My Ebenezer

Speedy is feeling better, as I write he is in his bed for "naptime" – but he is taking a very LOUD nap. The more tired he is, the louder he talks to keep himself awake. I'm hoping he's going to crash here before long, he never did sleep yesterday.

He did great at the doctor's yesterday and only cried when he had to have a strep test. (it was negative) He got some antibiotics and a prescription for the runny nose and sore throat. The pharmacist told me that one of the prescriptions might make him very sleepy and I said, "WOO HOO!" But then he said, "Wait, you didn't let me finish. It could also make him not sleep good at all – since you celebrated, I can tell you which way this going for you," as he gave me an evil grin. He was right. If the meds make most kid sleepy, it makes Speedy speedier.

Last night, I put him to bed at 6pm since he didn't have his nap and was obviously very tired. (his normal bedtime is 7pm) I rocked him to sleep but he woke up around 8:30 and wasn't crying, but was kinda fussing and moaning some. I felt so bad for him. I finally got him out of bed and let him sit with us in the den. He was so tired he could hardly walk straight and he kept scratching his throat. He kept asking for what sounded like "pockle" but I couldn't figure out what he wanted. FINALLY, I got it. He was saying popsicle. What would most moms do at 9pm when their two year old is supposed to be sleeping? Frankly, I don't care what most would do. I gave my sweet boy a popsicle. His throat was hurting and it was fruit flavored…..

But that's okay, because for lunch today I gave him fruit again. A strawberry shake. He's just not eating very well with his throat hurting so I figure ice cream is as good as it gets. He kept taking a sip and then saying, "ummmmeeeeee".

On another note, Princess had to get FIVE FRIGGIN' shots today. She got so mad she started turning red and finally hit a shade of purple before we could get her to breathe again. Poor little princess. I just fed her and she is still pretty unhappy but now she's asleep and hopefully she'll stay that way for a while.

Tomorrow is Speedy's birthday party so I really hope he sleeps well tonight and is feeling better tomorrow. We got him an Elmo pinata (sp?) and it is HUGE. I think the all the kids will enjoy beating it, i just hope Speedy doesn't get upset when we start abusing Elmo.

Speedy had a runny nose last night and didn't sleep much at all. I couldn't get him to sleep for his nap today and his nose kept getting worse. This evening, he ran fever. Our first sickness. Poor baby, he felt so bad he just cried while Daddy rocked him – cried and cried and cried. We gave him medicine for the fever and the runny nose and tomorrow he'll go to the doctor. I know he has a history of ear infections, so I'm wondering if that's what is at the root of this.

He's asleep now, but I have a feeling it's going to be a long night.

Speedy had a runny nose last night and didn't sleep much at all. I couldn't get him to sleep for his nap today and his nose kept getting worse. This evening, he ran fever. Our first sickness. Poor baby, he felt so bad he just cried while Daddy rocked him – cried and cried and cried. We gave him medicine for the fever and the runny nose and tomorrow he'll go to the doctor. I know he has a history of ear infections, so I'm wondering if that's what is at the root of this.

He's asleep now, but I have a feeling it's going to be a long night.

Today is your second birthday and we are so honored to be able to celebrate with you.

You came into our lives almost two months ago and turned our world upside down. I remember the very first moment I laid eyes on you – your blonde hair and big blue eyes melted my heart immediately. Even then, when you were in a strange place, you were so busy and full of energy.

Your little life has changed so much in the last few months. I wish that you would have been brought straight to us after being removed from your first home, but you spent time in at least two other foster homes. Those foster parents said that you were "alot to handle" but we know the truth. You were just acting out until you found your way to us and we are so glad that you did.

You took to us immediately and were calling us "mommy" and "daddy" in the first week you were with us. You came with a love of Elmo, balls, bubbles and all things puppy. We watched you in awe those first few days and continue to do so now – we just can't believe how blessed we are to have you. One of the funniest things you did when you first got here was what we called your "happy dance". You would get excited about something and then march in place real fast while waving your arms and shaking your head side to side. It looked like you had too much energy to know what do with!

Your smile brightens my day every time I see it. In fact, just writing about it makes me smile. You are a happy child, despite circumstances that would make most children feel unsettled. Your laughter has filled our home with so much life and you have filled our hearts with so much joy.

