Snowy Valentine's Day

This winter has trended very snowy, which has been pretty great. The boys have missed a lot of school and that included Valentine's Day! They stayed home and worked on Valentines while also playing in the snow. Soren insisted on writing an individual note to each child in his class. When he learned that Asher was just signing his name he said, "That's not very nice." Getting Soren to finish writing 20 individual notes was not easy. Finally he got to the last two kids in class, the greatest trouble makers, and he didn't know what to write. Eventually we suggested that he just thank them for being in his class. 

Maeve was busy shoveling snow with Jamie. She's a good little worker. It was a heavy, wet snow. 

Farewell Gig

Gig came to us after our Au Pair Nita announced, weeks before Jamie left for Afghanistan, that she was married and could no longer work for us. We later found out that she was pregnant too. It was a devastating time for us, especially me during such a time of uncertaintly. Within a week of losing Nita we found Gig and I can know say with confidence that I am grateful Nita got married so that we could bring Gig into our home. She easily jumped into the rigors of our life and more than any other Au Pair, actually played with the kids--she'd wrestle them and chase them and just had fun with them. She was reliable and wonderful. Ultimately, she has been one more enormous blessing and answer to pray. Hard to believe that her time with us has already expired. She is now on her own--caring for children in a new family and waiting to enroll in school. She has been wonderful in helping our new Au Pair, Aris, get settled. I'm so happy Gig is in our lives and I'm so grateful for Chon, Jang and Nita too for the ways they loved our kids.

Saying farewell to Gig was an emotional experience. Seeing her show such emotion and shed so many tears was touching to me--I'm relieved she loved us as much as we loved her. Asher and Soren were also more aware of what was happening than in previous years and it also touched me to see how they cried. Fortunately, we still see lots of her!