Wordless Wednesday

Make a Smilebox collage

A New Tradition.......& some good conversation......

Well, as some of you may know-I am really into traditions.

I told a lot of you in this post why I think they are so vital for kids (& for adults).

As I was looking at many other blogs around Christmas, I saw a tradition I KNEW I needed to add.

Guatemala has given me two of my most priceless gifts, & I love to acknowledge the kids’ heritage as much as possible-while remembering they are now AMERICANS!

Guatemala has some of the most colorful handwork in the world, & I just love it-can’t get enough of it.

This tradition required just one piece of handwork I didn’t have. It just broke my heart to have to spend the money-just kidding!

Also, this purchase was my first venture into E-bay.

(Yeah-I know-long overdue! No teasing me, please!)

The purchase?

A Christmas Stocking that I will fill with *little* presents from Guatemala !

Isn’t that a neat idea? If you have adopted internationally (or interracially) how do you “keep culture alive? How important is it to you?

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Now, the conversation.

Ana (age 8) had a coupon for a free kid’s meal Chik-fil-A.

Last month, she was “Dancer of the Month” in ballet! (Yes, her mama is proud!)

Anyway, while we were consuming our chicken nuggets (Ana) & salad (me), Ana casually said,

“Mom, I have a problem.”

Me, now thinking, “Oh, man, where is THIS going?!”

Turns out, she wanted to talk about “friendship” problems. One friend wanted Ana to leave out another one. Ana felt left out of a threesome. A friend wanted to start a club that only girls with “A” names can be in.

I remember those days. Uggg…..

Girls are so fickle at that age-well, really until they are out of highschool, if I remember correctly.

Makes me sad, in a way, that she is already going through that.

We were able to figure out some solutions & talk about how friendships can be very challenging.

I know this is par for the course when raising girls.

But, I don’t like it.

However, I am soooo happy she feels free to talk to me about it!

I need her to KNOW that I will help her through this life-that’s my job, & it always will be-know what I mean?

I think we are well on our way. Whew!

(this post was completed in 31 minutes for Steady Mom's 30 minute challenge)

A Loose Interpretation......of "Kiss, Kiss"-to be sure!

Because I just don't have pics that *really* fit the theme.......

But, I do want to just plant one on each one of their KISSABLE cheeks!

Zoo Lights.......& yes, I have a bit more on my mind.....

My friend Amy & I took our kids to the Zoo Lights the other night.
Bundled up the kids & just did it!

They all had such a good time-& even though that kind of thing is a whole ton of work for the mamas (lost kids wallet, cranky kids, runny noses etc, lost children in crowds……you know just what I mean) Amy & I still had a great time watching the kids enjoy the animals & chatting away the stroll through the zoo.

Amy with Liese, Alayna & Anjali

(above)

Ana, Alayna & Anjali

But…..

I’m also sad tonight. (blogging on Sunday night)

Our good friends Andy & Jenica lost their sweet baby girl at 23 weeks on Saturday.

Daisy Lou-what a beautiful name.

This baby was so wanted-& I am just sad for them-although I know they are trusting God that she is in a better place.

I know my faithful readers know that I understand their pain.

I wish I could be there for them-to hug them & cry with them.

But I can’t.

“Father in Heaven, please heal their broken hearts through your Word.”

How can I be feeling two distinct different things at once?

So thrilled for good times with friends & heartbroken all at once?

Life is often hard……but GOD is always good, even when we don’t understand.

Won't you join me in praying for this precious family?

P.S. I mentioned this last week, but continue to stay tuned because changes are coming at "Dillon Days & Doings!"

Ok.....This Is SOOOO NOT Fair!

Do you really expect me to choose just one, Hannah?

(I guess not, since you didn't either! Ha!)

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I didn't get too many pictures of the actual present opening this year,

but I still got some great pics that really mean a lot to me!

This picture (above) is so special to me because it represents LOVE between generations.

Ana made this scarf for my mom, with a bit (ok, a lot) of help from me.

My mom was THRILLED with her gift & wore it everywhere!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~& you know what's even better?

Out kids have grandparents on BOTH SIDES that LOVE & ARE LOVED!
We know the time will be just as special when we can one day share Christmas again with Dave's side of the family! I found Dave coffee straight from Guatemala.

This represents a new tradition I started this year-

each family member will get a little gift from

Guatemala.

I love this picture-even though Ruth's eyes are closed!


This is Natty at most every meal these days-
all silverware goes by the wayside-
slows him down too much!

This was taken at Ruthie's "Gottcha Day" meal.
What a smile!

There is nothing quite like that look
(above) when a present is opened.
It says to me, "YES!!!! I NAILED that gift!"
(Ana, with her new cup!)

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P.S. Shameless plug for my own blog (I can do that here, right? wink!)
If I can gain just ONE MORE FOLLOWER, that will put me at 40 followers!
;)

Been Sick......

& just haven't felt up to posting.

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But, stay tuned because exciting changes are coming at

DILLON DAYS & DOINGS!

Christmas Festivities at the Dillon Household.......(which I'm sure wasn't all that different from Christmas at your house, right?)

As I sit here on Sunday night, the kids are in bed, Dave & my aunt are watching a Dallas Cowboys game while I reflect on the last few days. (oops, excuse me for just a moment while I re-fill Ruthie's cup-ha!)

One thing I realized for the first time this Christmas, is how similar Christmas is for everyone…..busy, for sure, but beyond that-I bet your family also had a few of these things-

~yummy food-everywhere & in great abundance

~kids filled with excitement & anticipation

~ a few moments where you missed those who couldn’t be around your Tree with you (my Grandpa, our Jesse, our dear foster family in Guatemala, other far-flung family).

~a few “disagreements” around the Tree-ours were *mostly* among our 2 YO & our 3 YO (wink-ha!!!).

~I bet a few of you had sick kids Christmas Eve/Christmas Day like we did, & therefore, had to postpone our traditional Christmas Eve dinner, in order to not crush our 8 YO’s heart.

~a few toys that must be taken back to the store & replaced

~I hope you also had a few quiet moments to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas-Jesus willingly came to this earth as a baby-with the sole purpose of dying for sinful man-33 years later…..

I was struck by “sameness” that makes Christmas a “common thing” for all of us-while at the same time we all have traditions that are different & make each family unique……
I’m so glad I have things that make Christmas “special” for our family.
But, this year, I realized-I’m also glad I have things that make *my * Christmas a bit like yours, you know what I mean?

Here is a brief look at our last few days!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Merry Christmas, once more!