Let me Introduce you to...
I love the above quote. I found it fitting considering the amount of changes taking place in my life lately. Today I thought it was time to introduce you to Chris and his three beautiful girls. What a blessing it has been to open my heart to these three precious pumpkins.
On the far left is Emma. Emma just turned eight and she keeps me on my toes. I am convinced she will one day be a high power attorney. She has an amazing ability for debate. Usually topics like how the world was made, or why birds fly. Emma takes the more scientific view. I like to make up crazy stories as to why things are as they are. We both love debating together. Emma communicates easily with animals and has grown especially attached to Darwin.
Next to Emma is Sally. Sally will be ten in a few days. Sally is the lover of nature. The one who reminds me to recycle and asks me if I am "being green" when I am throwing out something. Sally loves animals and has a strong need to give back to the world. I see her as the peace maker, the giver and the nurturer. I see myself in Sally. She is my "mush pot" as my mom called me when I was little. In other words, we are both deep feelers, sensitive and loving.
Next is little Mimi. She is by far the easiest going child I have ever known. She takes everything in stride. Mimi has an intense love of Sponge Bob. One day she was in the bathroom and I was channel surfing on my television in the other room. I landed on Nickelodeon for just a few seconds. The only sounds on the t.v. were some glub glubs and whirring noises. From the bathroom she yelled, "That is Sponge Bob! Leave it there Marla!" She then went on to recite exactly what was being said on the program. I was amazed. I too love Sponge Bob so Mimi and me hit it off right away. Mimi is a cuddle bug and loves to go to the library. Recently I took Mimi to get glasses and she looks like a little librarian. I could just eat her up she is so sweet.
And finally, there is little miss Maizie. Maizie is not so little anymore. Maizie loves her "step sisters". There is no rule that we have to be married in order for Maizie to call them her "sisters". How else do you explain the close bond these girls have made? Sisters is fitting. That is not to say that the adjustment to having sisters was easy. It was not. Maizie is learning how to share on a whole new level. She loves her sisters fiercely and asks when they will be here daily. The girls have learned a lot about Autism and they can all tell you a bit about Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome.
This is my Chris. What can I say...I am totally and completely wild about him. He is book smart and emotionally intelligent, sensitive and stronger physically than anyone I have known. At the pumpkin farm he was so funny. He wanted to bring all the best pumpkins home with us. It was hard for him to leave the awesome pumpkins behind. We had to buy six and that was more than enough!
We have both been through some confusing and rough times in the last few years. I feel fortunate to have found a best friend in Chris. He is supportive of me staying home to be there for Maizie and him. Chris encourages and inspires me artistically. He is the breath of fresh air I did not even know I needed.
He works full time for the Iowa Army National Guard. The military is one of Chris's many passions. I will talk all about my new life with the military in another post. Chris is talented in wood working and loves history. We have lots of fun together. I am trying to beat Chris at Halo. I suck. Totally. When we are not gaming, cuddling or talking we are working on our money pit of a house, but it is our house so we love it. 
We are all on this new path in life together. It is strange how sometimes we are pushed in new directions never before imagined. At the time we think we will die from the changes. We think that life will forever be dark. Now, I can't imagine my life without Chris and his girls. Like the pumpkin in the quote I have survived because I honestly do not fear change anymore and I have learned how to move with it and sometimes against it. Mostly, I have found joy in embracing and accepting change.
