I dropped my url into Google translator today and showed Annabelle how to read my blog in Chinese. So if you’re reading this Annabelle, 
Wednesdays are still a little weird for me. Wednesday used to be my busiest day of the week (Sunday is close, though) due to the fact that it’s the night our middle school ministry (XStream) meets. But since I’m not the youth pastor anymore, my Wednesdays are now free. Most Wednesday afternoons I get that feeling like I’m supposed to be busy, supposed to be getting ready, supposed to be in GO mode. It’s sort of like those phantom pains–you know, when someone loses an appendage (say, a finger) in an accident (a snowblower mishap, perhaps) and they still feel pain or itches in the missing body part…or so I hear.
Anyhoo, Wednesdays are still a little weird. But the kids are loving XStream, Jeremiah is doing a great job, the team is kickin’, and that’s all good. We tried to explain XStream to Annabelle tonight. It didn’t seem to connect, so Kim decided to take Annabelle to get a real-time look.
First, they headed to Walmart (Annabelle needed more Lucky Charms). I had a little fun helping Annabelle write out the shopping list. She’s a pretty smart cookie. They got to the church just as worship was ending. Jeremiah had the kids come to the mic to pray for things that were on their hearts and minds, and Lilly was praying as they settled in. Annabelle seemed to be paying attention, even though she didn’t fully understand what they were doing.
I was locked in a full-on battle to the death with Sadie when Kim and AB pulled into the driveway. Wii tennis is Sadie’s game, and I had to stage a last set rally to maintain my winning streak. I don’t believe in coddling kids–they learn the hard lessons of life through adversity and suffering. And I don’t mind providing them with learning opportunities, at least as long as I can. I hate to say it, but Sadie and AB are about the only ones in the house that I can still beat at video games…oh well.
We’ve been reading a book to the little girls at bedtime. I like reading the book more than Kim does, I think. I totally get into it. I do different voices for each character, and the girls seem to enjoy it. Then we pray and sing a song, which is quickly followed by a kiss on the forehead and an “I love you, goodnight.” Sadie always says, “I love you too.” Annabelle usually responds with, “goodnight” and a quick wave of her hand, dismissing me from the room.
But tonight, she gave me a little bit of something different:
Me: (kiss) I love you, Annabelle, goodnight.
A: Me too.
Then came the hand wave, telling me that I could leave the Princess’s room!
My heart was soaring! I know she loves us, and that she didn’t have many (any?) men to relate to at her orphanage. I’m not stressing about her saying any magic words; I don’t doubt that she loves me. But I am patiently waiting for the day that she smooches me on her own, and tells me that she loves me. Until then, I’ll keep kissing her on her head and telling her that I love her!
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