It was a LONG Day!

Oh My, what a day!  It started out with having to go to a funeral home to get a paper that we could READ, so we could sign it, for our late friend Phil Stuart.  He died last month and has been at a funeral home awaiting cremation.
Apparently he purchased an insurance policy with our name on it as the recipient.  It has been a legal hassle trying to make sure we are not liable for expenses we cannot take on.  It was worth the hour drive to get it over with and clarify everything..... everything this funeral home faxed us was totally unreadable, but they wanted us to sign it! NO WAY!  They got snotty and we talked to an attorney.
In the end.... Mr. Stuart will be cremated.... a sad end, to a sad life.

After that, we headed to Scottish Rite Hospital so we could get Erika a new sock holder. She broke hers and I couldn't find how to order one.....they were on our way.... so we stopped there.  I let the girls play in the park for awhile and they had some fun!

 After the park, we headed to the furniture store to pick up our bunk bed.  Yep, we got it today!
And then it was time to head home.
Alli started asking about lunch, which was running late since we were on the road and had another 45 minutes before we got home.
She started to whine, and then get mad because we wouldn't stop for fast food.  Everybody was willing to wait so we could make ham sandwiches, except Alli. :(

I should have been more on top of things... but I still had much to do...finishing up Sarah's post placement report for Ukraine, and then starting on the home refinance paperwork. 
Have I ever mentioned how much I HATE paperwork!!!!!!
Somehow, I HAVE to get over this.
Anyway,  one of the girls said, "I'm so hungry I could eat Garbage!"  To which Miss Alli said, "There's nothing wrong with eating garbage! We used to do it all the time in Russia.  People throw away perfectly good food!  Then it dawned on me, she was so upset because she really was hungry and that fear of not having food came back to her.....
I told her we were just a few minutes away.  Honestly, had we been more than 5 minutes away  I would have pulled over and bought her something.  I used to have to do that with Sarah if I forgot to pack a snack in my purse.  She would just panic when she got hungry.

Alli is in that place right now.  She eats enough for 3 little girls and I am glad she does!  I'll have to remember though to make sure and have a snack in my purse for times like these. :)

Today did have a rough edge to it.  Alli does much better on a more structured schedule.  When things are unplanned and off schedule, she reacts.  Today was a big reactive day.
I think I put out more little fires!
The result:
While we purchased the bunk beds, they are not yet put together.
While we planned to go to the lake and library, we could not go. They will have to wait until tomorrow when we are more regulated.
Erika, Anna and Sarah were all very understanding... and looking forward to tomorrow.

As I was talking to her, another thing came to mind:

This is Alli's anniversary for coming to the United States.  She has been here 2 years now.  Those internal clocks really know how to wreak havoc on a child.  I decided to explain it to her and she listened.  She had memories coming out from all over the place. It was like a geyser letting off steam.
She was going over all the families she was in.... and then asked, "How do I know THIS is the right family? She was very concerned..... It hurts my heart so, to see her struggle... and I know that she has EVERY reason to wonder....because NOTHING has lasted in her life, especially these last 2 years.

And then she was calm.....

1 hour later:

Right now, she is letting off steam once again as I type, because I explained to her why we could not go to the lake.
Poor little girl.  I feel so sad for her. She has had so much upheavel in her life.

30 minutes later:
I went into Alli's room and asked if I could talk to her.  She was so ashamed of herself. :(  I told her how much I love her, and we just need to take a deep breath and start over.  I told her I was sad that we could not go to the lake, because my white chicken legs really do need to get a tan! She started laughing..... and then I talked her about how hard changes are and how scary they are.  But we are committed to see her succeed!
We had a great evening after the daily grind, even though we didn't go to the lake.... And Alli said she really wanted to try to not argue or talk back.

