The month of December also brought a bit of adoption news, none of it good.
In early December our agency sent out an email indicating that they had lost two case managers and because of that, "placement at this time has to slow down." [Note: We are waiting for a placement (meaning, waiting for children to be placed into our home). But then of course we can't get a placement until we have a foster license (from the state), which we are still waiting for.]
I emailed our agency back for clarification on the "slow down" part. As in, "Exactly HOW slow?" but I haven't yet received a response.
A couple of weeks later (mid-December) we received another email from our agency indicating that they had lost two more employees.
We were discouraged to say the least.
The following day, our social worker called. (From the state. The lady responsible for giving us our foster care license, which we need in order to foster children in this state for the purpose of adoption). She wanted to go over a few things before she submitted her report on us to her supervisor. She said she noticed in our homestudy [done by our agency], that we use the rod of correction [Note: this is not the terminology she used, this is mine, for the purpose of weeding out Google searches on the other term] for our children and she wanted to go over that with me.
And so we talked about that for a period of maybe 20 minutes, during which she said things like:
"Well, you do know that it is illegal to use corporal punishment for children within this state."
Which is not true. But I do know it is illegal to do so with a foster child. We understand that and have written in several pieces of paperwork that we've already submitted to the state that we will not use the rod of correction for any foster child within our home.
Or this one:
"I guess I need to know that as a foster parent, you will be willing to fit within the parameters of what we expect for prospective adoptive parents."
So basically, here, she's wanting me to say that we will stop our current method of discipline.
I stated that we have already agreed to fit within the state's parameters for the children being placed into our home from the foster care system.
And then there was this one:
"Some of the children coming into your home from the system are coming from such abusive situations, where they have been hit or seen hitting. [And let me just interject here to say that this breaks my heart. Of course we know this, and this is why we want so much to bring these children into our home. And to love these who have been unloved, abused, or abandoned.] She then continued with: "We can't have these children in your home watching you hit your ch*ldren."
And exhibiting much restraint, though she'd certainly raised my hackles after that last comment, I calmly explained that we generally take the child needing correction into another room, away from the other children. I emphasized that we will be diligent about doing so when there is a foster child within our home.
To which she said, a bit haughtily- and after a little laugh, "Well. I'm sure you'll understand that it will be VERY difficult for us to place any child of any age in your home knowing that this is your discipline plan. I'll make a notation about our discussion here and forward this onto my supervisor, and we'll see what he says. But I have a strong feeling I'll get this back and we'll need to have further discussions on this issue."
When I got off the phone I felt awfully deflated. And a little angry, honestly. And discouraged. And about ready to give up on this whole thing. She had been so antagonistic in our conversation, and I was left feeling like she was going to make things very hard for us. I described my conversation in detail with Mark when he came home for lunch. And then I emailed Kimmie and asked her to pray. I talked to Michelle on the phone. And I emailed Hilary and vented a bit. And as much as I love these girls and am grateful for their support (and especially, Kimmie, your spirit-filled prayer for us!), I am ashamed to say that I was in communication with each of them before I was in communication with God about this matter.
But after the kids were down for their naps/quiet times, I plunked down on my bed with my Bible and journal and talked to God about it. And He reminded me of this verse, from Ephesians,
"Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
So I prayed through this passage, and as I did so, I gained such hope, peace, and a renewed sense of purpose. I thanked Him for the bajillionth time for His word, and I rested in it. It is true, it is good, and I know that I can trust Him fully for all of this. If He wants to place children from the foster care system into our home, then by golly, He's going to do just that. And not one person can stand in His way. I asked Him to remove my anxiety and my doubt, and I asked that I would be pleasing to Him through this. I left that time so encouraged with the fact that God knows exactly what He is doing. But I so needed that time with Him to be reminded of it. To take my eyes off of the current seemingly overwhelming circumstances, and to put them where they belong. On Him. In a place of rest and trust and knowledge that nothing is impossible with Him!
That was on December 21st.
