Happily Ever After...

And THIS is what she came downstairs wearing... It has a shirt that is supposed to go under it, and leggings.   Hmmmm..... She might be a candidate for "What Not to Wear" ?!?

Last year, we started a new family tradition over the month of November. I read about it on some one else's blog, so I can't take credit for it, because the Lord knows I don't have a creative bone in my body! Let me introduce you to our Thankful Tree: We put thankful scripture verses we memorize. And we all write on a leaf random things we are thankful for. Aria wrote that she is thankful for food, eggs and that she is 4 (the number that makes the word egg not quite right) Look how beautifully her cursive writing is coming- she wrote her name all by herself! Gianna didn't say, but I think she is thankful for her uncanny artistic talent. She spent a LOT of time on her leaf.  We have so much to be thankful for!

She and I have never met. But when I read about her daughter, I strangely felt as if she was retelling the story of our life these past 3 years. Beautiful, amazing, life changing, heart wrenching, and sobering all at the same time. It floors me that so many people don't want to recognize their child's post institutionalized behaviors. From what I have seen, most of the kids, even ones like Gianna who was in foster care, have some obstacles to overcome. It's nothing to be ashamed of.  In fact, I could not be more proud of both my daughters and the progress they have made. We have a ways to go. It may take a lifetime to prove that we will always be there. That looking into someone's eyes is not too intimate. That food will readily be available. That crowds of people isn't cause for a melt down. That mommy won't leave and never come back.  Most importantly, that GOD's love is all sustaining. That He can mend broken hearts and heal little minds. That HE will ne...

Today at ballet, the kids got to dress in costumes. I had bought the girls Minnie costumes for our vacation to the House of Mouse, and this was the perfect opportunity to break them in. Savannah was the perfect Cinderella! Cinderella and Minnie are the BEST of friends! The parade of costumes for the parents... Gianna takes standing on her number VERY seriously. She is NOT moving off that number! Little Minnie is doing the tap shuffle.. They needed an extra partner for Gianna's class, so big Minnie got to come in to be her partner. Aren't they the sweetest Minnie Mice? 

Well.. Aria rallied in time to attend our church's annual Reformation Sunday celebration. It is always a really fun time!  The kids get to dress as a Bible character, or something that God made. Since they are our lil monkeys in real life, it seemed only fitting to dress the part.  The first part is a skit and  a movie about William Tynsdale who smuggled Bibles. The girls marched right in, and sat in the veeeerrryyy front. Aren't they adorable peeking back at us? Adorable that is, until Gianna stood up and her monkey pants slid down to her ankles to reveal her HOT PINK undies. In the front of the church. How's that for modesty???? Mental note to mom: Safety pins on ALL Gianna's outfits from now on. Each room has a different craft or activity for the kids to do. They get to collect candy after each craft or activity. How fun! Here is Gianna waiting to start the cake walk.  She saw the table of goodies. She had her game face on... She was ready to win, and SHE DID!!! O...

Aria is sick. Again. Ofcourse she is, because we have a date night with other couples planned for tonight to see Fireproof.  I took her to the Dr. yesterday afternoon and thankfully her ears are clear, and he thinks she has a virus. Her fever hasn't wanted to come down below 103, so she had a rough night. Sigh... In other news: Gianna welcomed 2  1/2 with a vengeance! Her favorite phrases this week have been: "NO!" "I DO IT MYSELF!" "I DON'T WANT TO." And my personal favorite.. "I DON'T HAVE TO!" After a week's worth of  training and discipline, I am still not sure she understands that she DOES HAVE TO . Double sigh... This should be a fun weekend with a sick, cranky 4 year old and a sassy, controlling 2 1/2 year old and two sleep deprived parents who gave up caffeine 3 months ago....

This past week has been a rough one. A little girl we know died tragically in a car accident. She was only 17 years old, and had a difficult life. My heart breaks for her family, who were out of the country and received the horrible news. I thought it would be good to share some of the things I am thankful for to uplift my spirits: ~I am thankful for my husband. He is such a Godly leader of our home and I can trust him to lovingly care for our family. And he is such a romantic, and the most handsome man ever, oh, I could go on and on... ~I am thankful for my sons. Both serving God with their whole heart, both living at home, both of them our very best friends. ~I am thankful to be a mother to my daughters. The giggles and glee they bring to our house is such a joy. I love to have Aria as my little mother's helper, and Gianna is my snuggle bug. ~I am thankful for my husbands job.  He has as secure a job as you can have in these times, and I am so thankful for that. ~I am thankful to...