Michael Jackson is Not My Uncle (sung to "Billie Jean")

My Facebook post from February 11, 2013: Most unexpected question of the day: "Mom, was Michael Jackson one of my uncles?"

Olivia has been listening to Michael Not-Her-Uncle Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel" nonstop.  Her obsession started when she was just fifteen months old.

http://www.brighamoliviasally.blogspot.com/2008/11/butt-drop-boogie.html

And here she is today.  It appears her dancing has not changed a whole lot in the last four years!

I blame her dad for her obsession. :)  He introduced her to Michael Jackson's music.  Just last week they watched some music videos.  Now she is very interested in "Thriller."  I overheard her today telling her cousin William the story line of that particular video.  I will say, though, that Brigham has not at any time told her or even intimated that Michael Jackson was her uncle.

Baby's Room

I started getting Baby's room together over a year ago.  I really felt that our next baby would be a boy, so I did it in "boy" colors and convinced myself that I could make it more girly if necessary.  The tree and birds are stenciled on.  And all the colors look better in person, I promise.

Much of what I had for Olivia was handed down, and I was grateful to get it.  This time, I wanted to be able to plan a nursery.  So, even though we had no prospects, I went forward with faith that our little boy would be joining us someday.  I bought new furniture to go with the new wall.  Actually, I think I bought the furniture before I painted the wall blue. 

I bought baskets for the changing table.  My mom made the liners for them from an extra crib sheet.  I love the stripes!

This rocking chair belonged to my great grandmother.  My parents helped me make it usable again.  Dad built a seat for it and Mom made the cushions and pillow.  I had the hardest job--picking out the fabric.

This rocking chair was my mother's.  It was given to her when she was five (right, Mom?).  It plays music when it is rocked on hard floor.  My brothers and I rocked in it and now Olivia is enjoying it.  She got spoiled by having a cushion.  The rest of us had to tough it out on the hard wooden seat.

And speaking of rocking, here's a lullaby Olivia wrote for Baby Brother.  The lyrics are below.

"Rock-a-bye, Baby, you need some sleep.  We have a big day ahead of us!"

Three Letters

I no longer have a name. I have been reduced to three letters...and I love it! When Olivia wants my attention, she spells for me. "M-o-m, m-o-m, m-o-m!"

Olivia is a "phonogram star" and a "spelling star" at school. To earn that title each week, she must get 100% on the phonogram and spelling tests. She's a superstar at home, too.

Olivia has been writing notes, lists, labels, and invitations with the fervor of a royal scribe. (Without the royal penmanship.). She is able to sound out and spell most words on her own. This means she is also able to read over my shoulder, which drives me crazy!

Speaking of spelling and sounding out words, below is a sample of her homework. I love that she used it as an opportunity to share our exciting news!

M-o-r-e    l-a-t-e-r.

Move Over, Pretend Brother!

Have you heard that we're hoping to adopt?  Only about a thousand times, right?  We've had two online profiles and have been working with two different agencies in our journey to find our baby.  A few weeks ago, we asked to have our profile shown to an expectant mother in Utah.  This was through an agency with whom we were not working, but had had some contact with in recent months.

When I read the brief bio on L (the expectant mom), I felt an instant connection with her.  It wasn't just that we are the same height and both have red hair and green eyes, although that's pretty cool.  We also have interests and personality traits in common.  Just from reading a few words, I had the impression that "this is the one."

When we heard that after seeing our profile she wanted to have a conference call with us, we were thrilled (and a little nervous)!  When we found out at the last minute that we were Skyping, I'll admit that I was a little more nervous.  Once we got over initial first-time-you-meet-someone-who-may-change-your-life-forever jitters, it was fun.  Brigham and I Skyped with L and her boyfriend, A, for almost an hour.  We both felt a strong connection with them.  It's like they're already family.

That was a Friday evening.  On the following Tuesday evening we were told that L and A had chosen us to be the parents of their baby boy due in May!  There are no words to describe our gratitude, hopefulness, excitement.  Well, actually, there are; I just don't know which ones to use.  It's surreal, after waiting and hoping for so long.  And it's not just that we know a baby will be joining our family soon.  It's knowing that he is the child intended for our family, that L and A are meant to be a part of our family.

It's often hard to see God's plan for us, except in retrospect.  We are getting a glimpse along the way with this experience.

And, oh yeah, move over, Pretend Brother!  Real Brother is on his way!!

Lucky Me

"Mom, call me when my lunch is ready. I'll be outside, playing."

While that was said with a bit of sass, I felt so privileged to have it directed at me. I am so very blessed to be her mom. There are times, still, that I am amazed at how I got so lucky. She's my sunshine, my pal, my beautiful, dramatic daughter.  I'm so grateful to Alyssa, her birth mom, for sharing such a precious gift with me and giving me incredible opportunities--including calling Olivia when her lunch is ready.

Olivia's First Trip to the Big House

 Get ready for a marathon!  Here's what we've been doing so far in January.

 Olivia graduated to Level Six in swimming.  She's been working on the freestyle, backstroke, and sidestroke, and is now learning the breaststroke.  We are proud of our little fish!

 This is a picture Olivia drew for her kindergarten teacher.  I love that she underlined phonograms and labeled the silent /e/ with its job number.  She definitely knows a lot more than I did in kindergarten.

One of many daily pictures to follow.  She enjoys posing for them, especially the dramatic or silly ones.

 Dramatic or silly?  A bit of both, I think.

 Very stylish and ready to go to church.  Heaven help me when she decides to use her charms on the boys.

 Lunch at PF Chang's for Brent's birthday.  I love having two of my three brothers near.  If only we could talk Scott into moving here when Yale is done with him.

Last Saturday we went on a family outing to the Pioneer Arizona Living History Museum.  The weather was perfect and we had it mostly to ourselves.  Brigham was a good sport and did a lot of off-roading in his wheelchair.  There were a few spots where we thought we'd be stuck, but we made it.  This picture was taken up at a miner's camp.

 Waiting for the stage coach to come through.  She doesn't like waiting any better than her mother does.

 Pretending to do laundry.  I'm sure glad I don't have to do it this way!

 This was, by far, Olivia's favorite part.

 Taking a rest after her sentence was commuted.

She's a serious ham!  It's been fun taking a picture every school day (I think I've only missed two) to track her first year of school.

 And now, lots of pictures of playing in the rain today.  We don't get rain very often, so it's always a novelty.

 Yes, she dressed herself.  She's quite proud of this outfit, especially since it incorporates Hello Kitty, her newest obsession.

Just singin' and dancin' in the rain!  And singing very loudly, I might add.  The neighbors always know when Olivia's out.

Sign-up Sheet

See this cute girl? She doesn't miss a thing and she's full of ideas.

Last night Brigham and I were talking about our adoption profile being presented to an expectant mother this week. We were speaking quietly and, as always, being careful about what/how much we said since Olivia was in the same room. That said, she was busy playing a game, so we assumed (when will we learn?) that she wasn't paying any attention to us. She suddenly jumped into our conversation with, "What we should do is get a little board and put a piece of paper on it and draw some lines on the paper for people to sign up if they want to give us their baby."

Obviously, we need to continue to work on teaching her appropriate adoption language, but I love that she's involved in the process. We pray for and about our baby and his/her mother daily. Olivia has seen many of the things we've done to share our desire to adopt. She has faith, as do we, that our baby will be joining our family in the (hopefully near) future.

While we will not be sending around sign-up sheets, please keep us in mind if you know anyone who is considering placing her baby for adoption.

http://www.parentprofiles.com/profiles/db27502.html