My greatest struggle as a mother has been keeping my proirities in the correct order. All the discipline problems not handled correctly, lack of patience and loss of tempers can be traced back to me losing focus. Taking my eyes off of God, my marriage and my kids and focusing on other things (or mixing up my first three priorities.)
Sometimes this happened because I was confused and misguided and chose things that were "good" and those things ended up keeping us from what was "best". Other times it was just me thumbing my nose up at holiness and doing what I wanted to do.
My prayer for this school year is that I would keep my focus where it should be, that I would chose wisely and carefully, and that my goals would be heavenly, not earthly.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Scars
I shouldn't be blogging today but I needed to get this up before I forgot it, as I so often do. Paul took the kiddos to a water park with his parents so that I could have time to plan. I started my planning weekend immediately by clearing out the bottom drawer of our filing cabinet in order to store some school stuff there. I had basically stuffed all of our adoption paperwork into the drawer for safe-keeping while we all adjusted to life at home. Today I began the job of sorting papers and other things into files and albums, etc.
I have the wonderful gift of a memory book from Grace's orphanage and in the pictures a younger Grace looks familiar with her radiant smile-so-big-her-eyes-disappear. Then I found the pictures from her passport, Visa and adoption decree. The look on her face broke my heart. Now that I know her I recognize the pure misery and terror in her face. I remember them from "gotcha-day" I still see those looks every now and then. I thought, "What did we do to that poor child? She was perfectly happy before being yanked from everything familiar." While I KNOW she's better off now and doing so very well, there are scars. Scars that had to occur for things to get better. Like the scare on her back from the surgery that made her healthy, she'll always have these scars, but they had to occur.
I really like things to be going my way. I like happiness and children who get along, and for things to be neat and pain free. I spend too much time worrying about what could go wrong. I need to be reminded often that whether I like it or not sometimes things have to hurt in order for them to get better. Sometimes they hurt a little, and sometimes they leave scars, whether external or on our hearts. Once again I'm thankful for a Savior who understands. Thank you Lord that by YOUR stripes WE are healed. Thank you for taking up the cross. Please give me strength and courage to take up mine.
I have the wonderful gift of a memory book from Grace's orphanage and in the pictures a younger Grace looks familiar with her radiant smile-so-big-her-eyes-disappear. Then I found the pictures from her passport, Visa and adoption decree. The look on her face broke my heart. Now that I know her I recognize the pure misery and terror in her face. I remember them from "gotcha-day" I still see those looks every now and then. I thought, "What did we do to that poor child? She was perfectly happy before being yanked from everything familiar." While I KNOW she's better off now and doing so very well, there are scars. Scars that had to occur for things to get better. Like the scare on her back from the surgery that made her healthy, she'll always have these scars, but they had to occur.
I really like things to be going my way. I like happiness and children who get along, and for things to be neat and pain free. I spend too much time worrying about what could go wrong. I need to be reminded often that whether I like it or not sometimes things have to hurt in order for them to get better. Sometimes they hurt a little, and sometimes they leave scars, whether external or on our hearts. Once again I'm thankful for a Savior who understands. Thank you Lord that by YOUR stripes WE are healed. Thank you for taking up the cross. Please give me strength and courage to take up mine.
James 1: 2-4 NIV
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Isaiah 53:5 KJV But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
About Grace........
Grace is:
37 inches tall
34 lbs.
Her favorite books are:
Five Little Monkeys
Jesus Is With Me
Her favorite songs are:
The B-I-B-L-E
This Little Light of Mine
Twinkle, Twinkle
Favorite Foods:
Watermelon
Candy
Any kind of meat
Favorite Words:
Whyyyyyyy???
Mine!!
BooBoo!!!
Favorite Toys:
Not sure yet, we think she's going to like dolls, but so far isn't into toys.
Funny Sayings:
Boys: "Why Grace?"
Grace: "Said So."
Boys: "Who said so?"
