Eloise and hugs

​She isn’t super physical and I try to respect her personal space. But today I asked if she wanted a hug (bc I wanted one). She said she was fine. But I wanted one later again and asked her and she did. She hugged me and stayed a few seconds longer than a hug and I said thank you and she said “thank you” also. It was sweet. 

Eloise at the Botanic Gardens and with Ila

​I loved spending time with Eloise while we were watching Ila. Conley was at a camp. It was special to go the aquarium and follow Eloise’s lead. She was so helpful and eager to help with Ila; she pushed her stroller and held her a lot. Then Eloise wanted to go to the gardens too, so we did. It was just so pleasant. Kind of overcast, so a beautiful day. I love being able to follow what Eloise wants to do. 

What Conley is grateful for

​I asked him what he was grateful for before I prayed with him one night. He started singing the chorus of a song they learned in primary, with sign (from Joann Twitchell): “If I count to a hundred or a thousand I’m sure, there would still be more to be grateful for.” It was so so sweet. I love his singing voice. He is in pitch; he doesn’t seem to enjoy singing formally. But he’ll sing in the car or randomly. 

One earring

​Eloise is 9 now. Today I was looking at her, just feeling so much enjoyment from her child-ness. She had one earring in, and wasn’t worried about it. Her bangs are too long but she said no when I offered to trim them. Her legs are more muscle. She loves having me stop on Morrow so she can get out and run home. She went to a garage sale yesterday by herself while Joseph and I were separately gone for a bit, Conley with Joseph. She left a note on the threshold of the garage so we’d see it right when we came in. She bought jewelry with her birthday cash. My heart swells with pride and also fascination and curiosity imagining her asking how much the bracelets were, saying OK, paying, and walking home. She played with, held, and fed Ila while I babysat her today. I love her spirited, carefree nature. 

Eloise’s prayer for homeless people

​please bless the homeless people that they won’t be cold tonight or any other night or for the year or a century or their whole lives if they stay homeless. 

Long squeeze before school

​The other day Joseph was rushing them out the door before school and I was trying to help. Chaos with getting backpacks, socks, last bites, and so on. Joseph and Eloise were in the truck and Conley grabbed one more thing. And then came and hugged me and just holding. It felt like the world stopped. I had a tiny inclination the pat his back and say get going but thank goodness didn’t. It felt like he just needed a battery recharge and was going to stay there until he got it.  

Don’t fall off the bed

​I lay by Eloise at night, and if I’m too far on the edge of the bed, she pulls me closer and like pats my back and bum. She will say funny stuff like, “You have no space” or “Get your body more on the bed.” It’s so funny.