Blessings

This weekend I found lots of blessings and joy with my children. The girls had quite the good time picking wildflowers and taking pictures. And, to think, when we first came home, she wouldn't walk on grass. Yesterday, she was lying in it. Ellie always looks like she's up to something. I wonder what she is thinking.

On Saturday, I helped the girls pot some flowers. Josie-Tatum took the work very seriously. Ellie, on the other hand, had the most fun digging in the potting soil.

And, Saturday afternoon, my cousin had a cookout for her son who is graduating this year. I was NOT ready for swimming, but it was not quite possible to tell the girls, "No," when others were in the pool. It may have be 92 degrees outside, but that water was COLD. Ellie had a wonderful "first time" in a swimming pool. She held on tightly the first few minutes, but was soon ready to be Miss Independent with her swimmies and swim ring. Josie-Tatum was ever the protective big sister, making sure Ellie felt safe and secure.

A Blessed Mother's Day Weekend

I will try to post pictures this week, but I wanted to share my blessed weekend, before I forget the details.

On Saturday night, Josie-Tatum said, "Mama, I can't wait until tomorrow." I asked why, and she said, "Because it's Mother's Day," and then she gave me a big hug. Then, she asked, "Did you really only have 3 children last year." I said, "Yes," and she said, "It's just like a miracle. Now you have 5!"

Yes, it is just like a miracle. I sat in church yesterday surrounded, literally, by my 5 beautiful, loving children. God is so good! After church, they raced me home to "set up." I came in the house to 3 gifts on the couch and a huge....um....HUGE....card. The gifts were nice, a new beach bag, a water bottle bag, and a photo album filled with pictures from the past 7 months, as a family of 7. But my favorite part, after reading my card, all 5 children JUMPED on me in one big group hug. This was, of course, followed by MUCH laughter.

We went swimming for the first time this year...planted flowers....and just had plain old-fashioned fun over the weekend. Pictures in a few days!!!

Healthy Tears

Six months ago, I had to play "near" Ellie without playing with her. I had to let others do things for her that I desperatey wanted to do. She was only with Mama in this picture, because Bobbie Ayi took her out of the hotel room, and snuck away once we were playing.

But, Ellie has begun a new behavior in the past few weeks.

She cries and cries hard when I leave for work.

When I first went back to work, after being home less than 2 weeks, I could tell her good-bye while she sat on the couch drinking milk, and she would cheerfully say, "Bye Mama." As the weeks have turned to months, I've had to be a little more creative to keep her cheerful.

But, now, no matter the effort, there are tears for every departure. And, the good thing is, I know these are healthy tears. I know it means she is really attaching and bonding to her mother. I know it means she feels safe, secure, and loved by her mama, who would do anything to make sure she continues to feel safe, secure, and loved.

Isn't it interesting? Five months ago, it tugged at my heart to watch her so comfortable when I was leaving her. I felt guilty that somehow I wasn't loving on her enough in the mornings. And, now, it tugs on my heart when I hear her cry, but the tug is peaceful. For, I know we have made PROGRESS!!!

And, once again, to hear her say, "This is MY mama!" "This is MY daddy!" " This is MY sister."
This is MY Caleb." "This is MY Brandon." Praise the LORD for the lessons she is learning about belonging to a family. Praise the LORD for the ayis in her foster home, who prepared her for her family. Praise the LORD, for HE has done great things!!!!