Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Next update...Haddie Hope

Home 10 months...and she is ALL that!

When I express to you that she is "all that" I mean the "all that" which comes with a bag of chips. From the looks she gives to the swagger of her walk, this girl can exude some serious confidence. For that, I am thankful. Knowing it is God who has given her inner strength to persevere and survive the last seven years of her life. I don't believe that the last seven years were horrible years, but significant pieces were missing that would leave a void for any child.

Gracious
Upon receiving her very first bag of Halloween goodies.
Her response was, "I don't like chocolate." The giver responded, "I'm sorry Haddie, if I would have known that I would have given you some different treats." Haddie says, "That's okay, thank you". Later we discussed a gracious response would have been a simple "thank you". Yet, she then came home and took her chocolate goodies and separated them into piles for her brothers.
Thoughtful
Haddie is a very thoughtful little girl. Looking for ways she can help with such an eager spirit. I have to remind myself when she is always underfoot that she simply wants to help. She is often asking me, "Can I help you?"
Hard Working
Think about where Haddie was 10 months ago. She transitioned to a completely different culture with a totally new language into a strange family, who looks strange, acts strange, smell strange...you get the picture. I forget what a short time 10 months is because she has adapted so well. She understands most everything that is communicated. The vocabulary that she uses is really amazing. Some expressions you will catch her saying:
"What the world?" (What in the world)
"Seriously."
"Are you kidding?"

"I so exciting" (I am so excited)

Her desire to learn is seen in how she watches people, and her desire to do her school work. Lately, she has expressed a strong desire to do things independently. She took her 2nd spelling test today on sight words and got them all right:


(tag was a bonus word and the "p" on play was a correction of her form)
She has begun reading, which has been so amazing for me as a mom. I have never had the privilege to teach any of my children to read. Seeing that light bulb go off and the sounds connect as they begin to read their first sentences and books makes me wonder if I am more excited about it than Haddie.

click here to view Haddie reading

Joyful

Haddie's smile lights up the world. I don't know that I will ever meet a happier girl. Dancing and singing through grocery store aisle without a care in the world. Sometimes I have to stop and laugh, and she will say to me, "I so exciting." I believe joy like that only comes from God.

Difficult

Haddie is not difficult, but there are days and moments that are. Learning can be difficult sometimes. Haddie can hit a wall and shut down if she doesn't know an answer. She can lock up for minutes or sometimes she is frozen for the entire day. Those times can be hard. We are learning to push through them together. I want her to know I am for her, and not against her, and I will stay with her until she gets it. Like yesterday when it took 20 minutes before she could remember when you add zero to a number the number stays the same. Today we have laughed about 18 + 0 = 18 many times, but yesterday when she and I both were almost in tears it was not funny.

But making it...

10 months! Life around here is not easy. Most days bring something that makes me run to my Savior and hold on for dear life, and that's okay because the One that I hold on to is Faithful and Strong.

Psalm 145
9 The LORD is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.
10 All your works praise you, LORD;
your faithful people extol you.
11 They tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might,
12 so that all people may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures through all generations.

The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises
and faithful in all he does.
14 The LORD upholds all who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.
16 You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and faithful in all he does.
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.

1 comment:

  1. Amy...
    I just had to comment on this post :).
    I've been reading your blog for a while (I got the address from Jillian long ago) but I don't believe I've ever commented :).
    This was an awesome post...so beautiful to read :).
    Haddie is SUCH a special, sweet girl...she has such energy and joy. She's so much fun to be around! I am SO blessed to be able to work with her...I truly look forward to seeing her each week.
    The progress she has made in the 10 months she has been home is amazing. And...the progress she has made in her speech and language skills over the past nine months is astounding to me. She is SO eager to learn and is SUCH a bright, hard working girl. SHE is teaching me so much about kiddos in general and HOW to be a better teacher.
    You work SO hard with her at home...your dedication is evident in her extensive progress. You deserve major kudos for that! I am sure it's not always easy.
    I just wanted to let you know how special Haddie is to me...and how much I do truly enjoy working with her, and you as well.
    SO...thanks for allowing me to be a part of your lives :).

    ~Rachel Brunner

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