A Post About Dogs. And Braids.

It never fails. As soon as I sit down on the couch, Brigitta comes and climbs up on me.

 

See that scruffy fur? Well, she went to the groomer shortly after this picture was taken and I'm proud to announce that she no longer looks like a stray off the street. (At least for a day or two.)

In other news...

I put a french braid in Elisabeth's hair for the first time! Elisabeth wasn't so happy with the whole experience -  she despises having her hair brushed, combed, or anything of the like! But I kept reminding her that she is a Sorenson and must look presentable! 

 

I'm sorry there isn't a clear picture. It is near impossible to get Elisabeth to hold still. She can only sit for a second or two before topping over - so this is the best we got.

And finally... 

 I had Elisabeth in her wheelchair out front the other day and ran inside to get my phone. When walking back towards the front door I looked out and saw this:

 

My heart melted! I am not always the biggest fan of our dogs, but the black one, Scarlett, is so tender to Elisabeth. If Elisabeth is ever in distress, Scarlett is sure to be by her side. I'll have to remember this picture the next time Scarlett sneaks into the pantry and eats an entire box of croissants from Costco.

 

Opening Night

I'd like to introduce you to my second home for the week, a.k.a. The Pit:

  

Can you spot me? 

Tonight is our first performance of Les Miserables and I am SO excited! This is the kind of thing I was born to do - it seriously puts me on a natural high. If you live locally, I encourage you to come! Bring your friends, bring your families, bring your neighbors. The production quality is absolutely spectacular (and I am not one to say such things unless it's true.) 

Come one, come all! Click here for more details.

And stop by the pit during intermission and say hello! 

(And if you happen to come on Saturday, keep an eye on my children, okay?
I think they are in row F or something like that.)

I'm a Sucker for School Assemblies

[Lex, playing in the marimba band. Elsa, standing with the kindergarten choir.]

For some reason, when I was young and daydreaming of being a mother, I would often imagine my children singing in school assemblies. Something about school assemblies just seems classic childhood - right along with leap frog and rolling down hills.

Because of my love of assemblies, I was completely tickled to see Elsa sing in her very first one this afternoon! She stood about a head taller than all the other kindergartners and sang her heart out. And - like always when I see her do something new - I thought, "Look how far she's come!".

  

Also... 

 Elsa brought this home to me today:

 

A notice for her first parent/teacher conference. You'll notice that in the upper right hand corner it says "good news!"  

Yay!!!!

Leap Froggin'

According to Elsa, they didn't play leap frog in Ethiopia.
Good thing she has Lorelai to show her the ropes.

***Goal for tomorrow: Update all those tabs up there ^^^.
My travel journal and adoption updates are WAY outdated!

Lost Tooth #6 + A Day of Remembering

Before                           &                             After

 

In other news, today marks the 10th anniversary of my father's death. It's strange that it's been so long; strange to think how much has happened since he passed. At that time Alexandra was only 17 months old and I was just a few months along with Lorelai. When I went down to California to say my final goodbye's, Alexandra entered the hospital room wearing a shirt that said "Big Sis 2004". It was bittersweet, the news of a new life is always exciting, but he knew - we all knew - that he would not be there to meet her.

Lorelai Leigh was born later that year in October - her middle name in honor of my Dad, whose name was Lee.

***

 

[Losing a tooth takes a lot out of you.]

Les Miserables

I am so excited...tonight is the first rehearsal for Les Miserables! I will be playing viola down in the pit - which if you remember, was always one of my dream careers as a child. (But mostly I just wanted to be a mom.)

Anyways, I cherish these opportunities to do what I love artistically. Playing in a pit orchestra is my kind of fun! Especially for a musical like Les Mis. I have been addicted to it lately, listening to the soundtrack non-stop. More specifically, I am obsessed with the number, On My Own. I admit to putting it on repeat something like 100 times over. It is my favorite piece if music in Les Mis, for sure.

Here, have a listen. Your ears will thank you.

If you're interested in coming to one of the performances (which I promise will be spectacular!), here is the website.

Simple Math

She + Me

Were meant 
to be.

"I Love To Laugh...Loud and Long and Clear"

Yesterday, I had a conversation with my mom. I told her how Elisabeth has been regressing; she can barely sit, rarely smiles, and never laughs. It isn't uncommon to see her go backwards, seizures have a way of stealing things away. Once upon a time she could crawl. Once upon a time she could eat. Once upon a time she could say "Mama" and "again" and "home". This was a familiar story. But somehow, out of all the things to lose, smiles seemed like the saddest. 

