Rylee For Life

A Little Catching Up...

noreply@blogger.com (DawnS) — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 04:03:00 +0000

Wow, it has apparently been a very long time since I last updated my blog! I don't even know really where to start so I'll just go with a quick update for now...

The girls are doing great! We are well into the new school year and so 3rd and 7th grade are going great so far

Rylee is involved in American Heritage Girls for the second year, Art Club, Center Stage Show Choir and she is on the drama team at church. She continues to be a happy, loving and beautiful child and I am so blessed to be her Mommy!

Hanna continues to love horses and has recently started riding again. Not only is she learning to ride on many different types of horses, but she is also learning how to work with the horses in preparation for some day running her own training and lesson barn. Seventh grade is definitely different, but I am proud of her for having the strength to sometimes go against the crowd. Seventh grade has been a roller coaster of learning for her, and somewhat confusing with the flock of boys that always seem to be following after her.

I am praying for wisdom to know how to help guide her through this time of crazy emotions, rapid brain development, and growth spurts - did I mention that she is now taller than me??? I really was not ready for that one!

Otherwise, things are good and always busy! I am going to leave this post at just a brief update for now. I have several posts coming together in my head, and I hope to dedicate some time to putting them down in writing soon.

I will leave you with one last picture:

My Beautiful Home

noreply@blogger.com (DawnS) — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 03:00:00 +0000

There are many reasons why I love Alabama so much...

It truly is beautiful. In the five plus years we have lived here I have seen more incredibly clear, deep blue skies then I have probably seen in my whole life living in Michigan. There is endless beauty in the foothills that surround us. Trees in abundance, flowers that burst with color throughout the seasons and birds that sing us awake all year around.

But beyond the physical beauty lies the true heart of Alabama, and that is its people.

People that take time out of their day to smile at complete strangers, people that talk to you like they have known you your whole life even though you just met. People that say hello, just because they have passed by you in the isle of a grocery store or on a sidewalk while you walk the dog. And people that lend a hand, when something devastating strikes close to home.

This is why Alabama will always own a place in my heart. So while I am brokenhearted about the destruction and loss, I can still see the beauty.

Photo Credit: Birmingham News Photo / Jeff Roberts

Photo Credit: The Birmingham News / Michelle Campbell

We know many people that were directly hit by the storms and our thoughts and prayers are with each and every one of you.

Black and White Wednesday {Sisters}

noreply@blogger.com (DawnS) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 21:55:00 +0000

The girls seem to be getting along a little better these days. By that I mean that they are not focusing on annoying the other one at all times. I've noticed that they are going longer bits of time where they really seem to be enjoying playing with each other. I treasure these moments for sure! Still it was quite a shock to find Hanna doing Rylee's hair and helping to get her ready - and I didn't even ask her to!!

Heh... she makes this same face when I do her hair!

Hanna scores bonus points for the lip gloss!

Now that makes the Mommy's heart sing - my growing (way too fast) beauties!

Click here for more Black and White Wednesday posts.

I Heart Faces | Shadow

noreply@blogger.com (DawnS) — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 04:19:00 +0000

I had a couple of favorite photos from this weekend that had shadows in them, so I decided to participate in I Heart Faces photo challenge this week. It was hard to pick one, but here is the photo I finally settled on:

To see more Shadow entries for this week, click here.

Sunday Snapshot {Princess in the Making}

noreply@blogger.com (DawnS) — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 04:00:00 +0000

We went to a local festival yesterday and Rylee fell in love with the Tutu dresses. Big surprise right?? She tried one on and generated so much attention that the women gave us a deal that we just couldn't resist - well that along with the beaming little face looking up at me...

Even though it was over 80 degrees, she wore it all through the festival yesterday, even after her hair was plastered to her from sweating so much (oh how I wish I had taken my camera with me!). She tells me that sometimes it hurts to be beautiful...

Black and White Wednesday "Beach"

noreply@blogger.com (DawnS) — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 21:05:00 +0000

I am going with a few more beach pictures (big surprise right?). I took many pictures, but I really wanted to take a lot more. I think I need more little models, don't you?

I love catching them holding hands, getting ready to face the waves together.

Oh how I love the beautiful white pillers and buildings as backdrops for pictures!