And wouldn't you know it? Just yesterday we received word from our social worker that we did, in fact, get licensed. [We just need to type up, sign and date a statement indicating that we will do all discipline in a room away from a foster child.] We see God's hand in this, and are rejoicing. And I want to thank you, too, for your prayers on our behalf. We so appreciate you!!!
Experimenting with veggies
Have any of you read the book Deceptively Delicious, by Jessica Seinfeld?
Stacey recommended this one to me way back on one of my garden posts. I was intrigued so I got on the hold list at our library and have been waiting ever since. It came in this week so I've been "reading" the book. "Reading" is in quotes because it's primarily a cookbook (and I don't know if you get reading points when it's a cookbook), with a little introduction at the beginning about her method to get her children to eat nutritious foods. Basically, she sneaks it into their meals. What she does is puree all sorts of fruits and veggies, package them up, label them, and toss them in the freezer. And then when she's cooking, she pulls them out and adds them to her recipes.
She gives instructions for the best way to prepare, cook and puree the vegetables (avacados, beets, broccoli, peas, red bell peppers, spinach, butternut squash, carrots, cauliflower, sweet potatoes and zucchini/summer squash), and fruits (apples, bananas, berries, cantaloupe, cherries, and pineapple).
Now. I'm sure we've all tried to sneak good foods into our kids. My girl doesn't like fruit. (I know. Who has ever heard of such a thing?!), so I've tried to be creative to get fruit into her by pureeing berries and/or bananas and "hiding" them in the pancake batter (works good as long as there are no chunks), or offering smoothies for breakfast (which she won't touch, but the rest of us love) or smoothie popsicles (which she does love). Veggies aren't so much a problem if we're talking the basics: beans, peas, carrots, and potatoes they love and eat without complaint. But squash, broccoli, cauliflower and spinach? Um, not so much. Beets? Ew.
So the idea isn't new to me but the method of stocking up on those purees by having them ready in the freezer is a new one.
I must say, I wasn't impressed with the recipe section of the book, though there are a few I may try. For the most part I just liked the idea of trying to get some of these veggies and/or fruits into our diet by adding them (in puree form) to the meals I already make.
Well, then. There are two butternut squash from our garden that have been sitting on my counter since sometime in November. They've been calling my name (Really, I've been wondering how long they plan on sitting there before they'll go bad. And feeling a little guilty that I haven't used them yet.) But today I was newly inspired to try this whole method. So I cut off the stems, took out the seeds, sliced the squash, and roasted them on a cookie sheet for 45 minutes at 400°. Then I let them cool, scooped out the flesh, and pureed them in the blender. As I was scooping it into some freezer containers, I wondered if I could somehow work it into our meal that night.
We were having homemade pizza.
But it was pizza with alfredo sauce and chicken, so I decided I'd give it a whirl.
I made the dough, rolled it out, and put down a layer of pesto, then added a few tablespoons of butternut squash puree, then a few of the alfredo sauce, and finally the chicken and cheese.
It was "belicious!", Isaac said. And Ella's words? "Scrumptious! The best pizza I've ever had. This is my favorite kind.." I told them why it was so good (and it *was* good) and now my mind is reeling with the possibilities.
Beginning with the cauliflower, broccoli, and spinach.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Stacey recommended this one to me way back on one of my garden posts. I was intrigued so I got on the hold list at our library and have been waiting ever since. It came in this week so I've been "reading" the book. "Reading" is in quotes because it's primarily a cookbook (and I don't know if you get reading points when it's a cookbook), with a little introduction at the beginning about her method to get her children to eat nutritious foods. Basically, she sneaks it into their meals. What she does is puree all sorts of fruits and veggies, package them up, label them, and toss them in the freezer. And then when she's cooking, she pulls them out and adds them to her recipes.
She gives instructions for the best way to prepare, cook and puree the vegetables (avacados, beets, broccoli, peas, red bell peppers, spinach, butternut squash, carrots, cauliflower, sweet potatoes and zucchini/summer squash), and fruits (apples, bananas, berries, cantaloupe, cherries, and pineapple).
