Everyone is doing pretty well. Hannah continues to get in trouble because she doesn't want to use her brain to think. She would prefer to use Haylee's. She does well when she exercises her brain. She also doesn't think before poor choices and often forgets that the world doesn't revolve around her. For example, I told her not to let the dog get a bug outside. She got the bug on a stick and gave it to the dog. Needless to say, I wasn't a happy mother and the rest of her afternoon and evening wasn't very fun. I am praying that the confidence she has in herself will continue to increase and she will overcome her struggles. Some days are better than others.
Haylee is doing pretty well in school. She does well most days. I am really starting to see confidence issues in her as well. Since she has really improved her "baby talk" I am able to see that she uses it when she isn't sure about herself. I can always tell when she is afraid to tell me something or not sure of an answer in school. I have been reminding them this week to speak boldly and with confidence even if you aren't sure. It is better to appear confident and be wrong than not confident and wrong. The other benefit is that when she speaks boldly she can't speak like a baby.
All in all, they are doing pretty well if you think of them as their maturity age of about 7, instead of a young nine year old. Morgan is definitely more mature than Haylee and Hannah.
Morgan's birthday party went well. Feeding the dog the bug happened the afternoon after the party. Hannah always seems to have issues when something big happens and it isn't about her. She is doing much better. She usually takes her punishment well. She doesn't voice her disagreement, but you can see it all over her face. I believe I did see some repentance this time when I discussed the issues with her later.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Morgan's Birthday
Yesterday, Morgan turned ten years old!! I can't believe that she is already ten. I thought she would be my last child. I never dreamed I would have two more girls birthed from the heart! What a blessing!
Morgan is having some girls spend the night tonight. We are not allowing Haylee and Hannah to sleep with the rest of the girls. We have had problems with them when a guest is spending the night in their room. Hannah tends to smother them and tell things she has no business telling anyone. Haylee does okay, but we decided they would sleep on blow up beds in our bedroom. This is a treat for them because they have never slept in our room. Morgan slept on a mattress in our room when she was sick recently and would spike fever during the night.
Well, one friend came early to play today. Both girls have been in trouble all ready. The friend hasn't even been here two hours yet. Ugh!!! It may be a long night!!
They do not do well when someone else is the center of attention. We started celebrating Morgan's birthday Thursday and will end tomorrow morning when the guests leave. They have both been told that if they continue to make poor choices they will be separated earlier tonight.
I hope it all goes okay tonight. I will let you know...
Morgan is having some girls spend the night tonight. We are not allowing Haylee and Hannah to sleep with the rest of the girls. We have had problems with them when a guest is spending the night in their room. Hannah tends to smother them and tell things she has no business telling anyone. Haylee does okay, but we decided they would sleep on blow up beds in our bedroom. This is a treat for them because they have never slept in our room. Morgan slept on a mattress in our room when she was sick recently and would spike fever during the night.
Well, one friend came early to play today. Both girls have been in trouble all ready. The friend hasn't even been here two hours yet. Ugh!!! It may be a long night!!
They do not do well when someone else is the center of attention. We started celebrating Morgan's birthday Thursday and will end tomorrow morning when the guests leave. They have both been told that if they continue to make poor choices they will be separated earlier tonight.
I hope it all goes okay tonight. I will let you know...
Very Busy Lately
I haven't posted in so long!! I have posts in my head all of the time, but finding the time to sit down and record them is the problem.
Things are moving right along. I can't believe the girls have been with us almost ten months. They have changed so much during this time.
A few updates...
Haylee's meds are working well. Her school is completed timely and very well. She has a hard time in the late afternoon with her attitude. She is really struggling with pouting when she is corrected or has been in trouble. We have started telling her to go to her room and find her happy heart or go get in the bed. It is her choice. Haylee even read her grammar lesson before I was ready to teach it this week and completed the exercises perfectly. I was thrilled!
Hannah is struggling in school. I purchased some dividers to remove the temptation of cheating. It is now taking her forever to complete her work. I retaught her rounding for the sixth time this week. I thought the magic number was three times, but not anymore. I wondered if she was looking at Haylee's work more than I realized, but for so long she was finished before Haylee. Haylee loves the dividers. I believe it has relieved the stress from both of them. Hannah doesn't like the dividers, but I really don't care. I think she realizes she is having to think totally for herself and that is sometimes difficult for her.
Four of my children got new glasses this week. Thank goodness Haylee and Hannah have state insurance as secondary insurance. Glasses are very expensive. They have a different selection of glasses to choose from and they aren't the same quality as the glasses I had to buy for Alex and Morgan. However, the state insurance will replace the glasses if they break.
