A Roller Coaster Ride!!!!

Mouse our Cat..see below! The high free fall from Valley Fair that Katya & Sophia rode!



Katya's been busy making a beautiful scarf! Brothers, Andri & James sleeping in the van!

A very wet ride at Valley Fair today, and later a lot of rain! Jaclyn with our new friend Katrina.

Papa pays us $1 if we drink water instead of pop. Photo with the kids at Valley Fair..we're missing Sophia (see blog below).

I'm on the phone with someone making me smile! The kids after they got soaked at the Valley Fair ride. A few of them went twice!

A Roller Coaster Ride! That is how I'd explain this last week. And today we're on top thank-God!

These issues generally belong to only one or two children, but I'd rather not name anyone in particular. Some are having a really hard time sharing me. They can't handle it if someone is next to me or holding my hand so sharing my time. Some have offered to "go" if they can't get their way. Some have said they want to hurt others or themselves, which really scares me. One night I called a friend to see if it was really possible to be hurt one way, and my friends walked over, but at the time all that was happening was big tears. I can't tell the difference between "talk" and serious desire to be harmful.

Katya is pretty balanced, and I can tell she is trying to understand when things can get a little crazy in a household with 7 children. She cooked the best stuffed peppers ever, and did it completely different than how I learned. Natasha seems to be very patient with me as well, and ever so often, showers me with kisses and hugs that almost hurt.

Sometimes there is too much "physical" correction and it can really make the recipient sad. I pray that it will stop, without too much lecture and discipline.

Jonathan tends to "bug" as many as he can, which seems to be normal behavior for him. James gets mad, and puts a fist in his back. Jaclyn cries if she has to do too many chores, so you can see that we did have somewhat of a roller coaster ride last week!

Chris' photo with the dollar is how he handles the desire to order pop at a restaurant. We went out for Father's day. He offers the kids $1 for not ordering pop and $10 for letting us trim their hair instead of going to a barber.

We are looking forward to having families over on Sunday at 6pm for CHAI and excited to share our message despite the roller coaster ride.

We had a nice nice time today at Valley Fair, and every day I feel more trust toward my children, and love their presence. I wish that I could give them all the attention they so desperately need, but I pray that between Chris & I, and God, we will meet their needs. My only concerns is that they don't hurt each other or themselves, and learn to be kind to each other. They generally have a lot of fun together.

Chris does all the night nights now and that has helped our evenings go much smoother. They all get hugs, and prayers, and books, and I can get the dog walked, or this or that done. He has been very supportive this week, and relaxed about the house, and kind. I really appreciate his help.

I need to get kids into the family doctor next week. Sophia has head-aches alot. Their eyesight is all great, although Natasha has a bit of a lazy eye and might need more correction in it. They said we could wait until after Christmas. Sophia needs a crown on her tooth, and that can wait as well. They had cavities repaired, and are doing well. Natasha lost a tooth and the tooth fairy came to visit!

They want to put Katya in 9th grade due to age, but we want her to go to 8th to get one year of school and English first.

Cats..they are bugging me so Jaclyn is under strict rules on how to take care of them, or they are getting the boot. So far so good. Pray that we can clean her room up nice.

I'm bushed from a fun day at Valley Fair. Thanks for all your encouragement & prayers. It has been a roller coaster ride this week, and I knew I'd have rough days, but somehow knowing doesn't make them any easier. We are well now, except I am concerned about Sophia's headaches.

Love from Alesia & Chris