My favorite Christmas memories number 2

A friend sent me a quick email. Would I mind finding some things for a baby girl that was born and the parents did not have anything for her. ANYTHING... not even a crib. She left the hospital with a couple of blankets and outfits.

Oh my goodness - I LOVE to do things like this! This is ME from head to toe. I love to ask people to help. I love to explain things like this to my kids. I love to see what is provided and I am always, ALWAYS surprised!

A short posting on Facebook asked if anyone wanted to be a Christmas angel to this little girl. First reply from a generous friend with a huge heart. Second reply from a woman whose very nature is nurturing. Third reply from the single mom whom we were going to adopt her baby (see all the adoption postings - it is a long story), but she decided to keep it.

Yep, the mom and I are friends on Facebook. And here is this single mom who is up to her ears taking care of darling 6 month old Bethany and she wants me to know she has clothes to donate. Seriously - see what I mean by pleasant surprises? I am so proud of that mom! Chris, never a big Facebook fan, told me he wa

s a Facebook believer - with a one day posting we were able to get all the baby essentials.

As people brought things over, I had them drop the bags in the living room - which just happens to be where we put the Christmas tree. There was a stash of baby things: a stroller, clothes, blankets, a diaper bag, the most darling bedding EVER, towels - and with 2 cash donations we even got a crib and mattress. All things baby!!

And that is when it hit me... to me these "gifts" which found their way into our living room were the most meaningful things under the tree this year. Random people giving gifts and expecting n

othing in return - they were just doing it because a part of them loves to help others.

Could anything be more appropriate? A crib for a little baby that did not have a bed, in honor of another baby that was placed in a manger.

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.
The stars in the sky looked down where He lay,

The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

Good fences make good neighbors

A picture is worth a thousand words - Piper, Fletch and Emma from next door

Rain, Sleet and Snow

Last day of school also meant the last walk to school. I know it seems trivial, but walking to school has been a true joy. I love meeting the other neighbors to walk down the hill. I love just having to pick up the phone 10 minutes before we leave and calling my neighbor to see who is walking the boys down.


This year we have gone to school by bike, sled, scooter, stroller and of course feet. We have walked through rain (which seemed like a really great idea - but wasn't!), snow and of course many Colorado sunny days. We have seen the seasons change. One day we saw 52 ladybugs! Another day we saw over 15 worms and the biggest slug that ever lived. We found a Robin's egg. We have looked at Indian Paintbrush, gathered leaves and picked dandelions. We have zoomed at neck breaking speeds down "Dead Man's Hill" (I nicknamed it!).

Next year we will be going to a brand new school in a brand new building. We will have a wonderful and challenging curriculum. We won a place in the school by lottery with 100's of kids still on the waiting list. For several reasons I think it will be a good choice for our family, but on the last day of school I could not help feeling I was trading a wonderful quality of life for a 15 minute carpool.

Walking to School

I LOVE walking to school! And at the end of spring, when we have a last minute snow storm, it is pure JOY to be able to sled one last time down the hill to school.

We leave a little early so that we have extra time to sled on the hill right above the school. This will be one of my favorite memories about Elementary School. What a fun way to start the day!

Welcome to the family - the Baby Vote

Tonight was a very big night for the Crawford family. At dinner, Chris explained that we had been asked to adopt a baby and we wanted to take a family vote to see if this was the right decision. I had ice cream in the freezer in case I needed to buy any votes, but when Fletcher stood up and cheered, I felt confidant enough to put the ice cream scooper away.

Everyone wrote out their "secret heart shaped ballot". Piper gave her answer away when she asked how to spell "Yes". Griffin gave his answer away when he showed her his paper to copy. Then everyone had a chance to share their vote. 5 votes - it was unanimous. Baby girl is welcomed with open arms! We celebrated with pink cake and sparkling pink juice.

Some updates and cute stories:

• Yesterday the birth mom was approved for Medicaid - we are so thrilled, it takes so much stress out of the unknown. We are constantly amazed at how God seems to be taking care of every little detail in this adoption!


• The dad is moving away, so the agency called to say they wanted to expedite the paperwork. The birth mom has now signed all papers (even though she still has 4 days after the birth to change her mind) and the dad is going in next week to sign everything.


