That isn't the school bell you're hearing quite yet - it's the ring of cash registers.  For snazzy backpacks  School supplies.  Lunch kits.  Calculators.  And, of course, some new clothes, because seldom do the shorts that fit in May still fit in August.  And somehow those sneakers are a little snug, and most of our socks are singles with the other halves being long forgotten at a slumber party or church camp.

August is our most expensive month.  And normally, it's made me grimmace.  But this year, there's a bit of joy cuddled up with the debit card in my ever-opening wallet.

Julia has grown.  Finally.   She's up to 42 lbs. and 45 1/2" inches - an increase of 3 lbs. and 3 1/2" since she came home 15 months ago.  And while she can still wear most of the clothes we bought then, some of the shirts really are too skimpy.  Her favorite Sponge Bob jammies are looking like high waters.  Her denim capris no longer need a belt.  We bought two Dora the Explorer church dresses in a size 6 - and they fit!

An early meeting in February '06 in Children's Home #47.  The difference in her hair is amazing.  It was so thin, sparse and crackly.  Now it is a thicker, shiny, beautiful chestnut brown with intriguing golden strands.  We think improved nutrition has made the difference.  Notice the sleeves of this size 6 hoodie are rolled up big-time.  It hung on her.  We brought clothes in a variety of sizes so we'd know what to bring on the second (coming home) trip.  I traced her foot in the notebook I carried everywhere, then matched that tracing to shoes.  When we returned in May, we took three pairs of light-up sneakers - the pair we thought would fit (and did), and pairs bigger and smaller, just in case.  We'd visited with a family who brought too-small shoes to for their 10-year-old son and he was miserable.  Didn't want that for her.  We left all the extra clothes and shoes at the orphange.  I'll bet there was scuffling over the light-up sneakers.

I am actually putting clothes aside for my three-year-old great niece Laura, and this pile of size 4 undies - including her favorite Curious George pairs - is going in the trash.

Goodbye, George.  Bottoms up!

Most of our clothes haven't been worth passing onto anyone, because they'd been through Rachel, probably Lois and often Hannah.  But Julia's stuff was either new, or from friends at church with only one daughter.  There's plenty of good left in them.

So passing on clothes is something to get excited about.  Shout about. 

Maybe even ring some bells - cash register or school.  Either way is fine by me as long as I get to do it again and again.  And maybe - please Lord - a little more frequently?  We'd like to get her up to 48" so we can do the better rides at Fiesta Texas.