Week Six Addendum...

After looking back at my week six post I realized that I had forgotten some very key things...very good things...so I want to include them now.



Last week when I was some what frustrated with some of Shakira's behaviors I prayed & God told me, "Sing to her." Without thinking...I started singing the worship song, "I love you Lord". She immediately lifted her hands in the air & started singing in her "own language." Then God spoke to me, "Praise & worship music is Shakira's love language." Wow!!! Thank you Lord! So now, when we are both on the frustrated side, "I start singing & she immediately joins in with me & we both feel better afterwards.

She has also went from just saying "I love you Mama" after I tell her that I love her to saying it whenever she feels like it & gives me lots of hugs & kisses.




I can't pin point one particular thing that Phoebe did last week that speaks to me but rather a collection of things that mainly has to do with her being loving & helpful to her siblings.

Phoebe has always been a very bright child...in many ways she is wise beyond her young years. She is my "shining star" which for those of you who don't know...her name is Phoebe Starr & Phoebe means shining or bright.





Samara has always been a very gentle & sensitive child. She is very attentive to what is happening to others & jumps in to help whenever she can. Last week she took extra care to help out Shakira whenever she could. She is also very eager to help me & Randy do housework...which of course is a very good thing :o)




A couple of weeks ago I started teaching Caleb to give me kisses after I realized that he had never kissed any of us. He is always eager to get our kisses but never gave out any. So last week he started giving kisses on his own & when he kisses me he says, "I love you Mama." It melts my heart :o)

May Video Clips...

Week Six...

Well, once again I'm late on my weekly update :o) but I'm sure you all are very impressed that I even update at all anymore :o) Week six was overall very good which leads me to brace myself for a not so good week this week :o)

Shakira had a great week last week! She even went a day or two without soiling her pull ups during the day & I think she went one day without being put into time out.
One day while I was holding her & we were snuggling, I noticed that she had holes in her ears...as in pierced ears. I have no idea when that happen because she had just turned two when she was taken to the orphanage. So the other day I decided to see if the holes were still open...and they were...so she is now wearing ear rings. I thought for sure Phoebe would be all over that but so far she is not. Phoebe is not much into pain so I think we're good for awhile on the pierced ears thing. Shakira also did real well last week with her glasses. Today however, she decided to wear them upside down again...something that really makes my blood pressure go up :o)

Phoebe was a little whiny last week so I made sure that I gave her some extra one on one time & TLC. She is doing much better with trying to be patient & nice to Shakira. I bought her a dress fit for a princess for her to wear this coming Sunday for her siblings baptism. She's really excited about wearing it. Hopefully I'll get some good pictures or video of her in it.

Samara had a really good week except for her picky eating habits. It's pure torture watching her eat most vegetables.

Caleb was the one who had the most difficult week. He has a very deep rooted stubborn streak! If you tell him to sit...he stands. If you tell him to stand...he sits. If you tell him to sit "there"...he sits "here." And for some strange reason, the past two weeks he has developed a nap time phobia. He doesn't cry or pout at nap time...it's an all out very loud, screaming fit...that can last for two hours if you let it...yes I did... one day... just to see if it would stop on his own...he did not. So naptime is a real struggle every day right now but going to bed at night time isn't. Not sure what that's all about but hoping he gets over it soon! He's very smart. He's learning so many new words & wants to do everything himself...change his diaper, dress himself, put his body & hair oil on, his shoes on, etc. & he gets mad at you if you help him.

We're trying to go to story time at the library once a week & the kids really seem to enjoy it. We went to the pool several times last week. All of them like going to the pool. I took Phoebe & Samara to a Christian comedy show last Thursday night & they really enjoyed that.

I started exercising again & I am feeling better physically as well as my stress level is decreased. I had stopped for several weeks due to my back & then the kids came home & I just got side tracked. Randy works out almost every day after work at the hospital fitness center. We're looking forward to Randy's parents coming for a visit this weekend for the kids baptisms.

Things I've learned during week six:
1) Wearing white pants is really not a good idea anymore (Yeah, not sure why it
took me this long to figure that out :o)
2) Alcohol consumption goes up with the number of kids you have...so does chocolate
consumption :o)
3) Adult conversation is not over rated
4) You can get a discount if you buy Lysol by the case
5) People really like to stare at people who are different from them
6) True friends are priceless...yes, I knew that before...but I'm really
appreciating it more now.

Happy Father's Day Randy!!!

I know that you have waited a very long time for this day...19 years to be exact...for your family to be complete. Thank you for being such a wonderful father & husband! I love you!

For my Auntie You-You

This picture is for my precious Godmother/"Aunt" You-You :o) She gave me a gift card for my birthday & this new church outfit is one of the things I bought with it. I really didn't need more clothes but most of my clothes are from my good bud Cole (aka: Reece's younger brother) & I wanted a church outfit that said, "Caleb!" I hope you like it on me. I miss you & love you!
Love,
Caleb
(aren't you impressed that I can use the computer already? :o)

Five weeks ago...

our three Haitian beauties came home. It's hard to believe that it has been five weeks already. I wanted to make a one month post in review last Saturday, but in addition to it being a month since they came home, it was also my birthday & I spent most of it away from the house being pampered. Then the rest of the week just sped by so here we are at week five.

