The Firsts

I have heard many people say, "when you adopt older kids, you miss out on their firsts". You do miss some of the firsts....but not all firsts are good! (i.e...the first time they pass gas in public and people think it's you, the first time they say a bad word in public, the first time they _________ on your comforter, etc...)

With the girls, we get other firsts that are pretty cool. This past week I had many firsts with my girls. It was the first time Yana said "I love you" and it felt like she meant it. We got to shop for a dress and accessories for Vita's first real dance...and I had my first time to worry about her being out with friends. I love those firsts! An odd, but cool first was Yana letting me cut her nails. I know she can do it herself, but it's a mom job and she let me do that job....that was huge for me...and her, whether she knows it or not!

Some other firsts with the boys: Jakob was suspended for the first time from school. Levi washed a car for the first time...with a large rock. Noah had his first piano recital.

This week we look forward to more firsts at our house....Yana's first Christmas with us, Vita's first Christmas as a Kellett, the boys' first Christmas to share with big sisters, and the first time the girls leave home to visit somewhere else (going to Dallas with family to see family!), and Zoie's first Christmas at our house...in heaven with new toys to chew on and get yelled at about!

Merry Christmas to all...

Do You Hear What I Hear??????

It's my fault. I should have known better. I have started putting gifts under the tree. Noah is picking up movie and cd cases and sizing them up against the gifts under the tree to see what is what. Yana is shaking and smelling boxes, followed with, "Momma, what is it? I-Pod? Camera? WHAT IS IT???" She doesn't do well with surprises, secrets, or waiting. Noah is just nosy...he has to know EVERYTHING! Vita has been her and done Christmas a few times with us, so she just hangs back and knows that she won't be disappointed on December 25th. Jakob and Levi aren't concerned about WHAT it is...they want to be socialists and are worried about who has how many and we all need the same or it's not fair. Remembering Christmas when I was a child, I was alot like the anxious ones...unwrapping and rewrapping gifts. Nosing around in the closets, under beds (sorry David...I found the box...you need to be more creative to hide stuff from me!!), and every place else I could imagine! I love being on the Mom end of Christmas. The excitement that's building, the smell of Christmas, the Christmas songs, and the reminder of what Christmas is about....not gifts, but THE gift. The big One! I am thankful for family and friends and for the good fortune that God has given to our family. With news every day of people losing their jobs, the economy sucking, and so on....I am grateful for what we have and the awesomeness of my family and God.

Do you hear what I hear??? SSShhhhhh.....listen........