Party On

We've been celebrating at our house! With Hayden's birthday there was the mad rush to finish up the requirements for his Bear award and Arrow of Light. He was looking forward to getting his award along with the actual arrow they present the boys with in our pack.
At our house birthdays sometimes turn into weekend events. Hayden had his friend party (pizza and a movie at home) on Friday night, a good snowy actual birthday on Saturday where he attended the Aggie game with his dad, and a family treat night on Sunday. We prepped him on getting older and receiving "quality" gifts over "quantity" gifts...and then gave him an ipod nano....which I'm surprised he hasn't wore out already. It has a video recorder in it and the casting, directing and editing has been in full session the entire week. We should have been recording his basketball game this weekend. Inspite of a loss, I've never seen a team of more scrappy eleven year old play a game of ball. They gave it their best effort and hopefully left that court feeling like winners. Hayden was dribbling through guys much taller than him and making shots that left me shaking my head in disbelief. Both teams were exhausted in the end and it's a disappointment when your team's shots are the ones not going in. Hayden did have a career best of 8 hard earned points.

Then there have been class parties at school, a trip to see Santa, and a dinner out with friends to the new Texas Roadhouse in town. Sadie loved sitting on Santa's lap and requesting a "Hamma Montama". Carson wanted more than anything to tell Santa how much he'd love a Hungry, Hungry Hippo game, but being a Snyder boy means shyness hits at the most inconvient times. Even with the friendliest Santa in town, he couldn't muster the courage to look at the old guy, let alone tell him his Christmas wishes. Mom and siblings passed along request for him and he got close enough for a quick picture.

The week ended with a family party at Grandma and Grandpa Reeders. This was probably the biggest family gathering Sadie's attended and it didn't disappoint. Yummy food, Aunts, cousins, babies and presents were all there to enjoy. Even with a few family members not there, the house seemed to be bursting with people and fun.

So even with all this excitment, the presents wrapped, the goodies delivered, the cards mailed I headed to church today without much Christmas spirit. Among all the parties we've had sick kids, a dryer die (always at the best times) and today Todd left for China. If all goes as intended the kids will soon be well, the new washer and dryer will be delivered in a week, and Todd will be home in time for dinner on Christmas Eve. As the songs were sung I found the source of Christmas spirit I seemed to be missing....the real source of it all.

How silently, how silently

The wondrous gift is giv'n!

So God imparts to human hearts

The blessings of his heav'n.

No ear may hear his coming;

But in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive him, still

The dear Christ enters in.

I hope the next few days can be spent sharing with my children what really matters about this holiday. As we keep our fingers crossed that Todd makes it home in time for Christmas it makes us realize we are blessed to have a family and a knowledge of Jesus Christ. We must find the gifts in his presence, not in the presents.

Merry Christmas!

one...

two...
three...

four....

five....

six....

seven....

eight....

nine....

ten...

guess who's ELEVEN?!!

Happy Birthday to a great kid!

Legos and Lights

The above picture is of a lego. Probably the smallest lego that is made by the company. At our house it's the most expensive one we've got though. We paid $40 for this lego. Why you ask? Because that was the copay required by the insta-care office that removed it from Carson's nose! While we'd prefer an entire set for that price, we'd like to think we've also purchased a bit of knowledge for Carson of NOT STICKING THINGS UP YOUR NOSE.

The week did have a bright side as well. We headed to SLC to visit our social worker for the 6 month visit (it's a bit early), seeing the capitol building (checking off a merit badge requirement for Austin) and seeing the lights at temple square. It was cold but beautiful.

Sadie was able to have a friend from school come over for a play date this week. It was a big first for her. I have to admit to being a bit nervous, but it went as smoothly as one of the other kids having someone over. I also talked with her ESL teacher for a minute and she shared a cute experience. Last week they were learning names for family members--mother, father, sister, brother. She said Sadie was very enthusiastic to share with everyone that "she has a Heavenly Father!" At home we use the term "dad" and at church she hears "father". I had to smile at her innocence and was happy to know she is learning in all areas of her life. As I sit and do homework with her I am amazed. She is smart. She is brave. She is silly. She is happy. She is willing. I wonder how many children could thrive when faced with such a new lifestyle, yet she continues to progress and do it with a smile.