It's definitely been a interesting ride so far. Week one was amazing in the fact that they were finally home but it was difficult as everyone tried to figure out what to do & how to fit into our family. Week two was better as everyone was getting comfortable with each other. Week three was good for the majority but not for Shakira which I still attribute to Randy being gone part of the week. Week four was up & down. One good day then a not so good day or a really good first part of the day & then a really not so good second half of the day. This week has been busy with appointments, some of which were last minute notice. But overall I think it's been a good week.

Phoebe & Samara are playing really well with each other. Now they just have to learn how to include Shakira. They started out including her but then they get frustrated or tired of Shakira "being Shakira" so they started ignoring her this week so I had to have a little talk with them. Today they played well with her. It's good that she's playing with them because she needs to be watching what they are doing...at an almost 5 & 6 year old level...not a 2 year old level like she has been doing with Caleb & for quite some time...the nursery kids at the orphanage. She does love him dearly though & he's always looking to see where she is.

So this week Shakira got her glasses, new shoes & orthotics. Samara got a hair cut & all 3 of them got some more immunizations. Randy, Phoebe, & I got our teeth cleaned :o) We didn't get to go to the pool much this week due to the weather & some bad attitudes but all 6 of us went today & I think we made the life guards earn their money today :o) I thought we were doing fine...a little water swallowing going on but no choking or drowning but the lifeguards watched us like a hawk. Shakira had a blast! She's actually doing much better in the water than I thought she would. And Samara...for any of you who saw her in the pool for the first time at the Guest House in Haiti & saw her scream, cry, & carry on...you wouldn't believe your eyes now! She was actually swimming today in the deep water with a life jacket on. Caleb had fun too. He enjoys me throwing him up & down in the water, as well as spinning him on top of the water. Phoebe continues to improve with her strokes as well as under water swimming. I will not be surprised if she's on a swim team when she's older.

Samara's English improves daily as well as her comprehension of it. She's eager to learn how to read it. I think she will really enjoy the preschool she will be attending in the fall. Shakira is saying more words but still repeats a lot of words instead of making sentences. Right now we are focusing on when she says, "Mama" I say, "What Shakira?" & then trying to get her to say something else other than "Mama" again, like "Mama, I love you" or "Mama, look at me." Our new motto is "Mama is a word...not a language." She's doing about 50/50% most days on the potty training during the day so that's a huge improvement. My goal is still to have her potty trained through the day by the end of the summer. Caleb is wanting to get in on the action too so we started putting him on the potty chair when he says, "potty."

Shakira & Caleb are both doing better at not following me around all the time. They are also getting better at just sitting, or sitting & playing with something for a few minutes. Samara likes to play with her doll that she can fix her hair, color, play dress up & school & house with Phoebe. Shakira is showing interest in books now & often goes to the bookcase in her room & gets a book or two & looks at it. Right now Caleb is more interested in the girls toys than his "manly" or educational toys...hoping that will wear off soon :o) Phoebe still likes to read & is often found reading to her siblings. She has asked several times to do homework since school has been out. She is really looking forward to the first grade. We are still waiting for Shakira to be assessed this summer so she can be placed where she needs to be when school starts in the fall.

Randy & I are doing well. We take turns being exhausted which is a good thing because it would be counterproductive to be exhausted at the same time :o) We are looking forward to a laid back, quiver full Father's Day.

Do Not Lose Hope!

I woke up today with a heavy heart for all the adoptive parents still waiting for their children to come home. For the ones that just started the process & the ones that have been it much too long & their children should already be home. Please know that I continue to pray for you & your children.

Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my plea!
Answer me because you are faithful & righteous.
Do not put your servant on trial, for no one is innocent before you.
My enemy has chased me. He has knocked me to the ground
& forces me to live in darkness like those in the grave.
I am losing all hope; I am paralyzed with fear.
I remember the days of old.
I ponder all your great works & think about what you have done.
I lift my hands to you in prayer.
I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain.
Come quickly, Lord, & answer me, for my depression deepens.
Do not turn away from me, or I will die.
Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.
Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I run to you to hide me.
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.
May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.
For the glory of your name, O Lord, preserve my life.
Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress.
In your unfailing love, silence all my enemies & destroy all my foes,
for I am your servant.
Psalm 143 NLT

Like David, many of you are losing hope, & are caught in paralyzing fear & deep depression. And like you, I've been there. The wait for our children to come home is long...and very hard. There are days when you don't even want to get out of bed...but you have to. Every day is a gift from God...even the days that don't feel like it. It's not wrong to express your heaviness of heart & your frustration. Take it to the Lord...the one who cares more about you than anyone else. He does hear your cries...and he catches your tears in his hand.

My footnotes from the Life Application Study Bible say this: At times we feel caught in deepening depression, & we are unable to pull ourselves out. At those times we can come to the Lord &, like David, express our true feelings. Then we will find help as we remember his works, reach out to him in prayer, trust him, & seek to do his will. David's prayer was to be taught to do God's will, not his own. A prayer for guidance is self-centered if it does not recognize God's power to redirect our lives. Asking God to restructure our priorities awakens our minds & stirs our will.

