Tuesday, August 31, 2010

The Bebes


Can I just say, "THANK YOU!" Thank you for your sweet phone calls and comments and emails. You encourage me in so many ways and I am so thankful for you.


Before I had that good cry last Friday, Sister and I did manage to cook a whole chicken. We diced onions and sauteed them in butter with garlic. We rinsed that chicken and Sister oohed and ahhed over the lack of "inner'ds." Her comments kept me laughing. This was the first time she'd intentionally touched a raw chicken. At first, it was only with one finger and a look of disgust.


We talked about the ways food can minister to others - and the importance and beauty of learning to cook.


We boiled that baby until it was falling off the bone. At which time we pulled it out, sliced it open, and began "picking it." Little Man wanted "in" on the action. We gave him the fat and bones. He was hilarious. Every time he stripped a bone clean, he'd hold it up and in his toughest manly man voice he'd shout, "Anoder bone!!!!"

And we did make homemade chicken salad. Did you know you can take the meat you picked off the bone and put in in your kitchen aid with the "beater" paddle, turn her on for a bit, and she yields the most wonderful consistency of shredded chicken for chicken salad? The Engineer's cousin shared this with me. I'm trying not to think about how many weeks of my life I've spent picking and hand shredding/tearing chicken.


Monday The Engineer was off work and it was wonderful to me, to have him see the way our days run.


He also kept Little Man occupied for part of homeschool. They worked on building more book shelves for the library. {That sounds so sophisticated...it's really the den, but once the shelves are up, we're naming it "the library."}


This outfit was killing me. Another benefit of homeschooling. I'm not sure my pride could take going out in this. But, I'm learning to swallow. {I smile.}


We had fun with this little activity. Sister was eager to read each page aloud and then had a blast decorating with stickers.


As we live and learn, I'm tweaking things...figuring out how better to run this wonderful task of homeschooling. This week, I went over our meal plan with Sister - expressly because I incorporated a planned snack into each day. This has eliminated fussing over what the children do and don't want to eat. It's simplified things.


Before this week, during "snack time" I bumbled around the office/homeschool room, putting up this and straightening that. This week, I'm using our snack time to read aloud. We're still reading through the Little House series. We're so close to the end. Little Town on the Prairie has touched my heart again and again. Mary is getting ready to leave for college and Laura is deeply aware of how much life will change without her dear sister at home. I keep thinking of my own sisters and of my girls and their relationship. I pray they love one another well and deeply, as Laura and Mary did.


In a moment of desperation I handed this wooden puzzle/shapes set to Little Man. He was occupied for almost an hour. Sweet.


And all of that brings me to today. I spent the early hours of this morning with Little Bit cuddled in my arms, rocking back and forth beside the humidifier. She looped one arm around my neck and sucked her middle two fingers on the other hand...for quite a while. She'd cough and then cry a little.

Meanwhile, Little Man had come downstairs and announced his throat hurt and he was sick. I gave him some water and a cough drop, but really thought he was hamming it up for some attention. I dressed him and sent him upstairs to get his shoes for school. He cried and told me he "couldn't." I took him in my arms and just as I began explaining that whining isn't acceptable, he threw up all over me and down the steps.

And I cried out, "Oh Lord HELP ME!!!" (I usually dry-heave when they're sick...) as I tried in vain to catch it while we ran to the bathroom.


After his bath, but before the next few uh, episodes, he grinned at me and said, "Mama, you were weally wong. I WAS sick."

So we were "that" family at the doctor's office, you know, the ones with the throw up bowl. It was like the parting of the red sea. Everyone moved as far away as they could. {I don't blame them!}


Of course, croup and throwing up aren't enough. Warrior had to leave his mark on the way out the door. I'm just thankful I could haul that one outside and scrub/hose it down!



Yes, her hand is in his mouth. He took her pretzel. And she was okay with that.

Oddly enough, despite the throwing up, this has been a good day. I have LOVED holding Little Bit. I haven't even minded having a snot soaked shoulder...because that's where she lays her sweet little head.

