Pride Cometh After A Fall

We had a great time at camp. It was short and full of adventures. I learned a very good lesson over the weekend. Don't try to race an electric golf cart up a hill on a trail with rocks lining it. You will lose your balance, get your foot stuck between rocks, fall on those rocks and then tumble down a little ravine. (for lack of a better word) And all in front of a bunch of people.

So that is what happened. I was so embarrassed that after I was helped up by a very nice man named Dwayne, whom I fell right in front of. I tried to keep running. I wanted to run away. After about 50 more steps that turned to a limp, and then I caught up with Mike. By then it was hurting pretty good. We went to the lodge where I removed my shoe, and haven't been able to get it on since. We went stayed at camp as it was Saturday afternoon and we were leaving in the a.m. anyway, and the kids had a great time. Then we drove home and went to one of those cheesy x ray places.
The verdict was: "There is something on your x ray. It looks like your foot has a fracture, but the radiologist won't be in until tomorrow so don't stand on it at all. I'm thinking, "No problem there. I CAN'T stand on it at all." LOL

So I am getting a lesson that is only going to give me more compassion for my girlies. It is a real pain to not be able to do things. Trying to get up on one foot to crutches is painful. My back, hip, knee and everything else hurt too.

AND.... my "oh so compassionate" Mike says,"You aren't 20 anymore!" Thank you for reminding me of that. I don't know what I would have done without that information. :)

I am so thankful this didn't happen 2 or 3 months ago at our height of limblessness. God is so Good to us.

I'll upload pictures of camp as soon as I can get them organized, but here is one of me in the lodge.

I'm The Mom

If you need a little pick up, if you need to feel empowered! If you need a laugh....
Visit THE MOM SONG.....

And for dads.. Here is a dad song.

Missed Moments of Simple Joy

Today I went to Wal mart, and as I walked up to my car which was parked by the median, there was this little girl about 4. She had blonde hair and thick glasses for an obvious eye problem. But she was observing the tree on the median very carefully. She looked at it very closely and said, "Mommy, this tree has an owie!" Her mommy wasn't paying much attention and said rather droley,"Get in the car." The little girl was fixated on that tree and I heard her say, "Oh poor tree!" Then she kissed it.
I was cracking up while putting my groceries away.

Her mom was doing the same thing. (putting groceries in her car)

The little girl then said, "Oh mommy, isn't this the most beautiful tree! I LOVE this tree!" Her mommy put her cart in the cart holder and called her over again. This time she said, "because you didn't get in the car, when we get home you are going to your room to be punished!" end of story...... The little girl got in the car and they drove away....

Now, It is true that she didn't get into the car when her mother told her to, but my guess is, she didn't even hear her. She was so happily fixated on that exciting tree and having such a moment of joy, she didn't hear her mommy.

Her mommy missed such a wonderful moment to share with her little girl. It is really special to share a child's joy and excitement over the simplest of things.
We all miss out. We are all guilty of being too busy.

I hope this little girl's mommy has a better day tomorrow,enjoys her daughter's delight and shares in it with her while discovering this wonderful, beautiful world God has given us to enjoy. :)

I had the secret delight of watching a little girl admire a tree. :)

Finishing What I Start

I don't know about you, but I have this issue with finishing a project. I get too many going, and then have trouble sticking to a task until it is completed.

I have been doing really well working on a major project, but need to finish it.
It is days like this, when I don't feel that great, and I have loads of "other" things to do, that I get bogged down and frustrated. My mind gets full and then, my wheels just spin.

So why am I writing this? To get my fingers going. :) Sometimes it just helps to state the obvious in writing and move on.....

So here is to a full brain! :) Hopefully I can leak some out on paper today.

How To: According to Anna

Today Anna said, "Mom, I know how Sarah can get over her fear of dancing in public and how I can get over my fear of public speaking!

"How Anna?"

Adopt 14 children! It would be public speaking just to ask for the bread to be passed! And Sarah would be dancing in front of all those people!

She is a smart kid. :)

Loving Our Neighbor

I love our church. It is a church full of imperfect people. But one thing these imperfect people know how to do is to love their neighbor. Who is our neighbor? Everyone you come into contact with.

When we started attending many years ago, the first thing I noticed was "Grandma's Attic". Grandma's Attic is a clothes closet for those within the church and outside the church. There would be a line of people sometimes waiting for the services to end so they could come in and get clothing. At first I thought it was odd, but many of the people in the community didn't speak English and probably weren't comfortable coming into a Christian church. Many were from China and most likely were Buddhist. Others were from Mexico and only spoke Spanish.

Because of that, our church started English Second Language Classes and started holding a Spanish Bible Study. Our friends also moved into the apartments near the church to minister to the people there.

Later on, about 6 years ago, we started a Food Pantry. "Grandma's Pantry" It was suggested at first that there is a food pantry in the community; but after talking it over, it was decided that We should be reaching out and helping those in our body AS a body, not turning helping our neighbor into a social service event for the person in need of help.

The food pantry opened with 1 rule. NO QUESTIONS ASKED.( so that the thing that happened to me in my post below would NEVER happen to anybody within our scope of contact) If you need food, it is there for the taking. If you have food to give, give it. If you use food, when you can, contribute back so others can use it. It has since grown from canned goods, to pampers, formula, baby food, specialized foods, tooth paste, soaps and deoderant. There are even walkers, canes and potty seats in there.
I am so thankful for the loving, giving hearts of those who secretly give. And I am SO THANKFUL that there is a place people can go for food and not be embarrassed.

Grandma's Pantry has exploded to Grandma's kitchen too. You can get refrigerated items;frozen meats and dairy products. Isn't that great!

In the times we are facing as a nation, I am happy to be at a church where people can find comfort and that as a church, we will pull together and take care of each other and those in our community who have need.

When We Think Our Sin Doesn't Stink

I was talking to a friend today about life, and how it makes such interesting twists and turns.
She is much younger than I am. In fact she is probably about the same age as my youngest son. :)
She and her sister have seen much heartache in this life, and as young people, they did not know the Lord. They turned their hearts and desires towards Him when they had already tread some paths that have brought them regret.

As we were talking, it dawned upon me that she had no idea of some of my life when I was younger. Because of the nature of our conversation, I was able to share a little with her about my earlier years.
She has felt that the problems she has faced in life are sometimes of the magnitude that many who have grown up in the church are completely unable to relate to her. Even though I did grow up within a broad Christian circle, my early married life took some horrific paths and I learned much about the grace and mercy of God through very difficult circumstances.

Unfortunately, I understand her conclusions about how SOME within the church deal with sin, with the effects of sin, with past sin, with new believers who have horrific pasts, and with those who are believers living in horrific conditions.

As I was talking to her, memories flooded in of me as a young mother seeking counsel about my situation. I walked away many times bewildered not only by the "casualness of what I was told, but the true lack of love I felt from those who were supposed to love me." If this was LOVE, I was in serious trouble.

