tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76278233834309000252024-03-13T00:53:31.288-05:00Wanting What I Have...First and foremost, I have been bought with the blood of my precious Redeemer and Savior. Second to that, I am a wife and stay-at-home mom. I share life with my incredible husband, the Engineer, our three precious children, Sister (8), Little Man (5), and Little Bit (3), and our dogs, Scout and Warrior! I am hopelessly flawed, sinful to my core, and eternally thankful for God's faithful work of sanctification in my life.Wanting What I Havehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711989381690050970noreply@blogger.comBlogger484125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627823383430900025.post-33690182022882414352015-08-10T09:45:00.000-05:002015-08-10T09:59:30.293-05:00These Are the Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I flipped through my Instagram feed early this morning and my heart sank a little. These days are so quickly becoming years…and I haven't done as good a job documenting as I'd like.<br />
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The babies, especially, seem to be changing so quickly and in the frenzy, I don't see it…until I flip back through pictures.<br />
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And…we set the Engineer's grandmother up on Instagram so she could see the day to day, but it isn't the same as the good ol' blog. And she loves the blog!<br />
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It's a rainy morning here. My head is throbbing and my throat sore. I wonder if my baby girl hasn't shared whatever the bug is that's caused her fever these last four days.<br />
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She and Henry are sitting with me, pretending to type.<br />
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The last fifteen months have been a blur…survival in many ways. {insert laugh}<br />
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It's bizarre to think that a mere three years ago I was aching for a baby and now our quiver is spilling over. My how life has changed!<br />
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Little Bit turned six at the end of June!<br />
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She's every bit full of spunk and marches to the beat of her own drum. Her outfits kill me! (Today: a hot pink visor, navy ruffled tank, purple leggings, and pink cowboy boots…) She's such a sweet gift.<br />
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I think this one will be our spitfire. Her favorite word: "NO!"<br />
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And these two together…monkey see, monkey do. I cannot keep up with them. They tag team. From drinking out of the toilet (with cups!!!) to emptying book shelves, to dipping my makeup in the toilet, to flooding the kitchen, to rolling the vacuum down the steps, to sneaking all the icing off the cupcakes, to throwing a pot full of potting soil on each other's heads…one gets pink eye, the other gets pink eye. If one carries a purse, the other carries a purse. He stands to potty, she insists she too, will stand to potty. (Eventually she will catch on!) They brush each other's teeth, with their own toothbrushes! They wear each other's shoes - usually on the wrong feet! They rummage through the garbage. They love poor Scout…nearly to death. They color on the walls. They are a mischievous duo. I wouldn't trade 'em for anything! We are so totally in over our heads!!!<br />
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Sister turned eleven a few days before Little Bit turned 6…we celebrated both girls after the fact at our dear friends' pool. The girls and I made and decorated the cake. We were pretty pumped with the outcome. {smile}<br />
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Over the summer, Henry went from sheer hysteria at the mention of getting into the pool, to jumping off the side into the water. He's come such a long way!!<br />
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Baby girl is a DARE. DEVIL. in the water. All summer long she jumped off a 3' tall ledge into the water. No fear. The scary kind of no fear.<br />
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Henry has mastered the tricycle. He cracks me up in that helmet!!<br />
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And he has nailed his head more times…ugh. That stage of toddlerhood…er…defiant boyhood.<br />
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Spit. Fire.<br />
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The Engineer is back in class at work…and still making/repairing/building things on the home front.<br />
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Sister had lots of adventures over the summer and is maturing into such a precious young lady. She's a huge help and blessing to me.<br />
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We spent the Fourth at the lake with my grandfather and his precious new bride. I grew up going there as a child and it was so sweet to get to re-live and share some of those memories with our children. Sparklers on the dock, fresh watermelon, homemade peach ice-cream, etc.<br />
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We did a lot of swimming and jumping off the dock.<br />
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Little Man wanted to take the canoe out solo…The Engineer gave him a list of things he had to prove he could do before he'd be entrusted with such responsibility. He did every single thing on that list. Blew us away! And he took the canoe out again and again and again. Our last morning there, he got up before everyone else, got the entire den picked up, his things packed, and had the canoe in the water before 7am. This is the stuff boyhood adventures are made of.<br />
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We've played lots of tinker toys and legos over the summer...<br />
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Baby Girl has refused the high chair. She and Henry have taken to eating in "big" chairs, just like the "big" kids. We've added another leaf to the table and can now comfortably seat 8. Wow. We should have one more baby so we don't have an empty spot at the table. Bwahahaha. Kidding.<br />
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Love this boy! And I marvel at how far he has come.<br />
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He just got his second set of tubes…it's like he's a new kid. He'd been without tubes for two months and we hadn't realized how profoundly it was affecting him. Suddenly he's back to babbling lots and lots. He had his palate repaired in February, right after his second birthday, and has been in speech therapy for several months. He's got SIX words! We are proud of him…and have a long row to hoe! But hey, we'll eat that elephant one bite at a time.<br />
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Love me some Saturday mornings...<br />
