Christmas, abbreviated.

We drove back to ATL for Christmas--it was a long drive after having driven up to VA the week before, but it's always wonderful to see family.

We enjoyed a Charles Dickens' Christmas Eve eve dinner with my family, aided by my sister-in-law who served a misison in London to ensure we had appropriate British dishes. Such deliciousness included turkey, yorkshire pudding (kind of like German pancakes--quite yummy), brussel sprouts, and plum pudding with custard (the latter being a staple at the English table, apparently).

We of course finished off the meal with pulling our "crackers" and donning the paper hats inside. We have always had crackers at the Christmas Eve table, but it was fun to have our food fit the bill as well.

Our actual Christmas Eve was enjoyed at the Weilers at the traditional Joseph and Mary dinner, where we eat by candlelight, sharing foods that might have been eaten by Joseph and Mary: fish, raisins, pita bread, cheese, grape juice, olives, and fig (newtons) for dessert. It is a special meal, and unfortunately I didn't take any pictures. Perhaps that is just as well as it is a quiet and special sort of experience.

Christmas morning was full of goodies: Clara's favorites were the magic wand she wanted from Santa (thank you $1 section at Michaels), a scooter, and a new baseball hat.

Then we bought another car and traveled back here to VA, driving separately because Michael had to go see patients in Augusta for his Boards. After our scary snow experience up here, we wanted to get a car that could handle it, so we are enjoying our 2001 Subaru Outback.

Clara is a great car-rider, and we are so grateful to be back safe and sound.

We are trying to get our cars registered, our lives in order, and our goals set for the new year.

Can you believe 2010 is over??!

New digs

Well, we made it to Harrisonburg safe and sound. Michael drove the massive 24-foot truck with me driving separately in our car. About 15 people from our church here came to help us unpack, and they were awesome.

We hadn't seen the place in person before we came, so we were a little nervous. Fortunately, we really like it.

It's a "paired home," which is a fancy word for duplex, except that it is more like a house divided in two with separate entrances on opposite sides of the house (so you really feel like you have your own place. We just signed a six-month lease, but we might end up staying quite a bit longer because we love the locale and how quiet it is. The house itself isn't huge, but we don't need a big place and haven't really missed the furniture we had to put in the garage and attic.

The day after we moved, we got some snow. Clara was very happy. Very happy.

Then I had to drive in it to help return the moving truck with Michael. I was afraid I was going to die, or at least crash the car. We discovered we have bald tires and we definitely need to get all-wheel drive, or snow tires, or something.

A sweet old lady across the street (we discovered we live in a mostly retired neighborhood) invited us over for herb tea and cookies when she saw Michael pulling Clara in our make-shift sled (our ice cooler) up and down the street. We have already been invited to dinner and on two play-dates. We are thankful for so much kindness, both here and in Augusta helping us pack the truck and move out. Still, I miss my friends in Augusta and miss the comfort of knowing where I am going as I drive--Michael has an excellent sense of direction but I am not so blessed. I also miss all of Clara's therapists and haven't even begun to try to find ones here. Still, we are grateful to be here.

Even though our place is cozy, we do have three bedrooms and plan to get a hide-a-bed couch or something and some other sleeping arrangements. So don't let that stop anyone from coming to visit us!

GRADUATION

It is hard to believe, but 10.5 years of post-high school training are over, and Michael is now an orthodontist. The celebration was held at a Marriott here in Augusta, and it was lovely. With only three residents graduating, there is a strong closeness and sense of family among all the colleagues in the department. They even do a video presentation of each resident's life--it's like a wedding dinner. It was a wonderful evening.

Michael receiving his certificate--I love that they include the spouses (I kind of feel like I graduated, too).

Our parents came up for the occasion and spent the entire day beforehand helping me pack, fixing stuff around the house, etc. They were incredible.

The three graduates, Michael, Stephanie, and Virginia. We're the only ones going away from ATL sadly, but we really hope we can stay close to these wonderful friends from Michael's program.

Michael and his program director, Dr. DeLeon, who treats all the residents like his children and is a wonderful mentor.

