SUMMER FUN

Summer=VBS, Popscicles, July 4th, Weddings, Friends & Fun!!!!

     The girls got to enjoy VBS this year and loved taking part in projects and playing with friends.
     I learn so much about them when we have play dates....often finding them sticking together. However, HVN especially is very fond of friends from church. She's at the age where she ask for their time and wants to make sure they are attending her Birthday Party...Wow! She's gonna be 4!
     Emmi is becoming quite the nurturer, you'll see in a picture below her feeding her baby, she also loves being in their kitchen and serving others. Then there is her other very aggressive side that loves to play ball...soccor or tball are in her near future.
     I'm learning this parenting thing as I go...I believe in the details and title of the book "Parenting is Heart Work." Each day I have to make a mental note to stop and communicate, stop and listen, stop and just do one on one. The world in beckoning them so I believe in heart work and the lasting blessings that come with it. While training both of them, HVN is at the age where she wants to understand  the Why's and she's very sensitive to the feelings of others. I appreciate that and want to nurture it daily. Where Emmi is still learning the do's and don'ts of playing and how to treat others. This is where I need prayer. Things that came so easy with HVN are not so easy with Emmi. They are polar opposites, not bad just different. So, as I work on their hearts I petition the Lord to work on mine and teach me how to lovingly teach them.

    

Summer 2012

Excited faces on giggly girls welcomed Daddy home last week!

The girls are enjoying one another the most! HVN was coloring yesterday, her page ask her to draw a picture of her best friend. So I ask, "H who is your best friend?" She says, "Mommy, my sister is my best friend!" How about that???!!!!

That warms my heart....don't get me wrong...there are days....there are days when I feel we are still adjusting but most all moms remind me of how normal it is for them to argue !

We will continue to be thankful for the progress and thank Him for all His blessings...especially our Girls!!!

Our summer has begun....Daddy is on his first trip. That being to Isreal (envy is all over me). However, not enough to leave my babies.
     Needless to say Emmi is not ready for me to be gone that long. Her speech therapy starts this week and her attachment is going well.
     HVN on the other hand, is never ready for either of us to be gone for a long period of time. Her sweet heart has cried a little each day for Daddy and she prayed for him last night to come back quickly. She is a great help while home with Emmi, she tends to be very motherly and the boss in the relationship....often calling her "sweetheart" in a very high pitched tone.
    So...we've made plans to have lots of fun if Mommy's work doesn't get in the way! We are marking off the days til daddy returns, visiting family, playing at the pool and enjoying summer. We are looking forward to attending Camp with Daddy and the big kids next month. Daddy got us a hotel with a pool right outside the camp so we don't have to bunk with the big kids. I'm thankful!

   

Everyday Can't Be a Bowl of Berries

The Lord has given me several tools to hold onto this week. One in particular is the reminder of His constant presence in my life as a believer...but more specifically as a Mommy.

Many days I 've felt depleted as a teacher for Emmi. I've felt at times I had no teaching skills left within me and I am reminded of Zephaniah  3, "fear not O Zion, let not your hands grow weak, the Lord your God is there in the midst. A mighty one who will save, He will rejoice over you with singing, etc" 

Everything within me wants Emmi to learn first of all of Christ love for her and we want her to see His presence in our lives. Then I have a deep desire and prayer that she learn to TRUST.

I want her heart to trust me (some days she's still holds me at an arms length away).

The first two years of life are so very critical....as an infant she should have been cradled close, kept safe and spoken to with kindness. So she could have learned to trust, come close and respond. We know she lacked those criticals.

Now....I believe it's because the Lord our God is in the midst that she is learning and growing. We have a ways to go....but I see God opening her heart to us, I see God allowing her to learn and it's as if He is Singing Over her and Speaking healing on her life.

Everyday can't be a bowl of berries....but the times are getting much sweeter than before.

This mommy is thankful for an Ever Present Savior that has ways of making our hearts Sing in response to Him.

A Happy Mother's Day It Was

What makes me smile is waking up to two beautiful hearted girls! I'm so thankful for God allowing me the great privilege of mothering HVN & E....it's one of the best roles a woman can have.
Today, my sincere love and gratitude goes out to our birth moms who chose life for these two precious girls. Without their obedience to give life.....I'm speechless as I would not know the love I have right now for specifically HVN & E. I hope our birth moms can sense my love, hugs, gratefulness and the joy I have in this blessing of being called "Mommy."
To me...everyday is a great Mother's Day just having my girls. My prayer is that one day they become loving moms who choose the paths that God desires of them.
Thank you Birth Moms, you have been honored today through prayer and the giving of Bibles in your honor so others may know the Savior. Love to you both!

"They Think We're Just Fish'n!

Daddy's day off and "they think we're just fish'n!" Today, I was reminded of how polar opposite HVN & E really are.....one was all about the worms and the other pulled her feet up with a scream when the worms came out. One wears a skirt and the other pants. One loves to be dirty and the other keeps a wipe on hand to wash her hands. One wouldn't dare eat off the floor and one doesn't care if she eats off the floor let alone off the bottom of a dirty boat! But, I'm so thankful that their uniquness is evident and most of all they're secure in what they each like. AND they still love one another and love to be with one another.

Family Time...O How I Love Thee!!!

Our recent family trip to CO was beautiful! It's one of our favorite places in the States. The girls were "perfect" on the plane...as said by other passengers. They loved the snow each morning, pools, parks, and time with Aunt Bibby, Uncle Steve & Hannah! Rick and I were able to attend a conference to get Refueled for ministry in this beautiful place.
We're thankful that the girls are learning to love one another and getting along well...however they're NOT PERFECT. They have days where they completely act like sisters and fuss fuss fuss! But God is giving us grace in parenting as we learn to do this with two. We have two equally beautiful and special little princesses...our hands and our hearts are FULL!!