Ode to Simplification opus 1

"Happiness consists not in having much, but in being content with little."

This is my motto this year. When the calendar changes from one year to the next, most people find themselves reflecting on the past and planning anew. I normally run quickly away from the sentimentalism and the idealism this time of year brings about. Being overly sentimental can throw me into a depression, and idealism is just a setup for failure: another fast-pass into depression. (January is my least favorite month: way too long, cold, dark, no holidays/birthdays to break it up).
This year, however, I have been doing some thinking. And Neil and I have been doing some budgeting. Simplify is our new credo. To simplify is, alas, not so simple! I tell you, I am pretty near a champion multi-tasker. I can get A LOT done. The thing that keeps me from taking home the trophy is that everything I do is half-assed (I have tried to come up with a more PC word, but half-assed is exactly the right word.) I find it really hard to take pride in my half-assedness. It's time to let things go and let the missing ass fill in. Or, how about letting things go so there is no ass left in what I do. That's it.
As far as budget talks go, we are determined to build up our savings nice and cushy like, and quickly. (we have no debt, except for mortgage, but the savings have grown a bit thin). So with these two thoughts in mind, our new simple peaceful life begins. We have done one week, and it was ok, but the painful parts have yet to come. These painful and yet liberating parts include: giving up gym membership (argh! So painful), goodbye Netflix (nooooo!), and are you ready to hear how serious we are? So long iPhones! Yep, all 3. (For those of you reading this that call me, you will need to use the home phone #, which will be constantly busy because I have a 15 year old daughter, so you will need to email me.) Frankly, after I downloaded the ios5 software for iPhones last month and even though we BACKED IT UP, my iPhone was stripped of everything, all contacts, all blogs, all apps, we even had to call and get the phone put back on it. And you know what the clincher is, the Apple rep was a jerk, no apology and certainly no compensation. My iPhone swoon has deflated, it's much easier to let it go. Besides, my phone will still function like an iPod.
There are many other budgetry things that don't need to be aired on a blog, but I want you to know how serious we are. It's time to turn my focus on things that truly matter and not spend all my energy reserves (also a bit thin lately) on silly time-consuming frivolities. (Remind me I said this in 3 1/2 weeks when I am going through withdrawal). Really, I want my life to be about relationships with the people I love, not relationships with things. We have little Zinny home now, and the beauty of having littles is the small moments, the quiet discoveries, of being in nature, and immersion in that special magic that only littles have. They are so gentle and pure, so fresh from heaven, what distractions can compete with this?

"I come in the little things sayeth the Lord."

And I feel like I have so much to discover with each of our children at their different ages. I don't want to miss any of it. It takes time and purposefulness to have a deep relationship with each of them individually, and then again as a family.

Kind of sounds like I've got some sentimentalism and idealism going on. Well, who am I fooling? Sentimentalism and idealism are key elements of my humanity. Why else adopt or have children at all, right?

Besides, realism sucks.
I much prefer a rose colored existence.


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66

66 is the number of the day. It was 66 degrees today, January 5. In Nebraska. Outstanding, simply a dream. It was just this unreal warmth, the sun warmed me right to my core. What a beautiful gift from God. We spent this glorious afternoon in the woods. There is nowhere else to be on such a rare day.














And look what Finn found while lying on a boulder, peering under a ledge:


A true treasure, he feels like a king!

I took this photo, now I want to take the troll everywhere and photograph him in interesting and curious places (but Finn won't give him up...yet)




A magnificent day. I just wanted to share it. Thank you thank you Jesus.

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Holiday Week

Gingerbread house workshop.



Christmas Eve



This guy just showed up, we don't know who he is...



Yummy Girl


Fish kiss



Here is a photo of the beautiful Korean lunch my friend 'K' made for Zinny and me. So so delicious!!



Here is 'K' and Zinny enjoying this yummy lunch!



Z watering 'K' plants.



Christmas gift from 'K'! Darling!



Finn shopping for Pokemon at the comic book shop.



You might be thinking that these blog posts are heavy with photos of Zinny and a bit skimpy of Addie, Oscar, and Finn. In my defense, the older 3 refuse to let me photograph them 90% of the time, and Z hasn't yet learned to sabotage my photo sessions yet. So there. I usually have to sneak them, like the gingerbread and Pokemon above.

And I sincerely hope Z's foster family is watching this blog, so they can know she is doing so well.

Arm Scripture:

Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You hold me by my right hand.

Psalm 73:23

A Blessed Happy New Year to all!



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Peek at our Week

Going out to lunch Grandpa Style:




Playing with angels



Major table battle



Opened the freezer and found this fine specimen. Apparently the boys found a priceless (and huge!) piece of ice in the back and couldn't bear to let it melt. It's right next to the month old snowball.



Mmmm, feels so good!



Papa and Addie off to the theatre



Watching Finn bring in garbage cans




"and that's where I was born!"



These are booties my dear friend crocheted for Z. They have sheeps wool inside and suede bottoms. All natural wool. So toasty comfy! Thanks Tina!



Kitties in pockets!



Cheerio! And Merry Christmas!


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Just a quiet little week

A lovely quiet week. It is so incredible to be home and just hear the activity of all my children around me. All the anxiety and intense worry of the horrible wait for Z to come home is over and I am at such peace. She is doing so well, we are all embracing her and she us. I read so many blogs and the Korean adoption forum and there are so so many beautiful families who do not have this peace this Christmas, and some may not NEXT Christmas. I know their pain and have a sense of guilt about Zinny being home and their children being left behind. It is not right or good that a government would choose a child to wait so long to be with their forever families, and also for the many thousands of little children who will not get the opportunity of having a family and face a life in an orphanage. All this has been said a thousand times. I cherish my children being all together and I will never forget the families who are waiting.
















Neil and I are beyond blessed. It's hard (!) and messy (!) and not always so pretty, but being parents to these 4 children is the greatest gift from God.

Arm Scripture for today (yes! It's finally back)

I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Psalm 57: 9,10




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Feeling Christmasy

Ahhh, snow at last!





Trimming the tree...



...with Clone troopers (Sam this photo is for you!)



Snow ice cream courtesy of Oscar



A snowman named 'Pigpen'



Hot cocoa dregs (popcorn and stale marshmallows)



These are gnomes and ninjas my good friend Anne made. Her daughter is selling them to go to camp this summer. You know I'm crazy for toys!



Pals



I met with my good friend 'B', my adoption Process Buddy. It was so so amazing, after that horrendous wait for our babies, to be sitting there, chatting, as if this last year's worth of torture never happened. Crazy! PBF! (Process buddies forever)



Finn finally gets his '8' shirt (a little late...I was in Korea for his birthday)





And finally, Zinny and baby. (thanks Sandy!)


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