Two exciting things: Bonding & Publication

After over a week of being at home, I think we've made some bonding progress.

I went back to work on Monday. No problems.

I worked on Tuesday. K was angry - that I wasn't home! She made bad choices BUT she wanted ME! Her "Mom". Those of you parenting children from birth - um, this might not mean a lot personally but for those of us parenting children who came to us at an older age - this is a BIG deal! I'm happy she was angry (odd, hugh!?)

At naptime, M slept and K well, she was angry. No sleeping.

After naptime, M was angry that I wasn't home and K moved on.

We've suspected this pattern for a while - switching personalities/feelings - just a flip/flop between the girls and it seem to happen in that order: one in the morning, one in the afternoon (they take on the emotions of the other). Twins, I'm thinking. Is this a twin thing?

Oh...this is exciting!

When I returned home and learned about the day, it was as I had two two-year-olds climbing, sitting, and just "being all over me"...They couldn't get enough. This is such a good thing.

Oh, and BTW - we got rid of the therapist who just didn't fit our family. Waiting on the 2nd therapist for my TWO YEAR OLDS! What is wrong in this world when 2 year olds are in therapy? Don't get me going!

SECOND THING:
I have had articles published in peer review journals BUT I had my first article in which I was the first author (!!) published in a high-end peer reviewed journal YESTERDAY! Woohoo! A long time in the making but, it is done and I'm in PubMed! wooohoo! Now, to get another one or two out. Maybe aim for one this year?

So, last night: Out to celebrate. Olive Garden - First "nicer" place we've taken the twins. They didn't know what to think of a nice place. I could tell they've never eaten in a place like that - cloth napkins, etc...and little do they know, OG isn't really a "nice" place....We celebrated. Johnna drove. I had a drink. Mom enjoyed some sample wines for a total of $1.25 and the four children were VERY well behaved. Wonderful night. Different. Feels like we've turned a corner...as I hear screams of "no!!!!!" from an upstairs bedroom (twins)....so sad. We've made progress but we have so far to go...

I'm happy with the progress, thankful - at least in this moment.

Fingerprints

After any holiday that yields a turkey being cooked in my oven, I make 2-4 Turkey Pot Pies. I like making them. I feel good about them. My Mom says it is the best meal I make. I like it.

So me:

A general plan.

Organized Chaos.

Throw together what you have.

Make it work.

=K's Turkey Pot Pie

Last week, I made 2 Turkey Pot Pies (following Christmas) and filling to freeze for 2 more pies.

As I was making them, Kenzie climbed up to the counter to watche. Quiet. Observant. Simple.

I placed the bottom pie crusts in both pie plates. I turned to something and when I turned back I saw a happy, contented, delighted child making fingerprints all over one of the crusts. She smiled up at my with pride. I smiled back and told her: "OK, thanks. We are all done with that one" like it was part of the process.

I instantly thought of something I'd once read - back in my scrapbooking days. It was about living a life that shows God's fingerprints. I Googled. I didn't find it but I found a couple of other interesting things:

And I can see the fingerprints of God

When I look at you

I can see the fingerprints of God

And I know it's true

You're a masterpiece that all creation

Quietly applauds

And you're covered with

The fingerprints of God

-a song by Steven Curtis Chapman

Then, I read a blog post on parenting children with different personalities. Wow, is that ever the situation here. We have an easy-going child, a very STRONG-willed child, a generally strong-willed child and one that I haven't quite figured out - my fingerprint maker.

This post from a mother of three boys reminded me of how our children are like fingerprints and snowflakes - all a little bit different. All unique. And the outcome we should seek:

A child. An adult....with the fingerprints of God all over. What they say, what they do, how they act, and how they demonstrate the love of their True Father.

Focus: parenting children with different personalities may require different techniques but the goal is the same: Adults who are loving children of God; in whom the world can see the Fingerprints of God.