But this morning, a miracle. Elisabeth started laughing. We couldn't believe it!

Here...have a look:

(You'll notice us making coughing sounds. In Elisabeth's little world, coughing is quite humorous!)

Life After Chocolate

It is the 6th of March and I haven't had chocolate all year.
Indeed, I am going without for all of 2014.

Crazy? Yes.

Necessary? Yes.

You see, I had become obsessed with chocolate. Obsessed, I tell you! All day, every day, it's all I would eat. Chocolate chips by the handful, chocolate bars by the dozen. I couldn't stop myself. I was addicted. And to make things worse, I wouldn't eat anything else - I was living off of chocolate.

As we approached the new year, a time for resolutions and fresh starts, I knew what I had to do. I had to give it up. It seems a bit extreme, I know, but I am an all or nothing kind of girl. Honestly, it would be more torturous for me to be limited to some set amount - say 15 chocolate chips a day - than to go without.

So on New Years Eve, as the clock neared midnight, I ate my last chocolate chip cookie for 365 days.

Since that day I have made a huge change in my health habits. I eat extremely clean...and it feels amazing! This is the first time in my life that I have ever focused on nutrition and now that I've made the switch I simply can't imagine going back.

Chocolate will always hold a special place in my heart, but I won't abuse it as I did before. Just little bits here and there, in moderation. But not until 2015, of course!

  

[This is what my kitchen looks like these days.]

A Perfect Being

[When you have a perfect child, you snuggle them close...sometimes by the hour.]

I have heard many say that Jesus was the only perfect human to walk the Earth. Those who say that have obviously not met Elisabeth. She is perfect and pure. She has never done wrong. She has never had a negative thought. She has not and will not ever be tainted by the ways of the world. Elisabeth is in a constant state of perfection. 

A few days ago a friend of mine was admiring Elisabeth as she lounged in her beanbag chair. "I'm trying to imagine what it must be like to live with a perfect person," she said. I told her it was an honor; that I look at her daily and can't believe she's mine. And to think, nearly seven years ago, my heart ached at the thought of having a less than perfect child. How little I knew then about what perfection is. Perfection isn't about accomplishment or achievement. It isn't about beauty. It isn't about intellect.

Perfection is about the soul - and Elisabeth's soul is perfect. 

Easy Breezy

It was so cold and icy yesterday that the school district announced a two hour delay. Once again, that was yesterday. Then today came - and it felt like spring. Indeed, it got up to a delightful 63 degrees! I took full advantage of the occasion and aired the house out a bit. Upstairs, the computer room and the bathroom are directly across the stairwell from each other. I opened the window in both rooms and it sent a pleasant breeze shooting through the house. It was rejuvenating.

View of the computer room from the bathroom:

 

View of the bathroom from the computer room:

 

See how the air can just shoot right on through? It's pretty much perfect.

When Donald got home, he and two of the girls took all three dogs on a walk.   

It felt good to have a taste of Spring. To get the house aired out and the girls out of the house. I am ready for the change of season. Ready for longer days, warmer days, and some leaves on those trees up there.

Off The Beaten Path

Friday took us to Portland, Oregon for the City of Roses Gymnastics Meet. The girls didn't mind that they had to play hooky from school for the day - ha!

Lorelai scored high enough to qualify for the upcoming sectionals that will be hosted at our very own Mid-Columbia Gymnastics Academy! She is over the moon!

 

[Chalking up.]

 

[Lorelai, warming up on the bar.]

 

[My champion and me.]

A funny thing happened on the way home. The always-trustworthy-GPS (said with sarcasm) took us off the main highway and redirected us to the scenic route. It ended up being the most beautiful discovery - we had to stop and take pictures! And, we decided that as soon as the weather warms up we need to go back and do some exploring.

   

  [It was much too cold to take Elisabeth out, so she was staying warm in the car.]

Lisa's Finishing School: Part 5

Last night the older girls went to the symphony. They monitored themselves in the auditorium because I was up on stage performing with the orchestra. It is always extra special when Alexandra and Lorelai are in the audience during my concerts - it gives me extra incentive to play my best. I also love having the girls there because it shows them another side of me; I am not just 'mom', I am a musician, too!

During the intermission I sneaked down to check in with Lex and Lor - and to snap a photo of us together!

 

Last nights program:

Symphony in D Major - Mozart

Piano Concerto No. 12 in A Major - Mozart

Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54 - Schumann

Symphony No. 1, Op. 10 - Shostakovich