Another big event for you in the past couple of months is the arrival of your baby sister. You weren't too sure about her at first, but now you really like to cover her with a blanket, help me feed her and put her pacifier back in her mouth. You call her "sissy" and worry when you hear her crying.

Your second birthday is a milestone for you and for us. We grieve the first two years of your life that we did not know you, but we are so happy that you are home now. We've been praying for you for a year now and we can see God's hand in your life and on your heart.

Speedy, we love you with all our hearts.

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

When we go to Target, which is almost daily, Speedy gets very excited when an announcement is made over the loudspeaker. He feels that whoever this person is, he/she must be talking only to him and so of course, Speedy replies. In his LOUDEST voice, he says, "Dah bluh blah blah bluh blah…." which is what it must sound like to him. It cracks me up every time. He goes on and on for at least five minutes "talking" to the loud voice.

On the rare mornings when I awake before Speedy, I find myself eagerly waiting for him to wake up. I can't wait to pick him up out of his crib and hold him in my arms – he's always so sweet and cuddly in the morning or after nap. At a time when I could be getting some things done, I end up going into his room several times to watch him sleep. To see if he's starting to stir and maybe getting ready to wake up so I can hold him and feed him breakfast and play with him.

Today, when I was waiting for him to wake up from his nap, I got to wondering if that's how God looks at us. Does He look down and wait for us to "wake up" so He can love on us and "feed" us? I'm sure He does. I know He is even more eager for the times we come to Him – to read His word, to sing praises, to spiritually "cuddle" with our Father. And when we are too tired or too busy for God, I know He does the same thing I do for Speedy when I walk into his room and cover him up with his blanket to make sure he's warm through the night.

Having children sure makes me have a greater appreciation for God's love for us. We are His children, afterall.

The hardest thing for me to do is to pray for Speedy and Princess’s bio parents. I pray that God protects Speedy and Princess’s future; that He brings people into their lives to teach them about His love; that He guards their hearts and minds; and that He keeps them with us forever. In the same breath, I try to pray for bio mom and bio dad.

It is so hard to be sincere when I ask God to bless them. When I ask God to help them turn their lives around. Half the time, I end up praying that God would give me a sincere heart and help me to really mean it when I ask Him to help them. But what does it mean to be a Christian? Am I able to live what I believe, even when it scares me to death? Even when it could mean that my heart gets crushed?

God’s grace is available to everyone. Aren’t we called to pray for unbelievers? Should bio mom and bio dad be excluded from that so that I can get what I want? I don’t think that’s what Jesus had in mind. But I gotta tell you, it’s hard. It’s hard to ask God to help them turn their lives around because if they turn their lives around, mine could be turned upside down. It’s hard to pray that they learn of God’s love and begin to believe in His saving power. If they start believing, then they might start making better choices, living better and become capable of taking care of Speedy and Princess.

And that scares me to death. But still I pray because it’s the only thing I know to do. Because it’s what I believe and I can’t keep talking about what I believe if I’m not willing to live it. God knows my heart. He knows how much we want to keep Speedy and Princess. But He also knows that we want what is best for them. We want His will for Speedy and Princess, even if that means they don’t become our forever children. We’ve prayed for His will for us throughout this process and now we have to trust God with our hearts – our Speedy and our Princess – and pray for His will for their lives as well.

I wondered before we got kids how having them would affect my relationship with God. It has taught me a lot about God’s love for me, but it has also taught me how much harder it can be to really trust God when you have kids. I mean, it’s one thing for me to believe God for my own life…..but can I trust Him with my kids? I can. I will. I have to.

Afterall, Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you [Speedy and Princess],’ says the Lord. ‘They are for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.’”

Your will, Lord. Not mine. No matter what.

This is gross so if you are easily disguisted, stop reading now.

Carrots are not a good thing to feed Speedy two days in a row. Especially if he eats lots of them because he REALLY loves them. Let’s just say that carrots can be identified in a diaper. And orange is not a good color for poo. And sticky poo that is hard to wipe off is just plain nasty. And orange sticky poo that leaks out the sides of a diaper just isn’t right.

