"Hair Help" provided once again...

In spite of all my reading and well intentioned preparation prior to Mercy and Odesco's homecoming, I am still learning how to manage their African locs...I must admit, this one area of caring for them has been one of the most challenging aspects of our transition. The Lord knew I needed help and over the past 3 years has sent Miss Hope, Miss Britt, and now another special friend Mrs. V, to assist me! A few weeks ago, after we removed the yarn extensions from Mercy's head, , Miss Britt graciously gave up a good part of her day to braid Mercy's natural hair (no extensions). Unfortunately, her hair was so knotted and snarled that there was only time for the front and sides to be put in a style. On Wednesday, I 'picked the brain' of my friend, Mrs. V who is quite experienced with ethnic hair ... she has had plenty of practical experience with 4 daughters and her own head :) She bravely invited me to come with all 4 'littles' for a day of hair care. Her hubby kept an eye on the kiddos(who played with their brood), as Mrs. V went to work. He even made snacks and dinner....I told him I felt like I was at an upscale salon :)!! We were there for 8 hours, and I was so blessed by their heart to serve this clueless Mama. How kind of the Lord to know just what I need, when I need it. Mrs. V was able to cut Odesco's hair without giving him a complete buzz, which is usually what we have to do when it gets this long. She showed me how to trim it with scissors first and then how to pick it out making it possible to use the clippers with the guard on. Odesco was thrilled to be leaving with hair on his scalp as he was anticipating a 'buzz'!! Mercy had her hair relaxed and Mrs. V painstakingly worked through all the knots and snarls like a pro. She trimmed off all the dead ends after she blew it dry and flat ironed it. Mercy was thrilled with her 'new look'. The most amazing thing is she can now actually get a comb through her hair with ease!! Enjoy the photos...

Look out Tina Turner....the eve before 'hair day'.

Yep...it was a desperate situation and once again, the Lord provided this clueless momma with much needed help.

Some of 'the girls' at the beginning of 'hair day'

The girls keeping busy...

12 year old Miss M attempted to prepare Mercy's head by combing out some of the snarls prior to Mrs. V applying the relaxer. We thought maybe Mercy would be a bit more cooperative with Miss M working the comb!

Miss.M with her adorable 18 month old baby sister~

These boys need a haircut!!! This is before Mrs. V put her hairstyling skills to work on DJ's and Odesco's heads! Notice how long Odesco's hair is...he is pulling the slack out of one of his curly locs!!

AFTER!!! What handsome fellows!!! (Odesco's forehead is still healing from the nasty knock he took a few weeks ago) Mrs V. flip flopped between working on Mercy's hair and the boys...she had a very productive hair day!

Oh, the drama!!...Step one...applying the relaxer

Blowing it dry and working out the knots! After this, she flat ironed Mercy's hair.

Miss M is keeping an antsy Mercy entertained during her trim

Mrs. V demonstrated the "wrap"...a new way to prepare Mercy's hair before bed...we put a cap on over this to try to preserve her new do.

Mrs. V and Mercy...they look like sisters in their matching shirts!
Thanks so much, Mrs. V for this day long labor of love!!!

Voila...Isn't she lovely?! :)

Wow, what a difference 8 hours makes!!

Now off to 'wrap' Mercy's hair before bed!!
With a grateful heart,