So we came up with a plan..... When she gets argumentative (which she REALLY doesn't notice unless it is pointed out, as it has been a life long habit, we will use the code word  "bananas".
If I say "Bananas Alli" she'll know it is time to "zip it"! (her words) :) And it will be just between her and me, so she doesn't get embarrassed.  She seems thrilled with the idea..... We'll see how it works! :)

2 hours later:

Well, we almost got the bunk bed put together.... the bottom is done, but the top has 1 leg that is a bottom leg.   So we had to stop for the night.  We'll decide tomorrow if Mike will drill some extra holes in the leg to make it right, or if we take it back to down town Dallas...... ( I hope he is in a hole drilling mood) :)

I know we are going to have many of these times where we move forward and backwards.... but both of us have seen that she has moved WAY forward!
Before she went to bed a few minutes ago she snuggled up and said "I love you!"
I said, "I love you too!" now repeat after me:  "I am in the RIGHT FAMILY! I KNOW I'm in the right Family!"  She did, with a big smile and skipped off to bed. :)


Such was our up and down day.  Everybody is in a good place right now, happily chatting and going off to bed.
I think I need a bath..... CALGON???? :)

30 seconds later: Daddy came in and said, "I'm going to drill the holes!"  And now the beds are put together and everybody is really excited. Too excited to go to sleep.

 Alli has rquested that Sarah share her bed tonight because she is afraid sleeping up there so high. LOL

Calgon will have to wait until tomorrow. :)
Sarah is on my bed waiting for me to come in and have a talk.   She is going through such a cute stage.
Mike has asked me to make him a pot of coffee, he still has work to do.  Love my selfless man.

I am off to talk to my girl.

This Puts New Meaning To:

TOE JAM! LOL

Erika had biscuits with Jam for breakfast this a.m.  Apparently not all of it made it into her mouth. :)

Post Placement Done!

Our 3 month report is done, and now we can move for finalization!  Can't wait until our sweetie has a court date! 
We had a really great day today... and Mommy got a LONG nap! WOW! I needed that nap after being up so late last night.
The girls played in their room and made tents and pretended it was snowing outside. LOL  It must be hot if they are pretending snow. :)
They are going to sleep in the tents tonight. 

 MAYBE!
Tomorrow, we are going to look for a new bunk bed.  It should be fun, and hopefully successful!

Kathi The Friend/Social Worker

We had been very concerned about Alli's fear of social workers, so we worked out with our social worker, she would come over as a friend, and through observation and conversation, while the kids were in the other room or busy, talk about how things are going.

Our first visit went great and Alli had no idea she was a social worker.  I knew we would need to tell her eventually, as we are joined together for post placement reports for the next few years. :)
But, I didn't think Alli was ready.  WRONG!

Right before Kathi came, I was in a hurry getting things ready.  I blurted out, "Let's hurry up and finish before our social worker gets here!" 

Alli, looked at me and said, "Social worker?" 

I said, "Yes, you know Kathi.... She is our social worker and our friend! Isn't that cool!"

She nodded, and that was it! LOL

We had a really great visit.  Alli and Sarah did a beautiful ballet/modern dance for her and she brought them a few Feature Family Films dvds.... so they went off to watch "The Velvetine Rabbit" and we talked and talked and talked ....... all about all sorts of interesting things....

The girls went on for showers and baths and they somehow managed to get ERIKA into the Large 2 seater tub..... (I'm afraid to know how) LOL  It was 9:30 and I still heard giggles.  I went in and they were still in the bath...so I told them it was time for bed.
After that, there were  a few stragglers coming in for hugs and a last minute snack ..... and then it was quiet....
Except for Kathi and me. :)  Mike went back out to work on a project and the next thing we knew it was about 11:30! 
So, our post placement report is being done today..... and then we will get our finalization date. :)

BCLC.... Time to Share Again

Today is the day of our home study update.  In 2 hours our social worker will be here.  About 2 hours ago,  the girls were going to watch a movie. (trying to keep the house clean) :) 

Alli really does do best when everything is the same, on a schedule and she can count on what is happening.  She knows our friend is coming and that she is special. She does not know that she is our social worker, because she is afraid of social workers....
So, back to the movie:
Erika sits in one part of the couch where she is comfy and Alli likes the other end.  BUT... Miss Alli also likes to sit forward and it seems to block Erika's view. Soooo, Erika asked her to move back so she could see too....to which Alli refused. Flat out said No.  She told Erika, " I always have to move, it is YOUR turn to move!" 
Erika can't move easily... and she cannot sit on a floor at all..... I don't think Alli fully understood how much Erika cannot bend.  So instead of being kind, she wanted to help Erika to the floor so she could see better! The other girls said NO, don't do that, but she  managed to help Erika to the floor....but Erika didn't WANT to sit on the floor.  Alli was trying to show her ways she could. LOL  Erika was not amused.

Where was I?  I literally had walked out the back door to talk with somebody and was gone less than 5 minutes.....  UGH

So Alli came out to me and sat on my lap. I could tell she was upset... she was doing her breathing.
So, we went into the house together, turned off the movie and I asked Anna to give her best version of what happened.  Everybody, including Alli agreed that that was what happened.