On Wednesday I wore my USU shirt, since Todd and I were going to the basketball game that night against BYU. Sadie saw my shirt and asked "you go Aggie Bull?" She is more settled with my leaving now. And yes, we did go see the Aggies. And yes, they did beat BYU. And yes, Todd watched the game twice more this week. And yes, it was loud and lots of fun!

Traditions

As the holidays continue it has been fun sharing them with Sadie for the first time, and watching Carson experience them with the joy of a three year old, and continuing traditions with the older kids that they remember and look forward to. Thanksgiving just wouldn't be complete at the Snyder home without our annual Thankful Turkey. The first family night in November is for creating our turkey, cutting out hands for each person to add as feathers and getting our minds focused on the endless blessings in our lives. It's a parents secret joy to hear what their children are grateful for, especially as they grow and mature. Their answers turn from toys to brothers and sisters and from candy to a home or Jesus Christ. Of course we all still include lifes little luxuries because they do make life enjoyable. As a mom, I hope to raise children who recognize blessings in their lives whether they are great or small, and to realize they come on a daily basis. No matter how bleak the day may seem there is always, always something to be grateful for.

With seven Snyders our turkey grew quite quickly. I love the different sizes of hands each year.

We hosted Thanksgiving dinner this year. Todd's parents, sister and her family completed our guest list. It was simple, relaxing and very yummy! I think we all reached embarrassing limits in our food consumption. The rest of the long weekend consisted of more of the same...relaxing and eating leftovers. We did do a tiny bit of shopping, attended the Aggie game, and put up Christmas decorations between rounds of eating!

The tree decorating happened in record time. I love listening to the kids excitment over each ornament. We try to add an ornament for each person each year, sometimes store-bought, sometimes home-made. Sadie was a little sad when none of the ornaments had her name or picture. We will try to change that soon and get her an ornament on the tree this week. The kids had to sleep next to the tree in their sleeping bags. Oh the magic of a few lights and a little sparkle! The wish lists have been made (some with downloaded pictures and websites that offer free shipping included :)) , the stockings are hung, and the Snyder's are counting the days until Christmas!

Thankful For

This year Thanksgiving is on the 26th,

so in honor of the day here are 26 blessing I'm thankful for....

Christ

Family

Freedom

Home

Mountains

Music

Laughter

Employment

Friends

Cinnamon Rolls

Microwaves

Photographs

Books

Running Shoes

Asthma Medication

Restaurants

Sleep

Teachers

Cars

Reeses Peanut Butter Cups

Washing Machines

Back Rubs

Letters

Prayer

Frosting

Seasons

Happy Thanksgiving!

Let The Good Times Roll

I really enjoy blogs when they cover only one topic in each post. Mine is not one of those blogs. That would require posting all the time, and time is too valuable. Weekly posts are filled with this and that and remind me of my own train of thought---jumping around constantly. So here's a little of this and a bit of that.

If we put this weekend into song it would start out "It's beginning to look a lot like..." The blizzard came and Saturday was thoroughly enjoyable sitting by the fire, reading a good book, eating cookies. The kids were outside soaking up the first big snow fall until their cheeks were flaming red. Even Sadie enjoyed it much longer than I expected she would her first Cache Valley snow. I should have know she's a typical kid and there is just no holding them back when the snow starts falling. They stand at the window with their noses pressed against it until you break out the snow pants, bundle them until they look square, and send them on their way.

I hosted my 4th annual cookie exchange this week. Twenty women with four dozen cookies each means many happy husbands in my neighborhood. I love the cookies....I love the friendship....it's a great recipe for fun. Todd was sick enough that cookies didn't even sound good, so I've been taste-testing my way through the weekend. It's a rough job, but I'm up for the challenge!

There have been comments from friends and teachers in the jump Sadie's vocabulary has taken this week. She amazes people with her almost sentences. "This my homework." "Thank you play me." I wouldn't call it an explosion, but I'm guessing that isn't far away. Her favorite phrases still remain "What are you doing?" and "Why not?" I bet we hear them everyday, multiple times. Maybe she's very inquisitive, maybe she just likes saying them. My favorite continues to be her counting, "One, two, flee..." darn those "th's" if they aren't tricky! I keep thinking she might be growing along with her vocabulary at the rate she eats. She isn't picky and does like a good full plate! It might take 45 minutes, but she'll eat a bunch and then some.

