Catching GOOD Behavior

I have not posted much about this before, but figured now is as good a time as any. :)
When the boys were little, I used to WAIT to see them doing something good, such as: sharing, listening, obeying, making their bed, putting clothes away, doing a good job on a chore, etc.... and then I'd say something to them about it.  "Mama's really happy that you listened the first time!"  "Mama noticed what a great job you did on the dishes!" etc.
I am not talking about empty flattery.... or rewarding for nothing.... but just a recognition that somebody is making an effort.  It really is encouraging to them.
Many times our children's efforts are looked over and then we draw attention heavily to the unwanted behaviors.
I don't want the rocking chair to be used ONLY for direction, but also for spontaneous times and  closeness.

Today, I found the girlies doing all sorts of good things. They cleaned up, and Erika did laundry without being asked.  Alli and Sarah were playing really nicely together. Anna was sorting out clothing that was "acceptable vs. not acceptable" from the new bag of clothing we received today. :)
LOVE hand me downs!

They also had a really great time at Vacation Bible School.....
So, "Here is to Catching Good Behavior!" :)

Keep up the good work girlies! :)

Photo Contest

Erika is having a photo contest on her blog.  She asked me to post a favorite photo.  This is one of my favorites.... our 44.5 lb Turkey!!!! And yes, that is Erika standing behind him. :)

He barely fit into the oven on Christmas day.  But he sure did taste good! :)

One Of Those Wonderful Days

Today was just such a wonderful day.  We started out with Vacation Bible School. Erika, Anna and Sarah are all helpers this year, and Miss Alli, was in the 9-11 group.  Erika is a helper for her group, and she was very glad to have a sister with her.

Alli made a FRIEND! She was sitting and chatting with her, and they gave each other a hug before we left. Yea Alli!

After VBS, we headed to visit Mr. Charlie for his second birthday. He is SO cute. I just love that little guy.
On the way there, we had a VERY interesting talk in the van.... it was about babies and marriage.
Most of the girls do NOT want to have a baby because it will hurt A LOT. 

Sarah said, "I'm not going to marry, because if you sleep with your husband, you'll get pregnant!
Alli corrected her, "No, you have to do something else, not just sleep!"
Sarah said, NO! You just have to sleep!  LOL

Mommy interrupted and said, NO, you have to have sex. Yep, the S word. :)
There were giggles.... and then Anna piped up..... "Well, if you don't want to marry, and you don't want to have babies, but you want children; you can't argue with one that is already here!" LOL
So now, everybody plans to adopt.... and since you can SLEEP with your husband and NOT get pregnant, well, that is just a bonus. LOL

I have to say, I am much bolder with the girls than I was with the boys about this topic.  Somehow I got stuck on plants and fertilizer with the first group, and didn't explain things very well.   Looks of confusion abounded.  

Oh my.....

And then tonight..... Alli came and got in my lap in the rocker. She was in a very contented mood. She said, "Mama, I'm so glad all my paper work is done.... I'm so glad it is final. I was always worried I was going to have to go back, and now I know I won't have to.  I get to stay forever.  I trust you mama."

Her words sure did bring joy to my heart. :)  It was like fresh water flowing....... 

THE DAY AFTER

Today was the day after we found out that Alli's adoption was finalized.  We received the adoption decree and the certified ones are on their way!
Today, was a great day!
Alli attended her first Vacation Bible School at church and Erika was a helper in her class.  She had a really great time.
After VBS, we cleaned a bit and then headed to the Lake for a swim.

On the way home, the girls were all talking about BFF, ( Best friends forever) BFFL (best friends for life) and who their friends were.
Alli said, "I used to have a best friend. I left her in Oklahoma. I can't remember her name though."  She then very matter of factly said, "I'm kind of afraid to make a new best friend, because what if I have to move."

I thought she was very insightful to recognize that she was holding back because of being afraid of the pain of losing a friend.  This really made my heart happy to know she is recognizing this.
I told her that while my childhood was not the same, I could really understand where she was coming from.
I moved A LOT as a child, and each time we moved, left a broken heart of a relationship developed and then lost. :(  It still pains me.  Moving around  like we did, was not healthy, and there was a time where I thought to myself, "Why bother", I'll just have to move again.

