Break through week!

Last week was Shakira's break through week. Praise God!!! She has learned so much since she has come home...both the easy way & the hard way...but mostly the hard way :o( A couple weeks ago she decided she had enough of us telling her what to do. She would be openly defiant & have periods of "shut down" when she didn't want to do what we asked. Her & I were at a stand off. I prayed & tried to remain calm. One day last week she woke up & as if she verbally said, "Mom, I know that you are wanting me to do these things because they are for my good & that you love me. I know that we are good for each other." It was then that I realized it too...that we were good for each other...even though it's sometimes hard & painful. It was a break through for the both of us.

When I stop & think about all the things she can do now...things she couldn't do when she came home almost 11 weeks ago...I am amazed. I can truly see the hand of God working in all of our lives. I know that she still has a long road ahead of her but now I can clearly see the vision of the end result that God gave me when she first came home.

Shakira can now sit at the table with a plate of food in front of her & not touch it until she is told to. She uses her eating utensils properly most of the time. She can dress herself head to toe with minimal assistance. Her attention span has increased from practically none to being able to sit & watch TV or dvd for a few minutes, look at a book from cover to cover, sit fairly still in church, stay dry during the day for 2-3 days at at time & today she woke up dry for the first time! She can wash her body during bath time, say more words in English, swims like a fish with a life jacket on, & is now learning how to ride a bike. Her hitting, biting, & throwing have decreased dramatically since she first came home & she now says, "Sorry" when she has wronged someone & "forgive you" when she has been wronged.

Other news...I had a wonderful get away weekend by myself a couple of weekends ago. It was much needed...and it's interesting that our breakthrough week came after that weekend. Phoebe has enjoyed her summer but is ready to go back to school. Samara is working on her ABC's & 1,2,3's in English as well as her English comprehension. She does get into trouble once in awhile but most of the time she is our laid back, follow the rules child...thank you Lord for giving us one of them! :o) Caleb's middle name has been changed to "pout." He is intermittently going potty on the potty chair & wants to help do everything.

Randy continues to lose weight & work out. He's looking pretty buff :o) I however, feel like a big bowl of jelly but really don't have the time to obsess over it :o) We are on a count down to our cruise next week. We can't wait! My mother has been having severe back pain & will be having a MRI of her back done this Friday. Please pray for her. Please pray for my Grandma as well, as she really is unable to care for herself but refuses to let anyone help her. She fell down the other day by her mailbox which is near a very busy highway. Randy's parents are doing well.

Here are a few pictures over the past couple of weeks.