Precious Treasures Found

I thought I had lost these pictures forever.  :)  Thank you computer for spitting them out today! :)

  Anna relaxing on the hay bales

 Pulling on mama's sweater

 Anna and Marcus having breakfast

 Funny face

 Sarah and Anna washing hands

 One of my all time favorite pictures of those two!

 Anna and Daddy when she first started to let him hold her.

 Sarah

 Anna and her babies.

 Blue Bonnets

W

 what you looking at?

 Anna and BOB..... you should see Bob today!

Here he is:

 Rehearsal dinner before Marcus and Ivy's wedding

 Cookie decorating

 Sweet Sarah

 Anna in the office

 Funny face

 A little bit mad.

Flower girl PANICKED before walking down the aisle. :)

Sleep In Heavenly Peace

(Anna at 5)

Every morning, Sarah, lovely little lady that she is, gets up before everybody, puts on the family pot of coffee and then comes into our room to snuggle. It is one of the most precious family rituals that I will always remember. :)

The boys used to do this too, but they were too little to make coffee. They all wore blanket sleepers and would come in and I would wake up with four little boys all snuggled all around, peacefully sleeping. :)
Those are precious memories.

But, not so long ago, nights were not so peaceful.  Our girls each struggled with going to sleep and with  HORRIBLE nightmares or night terrors. 
Anna had so many worries and struggles when she was little, and it was hard for her to get to sleep.
Then she would wake up with fears.  It took awhile for her to get through that, but she did.

When Sarah came home, she was able to get to sleep snuggling up with Anna, but then.... she would wake up to the worst nightmares of being cold and hungry.  In the middle of July she would wake sobbing.. "I'm sooooo cold!"  She wasn't really awake; but somewhere in between. It was heartbreaking! 
We finally got every, single blanket that would fit on her bed and put them all on there telling her they were ALL HERS and she would never be cold again!  She was THRILLED.
She would go to sleep in the summer with ALL those blankets piled up and after she fell asleep we'd pull them back so she didn't die of heat stroke! :)
As we would feed her at night when she woke hungry, she began to stop waking and eventually the nightmares stopped.
With Erika, her nightmarish cries were so terrible!  They were deep and terrifying.  Her cries were that of a lost, desperate soul in torment. At first she dreamed in Russian, and after 6 months, she started dreaming in English. 
We would hear her cry out.... NOOOOO!!!! MAMA!!!!  and we would run.  She would be rocking back and forth trying to comfort herself and we would hold her.  She would wake up, and smile at us and then peacefully drift off to sleep, not remembering the horrors of the night.
I was SO GLAD she DIDN'T remember! Some things ought not to be.
The dreams that went on several times a week, then went to once a week, then once every couple of weeks and then once a month and finally, FINALLY after about 2 years.... never returned.
We are so thankful!
Alli told me that she too struggled with bad dreams, and sure enough, on our first night together, she had a terrible nightmare.  I was laying next to her and held her, gently waking her up to tell her she was safe.
She has only had 1 other night mare in 22 months! 
One of her early observations after she had been home a short time was, "Mama, I don't have nightmares any more!"
Praise the Lord for peaceful sleep!
My sweeties...... sleep in Heavenly peace! :)

A Precious Talk With a Joyful Girl

I took Miss Alli with me to the grocery store today and she was in an especially talkative and joyful mood. :)
When our girls get like this, I know it is time to spend some time just chatting and enjoying their company. It also is a GREAT time to ask questions freely and learn something new about their past.
Today was one of those days, so we took a little detour to Chick Fila and sat and talked for a bit.

Alli was full of joy and humor.  She began to tell me about some of the funny things she remembered and some of the scary things she remembered. But now, they aren't so scary, as if she is reliving them as in a PTSD type moment. Instead, she can put them into perspective.  I am so thankful for the healing she has had in this area! 

