Weeks 7 & 8...

I intentionally did not make a post last week about week 7. To put it bluntly...it was a poopy week...literally! Poop in the toilet, poop in pull ups & diapers, poop on the floor, on the walls, smeared on a bed...you get the picture. So this of course...made for poopy attitudes! Although week 7 was VBS week at our church for Phoebe & Samara...and lots of good things happened while they were there...by the end of the week both of them were acting out just to get some attention from me because I had been so involved with poop & the pooper all week. I don't know why Shakira had such a bad week that week but she did. By Friday I was worn out.

We were all suppose to go to a baseball game on that evening but I knew that Shakira just wasn't up to it. I didn't know what to do. I knew that if we brought her with us that it would most likely end up in disaster. I also knew that my chances of finding some one to watch her at the last minute was slim but I had to try. I called my amazing friend Kristina & she said they didn't have any plans that night & that they would be happy to watch Shakira while the rest of us went to the ball game. Half of me was thrilled while the other half was feeling guilty for not taking her. We picked her up after the game & was thrilled that she had such a great time with our friends. I could tell that she was truly happy...something I had not seen all week. Randy's parents came to visit the following day. It was nice to have them here & it was their first opportunity to really see the kids in action. Shakira, Samara, & Caleb got baptized on Sunday. It went really well but unfortunately I don't have any pictures to prove it :o(

Today makes two months since Shakira, Samara, & Caleb came home. I can't believe it's been two months. In some ways it feels like they have been home with us much longer & in some ways it feels like they just came home. I can however, see major progress in all three since they came home. Some days I wish for more...but am very grateful for what we have...as they say, "It could always be worse" which in most cases is very true. I have to remind Phoebe & Samara...as well as myself, of that, from time to time when we get frustrated with Shakira's behavior. I tell them, "I know this is really frustrating right now but if you look at the wide range spectrum of how it could be...she could be banging her head on the wall non stop & screaming at the top of her lungs" so we should be thankful that she doesn't do that.

Week 8 has been a much better week...Thank you Jesus! We all needed a good week. What does a good week look like in our house? Well, right now it consists of no poop smearing, minimal hitting, pinching, or biting, minimal time outs & other discipline, no major illnesses or injuries. It also includes a moderate amount of laughing, playing dress up, reading books, swimming, & children sleeping until at least 6am. Wednesday I took the kids to the zoo & to McDonalds so they thought it was a very good day :o)

Thursday evening we went to another ball game except this time we took Shakira & it included all you can eat food & drink, & fireworks after the game. I was quite leary of how Caleb & Shakira would respond to the fireworks but was pleasantly surprised by their reactions. They both looked at them intently at first & then Caleb decided he had seen enough & just wanted to be held by Mama. Shakira started getting overwhelmed half way through but just looked away & held on tight to Papa. Samara really liked them. She said, "They are loud but they are really pretty. I like them!" Tonight we will be going to a fireworks display at the river not far from our house. Hopefully they will enjoy these as well.

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!