Beautiful Butterfly

“I don’t want to wear that, why can’t I wear this? I don’t like wearing dresses! I’m almost 7 now Mom! Why can’t I wear what I want to wear?”

“It’s your first day back to school honey, 2nd grade. You want to look your best for your new teacher, don’t you? Tomorrow is a big day for you.”

“I want to wear this mom! I’m comfy.”

“Alright Sara, but at least put on a different shirt, those don’t match.”

Sara crossed off the last day on her calendar as she headed to the bathroom to brush her teeth. Dreaming about the next day, she went through her bedtime routine. She was so excited to see her friends and tell them all about her adventures over summer vacation.


***

Sara grabbed her backpack and skipped down the driveway. “I’m going to school today, I’m going to school today.”

“Hello Ms. Davis” she greeted the school bus driver.

“Hi Sara, did you have a nice summer?”

Sara nodded to the driver as she walked down towards the back of the crowded bus, sitting down next to a girl with messy hair and clothes; it was the only seat left.

“Hi, I’m Sara. I’m in grade 2. What’s your name?”

The girl didn’t say anything; she just looked out the window. Sara was hurt. She kept hoping but the girl never spoke to her.

***

The bell rang and the kids filed into the classroom. When Sara saw the girl from the bus sitting at a desk near the front of the room, she pointed at her and quietly whispered to her friends. “That’s her!”

“Good morning class, welcome to Grade 2. I’m your teacher Mrs. Johnson. I’d like you all to meet Lisa. She transferred here from another school. Lisa will need your help this year to feel welcome. Everyone, please say hello to Lisa.”

“Hello Lisa” the class echoed.

***

Sara stared at Lisa all day. There was something different about her. She didn’t fit in. At the second recess break Sara stayed behind to talk to Mrs. Johnson.

“Mrs. Johnson, why doesn’t Lisa talk? I tried to talk to her on the bus this morning, but she didn’t answer. She seems strange, is there something wrong with her?”

“Sara. She does talk, but it takes her longer to answer and you have to listen carefully. If she is distracted by something, she may not hear you. Why don’t you try again? Lisa really needs a special friend and I think you are just who she needs. Why don’t you go ask her to play with you?”

“I’m kind of afraid. How do I know if she’s listening to me?”

“Call her name first. Its ok Sara, you’ll do great. Run along, you’ll miss your recess.”


***

“How was your day honey?” Sara’s mom asked as she poured a glass of milk.

“OK.”

“Your teacher told me about your new friend Lisa. Do you want to tell me about her?”

Sara started to cry. “Mom, she wouldn’t talk to me! She’s not my friend, she’s weird. I know Mrs. Johnson said that I would be a special friend for her, but I don’t want to be her friend.”

“Now Sara, we all are different. How would you feel if someone said that they didn’t want to be your friend? I bet it would hurt your feelings. I sure hope you give Lisa a second chance.”

***

Mrs. Johnson spoke to the class. “Today is a special day. We are going to work on an art project together. I’ve already selected who your partners will be, so please sit with them as I call out your names.”

As their names were called, Sara went and sat with Lisa.

“Today’s project is about celebrating our differences. We all have special gifts and talents. With your partners, I’d like you each to talk about one thing that is special about you. Then each pair is going to paint it onto this banner, to represent all that is special about the people in our class. The banner will stay up for the rest of the year.”

***
Sara was so mad; she didn’t want to be Lisa’s partner. She didn’t even ask Lisa what was special about her. She went ahead and did the project all by herself.

One by one the pairs got up and told what made them special. The banner was almost full when finally it was Sara and Lisa’s turn. Mrs. Johnson called Lisa’s name and asked “Lisa, what is special about you?”

“I …. can …. paint …. butterflies.” She answered slowly.

Sara’s mouth dropped open. It was the first time Lisa said anything since school started. Sara was even more shocked when Lisa got up and painted the most beautiful butterfly she had ever seen.

“Lisa! That is a very beautiful butterfly. Well done!” Mrs. Johnson said smiling. “Sara, it’s your turn.”