Now. I'm sure we've all tried to sneak good foods into our kids. My girl doesn't like fruit. (I know. Who has ever heard of such a thing?!), so I've tried to be creative to get fruit into her by pureeing berries and/or bananas and "hiding" them in the pancake batter (works good as long as there are no chunks), or offering smoothies for breakfast (which she won't touch, but the rest of us love) or smoothie popsicles (which she does love). Veggies aren't so much a problem if we're talking the basics: beans, peas, carrots, and potatoes they love and eat without complaint. But squash, broccoli, cauliflower and spinach? Um, not so much. Beets? Ew.
So the idea isn't new to me but the method of stocking up on those purees by having them ready in the freezer is a new one.
I must say, I wasn't impressed with the recipe section of the book, though there are a few I may try. For the most part I just liked the idea of trying to get some of these veggies and/or fruits into our diet by adding them (in puree form) to the meals I already make.
Well, then. There are two butternut squash from our garden that have been sitting on my counter since sometime in November. They've been calling my name (Really, I've been wondering how long they plan on sitting there before they'll go bad. And feeling a little guilty that I haven't used them yet.) But today I was newly inspired to try this whole method. So I cut off the stems, took out the seeds, sliced the squash, and roasted them on a cookie sheet for 45 minutes at 400°. Then I let them cool, scooped out the flesh, and pureed them in the blender. As I was scooping it into some freezer containers, I wondered if I could somehow work it into our meal that night.
We were having homemade pizza.
But it was pizza with alfredo sauce and chicken, so I decided I'd give it a whirl.
I made the dough, rolled it out, and put down a layer of pesto, then added a few tablespoons of butternut squash puree, then a few of the alfredo sauce, and finally the chicken and cheese.
It was "belicious!", Isaac said. And Ella's words? "Scrumptious! The best pizza I've ever had. This is my favorite kind.." I told them why it was so good (and it *was* good) and now my mind is reeling with the possibilities.
Beginning with the cauliflower, broccoli, and spinach.
I'll let you know how it goes.
December highlights
Back to the blogging world after a busy but wonderful month of December. And I'm here to tell you all about it. I know I'm long-winded in a *normal* post, but shut me up for a whole month and then sit me back down in front of the computer with an entire MONTH to catch you up on? Oh my. Grab yourself a cup of coffee or tea because you will be here awhile.
Here are some of the highlights from this past month:
At the beginning of December we celebrated Ella's sixth birthday. Which reminds me: I've yet to write her birthday letter.
We decorated our home- inside and out- with little white lights. No colored lights at this house, no sirree. And Mark put up the outside lights *exactly* how I wanted them. I love it. And I'm getting quite attached to this whole idea of having a window shelf, rather than a window box.
December 14th marked two years since our Isaias has been home from Guatemala. Our adoption journey to get this boy home seems so very long ago. It's been on my heart for some time to put together a little story book of sorts [in scrapbook form] for Isaias. Like a little scrapbook/picture book we can read aloud to him that tells his story. His journey to us and ours to him. Maybe writing that down here will motivate me to get started on it.
We baked, frosted and sprinkled Christmas cookies, a yearly tradition.
We delivered the gift to Koe, winner of my first-ever blog drawing. It was a delight to meet her. She invited us in for tea, introduced us to the three of her children who were home, gave us a tour of their new roomy home, and her boys invited my children to play with them. Koe and I sipped tea and chatted about parenting, foster care, adoption, kids, and a little bit of life history. It was a very nice visit. [Thank you, Koe!]
We celebrated my grandpa's 87th with a big birthday/Christmas party. The tables were adorned with ham, rolls, jello salads, layered salad, potato salad, and pies of every variety. One year I tried to bring a pasta salad and my mother was so alarmed she practically had a heart attack. If you're going to bring a salad to this family gathering, it positively *must* be a jello salad, a layered green salad, or a potato salad. Period. Mark regularly chuckles at the variety of jello salads my aunts and cousins come up with.
