From This to...This

Why is it when the kids and honey are out of the house I get burst of energy to accomplish the world...well, MY WORLD at least. Today, on his day off he wanted to take the girls to see his parents so I could accomplish my list....so I cleaned the bathrooms, presented contracts, uploaded bills for the office to get paid, paid our bills, got the tax info together to be sent off, worked on Girls Retreat details for youth, wrote and mailed cards, organized my office, cleaned my room, worked on more of work and now I get to write.....
I recently sat under the teaching of J. Lovingood who said, "we learn best from our experiences when we REFLECT on them." How can I not reflect on February...what a change in my/our world. For the GOOD might I add. I didn't see it that way during the entire month as E has been a challenge. But as I reflect now I see such positive change in her.
I see a heart that wants love and is allowing us to love her NOW. I see what is most noticable in these pictures....a SMILE everyday. I see a heart that is learning to trust and come close instead of sitting on the sidelines she's participating in our Family. I see a little girl eagar to be a part of all that we do...family kisses, snuggles, prayer time, life with church family and the little things like laughing and playing. In six weeks, E can now pronounce each letter of the alphabet, she can count to 4, she is learning colors, and she says soooo mnay words.
I can't say it's any of myself, its simply the love in our family that is allowing her to thrive. I believe God has opened her heart to us, given her peace and that's why she has gone "From This (pic #1) to This (pic#4).

A Few Minutes to Write.....

One was easy and fun to take everywhere. I never complained about becoming a busy mom as I had dreamed of it for so long...and I will hold to that!

As I sip my coffee, girls are sleeping, the snow is falling and I'm contempleting the last five weeks. This Mommy has been in the midst of:

referreeing, training, coaching, crying (from all three of us), dishing out food every two hours, cleaning as if it mattered, playing with every toy to teach colors, shapes, sizes, ABC's, songs, wrestling, rocking two little girls and looking daily for the grey hair that I should have by now. (No different than any other mom).

Emmi came to us at 27 months old only speaking two words. One being "no" that was more of a grunt. However, "No" has been very clear in every nightmare and restless night. My heart raced to a room to comfort a child I didn't know how to handle. But each day I've ask God to give me a Mother's heart for her, a heart that loves, protects and doesn't mind the day to day like I have with my HVN. He's done just that.

The first five weeks have been ANYTHING but easy. There was no "honeymoon", not when you take in a child with a traumatic past. However God has proven faithful as Emmi has turned a great corner of learning to obey, learning to love and accept love. She is speaking new words everyday and learning to wait her turn.

My constant prayer in this has been that God would allow the good in my HVN to prevail. She has always been such a compassionate soul, eager to please and very compliant. Today, I can say she still is.

She loves Emmi and loves playing with her. She doesnt like to leave home without her. When each one awakes or they see one another after being apart they hug and kiss and say "I missed you!" It's very sweet to watch.

How precious that God orchestrated the birth order of our children and would allow us to have such a loving little girl first who could love Emmi through her difficult personality. One who was willing to split her toys so Emmi had plenty in her room, one who doesn't mind sharing Mommy & Daddy...I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT I TEAR UP AS I TELL YOU THIS...HVN has been a vital role in Emmi learning to love. I pray one day God allows me to publish what I've watched in the two of them.

Emmi loves her home and breathes a sigh of relief often when we walk in the doors. She plays well and now carries a smile that is real. As of late last week she has slept peacefully. She grabs a hand to pray with us before daddy leaves in the morning, at each meal and when I rock her at night. She enjoys being read to and playing in her room. She loves doing a family kiss which we do everyday...all lips together with many laughs!!!!!

This isn't to say life is perfect. It's just evidence of God's hand of mercy and grace on our lives. It's evidence that when we call on Jesus....mountains are moveable.

So, the floors are dirty, the laundry isn't complete BUT I have two girls who have grown in the last five weeks into sweet sisters and Im so thankful to Jesus for His hand on our family.

HVN & The Ricky Song

Happy Valentine's Day

Our hearts are full and realizing just how much God has blessed our family.
Emmy's first Dr. appt with us was today. She's weighing 25.5 lbs and is 35" tall. Emmy is 27 months old.
She is a true copy cat to HVN. Whatever HVN does she tries so hard to immulate. Her speech is getting better each day but we know it will take time and therapy.
The girls are loving their time together but also do well with alone time and their toys.
Life from 1-2 has changed many things...but one thing is the same...our hearts desire for our family is that we love Jesus and learn to walk in His ways no matter what the circumstances.

Sharing the LUV!

After Court on 1/24/2012 we stopped at the park on the way home...the Girls are loving one another. Each day presents new challenges, as most families, however we are doing well. Sometimes crazy but altogether well and trusting God's hand of mercy and grace in our family.
We covet your prayers as we teach our girls to love God and others on a daily basis.

Sweetness!!!

HVN & Emily playing dress up and loving time together!

Can You Say ADJUSTMENT????

On January 21st we welcomed Emily into our home. We've had great moments of watching the girls love on one another, share and play well alone. HVN has been a great little mom, teacher helper but I've also seen her cat claws come out.

It has been a blessing but also a great challenge. At 27 months old Emi knows very few words and social skills. Each day she is eager to learn and add more to the day. She loves the outdoors like the rest of us, she likes to be read to and do flash cards...but most of all she LOVES TO EAT. I think she could over eat HVN any day.

HVN has been very loving for the most part, however both girls have not had to share with anyone 24/7, so this is very new for the both of them. HVN has shared well with friends but not this new live in sister. Friends and family have all reassured me that this is all normal.

We will get through this and the girls will soon be inseparable....I hope.