Photo a Day 2012-Week 2

I am sometimes surprised at how difficult it can be take a photo every day.  I ask myself, how hard should it be?  But sometimes, it just is.  Well, I should qualify that by saying its hard in part because I am a perfectionist.  I should probably get over that shouldn't I.

I'm going to start by giving a warning.  There is one photo that may be difficult for you to understand.  I'm going to request that you don't share parenting advice with me unless you also have a child who is Reactive Attachment Disordered and you have experienced what it means to parent such a child.  I am sharing today because this IS my daily life.  But I'm not looking for advice.

The fact is, I have a child who is very disturbed emotionally and she requires parenting that is very different from what many children need. While she is physically 16, emotionally, she is more like 8 or 9 and even that is being generous sometimes.  Her cognition on matters of conscience is nearly non-existent.  So, before you feel that I am a mean mom, either don't keep reading this post, or understand that it's very difficult to parent such a child and that her needs are VERY different from your children's needs. (yes, I am defensive about this because I answer these questions constantly and sometimes I get a little techy about it.)

So, without further ado......

Sunday Jan 8 -- Cody looks a bit skeptical as Dad Jeremy tries to convince him to pose for the camera.



Monday Jan 9 -- Chelsea(who is just over 7 months pregnant) and I tried for an impromptu belly shoot this afternoon but Olivia stole the show. Here she made us think she was going to eat that foot!



Tuesday Jan 10 -- Hunter and I had to go grocery shopping after school today. I had yet to get a photo for the day but when I saw the sky, I knew what I had to do. I was only sad I didn't have my big girl camera. I do hope my poor kids don't hate photography as a result of my antics.



Wednesday Jan 11 -- Today was a routine Dental visit for Hunter and Madison. I have to admit I felt really frustrated when Maddie had 5 new cavities and Hunter had 2. I want so much for them to have healthy teeth so they don't have to go through all I've been through with my teeth but it's not to be.



Thursday Jan 12 -- It's sometimes hard for me to accept that this is the only way Madison can/will stop long enough to consider her actions and work on willingness to change them. I know its for her best but it's hard to make this happen. She's been pretty angry since we returned from Mexico and the result has been some pretty nasty behavior. I pray every day that she'll find peace and joy.



Friday, Jan 13 -- We had to go to the Dentist in Nogales today. A little trip looking for cheese found us in front of this church.




Saturday, Jan 14 -- Coffee at Starbucks with Summer. This is week two of our mentoring relationship. What a blessing it is to share life with a godly person.



I have to admit this past week was a tough one for me. We've really been IN it with Madison.   I don't believe I shared before, but Hunter accepted Christ while we were in Mexico.  Since then, he has been a changed young man.  I don't think I can express just how changed. But the biggest thing I see is a difference in pride vs. humility.  His rebellion seems to have melted away which really has been amazing to see.

However, Madison is mad as a hornet because of it.  She was much more comfortable when she could say that Hunter was the troublemaker.  Now that he is changing and growing in Christ she hardly knows what to do. So, she's been mean and nasty.  She's spiteful and using her words to attack both Hunter and I continually. That gets to be exhausting after a while.  If you're the praying sort, please pray that my poor daughter can find peace and joy.

With any luck, I'll have a little something crafty to share tomorrow.  Until then, have a great day!