My grandparents had eight children and each of them have averaged 3-4 children and each of their children have averaged about that, too. Plus there are always several families my grandpa invites to join us. Families-- usually Cambodian or Vietnamese-- whom grandpa has "adopted" and who gather around the tables with us. We outgrew my grandparents' house years ago; we now rent a church, or a school. It's a joy each year to gather together and be with this wonderful extended family-- from Grandpa Jake's 87 years all the way down to the newest great-grandchildren, still awaiting their entry into the world from their mama's (my cousins') wombs. I love this family. And I am so full of gratitude for the legacy I have in the faith of my parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. This family represents generations of those who have loved Jesus. And it shows.
We celebrated Christmas Eve day with Mark's side of the family, 27 of us, for a full twelve-hour day of festivities, beginning with brunch at 10:00 am, and ending at 10:00 pm with us and three exhausted children heading home. Packed in between were about a dozen or more homemade pizzas, trays of snacks, games of Twister, Hoopla, Catch Phrase, and Quoridor, a couple of basketball games outside, several impromptu wrestling matches involving Mark and his brothers with a few of the braver nephews and nieces tossed in the mix, Christmas gifts-- the highlight of which, in my opinion, were the matching pajamas for all the younger grandkids, from grandma and grandpa-- and the reading of Luke 2 by Mark's Grandma (in Dutch), and another reading by our young niece.
Christmas morning brought our children into our room, piled atop our bed with their stockings. Judging from our stocking contents, Ella and Isaac had been busy this month! Concealed inside were several cards lovingly wishing us Merry Christmases and I love you's. So precious. And then, amidst a stocking full of Snickers bars and kitchen utensils, I found a little white envelope. Tucked inside was a ten-dollar bill, Ella's entire life savings. Given "because I just love you so much, mommy." I have pressed it neatly between the pages of my Bible, never-to-be-spent, so that I can always remember how much my girl loves me, and reflect on how beloved she is to me.
By 10:00 Christmas Day we were at my parents' house. It was a smaller gathering this year as it was Dan and Stef's off-year. [We missed you guys!] So just my parents, Mark and I and our children, and my two younger brothers, Micah and Seth.
Anyway, nice day with my family.. my dad makes a scrumptious brunch, we read the Christmas story, sing songs and pray together, and then open gifts. They had to head off late in the afternoon to yet another family function, so we took the kids home and napped the afternoon away. Then they came over later that evening to finish out the day with some games.
A few days after Christmas we gathered at Mike and Amy's house for our annual Christmas with them. We ordered take-out Thai food, sang songs, exchanged presents, played Blokus. And then we put the kids down and stayed to play two rousing games of Ticket to Ride, ate chips and dip, foccocia bread, drank yummy drinks (thank you, Mike!)Ben and Jerry's ice cream
Let's see... Mark and I got to go on not one but two dates this month.
We took the kids on a Christmas pajama ride , which included a drive through town to see all the Christmas lights. We ate lots, played a ton of games, put together three 1000-piece puzzles. (Puzzles are serious business at our house this time of year. And my man is an exceptional puzzle-putter-togetherer. Or however you would say that.) Ella and Isaac even joined in on the puzzle fun.
Here are some of the highlights from this past month:
At the beginning of December we celebrated Ella's sixth birthday. Which reminds me: I've yet to write her birthday letter.
We decorated our home- inside and out- with little white lights. No colored lights at this house, no sirree. And Mark put up the outside lights *exactly* how I wanted them. I love it. And I'm getting quite attached to this whole idea of having a window shelf, rather than a window box.
December 14th marked two years since our Isaias has been home from Guatemala. Our adoption journey to get this boy home seems so very long ago. It's been on my heart for some time to put together a little story book of sorts [in scrapbook form] for Isaias. Like a little scrapbook/picture book we can read aloud to him that tells his story. His journey to us and ours to him. Maybe writing that down here will motivate me to get started on it.