I enjoyed the Veterans Day assembly at the elementary school. I love the flag, the pledge of allegience and the patriotic songs. I love honoring brave people and remembering what a great country I live in. Along those lines, Hayden's pack meeting was focused on heros this month. Each scout was to choose a hero that they personally know and write up a short tribute to them to present at Pack Meeting. Hayden chose his brother Austin. He wrote some great reasons he looks up to him, experiences they've shared, and humorous things about someone he has admired his whole life. It was difficult for Hayden to share things so close to his heart. As a mom I am grateful for boys who are worth admiring and who love each other only like brothers can. They have shared an amazing closeness in all their years. In the season of gratitude, I'm thankful for the people I share a home with, and the opportunity I have to be a mom to five of the best kids around.

Life Is In The Little Things

Two weeks of lifes little details...random events that meant something to us. First, the Halloween class parties at the elementary school were all fun filled. I was lucky enough to be able to help in all three since they were at different times. The kids at school all looked so cute. I think Halloween is just as fun as an adult for different and similar reasons...different because I enjoy watching the kids dress up and their excitment over the day....and similiar for the joy we all get in pounds of chocolate and sugar!

Hallelujah for warmer weather than expected on Halloween night! The older boys went off with friends for the evening to canvas the neighborhood at a higher speed. How fortunate to live in a safe neighborhood. Their bags were actually heavy when they got home. The rest of us joined with cousins for two times around the loop--one on each side of the road. Carson was tired of walking after the first house, they all argued over who would ring the doorbell, and a great time was had by all! Sadie gave the most enthusiastic "trick-or-treat" and "thank you" at every door I've ever heard. She probably won't even eat 1/4 of her candy but she loved the whole holiday. The kids have figured out how to make the fun last by dumping out all their candy and swapping goodies with their siblings. It's as crazy as the New York stock exchange. I love receiving the unwanted treats, which always reminds me how grateful I am the none of my children like caramel! Some day they will wise up, but until then I'll willingly suffer through Twix bars and Milk Duds.
Basketball season began for Hayden, Sara, and the Utah State Aggies. It was a three game Saturday with wins all around. Austin declared Sara the superstar of her game when she scored the most points on her team and outhustled most of them as well. Todd and I took the youngest three kids to an Aggie game and Sadie can truly now be from Cache Valley since she's got an Aggie shirt and seen the Aggie bull drop from the ceiling at the beginning of the game!

Carson discovered cowboy boots this week. He looks darling and loves clomping around on the hard wood floors. He told me he was dancing. His vocabulary is expanding with adjectives (gross, weird) and he's usually good for at least one laugh each day. I need to write down some of his one liners to remember them. I also appreciate his "big hugs" he's started handing out daily.

Hayden had the experience of burying his first pet....his gecko Indy, who'd been terminal for months now. Some life experiences aren't happy, but nevertheless make a child learn and grow.

The hobo, the ladybug, Hagar the Horrible, the dragon, and the bummy (bunny)!

Sadie decided one evening she wanted her necklace off. It shocked us all and I felt a little hesitant taking it off. It's been on her every minute we've had her and it just seemed strange and wrong to remove it. Being tied on, it wasn't easy to take off and on, so we've just left it be. She's slept, bathed, and lived with it for two months. I wish I knew why she wanted it off. For now, it's tucked away as a precious keepsake. I hold dear the things she was wearing the day we met her. They were all of her worldly possessions and to me they are as treasured as a babies first photo or blessing outfit or special blanket.

Sadie was sick this past week. She finally got the fever we all had last month. She missed being at school and finally brought me her flashcards on the third day to practice. She was very happy to get on the bus Friday and get back to her little routine.

Life is good and as we made our annual Thankful Turkey (pictures forthcoming) I catch myself thinking I want to remember these little things....the things the kids say, the pictures that plaster the refrigerator, the smiles as they get on their costumes...we are blessed....very blessed.

In The Beginning....

To say we are fans of adoption is merely stating the obvious. Yet somewhere during the process we seemed to have moved up a level. I'm not sure what a stronger word would be...supporter, advocate...whatever the adjective, we believe in the cause. You can't help it when you are up to your belly button in paperwork and the reality of the need for homes for the orphans of the world fills your mind and heart.

