12/21/2006
PRAISE! PRAISE! PRAISE! Guess who did NOT cry at day care today??? Oh yes, I about fell over when I saw the text message from my dear husband...NO TEARS. Of course, then I had to call him and get all of the scoop because I was in disbelief. He thinks we may have figured out a trick, at least for today. With a toddler, that could change for tomorrow...he handed her directly to a teacher rather than putting her down and letting her walk. You know, at church, we do that too because the door is a half door, and she loves going there. I don't know that we have reached the "love" stage with school, but I can definitely see her becoming more comfortable. When I used to pick her up, she would run to me like I was her saving grace. Now she casually walks over to me and doesn't act like she is in a hurry. We will see how tomorrow goes!
The last couple of days have been good, just very hectic. Maria has been in an especially good mood, which is nice to hear. I have to admit, after a couple of very ornery episodes, I was wondering if that was maybe who Maria really is. If I am quite truthful, I do think that she has some tendencies in that department. But thankfully I think she has some very sweet parts to her personality too!
One little revelation I have had this week when trying to deal with Maria's tantrums, when she completely shuts down, is that discipline is going to be a little tougher with her. Usually discipline involves a fear or an avoidance of something. Well, Maria has had some major trauma in her life. She was left at an orphanage at 6 months of age. We don't know much about her life before then other then she was slightly malnourished. Then at age 2, people who look nothing like her and talk nothing like her show up at the orphanage and whisk her away to a brand new house with new family members and a LOT of new rules. She has dealt with fear and hurt and disappointment a lot in her young life. Really, nothing I can do or say is going to hurt her/change her mind any more than what she has already dealt with in 2 1/2 years. All I can do is pray that one day God will heal those hurts and still bring her to her knees...for Him.
ONE MORE DAY OF SCHOOL LEFT. Do you think I am ready? I am ready to be out of school, but then comes home...there is a LOT to be done here in a VERY short time. Someone told me today that I will appreciate the longer vacation after Christmas. I am not convinced of that yet. I really hate that so much has been neglected at home at what should be a very merry season...
If you can, please visit Brent's site, say a prayer for him, and maybe leave a POSITIVE and encouraging message in his guestbook. His cancer is growing, but right there with it is the family's faith. I promise, you will be more blessed for visiting than you could imagine...
I better check on the kiddos. It is a beautiful day that I believe might involve mudpies...
Have a good Friday! |