Sometimes foods or events can trigger memories. This is what happened today.  Her birthday is coming up and she remembered being treated to a gift at the orphanage.  She only had one birthday at the orphanage and was surprised by a stuffed animal. 
She didn't remember ever having a birthday before. So I asked her, "How did you know how old you were?"   She said, "I used to pester my older sister all the time!" "How old am I?"  And her sister would tell her, until she learned how to remember on her own. :)
(I can SO PICTURE HER DOING THAT!) LOL

She then began to remember waking up one morning and the house was empty.  She was very little. Her brother and sister were gone (maybe at school?)  Her mother was gone and her father was gone. She felt scared.  She also noticed that her mother put a big bag of trash in front of the door, most likely to keep her inside.  She said she remembered, "Oh, I can get out of that!"  And she went outside to play. 
There was a small crawl space under the house she loved to play in, and she remembered getting really mad when she got too big to fit in there. :)
But her friend in the village had an attic play room and she would go there often to play.

She said, "You know mama, I don't ever remember my mama or daddy worrying about where I was, or if I was home or not, even when I was little.  Sometimes we would come home at night, and still, nobody would be home. :(
It dawned on her that we fuss over the girls if we don't know where they are, or if they are out when the street lights come on. 
That used to bother her, but now she is realizing that it is because we love her,care for her and want her to be safe.
She remembers she didn't feel safe; but now she does. :)

Alli was 7 1/2 when she went to the orphanage, and from her descriptions over the last 22 months, it was one of the better orphanages.  She remembers wonderful food the most! She has no memories of eating at home, except a memory about her mother bringing home pickles and her baby brother being very excited. She said he couldn't wait to get them.  She also remembers helping her mama cook, but just doesn't remember eating.  She was often hungry.

In the orphanage she said there was hot water but the girls had to bathe in a group and her sister would help to wash her hair.  She said some of the girls wouldn't come into the shower.

She remembered getting new playground equipment and having a snow ball fight where a boy put snow down her shirt.   She said she felt like slugging him. :)  That's my Alli! LOL

She was in the orphanage a little less than 2 years.  Her next memories were of traveling to meet the family that would bring her and her brother and sister to America.  Her baby brother was adopted by a Russian Family.
She feels badly that she can no longer remember what his name was, but she thinks it might have been something like Kolya.

On the way home, after getting beans for bean soup that she has been longing for, we looked at each other in the car and she smiled and took my hand.  I told her, "Oh, how I wish I could have held you and known you when you were so very little."  She said, "Me too mama..... but we have each other now! It's ok!"
It was a good talk. :)

Together For Them

It is official!  The brochures are out for the "Together For Them" conference in Houston Texas.
This year,  Alex Krutov , author of Infinitely More.  His story of being raised in the harsh Russian orphanage system and the God who relentlessly pursued him.

There are several breakout speakers this year, including somebody named Christi Minich. :)

I am SO EXCITED to be a part of this MUCH NEEDED ministry to the adoption community.
My dear friend asked me if I could come and speak at a breakout seminar. There are several speakers and I can't wait to meet them all. :)
I feel so honored. 

My prayer is that the Lord will go before me, and that the words that I speak will be those HE chooses for me to speak; no more, no less. 

I truly covet your prayers as I  put my workshop together.
THANK YOU!
May the Lord bless this Conference and the hands and hearts that have put it together. 

If you live in the Houston area, or want to take a short trip from the Dallas area, it will be a great time to learn from and enjoy the company of others involved in the adoption community.   The cost is just 10.00 per family!  That is an amazing bargain!  And the information you will glean will be worth infinitely more! :)

Hope to see you there!

Plan A and Disruption

I have had this on my mind for a long, LONG time.  Trying to find the right word to say is just hard.
Yes, this is another post about Disruption.  WHY?  I think it needs to be said.

Disruption is divorce, but instead of divorcing a spouse, you are divorcing your child. 
Just as when we enter a marriage, we vow, "For better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health"..... we enter Adoption in much the same way.  We commit to LOVE a child, "until death do we part."