I'm not exaggerating (which I will admit to doing almost daily a billion times) when I guess there must be millions of orphans on this planet. Sometimes we don't like to think about it. Sometimes we feel like it's another's calling. Sometimes we would like to do more, but feel we can't. Feeling overwhelmed one day with thoughts of adoption, Todd told me he felt like we couldn't make a difference. There is so much need in the world, and we are only two people. My response was that it would make a difference to that one child. I was only partly right. I'm hoping it makes a difference to Sadie, but I KNOW it's made a difference for the rest of our family already.

This is the beginning of my adoption journey. There are no pictures, just words from my heart. I share it simply because I want my children to remember it and others to know I believe in this cause and know each of us can make a difference if we try.

In the past I have said these sentences out loud:
I don't think I could ever adopt.
I could never adopt an older child.
I could never adopt a child from that was a different race.

Thank goodness I have since learned to never say never.

I love children, their purity and innocence make them so endearing to me. I feel happy when I am around them. I feel loved. I feel accepted. And before each child came into our family, there was a moment when it felt like it was the right time. Just a simple moment when I knew.

I was sitting in church one Sunday, when Sara was a few months old, listening to a speaker discussing families. As she spoke of families being together forever I knew our family would adopt a child. It was actually quite shocking to me, but it felt good just the same. An undeniable knowledge that our family would grow in a way I'd never considered. I tucked the feeling away for the time being. It was kind of like planting a seed that lays domant during the winter, but inevitabley the springtime came, and this seed began to grow. Another child and years later, the questions began. Should we adopt? Could we adopt? Why can't we adopt now? I have a talent of being persistent, which matches well with Todd's talent of being stubborn. For every question, he had an answer, but they weren't the ones I wanted.

We visited Spokane in the summer of 2008 and attended our church from when we lived there. Many people spoke and they shared experiences they'd recently had of praying for miracles. This isn't typical, not to mention a bit scary, since when you ask for a miracle it doesn't usually come easy. Their stories stemmed from a challenge to pray for 21 days asking for a miracle. Their miracles had come in many forms. Many people might call them coincidence, others would say good fortune or blessings, but to these people they were miracles. I decided that was what it would take for us to adopt and when we got home I started with day one of prayer. My request was simple.....help me figure out how to do this or let me know our family is complete how it is. Each day it was the same earnest request. On day 19, my lack of patience won, and I talked with Todd about sending in our application. No matter his response, this would be my last time asking. I had the faith and the miracle came. Being the breadwinner, for him it came down to finances. Once that was resolved he agreed....and the miracles continued.

The next roadblock was the time frame. Adoptions of infants from China were taking 3 1/2-4 years. We aren't spring chickens, and it felt like we were back to square one. It was a long few days, feeling it was right, but not understanding how it was going to happen. I spoke with a lady in our area who had adopted two children from China and she told me of the waiting list for older and special needs children. It didn't take long for the changes of heart to begin. It simply made sense with us and Sara being older, why not look at older children. And the rollercoaster ride began.

As I look back over my life it is easy now to point out moments that prepared me for this challenge. I've learned from others examples over the years and didn't even know it. Friends, neighbors, and church members who have done foster care and adoptions were teaching me to reach out to others and showing me how it blessed their lives. Working with so many children in daycares and schools has taught me all children are loveable no matter where they come from.

During our homestudy we needed to figure out what type of child we felt would match with our family. It's not a fun process. You feel cold hearted. You feel uncomfortable. But you must be honest. What works with the dynamics of a family that already has four children? What medical conditions are we prepared to accept emotionally and financially? You learn things about yourself , your children, and your spouse I don't think you could learn any other way. With this information in hand, our agent then searched a reference list of children up for adoption in China, looking for a match. They would send files and we would look at them, discuss them, wonder about them, and have heartstrings pulled every time. It was never right. After a couple of months they called to let us know they'd locked on a girl. "Locking" on a file was serious. It meant this child matches well and you really need to think long and hard for 48 hours. I opened Sadie's file and saw this sweet, healthy, happy six year old smiling back at me. I called Todd at work as I forwarded the file to him. He'd talked about a certain "it" that he felt was important when looking at these children's photos. The thing you feel inside that tells you inspite of their life circumstances they were happy and meeting lifes challenges with a strong will. The photo came up on his screen and he simply said "She's got it." I knew I was looking at my daughter. We smiled, we laughed, we cried, we felt relief after months of wondering, we felt nervous for what was ahead, but we knew it was right.