So, I asked Erika if she was fine. She was.  I took Alli outside onto the porch swing and we had a  talk.
 Alli felt that everybody had ganged up on her... 
I told her, they all expressed their disapproval for what you were doing, and now I will have to do the same thing.  It was not right what you did.  We should NEVER EVER touch another person and make them move when they don't want to move.  That was wrong!
I think she finally understood what I was telling her when I gave her this example:
  I asked her to close her eyes and pretend she was in a wheel chair and couldn't walk.  And then I asked her to imagine somebody coming up to her and demanding that she stand up!  And then they insisted again that you stand up... and you said you couldn't.  And then they physically tried to take you out of your wheel chair!
"How would that make you feel?" 
Yet she was still mad that they were inside finishing a movie and she was outside talking to me.

I told her that had she tried to understand  while we were talking inside, we wouldn't be out here....but it wouldn't be fair for them to have to wait.
She listened intently..... and then snuggled up.... after about 20 minutes, she was calm and looked up and said, "I'm really sorry mommy..... "  I told her she also needed to apologize to her sister.

We rocked a few minutes longer and then she went inside and  very sincerely asked Erika to forgive her....
Erika did, and all was well again. :)

So next for me?  I think I need to rearrange the furniture. :)

An Article on Discipline ?

I read a link that a friend posted on a website.... The link was an article supposedly on Discipline.  But it wasn't really on discipline. It was on punishment.  I saw this photo, and it sent chills through my body.  I read "willful definance and disobedience" and the first person to come to mind was the author of "Dare to Discipline" and  "The Strong Willed Child" and then the revamped versions of both of those books.
The caption under the paddle was "discipline when necessary"...... UM  isn't discipline, true discipline something we do ALL the time????  So OBVIOUSLY this wouldn't mean "punish all the time"!

It GREATLY disturbs me when people use the word discipline to be equal to punish.  They are INDEED not the same thing.

So, in conversation with a friend who recommended this article another article was posted to back up the position of spanking.....
 and here is a quote from this site:
God tells us that for willful disobedience and defiance, that corporal discipline is an appropriate form of discipline. He also says that parents who refuse to ever use this form of discipline "hate" their children. 


Not only is this NOT in scripture, it is an outright LIE.    The bible does not say he who refuses to use THIS form of discipline hates his son.  It says HE who REFUSES to discipline his son, hates his son. 

There is a HUGE difference!  I would say if you refuse to discipline your child, it is as if you hate them, because it is going to be destructive for them.  But if you guide and teach them....(discipline them) then you LOVE your son.


Of course these authors tell people that if they do not punish their children with corporal punishment, they are disobeying God, they are sending their children to hell, they are not teaching their children repentence etc. because they need a justification for what they do.
I found this in the old testament:  
Deut 8:
 ¹ “All the commandments that I am commanding you today you shall be careful to do, that you ^(A)may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD swore to give to your forefathers. ^{2 (B)}You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has ^(C)led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, ^(D)testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. ³ He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you ^[a]understand that ^(E)man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD. ^{4 (F)}Your clothing did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years. ^{5 (G)}Thus you are to know in your heart that the LORD your God was disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son.

This sounds like TEACHING to me!  God gave the Israelites experiences and was WITH THEM to guide them and TEACH them, which IS discipline, so they could then posess the land.


In Deut 6:
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ⁹ Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates. 

God did NOT say "BEAT THEM INTO YOUR CHILDREN".....
He did not even say FORCE them onto your children. He said "Impress them" this means to TEACH THEM  and to GUIDE them.....and make a lasting impression on them.... so they KNOW that this is the right way to live.


 <sup>I do believe we should  teach our children the Law.... in song, in action, and make it a part of their instruction..... 
One of the songs we use is really fun....


The Perfect 10

#1 we've just begun God should be first in your life
#2 The idol rule, those gaven images aren't nice
#3 God's name should be, NEVER spoken in jest
#4 The sabbaths for your worship and for rest.
#5 We always strive to honor father and mother
#6 don't get your kicks from killing one another
#7 Life is Heaven when you're true to your mate
#8 Don't Steal and break this rule for goodness sake!
#9 Don't be the kind who goes around telling lies
#10 Don't covet when you see your neighbor's house, or bike
That's the list and God insists we stay away from these sins
That is why we memorize commandments one through ten.