Now, I UNDERSTAND how difficult things can get. I REALLY DO!  I also UNDERSTAND that sometimes it is not only better, but NECESSARY and in the BEST INTEREST of a child to be moved to a new home for a fresh start.  This has happened in our family twice from International Adoption.  I also consider Miss Anna disrupted, as she had so MANY foster families. The feel is the same. :(

No matter HOW you look at it.... Disruption=Rejection FOR THE CHILD.  An adult may look at it as a loving thing to do.  But, you cannot have it both ways. It is hard to picture divorce as loving.  We try to candy coat disruption these days calling it by another name.... re-homing, softening the idea of divorcing one's child. 
DIVORCE, whether it is between adults or children, is still because of personal failure and is not just one sided.  Scripture says that Moses granted divorce because of the hardness of our hearts.
A hardening has to occur to do such a thing. 

YET..... at the same time, I strongly believe that the LORD'S PLAN A was for our girls to be with us, and I am thankful for them. 
So if it was the Lord's PLAN A,  why is there such negativity about disruption?

In the same way that it was GOD's plan A to send His Son to be the Savior of the world, that does not negate the responsibility of Adam,  for original transgression!  We are fully responsible for our sin, yet we DO have a fallen nature!  Sin is negative.  We are responsible for our sin, even though we have no choice in the deal.  We sin, because we have a sin nature.

God's ways are deeper and higher and broader than my finite mind can understand.  I KNOW that I KNOW our girls were meant to be with us.  I also know that  other's hearts were moved to bring our girls' to America!  I am thankful for them. I am THANKFUL beyond measure that they went and brought them home.
Yet, there is also a sadness that things didn't work out as they should. 
In Adoption, we are called to "Come and DIE to self!"  We are called to sacrifice ALL for the children that have come into our care.
IT IS HARD! There is NO DOUBT!
But in the process, we learn to trust on the Sovereign God.  HE has not changed or wavered in our calling.  In our weakness, HE is made strong!
Our dependence upon HIM is beyond measure! 
If we enter the adoption world in our own strength, we are in for huge trouble! 
While the Lord may use our family to bring a child home.... that does not mean we are not responsible to RAISE that child! 
The refiner's fire may be what is needed in OUR LIVES to bring us closer to Him.  And thus, if we become closer to Christ through trial and struggle, we all win.
God is so deep and rich and multifaceted.... He uses us to bring glory to Himself.
In the cases of disruption that have come into our home; we KNOW that God was at work in both families who brought our children home. He was at work in bringing our children to us, and He is at work in restoring families and bringing them closer to him BECAUSE of the disruptions that have occurred.
It is ALL a part of His Plan A.
We can rest in that, and learn what we have to learn, and He is glorified. :)

Water Colors

 Alli was inspired last night once again after watching "Miss Potter", to work on water colors. She does such a nice job and is now reading a book on technique.

Here is another one. :)

 

 

If you haven't seen "Miss Potter", the story of Beatrix Potter.... you really should!

Money Matters

The girls and I have been going through the "Money Matters" workbook this last semester.  We do it 2 days a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  When we started it, they really weren't too interested, but over the semester, it has become one of their favorites.

The use and purpose for money, responsibility with money, how to save, how to earn money etc. have all been covered. 
Today we read all about charitable giving and why we should give, including HOW to pick who to give to  and how to research how much goes to the purpose of the charity. 

Each of the girls has been able to learn how to save both in long term savings and short term "goal saving." 
Tonight, that short term saving payed off as 2 of them were able to purchase something they have been saving for.
And icing on the cake for me was when Miss Alli came up and gave me a big hug.  "Thank you mama for teaching me how to save!  Now I don't spend all my money on gum and candy!"
"When I see it, I just cross my arms and pass it by!" 
That was so good to hear! :)

The Girlies Are Singing....

