School Break

Finally, this week, we have nothing on our schedule except for Christmas.  Last week was full of errands, doctor visits, and musical performances.  Both Eva and Ivy did a great job.  Sadly, I didn't snap a picture of Ivy before her recital.  But, I did get Eva's first performance photo.

The girls have spent their Christmas break reading a lot of books, doing a little bit of school, and watching some movies.  And, as always, they have been playing outside and taking photos with their "I phone".

Looking to lasso a Scoundrel out on the loose.

Looks like she found one!

The Scoundrel is taken down.

But the Scoundrel has the last laugh when she turns her captor into a miniature and puts her inside of her pocket.

Older Adoption

I think I've posted on this topic before.  Or, maybe I've just thought about it.  But, having 3 adopted children just makes me ponder things a little more.  It has been almost 6 years since I looked at Ivy's picture.  I skipped over it quite a few times because I didn't want a child that much older than Eva and Joy.  But, I kept going back to that adorable face.

I remember Jordan asking me what I was so drawn to.  I couldn't really give her an exact answer.  I was also afraid of committing to an older child and cleft lip issues.  I have an aversion to all things oral.

If you have ever read research on adopting older, you'd probably be terrified of the "what ifs".  I know that I was.  I've even read recommendations of never adopting our of birth order.  Some people have even said to never adopt older children if you have young children in the home.  So, right there were two strikes against the adoption of Ivy.  But, I couldn't bring myself to walk away from this little girl.  Multiple times a day, I would pull up her photo and stare into the dark eyes staring back at me, searching her soul.  In my heart I had a peace.  My mind, though, would tell me other things that I needed to be concerned about.  Before bringing Ivy home, I was mostly concerned about her adjustment into our family.  But, what I've come to realize is that, for me, I should have been more concerned with how I would adjust to her.  I know this isn't the case for everyone, but I had (still do) some selfishness to deal with.  I spent more time preparing myself for issues that Ivy could possibly have and not preparing for my own issues.  It was definitely an eye opener.  God used this sweet child to show me the yuck in my heart.  It is a humbling experience.

As for Ivy....she is mostly what my heart told me she was.  She is sweet, kind, quiet, and very, very tender-hearted.  She has been home almost 5 years.  She loves having a family.  She loves her mom and dad.  She makes cards and leaves notes for us.  I found this one on my pillow last month.

She wrote this shortly after she was worried about a situation she was experiencing.  She cried with her head on my shoulder while I tried my best to guide and reassure her.  It is not easy for Ivy to come to her parents when something is bothering her.  I believe that to be a learned orphanage behavior that is difficult to overcome.  I know with time, comfort, and a lot of prayers, she will overcome her fears.  God is our Healer.  Ivy loves her God.  She seems to be quite resilient, and doesn't easily give up.

  

Had I known the joys of adopting older, maybe we wouldn't have waited until we were so old to adopt.  But, I can't second guess God's timing  His time is the best time.  I am so thankful He used our family to change the lives of 3 little orphaned girls.

Six Months in the Life of an Iphone

I love my children.  I love their unbearable, quirky, lovable, mind-numbing, unique ways.  I love to watch them when they are unaware.  I love watching them grow into the person they will become.  So, to gain access into their (my girls) ways, I check their Iphone.  No, they don't really have an Iphone.  They have a hand-me-down phone from a big brother who was ripped off from a "friend", rendering the phone useless to everyone except my daughters.  So, the girls love taking pictures and videos of their life.  This is a small sample of their collection.

That one looks painful.  I wonder what they were thinking as they drew it on the driveway.

I'm so glad my girls have each other.  They are always together.

The Move

My son, Seth, and his wife just moved this weekend.  We were able to help get them settled in.  They've moved into a very neat place that used to be a working mill back in the mid-1800s.  It is very old style, but has so much character.

It is divided into 4 apartments on 100-acre cattle farm.

The View from their office.  See the cattle off in the distance?

Hard at work.

Eventually, they got settled in for some pizza and a card game with the girls.  Mike and Jack are not fans of "old and rustic".  They prefer the clean, newer things in life.  I'm more partial to old with some new.

Speaking of old....

Jack got a new soccer jersey with his favorite player because Jack turned 16 this week.

He also got his driving permit....he doesn't seem old enough.

We then headed to his soccer banquet.  He enjoyed his first season with the travel team; he made 4 goals and some new friends.  I'm glad soccer is over for a while.  Four nights a week as a chauffeur gets tiring.

And, just for fun...the girls.