spirited posts: July 2009

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Ellie attended her first slumber-party last night! Her friend, Mia, was turning four and her brave parents invited Ellie and a few other friends from church to spend the night. When Ally (Mia's mom) brought Ellie home today she said Ellie and Mia were the endurance girls staying up until 12:30a...poor Brock and Ally! Anyway, bless those souls for going all out for their precious Mia and for giving the girls a good time. The girls ate pizza, decorated cupcakes, watched movies, and from the looks of it had a dress-up karaoke session! So cheers to Mia for a great birthday bash!

Ally made each girl these cute aprons!

Happy Girls: Abbie, Mia, Audry, Reagan, Ellie

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Getting Ready

We're in the final stages folks...the waiting game...the most joyful & exciting time yet the most stressful time for me. Waiting is not easy so please pray for us as we wait...days or weeks...and pray also for all the transitions ahead.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

"Don't Say Anything 'Cause I Want It"

The last entry I posted was all about Saedi-Sue, but now it's time for her big Sis to get the spotlight. To give you a little backgroud on the upcoming story, our early morning routine generally starts with Ellie waking up first, coming into my room between 630 and 700, where we sit in bed and read for a while. This morning, however, I woke up to the sound of a Little Munchkin in the pantry making some peculiar sounds...sounds that I guessed were a certain 3-year old opening candy bags and sneaking a little treat. I stayed put, listened intently, and waited to see what Ellie would do next. I heard her leave the kitchen, but she didn't come to my room like normal. I quietly got out of bed, snuck through the living room, and peaked into her bedroom. And there she was... lying in her bed, covers up to her chin, clinging to a plastic cup with about 20 jelly beans in it. She was SHOCKED that I was in her room catching her red-handed, to say the least. I calmy asked, "What's this about, El?" She crossed her arms and replied, "Don't say anything 'cause I want it!" Not the remorseful response I was expecting. I asked her to hand over the jelly beans and I told her I would be in my room.
At this point my mind is racing as to how I should handle the situation. Lately, I've been feeling like Ellie does and says the right things but her heart isn't genuine nor repentive. And just a few days ago I began re-reading, "To Train Up a Child" for a little refresher on how to reach a child's heart. All that said, I decided I would stay calm and try to reach her heart instead of jump to disciplining.
After 10 minutes or so Ellie came into my room and asked if she could "buggle" with me and I said, "sure!" So we cuddled as I read for a while and then I said we needed to talk about the incident. She didn't want to, but I began talking anyway. She confessed that she was only sorry that she got caught (and not for dis-obeying) but that her heart did feel ugly and embarrased. I kept reminding myself to reach the heart, reach the heart. I was able to explain that I know she was disappointed she got caught, but getting caught wasn't the issue. The issue was doing what we know we shouldn't. It's called sin and sin is a bad thing that makes Jesus sad and takes our joy away. I explained that I sin and that everyone sins. And while sin isn't good, when we ask for forgiveness and turn our backs to it, we are set free and our heart can be clean again. She was very interested in the converstaion (especially the part about me as a sinner) and we actually had a beautiful conversation about sin, forgiveness, redemption & grace (not in those terms, of course). We prayed together, her conscious was clear, and I vowed to treat her sin as Jesus would, and never bring it up to her again. Forgivenss equals a clean slate..the incident is gone. I was extremely proud of myself for staying calm the entire time (not normal for me) and I praise God that I know her heart was reached. And all this from a 3 year old. God give me grace to train my children!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Adventures with Saedi

Yesterday Ellie and I were out working in the yard while Saedi was finishing up her afternoon nap. El and I walk into the house to get Saedi and I immediately smelled a stink. I asked El if she had to poo and she said, "That's Saedi." Ellie was right! We walked into Saedi's room, where this Little Toot had taken off her poopy diaper, and smeared it on her face, her crib, and fertilized her fingernails as well. Thankfully, it really wasn't that bad. Saedi went straight into the tub and Ellie kept watch while I cleaned up her crib,etc. I remember when Ellie did this...hopefully it's only a one time deal for each!

This morning Saedi woke up dry after a long night's sleep (a first for the dryness I believe) and she wanted to sit on her little potty while I sat on my big potty. To my amazement she actually peed, and she was so proud of herself. It's fun to see her interest in copying Ellie and I with "big girl things."

And just tonight, Ellie and I were playing Memory, and sure enough Saedi brought me the two matching "shoe-shoe" cards. She's a smart little thang. Watch out!