What A Dying Cow Sounds Like

Now, I do not claim to be a farm animal expert and I must admit that I have never been on a farm while a cow was dying. . . .however, I do have a sixth grader and a fourth grader and today was the first day that their homework was to try out their new instruments: a saxophone and a cello (respectively). OH MY GOODNESS! Day one on a saxophone is bad. Day one on a cello is bad. Day one for two kids on each is migraine inducing. . . .bring on the Imitrex! I love my kids. And one day they may be amazing (or even good) musicians; however, today is NOT that day!

Meant To Be

Veggie Tales has a new movie coming out October 2nd called "It's A Meaningful Life" and I am so excited about it for so many different reasons!

1. I love Veggie Tales! Bob and Larry make me laugh out loud!
2. Stevie Joy Chapman gets to play the voice of Emma the Rhubarb.
3. The movie highlights adoption.
4. Steven Curtis Chapman does the "Meant To Be" song for the movie.

The Velveteen Rabbit

Tucking the kids in tonight was great. Andy is gone for the evening and we took our time getting ready for bed with showers and teeth brushing and potty and prayers (great prayers, too. . .Tiki tells God all about his day; it is the only way that I have any idea what he did. . .God gets the total play by play. Dax prays that tomorrow will be awesome sweet. Gabby starts her prayers with the only six words of "Jesus Loves Me" that she knows, "Jesus loves me this I know" and then she starts her prayer).

After that, we still had about thirty minutes to spare, so I pulled out one of my favorite books (one that made the trip with me to Durango from my Gran'ma's house this year): the Velveteen Rabbit. I haven't read that book in years, but it is always on my mind. I was the little girl who loved her stuffed animals so much that their "skin" rubbed off. I truly believed that a select few of my animals (Whitneyozen, Lt. Bondz and James to name a few) were real. I loved them until they became real and they are still in my kids' toy closet today.

However, tonight I read the book from a mother's point of view and it was so much sweeter. Below are a couple of excerpts. . .see if you know what I mean (remember, the Skin Horse is the oldest and wisest toy in the nursery):

"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day. . . .

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't often happen to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand. . . . but once you are Real you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always."

The Rabbit sighed. He thought it would be a long time before this magic called Real happened to him. He longed to become Real, to know what it felt like; and yet the idea of growing shabby and losing his eyes and whiskers was rather sad. He wished that he could become it without these uncomfortable things happening to him. . . .

And so time went on, and the little Rabbit was very happy--so happy that he never noticed how his beautiful velveteen fur was getting shabbier and shabbier, and his tail coming unsewn, and all the pink rubbed off his nose where the Boy had kissed him. . . .

The Boy sat up in bed and stretched out his hands.

"Give me my Bunny!" he said. "You mustn't say that. He isn't a toy. He's REAL!"

When the little Rabbit heard that he was happy, for he knew that what the Skin Horse had said was true at last. The nursery magic had happened to him, and he was a toy no longer. He was Real. The Boy himself had said it.

That night he was almost too happy to sleep, and so much love stirred in his little sawdust heart that it almost burst. And into his boot-button eyes, that had long ago lost their polish, there came a look of wisdom and beauty, so that even Nana noticed it next morning when she picked him up. . . .

Weeks passed, and the little Rabbit grew very old and shabby, but the Boy loved him just as much. He loved him so hard that he loved all his whiskers off, and the pink lining to his ears turned grey, and his brown spots faded. He even began to lose his shape, and he scarcely looked like a rabbit any more, except to the Boy. To him he was always beautiful, and that was all that the little Rabbit cared about. He didn't mind how he looked to other people, because the nursery magic had made him Real, and when you are Real shabbiness doesn't matter. . . .

Can you see, how from a mother's point of view, that story is even sweeter than it was to me (to you) as a child? It made me rethink the "looks" thing a little bit and it made me think about my "sharp edges" and having to be "carefully kept." I am so thankful that I am real and I hope that as the days go by, more and more velvet rubs off of my nose from sweet kisses from my children!

