Just Thinking....

There are some days when I am just in awe that GOD chose me to be the mommy of my two precious baby girls.  I sometimes wonder why he connected me with them, what is his plan for these girls and what can I do to help them see GOD's plan for them.  I have learned that GOD sometimes chooses people who are just willing to step out in faith, not always the ones that have everything figured out - THAT's ME!

Recently, Maddie is becoming increasingly aware of conversations around her and about her.  Of course, when we go places with the girls we garner the usual stares, sometimes questions but mostly nice people just commenting how precious my girls are.  This past Sunday, while at lunch, we had 4 different people comment on how sweet and precious they were.  Maddie finally looked at me when we were walking out the door and asked -"I wonder why everybody thinks we are so special"
I had to chuckle and as to not call attention to what is so obviously the reason people are commenting - I responded to her (what I have always told her) is that "they see the same thing GOD sees - that you are a special little girl!"

A customer recently came into my Furniture store when Maddie was there and was enamored with her and promptly asked her - "Oh!, You are so cute - where are you from?"  Maddie quickly quipped back - "Louisiana"!  I think her answer left the customer a little taken aback.

Another of Maddie's observations about our family and who she is - The other day she commented that we have a big family to which I agreed.  Her next statement was a window into how her little mind is working out all the details of who she is and how she came to be in this family.  She said - "Mommy if we buy another kid, we will have to get a bigger car because we don't have any room left."

I say all of this to say that I am finding that the older they get the more they are piecing their story together.  As a parent, I want that journey to be one of understanding and peace - for them to be okay with who they are and know that they are special.  I want them to see that GOD had a plan for their life - that they have touched people and families through their story.  What an amazing parenting journey GOD has me on.  When I look at them I not only see their beautiful faces, I see GOD's handwriting all over them.  It's quite amazing!

I love those girls!!!!!

Summer Fun and all the rest....

Summer is officially here and activities are in full swing.  There is so many dynamics going on in my house it's hard to keep up.  The older kids are in a different phase of their life than the little girls, which leaves me juggling.

Christopher is home from college and is working full time for our Construction Company, whose schedule is 7 - 12's.  He had quite an adjustment figuring out what extracurricular activities he could fit into an already long work day.  After a couple of weeks of trying to work 12 hours a day and go out with friends, he realized that sleep was more important and the money accumulating in his savings account was better than hanging with his friends.  He has a list of things he wants to purchase with his summer earnings.  I think he finally has realized that he is growing up and that with that, work is a large part of it.

Lizzy and I went to Destin, Florida for Cheer Camp and Competition.  This is her last cheer camp of her high school years.  It was bittersweet as the journey through senior year has already begun.  From cheer camp she went straight to Camp Champions in Marble Falls and will be there until July 3rd.  I must say at least 3-5 times a day - "I sure miss Lizzy"!!!!  When she returns, her and I will take a quick girl trip to Cancun and then back for Senior Pictures.  I'm soaking up every moment with her that I can.

Maddie likes to be busy - so busy she is.  We are continuing her tutoring for reading and spelling over the summer.  Two days a week she is working hard to maintain and grow her skills that she worked so hard for in Kindergarden.  She recently participated in Basketball camp.  The camp held a small showcase game for the Kindergarden students attending the camp to play and show off their skills.  Not surprisingly, Maddie scored 4 of the 8 points our team made, had 2 steals and was the only girl that could dribble and work the court!  If anyone knows me - they know I am over the moon excited that I might have another basketball player on my hands!!!!  Soccer camp was next and she didn't disappoint!  She was the youngest and 1 of only 3 girls in her age division and that did not stop her!  She ran, she kicked, sometimes was knocked down but got up and kept playing.  She's tough and you can see the true uninhibited love of soccer!  She has 2 more soccer camps planned for the summer and she can't wait.

Mia, sweet Mia.  She is just enjoying sleeping late and getting to take our time getting to daycare.  She will attend swimming lessons next month and I was worried about how she would fare or more importantly how the swim instructor would. She has been reluctant to swim in our pool until recently.  She would cry and want you to hold her while in the water.  Then she had a breakthrough.  A well-fitted floaty device, a few minutes getting used to it and she is a swimming fish!  Both girls spend many afternoons playing across the street at my parents house in the driveway.  Chaulk drawings are scattered all down their driveway and my mothers flowers are often picked and worn as hair decorations.  They are having a blast.

Enjoying a little slower pace than during the school year.  Happy summer everyone.

Character....

When I was young and a new mom, my initial thought of my parenting responsibilities were that of making sure that my babies were fed, dressed and went to school when it was time.  I have learned through many years of parenting, parenting teens and adoptive children, that my job is so much more.  At times, it involves guiding my children through some of life's most difficult moments and helping to shape their character.

Recent events have made me think hard about my character as well as my children's character.  One thing I have discovered about myself is that I am secure about who I am and who the Lord has molded and shaped me to be.  I hold firm to my beliefs in the Lord and rely on his guidance to direct my path.

Each one of my children are so different in their personalities and their character develops as they grow into the person GOD wants them to be.

Christopher is an adult - at 20 he is navigating college life and figuring out what his life path will be.  I stand back and look as he makes decisions that affect his future and although he has had some missteps, I am one proud mom and feel confident that he is heading in the right direction.  Over dinner recently, we had a discussion of how he would discipline his children (when that time comes) and it remarkably  aligns with how he was raised - Oh to his dismay....  As a 12 year old I can remember him saying he would do things so differently when he was a grown up.

Lizzy is beginning her senior year and as we all know girls can be mean and unchristian like and she is dealing with some of those challenges with her friend group.   She is also navigating those same friends heading down a dangerous path that she knows she does not want to be part of.  I continue to encourage her to be true to herself and to follow what she knows is the right thing.  I see her making difficult choices - but always choosing the right path.  I want her to know that GOD gives us life to live it abundantly and that no one person or group of people should be able to steal her JOY.  That challenges and struggles mold us and shape us into who GOD wants us to be.  I trust that through the next year she will be redefined, molded and shaped into the young lady that GOD wants her to be as he prepares her to go to college.

In previous posts I have referred to Maddie as tenacious and determined.  I pray that those qualities continue to shape her character.  As I listen to her through day to day conversations and interactions I hear a little bit of "her story" coming out as she claims it as her own.  Recently she was talking with her cousin, who is the same age, and Maddie told her that she lived in China when she was a baby and that I had to take 3 airplanes to go and get her".  That's the first time I've heard her put what she understands of her story into words.  I know that as she grows she will continue to communicate her story and as her understanding grows she will have more questions about it.  I continue to pray that GOD helps me know the right answers to her questions and when I don't have the answer, he will give me the tenderness and compassion to help her deal with the void.

Mia sweet Mia.  Mia has such a sweet and loving character to her.  I am anxious to see who she will become but want to treasure each moment of her being little that I can.  One thing everyone knows about Mia is that she loves her Momma!!!!  and her Momma loves her.  I think all moms treasure the youngest child - as they know it is their last, the last time you get to rock someone to sleep, the last sweet baby kisses, the last "first steps", etc.   She is growing up too fast!