Sometimes she still looks so little! I treasure these times because usually I am blown away by how fast she is growing.

You can't spend a few days at the beach without enjoying crab legs as you watch the sun set!

And I am including these last two because, well... they just make me smile!

Join Black and White Wednesdays at The Long Road to China

Sunday Snapshot {Family Time}

noreply@blogger.com (DawnS) — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 02:25:00 +0000

Three years and four months ago, we brought Rylee home from China. Just after receiving our travel approval, my husband lost his job. It was a stressful time, but nothing was going to stand in our way of bringing our daughter home.

He took the first job offer... it was several states away, so we packed up and left for China. We came home as a new family, to a new home, in a new state - where we knew no one. It was hard, it was stressful, it was lonely, it was scary... we made it through.

Four months later my husband was offered a job back in the same area we had just moved from. We went back. It was another move, more stress and more change for Rylee. But we made it through.

One year later, my husband lost his job again... It was hard, it was stressful and it was time to give up on the auto industry. We did not want to move again. I started working two jobs and I was fortunate to be able to do both from home. We also started our own business and one or both of us have worked 6 to 7 days a week for the past two years. We made it through.

And we have thrived as a family.

These past few days, we have finally made it to the point where we can take our first non-working - the four of us only - family trip!

The place was beautiful...

The weather was perfect!

The sunsets were amazing!

The children were fun and smiling and beautiful!

The beach was breathtaking!

The trip was perfect!

And I am so thankful!

Black and White Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (DawnS) — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 13:22:00 +0000

I thought I would add a few more zoo trip pictures. I really like how dramatic the animal shots are when they have been converted to black and white.

And since Hanna has agreed that I can post about her on my blog again, I decided to add one of her in a pose that we see all too often these days. In fact, this is how all the kids at the bus stop look every morning - either texting, playing games on their iPod's or listening to music. They even text each other, and yet they are all standing there in a group together (I seem to be the only one there that finds humor in this)!

Visit The Long Road to China for more Black and White Wednesday posts!

Sunday Snapshot {Zoo Trip}

noreply@blogger.com (DawnS) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 03:00:00 +0000

Have you ever had one of those days, when things just didn't come together for extraordinary pictures?

The weather was beautiful, the setting was fun and the girls were playful.

Maybe a little too playful to pause long enough for Mom to take pictures.

And finally you just have to "throw in the towel"...

And join in the laughter!

I hope you all had a great weekend!

Navigating Tweenville

noreply@blogger.com (DawnS) — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 02:03:00 +0000

For the first time ever, Hanna told me that she "saw a cute boy in the cafeteria" at school. This is the first time that she indicated that she found someone "cute" and my heart may have just stopped for a few seconds.

Not that she hasn't had a rush of boys wanting her to be their girlfriend, and one or two of them have even caused her to shed a tear or two. But for her to mention that she found someone attractive - well this is just moving into a whole new place that I seriously don't think I am ready for.

But, I am curious so I ask her what he looks like. She stammers a little "um... well... he has brown hair and kind of tall, that's about it". Well that describes about 1/2 of the boys in her school. So really wanting to find out what she thinks is "cute" I name several boys that we know and ask her which ones she thinks are the cutest. She starts giggling and turns a light shade of pink.

So I think I should help her out a little and I tell her which ones I think are the cutest. She says "But that doesn't count because you're just a mom!" WHOA!!! "What??? Just because I am a mom doesn't mean that I don't know who is cute!" She stares at me for a minute and then doubled over with laughter.

I ask her what is so funny, which just causes more hysterical laughter.

Seriously - she can't even stand up she is laughing that hard.

I am at a loss, so I turn to leave. "Wait Mom don't leave!" But as soon as I turn back towards her, she doubles over with laughter again.

I look at this girl-child, that is now almost as tall as me and I see a glimpse of the stunning young women that she is becoming. I want to hold on to her tight, not let her grow up... I mean yesterday I was awesome, today I am just funny I guess...

I liked being awesome!

Black & White Wednesday - A Glimpse Into The Future

noreply@blogger.com (DawnS) — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 13:21:00 +0000

Sometimes when I look through my lens...

it feels like I am getting a glimpse into the future...