Reason why I should get the “mother of the year” award instead of Brigitte:

Murphy’s law says that if you have a two year old and a 2 month old in a double stroller and you are walking through the mall about lunch time, you will almost certainly have to go poop. And if you find a handicapped stall that is just barely long enough for your double stroller to fit in, then your two year old will probably be in your face while you are going poop. And if, in an effort to distract him from playing with the nasty feminine disposal trash can, you give him toilet paper because he keeps looking at it with interest, you should be warned that if he is close enough to your backside, he just might try to mimic what you are doing with the toilet paper. And he might be very quick. And you might think it is disguisting, but so freakin funny that you can’t help but blog about it. Then everyone else will think you are disguisting too.

Thank you again for all of your prayers for yesterday. I was really nervous about going but it all turned out just fine.

Family court is a sad place to spend the morning. I saw several cases go before the judge, many where bio parents didn’t even show up. Often, no one even knew where to locate the bio parents. The saddest thing I watched was a woman who stood before the judge and was told that after two years of not seeing her children, she still could not see them and a TPR (termination of parental rights) date was set.

She walked back to her seat sobbing as she explained to her friend what the judge had said. My heart broke for her and for her children. I am sure there is a very good reason why she can’t see her kids; based on a little of what I heard, I am confident that “the system” served those kids well yesterday. But it was still sad. Unbelievably sad.

There is a whole other part of our society that most of us don’t even know exists. Or we pretend it doesn’t. There is a post here and one day I’ll write it, but today I want to tell you about our case.

Toolman got to meet the court appointed attorney for the kids in the hallway. He introduced himself to her and she immediately asked how they were doing. Her second question to toolman was, “are you a legal risk home?” Brien told her that we were but we realize that right now this is straight foster care. She said, “yes, but are you looking to adopt?” And he told her we would LOVE to adopt these kids, if they flip for adoption. She smiled and said good.

I don’t know if all attorneys ask that question immediately or not. But I’m believing that she doesn’t expect these kids to go back to their bio parents, just like all the caseworkers don’t expect it to happen. Woo Hoo!

The judge blessed the plan, talked about how important it was to start some of the steps immediately and set the next court date for late July. So we know we have them until then. There is a long list of things that must be done in order for them to even have a chance at getting their kids back. It’s going to be tough for them to do and I feel horrible hoping that they can’t or won’t do it; but I love these kids.

All in all, it still looks very good for adoption. The judge left the primary goal as adoption and that is a big deal.

We’re pleased. The bio parents are angry/upset that Speedy calls us mommy and daddy – I explained again that this is what we’ve been told to do. That kids his age need to call someone mommy and daddy on a regular basis. I think things are going to start getting ugly.

Please pray for Speedy. It is him I am most worried about. Pray that he is not upset by visits and that he continues to feel safe, secure and loved in our home. I’m afraid of what bio parents may start saying to him at these visits. I am trusting God to intervene in a HUGE way.

Speaking of Speedy, his cartoon time is running out and I think he’s finished his milk so I better go see what he’s up to.

Not much happened at court today. We did not get put on a fast track, but we knew that was highly unlikely.

Birthparents have a long laundry list of items they must complete and we go to court again at the end of July. It was interesting and I’ll tell more about it but I don’t have time to write it all now. All is well. Thank you for your prayers.

Okay, tomorrow is our first court hearing. It is the second for the family, but our first to attend and we are NERVOUS! We are praying that Speedy and Princess are put on a “fast track” – please pray that with us. We aren’t sure what time our case will be called, it could be 10am or 2pm or anywhere in between. So, we’ll be sitting at the courthouse with the birthfamily for that entire time.

It’s a long shot that they will be fasttracked but we are asking for it anyway. Remember, with God all things are possible.

We are still praying that bio mom and bio dad will voluntarily give up their rights. We really are asking a lot, aren’t we?

Please pray with us for Speedy and Princess to be put on a fast track. Please also pray for Toolman and I – that we would be bold and courageous and speak the truth, even when it might fall on deaf ears. Pray that we will continue to be the hands and feet of Christ, not just to Speedy and Princess, but also to their birthfamily.

We’ll let you know how it goes.

Princess did wonderfully in her nusery last night. She slept from 11pm until 5am and I’m hoping that tonight she’ll stretch that even a little more! SPeedy has also adjusted to his new room with no problems. I thought it might take him a while to remember that was his room, but he seems to know right where to go for bed time.