I shared this with Alli, and then I was able to remind her of yesterday.  You are not going ANYWHERE! If anybody moves anytime soon, it would be somebody else, not you.
She smiled..... :)

I am so proud of her. She is trying so hard, and she is really trying to communicate better.  She is realizing how much of her language deficit she really has.  We are painstakingly working on explanation and being patient to work on getting words out.

We haven't read out loud together for a few weeks, and last night during family worship, each of us read 2 verses. I didn't realize how much her reading had improved until last night. She did a great job!

Tonight, blessed my heart as each of the girlies went to bed singing songs to the Lord.  I am at peace. :)

FINALLY FINALIZED!!!!

Miss Alli is OFFICIALLY and FINALLY a MINICH! :)

We just found out this a.m.  We are truly blessed!  4 boys and 4 girls.  Wow!  SO HAPPY for us, and especially for HER!
So Here is the order our girls have come in:

First there was one.

 And then there were two.

 And then there were three.

 And now there are FOUR!

When Older Acts Younger

We are going through the crazy play that much littler kids go through.  It is the typical tornado type play of much younger children when they are having GREAT fun, without the knowledge of destruction that they leave behind.....
Today, I followed a path of mudpies, cups left with water, a trash can lid filled with water, a bucket 1/2 filled with water and bugs and grass, clothing taken out of the closet for a possible "Fashion Show", the badmitton set left out, the hammock taken down, the dishes not done, hair not combed, teeth not brushed, bed not made, MY OWN CLOSET had things taken down, and things put in,  and somebody finally sitting at the computer for "computer time".......All of this was before noon.

It reminded me of my days when the boys were little. But I am not dealing with "little boys", but with a big girl.
Sometimes it is hard to remember that in many ways she is really "Little".... she goes back and forth with this.
Today, she is little....That does NOT mean she is not responsible to pick things up.... but it DOES mean that she is  unaware that her playful bliss,  isn't blissful for me. :) 

We had a serious talk about my closet.... Her reasoning:  "Well, why did you give up your closet it you didn't have any  room and have to use the guest room closet?"  UGH.... LOL  Yes, sometimes she just doesn't get it.
My answer.... "Because I love you; but that has nothing to do with you going into my closet to play." "You may NOT play in my closet."

I went ahead and cleaned up much of the mud stuff on my way to the trash can. My guess is she will not even notice. It has been 4 hours, and she has not noticed yet.  I needed to start somewhere, and I needed to also make sure she didn't get too overwhelmed. 
Some of this is my own fault, as I should have noticed right away the kind of day we were about the embark on, but I didn't.  It is MY lazy Monday.....

I am comforted to know this is just a season.  Anna used to do this very same thing and thoroughly enjoyed her imaginary cookies and baking and fake wood fire and mud pies and all the mess too.  She is much more grown up these days and does not embark on such adventures. :) 

I do know these times will pass, and honestly , I will not miss the mess... but there is only one time to have a childhood...it is when you are a Child and sadly,  much of Alli's childhood was stolen from her. 
So, while, yes, I get abit overwhelmed, I am also thankful that she is PLAYING and IMAGINING, and doing the things she missed out on for so very long.  I am thankful that when I spoke with her about what we are calling "The path of destruction", she came around after a few minutes and understood that she CAN play AND be a little neater. 
This will most likely be a work in progress for awhile.... but I am so glad she is able to go through that stage and we have enough space for her to explore.
And now, I need to go and clean my closet from all of my OWN junk..... LOL

Guess Who Got A Bath!

GUESS.... :)

And now he is worthy of hugs and kisses. :)

And Can It Be

This is one of my all time favorite hymns.  It was written by Charles Wesley.....
 

"My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose went forth and followed Thee."

ROOSTER COGBURN

Here is our newest little farm fellow Rooster Cogburn.  He is enjoying getting to know the ladies.
The girls are excited, because a rooster means BABIES!