Michael and his proud parents.

One happy couple, proud and thankful for all who have helped us get to this point. As they said during the evening on many occasions, this is definitely a team effort. We have so many people to thank: our parents, friends, fellow residents, part-time and full-time faculty and staff, and the Lord. 

 

 

 

And now on to a new adventure! Four days left. Our house is full of boxes. Our to-do lists are full, our stress levels are high, sleep is low, but our determination and gratitude are sky-rocketing.

Another permanent fixture

People love Clara. They just do. They seem to flock to her, even when she isn't always feeling like she wants to be flocked.

Examples: Jimmy and Alison at Kroger, who always ask about Clara; the librarians at our library (more on them for another post); people at church, etc., etc.


(I need to take a picture of the amazing hand-painted nativity set she was given by another of these dear friends, but it is packed away, along with innumerable other items I am hoping I don't need between now and next week.)

In the mean time, let me tell you about Clara's visit to the Build-A-Bear store with our friend Beth. Beth tells me I can come along (I wanted to experience it vicariously through my child) as long as I don't make a stink about what she is spending on my child. I agree, and spend a lot of time during our outing pursing my lips with my eyes bugging out as I look at price tags. 

Clara immediately is drawn to a sweet, velveteen bear. She adores stuffed animals, but especially bears, as you might recall. We prompt her to keep looking, just in case, and then she picks out this horrible huge-headed Hello Kitty one. Nothing against Hello Kitty, but it was not what I had in mind. Fortunately, we come back to the bear and it was still the number one choice.

After you pick the unstuffed animal, you get to have it stuffed by a very loud "fluff machine." This causes distress and tears for Clara, so Beth gets another one and has it stuffed while Clara holds the empty one. She handles it pretty well, all things considered, and even helps put the little satin heart inside before the bear is stitched up.

Then we pick out an outfit and we are set to go.

Clara does not let go of the little "house" that the bear came in for the rest of our outing and refuses to let us carry it.

I ask Clara what she wanted to name the bear. She tells me, "Clara." I inform her that she cannot name it Clara because (1) she has already named a doll Clara, and (2) she needs to think of something else. I suggest "Rosie" because the bear has a little rose on her adorable pink satin bloomers.

In addition to buying Rosie, taking us to lunch, buying Clara candy and a cookie, getting an adorable-but-overpriced ornament dedicated to us, and getting her treats for the car, Beth has been a wise and encouraging friend to me (she is a special ed teacher), one who has sat with Clara when I've needed to lead the music, and one who has shown me a true example of faith and unconditional love.

We will never forget her, just like we can't possibly forget so many others who have impacted our lives here in Augusta over the past 6 1/2 years so much.



Rosie is now a member of our family, and is a permanent fixture in Clara's arms, along with Mr. Bear. (Oh, you thought Mr. Bear wasn't around any more? So much for my efforts.)

Recent tidbits

CLARA, out of the blue: Mama, is there anything I can do for you?
(ME, thinking: Wow for asking it, and yes, could you please massage my rhomboids?)

CLARA: Mama, thank you for cutting my toast.
(ME, thinking: I will cut your toast until you're 18 for saying that so nicely.)

CLARA: Does the baby Jesus have hair?
 ME: I don't know. What do you think?
CLARA: I think so.

CLARA: Satan is not very nice. He doesn't have a physical body.
MY FRIEND: Yeah, because he didn't make good choices.
CLARA: Yeah, he got a red light. (at school, they get a "green light" for good behavior)

CLARA: You make the best food, Mom.

Clara's current favorite word: despicable

 

Clara is sporting a scrunchie on her head that she found at my parents' house over Thanksgiving. Two funny things about it, besides her use of it in the above photo: (1) She didn't know what it was (she's not a child of the 80s!); and (2) she called it a "cruncher" or a "crunchie."

She cracks me up with her words because she has a phenomenal memory for them, especially big words, and she is very good at auditory discrimination, so she can repeat words I say very accurately. She also has recently taken to saying "thank you" using sign language after meeting some deaf kids in school. I love this kid!