Yesterday, I told Speedy we were going to the park. (there is one just about 4 blocks from our house) We went outside and when I tried to put him in the car, he got upset. I explained that we were going to the park but he still protested. Finally, as I was strapping him in, I said, “Speedy, we are to the park….you know, to slide and swing and climb…..it will take us a couple of minutes to get there. Remember? We went before…we walked last time but mommy is lazy so we’re driving today.” And he responded with, “yeah”. I think he was saying “yeah” to the “mommy is lazy” part. ha ha ha

Princess did wonderfully in her nusery last night. She slept from 11pm until 5am and I’m hoping that tonight she’ll stretch that even a little more! SPeedy has also adjusted to his new room with no problems. I thought it might take him a while to remember that was his room, but he seems to know right where to go for bed time.

Yesterday, I told Speedy we were going to the park. (there is one just about 4 blocks from our house) We went outside and when I tried to put him in the car, he got upset. I explained that we were going to the park but he still protested. Finally, as I was strapping him in, I said, “Speedy, we are to the park….you know, to slide and swing and climb…..it will take us a couple of minutes to get there. Remember? We went before…we walked last time but mommy is lazy so we’re driving today.” And he responded with, “yeah”. I think he was saying “yeah” to the “mommy is lazy” part. ha ha ha

I realize this is the third post in a row but I have a lot to catch up on!

Although I haven’t decorated it yet, Speedy is sleeping in his new room tonight! And so is Princess! She is sleeping in her baby bed in the nursery for the FIRST time since we brought her home. I’m praying it’s a good night for us all. LOL

Working away from home all day Thursday and Friday was more difficult than I thought it would be. I LOVE what I do and enjoyed the opportunity to be in front of a live class again for a couple of days but I missed my kiddos.

I expected to be exhausted when I came home and just worn out from working all day and then chasing kids all evening. I don’t think I was any more tired than I am on regular days when I’m at home, it was just a different kind of tired. Believe me, staying at home with a newborn and a two year old is definitely work! (but it’s fun, too!)

What bothered me wasn’t how tired I was but how little time I had with Speedy and Princess. By the time I got home at about 4:30pm or so, I had an hour before we started our evening routine. Speedy eats at 5:30, plays for a short time, takes a bath, brushes teeth, reads a book, sings a song, says prayers and then goes to bed by 7pm. So I had about 2 and half hours with him when I got home. That just isn’t enough.

I couldn’t imagine only spending 2-3 hours with my babies every day during the work week. They grow so fast and are only small for such a short time.

For me, staying at home is the right thing. I consider myself incredibly blessed that I have the opportunity to do so.

Thankfully, Toolman took the kids to the visit this week since I was working! It was nice to have a week off from than insanity.

While he was there, someone told Speedy to go to his daddy and Speedy smiled, pointed at Toolman and said, “Daaa eeeee” as he reached for him. Obviously, this is not what they were going for.

“Granny” was upset and asked what Speedy calls us. Toolman told her and she was even more upset. He explained that at this young age, it is important for Speedy to call us mom and dad. And that is what we’ve been told in our training.

In an interesting turn of events, Gramps told toolman that he could tell Speedy was really being loved.

We go to court this coming Tuesday and I’m not sure what, if anything, we’ll learn. I think this court appearance is really just for the judge to “bless” the current plan for the parents and lay out a timeframe or something. I don’t know. I’m not sure if this is even when it could possibly happen, but the absolute BEST that could happen on Tuesday is that the judge decides to fastrack both Speedy and Princess which could have both them eligible for adoption in as little as four months. That’s what we’re praying for. With God, everything is possible.

Toolman did an incredible job with the kids today – he enjoyed being with them all day even though it was a little hectic. He saw Speedy “playing” with a bag of chocolate Easter eggs but was busy changing Princess’ diaper. He wasn’t worried because he knew the bag wasn’t open.

Little did he know, SPeedy has the same desire for chocolate as me! Toolman kept hearing him say “Bite…..bite” and then when he looked over Speedy was covered in chocolate! Of course, this happened as he was getting ready to leave for an appointment! Then on his way out, the dogs got loose!

All in all, he had a great day and got to spend good quality time with the kiddos! He even cooked a fantastic dinner and got some laundry done! I love my husband!

I enjoyed my day as well but was surprised at how my heart ached to be with my family. I called a dozen times just to see what they were up to!