I have heard about people being treated differently with state insurance, but hadn't experienced it until I took Haylee and Hannah to the eye doctor. The doctor and his wife knew our situation and were very nice. However, the front office person and the lady that tested their vision treated me like an idiot. I guess they forgot I had already had two children in the office in the last two weeks that I had to pay out of pocket for and did. The lady at the desk didn't give me the new paper to fill out. She sat behind the counter and asked me questions and wrote it down. She wasn't very friendly. It would have been much easier if I could have done it myself. The lady that tested their vision wasn't much better. She treated me like I had no idea what we were doing and that they didn't either. I was having to bite my tongue. Before we went, I explained to the wife of the doctor, she runs the office, our situation. I took the girls separate so they would never know that they didn't go to the same room to pick out their glasses. Haylee has very poor vision. The doctor told me that we would try to use the state insurance, but they may want her glasses to look like coke bottle glasses. They are thick, but are okay. When she gets older, we may have to do something different.
I am debating about whether to call the wife and let her know we were treated differently than when I had my other children in the office. It is really sad how people are treated differently for insurance reasons.
Things are moving right along. I can't believe the girls have been with us almost ten months. They have changed so much during this time.
A few updates...
Haylee's meds are working well. Her school is completed timely and very well. She has a hard time in the late afternoon with her attitude. She is really struggling with pouting when she is corrected or has been in trouble. We have started telling her to go to her room and find her happy heart or go get in the bed. It is her choice. Haylee even read her grammar lesson before I was ready to teach it this week and completed the exercises perfectly. I was thrilled!
Hannah is struggling in school. I purchased some dividers to remove the temptation of cheating. It is now taking her forever to complete her work. I retaught her rounding for the sixth time this week. I thought the magic number was three times, but not anymore. I wondered if she was looking at Haylee's work more than I realized, but for so long she was finished before Haylee. Haylee loves the dividers. I believe it has relieved the stress from both of them. Hannah doesn't like the dividers, but I really don't care. I think she realizes she is having to think totally for herself and that is sometimes difficult for her.
Four of my children got new glasses this week. Thank goodness Haylee and Hannah have state insurance as secondary insurance. Glasses are very expensive. They have a different selection of glasses to choose from and they aren't the same quality as the glasses I had to buy for Alex and Morgan. However, the state insurance will replace the glasses if they break.
I have heard about people being treated differently with state insurance, but hadn't experienced it until I took Haylee and Hannah to the eye doctor. The doctor and his wife knew our situation and were very nice. However, the front office person and the lady that tested their vision treated me like an idiot. I guess they forgot I had already had two children in the office in the last two weeks that I had to pay out of pocket for and did. The lady at the desk didn't give me the new paper to fill out. She sat behind the counter and asked me questions and wrote it down. She wasn't very friendly. It would have been much easier if I could have done it myself. The lady that tested their vision wasn't much better. She treated me like I had no idea what we were doing and that they didn't either. I was having to bite my tongue. Before we went, I explained to the wife of the doctor, she runs the office, our situation. I took the girls separate so they would never know that they didn't go to the same room to pick out their glasses. Haylee has very poor vision. The doctor told me that we would try to use the state insurance, but they may want her glasses to look like coke bottle glasses. They are thick, but are okay. When she gets older, we may have to do something different.
I am debating about whether to call the wife and let her know we were treated differently than when I had my other children in the office. It is really sad how people are treated differently for insurance reasons.
Monday, January 17, 2011
We are still here...
Things have been busy around here. Tucker, Alex and Morgan participated in a swim meet in Auburn this weekend and did well. It began Friday night and ended about 4 pm Sunday. It was a looooonnnggg weekend. Haylee and Hannah did very well. They had to sit a bunch and watch and wait and watch and wait. We had to travel back in forth each day so that meant about 3 hours in the car each day after sitting forever. Everyone survived and all and all it was a good weekend.
All three children made best times. We have a new coach that we love!! They are enjoying swim team again. She is very encouraging to all of the children.
Alex qualified for the third year in a row to swim at the Southeastern Championship Meet in Nashville at the end of February. He is very excited. He made five qualifying times out of the seven events he competed in this weekend. He is very, very close in the other two events. He is a very strong competitor and athlete and it shows in the pool.
We praised the tw*ins on the way home yesterday about how well they behaved all weekend. Immediately after we finished, I thought, oh no, I hope we haven't jinxed ourselves. Well, Hannah didn't have a great night after we got home. We knew she was tired and tried to be gentle. However, she added extra drama to her situation and therefore we were less sympathetic. The good news...she didn't lie when I asked her if she was adding the drama to get more attention. She said she did. So, she was sent on to bed a few minutes before Haylee. Morgan had already gone to bed because she was exhausted from the weekend.
The girls are doing better everyday. They have vision checkups next week. I have no clue what is wrong with their vision. They both came with glasses, so I am curious to see our doctor.