“I ride horses.” Sara answered, waiting as she picked up the paintbrush.

Sara knew she couldn’t paint well, and it was even worse to go after Lisa. Her butterfly was so pretty.

“Can …. I …. help?” Lisa asked.

Sara turned around to see Lisa standing behind her holding a paintbrush.

***

Lisa was an excellent artist; the horse she painted was just as beautiful as the butterfly. The whole class clapped as Lisa sat back down in her seat.

“Wow Lisa! That was awesome. How do you do that? Can you teach me how to paint?” Lisa couldn’t handle all the attention; she went to the corner of the classroom to look out the window.

Sara sat down in her seat, feeling sad. She knew she had to tell Lisa she was sorry.

Sara followed Lisa to the other side of the classroom.

“Lisa?”

Lisa turned her head and looked at Sara.

“Lisa, I’m sorry I was mean to you. That was a beautiful painting. Thanks for helping me. Do you want to play with me at recess?”

“It’s …. ok. I …. want …. to …. play …. with …. you …. Sara.” Lisa smiled.

***

That night Sara went home and told her mom all about Lisa’s painting.

“Mom, it was so beautiful. I didn’t know she could paint like that. We played together for the rest of the day. I really like Lisa. Can she come over and play?”

Publications and School

I heard back from Chicken Soup, and my story, Christmas Eve Miracle was NOT chosen for the book, however it was a top finalist. It was in the top 300, out of thousands of submissions. For my first official "try" at being published, isn't too shabby. They are going to highlight the story on a new website Soul Supporter. She said she'd email when the story was going to be highlighted. While it isn't in print form, it's great that I'll be published even on the Internet. It's a step in the right direction.

I've also just completed my first college course, Writing for Publication. I received my final marks, tonight 79.6%. It bothers me that I'm just .4% away from an A, but I guess I'll take the B+. It's so exhilarating. In our first unit, we are asked to write a query letter and article for a magazine, and many of us actually submitted our letters to editors of magazines. I wrote to Exceptional Family, and offered to write our story of Milo and the kids. They've agreed that it might make a great story, and will be getting back to me next month about a possible feature in their magazine! I'll keep you updated.

I've signed up for my next course, which will be on children's fantasy literature! We will use Harry Potter and Chronicles of Narnia as source material, how awesome is that?!!? I can't wait. The kids and I both start school the same week.

This week I also had the privilege of speaking to a class of potential Educational Assistants at Georgian College in Owen Sound. What an experience that was! I'm not at all a public speaker, I probably should have let Steve do it, but I had fun nonetheless. It was an odd feeling to walk into the classroom, be shown to the front of the room, and have a bunch of students listen intently to what you are saying for an hour! It was great to be able to give them "the family" perspective of the children they will be working with. I'm not sure I'd ever feel overly comfortable doing it again, but it's nice to say that I lectured a college class LOL!

Pictures

I recently went through our pictures and realized there were very few pictures of the kids and I. Today I remedied that! The kids and I had a photo session, and these pictures were the outcome. Most are selfportraits, although the one of Emma and I is one that Steve took. :) Enjoy.

Busy Busy Busy

Well, I apologize that it's been so long since I last made a blog entry. It seems life has been rather busy.

Since my mom is up in Chesley working, I came down this past week to help her out. I've been doing packing packing packing packing and more packing. The house finally looks like they are moving, and I can't believe it's just 2.5 more weeks until they are up here. I'm very excited for the opportunity to live close to them, and what these changes will bring for their lives. Please pray for them as they make this change in their lives.

This is their new home in Chesley, I wish it didn't look so spooky because the house is beautiful. Once they are moved in, I'll go and take some better pictures. Now that the trees are in bloom etc. This was the listing picture from back in April!

I'm so homesick and ready to see my family. I'll be back to Meaford tomorrow. Hope everyone is having a great long weekend.

YIPEEE

I am bursting at the seams! There is so much good going on in my life.

