Gull Lake Ministries Theme Nights

One of our favorite parts of Gull Lake Ministries are the theme nights.  Four of the nights are family dinner nights where we all dress up, and enjoy themed entertainment.  The girls love it!  In fact each year in the spring when the theme nights are released for the coming summer, we begin to anticipate the fun of it all!

This year there was Olympic night.

We wore our USA gear, Olympic medals, and ring glasses.

 Our very special girl has never eaten with a metal spoon.  Because of her oral defensiveness, even eating with a plastic spoon has been a big challenge at times.  Well this week the first night at dinner, this girl picked up a metal spoon, and ate with it!  Miracles never cease here in this special place!

Western Boot Scootin, Belt Buckle Ball was also a theme this year.

We were cows.

There was a fun filled Safari night too.

Anna Mei wanted to be a lion.

They weren't too fierce though.

 The last night was the annual Stars and Stripes carnival.

 There are always so many fun activities like face painting, snow cones, carnival games, and patriot games.  It is always the girls favorite night. This year, they opened a new activity.  This giant jumping pillow!  The girls LOVED it!

Jilly loved it so much that she and Daddy spent nearly two hours jumping here on the last night.  If you are looking for an amazing family vacation that is centered in the Lord, I can't encourage you enough to check out Gull Lake Ministries.  For eight years, we have been enjoying amazing weeks here each summer, and it never disappoints.  Our kids can't wait to go back! 

The Wonder of This Place..Gull Lake Ministries

It happened again!  We got to spend another amazing, summer week at Gull Lake Ministries.  Every summer, we think it may be our last, but God continues to provide this rest for our souls through this place.  It holds so many special memories for our family.  Committing our lives to the Lord, surrendering to adopting again, experiencing first vacations with those babes who are newly home with us, reconnecting with dear friends, and baptism have all happened at this place. There have been so many moments here that have taken my breath away.  The teaching from God's word, the hearts of those who serve us, the beautiful setting..each and every year I leave this week so renewed!  Grateful doesn't even begin to convey my feeling for this incredible ministry.

If you know my babes, you know the beach was their favorite afternoon spot.  It never disappoints.  Eight years ago, our Emily would sit on these very shores eating ice cream too.  I am so very thankful to have this place to be with my babes as time goes so very quickly.

 Superman Ice Cream Everyday..What could be better?

 Jilly likes her snuggles with Daddy.

 My two littlest swam in the ten feet deep water to get out to the water trampoline.  Molly is so small that she had to wear an infant life jacket, but nothing slows her down.

 There is no place in this world where this treasure is happier.  It is priceless.

 Boats with Momma.

 All my girls together makes this momma's heart so full.

 There isn't anywhere on this earth that I would rather be.

 This place is so incredible!

Next year can't come soon enough! 

The County Fair

I wasn't sure this day would ever come, but I finally feel that I can manage these three beauties in places like the county fair when I am flying solo.  Because of this, I headed there last Saturday with the three littlest girls, the wagon, and a packed lunch.  It was in the lower nineties most of the day so it was hot, but the girls did so well, and we had a great time!

 There was a barn with lots of farm animals.  This is great for Molly as I am working hard to try to build her vocabulary.  She saw many, many creatures to connect to her words.  These experiences are so language building for her if only she could hear better in these crowded environments.

 Darling!

 There was a huge sandbox made with bales of hay in the corner of the barn.

 The girls played for an hour.

 It was HOT, and this little one consumed nearly 32 oz of lemon shake up all by herself.  She is her momma's girl.

 It was a large cotton candy for this one. :)

 Most of the day was free, and the girls enjoyed every minute!

 This is the first time that Anna Mei wanted to go on rides.  Everyone enjoyed them!

 Bumper boats were a hit with Jilly.

 I think Molly may be a mad, crazy driver.

 Anna Mei stayed near the side away from the bumping.

My littlest baby was on the front of the train and got to pull the string to ring the bell.  I am not sure she heard it as she kept searching for what pulling the string was doing, but she was all smiles!  It was a beautiful day.  I enjoy these babes so much.

Clean Mud Sensory Dough

Recently, I came across an idea for "clean" mud play.  Because I am always looking for something fun to set up in the sensory tables for the girls, I bought the ingredients, added my own spin, and gave it a try.

I set it up with garden themed accessories.  I used some fake flower bushes from the dollar store, some paper grass (also dollar store), a watering can, shovels, and small pots to set up my play table.

 The dough was super soft and packed really well.  My teenager was outside helping me set up, and she wouldn't touch the stuff.  Molly wasn't interested either as the pool had water in it, but Anna Mei was all in.

 She loves her some imaginative play right now so it wasn't long before she set up a garden shop for me to purchase flowers in pots.

 She spent most of our evening at the sensory table though eventually she began "cooking" with the dough and playing restaurant because all things turn to cooking with my girl.

Truthfully, the dough reminded me so much of ice cream that I began planning a  little ice cream shop play center for them.  It packs in balls just like scoops of ice cream so add some different colors to the recipe, and viola..a whole new play adventure.  It  is in our future for sure.  Here is the recipe I used if you are interested in some good, clean mud..

2 rolls of shredded toilet paper

2 bars of grated soap

2 8oz cups of coffee

coffee grinds

Mix together all the ingredients and enjoy.