We baked, frosted and sprinkled Christmas cookies, a yearly tradition.
We delivered the gift to Koe, winner of my first-ever blog drawing. It was a delight to meet her. She invited us in for tea, introduced us to the three of her children who were home, gave us a tour of their new roomy home, and her boys invited my children to play with them. Koe and I sipped tea and chatted about parenting, foster care, adoption, kids, and a little bit of life history. It was a very nice visit. [Thank you, Koe!]
We celebrated my grandpa's 87th with a big birthday/Christmas party. The tables were adorned with ham, rolls, jello salads, layered salad, potato salad, and pies of every variety. One year I tried to bring a pasta salad and my mother was so alarmed she practically had a heart attack. If you're going to bring a salad to this family gathering, it positively *must* be a jello salad, a layered green salad, or a potato salad. Period. Mark regularly chuckles at the variety of jello salads my aunts and cousins come up with.
My grandparents had eight children and each of them have averaged 3-4 children and each of their children have averaged about that, too. Plus there are always several families my grandpa invites to join us. Families-- usually Cambodian or Vietnamese-- whom grandpa has "adopted" and who gather around the tables with us. We outgrew my grandparents' house years ago; we now rent a church, or a school. It's a joy each year to gather together and be with this wonderful extended family-- from Grandpa Jake's 87 years all the way down to the newest great-grandchildren, still awaiting their entry into the world from their mama's (my cousins') wombs. I love this family. And I am so full of gratitude for the legacy I have in the faith of my parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. This family represents generations of those who have loved Jesus. And it shows.
We celebrated Christmas Eve day with Mark's side of the family, 27 of us, for a full twelve-hour day of festivities, beginning with brunch at 10:00 am, and ending at 10:00 pm with us and three exhausted children heading home. Packed in between were about a dozen or more homemade pizzas, trays of snacks, games of Twister, Hoopla, Catch Phrase, and Quoridor, a couple of basketball games outside, several impromptu wrestling matches involving Mark and his brothers with a few of the braver nephews and nieces tossed in the mix, Christmas gifts-- the highlight of which, in my opinion, were the matching pajamas for all the younger grandkids, from grandma and grandpa-- and the reading of Luke 2 by Mark's Grandma (in Dutch), and another reading by our young niece.
Christmas morning brought our children into our room, piled atop our bed with their stockings. Judging from our stocking contents, Ella and Isaac had been busy this month! Concealed inside were several cards lovingly wishing us Merry Christmases and I love you's. So precious. And then, amidst a stocking full of Snickers bars and kitchen utensils, I found a little white envelope. Tucked inside was a ten-dollar bill, Ella's entire life savings. Given "because I just love you so much, mommy." I have pressed it neatly between the pages of my Bible, never-to-be-spent, so that I can always remember how much my girl loves me, and reflect on how beloved she is to me.
By 10:00 Christmas Day we were at my parents' house. It was a smaller gathering this year as it was Dan and Stef's off-year. [We missed you guys!] So just my parents, Mark and I and our children, and my two younger brothers, Micah and Seth.
Anyway, nice day with my family.. my dad makes a scrumptious brunch, we read the Christmas story, sing songs and pray together, and then open gifts. They had to head off late in the afternoon to yet another family function, so we took the kids home and napped the afternoon away. Then they came over later that evening to finish out the day with some games.
A few days after Christmas we gathered at Mike and Amy's house for our annual Christmas with them. We ordered take-out Thai food, sang songs, exchanged presents, played Blokus. And then we put the kids down and stayed to play two rousing games of Ticket to Ride, ate chips and dip, foccocia bread, drank yummy drinks (thank you, Mike!)Ben and Jerry's ice cream
Let's see... Mark and I got to go on not one but two dates this month.
We took the kids on a Christmas pajama ride , which included a drive through town to see all the Christmas lights. We ate lots, played a ton of games, put together three 1000-piece puzzles. (Puzzles are serious business at our house this time of year. And my man is an exceptional puzzle-putter-togetherer. Or however you would say that.) Ella and Isaac even joined in on the puzzle fun.
