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| If you return to the Main Page, we hope that you will sign our guestbook. We hope to share the encouragement and kind words with Maria someday. |
| 9/24/2006
Just a reminder: Many of you have seen the websites of some of the kids I pray for. Many of those children were or are treated at St. Jude which does some AMAZING things. Well, tomorrow, Monday, September 25, if you eat at Chili's, 100% of the proceeds go to St. Jude. It is a good cause AND good food. Had to get my "plug" in for St. Jude/Chili's before I moved on to other stuff. We had a good day yesterday. We went to a birthday party. Maria was detached (from other kids), but she played independently and especially enjoyed the cake. Oh, her two words for the day (apparently she did Sunday's a day early) were "baby" and "yeah" as in the casual form of "yes". Then we came home and had good naps and played until Grams came over to babysit. Maria did get a bit clingy even though we hadn't really told her anything, but she did NOT cry when we left! She really likes and trusts my mom, so I think she had a fun time. Mark and I went to the Michael W. Smith concert...it was INCREDIBLE. I cannot think of a better anniversary gift (a month early). Of course, it was kind of surreal to attend this amazing concert with my wonderful husband, sing all of these uplifting praise songs with THE Michael W. Smith, then walk back out on Dickson street where MANY Hog fans were "celebrating" the Razorback win with both legal and illegal substances. Anyway, it was a good day. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for today...we are not sure if Maria was just tired, just "two", or angry with us for leaving her last night, but she was a bit of a turkey today. In Sunday School, she had a couple of major meltdowns (with me in there!) and just kept testing the waters. She seemed to think the word "No" was a funny suggestion when doing something she wasn't supposed to. And while she was great with my parents while we were at Community Group (and we are SO thankful for them!), she had another major meltdown once we returned home. So, I am a little discouraged. But tomorrow is a new day. Thank you for praying and supporting us on this journey! |
| 9/25/2006
Okay, did you eat at Chili's? We did...it was delicious! And I was thrilled to see how very busy it was tonight! It was a good day today. Oh, there were a few "cloudy" moments...bound to be in this family. :) But overall it was good. Maria woke up happy. We weren't sure what to expect after her 40 minute tantrum last night. But she was all smiles and ready to go. We worked around the house...a LOT to clean. I am also trying to switch out some of the spring/summer and fall clothes. So we have clothes everywhere. The only time she started to get a little touchy was around lunch. So right after lunch I put her down for a nap. She was asleep almost instantly. I think we keep VERY different hours than the Hogar did. :) After nap, we picked up the kids from school and came home for a snack. Then the kids wanted to go play outside. Maria was more than ready to be out there. And while she was out there, we heard a few new words. "Rock" (she likes playing in our flower bed), "Sit" which she hears alot when she tries to stand in a chair, and "bye" which she repeated when I hung up the phone after talking to someone. Then later she said, "Whoa" when she slipped in the car. Tonight before bed I was asking her some body parts in English. She could point to her nose, her eyes, and her hair. The funny thing is that she points to eyes for "ears" also. Yet the word we use most often with her is ears as in "Don't touch your ears, Maria." Oh, we did make a step of progress tonight. When we came home, we finished up a few things. I was reading to Lauren and called out to Mark, "Are you going to bathe her tonight?" She heard me, waved good-bye, and ran to the bathroom. I heard her in there getting undressed. Suddenly she realized that she is supposed to be upset about the situation. She fake cried throughout her bath and getting pj's on...but she did NOT fight him on it! That is major progress. And after it was over, she trotted over to the couch, ready for a book. Mark joined us after getting Lauren's bath going, and she snuggled right up to him. So we are hopeful! You might say a prayer tomorrow evening. I have conferences most of the afternoon and evening, so Mark will be on his own with the kids. I am not worried about him...he is a great daddy. We just never know what Maria's attitude will be. :) I better get off. I want to add some new pics and get my previous posts archived, but I am having connection issues. I cannot tell if it is yahoo or aol. Either way, I am pressing my luck staying on here! Thanks for praying! |
| 9/26/2006
This will be short...I am really tired today. I have never understood why four hours of conferences would wear me out...it is just talking. But it does...and I didn't even teach today. Maria had a good day. While I went to school, she hung out with the other two at Grams' house. Then Daddy picked them up. He said they had a good night. She ate well and had a great bathtime. I got home just in time to kiss her good night. So it went well. I am feeling hopeful about next week when I return to the classroom. However, the days she is at the day care are still my biggest prayer request right now. I am just not sure what she will be like...Please pray it goes well! |
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| Just a "swinging"... |