I AM BLESSED!

Little Black Dress

So, I found this really cute dress at White House Black Market (love that place) when I was in Branson and I just found it online ON SALE. Why, you ask, do I need a little black dress living in Durango? Well, I for sure do NOT need one living in Durango, but I am going to Vegas in October AND to a wedding in October. . .so the question is: should I get this little black dress for those two occasions or just try and be "good" and figure out something that is already in my closet?!? Your thoughts are welcome (and, Andy, if you are reading this, your thoughts count double)!

New Friends

Last night Braner Party of 7 headed out on a new adventure to new friends' house. Ivey, who was Dax's teacher last year, invited us and some other friends over and it was a great night! They have a sixth grader who ended up coming home with us and spending the night--he and Hays hit it off great! We had jalapeno cheese burgers and fruit and Oreos. The kids ran around their property and bouldered on the great rock walls surrounding their house. And the grown ups talked and laughed! I think last night was the beginning of a wonderful friendship! I hope that was the first of many get togethers with the Patton family!

Suscribe

Okay, I never thought that anyone would want to subscribe to my blog (except for my mom, my Gran'ma and my mother-in-law. . .who already get email notices whenever I blog). Well, yesterday, I had my first request. So, Kristen Boyd, in response to your request, I have a "subscribe to" deal over on the right hand side of my blog under the pictures and above the "other blogs." Thanks for asking! That makes me feel special! I'll keep the blogging going because, as those of you who know me know, I always have something to say!

Mary Beth Chapman

Mary Beth's new book is out and I cannot wait to get my hands on it! Below is the "summary" from Amazon:

Grief is a journey many of us take at one time or another. For the Chapman family their journey began with the accidental death of their 5 year old daughter, Maria Sue, whom they adopted from China. In Choosing to SEE, Mary Beth Chapman shares her struggles with the tragic loss of Maria Sue, her journey to heal, and the unexpected path God has placed her on. Even as difficult as life can be, Mary Beth and the Chapmans choose to see with faith and hope. Foreword by Steven Curtis Chapman.

People magazine did an article on Mary Beth and her book and it is in the issue that came out today. However, Mary Beth feels like the article didn't get edited in a way that expressed the overall feel of the interview and below is her blog post about it. The only reason that I am re-blogging Mary Beth's blog is so that the TRUTH will get out because I adore Mary Beth and the entire Chapman family!

Setting People Straight…the magazine that is…

I am so grateful to People magazine for writing a bit about the book in the September 6 edition out today. As always, there is more to the story then the reader can see. I would like to tell my friends and anyone that reads this blog…the rest of the story …. because there is more….

A professional writer who has always loved our family and all we are about did a 2 hour wonderful interview with me. There is no way ever to know what will be kept, edited, or taken out of context. I love this writer and she was asked to “freelance” the interview for People magazine. No doubt what she turned in was nothing but a testimony to the power of God to heal from the worst places.

However, I feel like in the editing process and picking and choosing what would be said in such a small space, I was taken out if context and would like to make a correction.

When asked how Will Franklin was doing, I told the reporter that Will Franklin was the miracle story out of all of the tragedy. Not one time has he not gotten up out of bed and put one foot in front of the other. He has allowed God to begin to heal the deep traumatic wound that he has to carry. He understands that he has been entrusted with a story that must be stewarded well so that others might SEE Christ in the midst of an awful accident. I don’t blame him for Maria’s death for one minute and never have. I know that Maria doesn’t either. I told the interviewer that I was so proud that he never took time off of music or playing in public… what courage that must have taken to know that people may be looking at him and his brother and wondering with questions about the accident. He has always held his head high, because he serves the God that heals! Will Franklin is walking proof that out of the ashes of tragedy, beauty will rise.

I want everyone to know that Will Franklin is an awesome man and I Love him to infinity….and beyond!

So, everyone enjoy and buy the latest People magazine…get the scoop on Elin Woods, but know when you see my little part, while very grateful….there is so much more to the interview.

