This And That

 The Girls are producing like you wouldn't believe!!!! We are in Egg Heaven!
Thank you Hens! 

 The red coffee pot died.  We replaced it with a coffee pot and hot water dispenser.... So far,  I really like it!  The warranty is 3 years. I kept the receipt! HOPEFULLY it will last longer than that!

I asked Erika if she could make me a few pot-handle- holders. I like to cook with cast iron, but the handles get HOT!  This worked really well!  Thanks Erika!

The Art of Discipline part 5 Authority

 What does AUTHORITY look like in your home?  Is it domineering?  Is it completely missing?
Authority structures are very important!
Whether you are a single parent or are in a family with two parents, you must be the authority in your home.  The children should not be the ones in control. A child in control, is an out of control child!
It is very easy for parents of children who come from trauma backgrounds to go to one of two extremes.  Extreme authoritarianism or Extreme permissiveness.  Neither of these types of parenting styles are good for any child, but ESPECIALLY not for a child with a trauma background!

A healthy balance of structure with fun and flexibility mixed in will make a child respond in a positive way.  It may will, take some time and a lot of patience, but kids from traumatized backgrounds CAN live healthy NORMAL lives.
(I say this as my daughter is outside my window barking like a dog) LOL  (Creativity!)

When we need to correct our children's behaviors, we need to remember that punitive parenting is not very effective, or effective at all in cases where a child has a difficult background. 
What we may consider a "moral" issue, our children consider "SURVIVAL" issues. 

So how DO you deal with lying, hoarding, stealing, aggressive behaviors? 
 VERY CAREFULLY!Your child is a very tender plant that needs to be NURTURED for a very long time!  Pruning time will come, but not too soon and when it does come, it must be done softly and tenderly with the greatest of care, lest you damage the tender plant.

If you keep in mind that relationship, and building closer bonds is ALWAYS the goal in our correction, will that effect HOW you correct?  If you are trying to BUILD relationship, will that be a good reminder of how one would talk to somebody they were wanting to build relationship with?

"WHAT IN THE WORLD HAVE YOU DONE??!!!!"  Is not the best way to be a team.
Coming alongside and tenderly letting the offender know that what they have said is unkind, or what they have done is not ok, takes on a whole new light.

"Sweetie, it is NEVER OK to talk to mommy like that. "  "What do you think would be a better way?" This is spoken in a firm but GENTLE tone.  NOT an ANGRY tone!
This has been a scenario in our home before.  My first statement was followed by a  "Why?"  Children who have been in complete dysfunction their entire lives DO need to understand the whys.  It should not be a problem to answer that question.  They TRULY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND any kind of authority!  This was the case with one of our daughters.

It is EXTREMELY important for parents, to consider that the parenting style they were raised under, or have been using may be ineffective with a traumatized child and they MUST be willing to learn something new and make some serious changes for success.

When you are really trying to do your best, and slip back into old, punitive styles, make it a learning lesson and not a tragedy.  Our kids learn from our failures too. :)

We should be able to be an authority, but not strike fear in our children.  They need to respect us, but respect should never be forced.  True Love and Respect are earned!
I can think of many military stories where officers abused their power, and men followed orders but there was no true respect, just a lot of anger.
Then there is the officer who has the complete respect of his soldiers because he is kind and fair, and his character is not one to USE his men to pump himself up, but his men know that he would give his life for them. He may give orders that the men must obey, even if they don't want to, but   this is a man who has earned TRUE respect through his deeds.  He has built relationship.

In a family, mothers and fathers need to act in a way that would cause somebody to look up to them and respect them. 

If your child is having a hard time with a respectful tone of voice. Teach them through example.  Have a respectful tone of voice yourself.  At the same time, you can teach them that it is NOT ok to speak in a disrespectful manner by simply saying, "That is not the right tone of voice to speak to me!"  Let's try that again! 
You may have to have a child sit with you while they work through the concept of being corrected!
It may take them a while to be calm and then try a do over.

