The Lists

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / Leave a comment

It’s that time of year. The kids wrote their Christmas lists today.

Noah’s
Batman Motorcycle (that he can ride on)–NO
Star Wars legos–yes
A stuffed Yoda-probably
Drum Pads-yes
Sonic Hedgehog game for his Leapster-yes
Toy Story Video Game-probably not

Zoë’s
Barbie microphone-yes
Ariel and Belle dresses-one
The little Mermad 2 movie–probably not
A leapster-yes
Leapster princess game-maybe
An Ariel toy castle-probably not
Pink guitar-no
Princess scooter-maybe from grandma Anne

The kids know that Santa brings one “big” present and one little present and that mom and dad get them a couple things. I’m trying to keep it simple this year so that simple becomes the norm. Well see how I do, but I am pretty committed to keeping it simple. If only the grandparents could.

Edited to add: ONLY 3 MORE DAYS OF POSTING EVERYDAY!!!

Hair

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / 4 Comments

Zoë’s hair is awesome. I love it and she loves it. She loves it free and I do too. But I struggle with finding the right product for her hair. She has super tight curls and it is hard (impossible) to keep the frizz away and the definition in her curls. It looks great for about an hour after I fix it but then it starts drying out and getting frizzy.

I love letting her wear her “Macy Gray” hair, but I hate that I can’t keep it looking good all day. So, I continue in my search for the best product for her hair. I currently use Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk and Lisa’s Elixr. I’ve tried Pink stuff but really am only interested in Natural products that are healthy for her hair. Suggestions?

Traditions

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / 1 Comment

Traditions are hard to balance, keep and create.  Ten years ago, we moved here where my family lives (almost my entire family) and we just kind of did whatever everyone else was doing.  It was just Bill and I and it didn’t really much matter what we did.  But now we have kids and we have begun to create our own traditions and meld them in with some of the traditions that I just can’t let go.  This year we (Bill) decided that we needed our own Thanksgiving tradition.  So after a lot of arguing, shopping and cooking, we had our first Thanksgiving at home.  It was small, us, my MIL and my mom.  Next year we’ll plan it better and have my dad and bonus mom over and my brother and his partner will be in town.  We may or may not have it at our house–my dad’s house is bigger–but it’ll be our family and a new tradition.

I’m so thankful to have options and places to go.  I know there are many who don’t have family to spend the holiday with.  I’m thankful for the family I have and the family I have created.  I’m thankful for love and all that it brings.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thankful

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / Leave a comment

It is so easy to spend life tired, cranky, over-worked, busy and often unaware of the word around us.  I know that much of my time is spent working on this degree that I can’t imagine actually finishing and working at a job I still am not sure how to really do that I end up not taking time to enjoy my life.  These last few days I have had the joy of spending all day each day with my husband and kids.  And while, the children and husband drive me insane sometimes, I have enjoyed it.  I have been able to see glimpses of the man Noah will become and being showered with the love Zoë has to give.

Zoë told us today that she was learning about Thanksgiving at Kellie’s house (daycare) and so I asked her what she was thankful for.  She stated simply, “I’m thankful for you mommy and I’m thankful for daddy and I’m thankful for Noah.  I’m thankful for my family.”

Well I am thankful that i get to be her mom and I let her know how lucky me and her dad feel getting to be her mom and dad.  I’m the most thankful for adoption–as much loss as there is associated with it, it really is beautiful in many ways as well.  I am not oblivious to the challenges that face my children or our family.  But today I am simply thankful for the opportunity to be their parent.

Last Vestiges Of Fall

/ Dawn Kasal-Finley / Leave a comment

We cleaned away the remaining leaves (the trees are pretty bare in front of our house now).  I hate to say good-bye to fall, but the high on Thursday is in the 30’s–the parade is going to be cold.