SARAH THE POSITIVE!

I just love Sarah. I know I say that a lot, but it is TRUE! LOL
I love her spirit.... she is a sweet heart of a girl.  I know sometimes things can get frustrating.
She is having trouble with her leg again.
The week before camp, she had to be off of it and wear crutches due to swelling and redness.  I think the heat is wreaking havoc on her.  At camp there were a few other kids having the same issues.  She seemed to be able to wear her leg all week at camp and things had cleared up really nicely until yesterday!
UGH! Back to square one.  Well, maybe square 3. It isn't as bad as last time. She is learning to catch things early.  So, her face when I asked her to stay out of her leg today was that of resignation. :)
Here is a picture of the issue she is having.  It is all smothered in tri biotic... :) I have an obcession with that wonderful ointment...... we need stock.

 (picture posted with Sarah's permission)

And here is her beautiful face when I told her, after the ointment dries, she can wear her leg when we go shopping. :)

That's my positive girl! :)

Thoughts About Ilse

This is my favorite picture of my sweet little grand lady.  My Ilse Joy.... OUR Ilse Joy. :)  Ilse's other Ya-Ya, (gramma)  and I talked about the day she was born, and how we stayed behind in Emily's room and prayed together. We didn't know what the outcome was going to be.... we didn't know really what was going on, but what we DID know, is that GOD knows!  And we have a Heavenly Father that we can go to in time of need, and He hears our prayers and comforts us.

Ilse Joy is not a mistake. Ilse Joy has some very special needs. They are different from her Daddy's needs....from when He was a baby.  She is her own little person.
I like to see Ilse as I did Tim.

She is a precious Gift given to us.... and every day, we get to unwrap a new aspect of that gift.  She will be full of surprises for us her whole life, I am sure!  And we know that she will bring glory to GOD with her little life.
I am so glad that we finally got to bless her with gifts....After all, she is such a pretty little lady!

Lazy Days of Summer.....

 Anna loves reading

 

Alli loves Farming.

Erika loves playing with the dog.

Sarah loves playing the Electric Piano....

WILL and CHARLIE

Just a few pictures of the grand guys....and Ya-Ya

 This is Will in his space helmet.

 Will took this picture of me. I am a Ya-Ya. :)


This is Charlie in his Fox shirt.   Holding Charlie is like Holding Marcus all over again. I cannot believe how much they look alike! (the bottom picture is Marcus at 4. He is smiling in that picture, but they have the exact same chocolate brown eyes!)

AND THEN.... this is a really special Ya-Ya night....:)  I was given this photo! Isn't it precious!!!
The caption was "Double Cousins make the best friends!"
The boys and Ilse are double cousins because sisters are married to brothers. :)

ALLI AND DADDY

Miss Alli has had a wonderful day.  When we were at the baby shower, Daddy and Alli went out for a special time.  She wanted to talk to him about baptism.  She is ready to be baptized.  Daddy said they had a wonderful talk.  I really like this picture! My sweeties.

ILSE HAD HER SHOWER TONIGHT

ILSE JOY--   Ilse means "Consecrated to God"  Joy means "JOY!"

And Ilse DOES bring us Great Joy.... :)

 

Notice naked baby here:)  BOY oh BOY there is no reason for her to ever be naked again! LOL'

(she was actually naked because she was hot, not from lack of clothing) :)

 Ilse and Auntie Ellen

 Miss Barbara

 Ilse and Auntie Ivy

 Me.... and Carol

 Beautiful flowers!

 Ilse and Auntie Erika

 Emily opening LOADS of gifts.

 There is the outfit Ya-Ya picked out. :)

 She got some shoes too. :)
 What a blessing to be able to go to Ilse's baby shower.... I loved what Ivy had to say about Ilse..... She is fearfully and wonderfully made....God does not make mistakes.
I like to see Ilse as  a precious gift that we will open in time.... surprises will come out one at a time and bring us joy.  (Ilse's middle name)