When Alli first came home, all correction was done in the rocking chair after a lot of snuggle time and calming time.  Sometimes I would sing to her or pray with her, but it would always be a positive time.  And then, when she was calm and ready, I would explain very carefully to her what she had done wrong, and give her a story or two to help her understand. 
Then, we'd rock some more, and she would be FULLY RESTORED... and ready to start over.
Correction should not be a long drawn out thing with loads of punishments hurled onto a child that burdens them down.
If a child apologizes and receives correction, then FORGIVE THEM and move on!
I have not found  consequences to work as effectively as simple conversation that includes correcting and discussing unwanted behaviors. 
But what if they AREN'T Sorry?  What if they don't receive correction? 
Wait a while. Pray over them.  Peacefully wait, and then ask simple, gentle questions....
Questions that do not require long answers... yes or no questions....like
"Are you frustrated?"  "Did your feelings get hurt?"  "Do you think I am angry with you?"
"Do you think I don't love you?"  
Reply with encouragement, patience and love.
I have asked before, "Do you think I'm being unfair?"  And I have received a yes answer.
I had to go back over the scenario so I could see if I WAS being unfair.  If I have been wrong, I have asked for forgiveness.  If not, I have explained my reasoning.
Encouraging change through discussion has been very VERY successful for us.

Our children, ALL of them look to us as authorities in their lives that they can respect and love.
They know they can come to us and talk to us and that we will listen.  It did not happen over night, nor did it happen by mistake.  We have worked hard to establish respect.

The girls joke that the rocking chair is "The chair of DOOM!"  "Uh oh, she's going to the chair of doom!"   LOL
That chair has definitely had it's uses.  Not only is it the chair of rocking and singing and laughing and talking.... it is the chair of correction.  It is the chair of affection.  It will forever be remembered fondly. :)

A Family Funny

Sarah has always reminded me of what Maria Von Trapp from "The Sound of Music"would have been like as a young girl. :) 

Today she announced at breakfast:  "I don't think I will marry. I think I'm going to become a nun...What do you think of that?"
And with that, we all broke into song.... "How do you solve a problem like Maria!"  LOL....

Praying Around The World

Today, we decided to do what Gracia Burnham, at The Voice of the Martyr's Conference suggested. 
"Go into your closet and when you pick out your clothing, check which country made it, and the pray for that country!"

Everybody had a different country.  To my surprise, mine was made in the U.S.A.! :)
So this morning, during our prayer time, everybody was ready to pray for their country.  Today we prayed for the United States, Korea, Indonesia, China and Guatemala.

It was really neat to hear the girls begin to pray for the actual person who sewed their clothes and ask the Lord to be with them and bless them; or to send somebody to tell them about Jesus.

I think we have a new tradition! :)

What Is the Hardest Thing About Adoption?

People often ask, "What is the hardest thing about adoption?" 
Honestly I find adoption to be such a joy.  But there are hard times. VERY HARD.

We are in a great place right now. It seems that all of our girls are feeling safe and secure, and Miss Alli has turned another huge corner.  She has been a joy to be around, and has received instruction and correction so well!  I almost forgot last week that she will sometimes resort back to old behaviors,  and was caught off guard.  But I went right into theraputic parenting mode and things moved very quickly to resolution and joy.  

When we went to "The Voice of the Martyr's Conference" on Saturday, I was a little worried about how she would do.  They talk about difficult things there and are very open about it.  She did great. She also attended the teen conference with her sisters and participated in reading in a small group about another country!  I was proud of all the girls for participating. :)

We have had many hard times over the years in working each of the girls through the adjustment phase, and helping them to heal.  Tears have been shed, there have been frustrations and sorrows,  pre-planning, discussion to stay focused and much, much, more. But honestly, adoption is a JOY! And I would do it all over again, plus, if the Lord called us to do so!

At the conference, Gracia Burhnam was asked what the hardest thing about being a hostage was. She said very clearly, "being faced with myself!" 
I could completely IDENTIFY with that statement!  I have never been a hostage, and pray I will never be.... but  difficult , stressful situations bring out the ugliness that indwells us; our sin nature. It is still so very much alive, and we struggle to put sin to death.  
So with that in mind:

I have found the VERY HARDEST thing about adoption is having to face my OWN shortcomings and MY OWN ugliness.  The hardest thing about adoption is looking inside and seeing that I have a lot of changes to make and am still dealing with the same ole' sin that I once thought had been conquered.  Silly me... the boys had just grown up! LOL
Hidden sin, doesn't hide when you are under stress.  It rears it's ugly head and comes out for all to see.

THAT is the hardest thing.  AND IT IS THE VERY BEST THING.... because it brings about CHANGE! REAL CHANGE! Just as we want our children to trust us and rest in our love; GOD wants us to TRUST HIM and rest in HIS LOVE!
 Our God is FAITHFUL!  He carries us when we are weak and teaches us to depend upon Him in the hardest of times.  Choosing to LOVE with the kind of agape' love that God has for us, is a path that leads to healing, love, joy, peace and patience, kindness, goodness,  gentleness, faithfulness,  self control.... THESE are the fruits that become evident in our lives when we yield ourselves over to HIS WILL..... to LOVE the little ones He has placed in our care. 