I actually had a woman tell me one time, that she knew of another woman in my situation that obeyed God and submitted to her husband, and when He came at her with a hammer, she simply began to pray in tongues and he couldn't hit her! NO kidding. She used this example to show me where I had failed in my life and how I was in sin.

There was another man who called me and told me that I had no right to marry again. I was an adulteress and he went on and on. This same man had had numerous relationships with women of an inappropriate nature, though he himself only wanted to marry a pure woman.

Then, there was the time I went to MY OWN CHURCH (not the one I am in at present) to seek food for my family. A very grouchy assistant pastor came out and yelled at me, demanding to know, "How did you get yourself into this situation?" I had never met this man, nor had I ever asked for food before.
I was so embarrassed and horrified and humiliated, I left, with him then saying, "Wait, do you need food?" Well, yea, but not from you.

Let's see, How DID I get myself into that situation?
I purposely married a lousy man who used drugs and was an alcoholic. I purposely married a man who mistreated me and my children, because that is what I really wanted...... duh.....So I decided to give birth to 4 children within 4 years and live in poverty and I got myself into this situation because I was of such a vile and sinful nature that I could do no other. Oh yea, and I was a total idiot.

Sometimes, that is how those within the church make you feel. It is one of those situations where they approach you with a, "We've got it all together because we are special and it is our job to fix you and make you see things our way, and by the way, 'you really are an idiot'! "

When you go to them to share a real problem, you get to thinking, "this person has never missed a meal, the worst problem they have had in their entire life is a broken nail or the store didn't carry the right hair color, and... they think I'm an idiot."

Have I said idiot enough?

Those thoughts and feelings are very raw and very real. They are some of the reasons I stopped seeking any kind of counsel except on my knees in prayer and in the reading of my bible.
I say that today and I'm bothered by that. We SHOULD be able to seek godly counsel. We SHOULD be able to get help and be LOVED by the Body of Christ. We SHOULDN'T bear our burdens alone. But many do, for the very reasons I have stated above.

The problem is for those who have grown up in the church, including myself.... we don't see our sin as stinky. We don't see our true condition. We have a list of rights and wrongs and as long as we safely stay away from the 10 majors, then well, we are doing pretty good! Right? WRONG!!!!!We don't know that we are the ones who are poor, and hungry and naked.
That basically makes us Pharisees. The Pharisees were able to follow the law and even built laws around the law to make sure they didn't break the law. In fact, Paul stated that he followed the law perfectly! But Christ referred to them as "white washed seplechurs full of dead men's bones."

But Christ raised the bar of the law abit. He said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind, AND Love your neighbor as yourself." In His sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, he gives a very revealing sermon on what His desire is for us. "Love your enemy", turn the other cheek, if somebody takes your coat, give him your sweater as well."

For those who do talk to others who are struggling: Are we applying Christ's words? Are we loving that person as we would love ourselves. Are we treating them as we would want to be treated? Or are we shocked at the depth of their sin, and disgusted by their lack of spiritual awareness? Are we rightly dividing the word of Truth with them?

It is my hope that when somebody does seek counsel, they will find a wealth of love and support, both in the Word of God, in the spoken word and in deed; also that a clear picture of Christ will be presented and that they will walk away ready and excited about continuing down the path of Life, despite the problems they are facing. It is my hope and desire that those within the church who desire to counsel, will first be humble and know that if they have not experienced extreme hardship, it isn't because they are so special and they have made wonderful choices, but it is the blessing of God upon them and His mercy that has kept them, in spite of themselves.And this IS something to be thankful for!
And for those who HAVE gone through extreme hardship,that they would allow the Lord to use them to bring about HIS glory and that they would encourage others to press on to the finish line.
All of us... every one of us.... no matter how pretty, how pleasant, how ugly, how unpleasant, were born naked, and in desperate need of a Savior. We all come to know Him the same way; in Faith, through the precious blood of Christ.

Blessed By A Child

Blessed By A Child posted about her son Joseph today. You will truly be blessed by reading her post. It is a precious story of God's grace. Please read it and drop my friend Jeane and her son Joseph a line in her comments section. They are getting ready to go and get another little one.

Triggers

Our Friday night tradition of Pizza and a movie continues, and then we all retreat to camp in mom and dad's room for the night. It is usually a peaceful sleep, but last night was a little different. The sleeping arrangements were changed. This time Erika slept on the cot at the end of our bed, Anna took the chair and Sarah slept on blankets on the floor.
I was awoken to Erika having one of those dreams. The kind that give me chills. She never remembers them. But they are of that deep,mournful cry; a panic, a sense of loss and loneliness that is so great it can't be fathomed by those of us who have never experienced total aloneness.
And then, once again, I heard the cot start to squeak back and forth. When I got up to check on her she was in a deep sleep rocking back and forth and she had tightly wrapped her covers all around her like a straight jacket. I touched her gently and said, "sweety, you are rocking". She opened her eyes,smiled and then went to sleep again, this time without rocking. Then it started up again.....
When she woke this morning, she was rested and had no memory of her restless sleep.

I am so thankful that in God's mercy, he allows us to not remember things in our conscious state. Things so terrible and feelings so fearful that they are best left untouched.
When the right time comes, if God so chooses, she may remember more. She remembered a lot when she first came home, and the things she told us were shocking and upsetting.
She was in the dark a lot. There were other beds. She was tied, sometimes she ate and sometimes she didn't. The covers were wrapped around her. She was left to lay. For four years she rocked before she made it to an orphanage. Much of what she told us, she has forgotten. Time has a way of helping us to forget.

But then there are those times when her memory is triggered and she does. The season of year, may be her trigger. Our 3 year anniversary is coming up soon. It is both joyful and sad. It triggers memories of belonging to a new family, but it also triggers memories of rejection, abandonment and loss.

That is the nature of adoption. It has 2 sides. Happiness in finding a forever home, but profound sadness because you were rejected by the very ones who gave you birth.
The circumstance doesn't really matter. The rejection hurts just the same.

One thing we as adoptive parents can do for our children is to grieve with them. The compassion we show them when they feel that loss is so important. Their sadness does not reflect on their love for us, nor does it mean they don't love us. It just means they have suffered great pain and need support to heal. It is our job and DUTY as parents to love them through these moments, being careful to not trivialize them by saying, "But you have a new home, you are here with a new mommy and daddy, your life is wonderful now!" Those things do not matter at that moment. What matters is that momentary memory of pain and rejection. Our reaction to that can make all the difference in the world towards their complete healing.

Our daughter is a happy, loving and caring child. It is our prayer that her past pain and experiences in life will be used by the Lord to mold and shape her into the vessel He has chosen for her to be, and that she would see His hand on her life.
I know she already does.

Happy Birthday To Tim, Joe ,Becca and Sam

February is a very busy Birthday Month for us.
Here are a few pictures I happen to have on the computer of the Birthday boys and Girl!



This is Tim when he was very sick. He was a preemie and we are very fortunate
to have him around.:)

This is Tim and Joe when they were 1 and 2. I was in the hospital on complete bed rest with their brother Marcus.