Princess slept through the night again last night – PRAISE GOD! I can handle an hour of fussing if she sleeps through the night.

Tomorrow, I am off to work – a real day’s work! I have to teach all day tomorrow for onsite class here in town. Actually, it’s tomorrow and Friday. Brien will be here with the kids all day tomorrow and I can’t wait to hear about their day!

I’m excited to do a live class; it’s been a long time since I’ve done one that wasn’t online. I’m looking forward to it but know that I will spend a good part of my day wondering what the kids are up to.

Speaking of the kids, Princess sure has developed an attitude. When we first brought her home, she hardly ever cried. SHe would fuss a little when she was hungry, but nothing major. I think she pitched her first fit tonight. She woke up from her evening nap and started to fuss – I guess I didn’t get to her fast enough because before you know it she was really screaming. While I was fixing her bottle, she had the full-mouth-open-chin-quivering-cry going on and I was trying to hurry but also kinda laughing at her. She’s cute even when she screams.

At least for the first few minutes. After a few minutes of that screaming crying nonsense, it gets old. I tried to feed her but she wouldn’t settle down enough to eat – what’s up with that? :-/ I tried everything but she just kept on fussing and crying. At one point when I leaned her back to try and feed her, her face turned deep red and she started wailing. Guess she wasn’t quite ready to eat afterall. >:>

After almost an hour of trying to calm her, she FINALLY relaxed and then was ready to eat. I’ve been thinking what a sweet, calm, good baby we have. I think maybe her adjusted age (2 weeks) is catching up. She was all sweet and calm because technically she should have still been in the womb. o:) I’m afraid now that all heck is breaking loose. :0

Either that, or she was spoiled ROTTEN because SOMEONE held her all afternoon for her nap. Just kidding, H! I loved that you held her while I got a quick nap in!

Anyway, I had a heart to heart with Princess and she promised not to pitch another fit………at least not tonight.

To Whom It May Concern:

When I am not around, not paying attention or am otherwise occuppied, please feel free to appropriately discipline my child.

However, when I am watching, please know that I am responsible for Speedy’s discipline and take it very seriously. If he is doing something he shouldn’t be doing, I promise I will address it. In fact, you’ll be amazed at how quickly I’ll address it if you’ll just back off for a minute.

Speedy doesn’t need everyone jumping on him and fussing at him – believe me, we are enough. Let us be the bad guy. You be the fun visitor. Enjoy him and give us room to discipline our way. We realize that you may at times, out of habbit, start to correct him when we are there. It’s okay. But when we say something like, “I’ve got it” please take the hint and step away from the child.

It’s not that we don’t want you to ever discipline Speedy – if we aren’t around we expect and encourage you to! But when we are paying attention, please …. PAAAHHHLLLLEEEEAAASSSEEE just step back and let us do things our way.

Sincerely,

Parental Management

PS – this is not directed at anyone in particular. Okay, yes it is. But that person does not nor will not ever read this blog. LOL!

Princess had her upper GI this morning and the guy said she looked great! He said that she very well may have reflux, but it isn’t severe or he would have seen it today. Praise God! I’m so relieved!

Speedy and Princess have both been evaluated and they are both developmentally on target. I could have told them that – our kids are geniuses. LOL!

Tomorrow, I have to teach a class so Toolman is taking off and keeping BOTH kids ALL DAY! I can’t wait to hear how his day goes – I know he will do a great job!

Friday is the same but Granny will come and stay with the kids. Friday night I’m going to the rodeo with Brigitte and I can’t wait for our girls night out. Busy week. This weekend I’m hoping we’ll work on Speedy’s new room so everyone who has said they want to help, can you be here Saturday? Call me!

Oh my. Princess hasn’t slept through the night again yet but I don’t even care. Funny how your priorities change. It appears as though she has GE Reflux – the doctor seems to think it is pretty severe. I have to take her to have an upper GI done this week – poor little thing.

She gave me quite a scare yesterday when she got choked on her vomit. Sorry, i know that’s gross but it was so freakin scary. I was about 3 seconds from calling 911 when the little “bulb thing” finally started to work and she was able to breathe again. We have to go back again today so he can listen to her lungs – he wants to be sure nothing got in there.

Meanwhile, we’re on a different kind of formula and we have to hold her upright for an hour or so after we feed her. The new formula seems to be doing better already. We’ll see. It totally sucks when your little tiny baby is sick.