These days are rich. And good. And sometimes gross.

And God is so in the details. The mailman just brought the mail. What was in there? A handmade card with a handwritten note from a sweet friend. This is what she wrote:

"I made this card with you in mind, and I hope you get this on a day that you need some encouragement....I pray that this year will not only teach your children much, but also that it will provide many opportunities for the Lord to bless you and teach you through your kids. I hope you will (more than ever) experience the grace and love and blessings of God as you instruct those little ones."

Precious. Thank you sweet friend. And how awesome to belong to a merciful heavenly Father who knows our needs before we even ask.

Blessings to you on this day!

20 comments:

  1. Oh J...what a sweet sweet post! It's posts like this that make me love you more...so precious!

    You have had SO much going on there! Your precious little ones and their illnesses and "situations" and the way you write it all out with humour and grace...it is beautiful.

    SO sorry about the throwing up and the *stuff* going on there...but you are right...the LORD will give the needed grace day by day and moment by moment. AND through it all you bring glory to HIM...as you look to HIM for the strength to do it all FOR Him! How amazing that truth is!!

    I noticed a few things in your photos that I would like to comment on. You have a RED kitchenaid mixer...how FUN! AND that little Dick and Jane sticker book is one Emma has done before...the EXACT one! :)

    How wonderful that the little note arrived on just the right day...isn't God AMAZING?? HIS timing is PERFECT!

    Praying for you...
    With Love,
    Camille

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  2. What a day! all I can say at least you clean vomit up,I run away :)!

    I love the books sister is reading and happy to hear homeschooling is working out! Little Bit's smile is so precious,especially showing off her teeth!!!

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  3. Oh...and one more thing ~ I have the SAME "Little House" set...yellow ones...can't even buy them like that anymore. :)

    Love,
    Camille

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  4. Oh the tip about the shredded chicken is awesome! I'll have to try that soon!!
    I think my mom had the same throw up bowl/bucket, same color and size!
    I hope everyone starts feeling better!!
    I can't believe how tall Warrior is!! If Belle were that tall, he'd be feeding her all his food!

    Jake's grandma told him before we got married that "Sometimes you just have to let her cry." How true that is!! She was so wise.

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  5. I was thinking earlier that even on the hardest days the blessings still outweigh the trials!

    We love Laura and Mary.

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  6. Hope everyone is feeling better soon! Sorry you had the WORST messes to clean up in one day! You are a much better woman than I am regarding the dog. That is the one thing I am still holding out on- I just don't think I could handle that with everything else! I like them as long as someone else takes care of them:) I couldn't even take very good care of the hermit crab mom gave Briggs. Finally Rod "lost" him in the sandbox or maybe he set him free. Or maybe that poor crab saw his chance and decided he was better off fending for himself!
    Praying for your little ones to feel better and for everyone to have a good day tomorrow! Leslie

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  7. I remember being that kid in the doctor's office....I'll spare you the details.

    Your cheer despite all of the trials is quite encouraging. Will keep the little ones (and you!) in my prayers.

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  8. I am AMAZED at how calmly and graciously you deal with life's little upsets. These are the things that undo me!

    Your blog has been really encouraging to me--such a good reminder to see life in perspective (the good and the bad) and to focus on the prize. I've even incorporated a few of your homeschooling ideas for my little ones after school! :)

    Hope the rest of your week does NOT find you cleaning up more throw up!

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  9. When I started your post I was so excited to see "Dick and Jane!" I extend them partial credit for my ability to read (along with "The Poky Little Puppy," of course).

    And then I got to today...your attitude is so refreshing. I can't tell you how many times I've tiredly paced and rocked sweet little Priss, and while I'm ALWAYS grateful that she's in my life for me to even have the ability to rock her, wipe her nose, or even walk away while she's pitching a "fit;" I know it can wear. you. down. I always have to remind myself that these times aren't forever, and there will come a day (soon!) where she won't need me so much, and of course I'll long for these days. All this to say, I'm praying for sweet Little Bit and Little Man, and for their sweet, tough Mama!