Back for a brief post
To let you know that:
...Mark is back to work after 10 days of vacation, so we're settling into a routine here at home. Which means that we're catching up on all the things we were vacationing from. Mainly: laundry, chores, cleaning, and cooking, as well as our sleep and meal schedules. (Yikes!) And for the record, can I just say that I *love* routine?
I will begin posting regularly again within the next few days. I have lots to catch you up on-- the entire month of December, photos of some handmade gifts, some book reviews, adoption updates, and all sorts of other stuff. It's good to be back... I've missed my bloggy friends!
I hope each of you had a wonderful Christmas. Welcome to this New Year! :)
Blessings to you and yours,
~Stacy
...Mark is back to work after 10 days of vacation, so we're settling into a routine here at home. Which means that we're catching up on all the things we were vacationing from. Mainly: laundry, chores, cleaning, and cooking, as well as our sleep and meal schedules. (Yikes!) And for the record, can I just say that I *love* routine?
I will begin posting regularly again within the next few days. I have lots to catch you up on-- the entire month of December, photos of some handmade gifts, some book reviews, adoption updates, and all sorts of other stuff. It's good to be back... I've missed my bloggy friends!
I hope each of you had a wonderful Christmas. Welcome to this New Year! :)
Blessings to you and yours,
~Stacy
Letter to my six-year-old girl
My dearest Ella girl,
You are six. Six. How do I have a six-year old already?
I treasure the way you are becoming more and more like Jesus, sweet girl.
I see it in the way you serve those around you. I saw it when, after a cranky ride home from small group when you said you were hungry, I snapped back: “I’m the one who is hungry! I haven’t eaten all day long. Quit your whining.” [Or something to that awful effect.] When we got home, you went into the kitchen all by yourself, dished up some leftovers, reheated them, and delivered them with a smile. (To a contrite and grateful mama.) Or the time a few weeks back when I got home from the dentist and went into the kitchen to get myself a snack. You asked what I was doing and I mentioned that I had missed lunch; I was getting a snack. I then headed went into my room to have a quiet time. About twenty minutes later, into my bedroom you came, plate in hand, with a sandwich. Two slices of bread (one heel; that I’d usually snub my nose at but not this time!), one piece of deli meat, and two hunks of cheese that you’d sliced by yourself. And a glass of water. (Which sort of resembled milk. I think it had a bit of both!) All because I hadn’t eaten lunch. Best sandwich I’d ever had, heel and all. And then you wrote up on the dry erase board: “Daddy i mayd a sanihc im iksiydid” [I made a sandwich. I’m excited.] Or- a few nights ago I sat down on the couch as daddy prepared to do your bedtime Bible reading nearby and sighed, “This living room never really got cleaned today.” Before I knew it, you had risen and were scurrying around the living room, cleaning up as daddy read. You seek to bless and serve, Ella. You see a need and you rise to do it. Cheerfully. May you continue to serve others in the same way Jesus did.
I see it in the way you love. You are so full of affection-- hugs and kisses and always, morning snuggles. You crawl into bed with me or onto my lap and are so cuddly in the mornings. I love that! Your arms and legs are getting so lanky nowadays, but I hope you’ll continue to be mama’s snuggly girl. (Although you did tell me the other day that you might not crawl into my lap when you’re 25!) You love so fully, dear Ella. May you continue to pour out your love for others in visible, expressive ways.
I see it in the way you obey your daddy and I. You are quick to obey. You truly want to honor us through your obedience. (And when you don’t, you have such a sweet spirit that you are immediately tearful and repentant.) May you continue to have an obedient spirit: with your daddy and I in the years to come, but most importantly, with God.
I see it in the way you can turn from a crabby or slothful spirit to the opposite, with a simple question of, “How would God want you to respond right now?” You want so much to do the right thing, and you are able to flip your attitude in order to do so. May you always be so pliable!
