The Young Family Farm

Ok…may take me a bit to put our birthday fun into a slideshow for your viewing pleasure—if you want a sneak peak though…go look at my previous post to see our family birthday party. SO SWEET! Of course the Dentons and Aunt Nisia’s crew are always here—they ARE family to us! Aunt Nisia has not only been here for me from my first first day as a mommy–but she has been a constant saving grace in our lives and a constant Godsend. It doesn’t matter what you need or what she is doing–she is the kind of friend who drops everything and is always here for you. EVEN…when it comes to haircare;)

SO…as most of you know Aunt Nisia plays the role as godmother to our children—she ALSO does amazing hair…and even used to own her own salon! We love some Aunt Nisia at our house!

Now…I won’t share Aunt Nisia with you;)…BUT I will share what I learn from her! I know many of my blog readers are in the midst of or have adopted from Africa or here in the states. And for many of us, African hair can be quite a learning curve. BUT don’t let it be–because it can also be really fun:-). Now, Aunt Nisia says this…

1. All hair is different AND most people have more than one hair texture.

2. If you want it to grow–you need to keep it moisturized. To keep most African hair from drying out–a weekly wash will do, and immediately moisturize it after washing. Add daily moisturizer as needed.

You’ll want to steer clear of some of the high end moisturizers that just add build up to the hair. Also steer clear of relaxers and other products that have chemicals in them. (Aunt Nisia has given me strict order to put NONE of that in “her baby’s” hair;).

Wanna know Aunt Nisia’s favorite product and suggestion for children’s hair? Taliah Waajid products. These are natural hair care products–AND you can purchase these VERY REASONABLE priced products online OR you can find locations that sell them locally (many CVS, Targets and WholeFoods carry them!). Aunt Nisia says all you need is this: The Bodifier Baby Bundle. (Can you believe you can get all 3 for just $16!)

Use the Protective Mist Bodifier to loosen tangles, soften curl pattern and to keep the hair from breaking. The strengthener will keep scalp and hair from getting too dry (use at hairline to keep hair from breaking). Finally, Lock It Up will help define the curl pattern. [Aunt Nisia says our current regime is fine–but I think I’m sold on her recommendations and we’ll try Taliah Waajid natural products now!)

Last but not least…she said you just have to try hair wash…She said it just smells DELIGHTFUL!

Thank you Aunt Nisia for helping me with hair:). I love my baby boy’s curls…and I want to care for them well and enjoy them before he is too big to tell me he wants a buzz cut. Hope you all have a great Sunday. Stay tuned for a really sweet slideshow of pictures from our baby boy’s FIRST BIRTHDAY!

So…today was another crazy day–so I tried another day of my new version of cocooning;) (aka survival). I loaded all the kids up in the car and took them to this really fun kid’s place called PLAY here in town. I had never been—and oh my…I can’t believe it’s so close to me and I’ve been all summer without a visit. Isaac Temesgen stayed strapped to me in a wrap–and I was able to jump on the trampoline with Frank and swing him on my legs in the foam pit…while Parker and Laney just ran plum wild. THEN…I realized we’d have to leave for lunch–and we’d still have several hours until Rich got home. SO…instead of making my day easier and running straight home…I took a little inspiration from my crazy friend Kristi who always tells me she couldn’t have cocooned at home all day…and she is all about letting her older ones have some crazy fun. SO…I decided to try some the Johnson method. Which meant ONE stop on our way home. WALMART. And lemme tell ya…if you want water outdoor fun—now is the time to go!!! This is what we got for just $50!

I’m usually very “you can only buy what you have saved your money for” and “you may pick out one thing on the $0.99 aisle“. I wish you could have seen their faces when I started throwing in water guns, a baby pool, water bombs, kites, sidewalk chaulk…they were cracking up! It was actually pretty freeing;). So get this–the water guns that were regular $8 were only $2…the water bombs that were $5 for a huge container were just $1…the list goes on! And we got a whole lot of fun for just $50. That is one Walmart trip I don’t regret!

I wish I could say I just let them run wild right when we came home–but I’m still the nap nazi…so while the babies crashed after our busy morning (I’m liking the Johnson method today;)–the older two came up to read books. Then my precious friend Tricia knocked on my door to check on us. Thank you Tricia. She and my other Bible study girls are such a blessing to us right now. They have set up times to help us with laundry, grocery runs…and I have a horrible problem letting people help–and I am so humbled at their love and care of us. I have to confess these past few days HAVE been hard. I told Tricia I was TRYING to read David Platt’s book “Radical”. I just couldn’t do it though. I kept closing it and getting frustrated with it…and just honestly feeling “I’m tired of radical. Radical isn’t fun. Following God is just really HARD some times.”

I had just read some of the chapter before trying to sleep last night on the Holy Spirit being present and my Guide, my Comfort, my Helper. I know some people some times wonder WHERE IS HE? I mean, I asked the same thing during a sleepless night last night. As I sat down tonight–I looked beside me to see my hymnal opened to “Does Jesus Care?” Oh…the last line in that hymn was perfect for my night “When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares. Cast all your cares upon Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

So…last night my prayers were not answered in the form I wanted. My little one didn’t stop crying until 7:30am just in time for the other 3 to wake…and then he was out in a deep sleep until 10am. BUT He did show up today…

…email from my dad saying he sent in a letter to take Friday off…his boss approved. THEY ARE HERE NOW!!! I now have babysitters to stay with my kids all day tomorrow so I can take Isaac Temesgen to his physical therapy and my sister doesn’t have to come all this way as planned. DID I MENTION MY PARENTS ARE HERE?!
So…while having my prayers answered last night to have quiet would have been nice—I am SO humbled and thankful for the blessings I received today and such a reminder how my Savior cares. Off to bed…in Laney’s room (Richard is taking over tonight!). Wish you all a wonderful Friday! Can’t wait to fill you in on ITY’s first physical therapy session!!! I’m tellin’ you…it won’t be long and he’ll be running circles around us all!

P.S. On a REALLY funny note—Frank went to bed wearing a Valentine shirt with cupid on it. While I was rocking him tonight, Parker walked in all shakey because it is thundering. I told him the routine I always do–thunder can’t hurt you, there’s nothing to be afraid of…and he left to go back to bed. THEN he came back even more worried.