Imagination Grove

Recently, we traveled back to Illinois so our DH could perform a wedding ceremony for one of our dear youth who is now grown.  We always enjoy these trips because we get a little vacation.  The girls love seeing our old friends, dancing the night away at the wedding, swimming in a hotel, and our little side trip plans.  Imagination Grove  was one of our destinations this time around.  It is a hidden gem just outside of Bloomington, IL.  The year before we moved, I discovered it when I took a group of boys I was helping home school on a maple syrup trip.  I have been dreaming of taking the girls here since that day.  It is a natural play area that encourages you to get dirty!  Perfect for my peanuts!

 A creek.  Need I say more?  She hiked up and down the creek for a good hour with her Daddy before exploring anything else.  This place had the makings of Jillian's paradise.  Monkey bars, a creek, sand, mud, trees to climb, a zip line..WOW was she happy!

 The digging pit had this sign next to it.  We dug a good long while, but never ended up in China.

 For the love of a good, clean creek, Molly played!

 Our Anna Mei was busy fetching water.

 She used it to "cook" all morning in this outdoor kitchen area.  Water plus dirt/sand with many pots, spoons, and muffin tins equals a morning of bliss for my little imaginative girl.

 Trees.  Oh the trees!

 You couldn't help but just be beaming as you watched Jilly, because she was so happy.

 She looks so grown up in these pictures.

 Anytime our girl is able to play this freely without worry, and be so very happy, we are thrilled!

 Molly was covered in mud at the end of the afternoon.

And so was this sweet one.  

What a wonderful afternoon with great memories!  Another bit of time to just be absolutely grateful to God for as we marvel at our chance to parent these great little ones.

Her First Day of School

My baby girl started a summer school program at the University last week.  Two days a week from 9:00 to 12:00 this little one has an army of professionals assigned to her.  They are helping develop her communication skills, expand her vocabulary, and (the coolest to me) teaching her to be more aware of her listening helpers.  There are audiologists, professors, and SLP students who get to love on her, helping her grown in all these ways, while I watch through a one way window.  I am always so hesitant to leave my girls, but this baby was ready.  She is so tiny in her little class as she is sporting her 18 month little sundresses and size 6 sandals, but she is watching and learning so much.  Of course, her baby doll is welcome in class too as the baby literally never, never leaves her side.  By the end of the first day, she was exhausted, and so were Anna Mei and I as we tagged along.  I am a bit relieved that the program runs only five weeks as keeping up this commute would be hard. In the fall, she will get to attend preschool in the same incredible school district where our Jilly attends, but for the summer we are so thrilled she has an opportunity at the University.  We are so blessed to live so close to so many superior services for our babes.  I can't wait to see where this summer takes her.  

Sisters

I am often contacted by families who have brought home a babe like my Jilly who are considering adopting again.  They have valid concerns about how adding another child to their family might affect their sweet one with such high emotional needs.  My treasure, Jillian, requires much.  Here emotional needs, and all that it takes to care for her, can be overwhelming, but I am always sure to tell those that ask that while adding a child to your family is never an easy ride under any circumstance giving Jilly her sisters has been such a rich blessing.  It has had challenges of course just like any other change we make to our lives, but her sisters love and care for her like no one else.  I often have explained to Anna Mei that Jilly's mind is not going to grow up like hers will, and that momma will always have to take special care of her as she gets bigger.  My Anna Mei, being the nurturer that she is, will be the first to tell me that she will take care of Jilly for me when I am not able to anymore.  I remember the first time she came to me with that thought.  At three years old, being newly home herself, she declared herself Jilly's future guardian.  Friends, this is the gospel in action.  

Bringing home our Molly Kate has been no different.  She loves her sisters, and our family.  I looked out the other night in the backyard while doing my dinner dishes to see Molly, barely three years old, pushing Jillian on the swing.  Jillian loves swinging.  It comforts her and makes her so happy.  It was darling to see Molly trying to care for Jilly in that way. 

What a rich and incredible blessing it is to have these sweet babe's in our family.  They have altered our hearts and changed our thinking in ways I never would have dreamed as we planned out our lives.  It was never my plan to have a baby I would have to care for into adulthood, but what a beautiful and perfect plan the Lord had for me as my daughter, Jillian, has been one of the greatest blessings of my life.  My arms will never know an empty nest, and, frankly, I couldn't be happier about that.  I picture myself rocking this girl, and holding her like a newborn cuddled against my chest well into my eighties.  What a precious gift God has given me in that, and what a beautiful gift He has given each of us in this family to love one as special as our Jilly.

Hiking Mattheissen State Park

 We took a bit of a road trip last week and made a stop at our favorite state park hiking spot in Illinois.  When Em was little, she and I would hike Matthiessen State Park regularly.  I knew Jilly would be in her element as you literally hike down a creek in the canyon.  To say this girl was happy just doesn't do the day justice.  Jillian was ecstatic!  

 It was warm, but not too hot so the day was perfect!

 Anna doesn't usually love dirt or bugs, but she was great.  I think she enjoyed herself too.

 There are lots of places to stop for pictures and Emily tolerated my requests to pose.

 Have you ever seen a bigger smile?   At one end of the trail, you find this deeper swimming hole that is fed by a magnificent waterfall.  It is truly spectacular, and made Jillian so, so happy.

 I photographed Emily on this rock many, many times when she was young. 

 We literally parked here for an hour just watching this amazing little girl play!  It was wonderful.

 Sometimes it is challenging to find something that everyone can do and enjoy, but this day was fabulous!

When we left the park, the girls slept for a couple of hours as we hiked three and half miles.

This tiny little one is much like her sister Jilly in that she is all in where mud and water are concerned.  She hiked most of the three miles herself!  What a trooper.  We are so blessed to have a day together to enjoy the beauty God has created!  They did so well that I think more hiking is in our future.