I love this picture of Joe and Becca!

Here are Joe and Sam. Sam is going to be two at the end of the month.

This is one of my favorite little boy pictures of Timothy.

And here is Tim and Emily on their wedding Day. What a difference 21 years can make. :) (between birth and marriage)
Happy Birthday Ya'll. I'm very proud of each and every one of you. :)
Love,
Mom

The Waltons Good or Not?

I purchased the Walton's Series on DVD for the girls. It was a great buy for just $10.88 at Sams.

I remember watching the Walton's as a girl and loved that show. I liked John Boy and Mary Ellen and all the stories. What I wasn't quite prepared for was what the girls picked up. You think they would be "Mary Ellen, Erin and Elizabeth" in their play, but NO!

They have been playing Miss Mamie and Miss Emily!. I caught them playing Miss Mamie and Miss Emily and during their tea party today they were serving "The Recipe!"

For those who aren't familiar with the Waltons. Miss Maimie and Miss Emily are old spinsters who protect their fathers old still. They are boot legg-whiskey makers.
The recipe is Whiskey! LOL

(Now the girls don't know that , but there is something disturbing about that)
At least they are learning to call each other "dear sister". LOL

They were all singing while doing the dishes and Anna had made up a song that went something like, "If you feeling good or your feeling weak, just mix up some Recipe!"

help

A Good Reminder

Last night, I was helping the girls wind down from the day. We needed to finish chores, clean up and get ready for bed. As I was throwing out instructions, I asked them to please not touch a few things on the table, because I was working on them. Well, they got touched. So I asked, who moved my things? Then, when Erika went over to the table she said, these things? and started moving them. I said, "I told you not to touch those things!" (these are my tax papers I'm working on, so I need them untouched or I'll get lost!) She then went over to do something else, and I reminded her, that yesterday we showed her to do things a different way and she had not done it the way we showed her.
She looked abit confused, and then got teary. 2 times in a few minutes she was corrected and seemed bewildered about why.....

So me in perfect form (NOT) says, if you are going to cry, you need to do it in the other room. duh....
So she REALLY pulls out the tears. I was in the kitchen kicking myself for not being more sensitive, and then it dawned on me. Something she said was, "You are talking too fast." She hasn't even been in the USA for 3 years, and I am expecting her to understand language like Anna. She doesn't. It is easy to forget when a child doesn't have an accent, speaks rather well, does well in school, and generally seems to understand what you are saying. But I do notice that many times she guesses, or she asks questions. Sometimes she doesn't know how to ask the question. Language aquisition is such an interesting phenomenon.

So, I sadly went into the bedroom and sat down with her and said, "Can mommy say I'm sorry?" She sat down on my lap and I apologized to her for not realizing she was not understanding everything I was saying. I told her that I forget that she is still learning English, and we are ALL learning language. It is a never ending process.

So she smiled and we had a hug, the tears stopped and we shared some I love yous.
She went to bed happy and understood, and I still have those papers on the table to finish getting ready for the tax man.

Mommy And Daddy Sitting In a Tree.......

Except she sang:

"Mommy and Daddy sitting on the couch"
K I S S I N G

First comes love, then comes marriage,

Then comes another adopted child!

It didn't rhyme, but I thought it was pretty funny. :)

I won't say how high of a number she counted up to! Yikes.

Look Mommy!

"I Blew a Heart!"

She sure did! I asked her if she could do it again so I could get a picture of it
and she did it again! How special is that!


This is my special "Heart Breathing" Valentine.

Mommy Unleashed

I thought Anna was blogging. But no.... she was busy recording.
It was fun, and uninhibited, so here is Mommy Unleashed;dancing with Sarah
and Erika. :)

The Challenge of Being Different

Today, Erika was out of pants to wear. She LOVES wearing pants. I suggested a dress, she has that is very cute. It is like overalls, but is a jumper type dress. It turns out, she doesn't like showing her legs. Not because they are hairy, or skinny, or fat, but because they are fake. Prosthetic. DIFFERENT.

So I ask in my most cheerful motherly voice, "So what's the problem with different?"

Everybody stares. I don't like them staring...... Hmmmm.... She is definitely becoming a young lady. And those stares from strangers and friends alike can make us feel like a piece of pepper in a salt shaker. So we had a discussion about how EVERYBODY stares at everybody. If you are tall, fat, skinny, ugly, pretty, have moles like mommy, smoothe skin, blue eyes, etc. etc. etc. EVERYBODY gets stared at!

But she has something happy on her legs to share. Butterflys, soccer balls, basketballs. Things that make those who stare SMILE. :) People decorate themselves in tattoos these days. I'm sure they know others will look. SO, her legs are different. SO WHAT! She WALKS. She is a walking billboard for the grace of God in our lives. She is a walking billboard for those who cannot come out of their homes; to help us remember those who are shut in and in need. If she is out here in Wylie, all by herself, I wonder how many more children there are in the world like her? Who are shut in, or cannot get out and play?
She is a walking testimony of the Lord's grace, and a testimony of those who have compassion on those less fortunate that give to the hospital that graciously cares for her and Sarah.

But she is oh so much more than that. She is not defined by her legs. She is not defined by arthrogryposis, she is not defined by being an amputee, any more than I am defined by those moles that I am so glad I have kept, even though I hate them.

Erika is a blossoming, lovely person, who is full of life, full of energy and humor, and love, and kindness, and boy is she ever smart. She loves all the things little girls love and best of all she loves Jesus. (and mommy too) :)

So, we are going to go out in that dress today to the store. We are going to hold our heads high and walk down the aisle and have a wonderful time, and hopefully, anybody who stares today, will see a precious little girl who is living a full and happy life, and they will WANT what she has. Joy,Peace,and a nice mommy and daddy. :)

Our Family Blog: RANDOM THOUGHTS

Our Family Blog: RANDOM THOUGHTS


I still haven't figured out the link thing. I was trying to link this post to my post below on Erika, and someday, I'll get it. But just not today.

Anyway, if you click on this link, it will take you to something I wrote a couple of years ago.

CM

A Mother's Joy and Tears

This is a very special video for me. It brings me both tears and joy. OR should I say, tears OF joy. :)
It may not seem much to many to see a child of 10 swinging on an old swingset. But LOOK! Look closely! She is doing it all by herself! 6 years ago, she was in a bed, laying in a bed, laying all day and all night, just "left to lay", that is what they call it. By a miracle, she was transferred to an orphanage where they started to work with her. I met the woman during our last missions trip who taught her how to walk in cumbersome braces. She taught her to feed herself and talk. And I was able to tell her thank you.

Swinging herself though! This is a new thing. She is so proud, and I am proud of her.
She got all muddy swinging so I had to take her socks and shoes off. This is what I found!

They didn't have purple toenail polish in the orphanage either. :)

Erika has come so far. It will 3 years in April. It seems so long ago, like she has always been with us, yet it seems like yesterday when we brought her home forever.
So today I have tears of joy, just because a little girl is happy and can paint her toenails any color she wants.