"I bought it on Ebay!"  LOL

They have been oohing and ahhing over a certain object.  A super SECRET object.  They have been wanting it but it was a little bit costly....more money than they could afford. So they checked on EBAY....and found an auction that was about to expire.  It was the right price.  So we waited until 45 seconds before it ended and placed a bid. 

 So exciting!

 Tense moments!

Watching the clock tick down to zero.


And they WON!

Attachment Is NOT Just Up To Our Kids!

 Have you ever thought "They aren't attached?"  or "They aren't attaching to me?"  Have you ever thought, "They have no relationship with me?" Do you catch yourself picking out or noticing all of your child's flaws, and not their strengths?  Do you struggle with even seeing the good things about them?  Are you at a point where you have allowed yourself to think, "I am just here to give them food and shelter and then, they are outta here at 18?" 
(dramatic photo courtesy of me) :)
It DOESN'T have to be that way!  It really doesn't! 
   
It is my prayer that this post offers hope and encouragement for the discouraged.

Let's take a little peer into a work place scenario:

Think about going to a new job. You are nervous and want to do well, but your job has many new concepts to learn and many more responsibilities than you knew about when you took the job.
Now, let's say your manager is watching all you do.  This makes you rather nervous, because you don't know how to relate to him or her.  Things are rather "disjointed", and then, you do something that you have been doing, and she blows her stack! She gets angry, and you don't understand why!
You are trying, but it is rather hard to know what to do because nobody is really communicating with you. There are all these unwritten rules and expectations! This is HARD! You become more stressed, because you don't want to make your manager mad, or to disappoint them, yet at the same time, you don't know what to do, exactly....
Then, the other employees begin to judge you. They speak unkindly to you. "How come you don't know how to do THAT??" "I can't believe they hired you!"  "Why don't you CHANGE?" "WHY DON'T YOU DO BETTER?"  "Things were better before YOU came!"
You begin to feel that every time you try to do something, or even relax, your manager and the other employees are  there to tell you how you did it wrong and they are dissatisfied with you.  You begin to feel ashamed and that something must be wrong with you! In fact, something MUST be wrong with you, because you have had this experience before!  The shame becomes greater, and you give up.
You stop trying because, "Why does it matter?  Nobody cares if I'm trying! I feel like my manager is dissatisfied with me all the time, and that I'll never measure up to the expectations of those who have been on this job much longer than I have. "
And you shut down.
Your manager then accuses you of not trying. They accuse you of being lazy and make sure they send you to the HR department for help.  The HR department discusses how you can do your job better, but never discusses how you feel lost and don't really understand your job description.  They give you a small hint that you need to shape up! But the information is disjointed, and you are told all of the problem is YOU.

 (photo courtesy of google)

THIS is what it is like to be a traumatized child coming into a home where they are expected to attach, when RELATIONSHIP is not looked upon as the responsibility of ALL  parties, but for the child to attach to the family; placing huge responsibility on the child to conform.

I STRONGLY believe that RELATIONSHIP'S GREATEST responsibility is upon us, as parents, and then siblings!
When we bring a new child into our home, it is a STRESSFUL yet JOYOUS time.  It is different than bringing home a newborn. Our children have lived lives outside of our home. They have developed habits, had hurts and pain beyond imagination. 
How DARE us, be critical of them.  How DARE us, expect them to just fall into line with the children that have always been with us, or been with us a long time! And HOW DARE us, be a bad example to our children already home, causing them to judge also. 
OUR example can cause our children to SIN. 