• Two days ago while walking to school I said, "I love three kids - can anyone guess who they are?" Fletcher said, "You don't love three kids, you love four kids. You are forgetting about the adopted one." This was before our talk tonight!


• Today I took Piper with me to buy the cake. I said I wanted something so we could celebrate our family. When we were picking out the juice, we were also on the baby aisle. Piper said, "I want to buy a pacifier." Strange request since she gave it up a couple of years ago. I asked why. She said for the baby we are going to have someday - and since she was hoping for a girl she picked out pink and purple.


• After dinner tonight I was helping Fletch with his homework. He had to write 5 sentences about a family member. He wrote about the Baby and that he was so haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaapy. I made him rewrite happy - but he wanted to make sure his teacher knew he was really happy.


• All the kids want to share rooms with the baby and promise to help and change diapers and hold her and feed her a bottle. Hmmm, Maybe I should have video taped that so they won't forget! They have all forgotten what it is like to have a baby in the house. Of course, last time we had a baby - they were really all just babies themselves!

Jer. 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you a future and a hope." I could not have planned things to go this well - yes, I understand anything can happen and people back out and things can change - but admit it - this has to be more then coincidence. God seems to have made a puzzle of the Crawford family and is taking great strides to put this little baby's puzzle piece in it!

Piper's heart and the Guinea Pig

I love this picture of Piper (taken by neighbor Nikkie Roberts) so much that I had to reuse it.

I came home the other night and Chris said Piper had some news for me. I had been at a PTO meeting and Chris had read the kids a Bible story. Then they looked at a picture cube their Grandfather had given them that explains what a Christian is. Fletcher looked at Piper and said, "Pipe, do you want to become a Christian?" Piper said yes and they all prayed together.

She also prayed that Jesus would be in our new Guinea Pig's (Indiana Jones) heart. For a 4 year old, her understanding of what this decision means seems totally appropriate - sharing her love for Jesus with those she loves... even if it is just a guinea pig.

At preschool she has been learning about how the heart pumps blood through her body. She then talked about how Jesus is in her heart pumping blood to her fingers and toes. Isn't that a cute picture - Jesus sitting in there making everything works just right.

Her theology probably won't stand up to much scrutiny, but I love the thought. I have a clear picture of becoming a Christian around 5 at a children's church event. So I have no doubt that God can claim the heart of a little one. As she grows up - and works out her faith - I know that there will be times she questions, struggles and searches. Anyone that becomes a Christian as a little child, must grow up in their faith. Thank goodness you don't stay a baby forever, but that means growing pains. Isn't it great that faith is not stagnant, but matures when we do!?

And as she matures, I pray that her decisions will bring her back to this point... where she loves Jesus with all her heart.

McCain's Town Hall for Women in Denver - and look who is there!

My mom arrived in Denver today. I picked Suepie up and we met my old college roomie and Tammy P. and Juli S. to attend McCain's Town Hall for women.

Here we are with the protesters - can you read the sign?

It said, "No more oil sucking, Bible thumping, lobby loving war mongers."

How could you possibly resist getting your picture taken with guys like that?

After the picture I thumped him on the head really hard with my Bible and Kristin kicked him in the knee with her high heeled sassy boots.

We are all ready for our first political event. Somehow we got selected to sit in the "rafters" - which I guess is a big privilege. We were three rows from the small stage. Julie and baby Madi were picked to ask a question...

Tammy brought Henry, who looked like he was ready to run for senate in his tie.

And can you believe this picture???? Madi Smolen checking out McCain. This picture made the newspaper - click here to read the article.

And click on the video below to see us on Channel 4 news... me giving McCain the thumbs up (with my mom and Kristin) and Tammy being interviewed.

Who knew politics were so much fun?

http://cbs4denver.com/local/mccain.denver.economy.2.830749.html

Bloom where you are planted!

There is no doubt that I experience what one might call, "school envy". In Douglas County school district - we have options. Most people say you can not go wrong with any school in Douglas County. However, when I hear about a school with a creative or innovative program, I get jealous. When I hear one of "the others" had the 3rd highest test scores in the state - I get jealous. When "the others" have a fun event that the parents are excited about - I get jealous.

