Sweetness

1) Every morning around 7:30am, Irina wakes up, gets dressed and comes in our room. She opens the blinds, says "sun" if it's sunny, turns on the lights and jumps on the bed. I'm usually already awake and out of bed, but Darin is much less of a morning person. Now he has a new "alarm clock" in the form of Irina. She says, "Daddy sleeping," pokes her fingers in his ear, pinches his nose and tickles him. She does all this while giggling. Sometimes she goes in the bathroom, runs water on her hands and rubs her cold wet hands on his cheeks. He never stops smiling. I like this new routine and Darin hasn't complained, yet. ;)  

2) I love that she has been delighted with the clothes in her closet. Generally no complaints and she's learning how to put outfits together. It's cute to see what she comes up with. I've never seen so much pink! (I'm a blue girl.)

3) Irina thrives on routine and we are generally very routine oriented. She has picked up quickly on our habits. She knows just what glass Darin likes to use for breakfast and gets it out for him. She knows I like to read our devotionals and Bible during breakfast, and she sets them at my place at the table. She notices everything.

4) Every morning she begs to start school. She grows impatient with the boys chattering at breakfast and sluggishness to clean up their breakfast dishes and brush their teeth. She enjoys seeing what Mommy has put in her workboxes. I love that she is eager!  It would be terrible if I had to coerce her to do school.

5) We start our school day singing "This is the Day" and moving about together. How sweet to see and hear her singing along and smiling!

6) Today, Thursday, we spent time talking about what we were thankful for before our prayer time. I used google translate so she could be involved. Her answer to what she is thankful for… "God the Father and Jesus." This was all her idea. The boys were saying things like family, a sister, brothers, warm home, toys, etc.. Melt my heart! Thank you God!

7) Every day during school, her last workbox is a game. We rotate which boy plays the game with her with a little sign in her workbox. They all look forward to this and it is precious.


8) Irina loves music. We do too! Every time she walks in a room, she turns on the radio. We love listening to the Christian radio station and Irina will sing along with the jingle, "Positive Hits PER."

9) There is no doubt that she is a girly girl, but she is tough. We have had so much fun going on bike rides, playing soccer or other backyard games together. She is coordinated, loves to run and can certainly hold her own in a family with so many boys. Today was a glorious day for backyard games. (short sleeves on December 19?!)

10) Every night at bedtime, she recites the books that she has memorized to Darin. When we read other books, she picks out words that she already recognizes by sight. "God, dog, bike, etc." We are amazed by how smart she is. She is learning quickly.

When we hosted last Christmas, we could have ended up with anyone. God knew we would end up with Irina and that she would be a perfect fit for our family. No matter how many high highs and low lows, I have to stop and notice these beautiful moments.