Can any blog friends tell me how to make tabs on a blog page? Also, where do you get the cute designs? The choices I have aren't that cute. Thanks!
All three children made best times. We have a new coach that we love!! They are enjoying swim team again. She is very encouraging to all of the children.
Alex qualified for the third year in a row to swim at the Southeastern Championship Meet in Nashville at the end of February. He is very excited. He made five qualifying times out of the seven events he competed in this weekend. He is very, very close in the other two events. He is a very strong competitor and athlete and it shows in the pool.
We praised the tw*ins on the way home yesterday about how well they behaved all weekend. Immediately after we finished, I thought, oh no, I hope we haven't jinxed ourselves. Well, Hannah didn't have a great night after we got home. We knew she was tired and tried to be gentle. However, she added extra drama to her situation and therefore we were less sympathetic. The good news...she didn't lie when I asked her if she was adding the drama to get more attention. She said she did. So, she was sent on to bed a few minutes before Haylee. Morgan had already gone to bed because she was exhausted from the weekend.
The girls are doing better everyday. They have vision checkups next week. I have no clue what is wrong with their vision. They both came with glasses, so I am curious to see our doctor.
Can any blog friends tell me how to make tabs on a blog page? Also, where do you get the cute designs? The choices I have aren't that cute. Thanks!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Words of Wisdom
My Mother-in-law sent me an email this morning with a quote from a book she just finished reading. The book is called, The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven. (I can't figure out how to underline the title. Sorry.)
The son in the book has just been in a horrible car accident and no one thinks he will live. An EMP spoke the following to his mother.:
"You're going to go in the trauma room and your're going to hear some horrible things. In fact, they're going to tell you your son's going to die. But I laid hands on your son and prayed for him in the name of Jesus. I'm telling you, he's not going to die. Now you definitely have a part to play in all this. The Lord is already beginning the healing, but when you go in there, fear will try to attack your thinking. I'm not telling you to go in there and argue. Be polite and listen; they know what they're talking about. But as true as all their information is, God's Word can change all that. But if you go in there and agree with what they're saying and start speaking that, he will die. You'll negate what's been started by my praying for him. But if every time you get scared or hear a bad report, you thank the Lord for His healing, He will do His part."
She followed the quote with this statement to me, "I thought that was wonderful truth that can be applied to Hannah and Haylee. Yes, some things are "true" but they are not God's truth. We can either agree with the Word or agree with man's wisdom... the outcome will be vastly different."
Once again, I know this, but I need to be reminded of these truths when I am in the trench.
I am so glad God is in control of me and my family and NOT me!!!
The son in the book has just been in a horrible car accident and no one thinks he will live. An EMP spoke the following to his mother.:
"You're going to go in the trauma room and your're going to hear some horrible things. In fact, they're going to tell you your son's going to die. But I laid hands on your son and prayed for him in the name of Jesus. I'm telling you, he's not going to die. Now you definitely have a part to play in all this. The Lord is already beginning the healing, but when you go in there, fear will try to attack your thinking. I'm not telling you to go in there and argue. Be polite and listen; they know what they're talking about. But as true as all their information is, God's Word can change all that. But if you go in there and agree with what they're saying and start speaking that, he will die. You'll negate what's been started by my praying for him. But if every time you get scared or hear a bad report, you thank the Lord for His healing, He will do His part."
She followed the quote with this statement to me, "I thought that was wonderful truth that can be applied to Hannah and Haylee. Yes, some things are "true" but they are not God's truth. We can either agree with the Word or agree with man's wisdom... the outcome will be vastly different."
Once again, I know this, but I need to be reminded of these truths when I am in the trench.
I am so glad God is in control of me and my family and NOT me!!!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Better Day
Today has been a better day...
I have been saying repeatedly in my head...
"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." Phillipians 4:13
and
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you." Jeremiah 4:13
Also, if I could tell Hannah was struggling with something I was teaching, I would stop and reteach it a different way. I didn't give her any opportunities to lie today. If I felt like an opportunity for a lie existed, I would answer the question for her or change the question so it would be very difficult to lie.
Haylee is taking forever to finish her school work again. I don't know what to do. I set a timer and it just beeps and she has not moved any faster. The plus is, she does it very well, so it is hard to complain.
Due to the weather, all of our afternoon activities have cancelled. I am happy about this because it will give everyone time to finish their school work and get ready to watch the National Championship game tonight. Alex is a HUGE Auburn fan. He is counting the hours until the game.
I have been saying repeatedly in my head...
"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." Phillipians 4:13
and
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you." Jeremiah 4:13
Also, if I could tell Hannah was struggling with something I was teaching, I would stop and reteach it a different way. I didn't give her any opportunities to lie today. If I felt like an opportunity for a lie existed, I would answer the question for her or change the question so it would be very difficult to lie.