(couldn't find Anna for this video) :)</sup>

<sup>We have used this song many times to instruct the children to righteousness and repentance.  And to help them see that they TRULY need a savior.  Because we cannot do this on our own merit...


If a person chooses to use spanking as a punishment tool, then that is not my business.  It is still legal in the United States to use this method.... 
But if somebody is to say, You MUST do this... YOU MUST do it THIS WAY or you are not obeying GOD, THAT IS my business!And I will say something... or blog something. :) Because I remember long ago being in that bondage.... being taught that was the ONLY way..... That is how I came to study it so much, because I didn't understand how that was true. And I found out, it wasn't..... God wants us to be BEREANS of the word and to study.  We really need to be careful that we don't just take what somebody says, INCLUDING ME, without really examining it and holding it up to the Word of God.


It really does amaze me how many people get up in arms about simple love.  How can LOVE win a heart?  How can LOVE change a child from angry to happy?  How can LOVE be the key?
GOD is the one who created LOVE.  It is disturbing how we fight it so. :(

We want to PUNISH instead of disciple, to HUMILIATE instead of teaching one to be humble,  to strike fear, when the scripture says, "Perfect Love Casts Out Fear",  to DEMAND when scripture calls us to be servants.  
SO, if JESUS PAID IT ALL, as the song we sing says, why do we make our children pay too?  Why would we teach them that because they disobeyed, they have to pay with a spanking?
How about presenting the gospel..... and teaching them the truths of scripture?  And lovingly leading them in prayer and  instruction?</sup>  






 

Your Blog Rocks Competition

Hevel asked me to make a link so others could join in. He wants to have  a fun blog competition. If you have a blog and want to participate, go here. You can pick 3 categories to connect your blog to. :)
Sounds fun. :)

It's Post Placement Report Time!

Oh MY!  Why did I think this month would be a good time to refinance the house??? MORE PAPER WORK!
Tomorrow our favorite social worker comes for a visit, as a friend.....:)
I cannot believe it is time for Alli's post placement report for NC and RUSSIA.....
I'm almost a little relieved that the time has come and we can give a good report.
I still need to put together everything for tomorrow, after I go to the house for the inspector to inspect. UGH
I am also going to miss a baby shower I needed to attend....
BUT.... it is all in a day's work!
Oh yea, Sarah's post placement report is due on Wednesday. I'm almost finished with it, and will mail it tomorrow.
So, in order for us to get ready, we started with the girl's room! Oh yes, they LIVE in this room, A LOT!

I miss my old bathroom.... but it is what is best for now. :)

Whole Fish and Eye Balls

Anna requested that we make whole fish instead of just fillets.... So, I got brave and bought some fish with heads and all....and boy was she excited!
I thought they were rather pretty on the dish!

 We don't usually kiss our fish, but this was a special occasion. :)

 Note, the inactivity of Erika and Sarah..... :)
Anna asked if she could eat the eyeball.  Alli wanted to try it too.   The other two girls..... thought that was a rather disgusting idea. LOL
So..... if you ever want to know what a fish eye tastes like.... you will have two opinions here:

And all the fish was gone!  It really did taste delicious, much better than just buying the fillets, even though the bones were a little annoying......

This Old Quilt

Over a year ago, we purchased this quilt at an adoption garage sale, for another Reece's Rainbow child. When I bought it, I thought it would be cool to send it all around the country, through personal auction to help others bring their kids home.
I haven't thought of how to do it until now.....

This old quilt is old. It is very similar to one my gramma made in the 1930's..  It has some very worn areas, but if you love antiques like I do... that just means it has been well loved. :)  This is it on my queen sized bed. It is a little small for a queen, but would fit  quite well on a double or on a quilt display rack. That is usually where I keep it.

So, Katya NEEDS to come home, and her family is desperately trying to raise the funds for their final trip back to get her.
I would like to hold a silent auction for the Deucks, so they can go back and get Katya without debt.
Just email me privately with any amount above 50 dollars.  I will close the silent auction on Monday and the quilt will go to the highest bidder.

I love this adoption quilt. :)
I pray that it continues to go around the country and serve in silence and warmth. :)

You can also go to Hope Anne's blog: , and donate on her side bar.  They need around 8,000 more dollars. They have 740 the last time I checked.
my email address is in my profile. :)
Here are some more pictures of the wear areas: You really can't tell unless you are up close.

