Sunday, July 26, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Two years ago today...
Randy & I met our 3 Haitian beauties for the first time. I can't believe it's been two years since that first trip. It was a whirlwind trip as we met the 3, had our DHS appt. & met all 3 birthmothers, & did a lot of work at the O.
It's been almost 10 weeks since they came home & we're finally starting to get into a "normal groove"...if there is such a thing :o) I am not going to do anymore weekly updates but will update as I feel led. The kids are looking healthy & doing very well. Phoebe & Samara are starting to spat like sisters. Shakira is rebelling somewhat as we are requiring her to do more & more things like dress herself, put on her shoes, toliet herself...I know it sounds funny but it's a medical term, feed herself (she got quite use to the nannies doing it for her), picking out a book or toy & then looking at the book or playing with the toy for a certain amount of time, & repeating words or phrases to increase her voculabury. Caleb is a cute "mess." He goes from pouting to throwing horrific temper tantrums to being cute as a button with a smile that won't quit. His latest thing is going on the toliet from time to time as well as saying, "Mom...What's that?" with a funky deep intonation on the "that". Not sure what brought that on :o)
School starts in less than a month so Monday we started our school routine of up at 6am & to bed at 8pm. I have all of Phoebe's school supplies. We're still waiting for Shakira to be evaulated by Special Ed. Coop & we will get Samara's supply list about a week before preschool starts...yes, preschool even has a supply list...isn't that nuts?
Randy & I haven't had much alone time since the 3 came home and we are looking forward to our upcoming trip at the beginning of August to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. The cats are doing well. Life is good! :o)
It's been almost 10 weeks since they came home & we're finally starting to get into a "normal groove"...if there is such a thing :o) I am not going to do anymore weekly updates but will update as I feel led. The kids are looking healthy & doing very well. Phoebe & Samara are starting to spat like sisters. Shakira is rebelling somewhat as we are requiring her to do more & more things like dress herself, put on her shoes, toliet herself...I know it sounds funny but it's a medical term, feed herself (she got quite use to the nannies doing it for her), picking out a book or toy & then looking at the book or playing with the toy for a certain amount of time, & repeating words or phrases to increase her voculabury. Caleb is a cute "mess." He goes from pouting to throwing horrific temper tantrums to being cute as a button with a smile that won't quit. His latest thing is going on the toliet from time to time as well as saying, "Mom...What's that?" with a funky deep intonation on the "that". Not sure what brought that on :o)
School starts in less than a month so Monday we started our school routine of up at 6am & to bed at 8pm. I have all of Phoebe's school supplies. We're still waiting for Shakira to be evaulated by Special Ed. Coop & we will get Samara's supply list about a week before preschool starts...yes, preschool even has a supply list...isn't that nuts?
Randy & I haven't had much alone time since the 3 came home and we are looking forward to our upcoming trip at the beginning of August to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. The cats are doing well. Life is good! :o)
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Time out...wears me out!
It normally doesn't but this was after coming home from swimming an hour & half & it was close to his nap time.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
The numbers are in...
and I must say that I am pretty pleased by them! We weighed the children yesterday & here are the results:
Caleb...when he came home he weighed 24 pounds...he now weighs 28 pounds
Samara...weighed 28 pounds when she came home & now weighs 34 pounds
Shakira...weighed 38 pounds when she came home & now weighs...hold onto your hats! 50.2 pounds! Yeah, she's still skinny but not super stick skinny like before :o)
Phoebe is holding steady which is what the doctor was wanting
Forget it...I'm not telling you how much I weigh :o)
Caleb is wearing 2T shirts & 18 months to 2T pants
Samara is going into size 4T
Shakira was wearing 3T pants when she got home for her waist size although they were way to short...we used regular pants as capri's :o) She is now wearing size 6
Caleb...when he came home he weighed 24 pounds...he now weighs 28 pounds
Samara...weighed 28 pounds when she came home & now weighs 34 pounds
Shakira...weighed 38 pounds when she came home & now weighs...hold onto your hats! 50.2 pounds! Yeah, she's still skinny but not super stick skinny like before :o)
Phoebe is holding steady which is what the doctor was wanting
Forget it...I'm not telling you how much I weigh :o)
Caleb is wearing 2T shirts & 18 months to 2T pants
Samara is going into size 4T
Shakira was wearing 3T pants when she got home for her waist size although they were way to short...we used regular pants as capri's :o) She is now wearing size 6
Saturday, July 4, 2009
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!!!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
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)
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)
Monday, June 22, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
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!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
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)
Saturday, June 13, 2009
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.
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
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
Friday, June 12, 2009
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
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
Thursday, June 11, 2009
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.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
"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)
Friday, June 5, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
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
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
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Sometimes...you gotta do...
whach ya gotta do :o) Anyone who has met these two precious children...know the story behind these pictures :o)
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