Mystic Rhythms

We sometimes catch a window, A glimpse of what's beyond.

Was it just imagination stringing us along?

More things than are dreamed about; unseen and unexplained.

We suspend our disbelief and we are entertained...mystic rhythms

-Rush-

Sister Sue and DeeDee enjoying the summer

At times it seems we tend to become so focused on just putting one foot in front of the other that we fail to notice small, but significant changes; or perhaps it is more a case of failing to see the big picture because we are living with the mantra of taking one day at a time. Either way, when I paused for a breath the other day, I noticed that our family is doing well. Heaving a sigh of relief I began to survey our current situation and I am pleased with the progress. We are all healthy, we are all good eaters and now sleepers, we have a roof over our heads with both parents gainfully employed and our children are loved and thriving. Yay! we are doing it. We are living life and enjoying summer.

Celebrating Treya's half birthday - her first candles ever!

Before putting my nose back down to the grindstone, there are a few pleasantries to share. First of all, daddy has taken a new job and we are so happy and proud of him. Just as a dog can smell fear, so can a child sense stress outside the home. As soon as daddy began his new job the whole household came down a notch or twelve on the stress-o-meter. With the new job, however, comes training...out of state. Florida was daddy’s home for a week, while I tended to the girls. Unfortunately, this same week was Treya’s daycare providers vacation too. Arranging all day care for a toddler is never easy, but thankfully Oma and Di Anna stepped up to the plate. With a little finagling, I managed to get Devi to preschool, Treya settled at home with one of the sitters without Devi knowing she was staying home, myself out the door to work 45 minutes away, working a slightly different set of hours and arranging for coverage of my early morning shift - all in a reasonable amount of time. Suffice to say I have a newly formed and solid appreciation for working single mothers!

Both girls were angels the whole time. There was no bickering or disagreements, no back talk or strong willed issues and although we all missed daddy immensely, we managed to squeeze in some pretty fun times at the splash park, a couple of nice picnics and even a girls spa night of bubbles in the jacuzzi tub - all three of us suddsing at the same time.

Hard to believe we experienced a day of 80 degree weather
and headed for the splash park.

Enjoyed Ethnic Fest with jumpy houses, yummy Indian food,
great music. Devi was determined to learn how to hoola hoop, but
never quite mastered it. DETERMINATION!

Wright Park, the sight of Ethnic Fest has a new
playground that Treya explored.

Just as I was beginning to plan for daddy’s second week away, we received a phone call that an opening had popped up at Devi’s preschool for Treya’s age group. Up to this point, Treya had been in a private home setting, which was perfect for her in the beginning. She grew so much under this grandma-type woman’s care and over came her severe shyness, began trying new foods and started to potty train. We loved the arrangement but, Treya seemed increasingly ready for more interaction with other children. So when this rare opening presented itself, (we anticipated having to wait a year on the waiting list) we knew we had to act and having the girls under one roof for daycare/preschool would again, prove to be a family stress reliever.

Treya's first day at Our Innspiration.

Devi saying the Pledge of Allegiance at her
preschool picnic. They also sang Surin' USA and
signed the whole alphabet.

The theme was surfin' USA. This is Devi's PURPLE surfboard.

Treya's second day at her new daycare. This is her artwork for the picnic.

Tomorrow marks a week with both girls attending the same daycare/preschool. All ready it has taken over a half hour off of my commute each day and although Treya had tears the first day, now everyone is settling in and loving it. Treya immediately fell back into her orphanage role as “helper” clearing dishes and sweeping the floor with the teachers in her room. One’s first instinct is to think this is cute, but I’ve let them know a bit about her tendency to be alone and have encouraged interactive play with the other children. Devi feels so protective of her sister and has taken on a nice solid role as big sister, which makes her feel so important. We hear during joint play time, they always seek each other out for hugs. On the drive home yesterday, I asked the girls about the best part of their days. Devi reported that she had a vegetable tray for lunch and ate a tomato that her class grew. Treya’s response to the same questions was SLIDE! On another day, Devi was thrilled that they got to play outside without coats on and Treya was beside herself with joy over mastering the making of a diamond shape with her index fingers and thumbs. While this may seem like a no brainer for some, for Treya’s little hands, missing parts of her digits, this was a MAJOR accomplishment. Now her “Twinkle Twinkle” song is complete!

Listening to music at Proctor Art Fest.
Devi is explaining that the band
is playing a Stevie Wonder song...one of
mom's favorites.

Two styles of dancing...Devi goes mostly up and down Treya sort of sways and bobs her head.

More dancing with a friend.

Behind the scenes, we’ve had another post placement visit in preparation for finalizing Treya’s adoption, one of the final steps in making our family legal and binding forever on paper. The social worker was amazed by the changes in Treya, even forgetting her various physical challenges. Referring to her notes she said, “oh yes, her hands! I completely forgot she has issues, because she uses them so well!” She also scribbled a few notes about our loud child, who has gone from being nearly silent to one never at a loss for words. The nice part is that those words are slowly beginning to be recognized as part of the English language.

Popcicles with our neighbor Joaquin at our annual cul-de-sac block party.
The firetruck came and let the kids sit inside.
We had water balloons, good company and tons of food.

My hambones on a morning stroll on the pier.

Proof that she has learned to run!

It took 3 years, but Devi finally grew enough to
learn how to ride a big wheel. Treya took to the trike
pretty naturally and LOVES to wear a helmet. She just as soon never
take it off.

We are at the peak of our busy summer social calendar about now, but soon things with begin to slow. With fall comes the beginning of a new school year and Devi will say goodbye to ALL the little girls in her preschool class as they enter kindergarten. Devi has one more year in preschool and our hope is that the girls moving up to her room will all become fast friends. Treya has been scheduled for hand surgery; her last one we hope. She will be having her two middle fingers separated on September 6th. She also will begin PT on her feet and have her corrective shoes adjusted. We also hope to find out how long she will need to wear them.

When I compare and contrast our home life right now with what we were experiencing just a few short months ago, I am taken aback by the progress. Those were some dark days; we managed, but it was nothing like the normalcy we are living now. Life is fun - great even and our family brings us joy and a smile each and every day.

Devi teaching Papa how to ride a trike.

Papa and Gail with their grand daughters.