But we have chosen the neighborhood school for our kids. I enjoy the 6 minute walk each morning (all down hill). It almost feels like a parade with all the neighborhood kids joining in. We wait for friends and my kids ride their scooters down the hill at lightening speeds. It is... fun.

I have been thrilled with the teachers that we have. They have all been long term teachers that are kind and caring and interested in my kids (and so far all have been Christians).

But there is no doubt, I think about those other schools. Would they be better? Would my kids become brilliant scholars because they knew all the major oceans in the world by 1st grade? Are we not tapping into their potential because they are not being challenged by a new computer literacy program? And how come they don't get to go on two camp outs a year to work on leadership and problem solving skills? Not to mention why do we have our events in the gym when other schools rent out the Renaissance Festival.

But we have decided to bloom where we are planted. I support the idea of school choice - but the result is that with so many attractive options, a lot of the passion, community feel and excitement over the neighborhood school has faded. It has become Vanilla in a sea of Cold Stone Creameries.

So last year I observed - and was pea green with envy about other schools. This year, I have decided to invest. And in partnership with a couple of very talented women - we hope to work with our school to make it a better. That is what a neighborhood school should be all about.

Thoughts on politics and family values...

As an avid Newsweek reader, I usually read my weekly magazine cover to cover (ok - sometimes I do skip boring policy articles...). However, this week I did not get past an article called, What Happened to Family Values. Jacob Weisberg viciously attacks Sarah Palin's pro-life view point (a more warm & fuzzy view of Sarah Palin is on the opposite page).

Ironically, the arguments that Jacob Weisberg made in the article to discredit pro-life policies of the Republican Party are similar to the ones I make from the other side of the fence. I can easily take his words - change a few to a pro-life view - and voila - it works.

So here goes... I have long expected the Democratic Party to resolve the conflict of its compassionate vision for caring for the weak, disadvantaged and vulnerable by moderating its stance on abortion. Politically, pro-choice absolution has never made much sense. It rejects common sense limitations to abortion and instead wants to reverse the ban on partial-birth abortions and the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, which prevents the killing of infants mistakenly left alive by abortion. Procedures that the majority of the country (including an unapologetic Joe Biden - whose voting record shows he supports these limits) agrees are cruel and unusual. Obama stated at a Planned Parenthood fundraiser that his first act as President would be signing the FOCA bill that will overturn the above restrictions – and over 300 other local, state and federal abortion restriction laws. I had hoped that Obama would take a more moderate stance on abortion, but his voting record does not give me any hope of finding a middle ground. Instead his pro-choice “purism” (he is only the 2nd presidential nominee to be endorsed by Planned Parenthood and they give him a 100% rate) is ethically flawed.

I recently received a call from the Democratic Party asking if I had any questions. I asked how a pro-lifer would fit into the party. I was honestly hoping that she would give me SOMETHING. In the past, the Democratic platform has stated that abortions should be safe, legal and rare (even though they were not consistent on voting to make abortions rare - at least the word rare reflected an unease with the procedure). Or maybe she could have tried to sell me on the new Democratic platform has eliminated the word rare (hmmm - not a good sign), but does state that they desire to reduce the number of abortions through adoption programs, education and health care. I wanted this woman to give me ANYTHING that would help me to view Obama as anything but a pro-choice extremist on this issue! Or maybe she could have even given me contact information for Democrats for Life. Instead, the caller was stumped and quickly hung up.
Her lack of an answer and Obama’s record gave me my answer. Under Obama, there is no place for a pro-lifer in the Democratic Party.

Now I have never been a one issue voter - I passionately believe that poverty and other "liberal" social issues need to be addressed and have more goverment involvement, but this year, the fact that Obama rejects ANY restrictions on abortions and instead has pledged to Planned Parenthood that he will sign the Freedom of Choice Act, a Congressional bill that would overturn every abortion limit nationwide - from a ban on partial-birth abortions to parental notification laws... well, lets just say I am looking for a McCain/Palin sign for the front yard.

And who doesn't like a pit bull with a little lipstick on?

Costa Rica!!!

