I Chose You

We have this book by Lindsey Shumway.

Most of you know we've adopted 3 of our 4 children.  The first time I saw this book I started crying.  

Stuart thought I was nuts, but bought the book for me.  

You see, I've know for a LONG time that KatieJo, Samuel & Maija were meant to be mine. 

And when I found this book I realized that they really were meant to be mine.

Both KatieJo and Samuel have asked a lot of questions about their adoption and whether we love them more than Phillip.  

We've always told them that they were lucky because we got to choose them. 

This book is a favorite in our house for that reason and many others. 

If you haven't read this book you should.  

With a box of tissues.

I'm so grateful for my children!

And I'm grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who let me "choose" them!

This post was brought on because I have 3 sick children right now.  Funny enough I'm not particularly stressed out by it.  I haven't gotten anything done what so ever.  Not even laundry.  (Bless Stuart and his willingness to do laundry!)

We've been doing a lot of reading lately.  In fact that's all Maija wants to do.  And, of course we've read this book a lot.  

I'm not thrilled that my babies are sick, but it sure is nice to be able to just stop and cuddle.  Usually they are too busy to cuddle and read forever with me.  But not this week, and I intend to enjoy every second of it!

Just Dance

I've discovered something about myself in the past month.  

It doesn't necessarily come as a shock to me.  And I'm pretty sure it won't to you either.

I'm a very rigid parent.  

I like to control things....A lot.

My poor children. 

I'm not very good at dropping things and just going with the flow.  It's my way or no way.

I have one child who is the same way.  

Unfortunately we both think we should be right which has led to quite a few power struggles.

And some counseling sessions.  Okay, a lot of counseling sessions for the said child and us as parents. 

You know what I've learned? 

I've got to let go and relax.

Turns out that's harder to do than I imagined.  

I'm trying.  VERY hard.

We danced while I was making dinner tonight.  For 15 minutes (doesn't sound like a lot, but I was cooking at the same time).  

Before the reformed me came out I would have been telling them to clean something, or do something constructive.  The reformed me however danced.  

And it was fun.  And we were all smiling.  

AND the best part...Stuart came home to a very happy family.

I think we'll do it again before bed. 

Dancing is good for the soul (and the waistline...LOL!)

And for the short people who live in my house and like to dance with mom...on her feet.

Gotta love that!