Join Black and White Wednesday at The Long Road To China

Adoption: The Missing Pieces

noreply@blogger.com (DawnS) — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 03:47:00 +0000

I knew when we adopted Rylee, I had missed out on a lot of things. How she looked when she was born, seeing the first time she focused her big beautiful eyes on someone. The first time she held her head up, the first time she rolled over, the first time she sat up or pulled herself up on the furniture. You get the picture...

I knew that I missed those things and it makes me sad... but what I wasn't prepared for is how much it hurts my heart that I don't have these experiences to give to Rylee. I can't tell her what time of day she was born, I'm not even exactly sure if the day we think she was born is really the right day. I can't tell her how old she was when she took her first step, or about the adorable facial expressions she made as a baby. I don't have these memories to give her and it makes my heart ache so deeply when she asks for them.

I wish I could tell her how often she kicked, or how long my labor was, or how I fell head over heels in love with her when I smooched her little baby cheeks.

Yes it hurts me that I didn't get to experience these moments with a daughter that I love so incredibly and so deeply. But it hurts so much more, that I can't give these things to her. I can't tell her much at all about the first 4.5 years of her life. There are no baby pictures, no baby stories... so very little to help fill in the pieces of her early life and she wants to know.

Most of her questions come from our recent venture into our home movies. First we watched all of the videos of her. I knew that this might be difficult, but she really wanted to see them. We watched her on video as she joined us in China, and her first days home. We moved on to weeks 1 through 8. Then we moved on to more of a monthly video and watched how fast she grew. She was tiny when we got her and she was baby like in many ways, but she was not a baby. I am so very thankful for all the "firsts" we were able to catch on video with her.

Then when we were all done, it was time to watch Hanna's baby videos. I wanted to watch them after Rylee was in bed because I thought it might be hard for her. But she really wanted to watch them and see Hanna as a baby. I debated because I wasn't sure that at 7 years old, she really needs to confront this yet. But on the other hand, we are a family and keeping Hanna's baby memories just between the three of us is excluding Rylee from that part of our family - also not sitting quite right with me. Can I and should I shield her from her past? I wasn't completely sure what the right thing to do was.

I settled for trying one video and snuggling close with both girls. The first video started at my baby shower and boy was I pregnant - whewwww! Rylee said "Wow! Mom you gained some pounds there!" She "Awwwww'ed" her way through the first video completely enthralled by the pregnancy, the labor and the newborn baby. She decided that someday, she might want to have a baby in her "tummy" AND adopt some too. I was relieved because she seemed to be doing very well with it. She thought Hanna was adorable and loved every minute of the tiny baby video.

And then the questions started:

"What time was I born Mommy?"

I'm not sure baby...

"Did it hurt when I was born?"

"Yes, I am sure it did." (I am confident that this is a truthful answer)

"Which one is my China Mom again?"

"We don't know who she is." She snuggles in tighter to me.

Each question feels like a knife, straight into my heart. I want so badly to give her these answers. I want so badly to have been there for her. I want her to have these missing pieces.

I can't give them to her.

The next day, she tells me she misses her China Mom. I hug her and tell her that I know she does. I tell her that I bet her China Mom misses her too because I know that if she wasn't with me I would miss her so very much. She is quiet and thinking for a long time.

Then she tells me "I'm glad I am here Mommy, I love my family and our house and living here. It is better here for me. God found the best Mom for me and I am happy."

I hug her but can't really say anything, because there is a big lump in my throat. I am fully aware that there will be more question. Questions that I have no answers for. I want to protect her, to soften things for her, to give her everything she needs. I hope that she grows up always knowing that she is deeply loved, deeply wanted and treasured beyond all imagination.

Sunday Snapshot

noreply@blogger.com (DawnS) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 03:57:00 +0000

This was a busy working weekend, but Rylee knows how to lure me away. "Hey Mom, you want to come outside and take some pictures of me?" She knows me well! It was a fun and welcome break from the hectic weekend and here are some of our fun shots:

Head on over to Ni Hao Y'all to see more fun Sunday Snapshots.

So Much Need...

noreply@blogger.com (DawnS) — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 03:52:00 +0000

Do you ever feel overwhelmed with all the need... no many that have so little, and it weighs heavy sometimes.

