Lacey's Gotcha Day

Today we celebrate Lacey's "Gotcha Day," the anniversary of her adoption.  She has now spent six years, or half her life, as a member of our family.  One minute we were three, and the next minute she became ours for good.  At age six, Lacey brought many experiences, hopes, likes, and fears that were all unknown to us.  Because of the language barrier, these things weren't easily shared.  We had to wait to discover the person that Lacey is.  The journey of discovery has changed all of us. 

We are constantly aware of how Lacey has changed.  Friends and family notice too.  She's grown so much!  Her English is great!  She's a great student!  She's so happy!  She's so kind to the other kids!

We have all changed too.  Here are a few examples.  Because of Lacey:

• the house is never quiet;
• we are all addicted to cooking shows;
• we are all really competitive;
• I started riding a bicycle again;
• I'm learning to fly model planes;
• Les has to share his tools; and
• Cassie has frequent asthma attacks from laughing!

Finally, here's Lacey perspective, presented in a poem she wrote in school.

Lacey's 12th

Today is Lacey's 12th birthday.  She just completed 5th grade and loved every moment of the year.  She was a member of the safety patrol, supervising other students in the halls and on the bus.  She was in the school chorus and the all-county chorus.  She played violin in the school orchestra.  And, she was a member of the school's "Kindness Crew."  She did well academically, making the principal's A/B honor roll.  And, she was only absent once the entire year.

Lacey is the happiest kid I know.  And, with minimal effort, she makes other people happy too.  I chose some pictures to highlight the past year.

And Lacey didn't think she was going to enjoy Bloomingdale's!

At a recent dance recital:  "No thank you.  I'm good without flowers."

Who me?

Posing with the fox at REI, she's never afraid of looking silly.

Lacey volunteered to help me pick up the chunks of concrete left from the old sidewalk. She suggested that we work in the rain, thinking it would be cooler.  Yes, she's wearing a trash bag.

She will dress up for a bribe.

Sisters

All county choir

Look closely and you'll see Lacey!

Always ready to pose.

Lacey loves cooking almost as much as she loves eating.

Cassie asked her to try not to look like a tourist in NYC.  So, Lacey left the tag on her sunglasses.

Happy Birthday, Cassie

Today is Cassie's 15th birthday.  This is the year that she started high school.  It will also be the year that she celebrates her confirmation.  But, it will mainly be remembered as the year of ballet.  She joined the Manassas Youth Ballet; danced in her first Nutcracker; competed in the Youth America Grand Prix; performed in the wedding scene from La Bayadere; and will soon be part of the Manassas Ballet Theatre's "Cinderella."  I will remember this year as the year I gave her the freedom to follow her dream.  Oh, I will also remember it as the year I spent driving, watching classes, and helping in the dressing room.  We are really proud of Cassie and her hard work.  I selected photos that highlight Cassie's year.

My beautiful daughter!

The shopper!

Dancing Outdoors

Visiting the Capezio store in NYC

Mending costumes with a little help!

The Manassas Christmas Parade

Rocking that wig!

Backstage break

Christmas Spirit

Arriving at Youth America Grand Prix in Philadelphia

Warming Up

YAGP 2016

Cassie with her coach, Miss Kaitlin

Sisters

Party Girl

Being a Mom

Yesterday I went to feed the cats and discovered that we were out of cat food.  How could that be?  I was sure that we had plenty.  Lacey later admitted that she had taken all the cat food to school to donate to he animal shelter.  I had told her that she could take a couple cans, not half a case.  Although I wanted to get mad, the image of her struggling to carry all that cat food in her backpack had to make me laugh.  There are so many things about being a mom that make me laugh.  I'm going to share just a few of our recent experiences.

A few weeks ago I had volunteered to help with something at church.  I was really tired and mentioned that I was only going because I had promised.

"Just call church and tell them I have lice," said Lacey.

"Why would I do that?"  I asked.

"Well, it would be kind of hard for them not to believe that!" she said.

A couple weeks ago during dinner Cassie mentioned how fun it would be to study ballet in London.

"Good luck learning to speak British!" Lacey exclaimed.

"Hey, Lacey," asked Cassie.  "When you're in Wikipedia, what do you want them to list as your nickname?"

"Why would I be in Wikipedia?" asked Lacey.  "Oh, never mind.  I'll be in there by association because you're going to be famous!"

I recently bought Lacey one of the American Girl books that's designed to help girls understand their bodies.  After glancing through the book she said, "I already know most of this stuff.  We had to watch a video at school about girls growing their bodies."

Last month we had dinner guests.  One of them spilled a glass of soda in the family room.  Not wanting him to be embarrassed Lacey said, "Oh, don't worry about it.  I'm sure a cat has probably peed in here."

Last  weekend Lacey discovered why we told her not to play with insulation.

Cassie has always wanted to live close enough to school to be able to walk home.  A few weeks ago, she missed the bus and got her chance.  She later said, "Walking home is romanticized.  It's really not that fun."

While reading a book about dogs Lacey asked, "Other than reptiles, is there any kind of pet that Cassie's not allergic to?"

Recently during dinner Cassie said, "Lacey wants to know if Trump is going to deport her."

While contemplating what to get me for Mother's Day Lacey asked, "Is there anything you want that's not physical?"

"What??!!" I asked.

"Everything you ask for is physical," Lacey said.  "You know, you want a clean house, and yard work done.  Is there anything you want that doesn't take work?"