Growing Up

It has been busy over here. You can blame it on the girls. They can be so emotional-- me included. In the midst of all the ups and downs I received a letter for Valentine's day. It has got to be one of the sweetest letters I have ever received.

Dear Mom,
Thank you making our meals and buying everything for me. Happy Valentine's Day. I love you so much. Please don't think because I give you lip and because I am sassy to you that I don't love you. I will always love you and you are my biolojecole mom in my heart. Please don't ever throw this note away. Keep this note in your heart.

Love,
your daughter
Anya

This letter made me smile for many reasons. First, Anna can be incredibly sassy and for her to admit that is big! Second, I absolutely loved the way she spelled biological and the fact that she feels this way because to me-- she might as well be my biological daughter, I love her that much! Third-- I didn't realize that she was spelling her name with a Y now. Oh how I love this girl!

Later in the evening during dinner, Jonny passed out Valentine cards to all seventeen of us. Not only did he address each one, but he took the time earlier in the day to write each of us a special little message. It was a special way to end the day.
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Other than this, I have been at a loss as to what to write these past few days. So much is going on with the girls, much of it just too precious to share. Let's just say that they are growing up. And though it pains me to admit this, a lot of it has to do with boys. One of my daughters has a big crush-- again. I remember vividly all that I went through as a teenage girl and I so want to spare my girls the same pain and heartache that I went through. So lately, I have been most unapproachable without even seeing how it has turned my one daughter from wanting to confide in me at all. When this was brought to my attention, I was very defensive. Can you believe that-- me defensive??

With this "little problem" going on, I have also had to delicately address one of my daughters feeling left out. I would like to believe that my other daughters were not doing this on purpose but to be sure in addition to our long talk, I had a few of the girls switch rooms yet again. I keep telling them-- eventually we will figure this out. Another thing that needed addressing was the age difference between my girls. An almost sixteen year old girl needs to discern what it appropriate for a barely 12 year old sister to know-- no matter how much that sister wants to know.

"Well then, who can I share with?"

At this point, God must have stepped in for me and took over what I was saying because at the end of our conversation Rachel asked, "So could I share with you? And you won't get angry?"

I was screaming for joy inside-- I had been given another chance.

Please God, help me to bite my tongue. I want to be a good listener. I don't want to be defensive. I want my daughters to want to always talk to me, confide in me. I want them to look to me for advice.

This Friday, Galina's previous family is coming for a visit to say goodbye. It was a gamble whether or not I should tell Galina a week ahead of time-- either she would spend the week stressing out or she would be thankful that she had this week to prepare. I decided to tell her. And though she has wondered what she should wear, for the most part she has handled this news really well. She would like to see them-- not too long-- but she would like them to stay for dinner. I can tell she is nervous. I told her that I am certain they are too. I am trusting that the visit will go well.