We just got back from Costa Rica and it ranks in the top of our Favorite Trips Ever!!! It was amazing. We fell in love with the country (except for the scary and unsafe roads!). After arriving in San Jose, we spent the night in a charming hotel with a hot tub and garden on the roof. We loaded up on books to read (by the way - have your read Glass Castles??? New favorite book!) and recovered from our red eye flight (which I slept very well through and Chris enjoyed watching me sleep for 5 hours).

The next morning we left for our 2 day rafting trip and spent the night in the most amazing Tree House! It really looked like something out of a movie - and since there was no electricity it was lit by candles. We shared our raft with another family from Denver (small world) and did class III and IV rapids. Chris fell in and said afterwards he had no idea that there were so many rocks under the rapids. He has a lovely bruise to prove it. We LOVED the rafting trip!!!! Rafting through the river in the rain forest was unbelievable - so beautiful! And we were able to do a zip line/canopy tour through the canopy (top) of the rain forest - some of the platforms were 150 feet off the ground!

That night we drove to Playa Jaco (the beach) and checked into a Villa in an amazing jungle hotel on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean. We are convinced that the owner of the hotel (a retired architect) is some crazy King Ludwig type person that is obsessed with creating a European walled city in the rain forest. He has created a truly spectacular, intimate hotel with beautiful rock walls creating little nooks and crannies all around.


There was a charming amphitheater to watch the sunset and we spent the next day by the infinity pool reading (and Chris got a massage for his rafting injuries).

The next day we took a truck down to the hotel's private beach and had the whole beach to ourselves! We relaxed in hammocks and read and explored the coast. Then we went to see the palace the architect just completed - it was like something you would see in Vegas. Over the top and mouth dropping beautiful decor.


We finished our beach time surfing - another favorite of the trip! We took a little class which consisted of "when you see a wave, stand up as soon as possible". And then we were let loose. I LOVED it!!!! The water was SO warm and when it worked (and I actually made it on top of the board), it felt like you were flying!!! We surfed until sunset. Not a bad way to spend an evening.

And finally, we spent our last day visiting waterfalls. It was our only rainy day.

So many fun things - the perfect mix of adventure and relaxing! And a wonderful way to remind us why we fell in love and married 10 years ago! I am so thankful for our marriage.

And then home to our kids and oh-so fabulous nanny, Trixie. We would have not been able to make the trip if she had not been brave enough to watch the 3 little ones for the week. They were VERY GOOD for her all week (not an easy task) and she took wonderful care of them!!

A week full of bonding

This was the last week before school starts. Fletcher will be in first grade and Griffin will be starting Kindergarten. We have had a fun and full summer - and it will seem strange to get up early tomorrow morning to walk to school. I have enjoyed having a less structured schedule.

A few weeks ago someone suggested soccer camp. Wow, having the boys occupied from 9 - 2 for a whole week... very tempting. And I had no doubt they would have fun. and sure, the end of July is the hottest time of year - but I would just pack them lots of fluids. So I went to the web site to sign up. I even filled out the registration. as just as I went to pay - their little faces flashed before me.

This would be my last week to spend time with them. I would miss them when school started. How could I possibly want to spend even a moment without them when soon I would be packing them off with their Star Wars and Transformer backpacks and waving good-bye. I canceled the registration. We would spend the week "bonding".





The week started off well. We went to Jungle Quest (a huge warehouse packed with zip lines, rock climbing walls and a giant tree house)with our neighbors, Jackson and Sammy and Michelle. We went to see Horton Hears a Who (love those free movies!). We played dress up. We went to the pool. We went to T-ball games. We went to the library. We went to the park. We rode bikes. We had tea parties. All fun, but exhausting.


I must say by Thursday - I was dreaming of soccer camp and a little time alone. I wondered if I could just drop them off at soccer camp and maybe no one would notice a few extra kids. I was tired and had to up my frappucino dosage. Would I be able to finish the week?

Today, with a little assistance from Mr. Wonderful, (that would be my husband - who got that name by stepping in at my moments of desperation and being, well, wonderful) we finished strong. We ended the week with a trip today to Pirate's Cove - a big water park where the kids built sandcastles, drifted on the lazy river (my favorite part!) and shot strangers with giant water guns. Of course since it was 98 degrees - everyone else in Denver decided to go to Pirate's Cove, too - CROWDED!!! Oh well, the more the merrier.


