Halloween? Happy??? Uh. No.

I have decided.  I do not like Halloween.  I tried.  I just don't like it.

I think it all started a long time ago...... I grew up on a long country road with like two houses on it, so it wasn't exactly made for Trick or Treating.  I'm pretty sure I was either a farmer or a clown EVERY year of my childhood, but my sister (who hates Halloween even more than I do) would NOT go trick or treating cause she said it was like begging for candy. And we NEVER had trick or treaters knock on our door (cause of the living in the country and all).  So, it wasn't a very big thing to me in the beginning.....

THEN, during BOTH of  my pregnancies with the boys, I was in that SICK phase during the month of October and literally got ILL every time I saw Halloween decorations or the combination of orange and black together.  I even had to THROW AWAY much of the Halloween decorations we did have because they MADE ME SICK.  (I can still see Joe's face when I suddenly declared one night, "I have to throw away these socks and that candy bowl over there!  They are making me sick!!")

The only thing I DO like about Halloween is teaching a group of fourth graders the Halloween songs that I remember from when I was little..... but, Mary is not exactly a GROUP and she doesn't even talk, much less sing, so there goes that.

 So Halloween:  I.  Don't.  Like.  You.

This week hasn't exactly put the HAPPY back in Happy Halloween either.  Max has been nursing a very sore knee from a nasty fall at football, so he's been a bit of a grump all week.  Jack is just outright MIFFED any time he has homework, so getting through the "packet" for To Kill a Mockingbird hasn't been a pleasure for any of us.  I MIGHT have actually WRITTEN A LETTER to my people who live in this house and outlined for them the things they were doing that were irritating me and I MIGHT have put a giant duct taped "X" on the playroom door that says, "Closed for Renovations" and announced that it will STAY that way until things improve around here! AND Mary had FOUR shots at the doctor's office on Tuesday and came home with some stickers and a TERRIBLE head cold.  (She actually knows how to blow her own nose...... if only she'd wait until there was a KLEENEX in place to catch what comes out.  Very interesting few seconds the first time I witnessed THAT.)

Rough week, you see.

So, when Wednesday night rolled around and it was time for the Fall Festival at church, I was SO GLAD that everyone would be HAPPY.  We have an AWESOME children's minister who has an AWESOME wife who do an UNBELIEVABLE job putting together a Fall Festival every year.  There are games and prizes and rides and food and ponies..... it really is fantastic.  I just KNEW Mary would love it!

WRONG.

Now, granted..... those shots had worked her over and her nose was dripping onto her Minnie Mouse costume, but she was not too happy with all the excitement.
Minnie Mouse costume?  Get that thing off of me.
Minnie Mouse ear headband?  No.
Orange bag to collect candy?  I'm not carrying that thing.
Pony ride?  Get.  Me.  Off.
Waving at other children dressed in fun costumes?  I will NOT.
Seeing all the fun costumes and decorations?  This is just madness.
Play a game for a prize?  No thanks.
Let Mom take your picture?  I ain't smiling.

She was so over-stimulated after the first hour that she found herself a nice quiet corner of the gym behind the GARBAGE CANS and played, quiet happily, for a while back there.  Max, who had been working one of the booths for the youth group, was PUMPED to find us after so he could go through Mary's candy stash.  He tore that bag open and found NOTHING.  He was miffed.  Dude, you do not get candy for playing behind the trash.

Bless it.

But, I woke up today with a new attitude.  Today is Halloween, and there WOULD BE something fun happening around here today.  Maybe some trick or treating?  Maybe some pumpkin carving fun?  Maybe bake some ghost-shaped cookies?  Maybe watch a Halloween TV special?  SOMETHING.

No.

Today began with a car service.  A THREE HOUR car service.  A three hour car service WITH A TWO YEAR OLD.  A three hour car service with a two year old that is HUNGRY AND TIRED AND OUT OF DIAPERS IN HER BAG.  Toyota place, I'm really sorry about that huge spill of apple juice in your coffee bar.  I hope we didn't break anything when we knocked over that rental car display.  And I might know where the HAND is that is missing off that mannequin guy in the merchandise area. (But hey.  That guy is scary anyway.  You should get that thing out of there.)  After about two and a half hours, I warned the guy in charge of our car that we were out of diapers AND patience and things were about to get crazy up in there.  At that particular moment, I turned around and Mary was walking around behind the big comfy couches in the waiting area "heavily tapping" the heads of the people who were NAPPING while they waited for THEIR cars.  (Think Duck, Duck, Goose....) Scared one dude to death....(Happy Halloween to YOU, Mister... BOO!)

I was so BEYOND by the time we finally got home, that there were NO Halloween cookies made.  When it started raining during carpool, I realized that there would be no trick or treating for my little nose-dripping darling and her brothers.  And I'm pretty sure my copy of "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" is locked up in the elementary school where I'm not working this year.