Why were we doing this?

* I knew we would over six years ago.

* Our family did not feel complete.

* Our family is blessed with having needs met and an abudance.
* We have an extended family who loves and supports us.
* We love children and feel they are lifes greatest blessing.
* We live in a great neighborhood in a wonderful country that has amazing opportunities.
* We found Sadie.

Perfect Pumpkins

If I never do another blog it will be too soon. Operator problems are making me want to scream and say words my children should not hear! This should have been simple, but after uploading things up to four times each I'm done! You get what you get today!

It might not be painted blue, but Carson shows his Aggie pride no matter what holiday it is! He enjoyed our night at the Pumpkin Walk this week as well. He is about as loveable as a three year old can get right now!

Sadie dug right in with carving her jack-o-lantern. She designed the face and stuck with her project until all the guts were out of her huge pumpkin. She doesn't like it when moms not home, but mom is insisting on time alone for dates with dad. She did love getting her first haircut from cousin Natalee. Two months as a Snyder now....there have been some bumps along the road, but lots of smiles from this little peanut!

Sara had to have 2 teeth pulled by the dentist this week, and inspite of HUGE roots she's still smiling. It was probably the $5 the tooth fairy left! She's getting really good at riding her brothers ripstick and is exited to start practicing basketball for the new season. I can't wait for Sadie to realize what a sweet and awesome sister she's got.

We found out this week we've got our very own thriller dancing zombie living under our roof. Hayden was excited to participate in the 5th grade assembly. He also reminded us we needed to go to Grandma and Grandpa's to rake leaves....to jump in of course!

Austin is a favorite because he's big enough to carve his own pumpkin! He had to work hard this week to catch up from last weeks sick days.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Last Girl Standing

We sniffed, sneezed, fevered, coughed, ached, moaned, and worse. It took us down one by one this week.....except Sadie. I would have thought new illnesses would get to her fastest and hardest, but here she stands with maybe a slightly elevated temp after everyone else in this house has been miserable. We are learning she does everything in her own sweet time, and apparently getting sick is included. Hopefully she gets to skip this round, but in a large family it's tough to escape the latest virus. There's bound to be a remote control, a piano key, a computer mouse or a lightswitch that the clorox wipe misses.

Besides a decent immune system, we continue to learn about this new little girl in our home. She loves helping the kitchen....baking, chopping, emptying the dishwasher, hauling in the groceries. She's quick to lend a hand and would probably rather do more, if I'd just ask her to. Maybe her love for the kitchen is growing since she seems to spend the most time eating. Usually the last child sitting at the table is stirring their food around making it appear as if they've eaten more than they have. Not Sadie, she's just still eating. Meal time is never rushed for her whether it needs to be or not. The bus is coming...we are late to church...time goes at a little different pace for her. We should all probably learn a lesson from her instead of trying to get her to hurry more.

Sadie also survived her first real dental work. They deadened one side of her mouth to do some fillings in top and bottom teeth. She got a little bored by the end but didn't complain. I'm sure it was a very different experience to take in for the first time. The worst part was she didn't like the taste in her mouth after and wouldn't swallow, so she'd drool or have to spit for a while. Next month she is scheduled for the other side.

Sisters share it all....even chicken feet dad brought back from China!

Todd loved China so much the first time he headed back again this week (for work). His food consumption and souveniers weren't quite the same this trip. Thinking about the things he ate in one week almost make me remember how it felt to have the flu. He tried sushi, 100 year old egg (which he says is as bad as it sounds), snail, donkey, octopus, squid, camel, eel and tongue. Gee, they all sound so great, I wouldn't have known where to begin!

With Todd being gone, I recruited Austin to help me trim the plants for fall. He did a great job and it was a nice project to finish up. Austin is also learning the Peanuts theme song on the piano, which is so timely. I catch myself thinking about the Great Pumpkin each day while he practices. I'll be a believer for sure this year.

As Sadie and Carson continue learning their ABC's together, it's become a van staple to crank up the Little People ABC music CD. Sadie's accented "bringing home a baby bumblebee" is just as cute as Carson's three year old version of "Lollipop, lollipop, oh lolli, lollipop". As far as school work goes, she complains her flashcards are too hard, or gives the answer "table" when she doesn't know what a picture is. I continue to wonder what is sinking in but marvel at her ability to keep on going.

