Too many

I was asked today if I thought we had too many kids. I gave this acquaintance the pat answer of I decided long ago that I would either have alot of cats or alot of.kids and I really don't like cats. The nitty gritty answer is before any child I consider we pray and pray some more and talk and talk some more and if we have peace we go with it. Yes, a large family does take more resources and organization. A large family is also fun and we are all very close. I love seeing one of my teens rocking a baby or big brother wrestling little ones on the floor.Our kids are close and look up to each other ...not that they don't fight like any other family. We have figured out a few tricks and learned many more. The biggest help has been the buddy system. Each little has a older buddy to help through the day and when we are out. We also have assigned chores. I resisted this for a long time however I have some very capable kids. A few I am convinced could run things as well as we do. We also have a sign out board so we know where everyone is at a glance.There are other things tgat I will share another time. The truth is it works because we.love our kids and make it work!

Nothing

We have heard nothing from the sister's cw in the last few days. We are praying on taking their baby sister too. I am very conflicted about that possibility. I pray though soon as possible we will have our new ones with us but our timing is not God's and cps's timing. This maybe God's way of growing my patience.

Our new ones

I have not made it official yet but the doors are being opened to adopt two sisters! Big sis is eleven and little sis is five! We are very excited!

Attachment and Love

For most of my kids attachment and love have been abused in relation to them. We do alot of different things to show them love.and attachment in a positive way. It's hard work though for us and the child but so worth it!! I love when I get a hug or a smile from one of my kids or when I see them making good choices!! Some of our methods are wacky and at times the frustration runs high but the rewards are huge!!!

Dx's

Our kids have many dx's{diagnoses} some of them mental health..some physical health. Adhd{attention deficit hyperactivity disorder}....odd{oppositional defiance disorder}...Bipolar...rad{reactive attachment disorder}..... ptsd{post traumatic stress disorder}..Autism...aids....cp{ cerebal palsy}...epilepsy....to just name a few. I promise I am going somewhere with this. One thing I have learned is you can't parent the disorder you parent the child!!! What this means for us is that we don't massage our nine year old with a vibrating massager to calm her because she has autism but we do it because it works....or we don't give our little ham medicine because she has aids rather we do to keep her healthy! Dx's are a necessary evil to qualify children for services however I refuse to let my.children be defined by a dx!! To do so would give them a excuse to give up! Children will only do what you expect them too and I expect them to soar!!