THEREFORE, we, here in Powellville, are hunkered down tonight.

I told Joe to turn the porch lights OFF, but he refused, so he's passing out PEPPERMINTS at the front door (cause I MIGHT have forgotten to even purchase proper Halloween candy.)  (They're going to egg our house later, aren't they?)

If a pumpkin gets carved around here, it'll be with a great big butcher knife, cause I couldn't find one of those nifty pumpkin carving kits at the Rite Aid. (No, we haven't carved our pumpkin yet.... but HEY.  At least I BOUGHT a pumpkin.)

Good.  Grief.

Pictures taken in the middle of all my angst:

Within the first 30 seconds, those fingers were in...... 

The ONLY picture of her entire outfit.  And it's from the BACK.

Then there was THIS....

Max looks pretty fired up here, huh? 

Didn't even get a picture of the Jackster.  He had to run over to the sanctuary for orchestra rehearsal and, by the time he got back, I'd given up and put my camera away.  It was THAT serious.

So.... just HALLOWEEN to all y'all.  I'd include the HAPPY out in front, but then I'd just be a big liar.

A wonderfully full week.

#3 Birthday Party:
So there was the pre-birthday party at the farm last weekend.  Then, there was her actual BIRTHDAY. And THEN, there was last night.  Birthday party #3.  Mary has officially made up for lost time and has celebrated her birthday MUCHO.

Last night, she was surrounded by all her grandparents.  There was oohing, there was aaahing, there was hugging, there was eating, there was laughing..... it was a GOOD time.

Oh.  And there was also picture taking.....

My friend, Elaine, makes the cutest cakes on the PLANET.  I love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love Mary's cake!  We all just stood there and stared at it for a long time, and, honestly, I cried a little when we started cutting into it.  Thanks, Elaine, for making a VERY special cake on this VERY special day for our VERY precious girl.  

And, since Mary missed her first birthday at home, Elaine also made her a SMASH cake!  

Daddy, I'm so happy... we just keep having these parties!!!

Pushing the first opened present of the night:  a pink grocery cart!  Thanks, Nana and Papa Chuck!

Is this cake for me?

Sipping Mudger's water was a favorite activity of the night.

I love it when she cuts those eyes at people....

Don't blow them out, Dad... I want to TOUCH them. (No fingers were harmed in the taking of this photograph.)

We vacated the Minnie dress when the smash cake was brought out.  She studied it for a while.....

then decided that it was pretty fun!

And then you pair that smash cake with some ice cream.....

..... some COLD ice cream......

..... and you've got one happy girl.

Loved by Nana and Papa Chuck.....

Loved by PawPaw and Mimi.....

And loved by Mudger and NightNight.

Then it was time for more presents.  Cause poor girl hasn't gotten a THING for her birthday.

Studying the two dollar bill that was in her birthday card.

LOVING the Minnie Mouse coup car!  Perfect!

Thanks, PawPaw and Mimi!  Our little Minnie Mouse LOVES her new ride!

I wish you people could have been in the room when we all circled around her at the dining room table and sang Happy Birthday.  She sat in that chair and just smiled and smiled..... and looked around the room at everyone standing around her..... her family.  She grinned the sweetest grin and just kept looking all around that circle like, "Are you guys singing to ME?  How great!"  I don't know what was going through her mind, but I know what was going through MINE:  THANKFUL.  I am SO thankful.  And for the LAST time until NEXT time:  Happy Birthday, sweet girl.

A Mary Shower:

Since we were in celebration mode around here, Joe's company threw Mary a shower last Wednesday morning in Birmingham.  And SHOWER us, they did!  Her closet is now totally and completely STOCKED with some of the cutest outfits you have ever laid your eyeballs on! There were also backpacks and puzzles and stuffed animals and books and pajamas and toys and bath stuff and booster seat high chairs and more!  SO MUCH STUFF!  Mary had a great time meeting the sweet folks that Joe works with and loved EVERY present that was opened.  When Joe opened up (yes, I let JOE open all the presents.... since these are his people and all.... and he LOVED it.....) the first couple of outfits, Mary decided it was time to TRY THEM ON and started taking off her clothes.  We quickly talked her out of getting naked right there in front of everyone, so she did the next best thing:  LAYERING.  She wanted to wear IT ALL.  She (and her parents) had a LOVELY time and are so thankful to have such kind people as friends (and coworkers!).

I completely FORGOT my camera that day, but I took a few with Joe's phone!

Mary really enjoyed the BALLOONS at the party.  We're not sure she'd ever SEEN balloons before.....

And then there was THIS.  I think every grown up in the room was tense and waiting for that thing to POP and scare her to death.  It never did, though..... 

Here, Dad.... let me show you how to do this.  I'm good at it.