I thought Halloween traditions might be a little strange for Sadie, but she's loved all of it. Pumpkins, apples, costumes...she's as excited as the next kid. We talk about what everyone will be dressing as for Halloween and she's excited to be a bunny. It might be a strange tradition, but I think any kid will not complain about trick-or-treating when the candy starts filling up the bucket!

Organized Chaos as Usual

Weeks like this are the reason I've avoided being a blogger. How do I write about a week where everything was routine, or something we've done before and make it interesting enough to read. You might not be one the edge of your seat but I'll do my best to just hit the highlights.

Todd headed to China Saturday morning with three other co-workers. He should be there for about ten days, unless work decides to send him on to Germany. I think he's trying to imitate either rock stars or general authorities in being able to say he's actually flown around the world.

I got together a group of friends in the neighborhood to kidnap one who was having a birthday. We went out for ice cream at 9 pm at night and had so much fun we were "shushed" by teenagers and questioned by a police officer who had stopped by for an off-duty (I assume) snack. Laughing with friends is great medicine for stress and every day insantiy!

We did enjoy some Cache Valley classics this week. Todd, Carson and I ate lunch at The Italian Place. It's a small sandwich shop tucked on a side road that's been around as long as I have. It feels like something you'd find in New York, just cleaner and less people. Then, I took the kids to the Farmer's Market on Saturday. They had a great, albeit chilly, time decorating pumpkins, collecting candy, looking at the booths and playing at the park. It was nice to check off the list something I've wanted to visit for years.

Sadie has been with us long enough to begin repeating weekly/monthly activities. I think she enjoys the familiarity. It's comforting when dinner is spaghetti and I know she will like it, or it's pack meeting night and she's off playing with the kids in the activities. Her ESL teacher sent home some flash cards to help build vocabulary. Just think for a minute, how many words you use in just a couple minutes of conversation. She participates in everything and enjoys to the fullest of understanding that she can. It was red ribbon week at school and the children dress in a different color each day. She was fine until Friday came and she couldn't wear the kitty shirt she'd wanted to all week--we considered her participation duty complete and chose kitty shirt and Sadie happiness above the color purple! She also got a big kick out of "booing" the neighbors by leaving Halloween treats on their door, knocking, and running to hide in the dark.

Freezing weather arrived so we picked the seven pumpkins we had from the garden. They were growing in Sara's section of the garden, along with her cucumbers. I love hearing Sara tell friends "I grow cucumbers." You'd think she'd been gardening for years. Anyway, our pumpkins weren't jack-o-lantern worthy so we went to the neighbors and purchased according to dad's rule "you can get as big a pumpkin as you can carry!"

So there you have it...a week of the usual, Snyder style. We'll try bumping into the Queen of England or something to pick it up a little this week.

Fall Fun

So I didn't really miss posting last week, it's still being tweaked. I've had requests for our story of how Sadie's adoption came to be, and it's a tough one to write, but it's in progress. This week, on the other hand, was full of fall fun with friends and photos!

The kids were out of school anywhere from all week to most of the week for conferences and UEA. Sadie cried when she found out she was the only one not going to school on Monday and Tuesday. I'm not sure why she was upset, but she seemed to feel better when I finally told her that her friends and teachers wouldn't be there either. I hope she didn't think I was just making her stay home. All the conferences brought good reports, and once again I'm very thankful for good kids.

A five day break calls for a mini-vacation, but with Todd out of vacation days for the year we were limited to local excursions. Of course I was hoping to get some work done as well, so we started with yard work and a hotdog roast on Monday night. Everyone put on their work gloves and started trimming the flowerbeds. Darkness came long before the flower beds were finished, but it was a fun night. Sadie and Carson loved helping, and mom loved the older kids actual help. Sadie tried all sorts of new food...hotdogs, blue jello, smores, and burst-a-bobs (Starbursts melted together on a roasting stick..and yes, they are good).

