Photo Funnies

Early last month, we did a quick photo session with a good friend of ours. She has great scenery on her property, and also has a really nice camera. So we decided to give it a shot, (no pun intended) in the freezing cold.

She took A LOT of pictures, and we were very happy with the ones that worked out! It was quite the experience though, as this was probably only the 2nd time that we tried to do a session with all 5 kids. (since 'T' has been home)

Plus when it's cold, it just adds another whole round of laughs! So as I sit here remembering all the funny comments, how cold we were, and even the complaints - I'm laughing. Just a glimpse, into what one of our photo sessions looks like.

BEHIND THE SCENES

~Michlyn

miXed messages

I recently shared what an encouragement receiving a text can be for me :)

I'm touched when a friend will take time to say hi & send an uplifting word or two.

I received another one of those kind messages this week...

Except this time, I let the words get "miXed up"

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Let me back up just a little here;

Our first four children attend a Charter School- that now has a nearly 2,000 student waiting list.

We were part of that waiting list when the big girls were new school-agers.

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 God opened the door to attend back in 2009, when there was a 6th grade opening for E, mid year.

E started a new school that November with courage & bravery that made us so proud!

With one student in, our other children were placed on the "much shorter" sibling lists.

It was just this Fall ALL of our children were finally included on class lists.

yippee!

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But last Spring "pre-school" proved to be too hard for our T.

Home just 5 months before starting part-time Preschool.

The time away from Momma & in the company many outsiders, sent our little girl into SURVIVAL!

She lost me ... And was trying to take care of herself, in a way she knew too well ...Pushing & shoving away anyone or anything that interfered with her doing so. :(

After seeking post adoption council & much prayer,

we made the very hard decision to bring T back home.

Putting our focus on "teaching" T. how to be in a family first.

Step by step,

we CONTINUE to give & teach how to:

trust.

feel safe.

be kind.

  show & receive respect.

understand boundaries.

have self control.

LOVE.

This is just a small glimpse of the "attachment therapy" we diligently work on.

So the 2011-12 school year began, and we decided to keep our little T home.

Not an easy decision for sure...

Our school is beautifully diverse with many multi-cultural families.

I was giving up snippets of free-time & volunteer opportunities.

It would just plain be different from what we once imagined it would be.

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And though some days are better than others,

We are right where we need to be!!!!

Making progress!

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So when I received a text reminding me of the deadline date to include T. on the sibling (waiting) list again for next year...

I read it & got all miXed up!!!

I couldn't remember why we decided to be home?

Couldn't think of any progress we had made?

Forgot why it was I was giving away all moments of peace & quiet?

Or missing out on so many other opportunities...?

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I shared these thoughts & feelings with a friend.

She so graciously spoke truth to me...

We are home because it's working!

We are making progress!

She has grown & changed so much!

The chaos that once defined us has been replaced with a new kind of peace & confidence!

Because being away from me for even short amounts of time, sends T. back into SURVIVAL!

Right now, her tools to function healthily in a family are easily forgotten! :(

Because she needs me to be home with her!

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I am still very much blessed by those occasional encouraging text messages!

I am also blessed by friends brave enough to speak the hard truth - even when it's not exactly what I wanted to hear ... or was it? :)

With A Thankful Heart,

~Becky

A home-schooling, Charter school chauffeuring, Grateful Momma <3

Please know, I DO NOT judge what ever decisions YOU are making for your own families / birth or adoptive children- especially concerning school. We all do what we have to do and make decisions based on what we believe to be best for each of us. God bless YOU, every step of the way!



text messages

I've received a couple text messages this week that gave me a much needed "pick me up"!

In a season in life when there doesn't seem to be adaquate hours in a day,

or enough of me to go around,

it means so much to open 1 of these encouraging txt :)

My favorite this week;

Praying psalm 121 over your life, Becky!

Be encouraged! Love you!

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"I lift my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from?

My help comes form the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip-

he who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you-

the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm-

he will watch over your life;

the Lord will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore."

Psalm 121

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Might seem silly to some, but it truly gives me the lift I'm so often in need of.

  And best of all it almost always comes at the exact moments I need it most :)

Thank you friends [P,J, C, B, M,] for listening to His prompting - and reaching out like you do.

An act that probably seems insignificant to you

but makes a world of difference to me & my family!

U r a blessing!

#Once again so very thankful for His creative ways of bringing JOY into each of my days!

 ttyl,

~Becky

not what it looks like...

Well, welcome to a real Minnesota January, I guess : /

We've been spoiled with unseasonably warm temperatures for this time of year.

And other than the lack of snow for the outdoor sport enthusiast, no one was really complaining.

That has now changed...

We got a little snow yesterday and as the sun went down so did our temperatures... Brrrrr!

For several days we enjoyed temps in the high teens & twenties,

Not too bad, if you ask me.

And perfect Winter weather to still enjoy the great outdoors.

As of last night though, we dipped into those dreaded below zero temps :(

Not so much fun, but inevitable.

But no matter what it's like outside,

I have a little girl who needs the fresh air & exercise only the great outdoors has to offer.

 So I bundled her up... head to toes.

Set a timer.

And sent her out.

Despite the bright beautiful rays of sunshine and T's big smile,

it's not what it looks like...

It's cold!!!!

But the few minutes she endured it, she enjoyed herself... sledding, swinging & upside down sliding. lol!

And all in all made for a happier & more peaceful home :)

Thankful for the beauty of this day & the shelter of His love,

~Becky

"I long to...take refuge in the shelter of your wings." Psalm 61:4

lessons in liking

I read "one thankful moms" blog often ... Lisa has a way of speaking the very truth of my heart and breathes encouragement and support to me simultaneously!

Not everyone will relate to the attached topic but I am inspired by her courage to talk about this real issue and her positive & tangible ways of addressing it.

Thanking God today for His wonderful & creative ways of filling me with HOPE for all life's moments!

I am blessed!!
~Becky

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To check out her blog/post click here!

one of those days...

(Credit for the picture)

It's not even 9:00am and it's shaping up to be "One of those days"

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But it's early, and I am bound and determined to NOT get stuck here.

"He put a new song in  my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God." Psalm 40:3

So we'll start again ... Ready. Set. Go. :)

Thankful His mercies are new every morning,

~Becky

I Wish...

Sometimes...

I wish teachers wouldn't give out so much homework

I wish my mom didn't get hurt while she tries to be the best momma she can be

I wish I had the stylish clothes and shoes ever

I wish my siblings weren't so mean or disrespectful

I wish I could please the Lord in a better way and more often

I wish my attitude was always good

I wish that making hard decisions wasn't so...well...hard

I wish the truth in some situations wasn't so hard to say

I wish that the house was always clean

I wish my makeup, hair, and face was always spotless and perfect

I wish that I didn't get so jealous over ridiculous things

I wish my dad had a better boss and a higher paycheck

I wish that money didn't get in the way of so much stuff

I wish that hearts could never be broken

I wish that there were so orphans in this world

I wish friends wouldn't lie and make things so complicated

I wish driving was a piece of cake and could be done with no possible accidents

I wish politicians could make decisions that help everyone

I wish athletes didn't have to get hurt and ruin their dreams

I wish that no one got sick and would stay healthy

I wish that I could take amazing pictures

I wish... I wish... I wish...

BUT

I know... That our God performs miracles and that some of the things above could eventually be fixed.

Nothing is impossible with God!


~Michlyn