God knew that we needed Alli just as much as she needed us. :)

What  beauty is unfolding in each of us!  I am honored to be a part of it. :)

A No Nightshade Update

I have been nightshade free for over 3 weeks.  I am experiencing a miracle in my body.  I am nearly pain free.  When I wake up in the morning I can move freely and my feet don't feel like they are broken.  My shoulder is doing really well, my hands and thumbs which usually cause me a lot of pain are pain free.  My hips which were keeping me from walking well are pain free.  I am THRILLED!

Thank you Lord for leading me to a solution!  And at the same time, guiding me to discipline myself in my eating habits.  

So while this diet "liveit" is not easy, it is SO worth it; just like being gluten free is worth it!
Today I walked over 3 miles on my treadmill while I listened to a documentary on Sabina Wurmbrand.
I lift my arms in praise to the Lord!

It's That Time of Year Again!

Pecan Season!!!!
Let the Pecans Fall... I'll be there to catch them!
We can use a few extra nuts at our house!

Fun At The Lake With Daddy

Anna and I stayed home this time. Anna has a cold.  Everybody else went to the lake for one of the last days before Spring.  It was rather cool and I was surprised 2 of our girlies wanted to swim! But they did!  Erika took pictures, and they all had a wonderful time.

Thank you Erika, for the great pictures!

The Voice of the Martyr's Conference 2012

Today, we attended "The Voice of the Martyr's Conference" in Irving, Texas.  It was once again, a wonderful experience to be with a very special group of believers. 
This year they also had a teen conference that the girls attended.  They all had a special time and enjoyed the speakers.

There was a surprise guest speaker who came to America from China.  He was one of the former prisoners featured in the VOM magazine.  This man was so full of joy.  He brought with him several boxes of cards and letters that had been sent to him and his family while he was imprisoned.  His joy was infectious.  His daughter translated for him and she had a face that shone with joy.  She also spoke about how the encouragement of believers from around the world helped her family so much during such difficult times.

The other speakers were from Iran, Pakistan and Columbia.  The final speaker was Gracia Burnham. She spoke at the last conference about 4 years ago in Oklahoma.  She and her husband had been kidnapped by Abu Saief rebels in The Philippines.  Her story of imprisonment, wandering in jungles, and the subsequent death of her husband was gripping.
She talked about the importance of prayer and praying for those who are suffering.
She also said that a good way to pray for other countries is to go into your closet and when you get dressed, check the label in your clothes to see where they have been made and pray for that country that day.  :) 

I will never forget about Richard Wurmbrand's shock at how little the West was praying for those in chains behind the Iron curtain.  He started The Voice of the Martyr's to make Christians in America aware of what is going on world wide.  The Lord has prospered his ministry  over the years, and it is one of the very few that I trust and support.

One thing that I did not know about Richard Wurmbrand was that he was an orphan! The Lord saw fit to use an Orphan from Romania and use him in a very BIG way!  I also did not know that Sabina was from Ukraine!  

The wonderful things we were told today will stay in my heart forever.  What a refreshing and encouraging time.

GLUTEN FREE- NIGHT SHADE FREE Lettuce Wraps

 ( I need to dice everything more carefully)

This is a recipe that would serve 2 people.  After eating at P.F. Changs last night, I was really interested in recreating the gluten free Lettuce Wraps.

I found a few recipes online that seemed to go in the right direction, and then I decided to give it a shot and recreate the taste from last night.....

My first try was DELICIOUS!  I think there are many things to do with this recipe.....and many ways to tweak it according to dietary needs.

So here is my "loose" not etched in stone Recipe. :)

Lettuce Wraps:  GLUTEN FREE and NIGHT SHADE FREE

2 chicken tenders diced into very fine pieces
1 green onion , including green part finely sliced
8 shitake mushrooms finely diced
water chestnuts finely diced ( I used about 15)
1 TLB of freshly minced garlic
1/4 tsp pepper  (still experimenting)
1/4 cup RICE WINE
1/4 cup GLUTEN FREE soy sauce... ( I used tamari) 
I think Braggs liquid aminos would work fine.
If you are soy free, I don't know.....
Lettuce

Put all ingredients into wok, and stir fry until done. (about 5 minutes0
Serve with lettuce leaves  (like tacos made of lettuce) :)
It will make about 8.....small wraps


Ideas I have flowing:
Add finely diced carrots, finely diced celery, MORE mushrooms and NO chicken for vegan,
more pepper and maybe some horse radish for spice......and possibly nuts. 