Other events for the week were playing with friends for hours (Sadie even venturing to a friends house without a sibling), going to the movie "Up" (another first for Sadie?), and enjoying a perfect fall day at Hogle Zoo with the Wise family and cousin Aleisha. (We learned to take carsick bags forever more when traveling with Sadie for longer than 20 minutes!) The baby elephant and baby giraffe were incredibly cute. Carson was the official map reader the entire day, spending almost more time studying it than looking at animals.

(Nothing like cold weather to get Sadie in jeans, tennis shoes and a hoodie! We knew the Utah weather would make her a fan of all of them!)

And what would conference (church, not school) weekend be without a photo session in the canyon with beautiful fall colors and self-proclaimed torturted children. I used to think it was impossible matching four childrens clothing and getting them to all smile at the same time....until we had five! Thank goodness for fast cameras. Last week when I pointed out the leaves were changing, Hayden responded with "Oh great, that means it's picture time again."

(This is our favorite Sadie face--it cracks us up every time.)

The reward for smiling and helping mom cut boxtops for hours for the elementary school was cinnamon rolls! I'm not sure which the kids find better...the cinnamon rolls, or "the feast" which is scraping up the glaze, brown sugar and butter left on the cookie sheets when the cinnamon rolls are gone. No wonder we are all seeming a little pudgy lately. I'm just hoping everyones bulk doesn't mean growth spurts are coming soon to outgrow all those new school pants.

Sadie continues enjoying routine, filled with firsts. She makes her bed as soon as she gets up, and then changes her teddy bears clothes. She is so good to eat whatever, and I keep hoping she feels like we did in China with the food being different but still delicious. She loves bread and butter and Sunny D. We know it's especially good when we get the "Sadie yummy!"

Even at the quick rate, it's hard to notice how much more Sadie is speaking unless we really concentrate on realizing what's new. This week the sentences were long and very noticable. "What are you doing?"

"So cute."

"This for you."

She's also adding words, but uses them as we do when speaking to her, which is typical language development.

Carson is still figuring out the new dynamics of our larger family. He loves Sadie and wants to sit by her and play with her, but the language barrier can be frustrating for both of them. They are two-peas-in-a-pod one minute and water-and-oil the next. He's in one of those times where his mind wants to be older and more independent, but his body isn't always willing or able.

The Fabulous Five!

So it's back to real life in the morning. At least we'll have cinnamon rolls for breakfast!

Welcome Fall

My goal is to post on Sundays, but they are rare family time lately, so Monday it is. Another full week of smiles, chaos, firsts, and hints of autumn are all around. We broke out the fall decorations, because if any season is welcome at our house it's fall! Cooler days (which Sadie notices most), changing leaves, soup for dinner...it doesn't get any better than that.

Sadie's first day at her ESL class was Tuesday and we knew it was time well spent when she was ask her name the next morning and knew how to respond. She came home from school later that day and proudly wrote her name for us all. For all our children that have gone to kindergarten already it was a simple time for them, although they still enjoyed it greatly. Sadie on the other hand, works so hard each day, and I'm sure we can't fully appreciate the great strides she makes almost by the hour. I used to think kindergarten homework was easy, until I attempted it with a child who doesn't speak English. Even charades doesn't work for "Draw a bird over the hippo" or "Say the days of the week and clap on the day that is your show and tell day." I'm grateful for sweet and loving school teachers and friendship that extends beyond language.

(Savoring the end of summer eating ice cream with some of the Sweeten family.)

We don't know Sadie's education experiences before we met her, but it's easy to see she is enjoying kindergarten. She a typical six year old...repeating the days of the week, singing the abc's, and anxious to show us her school work when she gets home. Her language is so similar to a toddler in it's development, only in fast forward. She learned names of family members and pets, now is moving on to phrases such as "sorry, ok, me too, one more." Her favorite seems to be "ok", although I don't know if she understands what she's approving all of the time.

Sadie and Carson's biggest first (we are assuming for her) was a trip to the dentist. Fortunately their siblings LOVE the dentist and set a good example. They both sat through cleanings like old pros, and you'd have thought the toothbrush and toy car reward were priceless treasures.

The whole family went and cheered runners on at the Top of Utah Marathon. Two of Todd's nephews were running this year. If you ever need inspiration, go and hang out at the finish line of a marathon. Amazing people come in all shapes and sizes, but with five children, we already knew that!