Hugs from Mary Beth….

Cute Pics From The Park

This Just In From the US Embassy in Kigali

I can assure you that we are working at the highest levels to ensure that dossiers will be accepted by the Rwandan Embassy in Washington until August 31st. U.S. Ambassador Symington spoke this morning with Dr. Jeanne d'Arc Mujawamariya (Minister of Gender and Family Promotion) who assured him that dossiers would be accepted until the 31st and that this policy would be communicated to the Rwandan Embassy in Washington. Ambassador Symington will also contact Rwandan Ambassador Kimonyo. Our State Department colleagues in Washington will be following up with the Rwandan Embassy today to ensure that the policy is being implemented.

Rwanda Adoption & 1st Day of Pre School

Well, I need to get out there (for those of you who use my blog for information about adopting from Rwanda) that for now Rwanda has closed its doors to adoption (This happened on Wednesday). On so many levels, this is so sad for so many families, but on so many more levels, this is a super thing! They have closed temporarily in order to become compliant with the Hague Treaty. This is a treaty that was signed to help protect orphans from sex trafficking and from other illegal adoptions. It is a fantastic thing to have in place and if used correctly, I believe that every country should be required to abide by its regulations in order for adoptions to take place. However, for many of the families "in process" this is a very sad blow that I can relate well to.

Here is the skinny: if your dossier is in Rwanda by Monday, then you are safe. They will process your dossier in the same manner they have been processing adoptions in the past. I have heard that if your dossier was in the US Embassy in DC by today that you will be safe, too. However, they will not be accepting any more dossiers until after they are completely Hague compliant and I'm not sure how long that will take. . .I would think a while. Once they are Hague compliant, that will mean that there will be no more independent adoptions from Rwanda; only adoptions through Hague certified adoption agencies (and I highly recommend America World Adoption www.awaa.org).

If you are in process and missed this cut off, I am so sorry. I do know and feel your pain. We started the China process in October 2005 and got our dossier to China in 2006. At that point it was a 7 month wait for a child. We are still waiting almost five years later with about three more years to go. On the very bright side, and I really want all of you grieving mothers-to-be to hear me. . .look who God brought us through the heartache: Gabby and Tiki! I never would have imagined either one of them, but I adore them and I don't know what I would do without them in our family. Take heart.

In other, more happy news: Gabby started Pre School yesterday and she LOVED it! She has been watching the kids go to school and wanting to join them forever and now she is big enough and she couldn't have been happier! When she got home yesterday she was glowing! It was so cute!


And in other school news, Dax didn't let me walk him in today--he just wanted to be dropped off. Oh my! My little guy is growing up and I'm not sure if I like that!

Relaxing At The Braner House

So, we are all relaxed here. . . .

I really should pay better attention when I am asking someone a question about my little African's hair. My friend, Kelly, put some smoothing stuff in her daughter's hair and it looked so great and healthy and soft and silky. Her curls were bouncy and not frizzy and it looked great! I asked Kelly what she used and then I went to buy that same great stuff. . . .only apparently I didn't. . . . you can see for yourself:

Working Hard

I have been working so hard these last two days and it feels so good to be so productive! I have been Andy's "bookie" and I am loving it! I am trying to fill up his weeks (most weeks, not all weeks) with traveling to promote KIVU!!! Next summer we need 3000 campers and it is going to take A TON OF WORK to get that many kids to camp!

So, I am booking Andy in different cities in order to spread the word about Camp Kivu! I am trying to get him in homes and churches and youth groups and Christian schools and anywhere else where he can speak! He can talk about KIVU or just do his Christian Worldview and Teen Pop Culture stuff. . .anything to get him in front of people!

So, if you want Andy to come to your town, please let me know! I need to get like 11 campers signed up per day from now until summer in order to make Camp Kivu continue to work! I welcome any help I can get for that to happen!!!

Day One. . .Handled!