I know that PF Changs puts sugar in their recipe. I think the rice wine is sweet enough.

I made this tonight for Friday night movie night and didn't miss the old card board pizza that everybody else gets to eat. :)

Fun Night Out

I'm telling ya, a new phase has begun and you can see it in her relaxed posture and joy. 
Tonight was Alli and Daddy's turn for a special time out.  Thursdays are also my turn to go to support group, visit grand kids or visit a friend.

I left earlier than usual, because my dear friend and I  went to have a nice gluten free, night shade free, sugar free, caffeine free dinner! And it was wonderful! We went to P.F. Changs. I have never been there, but I know when Mike and I go out on a date, that will most likely be the place of choice!

So, Mike and Alli left an hour later and Erika caught these photos of them getting ready to leave.

They had a wonderful time.....and they got back BEFORE ME! LOL

My friend and I have known each other for 23 years.   They moved away several years ago and came back to Texas!  We had a lot of catching up to do! :)
I am so thankful for dear friends that have prayed for us, and that we can pray for too. :)
It was just wonderful to sit over tea and talk, and talk and TALK...... :) 
Both of us got phone calls and texts requesting we stop at the store on the way home to get something. LOL
We parted ways to go to our homes, both encouraged and refreshed in the Lord.

Daddy and Alli found a lovely wooden box for her to paint and keep special things in.  She has already painted it, and daddy is going to help her put a clear varnish on it tomorrow.


I think it looks beautiful!  She painted it in about 15 minutes!

My Erika.

 Erika is working on an essay.  This is her first draft, but it is so sweet, I couldn't wait for the final one. :)
This shows Erika's heart. She is such a sweet young lady. I am so very proud of her.  Erika is the kind of big sister that anybody would want. I think she has some really great examples on being an older sibling.


Young people sometimes fail to appreciate the blessing of having and older brother or sister.  I have four older brothers and I treasure them with all my heart.
I look up to them and learn from them. They are my example. The have grown up and have kids of their own.
I love it when they come to visit. I get to spend time with them and hear the things that have happened to them.  I treasure them so very much.
I ponder the time I have with them because in the blink of an eye, the Lord could take it all away.

I love to see my brother Chuck watch football, and see him get so excited when they hit a home run. Just to see him filled with joy makes me light up.

I love playing cards with my brother Timothy. Playing Spoons is the game my brother and I played last time and when he would win he would always scream with joy. It makes me laugh.

I love it when Joseph comes over. He is always so kind. I love to watch him tell mom not to pick up anything and he will do it. Or when he plays cards with me and when he tried to take us to the library and didn't know how to get there. It makes me smile.

I adore it when Marcus comes over. He is always so tender. He can play a game with me while holding his baby girl. I love his respect and love to his wife and children. He amazes me with the many talents he has.
I learn so much from my older brothers.  
Erika, you are my sweet heart....

Antique Alli

Another Alli Update

 We are almost at 19 months. (October 2nd)
Alli is doing WONDERFULLY!   She is embracing school, family, and everything about life.  She is making up for LOST TIME! LOL

Her passions are art and animals.   Tonight we put out some "Live Animal Traps" for stray cats.  She was a little upset that we plan to send the stray cats we catch to animal control, but held it together VERY WELL!

This week, Mike and I had a serious prayer issue and told the girls we would not be eating.    I saw Alli's face INSTANTLY turn from happy to fearful.
I went over and asked her, "Are you afraid our prayer issue is about you staying or leaving?"  She said, yes.   TRAUMA!
That made me so VERY sad!  We both hugged her and said, "Sweetie, you are NOT going ANYWHERE! We LOVE YOU! You are here for good! No matter what! :)

She responded VERY well with a trusting heart once again. 
That reminded me of just how fragile she still is. :(

The great thing though is that she is responding WELL in general life!  I am truly amazed at the hard work she has done, and how GOD has worked in her life.
Mike and I were talking tonight about just that.  She has come SO FAR it is amazing!