Are you following along with what has been happening in Egypt? I have a friend that is living just outside of Cairo. If you want a real persons view of what is happening you can read her blog here: Expats in Egypt

So many people, literally staving now and she is helping by handing out food and sandwiches. It only takes $10 to feed a family of four for a whole week. I have never fed my family of four using only $10.

See what she is doing here and here.

If you would like to help, you can do so here:

www.maadicommunitychurch.com
egiving
community care

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And then there is this:

15 year old Addisyn decided to make a difference in the lives of some children who made a difference in hers, so for 100 days she gave up her lunch eating only a small bowl of soup and a piece of bread so she could give her lunch money to these children. Because $3.00 feeds one child from Adami Tulu preschool in Ethiopia for a month! She inspired us to also make a difference - one lunch, one day and you know what happened? Many people made a small sacrifice to give up one lunch - and together donated $3,620.13! Isn't that amazing?

If you would like to help, you may do so here:

Online donations: http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/donation.html (indicate for the Adami Tulu Preschool).

How about you? Is there something that is currently tugging on your heart?

Black and White Wednesday {Weekend In Review}

noreply@blogger.com (DawnS) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 12:37:00 +0000

I am joining in this weeks Black and White Wednesday with a few of my favorite shots from the weekend.

Here Rylee is trying to convince me about just how boring it is to watch her sister cheer at the basketball game. She is pouting because the battery on her DS went dead right at the start of the game!

This one just makes me want to kiss her neck!

Spring time and horses - they just warm my heart!

One of my favorites!

Just had to add this one in, from only two weeks ago. How quickly the weather changes here in the south!

Sunday Snapshot

noreply@blogger.com (DawnS) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 02:38:00 +0000

I am participating in Snapshot Sunday with Ni Hao Y'all. If you would like to join in, click here.

One of my favorite things that we did this weekend was spend some time with Minnie. If you have ever loved a horse, then you know there is nothing like the soft nuzzle and gentle gaze of this powerful animal.

At what age do we consider mustache removal?

noreply@blogger.com (DawnS) — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 19:05:00 +0000

And no we are not talking about me... Rylee has been obsessed with what she calls her "moose-stachio!"

Let me back up a little bit.

A couple of weeks ago Rylee asked us (while in a restaurant eating dinner), if she has a mustache? I being the brave soul that I am, said "Ask your Dad." So she turned her questioning gaze on her father.

"DAD! I don't have a moosestachio do I?" We all look down at the table, and busy ourselves with the suddenly fascinating dinners that are sitting before us.

She stares us down.

Hanna caves first: "Yes, Rylee you do have a moosetachio, but really it's okay because I have a uni-brow!"

Rylee looks at her Dad: "DAD???"

He said "Don't look at me, your mother is the one that said you have a mustache!"

I consider dumping my dinner over his head...

I turn to her and said "I DID NOT say that you have a mustache, but if you really want to know you just need to look in the mirror yourself. What I am saying is that you are incredibly beautiful and perfect."

She looks at me "I know that Mom, but do I have a moosestachio or not?"

I sigh... "Rylee, eventually everyone has some form of a mustache - some are just easier to see than others..."

Why, oh why are we even having this conversation???

She puts fingers on her upper lip, rubbing up and down her brow crinkles and she announces in an extremely loud voice "I DO HAVE A MOOSETACHIO!!! WAAAAAAA"

People are looking... a lot of them...

I tell her we are done talking about this for now. Thankfully, she lets it go.

But not for long...

Two days later we are standing in the bathroom, doing her hair. She brings it up again. "Mom, do I really have a moosetachio?" I look at her for a minute trying to decide what I should do. Finally I hand her a little mirror and say "you tell me".

She studies herself from every angle.

Than she glares at me "I DO have a moosestachio, and it is big, and dark, and you can see it really good! WHY didn't you tell me this mother? We have to do something about this right now! Make it lighter Mom or I know, lets pull it out..." She runs for the tweezers.

"No Rylee, we are not pulling it out! Listen to me... Everyone has this, your hair is just really dark, so it shows up a little bit more. But it really is not very noticeable at all baby, and you are perfect just the way you are."