Well, the day was a success! Dax shouted out that school was "AWESOME!" as soon as I saw him! Tiki whined because I was picking him up. . .he wanted to stay at school. Apparently Maggie dressed so cute that some girl asked her to be the "head of a posse". . .not really sure what that means, but I'm thinking it is good! She seemed to enjoy her day. Hays liked middle school for the most part. . .he said that changing classes was a tad confusing, but overall good. . .and in true middle school fashion, that is about all I got out of him.

So, today was good!

Oh, and the MeMo square. . .he didn't use it all day!

First Day Of School

Well, I did it. I survived drop off on the first day of school. . .barely! I managed to hold back the tears until I got the "twins" into their classroom and I met the new principal. . .then I high-tailed it to my car and let the water works flow! Man oh man! First days kill me!

Maggie was fine. She flitted off without a care in the world. . .in her darling sequin skirt and her new haircut (I vow never to cut her hair again. . .thankfully she is curly and so you cannot tell what a semi-disaster it is).

Tiki was so excited to be back with Mrs. Greenberg and he was so excited to have his brother with him! Dax started so excited this morning, chanting with Tiki, "GO RIVERVIEW! GO RIVERVIEW!" But once the detachment actually had to occur, he was much slower pulling away from his mommy. . .thank goodness we had a piece of his MeMo in his pocket! I know, Andy, I am an enabler!

Dropping those two off was so tough for me for such different reasons. I felt like I was giving Tiki over to the wolves. . .not everyone has the right expectations for him and I feel like they all have these preconceived ideas about him before he ever gets there. Thankfully, though, Mrs. Greenberg is a dream! Dropping Dax off was just terrible. . .my baby. (Insert more tears here.)

I'm so glad that I didn't have to drop Hays off at middle school. I think that would have been terrible! Giving my boy to the lions! I'm sure middle school will not be the wretched years for Hays that they were for me! He's great and he is a good leader! I cannot wait to hear his report at the end of the day!

I after I got ahold of myself enough to drive home, I crawled onto Andy's lap and just cried. . . while he chuckled. If you didn't know it, men and women are SO different!


Tiki wanted to do a "backpack" picture.

Tiki & Dax with their teacher (who we adore), Mrs. Greenberg.

Hello Again!

Well, hello again, my blogging friends. I'm so sorry that I have been gone for so long, but I went "off the grid" as my husband would say. I headed to Branson on August 4th (with my dear friend, Kelly, who flew to Durango to drive all the way back with me) and haven't been on the internet since. I am home now and what a whirlwind it has been!!!

August 5

Jean de Dieu Rukarara born on some unknown date in some unknown corner of Rwanda is now officially Tiki Rukarara Braner born on February 3, 2004 (02/03/04--I made it an easy one to remember)!!!! The adoption is COMPLETE and now he has an official birthday and an official name and the birth certificate is on its way! We went to court and had a really good time! I love the "small town-ness" of Taney County! (No pictures because they are on a camera that I loaned to my cousin.)

We then headed out to see my parents at K2 where the three little kids spent the day on the slip 'n' slide and the water slides even though it was cloudy and rainy all day! My dad's deer (he has one every summer) enjoyed the slides with the kids, too. It was so crazy! After the slides, we hopped into a boat and headed to Pizza Huton the lake. It was so good to be with my parents again. I love them so!

If I would have had a blog just for this day with my parents, I was going to title it "Snorfboards and Dinglehoppers." What is a snorfboard? Great question! That is what Tiki called the diving boards because he just didn't know what they were called. It reminded me of that scene in "The Little Mermaid" when Ariel is eating dinner as a human for the first time and she doesn't know what to do with the fork, so she brushes her hair with it (at the table) because that is what Sebastian had told her that Dinglehoppers were for. It was a great "ah-ha" moment for me because that is exactly what Tiki's world is like sometimes. He just doesn't know any better. I loved that word picture. . .it helped make things make sense for me!

