Today was the Day

It started out like any other day.

Breakfast.

School. Attempting to keep 3 little ones busy and 3 older ones on task.

Lunch on the deck, enjoying the sunshine.

Then, while I stepped inside for a moment, apparently a food fight with Cheetos ensued.

I rebuked all the children involved (and yes, it was the oldest three) and told them to clean up.

I'm not exactly why, but Johanna got upset.

Perhaps it was because I told her to sweep the Cheetos off of the deck.

Perhaps it was because she felt something wasn't "fair".

Perhaps it was simply because she's a young lady who just went through a tremendous life change and sometimes she just has an attitude.

Quite frankly, I'm not sure WHAT went wrong. But the rest of the afternoon she sulked and pouted, and treated Eliana poorly. Brent even had to rebuke her for the first time---she was pouting through dinner.

I worked with her as best I could, balancing love/gentleness/snuggles with "Mommy expectations" of kindness to others, even when we're upset. I really wasn't sure I was getting anywhere. I did reassure her that I LOVE HER, even if she has a "bad temper" and no matter what she does or doesn't do. I prayed and asked God for wisdom to reach the heart of this precious girl.

Tonight, after church, she came up to me unexpectedly, hugged me, and whispered, "Sorry."

When we got into the car, she told me, "Mommy, Johanna sorry to Ellie" (she had apologized to Ellie as well!). We all praised her and loved on her.

Then, when Brent and I went into the girls' room to kiss them good-night, it happened.

Johanna said, "Daddy, sit down!" He looked at me. ?? I shrugged my shoulders.

He sat down.

She ran up to him, gave him a hug, KISSED HIS CHEEK, and said "I love you, Daddy!"

Yes, dear friends, today was the day.

The day our daughter hugged, kissed, and told her Daddy she loved him.

All for the first time.

And to think, she was only 2 days away from NEVER having a Daddy to love her