My mom has been applying for jobs up here in the area, and she accepted a job offer in Chesley this past week. They just let me know tonight that they have an offer in on their house, and they'll be working towards finalizing that this week, it's a private sale! So, now they are just in need of a house in Chesley or the surrounding area. I'm so excited, I just can't believe my mom and dad are going to be near me....I'll actually have family near me!!!!


(click the picture for more photos)

I am also excited because the kids and I had a blast at Marineland this past Friday. I was worried how the day would go. Abby was up for at least 2 hours in the night, leaving me with just 2 hours of sleep (NOT a good thing!) But it turned out miraculously.

We started off with just a few rides...Logan especially loved the ladybug rollercoaster. Then we headed over to Friendship Cove to see the Killerwhales and watch the splash show....while we were in the underwater viewing area beforehand, Logan was so excited. He turned to the girl beside him and said "it's a killer whale!" That's pretty impressive considering we didn't prep them beforehand! They both loved watching the whales jump...but Abby really wanted in the water with them (Sorry hon, just not going to happen!)

We then headed over to the Aquarium and saw seals and other assorted fish. Lunch was next...then over quickly to watch the show at Waldorfs Main Stage. I wish we could've been closer for this because it was difficult for the kids to see and keep their attention, but they did do really well considering. From there we headed over to Arctic Cove for the Belugas. The highlight was Logan feeding and touching a Beluga!!! I was underwater viewing with Abby during this because as the day wore on, she REALLY wanted in the tanks...but the picture was worth a thousand words...he was SOOO happy (so was Kati for that matter)!


We had our ice cream cones and headed for the exit. 5 hours of fun was enough for us! I was so happy with how they did, and they proved me wrong once again. I love when they do that. Abby's highlight for the day was splashing through all the puddles...she enjoyed everything else, but that was the best for her...and I'll take it. She did amazingly well, considering it was something totally new for her. She did show interest in the whales...laughed a few times at the dolphins and seals...but puddles were by far the most exciting!

I can't wait to go back again...but that probably won't be until the other kids are old enough to enjoy it. We'll be off on other adventures this summer, so keep coming back and I'll keep you posted!

Outdoor Play Equipment

I'm so excited. This Friday we are headed to Mount Forest to pickup our new playset for the backyard. It's pictured above. I think the kids are all going to have a blast. Steve and I were talking today about it today, and he seemed to think it would just take an afternoon, but I told him it would probably take all of this coming weekend to put together, if not longer! We don't move very fast I'm afraid! Anyway, I just wanted to share our exciting news.

HURRAY

I just have to say that I'm SO excited. The last two nights an incredible thing happened...well actually a few incredible things have happened.

First, Emma has slept through the night!!!!! This is so exciting for us. All three of our other kids have been great sleepers, and I must admit I was worrying about Emma. Her crying last week was really starting to worry me, but since we switched our formula out for the soy-based one, she's a new girl. Her non-stop crying ceased, AND she decided to sleep through the night.

Looks like we'll be getting our room back soon enough. Although there are some things that I would like to do to Logan's new room/Justus' old room before we make the switch. I'd like Logan's room to be a bit more completed before we send him in. It'll be difficult enough for him to transition, nevermind if we have to change it again after he's in. Nonetheless, it's exciting.

The other exciting thing was a business meeting at our church. I never thought I'd say that about a church meeting! But it was a great time of brainstorming of what THEY want to do to reach out to our community. We were surprised by the people who were offering to help, and thanking God for the hearts of all the people present at the meeting. I'm looking forward to what God has in store for us as we move forward as a church!

Last night was Woodfords 152nd anniversary! What a blast! I really enjoy myself when I go to Woodford. Unfortunately I'm not able to get there very often, but I find that church so incredibly warm and welcoming. We had a great service, and Steve's friend from Seminary preached. He gave testimony to a little 13 month old girl in his congregation and what God has done in her life. The docs had basically given up on her (wanting to make her comfortable, but told that parents that she would surely die), but this little girl has made a miraculous comeback. It made me want to hug Justus a lot tighter because this little girl was born just two weeks after him! Praise the Lord, for all that He does both through medicine and miracles!