She narrows her eyes at me, with a stubborn look on her face that tells me in no uncertain terms - she's not buying it!

"Think about it Mom, think about it! We need to do something about this!" I distract her with other things, which works for a while. But not really...

She has now been studying the upper lips of all the girls at school. I now know which ones have nothing there, which ones have very light hair and I also know that there is not another girl in THE ENTIRE school that has a moosetachio like Rylee. I know this because I get a daily report from her.

This morning as she heads out the door, she brings it up again. "We ARE doing something about this today Mother!" I groan... she growls...

Suggestions? Advise?

Rylee Visits The Dentist

noreply@blogger.com (DawnS) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 21:41:00 +0000

You gotta know that Rylee visiting the Dentist, can't just be any old trip right? I am sure that they clearly remember last time when she tried to talk through an entire filling, kicking and stomping her feet the whole time.

This time her legs were really still, no kicking at all... Instead she was doing a bird flap type movement with her arms. Several times she chased away the dentist with her flapping arms, as he quickly rolled away for safety.

Each time after the wild flapping escapade, she would give the dentist two thumbs up - practically landing her thumb up the poor guys nose!

WOW that nitrous oxide is really something...

I could barely contain my stifled laughter as I stood in the corner of the room watching this crazy scene!

Finally he turned his questioning gaze at me after he was treated to the third double thumbs up close encounter. I could only shrug my shoulders, as I have no idea why she is doing this. Plus if I even attempted to open my mouth, all that would come out would be the laughter that was fighting to spill over!

I mean just picture this...

Drill starts up... dentist is concentrating... arms start flapping... dentist frantically rolls out of the way... arms go down... dentist cautiously rolls back to his place... he leans back over to resume his work... double thumbs up almost shoved up his nose... dentist ducks to the side barely reaching the safety zone on time...

Poor guy - I really did feel sorry for him.

Finally he was able to finish up and I hope he had time to take a break before he had to move on to the next child!

On the way home I was talking to my husband on the phone telling him about it. She says from the back of the car "I will tell you why I was doing that Mom!"

"I was using my arms to tell him to get his big head out of the way of the movie, when he did move I was giving him thumbs up so he would know that he was out of the way and I could watch the movie again - I don't know why he kept getting back in the way again - gosh with his BIG head!"

Okay then... maybe I should warn him next time...

Reading the New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs, Post #1

noreply@blogger.com (DawnS) — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 01:43:00 +0000

When I read that an online friend of mine was following this reading plan, I knew that this was one for me too. I have had trouble focusing on my daily time with God lately and I think this will be just the thing to make sure that I spend at least a little quality time with His Word every day.

Today I want to share a little of my thoughts:

January 5, 2011

Jesus Heals Many

In Luke 4:38, Luke tells of Jesus healing Simon’s Mother-in-Law. In Luke's version it doesn’t say he literally touched her, but in Matthew’s telling (8:14-15) it does.

This started me thinking about the times when I have been touched by God. Whether or not Jesus actually touched Simon’s Mother-in-Law really doesn’t matter. When He is near, when He wants His presence to be known and when He wants to heal you, it is felt so deeply that a physical touch is not needed.

There are times when I have felt Him near me, drawing me to Him. Times when He did not leave my side until I surrendered my own will and let Him completely fill my heart. And a time when He healed my broken heart. As I was on my knees praying, sobbing and pleading, completely overcome with devastation, He came to me. As deeply devastated as I was, as broken and wounded as my heart had been, in an instant the pain was gone and my tears were dried. It didn't erase the past or change the things that had happened or any of the circumstances at all. But where there had been a dark, shattered heart, now there was only love. Deep, unending and undeniable love.

Something incredible happens when we are touched by God. Your view of the world changes, your view of people changes, the things you care the most about changes.

