I was not sure how to follow up that last post, so that is why it took a while. All I will say is that we have moved on from where we were in March. And by moved on I mean that we literally moved out of the little house in the big woods into a big house in a small town. I will share the details of our move with you if you would like, but in short, the whole process was a miracle to me. It was one of those things I will always reference when I am thinking of times in my life when I knew God helped us. And that just is what it is.
So here we are. Happy as busy little clams. Haven finished Kindergarten and can now read much better than I anticipated. He sounds out my texts messages and lists and mail. It's really ... wonderful. The most wonderful part, really, is seeing him read to Maiya or Tristan. And what tops that is when he writes notes with his developing spelling skills and 6-year-old imagination. We have so many written declaration of love for Dave and me, his dreams of what he will do as an adult and he has started a journal. I try not to ask what he writes in it. But sometimes I ask. Points because I always end my question with a quick, "youdon'thavetotellme." But he does anyway. For now.
Maiya will begin Kindergarten in the Fall. She carries a confidence I hope she can both maintain and manage. Every day this week, while leaving Vacation Bible School, a boy twice her age said goodbye to her and they high-fived. I arch my eye brow at him and Maiya can't ever remember his name, but I hope this isn't a sign of what's to come. She is the sweetest big sister, bias admitted and owned. Just the other day I caught her reaching out to catch Tristan, sing-songing to him, "Don't worry T-T, Mai-Mai is here." He was fully comforted by her presence. She is an artist and I am scrambling to give her little projects and ongoing encouragement, even in the wake of the shreds of art that scatter all corners of the house. Yesterday she set herself up with water colors and painted what I think are lovely pictures for her dear friends, Emily and Adrienne.
Tristan seems thrilled with his lot in life. Most days. The days in which he plays the roll of a big kid, laughing at Haven's jokes and walking around while gripping one of our hands, he is happy and proud. There are days he just wants to live on my hip. On those days, if I put him down he lays prostrate on the floor, screaming loud enough to shock the distant neighbors. So far, he says a few words: Dada, hot, this and Iya (Maiya). He called for Dave first. It is what it is. Yesterday, as I put him in the car he breathed out the word "hhhoootttt" like it was an experience and not a word. Which, in that case, it was. Typically he saves that word for steam rising from a boiling pot. Everything is "this," punctuated by an outstretched arm and chubby pointer finger. He uses the word instead of every other word in the English language (save for the all important Dada, Iya and hot). He yells for Maiya like they are both in a gang and he's got something major to discuss with her. His voice gets husky and serious and authoritative when he says, "Iya!" Haven and I are waiting to hear our names on his lips. He did crawl toward me crying, "Nonnie" and he looked at Haven and said "Iya" so we like to think he's reaching out to us with words as well.
That is my little update on my adorables. Life is great on a lot of days and super crazy on others. No matter what is happening, once everyone is tucked in bed and I have two seconds to reflect on the wonder that is my life, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Miracles are all around me. They're all around you too.