Grace: "Daddy said so."
Mom: "Are you Mama's baby?"
Grace: "No! Baba's BeeBee!!"
Every time she sees any pair of underwear she says, "MY NUNNIES (undies)!! and then laughs hysterically.
Words for "Father"
Daddy, Baba, Bob and Bobby
Grace's Favorite Person:
Baba (daddy)
Grace's Favorite Things to Do:
Go to Ninni's (Nikki's) house.
Go to the store.
Help mom cook.
Swim (can't believe that!)
Swinging in her swing
Rough house and tickle fights with Daddy and brothers.
Being held and carried around by Mama.
Grace Dislikes:
Being left in a nursery. (We've never been able to leave her.)
Being told "no".
Being told that something in fact is not hers, but someone else's.
Big Accomplishments:
Walking barefoot in the grass!
Swimming
Staying at Aunt Jenny's overnight without crying at all.
Sleeping all night in her own bed.
Praying along with us at meals.
Going a week without scratching any of her GeGes. (Big brothers)
Pretty much the entire leaving everything she is familiar with, coming to a strange place, and bonding beautifully with her new family thing.
Grace has been to:
The pediatrician (numerous times)
The Urologist
The Neurologist
Had an ultrasound and a VCUG
The Dentist
The audiologist
Still has to see:
The eye doctor and have a spinal x-ray and MRI.
Grace's health has been excellent other than those pesky UTIs, bless her heart!
Grace is adored by everyone, but especially her mom, dad and big brothers. She is thriving under the love of a family. We are blessed.
37 inches tall
34 lbs.
Her favorite books are:
Five Little Monkeys
Jesus Is With Me
Her favorite songs are:
The B-I-B-L-E
This Little Light of Mine
Twinkle, Twinkle
Favorite Foods:
Watermelon
Candy
Any kind of meat
Favorite Words:
Whyyyyyyy???
Mine!!
BooBoo!!!
Favorite Toys:
Not sure yet, we think she's going to like dolls, but so far isn't into toys.
Funny Sayings:
Boys: "Why Grace?"
Grace: "Said So."
Boys: "Who said so?"
Grace: "Daddy said so."
Mom: "Are you Mama's baby?"
Grace: "No! Baba's BeeBee!!"
Every time she sees any pair of underwear she says, "MY NUNNIES (undies)!! and then laughs hysterically.
Words for "Father"
Daddy, Baba, Bob and Bobby
Grace's Favorite Person:
Baba (daddy)
Grace's Favorite Things to Do:
Go to Ninni's (Nikki's) house.
Go to the store.
Help mom cook.
Swim (can't believe that!)
Swinging in her swing
Rough house and tickle fights with Daddy and brothers.
Being held and carried around by Mama.
Grace Dislikes:
Being left in a nursery. (We've never been able to leave her.)
Being told "no".
Being told that something in fact is not hers, but someone else's.
Big Accomplishments:
Walking barefoot in the grass!
Swimming
Staying at Aunt Jenny's overnight without crying at all.
Sleeping all night in her own bed.
Praying along with us at meals.
Going a week without scratching any of her GeGes. (Big brothers)
Pretty much the entire leaving everything she is familiar with, coming to a strange place, and bonding beautifully with her new family thing.
Grace has been to:
The pediatrician (numerous times)
The Urologist
The Neurologist
Had an ultrasound and a VCUG
The Dentist
The audiologist
Still has to see:
The eye doctor and have a spinal x-ray and MRI.
Grace's health has been excellent other than those pesky UTIs, bless her heart!
Grace is adored by everyone, but especially her mom, dad and big brothers. She is thriving under the love of a family. We are blessed.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Photo Shoot of the Kids
Every few years I do a big photo shoot of my kids. I make them dress up and pose and bribe them with pizza and candy - ha! It is a lot of work, but worth it! I am a proud mama. I took 100's, here are a few.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
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