(dramatic photo courtesy of Miss Alli) :)

Our children come to us very broken.  Gently putting the pieces of their lives together cannot happen OUTSIDE of true relationship! 
RELATIONSHIP MUST COME FIRST!
Looking back on Alli's arrival to our home, I was reminded of this incident in my childhood:

I distinctly remember 2 little girls coming to stay at our home when I was about 11. They were my age and younger, and it was an emergency placement, just for 2 weeks.  I remember the oldest one crying when she was corrected for over pouring her cereal and then wiping the cereal on the floor.
It wasn't the correction. It was HOW it was done. She was shamed.
I remember feeling two ways. 
1. I felt sorry for her.
2. I thought to myself, "Why did she do that? Didn't she know any better?"
The answer was NO! SHE DIDN'T KNOW ANY BETTER.  I still feel guilt for even thinking that.
Her stress level must have been so much.   She cried at night as we slept in the same bed.  I didn't know what to do.  I layed there, turned the other way, silent.  I was scared. I didn't know how to relate. I was totally unprepared as a child to deal with such a thing.
My parents never even talked about it or offered any guidance. NONE! The girls  were there; they were gone.  I felt sad and empty. I didn't even know they were leaving. When I came home from school, they were gone. I didn't even say good bye.  I still feel empty from that short 2 week period in my life. I still feel shame that I did not do better to try and relate.
Alli was the same age as these girls, and the same age as our girls.   I was determined when she came home to make sure that our girls understood NOT to judge any of her actions, but find compassion for her, and everybody would then help to guide her through our kindness and acceptance of her!
Was it easy? No. It was not.  But OH HOW VALUABLE were the lessons we all learned through her coming into our lives.  We ALL had sin that needed rooted out. :)

We learned that we can be judgmental and prideful attitudes and OUR hearts needed some weeding.  We learned that  "A Soft Answer Turns Away Wrath!"  We learned how very much she wanted to be accepted and loved, but was so used to being misunderstood, she was totally shut down. 
We learned together, to encourage her to open up just a smidge..... and then, we KNEW the floodgates of love would open.
We learned that our acceptance of her, ALL of her personality, FLAWS AND ALL, was REQUIRED for her to move forward and heal.  She held onto her behaviors like a shield of shame. She slowly began to let that shield down as she felt accepted and loved.
We took our girls out one at a time as needed to encourage them to keep up the good work, to listen to their hearts and offer understanding and direction, and then to pray with them along with us for guidance and direction. 

Erika, Anna and Sarah  have been  an integral part of Alli's healing.  They LOVED her unconditionally from day one, and LOVE her and each other unconditionally to this day!

If you have other children in your home when you bring a new child home, please help them to see
that they too are responsible to foster a TRUE LOVING relationship with their new sibling!
Prepare them, that this new child will not know how to attach or have a relationship, but it will be up to you as a TEAM to teach and guide them, gently, slowly, steadily, with great Steadfast love.... and that child WILL attach!

Relationship is a two way street.  If we become drawn into our child's rejection of our attempts to love them, and give up.  The relationship will stagnate and fester and die on the vine.
We are SUPPOSED to be the ones who guide our children into relationship. Don't let your child's hurts DICTATE how you respond to them.  ALWAYS respond with RELATIONSHIP in mind!
WORK HARD FOR IT. 
If it is not happening, reassess how you are relating to your child. 
Are they stressed?  If so WHY? 
Are you angry? Yelling?  Judging? 
You may be thinking, "Well, if my child does xy or z, I have the RIGHT to get upset or even angry! Or of course I'm going to judge them! They are hoarding! "They are not going to sleep at night!"  "They are making mess after mess after mess!"  THESE BEHAVIORS ARE FEAR BASED BEHAVIORS STEEPED IN SHAME!  Punishing a child during this stage will only be a self fulfilling prophecy for them that they deserve to be punished and that they are NOT worthy of your love.
I DO feel your pain. :)  We have been through all of those things with EACH of our girls.
But THINK RELATIONSHIP!  How can I help my child through fits of rage, hoarding, stealing, lying, making huge messes by getting mad at them?  How separating them into time out, or grounding them to their room, spanking them, or making them miss a family event,   help them to be honest? How will that help them to  do the things we  want them to do and get rid of unwanted behaviors?
IT WON'T! 
WHY?  Because  relationship is NOT there. It is not established yet.
I have heard it said, "Don't let them take an inch!" "Lay down the Law!"
I disagree.  That does NOT mean to let anybody wreak havoc either.  But get BUSY establishing relationship!  Study your child to see how old they are emotionally and parent them according to emotional age, NOT gestational age!  Get to know them. Try to understand them. 
No amount of "punishment" is going to cause a hurt child to suddenly say, "Oh mother dear, or father dear, I am so sorry. I will never do this again! You are  right, and I am  wrong." "Hugs and kisses!"
No. Not YET anyway! :)
Those times DO come!  But not until a real relationship that goes BOTH WAYS is established!

