After the rain

Soccer camp this week (gave us the white t-shirts today but Anton not wearing his).  Love this Christian organization (Sports Quest)  that teaches character and the Gospel.   Ellie says "they tell us Mamma things"   It is nice to have reinforcement on rules for getting along well with others.

Nice thunder shower today and rainbow.

Trip to Fort Worth, April 2014

We had a great time seeing some family. Also went to the Perot Museum in Dallas (magnificent, but full of evolution lies), then to Skittle event from Gladney Adoptions. It was a great family time.

Brush you monkey's teeth everyday!

Bobbie needs $4K of work done.  Ellie is fine for now. 

Picasa creates these fun animations automatically...

God provides the love

Haven't had time to get the slide show of our "gotcha trip" and other pictures.  But had to post this.  One thing Chris and I have tried to explain to the girls is that God's love comes from above.  We don't have it in ourselves. That is why human relationships fail and there is pain.  This is why we don't love each other, and we fight with our siblings.  But with His love only from above we can love each other.

Ellie drew this picture today and at first I just thought it was a super star, and I noticed the happy house.  I didn't really understand her thoughts behind it.  But she pointed to the yellow line from the sky.  And she said it was how God gives us love but she was drawing something I've been trying to explain to them.  Yay!

I don't think we'd ever adopt if we didn't have faith in future grace.  We didn't even know these girls (or Anton) when we said "yes"to adopting them

I would encourage anyone who is thinking about adoption but not feeling the "love" to just ask yourself, do you have room in your heart and home?  If so, He can provide the grace, and all that includes, such as love in your heart, finances, material things, but most of all, you can point them to their Creator and this is what will make them happy forever.

Since we have had these girls home, we have heard stories and seen their pain, and to be used as an instrument of His grace brings us no greater joy.  They understand that everyone is a sinner, including mamma and pappa, but we're all growing in His grace, and all this is possible through Jesus Christ.

Woefully delinquent in posts.

I'm so behind in my blog, and I've been just too embarrassed to even think about it, and busy as you can imagine.  Things are going very well.  I've been Facebooking a lot of updates on our growth together as a family.  I'm am so behind in things that I never seem to catch up with my list but realizing that there are only so many hours in the day, and it's OK if it all doesn't get done.  

After we got back from Bulgaria, and Christmas, my Grandmother took a turn for the worst.  We made 3 trips to San Antonio to say good bye before she died.   She got to meet the girls, and they fell in love with her.  Bobbie will cry when she thinks about losing her grandmother.

But I'll post a video and some pics soon.

If you'd like to follow our adoption story on FB, please message me there.

Meanwhile, I've been getting spam posts to my blog.  So, not sure how to solve that problem.

Slideshow coming soon...

Day 4: Rainy Sunday with a sick girl. :(

I wake up every AM at 3 AM.  Bobbie came into room in tears.  She said she wasn't feeling good.  Then she ran to the bathroom and threw up.  She did this 3 more times.  We were going to join Ullriches at their church but God had different plans for us. 

Later on she felt better. We went out for pizza (the plan was for Bobbie to just eat white bread. But she wanted pizza and I thought it was OK).

Later on they showed me their Bulgarian dances.  There were some TV shows with Bulgarian musicians and these girls love to dance!

Then they helped themselves to some milk andvone must have been poured more and the fun evening turnrd into a big fight.  They threw milk and then grabbed the Kindle in defiance.  Then threw it down when I told her she had to love her sister and not punch her.

This was at bedtime and I was exhausted since uo at 3:00.  I was ready to ban them to their rooms and go to my room with my smartphone and let them cry it out.  But the other voice that said "feed my sheep" nudged me otherwise. I stroked their hair and one pulled out some cards from drawer (that they grabbed on first day...  I didn't give to any child specifically)  and I thought why not...  let's play Old Maid in bed.  They had never played.   They were so cute matching the cards they had 2 of.  They are animals and they were giving the Bulgarian names. 

Ok, stroke hair.  Rub backs and pray again.  Time for bed now.  I've been a fun and flexible.  kiss.  Bye bye.  time for sleep.  Wrong.  The little girls run to my bed.  if I thought I could sleep I'd allow it.  But also want to establish good habits for everyone's wellfare.  "No, Ellie and Bobbie sleep in your room" Break down again.   They did this last night but tonight it was taking it further,  now that they're feeling more secure.   Bobbie tells me Ellie cry.  I actually said "I don't care."  I knew it was manipulation but I also onow they have physical and emotional needs and need healing.  And I do too.  But we will find a way to give these girls what they need.

(While writing this  Ellie came into snuggle with me and got to hold her tight.  Then Bobbie came in.  Got Ellie a glass of water and then she found the Kindle. ..  fight.  Stomp on ground and I put Kindle away.)

Chris at this time is at airport in Houston waiting for flight.   I give him a call.  I've prepared him for what's about to come but I know it all has good ending and we'll have a great time.

Tomorrow is Monday (actually its Monday now here )  and we gave appointment at US Embassy and will see doctor.

Oh these girls take 2 baths a day and want to wash their hair everytime.  Note to self...  hide products that I don't thoroughly drained in 1 bath time