When we started on this journey, we figured due to her extreme background, we would not see attachment for a LONG time.... But this little girl has exceeded that idea big time!
She is definitely a MINICH through and through. :) 
One of the newer things she is doing is going out to seek affection from her daddy. :)  His heart just grows 10 sizes when she comes to give him a hug or kiss or just sit with him.  I have seen her do this over and over, where before, she wouldn't accept any affection from him.

Today I spoke with our pastor, and in that conversation I told him it is hard to fathom and understand the backgrounds of our girls. They seem so surreal.... But they are VERY REAL.
Trauma HURTS.....
But the Lord can HEAL HEARTS!

I am so proud of our little girl.

Holy Spirit Breathe New Life In Me

Amen

Precious Times

We have been having some really precious times with the girls.  School is going well, the girls are doing well.
This a.m. in our morning devotions, I asked the girls to write 3 things that are qualities they see in each of their sisters, and then 2 things about themselves. Then I asked them to write down a sin that they personally struggle with. 
They each went through this exercise and it was a good time together, learning from each other.

Tonight at Family Worship, everybody participated so nicely.  It was just a great time in the Lord. 
We read Galatians chapter 5 vs. 6- Galatians chapter 6 through verse 19.  What a great group of scriptures.
We all talked about the grace of our Lord Jesus and Walking in the Spirit.

When Daddy asked, "What did we see when Jesus walked by the Spirit?"   Sarah said, "Nothing, you cannot see a Spirit!"  ROFL.....

She needed some explanation that when we say, "walking in the Spirit" or "by the Spirit" doesn't mean NEXT TO a Spirit, but walking IN CHRIST.  And by Walking, we mean LIVING and focusing ON Christ in every day life.

Then she got it. :)

I watched Alli and Sarah playing with their dolls, combing hair and braiding it happily.  I saw Erika today washing a car for her dad.  I saw Anna teaching Bella new tricks, and helping her sister. 
And I have to say, my heart was full of amazement in how the Lord has brought these girls to two very imperfect people and we are all blessed together.

Such changes have occurred!  I am so thankful.  My heart is full.  Don't let anybody ever tell you that teenagers are awful.  We heard that constantly when raising our boys and found it to be UNTRUE.
We are finding the same thing with our girls. They are awesome!

The Nightshade Issue

Well, I have done REALLY well not having night shades.  I didn't have salsa at the restaurant the other day which was very hard.

I think I am such a FOODIE.  I like flavor and spice and HOT..... So I am having to really think about what sorts of spices to use that are safe.

The truth is that so far.... my pain has really diminished in the last 7 days.  I will KNOW if it is coincidence, IF, when the rain comes, my pain doesn't increase!
I am a true weather vane.

If it is true that I am actually allergic to night shades, I will not weep the loss of egg plant.  But the loss of peppers and tomatoes and potatoes will be a different story. :(  You know, it is one thing to give up coke.  It is quite another to not have staples..... like tomatoes, which are in everything!

So, I thank the Lord that we have FOOD!  I am thankful that I am finding answers to health issues that I have been plagued with.  And, I am thankful that I have the internet to find recipes for foods I CAN have, and to find alternative sources to SPICE! :)

The Art of Discipline part 4

Today I'd like to bring up the importance of communication  between a parent and child.  Communication has everything to do with disciplining a child.  It has everything to do with discipleship and relationship. 
Communication is one of the most basic tools we have in order to relate to another person. 
When a child cannot communicate, the result can be very much like that of an infant before they can speak or sign.

We need to REMEMBER that our children who come to us through TRAUMA and many times from foreign countries where they spoke another language or not at all, will be infantile in many of their behaviors at first, because they CANNOT communicate!

I read an article a LONG time ago by Dr.Boris Gindis that stated for a child to MASTER his new language, just double the age at which he or she arrived in this country.  I would say that is pretty true!
Sarah arrived in the United States at 5 years old, and while she was speaking English well after 1 year, she was not comprehending most of what was said to her.  She'd just smile alot and guess.
I felt she achieved MASTERY at around 10.  And since has gained much more in her vocabulary and language skills.
Erika came at nearly 8.  She will most likely not reach mastery until 16.  She is 14.  She still will struggle with trying to explain something in detailed terms. 
Alli, didn't come to America until 3 years ago, and had a very difficult start.  She didn't REALLY start to learn, because of all the past trauma until around 18 months ago.  Even if she came at 9, she won't have mastery until 18.  I feel it might be even later than that.
This is NOT limited to international children by any means.  It is also for children who are speech delayed due to neglect or abuse.  Anna was woefully behind verbally when she came home at 5. It didn't take her as long to catch up, because English was her native language, but it still took considerable time.

