it takes hours and hours, causes lots of tears but is oh so neccassary in our lives....

We decided its time to do hair on Saturday... With African american girls, hair care is constant and takes lots of time! I enjoy it when I have time. But for the past several months I have only done the easiest possible hairstyles. Short haircuts for the two younger ones and microbraids for Elizabeth




The products. My favorite is my own homemade mix. Nothing works quite as well as that mix.
Olive oil is also important. We were out so I used sunflower oil. I learned this trick from my first foster son's grandmother. It really works well on all hair types.

Nesiah, we had started the front last week already.
The goal for her is dread locs. 

We washed the hair and divided it into little box braids. She really does well with sitting still. Now if we could just keep her from scratching them out!

She likes having pretty hair...

Elizabeth loves having her hair done. It is important to her. I took out hundreds of braids and beads and combed it into this little braid style. Neither one of us liked it.
So we decided to straighten it. 

First we took out all the braids, washed it, combed it and oiled it..
Then, Mrs R had told me some time ago, she wished for a little girl to do hair. I so kindly volunteered my daughter. HAHA. 

She blow dried the hair... 

Then painstakingly straightened each section...  It took over an hour!! But they had fun! 

Despite the look on her face, she is very pleased with her hairstyle!! Beautiful long, straight hair! ;) 

 Now Miss Fayth... oh, the torture that hair is for this child. She just wants long blond hair.
She does not like having her hair done. It is not a pleasant experience for anyone..



Before... cute, short, African princess hair style

the first row of box banded hair. There was lots and lots of tears.

 

The end result... hundreds of tiny puffs in "almost" neat rows.  Our goal is dread locs. Not the messy kind, but the beautiful long kind that do not require combing! Our goal is no more tears! ;)

My 3 beautiful daughters! Gorgeous girls for God!

Friday encouragement

 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.
 2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat-- for he grants sleep to those he loves. 
3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. 
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.
 5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

My verse for the week! 

My favorite song at the moment. 

God has moved some mountains for us. We are seeing answers to prayers that have been uttered for many months.  Its been a long journey of trusting and believing, that is not yet over. 

Once again, its not about me or having what I want, but the journey God has for us because He loves us.

Share your favorite verse or song with us today!

I have hope... and for that I am thankful!

I would like to write something fun and entertaining... but unfortunately, my mind is consumed by unbloggable drama and sick kids. 

                                   

We had snow this week. Every single mother I spoke  to had a bad day. We need spring!
We took a field trip, on a cold windy day, to see the snow geese. 

         

The sun is shining beautifully this morning. I have hope for spring. I have hope that it will warm up. I am thankful for hope and sunshine. 

I have hope that sometime soon I will be able to sleep through the night and sleep in! I am thankful for sleep and hope!

I have hope that my children will grow up to be respectful, Godly adults, even if some days I question if we  will survive until adulthood. I am thankful for Godly mentors and hope. Oh and good kids...

I have hope that my entire family will be together in Heaven someday and Nesiah will run and play with us. I am thankful for eternal healing and hope. 

I have hope that I will survive Nesiah's dentist appointment this afternoon with 6 kids tagging along. I am thankful for Miss C and hope. 

             

I have hope that God will continue  to answer our prayers for our unbloggable situation. I am thankful for answered prayers and hope.  

                    

 But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more. 

 Psalms 71:14

Lee

My oldest son... loves to build things and create things. 

Reading a book on presidents and having some deep discussions...

Uncle Joe bought the boys this snap circut set. They LOVE it.

Lee loves to read and has massive amounts of info stored in his brain. Homeschooling him is a delight. He reads his history and science "for fun".

Lee is my responsible child, reliable beyond his years.

He loves his animals and feeds and care for them without complaining. 

Brothers: very different personalities but they are best friends, most of the time. 

He is an overcomer! 

Lee is good at fixing things.

He made a family tree representing his entire family! 

God knew what he was doing when he gave me this son of mine. I am blessed to be his mommy! 

David...

David is my happy go lucky child... My boy after God's heart.

He is full of energy, life and enthusiasm.

He is not a big fan of animals but does his chores diligently.

He works hard and aims to please.

He excels in all sports. Give him a ball and he will be happy for hours.

David is a loving brother, often playing with and helping out his little sisters.

David got to take his picture with Ben Carson! 

Life is never dull with David, he has a very active imagination.

David's sweet, "life is always good" personality has been a great blessing to our family. He brings much needed laughter and enthusiasm to our lives. I am blessed to be his momma!

Friday Encouragement:

Every once in awhile I  have these faith crisis or moments when I really just need to hear from God. I need something to remind me who is in charge.
God has brought us through many challenges. We have many God Stories, a huge list of ways God has been real to us. But still occasionally we falter in our faith. Why? Because sometimes God's best for us does not line up with what we want and sometimes that brings pain and heartache.

We have claimed Psalms 68:5 along with Jeremiah 29:11-13 as our family verses.

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. Psalms 68:5

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares theLord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13

 This is MY life Chapter and promise that God has given to me!! Isaiah 54

1“Sing, barren woman,

you who never bore a child;

burst into song, shout for joy,

you who were never in labor;

because more are the children of the desolate woman

than of her who has a husband,”

says the Lord.

2“Enlarge the place of your tent,

stretch your tent curtains wide,

do not hold back;

lengthen your cords,

strengthen your stakes.

3For you will spread out to the right and to the left;

your descendants will dispossess nations

and settle in their desolate cities.

4“Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame.

Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.

You will forget the shame of your youth

and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.

5For your Maker is your husband—

the Lord Almighty is his name—

the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;

he is called the God of all the earth.

There are days when  I need to be reminded that these promises are true. This does not mean that I will get everything I want as I want it! It simply means the grace will be there to walk through whatever God has brought me to.

Please feel free to post your verse, song or promise that God has given to encourage you! 

Elizabeth

Elizabeth is my mini me...

She loves her beads and braids.

Elizabeth likes dresses and will play ball and climb trees in pretty dresses.

She is my goofball, often cracking us up with her craziness.

She is determined and will get far in life. 

She got to talk on the local kids radio show!

She will sit for up to 18 hours to get her hair done! 

Elizabeth is the most patient person I know.  

She is an excellent big sister..

This daughter of mine has overcome so much in her little life. She is a determined, loving, kind, helpful, goofy gift from God. 

Fayth

Fayth... This beautiful daughter of mine came to us at 2 yrs old. She is a princess in the midst of many boys and tomboys.  She loves all things, pink, girlie and princessy. 

She loves beautiful dresses and baby dolls.

She is a willing helper and quick worker.

She loves her sisters and does an excellent job of helping with Nesiah. 

Fayth doesn't like school very much, but she is very smart and learns easily when the desire to learn is present. ;)

Her doll Taryn is her constant companion. 

She loves to draw and almost daily I get a card from her. 

Fayth is very social and makes friends easily.

This beautiful child is a light in my home, a blessing from God. I am thankful to be her mother!