Still waiting......so I need to reminisce.

So, we're almost at the end of April (umm...that would be 2009) and rumours (or rumors) should be flying pretty soon and this is the way it looks. They may get to March 14th this month (or better!!!) so we could (COULD) be looking at Milana's little face either in about a week or 5 weeks from now. Could it be? O solo mio - I'm trying to stay so 'zen' about this but HA, who am I kidding. So many thought keep bumping into each other in my head. "Who is she, where is she, will she like us, will Dahlia love her (and not try and kill her ;o), am I rocking the boat here and ruining a really good thing, do I have the energy (that's the biggy)???"

And yet, these thoughts push the other ones down to (almost) oblivion. "How can it be that we are about to be blessed twice in this life-time, how is it that my heart will actually expand yet again to be filled with the love and joy that only a child can bring, how come, of all the people in this world, that we will be chosen to nuture and love and guide yet another little angel?"

How can this be?

HABAKKUK 2:3

But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, be patient! For it will surely take place. It will not be late by a single day.

And for a gentle reminder of the gift we've already received.

Then............. Dahlia in China (Nov 2004) the day after meeting her. I love this picture - laughing her head off at something crazy I must have done. Dahlia is a "hat" girl. And now........

......and so, we wait, for the next chapter to begin.

Sigh.........

FASHION CHALLENGE FRIDAY

(I hope I haven't created a monster.......albeit a cute one!)

We came home after school today and I was feeling a little lazy. (I've developed this new cough after kicking pnemonia recently and yesterday I put my "good" knee out so I was feeling a bit bummed out and thought maybe we'll skip this week's fashion challenge.) Well, Dahlia had other plans. As soon as we got in the door she asked "is tomorrow Friday?", I said "yes" and she took off upstairs saying "I know what I want to wear, I know what I want to wear" (Huh?!!)

I have spent days cleaning out her closet (and packing away hoardes of clothes for Milana) so everything was organized for the choosing. Dahlia was in a Chinese mood and whipped out an outfit she hasn't even worn yet. (Actually, she tried on several different ones - even one with a red feather boa but honestly - I'm a bit embarrassed to show them 'cause someone might think I've been giving this child stripping lessons (where is she picking this up? - we still only watch treehouse - we don't even watch the Disney channel and no, it's not from me ;0....really!).

Anyhoo, it's going to be 90 degrees here this week-end, so after the 'chinese parade' I suggested something she could go out in on Saturday and she choose this little number.

(Hmmm......just realized her bangs are crooked. Note to self - get out the sissors!)

So, here's a peek into Dahlia's closets (side by side with sliding mirrored doors). I only keep her undies, socks and odd thing in drawers. I like to see everything otherswise I forget what I have. Do you suppose it's because I have too much? Nah!

(Lets see how long it looks like this.)

And now, a little Chinese number where she tamed down her look - suitable for family viewing!

(oops.....is she thinking 'come hither' ?)

Ahh.....that's the look I love so well!

Check out all the other kiddies and their fashion picks this week at the Salsa site.

And have a wonderful week-end!

My Daughter

La Bella Dahlia

Camera: Nikon D300

Mode: Auto

Lens: Nikkor 18-200mm

Focal length: 48mm

ISO: 3200

Aperture: f/6.3

I thought I'd have a little fun, and throw caution to the wind and enter this contest (Mamarazzi). Not for any photography skill (for which I have none, yet) but I qualify only because I am a Mother and this is my darling daughter Dahlia.

I am so proud of who my little girl is becoming. Each day her wings spread a little more and she is carried a little higher by allowing the wind to catch under them. This picture has the innocence of a little 6 year old just discovering everything for the first time and yet, in her eyes, I can see the woman she may become. And the dress (if I squint) could be my little girl, all grown up, in her wedding dress.

Makes me weep with joy!

It was a good day!

Ever had one of those days where everything was.............as it should be? I woke up this morning to the fragrance of jasmine. We have an indoor tree that can flood the whole house with such an intoxicating perfume when only a few flowers are blooming. This tree is almost covered in flowers so it's..........heaven!

After church today we had brunch at our favourite spot and then stopped at our local mall where the Easter flower display was spectacular and (I had prepared everything ahead so it was all in the car - my camera bag, walking shoes, Dahlia's hat......) we were off. Here's the result.

A dear friend of mine is in China, right now, meeting her new son for the first time, probably right this minute. I'm thrilled for her.

It's a good day!

I shot everything on auto with my new Nikon D300, as there was no time to fool around - a small crowd was gathering - oohing and aahing over quess who, and quess who was getting a little self - consious.
Now, for those who don't believe my little "angel" could growl (confused? see previous post) I share this next photo as exibit A. Daddy suggested she walk over and stand in front of an ad with Penelope Cruz and my little princess didn't want to. No reason (do they have to have one?) - just didn't feel like it. Voila - the result.
...says it all, doesn't it.

I thought I would share one of Dahlia's favorite books (just a little segway/segue....how do you spell that word anyway?). She LOVES this little book and insists we read at least 3 (little)pages everynight. It's such a light and friendly way to talk about God in terms a 5 or 6 year old can really understand. We've opened up so many issues as each little prayer touches on a theme that is personal and profound. Really good little book.

click to enlarge

Ok, back to our day - Dahlia got happy again..........

It was a beautiful sunny, not too warm day with a light cool breeze and I had been talking about garden and yard cleaning all week (preparing the stage) so when we got home, we three dove into just that. (Wow, no arguments, no excuses, no but I'm tired - bet ya'll think I'm talking about Dahlia don't you? Nope, Daddy..........with narry a complaint. Have I mentioned, it was a good day!

We cleaned the front gardens, swept the driveway, put junk away - ha, is it ever away? Let Dahlia chalk up the driveway for hopscotch, cleaned out the back garden and racked copious amounts of leaves. There are 11 bags of garbage in our driveway.

It was a good day!

So.......how was your day?

FASHION CHALLENGE FRIDAY

Ta Da!

It's Friday and the Salsa challenge is on again.

So, here's how it went down. We came home from school, had a snack and we were about to head off for the park when I said "hey sweetie, wanna try on some clothes - I'll take your picture and then we can go" and she was off. I said she could pick anything and this is what she came up with. Dahlia is SUCH a girlie girl. At first I cringed a little when she whipped out a new skirt I had just bought (at Walmart), still in the bag. It was frilly so it worked for her. I was pretty impressed that she put matching pink tights under to "finish" off the look. And, of course, the hat. Had to have the hat! But notice - no shoes again. If I didn't remind her to put shoes on she would walk out the door everyday barefoot.

And then, all I did was turn on my camera and she began this parade of poses. I said absolutely nothing (and if you know me well, that must be hard to believe because I have had to work VERY hard for pictures from my little sweetie - most times I got growled at!) and each time I would click she would change her pose and wait for the next click. (I almost said "who are you, and what have you done with my daughter?")

Ok, I know i'm duplicating this photo, I tried to delete it and my computer froze so I'm leaving it right there 'cause I don't know what to do and I'm not starting this whole post over again...........'k?

and let's add some props....

can't you almost hear her crying "Iiiyyya!"

...almost losing the skirt!

Now, this is when I said "Ok honey, I think we've got enough". She feigned exhaustion like she had spent a lot of energy and the show was finally over.

So when my little darlin' asked for a piece of chocolate - how could I refuse?

Check out the look on her face! She ain't growling now.

....and...um........don't be shy. Talk to me.