Lake Days

Lake Days are here again! We miss Katie and Lillian, but we are having a great time!

Yesterday the girls brought a friend with them.  I love living close to the lake. It is just a few minutes away and so relaxing.

What Ever My God Ordains is Right

Whate'er My God Ordains Is Right

1. Whate’er my God ordains is right,
Holy His will abideth.
I will be still whate’er He does,
And follow where He guideth.
He is my God,
Though dark my road.
He holds me that I shall not fall
Wherefore to Him I leave it all

2. Whate’er my God ordains is right,
He never will deceive me
He leads me by the proper path,
I know He will not leave me
I take, content,
What He hath sent
His hand can turn my griefs away
And patiently I wait His day

3. Whate’er my God ordains is

right,
Though now this cup in drinking
May bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it all unshrinking
My God is true,
Each morn anew
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart
And pain and sorrow shall depart

4. Whate’er my God ordains is right,
Here shall my stand be taken
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
Yet I am not forsaken
My Father’s care
Is round me there
He holds me that I shall not fall
And so to Him I leave it all

©1998 David Braud Music.

More Thoughts on Special Needs Adoption

I wrote a post a while back called "The Importance of Adoption and Special Needs"....
Today, I was compelled to write more thoughts on this issue.

A cyber friend is adopting right now, a little girl from Reece's Rainbow, and it has been suggested that this family needs to rethink their decision to bring a special needs child home.  Mind you, this person didn't say anything until now, after the court date, DURING the 10 day wait! ugh

I have to say, I am deeply saddened by this.  I read this a.m. that another family is being attacked verbally by a neighbor WHILE they are gone, getting 2 children with special needs.  They are in the EE country during the waiting time, and are hearing awful things... Folks these are terribly stressful times to be in, without having to deal with ugliness.

I just wonder, if maybe these people who attack in such ways are in a way personally feeling guilt because they would not do such a thing?  I don't know.  But the heartache it causes for those families already stressed by the process can be unbearable.  Yes, unbearable.
What families in process need is our support, love and encouragement.  Children who are traumatized by abandonment, neglect and deprivation and are physically different than the "norm" DESERVE JUST AS MUCH to have a LOVING FAMILY as any other child.....They NEED so much. They need  our coos, our adoring looks, just like any other child does.  They need our unconditional love and assurance, our continued support and energy...our joy and affection.... they are PEOPLE, HUMAN BEINGS !

But oh, I forgot, we live in a society that truly FROWNS on the handicapped. We don't like to see them. It makes us uncomfortable.  We don't like to think, that there are MANY, MANY children both HERE in the United States and in other countries that are systematically NEGLECTED because of their disabilities, and many have spare rooms, HUGE homes, sitting EMPTY.

How could anybody argue against loving another person ??   
One of my most memorable experiences in dealing with this sort of thinking, was when we were at the American Embassy in Ukraine. We walked in with our daughter and some man turned and saw us. And with a look of "disgust" as if he must have thought he was God's gift to humanity (LOL)  he said, "Oh brother, how much is THAT going to cost me!" 
I have to say, I felt a fire burn within me that I had never felt in a long time. (Not since somebody said something rude about our son)  Mike whispered in my ear, "Down girl"...... I was searching in my purse for a quarter to throw at the guy...... just IN CASE she might cost him a quarter. She hasn't cost him a penny.
But that attitude, UGH, makes me so fuming angry.  What makes us think we are BETTER than another human being? What makes us think a "beautiful child" deserves more love and attention than a child who isn't beautiful to look at?  And who decides what is beautiful anyway????

As parents we FIND beautiful things about our children to admire; sweet baby toes, cute little noses, sweet noises they make, an expression, the way they hold a bottle, the way they give hugs, or the look in their eyes."  There is something beautiful about each and every person who lives and breathes.
The IMPORTANT type of beauty is what is inside, in the heart.... as we all know the quote, "Beauty is only skin deep", or "beauty is in the eye of the beholder"..... the truth is:  "HE MAKES ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL in HIS time!"
I can't wait to see the little ones who are coming home, flourish..... That my friends is BEAUTIFUL!