I see it in the way you give. You have such a generous spirit. The $10 bill: nearly all of your earthly savings, tucked lovingly into my stocking. My sweet Ella, I will always keep that $10 to remember your love for me and your generosity. I see it in your zeal to give money to Samaritan’s Purse or any other person in need. I see it in the way you talk: “Someday let’s go someplace where they don’t have mommy’s or daddy’s and we can give them food and money and help them.” May you always have such a generous spirit, my dear daughter. May you always be a cheerful giver, and desire to give ever so much more than you desire to receive.
I see it in your heart for adoption. You faithfully tell us all about your plans to adopt. (The most recent figures for your future family, I think, are ten girls: two from your tummy, the rest adopted. I do think you tossed a couple of boys in there, too. :) And you always speak of adopting at least one child from Guatemala, because that’s where your brother is from.) While I hope and pray that God will open your womb and let you experience the joys of pregnancy and breasfeeding, I also hope and pray that you will indeed adopt. May you continue to have a heart for the orphan, my sweet Ella.
I see it in your kindness. In the cards you make, in the thanks and praise you give over every meal I serve. (Even when it’s not exactly your favorite meal!) I see it in the way you love your brothers: choosing to be the peacemaker, choosing to share, or just seeking the one thing they love to play with at the time and delivering it to them. May you continue to grow in this quality of kindness, Ella Kate.
There are so many more, but these are the things that come to mind as I sit to write this year.
You are purely a delight, my Ella girl.
It is such a treat for me to watch you grow. It is my fervent prayer that you will continue to grow in the way of righteousness; that you will love God passionately and fully.
Hugs and kisses,
~Mommy
You are six. Six. How do I have a six-year old already?
I treasure the way you are becoming more and more like Jesus, sweet girl.
I see it in the way you serve those around you. I saw it when, after a cranky ride home from small group when you said you were hungry, I snapped back: “I’m the one who is hungry! I haven’t eaten all day long. Quit your whining.” [Or something to that awful effect.] When we got home, you went into the kitchen all by yourself, dished up some leftovers, reheated them, and delivered them with a smile. (To a contrite and grateful mama.) Or the time a few weeks back when I got home from the dentist and went into the kitchen to get myself a snack. You asked what I was doing and I mentioned that I had missed lunch; I was getting a snack. I then headed went into my room to have a quiet time. About twenty minutes later, into my bedroom you came, plate in hand, with a sandwich. Two slices of bread (one heel; that I’d usually snub my nose at but not this time!), one piece of deli meat, and two hunks of cheese that you’d sliced by yourself. And a glass of water. (Which sort of resembled milk. I think it had a bit of both!) All because I hadn’t eaten lunch. Best sandwich I’d ever had, heel and all. And then you wrote up on the dry erase board: “Daddy i mayd a sanihc im iksiydid” [I made a sandwich. I’m excited.] Or- a few nights ago I sat down on the couch as daddy prepared to do your bedtime Bible reading nearby and sighed, “This living room never really got cleaned today.” Before I knew it, you had risen and were scurrying around the living room, cleaning up as daddy read. You seek to bless and serve, Ella. You see a need and you rise to do it. Cheerfully. May you continue to serve others in the same way Jesus did.
I see it in the way you love. You are so full of affection-- hugs and kisses and always, morning snuggles. You crawl into bed with me or onto my lap and are so cuddly in the mornings. I love that! Your arms and legs are getting so lanky nowadays, but I hope you’ll continue to be mama’s snuggly girl. (Although you did tell me the other day that you might not crawl into my lap when you’re 25!) You love so fully, dear Ella. May you continue to pour out your love for others in visible, expressive ways.
I see it in the way you obey your daddy and I. You are quick to obey. You truly want to honor us through your obedience. (And when you don’t, you have such a sweet spirit that you are immediately tearful and repentant.) May you continue to have an obedient spirit: with your daddy and I in the years to come, but most importantly, with God.
