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Monday, April 18, 2011

taking cover from the storm







Whew! I am finally beginning to feel the cloud lift from over my head. Getting the "147 million orphans "spring line out was quite the task. We made a few changes in production, so as we took one step forward , we seemed to take three steps back. I am so thankful to have it all out and most of it on the site now....there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel. Our latest arrival is earrings from Uganda....I LOVE THEM!! I can't wait for you all to see them!!

The past few weeks have brought MANY storms and tornadoes to the Middle Tennessee area. Our children have been at school in lock down/tornado mode several times with the lights flickering on and off. One day, Gwen and I were trying to get some work done and as we were leaving an apointment, golf ball size hail came crashing down. We dashed into a parking garage, just in time for our phones to start ringing informing us that a tornado was blowing over head. S-C-A-R-Y!!

I was busy cooking dinner last week when Mike called and told me to take the kids to the basement. A tornado was headed our way (AGAIN!) So, I turned my veggies off and took off down the stairs....children in tow. I decided to take a video of our time spent in the basement. Thankfully, a few days before, we had picked up toys, so that they would have room to play.



As we sat underground, SAFE, I felt SO thankful. Thankful for my children. Thankful that the Lord had given me each and every one of them.....truly gifts. And thankful that I have a large family. Watching them play ball together made me think of the MANY people that have commented about how we have our own ball team. We ARE a team. Mike and I talk about our parenting being TEAMWORK on a regular basis. If I didn't have him as a team mate, I would surely be defeated. My children get "it". They understand that we all have to work together for this ship to sail.
Here is an example: In November, I went to a meeting with Joshua's teachers. They explained that there was some concern for Joshua to proceed to kindergarten next year. A few examples: He only knew 9 of his letters, could count to 19, and his name was barely legible. As I left the meeting, my mind swirled with the series of events that have surrounded Joshua the past year. Josie's homecoming, MANY visits to Vanderbilt, life with seven instead of six children, and the list goes on......NO WONDER THE POOR CHILD IS BEHIND....can someone say loco?!? It is a good thing that I submit each and every one of my children to the Lord each night. It is very comforting to know that HE cares about all of those details. He laid it out before me, so it would not go unnoticed any longer. HE loves my children so much more than I can fathom...HOW COMFORTING!
I called MillerAnne and Annabelle into the kitchen and explained what was going on with Joshua at school. I asked them if they would help me catch him up. We talked about how demanding that Josie is for me right now. I explained that when they are playing "school" they could actually teach him! I showed them the areas that he was behind. They took it to heart!! Sisters ON A MISSION! Yesterday, I went to my mailbox and there was a packet. It showed Joshua's progress since last Oct/Nov. He now knows ALL of his letters(lower and upper case), he can count to 100, knows ALL of his colors, shapes, and everything else!! His name is clearly written, and now they are teaching him how to write it in cursive!! He is totally caught up! They get "it!" They have owned their role as big sisters. AND they take responsibility for their family. I LOVE IT!!
I am so thankful for that little piece of fruit that the Lord gave me. We often are so busy pruning, planting, and maintaining our children, that we do not take time to enjoy the fruit. It is the sweetest fruit to ever touch your mouth.

There was a man all alone;
he had neither son nor brother.
There was no end to his toil,
yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.
“For whom am I toiling,” he asked,
“and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?”
This too is meaningless—
a miserable business!

9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:8-12






10 comments:

The Sandersons said...

ABSOLUTELY LOVE LOVE LOVE your story of your daughters helping out! Brought tears to my eyes! Thank you MillerAnne and Annabelle for being such a great example!!!

Kristi said...

WTG Joshua! and what great big sisters!! My little was very delayed in her speech - she has no language skills when we brought her home and after being home a year was still super delayed (but didn't qualify for EI). She started preschool in Sept & tested at a 2 in language...in March she was retested & she was at a 9!! Our kiddos are amazing!

oh and love, love, love the spring line - my little & I have been rocking out our new t's

Deb said...

Man, I wish we lived closer! I love the story about catching up Joshua. Seth has *plenty* of delays and I've considered adopting an older child (who I love) because I know that Seth would model up well to him. I think it is so great that worked in your fam. Ahhhh.
Many blessings!

"Are These Kids All Yours?" said...

Praise God!!!! He knows your team :) So proud of the way children want to help!

ShellyO said...

Suzanne, this is SUCH an encouragement to me, thank you for sharing. My crew is so young and our family has grown so large this year. Sometimes I wonder if I'm being "fair" to each child... if each of them are really getting enough. But like you, I submit each of mine to the Lord and at the end of the day, I know they count themselves as blessed for their many sisters and brothers. I love the big sister "school" time idea!!

Andy Ashley said...

What wonderful sisters MillerAnne and Annabelle are! I am so proud of them and their wonderful example! Way to go girls! Also loved the video -- thanks for showing the kids' teamwork. Great to see Michael and Joshua working together! And look how calm Josie and Caleb were. Love you guys!

Anonymous said...

Sooo precious sister...love this post! you and all ur sweet babies..so blessed. Could you please send a couple of kiddos to my house...could definitely use the "school prepping" help...I try so hard to have that "teacher mentality" but I just don't! love u...amy

P.S. 11 more days....heeeheheheheh woohoooooo!

Jeni said...

So neat that the girls could help out that way!! Way to go :). Love this post. We are trying to help our kids get the "team" spirit :).

Kasey- said...

that post was literally balm to my soul today! I am so thankful for you:)
"Two is better than one, and a cord of three strands is not easily broken."
I have been begging the Lord to send me a scripture all week to help me to explain to my THREE children and amazing husband how important it is for me to be able to depend on their goodness and patience as I start a new job and their and we continue to navigate this adoption from India.We received word that our passport and immigration applications went down in a plane crash off the coast of Virginia (i am not kidding)and that they are working to see if everything was lost or recovered.
God's timing.....hand it over.....surrender....two is better than one.
Thank you for once again reminding me that this life is not my own.
Love you
Kasey

Laurel said...

Haven't popped into your blog for awhile, so am just catching up.

LOVE the story about the girls teaching their little brother. Our family of 14 is ALL about teamwork. For many years we have talked to our children about how important every member of the team is, and that our family couldn't function unless we all do our part. Our kids "get it".

Hope your weekend is BLESSED!

Laurel :)

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suzanne
I am a lover of Jesus. I have the most fabulous husband that anyone woman could ask for. The Lord has blessed us with 7 beautiful children. I started this blog so that friends and family could follow our trip to Uganda to visit Katie Davis. I have decided to keep blogging to help bring orphan awareness to the world around me.
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