Let me just see what's in the bottom of this thing.  Cause there's GREAT stuff coming out of it!

This is right about the time that Mary wanted to start trying ON some of those pretty outfits..... Dad.... help me get this thing OFF!

And that's when she started just putting it ALL on....

Joe:  "That kid right there is going to look CUTE in this outfit right here!"

Mary Powell LOVES socks. Like LOVES THEM.  Do you see the look on her face as Joe pulled this bundle of socks out of the bag?  Later that night, she put on EVERY one of those socks at the SAME time.  SIX socks on EACH foot.  At the same time.  Layers of socks - her favorite thing.

"Um, Dad.... I know you like them and all, but....um.... I think that pink furry bear and rabbit you're holding are supposed to be mine."

Thank you for a wonderful morning celebrating and SHOWERING our sweet Mary! 

A Good Visit:

This morning, we all headed back up to Good Springs for a special graveside service for James, Joe's grandfather that passed away a couple of months ago.  James' sister had become ill just prior to his funeral, so they had decided to delay the graveside portion of the memorial and bury his ashes when she wasn't in distress. (She had been taken to the hospital immediately after the service.)  Now, I imagine that things rarely get very rowdy in Good Springs, but today, they seemed especially peaceful.  Once again, I felt like I had stepped out of the craziness of life into another world.  It was great to be able to take the boys with us this time and I kept telling them to be observant and just see what they notice about the place and the people..... and they both mentioned on the way home that they get now what I've been talking about.  (Cause I MIGHT have mentioned the beauty of its simplicity a few times when things got crazy around here and we are all going and coming constantly....)

Jack brought his violin along and played Amazing Grace and There is a Fountain at the cemetery.  It was SO quiet.... and then he started playing.  Very sweet.  Then, we all circled up and held hands and Joe prayed.

Growing up as a preacher's daughter, I've been to MANY a funeral in my day.  MANY.  I've been to sweet funerals and very, very sad funerals.  And I've been to graveside services where the tents cover the quilted chairs that sit next to the elaborate caskets set inside large vaults.  It may seem weird, but I find a sort of beauty in all of that.....

But today was a first for me..... and it might be my favorite.  Today, at the graveside, it was Joe, Mikki, Jack, Max, and Mary along with James' two brothers, Glenn and Damon.  When we finished with the violin and prayer, those precious brothers, who had ministered to their brother as caretaker through months of sickness..... did the last thing they could for him.  They buried their brother.  They didn't just WATCH while someone ELSE buried their brother.... THEY buried their brother.  The three men in the world who meant the most to James Hartley:  his two brothers and Joe Powell - took turns digging.  Then they placed his ashes in the ground, covered it up, and placed a lovely bouquet of flowers on top.  Some might find that strange..... but I found it to be absolutely precious.  Then we all went "back to the house" to visit (and, of course, drink a cup of coffee!).  When we got back, Damon asked Jack to get his violin back out and play for the sisters (who didn't feel up to going to the graveside).   So, there in the front yard in Good Springs, we had ourselves a little outdoor concert.  Jack did a great job playing some good ole gospel hymns and Max promised to practice up on that cello so they can do a duet when we go back for a visit!

Not fancy.... but SO sweet.  James would have LOVED that these three men took care of him in this way.  Cause he would have done ANYTHING for them......

James' four siblings:  Brenda, Helen, Glenn, Damon.  Kind, kind, KIND people.

James Hartley adored the people in this picture.

Mary enjoyed playing on the porch.  She found several toys inside and brought them out to play, too!

The boys liked Damon.  What's not to like?

And Mary found a sweet friend in Miss Helen.  

Damon getting one last "gimme five" before we left.

Giving Glenn some love.....

Amazing Grace..... with Jack Powell on the violin.

He told Damon he'd practice some fiddle tunes for our next visit!

So.  Full week.  Full hearts.  

Indeed.

Happy Birthday, Dear Mary!

Oh, mercy.  Today is baby girl's 2nd birthday and I have SO much going on in my brain.  I am completely overwhelmed..... like OVERWHELMED.... with thankfulness that she is a part of us.  Her laugh is ridiculously cute, her smile is contagious, she is FULL OF JOY.  She is an awesome player, mimics everything you do, communicates beautifully through signs and grunts, wakes up so very happy,  and gives REALLY tight hugs.  She loves playing outside, does the motions to EVERY Raffi song, and can devour a bowl of grits in seconds.  She is crazy cute in her footy pajamas, smells delicious after her bath, and truly believes that there are NOT enough rocks in this world.  She cuddles with her baby dolls, carries a dish towel around with her most everywhere she goes, eats English peas like they are candy, and puts stickers EVERYWHERE.  She has brought SO MUCH to our world..... and I shudder to think how we could have missed out on all of it.