3 Little Girls, 3 Different Interests: For Today

It is interesting watching the girls grow and develop different interests. Today, Erika has spent loads of time with dad. She said, "Mom, I really like doing "man things!" LOL
She went with him yesterday to get a car with the trailer and in "true woman form" she reported to him that "mommy would never drive like that!" :)



Anna is learning to braid. She took this picture of her masterpiece from the back of my head. :) (am I really that gray?) YIKES!

Sarah has been interested in measuring things lately. Here she is measuring my little table in the kitchen.


I just wonder what they will do when they are grown.... I am thrilled to just think of the possibilities. The guys are all so different in profession, and much of what I see the girls do, I saw the guys do too. (minus the braiding of my hair) LOL

Dad is thrilled that Erika like to do "man things". He may have finally found a potential mechanic! LOL

The Cows Are In The Corn

This is one of my favorite stories a friend sent me several years ago:


Hymns and Choruses: The Cows are in the Corn

An old farmer went to the city one weekend and attended the big city church. He came home and his wife asked him how it was. “Well,” said the farmer, “It was good. They did something different, however. They sang praise choruses instead of hymns.”
“Praise choruses,” said his wife, “What are those?”
“Oh, they’re okay. They’re sort of like hymns, only different,” said the farmer.
“Well, what’s the difference?” asked his wife.

The farmer said, “It’s like this--If I were to say to you: ‘Martha, the cows are in the corn,’ well, that would be a hymn. If, on the other hand, I were to say to you: Martha, Martha, Martha, Oh, Martha, MARTHA, MARTHA, the cows, the big cows, the brown cows, the black cows, the white cows, the black and white cows, the COWS, COWS, COWS are in the corn, are in the corn, are in the corn, are in the corn, the CORN, CORN, CORN, then, if I were to repeat the whole thing two or three times, well that would be a praise chorus.”

As luck would have it, the exact same Sunday a young, new Christian from the city church attended the small town church. He came home and his wife asked him how it was. “Well,” said the young man, “It was good. They did something different, however. They sang hymns instead of regular songs.”

“Hymns,” said his wife, “What are those?”
“Oh, they’re okay. They’re sort of like regular songs, only different,” said the young man.
“Well, what’s the difference?” asked his wife.

The young man said, “Well, it’s like this-If I were to say to you, ‘Martha, the cows are in the corn,’ that would be a regular song. If, on the other hand, I were to say to you:

Oh Martha, dear Martha, hear thou my cry
Inclinest thine ear to the words of my mouth.
Turn thou thy whole wondrous ear by and by
To the righteous, inimitable, glorious truth.

For the way of the animals who can explain
There in their heads is no shadow of sense,
Hearkenest they in God’s sun or His rain
Unless from the mild, tempting corn they are fenced.

Yea those cows in glad bovine, rebellious delight,
Have broke free their shackles, their warm pens eschewed.
Then goaded by minions of darkness and night
They all my mild Chilliwack sweet corn have chewed.

So look to that bright shining day by and by,
Where all foul corruptions of earth are reborn.
Where no vicious animal makes my soul cry
And I no longer see those foul cows in the corn.

Then, if I were to do only verses one, three and four and do a key change on the last verse, well that would be a hymn.”

(from the web—numerous sources)

Eye Hand Coordination

Many children struggle with Eye Hand Coordination for various reasons. Some of those reasons are because of immaturity, but sometimes it can be because of neurological or inflicted problems.

Anna has had many issues with eye hand coordination. But today, I was so very proud of her. What she would have NEVER attempted to do last year, she did on her own during her morning break this year! YEA ANNA!

She designed and cut out a dress for her paper doll. That may not seem like much to some, as she is 10. But to me, and for Anna, it is nothing short of a miracle. She was so proud of herself. I am proud of her too. GREAT JOB ANNA!

Studying the Bill of Rights

We are getting ready to memorize the Bill of Rights. Today we were going over them and the right to bear arms came up.

I asked the girlies: What does it mean, "You have the right to own, keep and bear arms?"

The answers:

You have the right to have babies with arms! (bear)
You have the right to keep your arms. Nobody can take them away.
If somebody cuts your arms off, you can own them by keeping them.
If your arms don't have hair; it is ok, you can keep them.

Here are a few more rights:

The right to petition for grievances in Fair and Honest Judgement:
"To tell the judge what you think of him."
I means you can go to the judge and they will be unjust.

The right to privacy in homes:
The condition of being out of the sight and hearing of all other people.
IT means that you want to be left alone.

The right to free speech and press:
You can say what you want to say
It means the right to speak free without getting pressed.

The right to freedom from arbitrary government regulation and control:
You can do whatever you want.


The right to bargain for goods and services in a free market:
To be able to get what you want at the store.

The right to trial by jury and innocent until proven guilty means:
You get together with them and tell them if you are guilty or not.



hmmmmm. we have much work to do. :)
LOL

The Fallout of Sin

My mind has been full of thoughts about the issue of sin and the fallout of sin in our lives, and how it affects those around us either directly or indirectly.

Let me start with, WE ALL SIN, we are all sinners, with a fallen nature, it shouldn't surprise us that we sin or other's sin. It is what comes "natural" to us. When Christ reaches in and changes us, that does not mean we will never sin again. It does mean we will care deeply about our plight and turn to Him for help, both in turning from our sin and growing in our spiritual walk so we are not bound by sin. For the first time, we are actually FREE, to NOT sin!

I talked with an old friend that I had not heard from in many years. This person was disgraced by what happened in their life, and their actions affected many, many people around them. The actions of this person were not so horrific that they had to go to jail, but they did leave our area and eventually lost contact. So I was pretty surprised to get a call yesterday.

What broke my heart was the depth of personal prison this person was in because of sin.
They confess they know Christ, yet the bondage of guilt is upon them, as they know the delicate position they were in caused much pain for those in their charge.
This is one of the huge problems, in my humble opinion, of putting people in places of leadership when they are in no way ready to be a leader either by maturity or relationship. A few places scripture gives guidelines for leaders is in Titus and 1 Timothy.
I personally think it is irresponsible of leaders to place people in places of authority or teaching when they are not ready. THIS DOES NOT HAVE TO DO WITH AGE.
This has everything to do with spiritual maturity.

The "Win-em, wet-em, work-em" menality is damaging.

It was especially damaging for this person, and it personally affected our own family and many others. While we worked our way through much discouragement and pain, one of our sons did not, and continues to have trust problems with the established church.
This very incident was one reason that we shyd away from the influence of organized "youth groups", minus parents involvement.

I thought we would never have to deal with this issue again, in relation to the church, because all our boys grew up. But guess what? Not so. We have 3 little girls getting ever so closer to that delicate "youth group" age, and guess who is now having memories that cause me to sweat drops of nervousness and pain? Yep, your's truly....