Now, how CAN we help them?

1.By LOVING THEM.... GIVE YOUR WHOLE HEART TO THEM NO MATTER HOW YOU FEEL! Choosing what is best for them at all times, even when you don't feel like it.
2.By discipling them. 
3. By teaching them self discipline. 
4. By being  the steady, the ROCK in their life.
5. By gentle, instruction, a little at a time, with great love and hugs and rocking and reassuring.... solving one problem at a time, not dumping everything wrong about their behavior onto them all at once.
6. By opening dialogue.

A little at a time with great reassurance, our children will respond to RELATIONSHIP.  They want it. They CRAVE it.  But they are also AFRAID  of it.  They don't want to lose it.  Sometimes the fear of losing a potential relationship they cherish, will cause a child to be too afraid to feel and attach, because they don't trust that relationship to be solid. If they feel disapproval, they may stop trying because they are so very fragile.  That is why it is so important to US to be on top of our OWN emotions and behaviors!

Have we done this perfectly? No. We have not. Nobody does.  But we work HARD at it. VERY HARD... and when we blow it, we APOLOGIZE to our child. A REAL apology, not a "I'm sorry I got mad, but if you handn't done...."
No, a REAL apology.  "Sweetie, Mama was wrong. I am so very sorry. Will you forgive me?"

That vulnerability opens a door for our children to be vulnerable too, and teaches them to learn how to forgive themselves. :)
Our humility, brings about healing in our children! :)  And it also helps US to improve our OWN personal skills in dealing with relationships!
Isn't that awesome!

None of us have "arrived" yet. We are all on the road of life.  I pray that we each continue down that road, trusting the Lord to help us, and treating our children as HE treats us, with GREAT LOVING KINDNESS.
"It's your KINDNESS that leads us to Repentance". Romans 2:4
"A soft Answer turns away wrath!" Proverbs 15: 1
"Children Are a Blessing From the Lord"  Psalm 127:3
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.  James 1:27


Our dependence is upon Him; we cannot walk this walk, alone. cm
"I can do ALL things IN CHRIST who Strengthens me." Phillipians 4:13

Yesterday

I wish I had some photos of yesterday. I might possibly be able to get some to post later from some friends.
We had 2 major events.  Bright Lights group met at a friends house. There were 24 girls between 7 and 16, and about 8 moms.  It was a wonderful time of singing and sharing, crafts and a lesson on what the "Fear of the Lord" is.   Proverbs says, "The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."
The girls were singing wonderful songs and I thought to myself, they would do a great job visiting Miss Joy at the Nursing home to sing for her and her friends. :)
I might mention that to Grace, the young lady who leads the group. :)

We rushed home to finish our day,  get Daddy some dinner, make a Waldorf Salad and then head to one of my friend's birthday parties.  She requested several friends and daughters meet at her house to celebrate by having a nice light meal.  We all contributed to the meal with  strawberry banana crepes, Waldorf Salad, cheese and crackers, key lime pie, chocolate cake, and quinoa bread pudding.  Everything was delicious!
We all visited together.... 16 of us!   And then headed upstairs to watch the movie, "Pursuasion".  Oh the giggles coming from 11 girls and 5 women.  We had a blast! 

