I’m plowing through my to-do list and getting ready to head to Seattle tomorrow for The Refresh Conference. It doesn’t begin until Friday evening, but I’m flying over tomorrow to spend a little time with my parents, with my friend, Kathleen, and with Isaiah. I’m just a little bit excited to have Isaiah speaking with me on Friday night.
Toward the end of my session, I was planning to talk about how our adoptions have influenced our children and changed their lives (in both hard and good ways), and then realized that Isaiah would be sitting in the audience listening, so I invited him to come up and speak. He is good before a crowd and I’m quite sure people would rather hear my kids’ thoughts from one of my kids, rather than from me.
Yesterday was hard. A medical thing came up with Dimples, not a big thing, but I was taken by surprise and had questions about what was going on. I have to say, I am really bad at letting other people make decisions for my children. The protective part of me rises up and I have to work so hard not to say things I shouldn’t. I was seriously in knots all morning yesterday; all is well, it just stinks. I wish I could step back a little bit, but I’ve given six years of my life to Dimples and I can’t just instantly drop my mothering instincts. Like I said, it stinks.
On a completely unrelated note in this random post, I need recommendations of computer games for Eby and Little Man. My older kids had games that were on CD’s, not on the internet, so it was easy to control. Yesterday I dug some of them out, and my computer didn’t seem to have a clue what to do with them – I guess they are too old. I’m open to buying some games, or using games found online. They can earn 30 min. of computer time and my rule is no games that involve killing people. I miss the days of Putt-Putt and Treasure Mountain.
If you think of me, please pray that my nerves will be calmed, and that my talk will speak to the hearts of people. I’m trying to shorten it up a little bit to allow more time for Isaiah; it’s surprisingly hard to know what to cut.
One more thing, I was truly impressed with the insightful comments many of you wrote in response to our Tuesday Topic. Thank you – you are an amazing group of people.
Have a great day, friends.
Lisa
We downloaded a game called TimezAttack — it's a good game for practicing the times tables. Also, my kids enjoy a website called funbrain. LearningPlanet.com also has some learning games for kids of many ages. Mathisfun.com is another one. We also enjoy playing some word games that you can find at gamehouse.com — one is called "Text Twist" and another is called "Letter Linker." Kids would enjoy some of the other ones like "Word Worm" and "Wild Words."
As for your nerves, it's hard to imagine someone who deals with the joys, trials and stresses of every day motherhood of twelve being wracked with nerves over some adults listening to her speak. :) I'm sure you will do wonderfully, but I will pray for you anyway. I wish I were able to come see you speak. Alas, I'm stuck here in North Carolina — doing my every day thing.
Good Morning, Lisa! I am a long time follower of your blog and when I heard you were coming to speak so close to my home, I just cried! They were good tears, of course!! My husband and I are looking forward to this weekend so much and can't wait to hear the wise words from your heart. You are a gift to many! Safe travels and blessings on your time. P.S. I say don't cut anything out, I want to hear every last word you planned. :). – Cheryl
Cheryl, thank you so much for your kind words; what an encouragement you are to me. I look forward to meeting you in just a couple of days.
We like pbskids.org. There are lots of free games there. Its about the only website we use–just b/c it really the only one we've tried. But it works for us!
How nice that your son can speak with you! I'm sure his perspective will be extremely invaluable!! They are fortunate to have you both. Have a great weekend!
Thanks, Tisha. It's going to be special to have him with me. I'll be seeing you soon – Embracing Orphans Retreat in April!
check out http://www.bigbrainz.com/ you can play on-line but also download the software and play off line — it is great for teaching/reinforcing math skills and the graphics are the best of any 'educational' games I have seen. We have only played the free version but I am thinking of paying for the full version to get to different levels when the kids are sick of these scenes.
I mean if you would just move next door to me then I could play with your kids all day long and entertain them.
That sounds perfect, but you would have to move next door to me :-)
Oh it's so tempting. Heard about an internship site in Idaho. :-)
Starfall is a great site for fun and educational games. All levels.
oh, i do hope you're able to post his talk. i would love to hear his perspective…have a wonderful time.
The Lego website has some pretty cool games, too. Have a great time at the conference…I wish I wasn't so far away. I'd love to meet you and hear you speak!
Have you tried the Clubhouse and JellyTelly sites (with games available) from Focus on the Family?
I really, really wish I could come to the conference in Seattle. :(
Sorry to hear about Dimples… I would be out of sorts too.
Wishing so much we could go. Last night was wanting to get on a last minute flight. LOVE that your son is talking too! Praying this will refresh you as you bless so many with your words.
Oh wish we were going but we will meet and hear you in spokane. my kids love coolmath4kids
Is there anyway we can listen to yours and Isaiah's talk online? I would love to hear it. X
I believe the talks will be available on the Refresh website in a week or so. I'll post when they are up.
orisinal.com
cute games with no educational value, except maybe hand eye coordination :) The music is nice and calming- try the lady bugs one on the second row.
Will Isaiah be writing a guest post summarizing what he shared? Would love to read his thoughts.
Thanks, Molly. I don't know if I can get Isaiah to write a post – but it is a great idea! You can see his talk soon on the Refresh website.
My kids love poptropica.com