I am typing this and my own son works with youth in another state! LOL

I will have to think long and hard about the delicate issue of youth group for our girls. I saw how the actions of a few wayward leaders nearly totally destroyed our son, and he came from a stable home. I can't imagine how those same actions would have effected our girls, coming from a much less stable background.

We have many things to think about with regards to our girls and youth group situations. It is NOT a command of scripture that says, "Thou Shalt Go To Youth Group", but there are those who get their tail feathers all tangled when you politely decline. They take it personally. It is NOT personal, it is prayerful direction.

So, while we have long forgiven and moved on in our lives; our son struggles with pain from what happened long ago. The person involved struggles with the pain they caused indirectly by their own personal actions and is still struggling spiritually. I can picture Christ with His arms opened wide, wanting them to come to Him, because HE ULTIMATELY is the only one who can heal the situation AND HE is the only one we can TRULY put our trust in. That is after all why He came; to heal, to renew, to restore.

We need not look at man. We MUST keep our eyes on Christ, the AUTHOR and PERFECTER of our faith. So, if you have read all of this and think about those who struggle with past sin, or even present sin, remember to hold them up in prayer.

There is much Fallout from Sin.

Daddy's Birthday!

Guess who is 1 year away from 50!!!!!!!!!!!

Adopting Older Children

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=children+of+leningradsky&www_google_domain=www.google.com&hl=en&emb=0&aq=f&aq=0&oq=children+of+lenin#

If you are thinking about adopting an older child from Eastern Europe, PLEASE watch this. It might bring some understanding and compassion to how you view your new child and help you to understand the depths from whence they came.

If you click on the title to this post, it will take you directly to the 34 minute documentary.

This is NOT to scare ANYBODY away from older child adoption, but it IS to make you aware and secure your compassion for these very special children.

STRONG WARNING: This is not for children to view. There is language (subtitles) drugs, violence and sadness. IT IS A MUST SEE though. Many of our children who were neglected before going into the orphanage had similar experiences to these children. Many children escape orphanages to live on the streets. Some go back and forth. Many long for a family to love them, but if the chance comes for them to be adopted, which is nearly like winning the lottery for them, they do not do well BECAUSE the adoptive parents are not prepared for how to parent these special kids. They cannot just become
the son or daughter you want them to be. They are rough around the edges and do not even come close to understanding the concept of family, of love, of loyalty etc.

THEY CAN SUCCEED and YOU CAN SUCCEED as parents to bring together a successful outcome, but you must know what you are dealing with. Even if your child has not experienced life to this extreme, believe me, they have been neglected at best.
All those babies don't rock back and forth in cribs because they are being so well taken care of. If they came from an orphange, just because it looked like a great place, don't be fooled. Orphanages are not great places. There are those that truly care for the kids, but they CANNOT give what the children need. They need a mom and dad and family to love and support them unconditionally.

Heather Forbes/Beyond Consequences part 2

I think there is something very important to point out in relation to Beyond Consequences Logic and Control/ Heather Forbe's book regarding parenting traumatized children.

When you read the book, or hear the conference, you find yourself saying, "Wait a minute, my kid is acting horribly and I'm just supposed to give in to this type of behavior, remain calm, not punish etc?"

To this person I would say:

Most kids do not exhibit these behaviors. But for those that DO, there is something behind that behavior that is driving it. If your methods have not worked, or you are feeling the strain of anger pulling you apart, or your family is stretched to the brink stress, think about it this way.

ONCE you have been able to establish trust and love in your family, the behaviors disappear. It seems quite counter intuitive, especially for those who have been taught (which is most of us) that children should obey the very first time without question or the boom is lowered and they are brought under control by force.

THIS is why I am so very thankful to have parented Joseph. Our 3rd son, who was born angry. LOL It is true. He was. If he had been able to get his hands on a cigar and a beer, it would have fit the tirade he had in the delivery room. Everybody was laughing at how a preemie could scream that loud and be so mad.
By the time Joseph was 2 he was tantraming and I was using all the traditional methods I had learned, read about and been taught. NOTHING and I do mean NOTHING helped and he continued to spiral out of control. It was only when I realized that I had to help to keep him regulated by staying regulated myself. I had to help him LEARN to regulate himself because he really couldn't, that we had success. When I started seeing him as a child full of fear. HE WAS.... he was afraid of the toilet, he was afraid of his father, he was afraid of loud noises, he was afraid of being alone, I could go on and on....When I pictured him as a very frightened baby, my entire relationship with him changed and he responded VERY Quickly. It was amazing. I discovered my methods quite by accident and through much prayer; and it is amazing how similar they were to what Heather Forbes is teaching. Joseph is 28 years old now, married to a beautiful girl whom I love dearly and father, to a wonderful little boy.

So back to what I was talking about.....

The behaviors change and the "window of tolerance" changes too. The window of tolerance is how far a child can handle stress before his breaking point. With traumatized children, their window of stress is abnormally low. So to the normal child you can say no and it isn't a problem. To the stressed child, you can say no and they are on the floor kicking and screaming. The answer isn't to stress them out more, but to lower their stress level so that window can be budged open wider and wider and they can learn to handle stresses of life. It works and it works QUICKLY.

Many people are too afraid themselves to try it. They get hung up on Proverbs and feel that they are not disciplining.

I would challenge that person to take the whole counsel of the word of God. I would challenge them to consider what true "Discipline" is. Discipline is not punishment.
Discipline is to disciple; to come along side and teach. Punishment is sometimes a form of discipline, but it is a negative form of discipline. For the child who is at that closed window of tolerance, they cannot handle punishment, it will send them further and further into a downward spiral. They have to be able to experience love and trust first.

THEN... this is the funny part. Once you start to parent from a different paradigm, behaviors are no longer the driving force behind your parenting. Meaning, if you are having great success with your child responding to positive parenting and relationship s based upon love and trust, why would you want to parent any differently?

If Suzie does something wrong, and you sit down with her and talk to her about it, let her know how it effects the family, how it can effect her life and the natural consequences of life, her relationship with God etc. and Suzie is repentant, sorrowful and apologizes, what else is there to do? The Only thing I can think of is make the slate clean, keeping short accounts, and starting fresh, openly forgiving and letting her know that you love her so very much and truly care about her behavior. Isn't that how it is with us and Our Heavenly Father? If we come to him and confess our sin he is faithful to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness? It doesn't say, he then punishes us afterwards to make sure we never do THAT again, does it?

As we brought our little girls into our home, they came with some pretty extreme behaviors. At least the first 2 did. LOL The third one tried a couple of extreme things, but we recognized it right away and it only happened once.

Those behaviors became less and less pretty quickly. We still deal with fears from one of our children in particular, but when it is recognized for what it is, it disappears pretty quickly too. If I see her start to shut down, a quick trip to the rocking chair or an extra time for cuddling works pretty quickly to bring her back into regulation. TO make it CLEAR: This is not a FORCED HOLDING or FORCED BABYING.
I am against this, and was very pleased to hear Heather say at her conference that FORCING a child to be held, or FORCING some of the recognized traditional attachment therapies out there are damaging and should not be done.
If a child WANTS to be babied, then so be it. If they don't, it can cause them harm to force it.

