Everybody's

There was a huge breakthrough here today!  Since coming home from Ethiopia, our daughter has taken the complete opposite extreme from living in an orphanage where nothing was her own to claiming pretty much everything in our house as hers.  Especially with clothes and toys she's been real territorial, adamant that they are "(her name)'s!"  

This has driven my other kids crazy, in particular my 6 year old and 4 year old.  They have many times come to me distraught, "But, she thinks that's hers now!" when she's claimed something they really like.  I've had so many conversations with them assuring them that she is just playing with it right now and of course they will be able to play with it again and explaining to them that she has come from a place where she had nothing of her own.  But, it's made them be more territorial back to her, when they are typically pretty good about sharing their toys.

It's been one of the hard things.

But, today, my 6 year old daughter was playing dress-up with her new 3 year old sister, the 3 year old was claiming various things as her own.  And this time instead of getting upset and running to me about it, my 6 year old taught her sister the term "Everybody's!"  

And it's been magic!

All evening the 3 year old delighted in calling things, "Everybody's!"  And my other kids are a whole lot happier with that idea!

Praise God for progress!!!

__________________

In other household news, the 4 year old who has been saying for months he's going to be a pastor when he grows up has now informed us that he no longer wants to be a pastor when he grows up, he wants to be a clown!

"Wherever God leads you, Baby!  Wherever He leads!"

"Just remember when you're a clown to hook us up with some free circus tickets because those things are crazy expensive!"

__________________

Tonight after all the kids were bathed, my husband was laying on the bunk bed in our boy room quizzing the 8 year old on spelling words for his test tomorrow.  I didn't realize that's what they were doing in there and I came in with the 3 younger kids to read a story.  Kids were romping on the bed, there were discussions on the book selection, and just some general loud that often accompanies my children.

Then from his spot sprawled on the bed, my husband asked, "Why are there so many people in here?"

I had to laugh at him!  "What are you talking about 'so many people'?  This is your family!"

I think being in his private office all day has spoiled him and he comes home and has a bit of culture shock!

Six people does have a way of filling up a room, though!  Just remember it's "Happy Squished"!

Find more Finer Things Friday and Friday Fragments.