So, if you know somebody who is adopting a child with special needs, please ENCOURAGE them, so they don't have to say, "Get thee behind me Satan!"  Please give them the benefit of the doubt that they MAY have thought this through, and are intelligent enough to make a decision that might be different from your own!
Honestly, I worry more about people who want the "perfect child, under a certain age, with no history of alcohol, abuse, neglect, with blonde hair and blue eyes and that will adore them from day one. And don't forget the measuring tapes to make sure head circumference is correct and they are on some sort of "chart"....."  I call this "FANTASY LAND....
EVERY CHILD from an orphanage has had NEGLECT, many have been abused, they are ALL traumatized no matter HOW many toys the workers show you, they HAVE ALL been rejected......
AND, there are NO PERFECT CHILDREN, bio or adopted.
Babies do not rock back and forth in cribs in repetition because of the great care they have received.
And yes, there are many good workers in the orphanages... .but they are underpaid and overworked and there is NO WAY they can care for so many children.

God has not given us life to use just for ourselves. He calls us to serve, to love, to give.......
Our lives are NOT our own.  And there is deep and great joy in the service of the King.
And an added benefit?  LOVING, HAPPY,CARING  and THRIVING children! :)

Why would any loving human being want another child to sit and rot?

This Morning

Today  when I woke to Sarah's sweet hug.... and the smell of Fresh Coffee, I decided it would be good to spend a little one on one with her.

 She is so cute.  She has recently struggled with being a little embarrassed about her leg and has wanted to wear her prosthetic in the lake.  It makes me nervous, because if she does, it would be very hard to find if she were to lose it. 
Also, I wanted to encourage her to not be embarrassed!  She has nothing to be embarrassed about.... I love her little leg. :)
Yesterday, she surprised me! She took it right off and hopped into the water. 
Then, this a.m., she sat down and said, "You know mama, I have lots of things to be thankful for, including my prosthetic leg!"  I said, "Well tell me!"
She said,
"Well, when I fall, it doesn't hurt. I slammed it into the door and it didn't hurt.  A bike fell on my leg and it didn't hurt!  LOL

 It is Erika's week for kitchen duty.  However, Anna decided she would help, to Erika's shock. LOL
I love lake days.... everybody wants to pitch in and help so we can head to the lake to swim. 

 And then, there is sleeping beauty..... life is going on, and she is still asleep. :)

The big question is:  Where did the sheets go?????   (they are laying next to the bed for some reason)...
I think Alli and Sarah need a new lesson on how to make sheets stay on a bed!

Summer Fun

It's Blackberry Season Again!

I'll add these to the ones already pulled and make a pie!

Wild Flowers

Anna and Sarah went for a long walk today and on the way home, Anna picked these flowers from an obliging field.  I think they are just beautiful! The one of the right was especially interesting.... it is flower on top of flower on the same stem.....  This year has been a very good year for wild flowers. :)

My Short Wearing Days are Over

I put on a pair of cutoffs today..... the girls were looking at me and then started the commnets:  "Mom you have strange knee caps.... you have  a bruise..... those shorts are kind of old fashioned......
I looked in the mirror and they were right.
So, I'm in my favorite jeans.  It will be hot, but I won't look like the white legged lady with a bruise and bad knee caps. :)

No picture is necessary. :)

Dogs and Cats and Kids

 Alli loves playing dressup, and today was Guess's turn to be her dress up vicitm. He took it in good humor and even posed for a lovely picture! :)

This is Mr. Spoiled Cat.... note the closed eyes as he eats CHICKEN! LIKE A HUGE CAN OF CHICKEN!  Anna asked if she could give him some tuna because we were out of cat food.
I said yes...... The next thing I know is she says he is enjoying his tuna!   Then I see my  3 dollar can of Chicken being devoured!  Hope you like it Mr. Kitty....because that won't happen again! I promise!
I made sure Anna saw what the difference was between the two cans. LOL  It is always a good idea to read labels! :)

Visiting Old Friends

Today we visited our old church.  We have missed so many faces each week, and we thought after a year, it really is time to go and visit.... We know many who pray for us on a daily basis and we are so thankful!
Alli also had the priveledge of meeting some very precious people to our family. :)

I was so happy to see them! We were able to share once again how God has brought us on a new journey.
It is wonderful to encourage and be encouraged by the body of Christ.

What a precious day.  We love those we worship with now....and they too are precious to us....
But in our old church, they were with us from the beginning when we brought each of our girls home.
They were instrumental in praying for us, and one man in particular was instrumental in Erika being able to come home.
It is quite a drive to our old church.... so we were singing in the car on the way.....

We are truly, TRULY blessed!