And tomorrow - we have school.

Holding tight onto Jesus

Somewhere along the line, Chris and I messed up.
I remember when Fletcher was born, we were on a strict schedule. Fletch slept in his own bed from day one. He slept through the night at about 6 weeks. Our bedtime routine was simple - book, kiss, good-night - I was out the door. He was asleep by 7!!!

Then over the years - well things changed. We were so tired for a few years that we would do anything to get kids to sleep. Lay down with you? Sure. Want to sleep in my bed? OK, just be quiet. We even wondered why we had been so strict, when there is something so sweet about laying down with a little one as they are trying to go to sleep. And those times when you snuggle together and then they whisper a secret to you - they are priceless.

But let me tell you what else is priceless - getting some alone or adult time after the kids go to bed. And with the sun staying up later and so many fun things to do during summer - bed time keeps getting pushed back further and further. And alone time (especially if Chris is out of town and I am doing it by myself) has diminished. So tonight I decided that Ms. Piper (the main culprit) was 3 and ready to grow up.

I explained it all to her - Mommy was not going to lay down with her tonight. I praised her for being a big girl. I promised her candy in the morning. I hugged her and tucked her in. I prayed with her.
She cried - and got out of her room. I put her back.
She got out. I put her back.
She got out. I put her back.
I felt like I was on "Super Nanny".

Finally she said, "Mommy, will you pray with me again." Of course, little one.

Her crying stopped abruptly - she looked at me and said, "Mommy, I am not going to be scared anymore - because Jesus is going to lay down with me."

And then she went to sleep.

Good night little Piper!

Fletch the Evangelist

Fletcher has taken a lot of his VBS lessons to heart. He is so excited about his new best friends, Jesus and God that he wants to make sure no one else is missing out on his buddies. In two days he asked his swim teacher, the person that takes role at swim class, the valet at the doctor's office, a lady in the store, his T-ball coach, his friend's dad and grandfather if they know who Jesus and God are. He only got one no - which he had know idea what to do with and was very concerned about it!

But before he is granted sainthood - the picture above is of Fletch cleaning the bathroom. We have a new rule that if they go past the boundaries (end of the street) without asking, they have to do additional chores. Well, lets just say, my house is looking great! As I was cleaning the bathroom with Fletcher, I told him one of my favorite stories about a time that I had to clean bathrooms when I got in trouble. In then dawned on me - that I got in trouble for climbing up to a place called Eagles Nest at camp with some friends - I went past the boundaries, too. And since my counselor, Cheryl Fletcher (who Fletch is named after), sent me to clean showers for a day - well, it was a full circle moment! I guess the apple does not fall too far from the tree.

My brother's keeper

We just had our first neighborhood incident - I opened the door to find a little girl informing me that Fletcher was being hit by ________. I was not extremely surprised or worried (does that make me a bad Mom?) - and was taking the whole "boys will be boys" perspective. A fight was bound to happen sometime and so I began to slowly walk down to assess the issue.
Here is the part that really got me... I could see the boys from a distance. Fletcher and Griffin were standing nose to nose with ________, and several other kids were watching the action. I could see really skinny, little arms kicking and hitting - that is when I realized that GRIFFIN was trying to take on the "bully". Now if you do not know my kids very well - it is probably not that funny. But realize that Griffin takes after his Dad- he is a peacemaker, a rule follower, very kind and loves everyone. Not to mention, he is at least a head shorter than _____. And with Fletcher standing beside him (crying after the big fight), Griffin had decided to defend his big brother.

After talking to both sides and several "big kids", the other mom, apologies, and so on - Fletcher stayed down to play (obviously not traumatized) and Griffin walked back up with me.

I asked him, "Griffin, were you trying to fight ________?"

Griffin began to defend himself, "But Mom, _____ was being mean to everybody and he was hurting Fletcher."

And I said, "So you thought it was OK for you to hit him?"

Griffin looked guilty, but replied, "Yes."

I said, "If you ever fight at school, you will get in big trouble. But if you ever get in a fight defending your brother - you will never get in trouble with me. Brothers are suppose to take care of each other. Good job."

Griffin smiled.

I don't know if encouraging your kid to hit someone is really great parenting - but all I know is that I was really proud.