  He said, "Yeah...he's the guy who gives you food."  John and I shared a glance and went on making our first smoothie with the kids.  That night we opened up to the first chapter of the Jesus Storybook Bible and began to share with them about who God is, what he has done, and how he sent a Rescuer for us.  We were still filled with anticipation, wondering what God was going to do in the next weeks.  We said good night and then talked for hours about first impressions.  How did that go?  Was that a good bedtime routine?  Should we read two books every night? Her smile is precious.  He seems quiet.  She seems shy.  He ate a lot of pizza.
Over the next couple of weeks we settled into a routine of school, homework, meal, play time, bath time, bed time.  The weekends were filled with fun--bouncing around to see different friends and family.   My favorite weekend was spent in Walker, MN where we stayed at Chase on the Lake.  We were able to go bowling and swimming with the kids...for hours.  I am still surprised that neither of them cracked the wooden bowling lane...literally the ball just dropped from their hands in the general direction of the pins. :o)  There was also a lot of emotion.  I remember the first night they both cried--saying how they missed mom.  Their sobs were hard to stomach.  We hugged and I reassured them this was temporary--mom loves them--it's not their fault.

As I try to summarize our time together, the things that come to mind are my quiet conversations with Kayshawn.  Our first time at church, Pastor John Piper was preaching via video on a big screen... Kayshawn leaned over and asked, "is that God?" :o)  There were several more conversations we shared... about not stealing, about loving and protecting your sister, and working hard for things.  I loved watching John demonstrate to him what a man should be like: loving, selfless, a provider, protector, strong, wise, and centered on Jesus.

Imani is a cuddle bug.  She loves attention, and loves being the boss. "No, Kayshawn...that's not how you ______."  Her smile and little dance can steal your heart.  She is so willing to give affection and ready to receive it.  Every night after the Bible and tucking her in, she rubbed my ear, pulled me in close and while her thumb was still in her mouth, she said... "Sawa, can I ask you a question?"  Yes... "Can you sing me a lil song?"  So for nearly one hundred nights we sang to her... "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so..."  One of my favorite memories is when I heard her sing the entire song herself while playing with her dolls.

The hardest parts for John and I were a number of things.  It was like someone held up a mirror and revealed even more of our own selfishness that marriage hadn't uncovered yet.  Communication.  Expectations.  Discipline.  Chores. Laundry. Dishes.  God worked in our lives in more ways that I can probably articulate at this time.  Mainly, we know that he has revealed to us the beauty of our own adoption into his family... how God loves us enough to make us his children, despite our depravity and disobedience.  He is just, and gracious--what a good Father.

When we began to tell others about having KK and Chuchie stay with us, so many people said--"wow, you are a good person!"  or "wow, you are much better than I was at your age."  Several nights we debriefed with each other about that comment.  If we were to have the opportunity again to respond to you, we would say something like this...

Sara: "No...no... I am not good.  I have spent most of my life pretending I am good... but I am not good.  The only good that comes from me is what God has done in my heart and in my life.  Jesus is good.  He lived a sinless life and died so that I might live and not have to pay the penalty for my sin.  I spent too long believing that I was good--and really, my belief was ultimately pride.  God has been gracious to me, I cannot help but to love Kayshawn and Imani."

John: "No...no... I am not good.  I have spent most of my life not being good... breaking commandments...I am not good.  The only good that comes from me is what God has done in my heart and in my life.  Jesus is good. He lived a sinless life and died so that I might live and not have to pay the penalty for my sin.  I spent too long trying to find pleasure in a hundred other things than God--and really, I was my own god.  God has been gracious to me, I cannot help but to love Kayshawn and Imani."

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Countdown to Colorado

It's nearly the end of April... temperatures are rising and summer is only a handful of clicks away on my Google calendar.  While there is much to accomplish between now and June 6 (last day of school), my mind is drifting to our upcoming vacation.

Destination: Steamboat Springs, Colorado. 

Countdown: 56 days.

The funny thing about Colorado is that I have only been there in the summers.  John and I would love to go snowboarding in the winter sometime...maybe an anniversary celebration?  However, Colorado in the summers is hard to beat.  I've spent all my time in Ft. Collins primarily, so I am looking forward to a change of location.  Mostly, I am eager to be together with my family--making dozens of pancakes in the mornings, playing Monopoly by night. 

After taking a gander at Steamboat Springs tourist website, it appears there will be no shortage of activities: white water rafting, ATVs, hiking, biking, swimming, golfing.  John and I plan to hitch our mountain bikes onto the back of the Prius C and hit the road with our new little hybrid.  First we have to find a custom bike rack that will actually work for the C and not mess with the warranty.

I've compiled a list of options of things we could do... now the only tricky part is picking and choosing to stay within our budget!  Please offer your input if you've done any of these or been to Steamboat.
  • ATVs
  • Golfing
  • Horseback Riding
  • Hot Springs Tour
  • Mountain Biking
  • Spa
  • Tubing the Yampa River
  • Whitewater rafting
  • Brunch on the Mountain
  • Dinner on the Mountain
  • Hot Air Balloon ride
Until we start packing, it's time to finish strong at school and work hard to see our students continue to make some big gains.  Ra-Ra-Richard Green! (to the tune of Bad Romance--Lady Gaga).

Friday, April 20, 2012

Our First Car

Last week John and I bought our first car--a 2012 Toyota Prius C Three.  Definitely our biggest purchase together.  Several times this week we've gone out to the car after dinner just to sit and learn about the different features. 

We did learn that the nav screen does in fact not play video (DVDs, or files from a thumb drive--we tried to play our "Insanity" workout... it didn't work).  Not that we had expected it to...but it'd be convenient, right?

The specs of the hybrid are pretty fun--the nav system, bluetooth, XM radio, apps, and a second tiny screen that basically tells you how "green" you're being by giving you an ECO score.  While these features far surpass the technologies of John's late '95 Honda Accord (RIP, Rhonda), or our current '04 Oldsmobile Alero (long live Larry), they are super distracting!  Good thing the screen cannot play movies...because we would watch them! 

The odd thing about purchasing a new vehicle is that it actually spurred us to do two things. 

1: Remember that new things are fun and cool, but ultimately will be dust someday.  God is not temporary though, and we are grateful to have a savior in Jesus who is able to meet our deepest desires for pleasure and fulfillment--definitely not something a Prius can do!  No matter the MPG. 

2: Detail our old car for whatever reason tonight... which led us into Sears at 8pm on a Friday night... looking for a drill bit or something of the sort.  While John and his comrade, Adam, were looking up and down isles of ratchets, wrenches, and whatever else... I made small talk with the cashier woman.  She asked why I was not outside biking on a beautiful night like this...and if I now know how it feels for men when they have to accompany me shopping (as if I ever do...).  I didn't really answer...I just started roaming around Sears...I think I was confused by whoever thought it was a good layout to put the home and garden section next to the TVs/electronics...which is next to the vacuums, which is next to the sewing machines, next to the home phones and portable DVD players, next to the exercise equipment... the list goes on.  Thankfully we got out of there soon after I got lost.

And here we are now...on the couch... enjoying our Moose Tracks ice cream, watching "Cowboys & Aliens."  A predictable end to a long Friday night with my main squeeze... John William.  Good night little Prius C... we'll have to name you later!

PS--the new blog's named after Trip Lee's new song, "For My Good."  Check it out.