Good news is that she has gained almost another pound! That little lady is almost 8lbs already!

Last night Princess slept for NINE hours! That is ALL NIGHT, friends! Woo HOO! As excited as I am, I have to say I was also freaking out when Toolman told me that this morning. (it was his night last night)

He said he kept waking up on the hour to check on her. He finally woke her up at 5:30am this morning to feed her. I’m not naive enough to believe it will happen again tonight, but I have great hope that we are getting there! She’s only 7 weeks old and her adjusted age (based on her mom’s due date) is only 2 weeks old.

I know we’re supposed to use the adjusted age for development and stuff but I don’t know about the whole sleeping thing. All I know is we have to get the other crib put together so that we can get Princess moved into the nursery and out of our room. I think I’ll sleep better that way.

But that means getting Speedy’s new room ready which will involve painting and I’m just not sure when we’ll get to do all that. Any volunteers?

Last night Princess slept for NINE hours! That is ALL NIGHT, friends! Woo HOO! As excited as I am, I have to say I was also freaking out when Toolman told me that this morning. (it was his night last night)

He said he kept waking up on the hour to check on her. He finally woke her up at 5:30am this morning to feed her. I’m not naive enough to believe it will happen again tonight, but I have great hope that we are getting there! She’s only 7 weeks old and her adjusted age (based on her mom’s due date) is only 2 weeks old.

I know we’re supposed to use the adjusted age for development and stuff but I don’t know about the whole sleeping thing. All I know is we have to get the other crib put together so that we can get Princess moved into the nursery and out of our room. I think I’ll sleep better that way.

But that means getting Speedy’s new room ready which will involve painting and I’m just not sure when we’ll get to do all that. Any volunteers?

I put Speedy down for a nap yesterday and listened to the monitor as he talked and sang for a while. He’d be in there for about 20 minutes when I heard him saying, “Uh – Ohhhh….UUUUH OOOOHHHHHH”. I thought, “UH OH” something isn’t right here. I went to his room and cracked the door open and found him standing in his crib without his diaper. His diaper was on the floor and he was looking at me like he knew he was in trouble.

I tried my best not to laugh as I scolded him for removing his diaper and I was putting a new one on him, I noticed his socks were wet. Only one thing could have made his socks wet. So I got to change the sheets and wash his blanky and everything since he peed in his bed. I wish I had a video monitor so I could have known if he peed immediately after taking his diaper off or if it happened later.

I put him back down and went in the other room and laughed. Guess we won’t be putting him down in just a diaper anymore…………………………

I put Speedy down for a nap yesterday and listened to the monitor as he talked and sang for a while. He’d be in there for about 20 minutes when I heard him saying, “Uh – Ohhhh….UUUUH OOOOHHHHHH”. I thought, “UH OH” something isn’t right here. I went to his room and cracked the door open and found him standing in his crib without his diaper. His diaper was on the floor and he was looking at me like he knew he was in trouble.

I tried my best not to laugh as I scolded him for removing his diaper and I was putting a new one on him, I noticed his socks were wet. Only one thing could have made his socks wet. So I got to change the sheets and wash his blanky and everything since he peed in his bed. I wish I had a video monitor so I could have known if he peed immediately after taking his diaper off or if it happened later.

I put him back down and went in the other room and laughed. Guess we won’t be putting him down in just a diaper anymore…………………………

I just typed this really long post about King Jehoshaphat and our visit today and blah blah blah….and the server went down and it didn’t get saved. Dang! So here’s the short version:

• visit went fine today
• I’m struggling with visits; they make my stomach hurt
• Speedy did fine today
• I’m think my struggle is really just about fear
• only thing that makes me feel better is to focus my eyes on the cross
• Verses I’m leaning on now:

I can’t bullet these, that seems sacreligious somehow: 2 Chron 20:17 17 You won’t have to lift a hand in this battle; just stand firm, Judah and Jerusalem, and watch GOD’s saving work for you take shape. Don’t be afraid, don’t waver. March out boldly tomorrow — GOD is with you.” (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

Things that are different since the arrival of Speedy and Princess:

• Bedtime used to be around midnight, now it’s no later than 9pm
• Fast food was a staple in our house, now it is a delicacy (ha ha ha)
• Restaurants were visited a couple times a week, we’ve been to one in the last month
• laundry was done every two weeks, now we do at least one load, sometimes two, every day
• Dinner was eaten in front of the tv, relaxing on the couch; now we sit at the table and scarf our food down so we can feed/change/bathe/clean up after/chase/correct/play with/love on/teach/read to/laugh at the kids
• “Me time” ocurred daily now I can’t really remember what it is
• I used to take naps almost daily – okay, so not EVERYTHING has changed

Lots of things are different now. But I wouldn’t trade any of it. REmember when I was a little sad about not having a baby for Christmas? God knew, friends. He knew. Little Princess wasn’t born yet so the timing wasn’t right. I’d wait a thousand Christmases for Speedy and Princess. Wait on God; it’s ALWAYS worth it.

Prayer Requests:

Tomorrow we have another visit; it is already looking better than last weeks but please pray for Speedy. He understands a lot more than we give him credit for and I worry about how these visits affect him. Please also pray for me, that I would be filled with God’s grace and able to reach out in love to Speedy’s mom and dad…..and yes, even to gramps if he is there, too.

 

Things that are different since the arrival of Speedy and Princess:

• Bedtime used to be around midnight, now it’s no later than 9pm
• Fast food was a staple in our house, now it is a delicacy (ha ha ha)
• Restaurants were visited a couple times a week, we’ve been to one in the last month
• laundry was done every two weeks, now we do at least one load, sometimes two, every day
• Dinner was eaten in front of the tv, relaxing on the couch; now we sit at the table and scarf our food down so we can feed/change/bathe/clean up after/chase/correct/play with/love on/teach/read to/laugh at the kids
• “Me time” ocurred daily now I can’t really remember what it is
• I used to take naps almost daily – okay, so not EVERYTHING has changed

Lots of things are different now. But I wouldn’t trade any of it. REmember when I was a little sad about not having a baby for Christmas? God knew, friends. He knew. Little Princess wasn’t born yet so the timing wasn’t right. I’d wait a thousand Christmases for Speedy and Princess. Wait on God; it’s ALWAYS worth it.

Prayer Requests:

Tomorrow we have another visit; it is already looking better than last weeks but please pray for Speedy. He understands a lot more than we give him credit for and I worry about how these visits affect him. Please also pray for me, that I would be filled with God’s grace and able to reach out in love to Speedy’s mom and dad…..and yes, even to gramps if he is there, too.

Almost every morning, we venture out somewhere. To Oma’s, to Granny’s or to Grammie’s usually. Sometimes we go to a store for a quick errand, just to break up our morning. Today, I took both kids by myself to the grocery store. I was as prepared as any mommy could be – diapers, wipes, bottles and a snack for Speedy.

I’ve already figured out that when I take both kids somewhere by myself, the place has to have shopping carts or I must have my double stroller. I parked near a shopping cart, got out and got both kids settled. With Speedy in the front and Princess in the cart (in her carrier) I was all set. As soon as we walked in, I gave Speedy his snack to occupy him. A little cup full of Goldfish crackers, which he loves. Instead of eating them, however, he dumped them all over the floor.

So what’s a mom to do? Surely I’m not expected to pick up all the goldfish off the floor, though that would be the polite thing to do. I didn’t want to pretend it didn’t happen so I walked over to a worker and told her what happened. SHE ROLLED HER EYES AT ME! I know she must have been thinking, “you’re one of THOSE moms”. I couldn’t believe she didn’t even try to hide her disdain – it made me laugh out loud.

Thankfully, I had a secret stash of animal crackers in the diaper bag so Speedy still got a snack and I managed to get everything on my list. Including the Diet Cokes. About the time I get to the check out line, Speedy is ready to get out of the cart and Princess starts to wail. After simultaneously putting the pacifier in Princess’s mouth and making Speedy sit down, I start to unload all my loot onto the checkout stand. I grab the diet cokes and drop them, sending a few cans rolling around the floor. I’m a bit frazzled as I bend over to pick them up when I suddenly notice a breeze in a place it shouldn’t be. Not only did everyone in front of me get to watch me scurry around picking up diet cokes, they also got to see a side of me few are exposed to. This, thanks to the -15lbs and the pants that are too baggy.

The pants are already in the trash can. I can’t believe I showed crack at Krogers.