Many people ask, "What happens when they get into the real world?" If you get stopped and get a ticket, you have to pay it and be respectful to the police officer who gives it. That is so true. The whole point is, you are getting your child to a place where they CAN receive that ticket, or they CAN receive the boss at work treating them unfairly, without falling a part. When they learn to handle stress, and you give them the tools to do it, it is life long and they will become whole and healthy citizens.

I have found this to be true with my sons, and I am seeing this with my girls too.

I just wish I had parented like this all along.

There is nothing more precious that talking with your child and leading them to the Lord to help them and listening to them pray and reach out to the one who can truly help them.
It is wonderful seeing them stop themselves and realize they are not using the "tool" they have been given, and then use that tool. LOL (in this case it was the "self control tool put in a mental tool box)

Over the last 5 years, we have mixed in some old methods with the new. "You must stop right now!" etc. Or we have used "natural" consequences... if you do not put your seat belt on, we cannot go. This was done AFTER that window of regulation was open wider.
And those little lessons are important for them to experience. Small doese first..then more....
I say this because this does prepare them for life. Mom cannot get out and put your seat belt on every time forever. But in the beginning, that may be what mom NEEDS do do, until things get settled. The point was, in Heather's seminar, It Isn't Going To Be Forever... the BEHAVIORS WILL CHANGE!

We have found that to be very true.

Heather Forbes/ Beyond Consequences

Today I attended the Beyond Consequences Logic and Control Conference that was hosted by Buckner Children's Services and Garland Independent School District.

I read the original work by Heather Forbes and Bryan Post a few years ago. Much of what was in that book was something that we were mostly already doing, but with a spiritual twist. :)
After reading the book, I began to discuss it with others and found there were some who thought it was the work of a very imbalanced person, and they would have nothing to do with it because of rumor about Mr. Post's education, and weird therapy techniques.
I won't get into that here, as I don't know Mr. Post, where he attended school or if any of the rumor was true. None of what was suggested he does was in this book.

Mr.Post and Heather Forbes are no longer doing seminars together. She said he is working more on "group homes", and she is teaching parent/counselor seminars.
Honestly, I'm a little relieved that the controversy has blown over abit and the focus of what she is doing has overcome, as I think what she teaches and says has great validity.

Many people think that she advocates no discipline in the home, no rules, and chaos reigns. That could not be further from the truth.

What she DOES do, is give people a paradigm shift, so they can focus on SUCCESSFULLY parenting the most difficult of traumatized children. Her focus is on children who have experienced unspeakable trauma and are at risk for antisocial behavior.

Part of how I got involved in even reading her book was because of the obvious. 3 traumatized little girls.
It would be FOOLISH to think that we could lazidazically shoot from the hip of parenting with such a delicate and precarious group of little souls.
From the information we had, the parenting styles being used on them were not working, were non existent, or the history was so shattered going from home to home there was no stability.
That does not mean that the parents or caregivers didn't have the best of intentions, I'm sure they did. But children with trauma backgrounds are not going to be your typical child.

Truth be told, much of what I learned in scripture on parenting our children stems from the New Testament. All one need to do is read how Christ treated the disciples and you will have a good picture. All one need to do is read the one command in the New Testament, "Fathers. Do NOT provoke your children to anger but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4
In Colossians 3:21, it says, "Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged."

The basis of the Beyond Consequences book is that a child who does not have a nurturing loving background, but a traumatized, neglected, abusive one, will not have logic, they will not respond to "traditional" parenting styles. I agree. At the same time, I don't think I have ever been that "traditional" of a parent.

The biggest thing I got out of the seminar was that "It isn't about you, it is about them." Discipline them according to their best interest, not how you feel.

There is no book that one can read, other than scripture that is 100%, but I must say, there are a lot of good principles that Heather Forbes teaches for parents that really truly do work.

If you can keep your child in a state of calm, you can reach their heart. You will not reach their heart by locking the horns of force and defiance. But to disarm them with unconditional love, will open their hearts to hear the truth of the scripture and receive the ONE who TRULY shows us unconditional love.

All I can say is, when it comes to Adults, many times we want Mercy and Grace for ourselves, and law for our children. You mess up, you get punished. What about when we mess up. Do we want to be punished? Does God punish us every time? No, we always pray for mercy.
I just wonder, if it isn't confusing to raise our children under such "law", and at the same time try to teach them the mercy and grace of Christ, if we lack the patience to model our heavenly father to them.

I just don't think you can err on the side of love. Perfect Love Casts out Fear. And Fear is what drives many of our children;fear of rejection, losing their parents, losing their lives permeates many of their little lives. FEAR is what also drives many parents to respond in the way they do. They are afraid their child will not love Christ, that they will be delinquent, that they will become criminals. We should not parent from fear but from Love, and from knowledge of the truth with all humility and wisdom.
What a wonderful opportunity we have to show them Christ. REALLY show them Christ.

An Update On Erika

We serve a merciful and loving God. He must have known that we needed a rest. :)
Erika's legs have started to fit better and better over the week, and she has fit down into them with a size 2 sock now! (YEA)

For those who don't know what that means. Prosthetic socks come in many sizes of thickenss. 5's, 3's, 2's, 1's. Her last legs, she wore a 5, 3 and 2 1's, and then as she grew we removed thickensses until she could not fit.

But she was growing so fast with this set, while they were making them, that when fitting day came, they were almost too small. We wrapped her legs, and put her in them, with a 1. She barely fit. Then..... a couple of days later bruises showed up.
She wasn't in pain, but we were concerned.
We thought we were going to have to scrap the legs and start over, and this time with surgery so she could get a better fit.

BUT.... over the week, the bruises actually disappeared and she was able to get into her legs with a size 2! I can't tell you how excited we are.

So the plan is, to let her wear these as long as possible, and when the time comees that she is out grown them, hopefully later than sooner, we will then discuss surgery to reshape her symes area.

Our goal is still for her to be able to get legs she can take on and off by herself.
These she can't. So the rest of us gladly chip in and help her.

We are also going to ask that her next legs be a little shorter. I am worried about how tall she is. When she falls it is scary. Her prosthetist said she can be made a little shorter with a different foot. (she isn't thrilled but Anna is) LOL
And I am too. It will hold off a few more gray hairs. (for a while)

What a joy and RELIEF!!!!!!!

Aunt Dabba

I cannot seem to convince the girls that Dabba is their gramma and not their Aunt.
She is always affectionately referred to as Aunt Dabba. :)

The girls have never met Dabba, but feel that they know her. She often sends them sweet little notes. During the Election she told them all the presidents she had lived under over the years.

Today, the girls received Valentines from Dabba so they can send them.
Sarah got busy filling one out to "Aunt Dabba". She said, "I'm going to write her a letter too!" "What color is her hair?"

I answered, "Her hair is gray now."

