Our Transformation Secret Weapon!!

The transformation of our Elsie during this past year and a half has been astounding.  From the nonverbal, frustrated, scared, malnourished spit-fire of a little girl we started with to the spunky yet sweet little girl who can now talk your ear off and loves to sing in her distinctive mono-tone singing voice.  We've had a secret ingredient in this transformation... our Ms. Terri.  Ms. Terri invested a year of speech therapy into our Elsie and it was the most valuable, free-ing resource for our little girl.  When the pair started working together, Elsie would speak 'mama' and 'no'.  Which in reality was a pretty accurate snapshot of her life at that point.  Through games, and stories, and practicing letters, and learning to move her tongue and forcing her to 'use your words'.  Slowly the power of words began to ease the emotional roller coasters, to allow her brain to slow down and express herself.

 By the time our Ms. Terri left- she was hands down one of Elsie's most favorite people in the world.  Every black SUV belongs to 'Ms. Terri'.  A precious lady full of patience, laughter, joy and enthusiasm in watching our Elsie blossom.  

WORDS...can not express our gratitude for this gem of a lady!! 

Sweet Memories

Tonight, Kaleb and I ended up scrolling through 100's of pictures on my phone.  Which got me thinking.... oh, ya.  I used to have a blog.  A blog that served as our family journal capturing the crazy, the amazing and often the miraculous ways God provides.   So, with that- I'm back to unraveling these past few months.  It is crazy how much has changed in these past three months and a week.  A little over three months ago- our dear friends were still South Dakotans.  

And, our kids & Wes got the opportunity of a lifetime!!! 

 A pilot friend of ours took them for a ride of a lifetime.... 

 Oh, how I would love to have been in on that conversation!!! :) 

 A tour of the Black Hills....  

 Every kid sees Mount Rushmore for the 1st time up close in a plane, right?  

 Then, they swung by the house....  our house, that is :) 

 Next up... the little girls got their chance.  

 Cutest pair of co-pilots every!! 

So thankful for this precious opportunity with friends.  

Miss them lots... but know they're right where God needs them.  

Jubilee Weekend!!

Jubilee Days!!  

We finally made it with the kids.  It was definitely a fun weekend :) 

First up... the pool!!!  

Then, 

the big kids needed their traditional game of 'Beat Wes at RISK'.  

Andrew was blue. 

Wes was Red.  

At times, it looked hopeful.  

 And, then... not so much.  

 And, then.  Wes lost ;) 

 Meanwhile, Elsie worked on her coloring project.  The highlight of the project was coloring her nails, fingers and hands to match her drawing.  

 We found another parade too!! It was a fun one.  We got settled in then headed back to the car.  Because we still hadn't eaten the gallon of candy from the Belle Fourche 4th of July parade earlier in the week, we dumped our already full grocery sacks of candy in the car.  And, we were set to take in the next haul :) 

 Crazy Uncle Ryan with Pistol Pete.  

 And, lots of time just hanging out at Grandma and Grandpa's.  

They really do love that the most!! 

 We also headed over to the carnival too.  It was fun to see how much Kaleb has matured this past year.  Last year, he tried the 'Dumbo' ride.  He was scarred to death, put his head down and held on for dear life.  This time... he soared right through with a proud smile :)  

 The big kids did some crazy rides that made me sick just to watch.  Wes kept acting like he was still 17 including the 'Ride of Death' as he called it which involved locking himself in a metal cage that was flipping while the whole ride was spinning.  Oddly, his body reminded him he isn't 17 anymore for the next few days.  

 Uncle Ryan was pretty thrilled to take these two on the train ride.  So much, I think they he talked himself into it about 3 or 4 times :)  

 Wes and I got to do the ferris wheel which was fun!  I even forced him to open his eyes at the top :) 

It was great training for when we start hanging Christmas lights this winter!! 

 Meanwhile, Andrew had a 'turkey leg' however... I've shot a lot of turkeys in my day and well, that would be one big 'ole turkey and it oddly enough looked and smelled a lot like ham.  

 Back to the trains... this time, they let Sarabeth come with :) 

 Then, Kaleb told Elsie he was taking her on a plane ride.  And, he would take care of her 'just listen to me Elsie'.  

And, so she did.  They are the most precious little pair.  As the ride took off, he reached back and rested his arm on her shoulder.  She kept leaning into him as they chatted away through their ride.  Lots and lots and lots of smiles!!!!  LOVE these two kids!! 

 And, then Wes went on the swings.  So, I documented it.  Because the next time he says he can't get on the roof of the house because it is so high.  I'm going to remind him about the swings at the carnival, the 'Ride of Death'.  

 On our last morning in town, we took a quick trip over to the park.  

Ahhh, and there were fountains :)

Ultimate joy for Mr. Kaleb!!!

 Elsie thinks they're crazy fun too! 

If you know Elsie.... you know the sound of this picture.  

It is a clear, distinct, high pitched and very loud 'AHHHHHHHHHHHHH'!!!!!  

Yes, with five exclamation marks.  Because that is how Elsie rolls!