If you are broken and He has not yet come to make you whole, you only need to invite Him in. He is waiting for you…

11 Years Ago Today She Arrived...

noreply@blogger.com (DawnS) — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 06:05:00 +0000

And nothing has been the same since! I can so vividly remember wrapping her up in a pooh bear snow suite that was WAY bigger than she was, even though it was a newborn size. She was six tiny pounds and mine to care for and to love. The weight of that responsibility was so heavy the day we came home from the hospital. I rocked her when we first got home, while my husband unloaded the car. Savage Garden was playing on the stereo in the background, "I Knew I Loved You" was the song. I was overwhelmed staring at the precious little face that belonged to my new daughter. How was I supposed to know how to be a good Mom? How could anyone think that I would know what to do with this tiny, precious child that now held my heart squarely within her tiny little fist? Tears streamed down my face and I prayed that I would be worthy of such a huge responsibility.

11 years later I am still praying. As much as I tell her I really need her to just take a break from growing so fast, she refuses. It won't be long and she will be taller than me, and I am sure it won't be much longer before she thinks she is smarter than me too...

She has a beautiful heart, a gentle spirit and a great sense of humor. I have loved every moment of being her mother and am eternally grateful for the tremendous blessing I have in her. I love you sweet girl! Happy Birthday!!

Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus

noreply@blogger.com (DawnS) — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 21:27:00 +0000

I would have loved to been there for this!

People tell me that she is just like me...

noreply@blogger.com (DawnS) — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 05:50:00 +0000

I just don't see it.

At all.

She even turns a little Mommy, Daughter pampering into a riot! Such a funny kid :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

noreply@blogger.com (DawnS) — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 01:00:00 +0000

I hope you are all enjoying a wonderful day, surrounded by friends and family. We have had a really great family day today and I am constantly reminded of all I have to be thankful for. So many people have touched my life, enhanced it and some have forever changed it. I am thankful for all of you today and missing many...

Some of my most precious blessings:

I hope you are filled with a happy and peaceful heart...

Adoption Photobook

noreply@blogger.com (DawnS) — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 21:36:00 +0000

I wanted to share the photo book I made for Rylee, using pictures from our trip to China:

You can view the whole book by following this link: http://www.poyomi.com/book/547a3e77bf30407790a833b48444fb37

Rylee really loves the book, it was so sweet to see her reaction when we looked through it for the first time. She put her hand on my face and told me "Mama, you have just the right face and the best nose". She gently touched my nose and then put her hand back on my cheek, looked straight into my eyes and told me "you are just the Mama that I always wanted, and I am so glad you have the right face, you are the best Mama that I exactly wanted"...

I am not quite sure what she meant about having the right face, but I am thankful that I do! In any case, it brought tears to my eyes. I am not sure how we got so lucky, but I am ever so thankful that she is part of our family. She is exactly perfect for us!

If you are interested, I am giving away three photobooks. You can enter here. The contest ends 11/26 at midnight and has very low entries!

No I am not allergic to my blog...

noreply@blogger.com (DawnS) — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 03:52:00 +0000

Today I received a message from someone asking if I had developed an allergy to my blog. I started laughing, until I realized that it has been 5 MONTHS since I posted anything here! Is anyone even still out there?

What is wrong with me you might ask?

I do not have a good excuse... just busy working, raising a family, blogging, working, watching my house pile up with dust balls, working, taking pictures that fill up my laptop and just sit there, working and blah, blah, blah.... I know these are not nearly good enough reasons to be failing my loyal reader (you are still there right mom?)...

So today I am turning over a new leaf, or maybe I should say an old one, and am determined to catch up my blog, return to practicing my photography skills (which are getting rusty, while others of you have gained amazing skills during my absence!) and find out if any of my old friends are still here!

I am doing some clean up of my blog, deleting some really old stuff, changing things up a bit and making room for more. It may be a bit messy for a little while, but I'm pretty sure we can all use a break from the bright pink background...

So I am going to leave you with two small bits... with the promise of more to come (for real!):

Conversations with Rylee:

Rylee: Mom, do you want to know what I am very, very, very thankful for?

Me: Yes I do Rylee, what are you very, very thankful for?

Rylee: I am very, very thankful for our swelter!!!

Me: Okay, and what is swelter?

Rylee: You know the very, very top of our house with the points on it and the little brown square things?

Me: You mean the roof?

Rylee: Yes MOM! I am very, very, very thankful for the roof that is on top of our house, that is the swelter!

SO when you are all counting your blessings this Thanksgiving day, do not forget to add your swelter!

And I also give you this, because I think you need it:

Consider it a gift :)