31 Days of Writing on Heritage

Scroll down for Day 1.

Day 2  Who Do You Think You Are?

Day 3 Love Makes a Family 

Day 4 Good Hair 

Day 5 Caublinasian 

Day 6 Photo Essay 

Day 7 Brothers and Sisters 

Day 8 Closure 

Day 9 Good Reads 

Day 10 Inside Jokes 

Day 11 Together for Adoption

Day 12 Heritage Begins at Home

Day 13 Posted, Painted, and Propped

I sort of quit blogging.  I didn't intend to leave the Bullington Board behind, but there have been so many reasons not to take time to write here.  Some of those reasons were practical - those two years where Pearl didn't sleep, for example - and some of the reasons had to do with my super slow mental processing speed (remember the time when I wrote about our Ethiopia adoption trip a FULL YEAR after it happened?)  It also seemed like this blog lost its purpose when we no longer had a need to inform people about our steps along the adoption journey(s?) for Davis and Pearl.  But I have been looking for a way back to the blog, so here it is.

My sister told me about the Nester's 31 day writing project a few days ago.  I loved this idea, but I didn't know what subject I would cover or how I would ever have time to write.  Then there was a conversation in the car this morning about animal topiary trees.  (No, I am not going to write about topiary trees - though that would be awesome!)  Davis has asked me many times lately about what type of bushes he would need if he were going to cut them into animal shapes.  This morning he was on this again, and he told me that if he made animal bushes for our yard, he would make a dragon for Pearl since dragons "mostly come from China" and a giraffe for himself, for Ethiopia.  It reminded me how much I find myself considering issues surrounding identity, culture, race, and family. Heritage. I often think better by reading (links!) and writing through things, so I am looking forward to spending some time (maybe not 31 times, and maybe not actually on time since this is a late start, but aren't goals great?!) writing on heritage and pinning my notes to the Bullington Board.

Will We Ever Know?

Dance Party!

I made this video yesterday as a Mother's Day gift to me, since I love to see my kids dancing so much!  Around here the dance party doesn't stop until something nearly falls on you, and even then it only pauses for a moment. 
dance2013 0001 from Leslie Bullington on Vimeo.

Angels We Have Heard

Faith to Davis:  Who is your favorite wise man?  Mine is Frankenstein.

Davis:  Is that the girl one?

I can't believe how long it has been since I have posted on the BB!  I plan to resume writing here soon and posting new photos and videos.

And We're Back. . .

We are at home today.  Pearl's anti-hospital hunger strike back-fired and earned her an extra night there.  They didn't want to let her go until she was eating, though we were pretty sure she wouldn't eat until she was home. It wasn't bad to have an extra night of IV fluids, though, and she is doing well today.  It didn't seem to matter that we did the same drill, often with the same nurses, every four hours - she never gave up her temp, blood pressure, etc. without a LOT of loud, tearful protest.  She is still a fighter for sure.

She will be on a liquid diet for a few days and then soft foods for several weeks.  She also has to wear those nice arm restraints ("No-no's") again for a few weeks to keep her hands from her mouth.

Thanks for the prayers for our sweet, brave Pearlie.   

Summer Morning

Today the kids are playing - Faith and Davis are riding the plasma cars while Pearl keeps pace on foot running the circuit: kitchen, dining room, living room, hall, playroom, kitchen - one big circle of squealing and gasping giggles.  They stop every now and then for crab walks ("this is how the professionals crabwalkers do this," says Faith.  What a thought!) There are penalties and screams and tensions rising and falling, but mostly they are having a good time.  We've already had a talent show.  Faith's first of several talents was staring at the audience.  Davis' one-man-show involved jumping and tossing pillows.  The only thing left on our agenda is a trip to the library.

This will be our last carefree day for a little while, as we will get up early in the morning to take Pearlie in for palate surgery.  If all goes according to plan the surgery will begin at 7:30 and last 3 - 4 hours. 

I know we are blessed with an awesome team of doctors.  I know it is a necessary procedure.  I know it is all for the best.  It is another opportunity for gratitude that she is here where such excellent medical care is available. 

I know it will be hard to hand her over in the morning.  Hard to wait and hard to watch her suffer through recovery.


It is no small comfort to know that I serve a sovereign God. 

And I am reminded that He is the one able to do the true work of restoration.  It is long, painful work that I resist because I would rather be comfortable.  Running along with hidden broken places.

Sacrifice

We are not really looking to move, but the other day David was talking about a house he had seen recently that interested him.  When he said that it had six bedrooms, Faith got pretty excited. 

"Hey, Mama," she said,  "We could each have our own bedrooms!  And you and Daddy wouldn't have to share anymore!"