ALL of that background was to say that Communication is so very important and it is extremely important that we don't ASSUME that our children understand us.

As parents we need to teach our children to communicate in their new language with great patience.
"Sweety, use your words.. tell mama what is wrong."  Many times these children will act out because they are so frustrated not having the words to say what is going on in their heart.  Carefully offering ideas and words and explaining the meaning can really help solve a problem and diffuse behaviors that are really unwanted by them and you!

It is also important to remember that children who have had much trauma in their background have a VERY difficult time distinguishing "tone of voice".  They many times do not understand that they have sounded snotty, and they may think you have raised your voice at them when in fact you haven't.
They have a hard time understanding the difference between a firm yet gracious voice, vs. somebody yelling at them.
Sometimes when the situation fits, I may say to them, "You may NOT!"   That means, stop what you are doing.  It could be somebody acting out or raising a voice.  
The other day, I was speaking, IMO very softly and tenderly, but because somebody named Miss Alli was on the receiving end of my correction, she felt that I was "yelling" at her. 

I asked her, "Was mama yelling? Or did you just not like what I had to say?"
She really had to smile at that one.   Because when she thought about it..... it was the latter.

In communicating with a child that is woefully behind in communication skills, we really need to be patient and gracious with our children and take GREAT efforts to help them understand what we are trying to convey.  Here is where the art of discipline comes in.  We need to discipline ourselves to be patient and very, very careful to make sure we are understood.  We ALSO need to be painstakingly patient in helping our children FIND THEIR VOICE, so THEY can be understood too.

I have been really surprised sometimes to find out that one of our children wasn't really upset in a disobedient way, she was upset at not being ABLE to express herself how she needed to. The words were just not there and she was frustrated.

I can compare it to a person who was fully functional and then suddenly due to a terrible accident, lost the movement in their body.  They can not longer run and jump or do simple things for themselves.  Transitioning  can be VERY trying .
This is the very situation that presents itself, right before many people decide to disrupt!
Right about the 1-2 year stage, the child is speaking English quite well and it is ASSUMED they understand everything perfectly.  They don't.

Communication through words, facial expression, touch, tone, and body language can go a LONG ways in helping our children feel loved, nurtured, and accepted.
Working hard to teach THEM the very same things can go a LONG way, and in  a mutual effort of meeting each other somewhere in the middle, we can achieve a satisfactory relationship while we discipline ourselves to continue to learn the LOVE language needed to establish relationship.

I have found in talking to Miss Alli if I use a soothing, reassuring voice to patiently wait for her to express herself, it puts her at ease and the words start to flow. :) 
I make sure to tell her that I am not mad at her or that I know she is having a hard time telling me what  is in her mind....  This has Helped her greatly! 
Sometimes the words are there, but if she feels stressed she can't remember them; at least not on the spot.
It really is up to us, as parents, to set an example in communication; being very careful with our words, tone and expression, in order to convey the right message.  It is up to us to teach these skills to our children also, so that they can get to a place of peaceful safety and rest.

Communication is an art form under the umbrella of Discipline.

An Interesting Predicament.....

Today after church, we went to a nice Mexican Restaurant.  I normally do not go into public restrooms, but nature was calling; so I did.

When it came time for me to reach for the Toilet Paper, the contraption that holds such paper, which is GIANT by the way, AND two sided so when one runs out there is another.... was TOTALLY EMPTY!

So I sat there contemplating my predicament.   Do I wait for somebody to come in?  Do I scream for help? 
Awww. I have my cell phone, WHICH was charged up thank goodness.
I called my husband WHO DIDN'T ANSWER!
So I called 411.  I told them the name of the restaurant and they said it didn't exist.  Ummm... yes it does, trust me on this one!
He gave me to another person and they gave me the number and put me through.

So I carefully said, "I am in the ladies' restroom in the first stall in your restaurant, can you please send in a girl to bring toilet paper? I'm a bit stranded here."  

The man on the other end of the line profusely apologized and about 15 seconds later I was rescued.
I was walking out to wash my hands and Anna came in to see what was taking so long. LOL
I got to the table and Mike said, "Was there a long line?"

All that time I was in distress and my family was 50 yards away happily sipping soda and eating chips and salsa! 
I AM SO THANKFUL for my cell phone!

And next time, I'll remember to check for TP before I sit.  :)

Watching Prince of Egypt... I Think!