Another day in paradise

This little sweetie had a good time today chasing bubbles, and trying to pop them.  She has an adorable giggle.  That was after she had several fits of whining, and pouting, and throwing herself on the floor.  Everyone there thinks that everything she does is so cute, even displays of ill temper.



Who, me?  I could never be naughty!

  When we went to see this little guy, he obviously was not happy to see us, but immediately started to play with toys in the room.  He didn't seem to care about the ball we brought, but he did like the bubbles.  We actually saw a fleeting smile now and then.  He seems to be getting acclimated to us, but still doesn't care for us to touch him.

This little girl sat on Mom's lap for about ten minutes, and enjoyed all the squeezes and kisses, while Mom whispered lots of loving secrets in her ear.  She giggled, and seemed to enjoy the attention.  Then with lots of onlookers about, she suddenly turned wild, started pulling my hair, and trying to pull on my clothes.  Then we got lots of advice, and I was scolded for allowing my hair to be within her reach.  I was told to wear my hair back, which made me upset, since my hair isn't really the problem, but as David pointed out, we can go along with what they want, as long as we get to take the kids home.  Then Daddy held her for a long time in a tight embrace, while he sang to her, until she relaxed.  When she tried to get rough with him, he said, "no!" and then she tucked her hands back under his, and leaned back onto his chest.  She even started to sing quietly when he'd stop singing.  She's beginning to respond when he says, "no!" in a sharp tone.  The first few days, we saw no reaction at all from her when we said, "no."  Of course, she knows "nyet!"  but that doesn't come naturally to us.

All is not well in Paradise, as our facilitator told us that the deputy director, and several others are concerned that the behavior of our big girl may hurt the smaller children.  Please pray that God will be sovereign in this situation.  We have very little control over her behavior while we're all here, and we have no control over what people in charge decide.  All we can do is reassure them that we are not worried about her behavior, as we believe that with love and firmness it will change, and that we will not allow the smaller children to be hurt. 

There's nothing like the feeling of security in a big, strong, Daddy's arms.