It's hard to believe we've been home from China for over a week now. My mental list of things I should write about is maxed out, so prepare for a novel! First, I'd like to remember things I haven't gotten a picture of this week but will always enjoy the memory of.... The kids laughing and playing together that first morning home, with Sadie joining in like she's know them a lifetime. Sadie's facial expression when they sang the "Hello"song to her in primary and substituted the word "Ni Hao" for hello. The feeling I had sitting by Sadie as the primary sang a song about eternal families and realizing how much she has to learn. Sadie's priceless smile as she got off the bus after her first day at school and then walking home holding hands with Sara. Sadie putting her hand on her heart during the flag ceremony at Pack Meeting, and hoping someday she will love this country like I do. I tend to write about events that happened and what food we ate, but the emotions we feel each day are wide and deep in all of us as we figure out the family dynamics of seven.

The first couple of nights home were long and difficult. Adjusting to time zones, new homes, new smells, new sounds, new family members, new beds, new potty schedules...it was more than anyone should take in at six years old. By the third night I really wanted to sleep more in my own bed, so I sat and talked with Sadie the best I could to explain the kids were heading back to school, she was safe, and I was sleeping with dad. She did her best pouty face and reluctantly agreed. I went to turn the light off and she objected (the night lights weren't cutting it), but by leaving on a light outside her bedroom we all got a good nights sleep! Was it the light? Was it time? Was it bravery? We'll never know.

Days with siblings at school aren't nearly as exciting as when they are home, so we braved a few stores to find some clothes that don't fall off this tiny girl. She knows what she likes...pink, soft, sparkly, bright.....she's a girl!

We've had family members trickle in over the week, and she's warmed up to most very quickly. She gives high fives, winks, pulls on your mustache, hugs you and says "hi, hello". I can't imagine it being very fun having so many strangers come over and stare at you each day, but she takes it in stride.

We met the school teachers (kindergarten and ESL). She didn't like the idea of going to school (I still wonder if we are even saying the correct word for school). Fortunately the first person she saw was an Aunt she'd met the night before and really liked! This made it all good. She loved her teachers and enjoyed looking around the classroom after school on Thursday.

Friday was Sadie's first school day. She has afternoon kindergarten, which couldn't start soon enough for her liking. She kept looking at her backpack, and you could just feel the anticipation. She happily went right in, started playing with blocks and waved goodbye to mom and Carson. The best part of school is a girl in her class that has been waiting to be her friend for months...their family has followed our story and shared in our journey as great supporters. What more could you ask for than a built in friend your first day of school!

Other firsts include watching the boys mow the lawn, jumping on the trampoline (loves it), riding a bike (loves it, even without the abilitiy to brake), pizza (not so much love), going with Sara to friends houses, playing night games in the backyard with a dozen neighborhood kids, having cousins and friends come to our house and play, riding the bus to school....oh the fun never ends at the Snyders! Each day I just shake my head and can't believe she is still smiling, still happy and still willing to keep going.

Everyone keeps asking how the English is coming. It's not coming, it's going....into her brain. She understands more of the common demands and questions we use on a daily basis. She will use a new word or two almost each day and hasn't given up her love for mimicking all of us. I think months will go by, and she will continue to absorb until she is so full of English words they will come flying back at us. But don't worry about her ability to communicate. If there is a point to be made, she will make it! If there is a boy named Carson who needs to be told on, she will tell! If there is a blessing on the food that has been forgotten, she will remind us!


So, here we sit in the middle of September, with one of the most fascinating people in all of Nibley. The never ending supply of kids around here keeps life busy enough that boredom doesn't last long. We try new foods, we improve our chopstick skills, we celebrate with neighbors at a mom/daughter party, we pray things continue on this positive road moving forward. We realize bumps will come and hope we are ready for them when they do.

We celebrated being home one week with chinese food from Mandarin Garden. It was a hit! When I see big smiles (or big tears) I always wish I could take away this language barrier we have and just talk with her. Does she miss her friends and nannies at the orphanage? Does she like our food or tolerate it? What was the best part of the first day of kindergarten? What does she think of her room? Maybe we'll find out next year. For now I believe/hope she is truly happy. As I tucked her in bed about our fifth night home, I did the usual...brushed back her hair and gave her a kiss on the forehead...."night, night...love you," I said. Her reply was the same, just partly in a different language, "night, night...wo ai ni". Maybe that language barrier isn't as tall as I think.