After the movie, the girls all joined in a group game.  I am not sure what it was.... but they sure did have fun!  I was watching each of them just beaming, laughing, giggling, and enjoying being with each other.....dear friends, and I felt so blessed to be a part of the moment. :)

My girls are growing up.... in less than a month all 4 of them will be teenagers.  I caught a glimpse of each of them last night as young ladies, with bright futures and I praise the Lord for His Mercy and Grace in each of our lives.

What an honor to raise such lovely "Little Women".  :)

The Conversation

The girls tried a "One Word" conversation.  It is a little hard to hear, because of the dishwasher. We are going to try and fix it, but it sure was cute. :)

Our Trip To The Euro Deli

We took our quarterly trip to the Euro Deli that the girls affectionately refer to as "The Russia Store".
Comfort foods are part of our lives. :)  The girls LOVE to find things that are familiar from Ukraine and Russia. They always find something new. :)
And HALVA is always on the list.

I must admit, I was a little bit nervous this time, as Adoptions have been banned to American Citizens.  I didn't know if the atmosphere would be different. I couldn't have been more wrong!
The girls don't speak fluid Russian anymore and I know that was a little disappointing for the owner of the store before. He always questions them on their Russian. 
Today was no different....He spoke Russian to them, and they picked up on some of it.  He also said that his own children cannot read or write in Russian but speak it, because they speak it at home.

This trip was also special, because the ladies behind the counter smiled extra, and,
when the  owner came up to the girls to give them all hugs, he then apologized about the ban and said he thought it was wrong.
He asked a few questions about the girls, something he has not done in the past, such as, where exactly they were and how we came to get them.  And he inquired about where Alli was before, since she hasn't been home as long.  When I told him, he took her by the shoulders and gave her a hug and then he said, "You are safe now! You are in a good family!"  "A VERY Good Family!"  :)   It was really touching.  She was beaming.

Everybody got a free candy bar , along with the rest of our stash. :) 

I was so honored to talk to this man, and then embarrassingly said, Pazhalsta instead of Spaciba.  LOL  I really need to work harder on my Russian.
Oh well. :)
But we all said, Dos Vadanya!

Alli and Bollywood

Surprise Surprise Surprise! :)

Anna's IPOD

Anna received a used IPOD from her sister in law Emily last year. She took such good care of it. That is, until it disappeared!  We could NOT figure out what happened to it.  She remembered using it on her bed, and then poof it was gone in the a.m.
She second guessed her own memory and said, "Maybe I lost it on my walk?"
She was heartbroken.
Fast forward yesterday.... almost a YEAR later!
ERIKA was cleaning and found that it had fallen into her book bag that hangs on the side of the bunk bed. LOL
She was so excited and full of joy! She wrote this letter to Anna and then placed her ipod in the dock.

I love how much the girls find it a joy to bring joy to each other. They truly care for each other. :)
That makes my day, every day! :)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to All!
2012 is now behind us!  Pressing on through 2013!

We took our decorations down yesterday.  All of the girls helped! It was a wonderful time of redecorating shelves, dusting, and packing away Holiday decorations.  I do not know what I would have done without the help of my girls!  Well, I do! I wouldn't be done!  

Here are some pictures of my helpers and me :)
Erika was our picture taker.

 

And thy stuffed the tree up! :)

After we finished our jobs, we set out for a gift card shopping trip.  The girls found some great buys at a favorite store. 
We spent last night with a low key movie night. :)  I went to bed before everybody else.  I rang in the new year with a nice long snooze!
Now for New Year's Resolutions!

1. Read my bible more!
2. Pray more!
3. Help Mike MORE!
4. Keep up with finances. (I did really good this year. I want to do better)
5. Finish my writing project.
6. Stay away from ALL sugar.
7. Stay away from ALL fried foods.
8. Give my ALL to the Lord.
9. Improve my workout program.
10.  Improve our support group.