"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior & my God." Psalm 42:11

"Be strong & take heart, all you hope in the Lord." Psalm 31:24

"Praise be to the God & Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." 1 Peter 1:3

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good & not for disaster, to give you a future & a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

Harmony

If you're expecting a wonderful post about harmony in my house...you'll have to wait for another time for that :o) We're getting closer to that but not ready for a warm, fuzzy, honey dripping post about it yet :o)

Actually this has been on my heart for awhile but I've just now been able to post about it. A few days ago I read Psalm 133 which is written by David about the joy of harmonious relationships.

"How wonderful & pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!
For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron's head,
that ran down his beard & onto thhe border of his robe.
Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the
mountains of Zion.
And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting."
Psalm 133 NLT

One of my footnotes for this psalm from the Life Application Study Bible says this:
David stated that harmony is pleasant & precious. Unfortunately, harmony is not always found in the church, as it should be. People disagree & cause division over unimportant issues. Some delight in causing tension by discrediting others.

Harmony is important because 1) it makes the church a positive example to the world & helps draw ohters to the Lord; 2) it helps us cooperate as a body of believers as God meant us to, giving us a foretaste of heaven, 3) it renews & revitalizes ministry because there is less tension to sap our energy.

Living in harmony does not mean that we will agree on everything; there will be many opinions just as there are many notes in a musical chord. But we must agree on our purpose in life...to work together for God. Our outward expression of harmony will reflect our inward harmony of purpose.

"Work at living in peace with everyone, & work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many." Hebrews 12:14-15 NLT

Shaki's Big Day!

Unfortunately Shakira's new glasses don't really show up on pictures but trust me...they are stylin!...and most importantly...she can see now! She basically couldn't see out of her right eye so hopefully the glasses will help tremendously. Please pray that she keeps them on & that she doesn't break them. I have a picture of her new shoes which she got to sport her new orthotics which hopefully will correct her feet & leg problems.

"Man Up"

Since Caleb has arrived home, Randy & I have been working hard trying to get him to "man up"...not be such a mama's boy & to do "boy" things. As you can see by the pictures...we're not doing a very good job of it as Phoebe & Samara are working hard against us :o)

Short & Sassy :o)

their hair I mean...not in height :o)

Pedal...

I've have read this before but reading it now is a great reminder for me during this particular time in my life. This is from Dr. David Jeremiah's daily devotions a few days ago.

Pedal

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD. Psalm 37:23

Recommended Reading
Jonah 1-3

An unknown author once described his journey of giving God control of his life as a tandem bike ride with Christ in the front. He said, "When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable. But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long trails up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds; it was all I could do to hang on!! Even though it looked like madness, He said, "Pedal!" I was worried and anxious and asked, "Where are You taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer, and I started to learn to trust. And I'm beginning to enjoy the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Christ. And when I'm sure I just can't do anymore, He just smiles and says..."Pedal."

Though we may fear and doubt where God is taking us, when we give Him control, our life will never be the same. We'll begin to find adventure in the midst of adversity, and peace during times of pain. All we have to do is let Him steer our life while we simply pedal.

"Give your life to God; He can do more with it than you can!" Dwight L. Moody

Sometimes...you gotta do...

whach ya gotta do :o) Anyone who has met these two precious children...know the story behind these pictures :o)

Family Pictures & Weekly Update...

Well, so much for me getting to my weekly update on Saturday as I had hoped. But I guess I did have somewhat of a good excuse...Randy was gone from Wednesday morning until Saturday evening so I was solo with the kids. I was very thankful to see him Saturday night!

So Saturday marked week 3 of the kids being home. Some people might expect that it gets easier each week but I was prepared by other friends that have had their children home for awhile, that's not the case. They told me, "The children will have good weeks & bad weeks...and in no particular order. They will take one step forward & two steps back. This is a marathon adjustment...not a sprint." And they were 100% right!

Week one was very rough. Week two was pretty good. Week three was "okay." Everyone seemed to be doing okay except for Shakira. She had a rough week & when she has a rough day or week...it affects everyone. I'm praying that this week will be better but you never know. With special needs children...the slightest change in routine, the weather, or no change at all...can set them back. We knew this before hand but experiencing it...day in & day out...is something that you can not truly understand unless you experience it.

Please don't take this wrong...we love all of our children more than words could ever express...and Shakira is no exception to that...but we would be lying if we said it's "easy" to parent her. Yesterday I said to a friend that Phoebe was a very difficult child from ages 18 months until about a month before the 3 came home. I told her that I knew some day I would understand why I had to experience that with her. It was preparing me..."seasoning" me for this time in my life. Without it, I would have already "drowned". There is a reason...sometimes many reasons...why we experience difficult things...and many times they make us wiser & stronger. I see Shakira & I as "iron sharpening iron" & I can't wait to see the finish product...in both of us!

We had our first "official" family pictures taken yesterday by our amazing friend Todd. Here are some of them.