Haylee is taking forever to finish her school work again. I don't know what to do. I set a timer and it just beeps and she has not moved any faster. The plus is, she does it very well, so it is hard to complain.
Due to the weather, all of our afternoon activities have cancelled. I am happy about this because it will give everyone time to finish their school work and get ready to watch the National Championship game tonight. Alex is a HUGE Auburn fan. He is counting the hours until the game.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Encouragement while in the trench
I have really been fighting discouragement this past week. It has not been a very good week. I feel like I have been in a trench, with little hope of getting out. I have been tired and frustrated.
I am tired of feeling like the wicked witch all of the time. It seems like I am always correcting someone or asking someone to do something or stop doing something, etc. I am struggling to balance all of the hats I wear in my life. I don't know which one to take off and discard.
Our pastor asked anyone that is discouraged about anything to come down for prayer. I knew I needed too and did. The sweet friends that prayed for me reminded me of a few things.
One lady reminded me that I like to be in control of everything. She reminded me that as I have said many times, I can't live my life right now without going to God first. He can handle these things. Nothing surprises Him. I have to turn it over to Him each and every day. I have always been able to handle things on my own. Not anymore, I need Him more than ever. I know that, but is was refreshing to have this sweet lady share that with me again.
She also said that we aren't to worry about tomorrow, only focus on today. Lately, I have spent way too much energy worrying about the future of our family and the girls most of all. I worry about all three girls and I shouldn't. I need to turn it over to the Lord more than ever.
Another lady reminded me that the girls are "fearfully and wonderfully made". He knows everything about them, past, present, and future. God gave me this scripture for our adoption prior to the placement. He knew they would be in our family. He has their future in His hands. It was refreshing to be reminded of this again.
Another friend reminded me that I have faith to walk this walk with God. He called us to adoption and these girls and He will not leave us or forsake us.
A friend also reminded me that only God can help me love these girls as I love my other three children. Don't miss understand me, I love Haylee and Hannah, but it is different. I am very protective of them as I am with my other children. I didn't realize how much I was struggling with this issue until she starting praying for God to help me love them completely. I know I will probably recieve negative comments because I have said this, but I realized today, it is true. I believe I have been holding guilt inside about this issue. God can enable me to love them just as they are my birth children, but only He can do this.
I am very thankful these ladies obeyed and prayed for me today!!
Our message was about hope. We know that suffering produces perseverance, which leads to character, and character, hope.
Our pastor read in Romans 5:
I am tired of feeling like the wicked witch all of the time. It seems like I am always correcting someone or asking someone to do something or stop doing something, etc. I am struggling to balance all of the hats I wear in my life. I don't know which one to take off and discard.
Our pastor asked anyone that is discouraged about anything to come down for prayer. I knew I needed too and did. The sweet friends that prayed for me reminded me of a few things.
One lady reminded me that I like to be in control of everything. She reminded me that as I have said many times, I can't live my life right now without going to God first. He can handle these things. Nothing surprises Him. I have to turn it over to Him each and every day. I have always been able to handle things on my own. Not anymore, I need Him more than ever. I know that, but is was refreshing to have this sweet lady share that with me again.
She also said that we aren't to worry about tomorrow, only focus on today. Lately, I have spent way too much energy worrying about the future of our family and the girls most of all. I worry about all three girls and I shouldn't. I need to turn it over to the Lord more than ever.
Another lady reminded me that the girls are "fearfully and wonderfully made". He knows everything about them, past, present, and future. God gave me this scripture for our adoption prior to the placement. He knew they would be in our family. He has their future in His hands. It was refreshing to be reminded of this again.
Another friend reminded me that I have faith to walk this walk with God. He called us to adoption and these girls and He will not leave us or forsake us.
A friend also reminded me that only God can help me love these girls as I love my other three children. Don't miss understand me, I love Haylee and Hannah, but it is different. I am very protective of them as I am with my other children. I didn't realize how much I was struggling with this issue until she starting praying for God to help me love them completely. I know I will probably recieve negative comments because I have said this, but I realized today, it is true. I believe I have been holding guilt inside about this issue. God can enable me to love them just as they are my birth children, but only He can do this.
I am very thankful these ladies obeyed and prayed for me today!!
Our message was about hope. We know that suffering produces perseverance, which leads to character, and character, hope.
Our pastor read in Romans 5:
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
None of what I heard today was new too me. However, when I am stuck in the trench or the "spin cycle" as I sometimes call it, I needed it to be spoken to me from my trustworthy church body. It was refreshing to hear.
A few of my blog friends are also struggling with their adopted children now. Angela and Kelly, I will continue to pray for you as I deal with the issues in my house. Each time I cry out, I will cry out for you also. God has called us to this journey and he has equiped us with everything we need as we need it!! Hang in there girls!!!
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