She said, "Is she old?"

I said Yes she is.

Sarah then said, "Well, if I write her a letter will she die before she gets it out of the mail box?" LOL

(I was thinking, she might die from shock as I was supposed to send her some artwork a few months ago) LOL

So my answer was, "No, I'm sure she'll be alive when the mail comes."

I just love the way little kids think. :)

They LOVE AUNT DABBA! I LOVE HER TOO. :)

(If you want to see a beautiful picture of Dabba, just click on the Dabba label in the side bar)

I still haven't figured out how to do links.
(something I plan to do before I die.)

The Ice Storm

We had a small ice storm last night. It was really cool this a.m. seeing the ice on the plants.



Anna even found an "Ice Bouquet". :)

Disruption Revisited

Once again, and on more than one front, we have been made aware of adoptions of children that are not doing well, and the result is disruption or removal.

I have tears of sadness as I write this because I feel that there has GOT to be a better way, a better answer, a success!

Many families come upon difficult times in communicating with each other, and it is much more complicated when a child who has experienced trauma, is changing culture, language, etc. The building blocks for trust and nurture are not there. EVERYTHING related to family life is foreign to them. It is like landing on a foreign planet that you have heard about, but the experience is something so different from the book.

Parents can educate themselves for the upcoming event of adoption, but the experience can be vastly different than what they think they have been prepared for.

I remember our parent training classes were wonderful, and there was a small section about orphanage behaviors etc. But they were not expanded upon nearly as much as I would have liked. I really think that experienced parents of older adopted children and infant adopted children should actually teach these classes.

I just wonder, if one solution to try and keep families who REALLY want to try to stay together would be to have a group of parent counselors who would be willing to be on an available list to volunteer to observe, and offer help to a struggling family?

There are just dynamics when dealing with IA(internationally adopted)kids that many do not understand or get.
People who are not familiar with PI (post institutional) behaviors may try to offer help and advice that can be detrimental to the family and the children in turmoil, and then cause the family to feel even more distraught.

We all offer our judgments but few of us offer our hearts and helping hands or helpful knowledge.

If you live in an area and know other IA parents in your area, maybe ya'll can band together and form a support group specifically designed to help those coming after.

I am very fortunate to have had a wonderful relationship with our social worker, to have a counselor who lives 5 doors down and is also an IA parent and to have other friends close by who are IA parents. I couldn't imagine how hard it would be to be all alone and not know anybody. When there is a group of parents, information flows and ideas flow and it can be very helpful. We all offer ideas, books, and other various forms of help to each other and it is a supportive atmosphere.
I'm wondering if we should form an official group to support those in our area....

hmmmmmm......

I just want to see people succeed, and especially see kids lives changed for the better.

Sarah's New Leg Just In Time!

Something Happened to Sarah's foot! She said she felt a "POP"!


And her toe fell off!


I think this leg has had a great work out! Anna tried to fix her toe. Thanks Anna!


Luckily, we picked up her new leg a few days ago, but she isn't used to wearing it yet.Aren't the princesses darling?


I think she'll love it when she gets used to it. It is like getting used to a new pair of shoes.
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What In The WORLD!???!!!

I am still grossed out!

We were getting ready for science, and I needed to take advil for my elbow. So I looked on the table and saw a nice bottle of PURIFIED water on the table. No claims had been made so I figured it was one of the girls and they forgot to put their name on it.

I took my advil and swallowed down the water. Then Anna says, "Oh mommy! You didn't drink from the bottle on the table did you?"

"Yes I did, was it yours?"

"No mommy, it belongs to SWEETIE PIE!"

BLEK!!!!!!
Sweetie Pie is our GOAT!

"You are givng the GOAT BOTTLED WATER>>??????"

Anna is taking extra good care of Sweetie Pie because she is pregnant, but I bet she is the only goat on the planet being served bottled water!

That is the LAST time I drink from a stray bottle of water.

BLEK! or should I say, "MAAAAAA!"

Noah's Ark In The Netherlands

If you go to google images and search for Noah's Ark in the Netherlands, all these pictures will pop up that you can look at. There are also some youtube videos of it.
What a WAY COOL thing this man did. He tried to make an exact replica in size of the actual Noah's Ark. It is a museum with animals, a petting zoo, a children's theatre, etc. so that people can see how it could have worked. Isn't that fascinating? :)

Have Legs Will Travel!

Here is a picture of Erika and I putting on legs before church. She is really TALL with her legs on. It was a joy to see her go outside and play after church today, and to walk in the building and get to Sunday School by herself! YEA!

Reality

Today went well at the hospital. Sarah's leg fits her quite well and she went skipping down the hall like nothing ever happened. Erika on the other hand, is just a bit more complicated.

The goal for Erika has been to make her as independent as possible. Meaning, she would be able to put her own legs on without help. This is really important for her future.
It is also important that she be able to walk without legs. She is a bilateral amputee, and the symes amputations have made it possible for her to walk on bare legs with no prosthetics when in the house. She can get up in the middle of the night and go to the bathroom, she can take a shower, she can get out of bed without having to be carried, etc.
When she first came, she could do none of these things.

The problem we are having is with the size on one of her legs. It has become too large and because of her previous deformity, bones are all over the place. :) That, combined with a very tiny shin and larger knee make it difficult to fit her in prosthetics.
It has gotten more difficult as her one leg has grown.

So, combined with happy news that her new legs are fitting ok, but tight.... and they are an old style of leg that she cannot put on by herself, the doctor and prosthetist talked and they think it would be best to operate. This would mean cutting bone away, removing excess tissue and reshaping her stump so she can fit into a leg better.

The reality is: She will have surgery, there will be a 6 to 8 week recoupuration time for the surgery, then making a new style of legs, and then the big one: the time it will take to be able to stand again on her bare legs to get around the house on her own. I was a little caught off guard.... but I am so thankful that God will never cause us to go through anything alone.

The Doctor suggested summer time, but Erika was a bit upset about that. I don't blame her. She spent one summer in a body cast and it was no fun. :( So, we will talk to him about moving it to Spring, so she can walk a bit, get out for a few weeks and then have the surgery. That way she can spend summer being a kid. And then hopefully, by next year she will be able to walk again on her bare legs around the house without pain.

The Lord has brought our family together for a reason. HE KNEW before He formed our family what trials he would bring us through. Trials are there to strengthen us, to cause us to depend upon HIM. Besides Dad, Mom and Erika, this includes Anna and Sarah too.

And Erika, Anna and Sarah bring us nothing but joy. :)

Tomorrow Tomorrow I Love You Tomorow.....

Hopefully, it ISN'T a Day away!

Tomorrow we wake up at 6:00 a.m. and we travel at 6:30 to get to the hospital. Erika AND Sarah's legs are ready. We will pick up new legs.:)

I'm not sure what to say.... other than.... I sure hope they fit!

Erika has been without legs since the first week of October! That means, she has been unable to play outside for OVER 3 months! Sarah had surgery, has recoouperated and is wearing her old leg until a new one has been made, since Erika outgrew her other legs.