We could have ignored the Lord's nudging.  We could have gotten overwhelmed with the process or financial demands and given up.  We could have been scared off by fear of the unknown.  We could have been satisfied with the easy, happy, settled life we had before. We could have considered ourselves too old to add another child to our family.  WE COULD HAVE MISSED IT. In fact.... we DID.  Many, many times.  But God would not let us go..... He brought us through ALL of that..... and brought us TO this precious child.  Mudger says it all the time, and I agree.... "It's like she was meant to be with us."  And she was.... sorta.

I say SORTA, cause, in a perfect world, Mary would be with her birth parents in China right now. In a perfect world, there would not be circumstances and rules and poverty in the world that cause people to make choices like this mother and father had to make.  Sadly, this isn't a perfect world.  BUT.... we serve a perfect God.  A God who can take the imperfections of this world and turn it into something beautiful and precious and.... PERFECT.

Cause the Lord KNOWS.  He knew that Mary's birthparents would be brave enough to give her LIFE. Two years ago TODAY, the Lord watched our precious Mary enter this world and be held and looked after by a mother and father.  He knew that they would be unable to care for her and He knows the reasons why.  So, He chose US to be her parents.  Just a couple of weeks after Mary was born, the Lord began to stir my heart towards adoption.  All through November, December, January.... as Mary was abandoned, taken to the orphanage, then admitted to the hospital in Shanghai for open heart surgery.... my heart was HEAVY.  I prayed MUCH.  Just as Mary's life was beginning, God was preparing ME to be her Mama.  He created a Mary-sized hole in my heart..... that spread to Joe's heart...... and then, He connected a child in an orphanage in Shanghai to a family on the other side of the world.  And.  We.  Fit.  Perfectly.

Today has been bittersweet.  Bitter because I am sad for her China people.  I have wondered all day if they were thinking of her and if they were sad.  I have prayed for them all day.  At one point today, as I was in the car going to get the boys with Miss Priss watching Raffi in the backseat, it occurred to me - the only reason I'm praying for two strangers that I'll never meet is because of Mary.  Joe has prayed for them all day, a few of my friends sent word that THEY were praying for her birth parents today.... all because of Mary.  I doubt ANYONE in the WORLD would have devoted a day of prayer to these two souls in China if it hadn't been for Mary.  Baby girl is a missionary already!!  Joe's Facebook post said it well:

As we celebrate our Mary's second birthday today, all I can think about is how thankful I am her birth parents chose to give her life and and take the chance that she would "have a better life" - those words and her birth date were attached to her clothing as she was left behind in the train station in Shanghai. As happy as I am she is with us I am saying a little prayer for her folks back in China today, too. I'm sure their hearts and minds are heavy. May our little family honor that dream they had for her and raise her as a Godly young woman. Happy Birthday Joodle. Love, Dad.

Today has been SUPER sweet, too!  We began the day with a table full of presents, played with them ALL day long, took a good nap, shuttled Jack and Max around to a few places, then ate some take out from Mr. Chen's.  Lovely, lovely day.  (Of course, the REAL birthday party will be Friday night.  Totally excited about that one!)

A few images of today.....

Sweet girl's gonna wake up to some surprises!

My "good morning" face.  She wakes up happy EVERY DAY.  Happy birthday, you little bed-headed thing you.

Daddy, LOOK!  There are presents!

You mean these are all for me?  Well, let's get started!

Very intense present-opening concentration.

Favorite present - hands down:  the plastic bracelet collection FROM THE DOLLAR TREE.  

Max, the expert present-opener, to the rescue!

I'm drinking my juice right now, but I'm about to play with that baby doll you're holding right there.

Birthdays are so much fun!

Jack, did you see all this stuff I got for my birthday?

Wanna stack these blocks with me?

The haul.  She has played with IT ALL today.  We've matched the animals on the flash cards, stacked the blocks, put stuff in the Hello Kitty purse, peeled off princess stickers and put them EVERYWHERE, cuddled the baby doll and wrapped her up in dish towels, played with the princess figurines, and sorted some shapes.  Of course the bracelets didn't make the picture because someone hasn't taken them off ALL DAY.

Even Jack and Max got a little happy today.  Max got two new Duck Dynasty books - one about Phil and one about Si.

Jack's been anticipating the release of this bad boy for MONTHS.  It came out today!  Happy!

After playing ALL day and then going to football and orchestra rehearsals with big brothers, we finally sit down to dinner.  The mouth says, "I'm happy!"  The eyes say, "But I'm getting sleepy...."

Happy #2 birthday, my precious one.  We all cannot get enough of you.

Blowing out her candles! (with a little help from Dad and encouragement from the rest of us)

And, finally, a ticklefest with big bro.... then it's off to bed.

Mary Powell, there is no possible way that you could be more loved.