Screenshot text from Josh this week. One more much-anticipated thing to check off the list. Next up, a hearing in March.
We heard from Angelique the night before she was served. She was giving us her newest number and checking in on Lasa. Haven't heard from her since, which isn't abnormal, but is at-the-same-time a relief that she didn't call us furious with this new development. Very interested to see how our next meet-up goes. It's not looking like she is gonna contact us about visiting tomorrow, but there's still a few hours left for that to change.
I put up with the confounded warm spring weather all week and was rewarded this morning with cool brisk winter air again
coupled with bright sun
and even brighter smiles.
Besides SweetCheeks there, I adore the bare tree silhouettes behind her and the shadows on the ground in a couple of these shots. Saturday wins the week!
It is mid-February in Nashville and yet the earth seems to think it's April. Anna is already needing her spring allergy meds. My friends' daffodils are already shooting up out of the ground and daring to bloom. Grass is turning greeeeeeeeen. We have been so robbed of a decent winter, it has been so ridiculously warm and spring like, this is going on in my backyard right now.
My friends, this should not be. It is MID-FEBRUARY.
Omnibus, for those who don't know, is a new-to-me word that means containing several items. Which this post will. Perfect for another of my "Miscellaneous" labeled posts.
Pics from the kids' co-op Valentine's days. It can't be said enough how thankful I am for this anchor in their weeks each week - face time with buds and learning under another teacher and just a break for us all from each other.
Just love this song we sing at church. Especially the chorus. That's why I gave it its own pic. ;)
A GoRgEoUs sunset a friend was so good as to send me.
I always get a chuckle out of this view when I finally lay my head on my pillow.
That top book is my copy of Valley of Vision and I have said before how much the prayers in its pages calm my soul with real perspective when I am feeling agitated. Most recently, this one. Instruction for and recalibration of my heart every time! Puritan prayers for the win.
Our newest toy ... that is SO perfect for our littlest love. She just gets to giggling every time she jumps. It's delightful. $20 well spent! You may or may not remember that once upon a time we had as similar one for toddler Noah. 💙
No new news along the TPR road. Still just waiting for Angelique to be served the papers. Which can be more involved that you would think. So, yeah. All for now!
Our homeschool group got a somewhat behind-the-scenes tour of a local Publix last week. And it was a gorgeous sunny day. And it was Fridayyyyyy! And we hit the park with subs with friends afterwards and took our sweet time. So, win/win/win!
Thanks for a warm welcome and an informative tour, Publix! You're a keeper!
Just a song I have been enjoying lately. I can relate. I pray the prayers embedded in this song. I feel the tension of the in between - flesh/spirit, fear/trust, doubt/faith. I just get it. I just like this song. And it's soothing to me ... which is also helpful to feel in the in between. Give it a listen!
Oh Me of Little Faith
by Matthew West
Oh me of little faith
Can’t seem to see my way
Out of the storm I’m In
Doubt and waves crashing in
Down to my last mustard seed
God Help oh Me of little faith
Oh me of little hope What I would give to know Answers waiting on the other side
Of the pain and the tears I’ve cried
At the end of a worn out rope
God help oh me of little hope
Lord I believe but Help my unbelief ‘cause trust and fear are fighting and I’m somewhere in between A fumbling fool I am
I’ll never understand
How you oh God of endless grace
Could love oh me of little faith
Oh me of little peace
This world won’t let me be
Spinning out of my control
Troubled times, troubled soul Help me fix my eyes on thee
God help oh me of little peace
Oh, me of little love
A lonely life in the middle of
A sea of faces racing on
I think I find it then it’s gone But you fill my empty cup
God help oh me of little love
Lord I believe but Help my unbelief ‘cause trust and fear are fighting and I’m somewhere in between A fumbling fool I am
I’ll never understand
How you oh God of endless grace
Could love oh me of little faith
Oh me of little strength
I’m weary from this heavy weight
Pressing down on my shoulders now
Took a while but I’m finding out Blessed are the ones who so weak God help oh me of little strength
We took in our second Super Bowl in a row with our Community Group (sans one family missing). Love these families/friends! We had good eats, good seats, a giant TV, and even upgraded half-time from Gaga to a quick worship session. Much improvement! ;)
Who knew such a great game would end so lousy with a Patriots win again?! Oh well. In other group news, Anna started her American Girl Sewing Class this week and it's such a treat for her!
And, of course, my favorite group ... of hooligans! A day in the homeschool life with these three souls. Can't lose!
Then throw in a fourth face and you have the quartet that hit the zoo this morning while I slept in and then caught up on stuff at home. Including blogging. HA!
Get a load of Anna's smile there ... she lost two teeth on top a week ago. Snaggle tooth, but with symmetry. Win!
I joined a really challenging discussion forum on FB a few weeks ago. It all revolves around race stuff and trans-racial foster/adoption and hair/skin helps and how all these things intersect and what all is involved. And, in a word, it is ... involved. I have been rattled by some of the conversations I have witnessed on there. I have also been SO encouraged by alllllll the many voices and tips I have gleaned regarding how to manage Lasa's hair in much-needed protective styles. There is such a learning curve to the daily maintenance regimen needed to keep dry curls healthy and moisturized! I have come a long way and I am so thankful for the info and suggestions I have picked up along the way. I have ordered some different hair products for different purposes, bought a specific hair chair for Lasa to simplify the process for us both, hit up a beauty supply store and been amazed at all the options there, and started following a chick on YouTube that is so great with tutorials on doing her daughter's hair that just so happens to have the same curl type as Lasa. Of late, I have tried a few new 'do's and felt so empowered that I can do this thing! I have even been awakened to how cool curly hair is. It does things that my hair type never would. It's pretty neat!
The latest view of hair care stuff we employ ... the drawer of baubles and combs and ties and clips, followed by the bucket of all the potions and gels and sprays and oils, followed by the new hair chair from IKEA (technically a high chair, yes) that is awesome and Lasa asks to sit in it even when I am not doing her hair. Ha! Not pictured, the new shampoo and conditioner we are trying. C'mon Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen Grow and Restore line!
Don't even get me started on how bizarre it was to finally give in and get the coconut oil FROM THE KITCHEN and put it in my baby's hair. I hear olive oil works wonders, too?!?!?!? One day maybe. But seriously. SUCH a difference maker in her hair texture. It really does make a difference for the better. Color me impressed.
First attempt at this style - four braids pulled together in the middle. Don't laugh! My parts are getting better, but it's hard for my fingers to make sense of working with slick hair and such short hair. Baby steps!
For PDO one day, we tried a diagonal part with semi-messy buns and bows. Adorbs!
For church, she rocked these pretty puffs...
And my new fave - the frohawk!! Also note how smooth those edges are - secret weapon being a toothbrush. A toothbrush, y'all! Dipped in gel.
What a fun project this hair thing is!
Lasa loves! And she is a good sport about sitting still while I work. It's a good thing because I have a pinboard full of fun new 'do's to try next. :) One last shot of her gigglyness when I tried to get better pics of the fro. She thinks it's hysterical to run toward me instead of staying put for the shot.
Even with the blur, you can see the joy and wiggle and noise. And that rockin' new 'do!