So, tomorrow, we go and we get legs. I'm so thrilled! I cannot express how thrilled I am for Erika.
What we all take for granted when we get up in the morning, she and Sarah have to put on.
It has been a long journey these past few months. I am so thankful for new legs.
Thank You Lord that we have legs to walk. Thank you that we can go outside and play and to the park. Thankyou that we have each other through hard times.
It has been hard.

Thank YOU!

In Christ Alone

I have this song on my play list up above. I would love for you to click on it and listen to it. I cannot sing this song without
weeping for joy. The words carry such meaning and truth. When I hear the last two verses at church, I want to say YEE HAW or WHOO HOOO! I want to burst forth in praise and wave my hands and jump for joy. But I remain subdued for the better of the group and jump up and down with joy inside. :) But I truly do wonder: Why is it ok to get all excited about a football game, but not about Jesus? I'm all for a few whoo hoo's at church now and then; as long as they are orderly whoo hooos. :)


In Christ Alone


In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

Enchanted Revisited

This should be an interesting school day. :)I was told "The man who holds your heart must be very lucky indeed!"

Mama That Wrinkle......

Anna was studying my face oh so affectionately. She stroked my face with her finger and followed a certain "pattern" a few times and then got a sweet smile and said,
"Mama, that huge wrinkle on your face forms a perfect heart!"

uh.... gee thanks.....I think.

I guess if I have to be noted for wrinkles, at least they form perfect hearts. :)

The Inaugaration Through The Eyes of Little Girls

These are the notes the girls took during the Inauguration:



Erika:

I heard songs and music and preaching and yelling. I saw thousands of people. I saw Barack Obama and his wife and Bush and his wife. I thought it was good, I though it was going to be fast. I heard that a woman got hit by a train.
I saw prsident Obama coming in. I saw people wearing hats and I saw Mrs. Obama give a present to Mrs. Bush.
I saw Obama give a speech and people watching from his school. I saw a woman making popcorn.(that was mom) :)
I heard Obama say that "my fellow president, I stand before you. I thank President Bush. So it is understood, I will prosper the nation, to day I say to you this day we come to proclaim. We understand we have been given for us, they fall and die. They work for us to be free. Every where we look there is work to be done.


Anna:

Well, we just heard a 60 year old woman got hit by a train. Miss Obama gave Miss Bush a box. In the box was a journal and a pen to write her experience in the White House. Mr. Obama just got out of a big car. It is cold, but most people don't care how cold it is. The Obama's car is 6 feet tall! This is the 2nd youngest president in History. Well this is a change~! Mr. Bush is moving to Texas!

I saw millions of people all waiting for Mr. Obama. Some people have been there for a whole day! I also saw African people. They wore funny looking clothes.I heard a man say, "Hear Oh Israel the Lord our God, The Lord is One". I do not get it. We are not Israelites!

I saw Mr. Obama get sworn in. And they had a parade with Brithsh soldiers. "The Red Coats". Did you know that men have guns in their shirts?

Obama said that we are free and some celebrate, some work their hands raw. All this we can do and we will.


Sarah:
I saw thousands of people waiting, cheering, singing and talking to each other. I saw lots of police cars and soldiers. I even saw the children of Barack Obama. I saw people reporting things. I heard Obama make his speech, a lady sing, a man pray and another girl talk. I heard people singing and cheering.
I was thinking, "Wow! What a lot of people!"I was thinking I would like to live in the White House. I was thinking, a soldier could kill the president but I don't think they would. I was thinking, "Why would they go to church on Tuesday?"
I was thinking "What is Obama going to do first?" Mom says she doesn't think it will be good.
I heard that a woman got struck by a train. I saw the president and his wife get in a car. Mom told me the soldiers have weapons.
I was thinking, "I can't believe all those people waited since yesterday!"I couldn't believe people came from all over the world. I can't believe how many people came out of one door!

Barack Obama said we are equal and we are free. The still waters of peace. Our nation is at war. The time has come to re establish child hood. This is the journey we look for now. We will build the road and electricity. We are ready to lead once more. :)

Watching The Inauguration

One of the things we were discussing today while watching the inauguration was transition of power. We talked about how in many countries in the world transition of power is brought on by force, by war, and the previous leader may be imprisoned or executed. The girls watched a picture of the new first family and the old first family embrace and the new first lady give the old first lady a gift.
We talked about how a very powerful leader, just willingly walked away from his office and handed his authority to the new powerful leader, caused by the will of the people in which he leads. Whether you like the choice of our new president or not, it is an amazing thing to watch.

FROM THE GIRLS:

So far the most exciting part of watching the inauguration has been when they showed a little boy near the Washington Monument doing the exact thing Sarah was doing from the comfort of her own home. Watching the Inauguration with a Periscope. :)
"Look Mommy! He has a periscope just like us!" :)


From Mom:

We were watching the car pull up with George Bush and Barack Obama. I told the girls, if that were me, I wouldn't want to get out of the car! What a responsibility!
Then I asked:
What would be the first thing you would do if you were in office?

The girls :

Sarah: I would have a PARTY and get 4 dogs and feed all the poor people.
Anna: I would work for animal rights and endangered animals. People use fossil fuels and destroy animal habitats.
Erika: I would make it cheaper for people to fly here from far away.
Mom: I would make it easier for people to come to our country, who want to be a part of America and be a part of this great country. Most of us descended from immigrants after all. :)

I Get It!

We have been on an "Enchanted Kick" around here..... This a.m. I was singing, "How Do You Know He Loves You... How Do You Know He Cares?.....

Sarah said, "How do you know?" So I repeated what my own dear husband said this morning when I was happily serenading him this a.m.

"For God demonstrated His love to the World like this.... He GAVE His Only Begotten Son".
So I sang to her, "That's how we know He loves us! That's How we know, HE CARES!"

Her response: "I get it!" :)

Enchanted

Last night for our movie night, we watched "Enchanted".
It is a movie based upon the Musical.
The story line is, a Princess in cartoonland gets banished to New York and continues to behave with the innocence like the cartoon princesses, and as the story unfolds, the prince comes to life as does the wicked step mother etc.

Remember Sleeping Beauty and the old woman with the apple? That scene comes to life with the woman and the apple.

Well, it sent Sarah in for a couch dive, scared her to death. When it was bedtime, she went to sleep but awoke scared and had to sleep with mommy and daddy . :) After alot of talking and praying she finally went to sleep. I woke up tired and needed COFFEE! STRONG COFFEE!

Well, this a.m. Sarah was all rested and the Fairy Princess in her came to life. Right now she is "cleaning the castle", singing, "While your cleaning don't stop singing"!
(WITH SOME DANCING AND TWIRLS THROWN IN FOR DRAMATIC EFFECT)
She didn't eat her morning apple. She chose yogurt instead. LOL

The Sentence Of The Day

Here are the girlies taking a crack at diagramming a most wonderful sentence. :)