August 6-10

Tiki headed to K1! Thanks to Kris and Joel and Matt, Tiki had the amazing opportunity to be a day camper this summer and HE LOVED IT! He immediately left for "trip" when I dropped him off and my little day camper spent the night in a tent away from Mommy the very first night! TIKI WAS BORN FOR CAMP!!!

I stayed with my WONDERFUL Gran'ma for the entire time I was in Branson. It was so wonderful! She means the world to me and I am so thankful for our time together! We talked and laughed and enjoyed one another's "silent" company as we ready. We played Yatzee like we did when I was younger. It was food for my soul. I loved being with my Gran'ma and I loved watching her love my kids! We are so blessed to have her in our lives!

My "daughter," Caroline came down to visit for the weekend (for her birthday). She is from Germany and she lived with us back in 1999-2000 and she has been a family member ever since! She is in Kansas City for the summer doing a law internship and she drove down to see me. It was so great to see her again!

I got to go back to my church, James River, both Sundays that I was in town. The first Sunday was bitter sweet because my pastor was in COLORADO, but it was still so good to be at James River with my church family! The worship and fellowship was wonderful!

Meanwhile, Hays and Maggie were at K1 loving life. Tiki, too, was loving life! Every night that I picked him up he begged to stay. That made my heart so happy!

My cousin, Lori, came to town to pick up her kids from camp. I always love spending those two days with her every summer. I love her so much!

My wonderful "manny," Dalton, also came back for a visit. He just can't get enough of us!

August 11-12

I got to pick up my kids from camp. I was so happy to see them and so happy to have our family together again! IT WAS SO HOT, THOUGH!!! YUCK! But it was worth it! I loved hearing all of the wonderful things that Hays and Maggie's counselors had to say about them. Hays got the I'm Third cabin ribbon. They said that he was so mature and so unselfish and it was neat to hear someone else recognize those great qualities in him that I know are there! Maggie got the Leadership cabin ribbon and her counselors said that she was compassionate and sweet and fun to be around.






My sister was in town with her kids and it was fun to see them. She was sweet enough to go to my kids' awards ceremonies and sweat it out. That meant a lot to me.

August 13-17

We pretty much played every day at K-Kaua'i pool. It was heavenly!!! It was so nice to be hot. . . so hot that I just had to jump in the pool and play with the kids. . .and jump off the high dive and ride the water slide! I had a blast and got TAN!!! K-Kaua'i was also so perfect because I was surrounded by so many people who loved me and my kids were surrounded by their best friends. My parents played with us every day. The Blackwells and the Piersons and the Nimrods were there almost daily. The Sparks and the Houstons and the Dolloffs and the Watsons and the Duncans and so many other people were there. It was SO REFRESHING!!!

I got to go to James River again and Pastor John was there and HE BROUGHT IT!!! Best sermon ever!!! Ahhhhhh. . .again, refreshing!!!

August 18

We got up at four in the morning and headed to Durango. My dad drove with us and it was great!

August 19-today

We were so excited to see Andy again. They kids could not have missed him more. I loved seeing them see their dad again finally!

We played hard while Pops was in town! Rec center, Alpine slides and BMX riding were just a few of the highlights! We also headed to the Willis home last night for dinner and s'mores around the fire! It is good to be back HOME!















Lesley is also in town hanging out and helping me get back in the swing of things. She is the best!!


Well, that was a quick highlight from the past couple of weeks. School starts tomorrow. WOW! It is going to be emotional for me!!! Hays starts middle school (WOW), Maggie is in fourth grade, Tiki and Dax are in Kindergarten (dropping Dax off tomorrow is going to do me in) and Gabby will be in pre school two days a week. What am I going to do with myself? Work!

Today Lesley and I white gloved the pantry and the fridge! I am so thankful that project is finished! Whoo Hooo!!!

Tonight I had to cut Dax's MeMo apart (his blanket). I am putting little pieces of it in his pockets and his backpack. . .just in case he needs a little "drag" while he is at school. I almost cried cutting up my baby's treasure!