I see it in the way you can turn from a crabby or slothful spirit to the opposite, with a simple question of, “How would God want you to respond right now?” You want so much to do the right thing, and you are able to flip your attitude in order to do so. May you always be so pliable!
I see it in the way you give. You have such a generous spirit. The $10 bill: nearly all of your earthly savings, tucked lovingly into my stocking. My sweet Ella, I will always keep that $10 to remember your love for me and your generosity. I see it in your zeal to give money to Samaritan’s Purse or any other person in need. I see it in the way you talk: “Someday let’s go someplace where they don’t have mommy’s or daddy’s and we can give them food and money and help them.” May you always have such a generous spirit, my dear daughter. May you always be a cheerful giver, and desire to give ever so much more than you desire to receive.
I see it in your heart for adoption. You faithfully tell us all about your plans to adopt. (The most recent figures for your future family, I think, are ten girls: two from your tummy, the rest adopted. I do think you tossed a couple of boys in there, too. :) And you always speak of adopting at least one child from Guatemala, because that’s where your brother is from.) While I hope and pray that God will open your womb and let you experience the joys of pregnancy and breasfeeding, I also hope and pray that you will indeed adopt. May you continue to have a heart for the orphan, my sweet Ella.
I see it in your kindness. In the cards you make, in the thanks and praise you give over every meal I serve. (Even when it’s not exactly your favorite meal!) I see it in the way you love your brothers: choosing to be the peacemaker, choosing to share, or just seeking the one thing they love to play with at the time and delivering it to them. May you continue to grow in this quality of kindness, Ella Kate.
There are so many more, but these are the things that come to mind as I sit to write this year.
You are purely a delight, my Ella girl.
It is such a treat for me to watch you grow. It is my fervent prayer that you will continue to grow in the way of righteousness; that you will love God passionately and fully.
Hugs and kisses,
~Mommy
December notes
Awwww...
Someone nominated With Great Joy in the category of "Best Cyber-Buddy Blog" for the Homeschool Blog Awards.
I had to check the description of that category, and this is what I found: "A blogger that you haven't met, but you think you would enjoy meeting and hanging out with. She is a person that you would love to co-op with or live next door to."
Okay, the fact that someone read that description and then nominated this blog? Really. It is just about the nicest compliment I could get on this little blog.
I thank you.
Someone nominated With Great Joy in the category of "Best Cyber-Buddy Blog" for the Homeschool Blog Awards.
I had to check the description of that category, and this is what I found: "A blogger that you haven't met, but you think you would enjoy meeting and hanging out with. She is a person that you would love to co-op with or live next door to."
Okay, the fact that someone read that description and then nominated this blog? Really. It is just about the nicest compliment I could get on this little blog.
I thank you.
And the idea of meeting/hanging out with/living next door to any one of you? How fun would that be???
And aside from the little mishap I got into with the interfacing, which resulted in me permanently attaching small semi-circles onto my ironing board, we enjoyed every minute of the project. And I wanted a new ironing board anyway.
As December 1st came upon us, so did the snow. My favorite part about the snow, other than the way it looks as it covers the trees, is the quiet that settles with it. When you step outside after or during a snowfall, it just seems still.
I like that.
Things around the blog are going to be still as well. I plan to take a break here for the month of December, and maybe on into January, too. I probably won't be around much to comment on your blogs, either, so I'll have a lot of catching up to do when I get back! :)
If you think of it, will you join us in praying that we will get our foster license? Our social worker's "it will take a couple of weeks" has turned into several weeks, with no communication from her.
A few thoughts on this....
1. God desires us to adopt; I know this.
2. Satan does not want us to adopt. He is looking to devour these kids in the foster care system. He has them right where he wants them: abandoned, neglected, abused and without hope.
3. Prayer is effective!
With these things in mind, I have resolved to be more prayerful for that one thing: that we would get our foster license. [I'm praying we'll have it by Christmas.]
Many blessings to each and every one of you (and your spouses and families) as you celebrate Jesus Christ this season!
~Stacy