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  10. It's so encouraging to read your words, the good mixed in with the bad. I can so relate to your crying out "Oh Lord help me." I only have one little one and feel totally overwhelmed at times, especially when he's sick.

    And thanks for the chicken salad tip. I will never shred by hand again!

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  11. J,

    I love see your day to days. I love the title of your last post.. where does my help come from?

    I am working full time again and it is so hard with babies. I only have one, and I am struggling balancing it all. Wanting to excel in everything. The sewing, the cooking, the cleaning, the mommying, the giving, the reading.. my lists goes on.

    I am slowly learning to drop it at the door. I go to bed with my sink full now. I let clean laundry sit on the floor for days. I mop twice a week when it really should be like every other day. At the end of the day rocking my baby and saying my prayers is truly my most prized accomplishments of the door.

    It is so hard though. Oh so hard.. Just like I heard the other day on Christian radio though. Noah even lived in filthy conditions while on that Ark for just about a year. The Lord took care of him and He takes care of us too!

    I don't always comment but I always stop by. I love reading.

    PS. I did make my chair cushions. You could so do it. I was pleasantly surprised with myself. I had no clue what I was doing.

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  12. J,

    I love see your day to days. I love the title of your last post.. where does my help come from?

    I am working full time again and it is so hard with babies. I only have one, and I am struggling balancing it all. Wanting to excel in everything. The sewing, the cooking, the cleaning, the mommying, the giving, the reading.. my lists goes on.

    I am slowly learning to drop it at the door. I go to bed with my sink full now. I let clean laundry sit on the floor for days. I mop twice a week when it really should be like every other day. At the end of the day rocking my baby and saying my prayers is truly my most prized accomplishments of the door.

    It is so hard though. Oh so hard.. Just like I heard the other day on Christian radio though. Noah even lived in filthy conditions while on that Ark for just about a year. The Lord took care of him and He takes care of us too!

    I don't always comment but I always stop by. I love reading.

    PS. I did make my chair cushions. You could so do it. I was pleasantly surprised with myself. I had no clue what I was doing.

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  13. So sorry that it's been stressful! What an example you are of God's grace. And I CANNOT believe how big the dog is! Oh my goodness!

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  14. My friend is beginning homeschooling this year too! Her struggles and successes sound very similar to yours! Reading about it piques my curiosity for when I start homeschooling Trey (years down the road)! Thanks for being so honest!

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  15. Oh J-this makes me wish I could come bring you a meal, have the kids over, come share coffee with you and let our kids run wild, or ditch the kids with the hubs and get 1...or more margaritas! You are an excellent wife, mother, and friend. DO NOT doubt yourself on that.

    You are in a new season that will be an adjustment and a process to learn. It may not come perfectly orimmediately, but I know you will get there. Keep fighting the good fight and remember it's OK if everything isn't perfect every moment of the day. If it was, what would we look back and laugh at and how would God complete His process of sanctification in us?

    I love you, my precious friend, and miss you dearly!
    Love you and praying you!
    Lindsey

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  16. BTW-I LOVE your comment that these days are good, rich, and gross! That does a good job of honestly summing up mothering young children!

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  17. One day, you will see the fruits of your labor my friend.
    And with any new season of life, there is that adjustment to finding a new normal. I'm trying to find this in my life as well.
    You are an awesome mommy.
    Hugs,
    Sarah

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  18. One day, you will see the fruits of your labor my friend.
    And with any new season of life, there is that adjustment to finding a new normal. I'm trying to find this in my life as well.
    You are an awesome mommy.
    Hugs,
    Sarah

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  19. Oh, the simple blessings.

    The trials are with a purpose, aren't they. Still tough, but ... thank heavens ... God is good.

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  20. What a week! Glad you are still alive and kicking! LOL!

    I hate throw up!!!

    Blessings my friend. you are a good mama and a good wife. God has blessed you and you know it.

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