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With my pajama babies...<br />
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Here's my wild child in action. She layered a skirt under her dress. Girl's got style.<br />
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This back door opens and closes a million times a day! Little faces smashed against the glass are a familiar scene.<br />
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Sister and Little Man have taken up cooking…mostly Sister. It's a new stage in life. She's so helpful! She's planned several meals and made most of what was served. She's creative with it - she's such a blessing and this is a game changer. She's become my sous chef…always ready…and oh the conversations!<br />
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Familiar scenes...<br />
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We've started back to school. 5 days down, 175 to go! We've got a fifth grader, a third grader, and a first grader!<br />
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The babies are going to Mother's Day Out twice a week. Hooray!!! I am so thankful for this!<br />
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OH that boy!<br />
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This picture doesn't do the moment justice. The sweetest giggles and hugs!<br />
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My precious girl!<br />
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Peace out.Wanting What I Havehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711989381690050970noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627823383430900025.post-27881739116415088602015-01-10T23:26:00.000-06:002015-01-10T23:26:18.222-06:00Ni Hao, Y'all<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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The title is Chinese for, "Hi, Y'all!"</div>
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It's been about eight months since I've been in this little corner. Babies don't keep and children have, ahem, lots of needs. I've missed recording life in this space. #thankgoodnessforinstagram</div>
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I mean…wow. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since we last visited. We had an insane ride home from China. Henry-oh, and forget calling him Heng. That was part of his official Chinese name and I'd thought would make a good nickname on this space, but it led to a lot of confusion and his English name got out and that's OK. He did great on the first leg of the trip, despite leaving in a horrific storm and a two hour wait prior to take off... buckled in our seats. </div>
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There was also that moment when I was holding Henry, waiting in line to use the facilities, and a kind stewardess who spoke no English <i>insisted</i> we follow her upstairs (in the plane) to the "business elite"…and with Henry and a backpack in that TINY bathroom, I could barely move and ended up bracing myself and Henry as the plane tipped and teetered in the storm and the stewardess banged on the door, insisting we come out and take our seats (at least, I assume that's what she was saying) and I spilled milk EVERYWHERE. (It was a super nice bathroom - with fresh flowers and cloth towels…Definitely for the business elite and <i>not</i> an exhausted mama and toddler trying to potty and change diapers and make bottles. I'm afraid I might've left a bad impression of Americans??…eek!) </div>
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During all of this, Little Man was scratching himself all over. He kept telling us he was itching terribly. We dismissed it as nothing more than mosquito bites. We were wrong.</div>
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By the second and absolutely longest leg of the journey, Little Man was in tears and had clawed himself to the point of bleeding in several places. His lips were swollen. It was scary. And I was terrified of being quarantined again. </div>
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Thankfully, as always, the Lord provided. There was a huge group of nurses seated all around us who offered medical help. We had him amped up on benadryl in no time. </div>
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Henry had a rough ride and cried if we weren't standing up while holding him. No telling how many hours we "slept" with our eyes open, bouncing him.</div>
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Stepping foot on American soil was SOOOO SWEET!!!!! One last leg of flying and we'd be home, with our girls. I was a nervous wreck on that last flight. We hadn't slept in 24 hours. It was entirely business men and our little family on a tiny plane and Henry made his presence known on several occasions. Much to my surprise and relief, everyone was so kind. </div>
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And then, before we knew it, we were reunited!!! And I have pictures somewhere of this precious moment and I can't find them! Grr. It felt so good to hold my girls in my arms. There were happy tears. The Engineers parents and grandparents were there. Mama was there and so were both of my sisters. A sweet friend and her children were there. Everyone had flags and signs and it was such a deeply impactful moment, forever etched on my heart. There's nothing like familiar faces and family who love and love well. </div>
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We planned to spend our first night in the States at Mama's and then to head on home the next day. However, we ended up delaying our return because Little Man couldn't shake the hives. By the time we'd loaded the car and called the children to hop in, he couldn't walk for the hives on his feet. And we were so tired. So exhausted. I hadn't slept the first night in the US for fear Little Man might stop breathing because of his hives…between that and Henry's restlessness and crying out - I was just done. </div>
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And so a day later than planned, we made the trek and Henry hated his carseat…every minute of it! And arriving at "home" was just as sweet as our arrival at the airport. Friends lined our drive with signs and flags and balloons and flowers…the fridge was stocked for at least a week. Meals came. Giant coffee toffee cakes were homemade and delivered…the yard had been done - like - edged and blown and cut - every need was so thoughtfully anticipated and met. It is humbling to be so well loved by so many. (Again - I have pictures of all of this and can't find them at the moment…ugh.) </div>
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And we settled into our days and trying to find a rhythm. Wren was mad for a while. Both girls keenly felt our absence. Henry slept fitfully and woke very early. Little Man set up camp in the girls' room. After two weeks of caring for five nonstop - and the experts tell you to hunker down and help your adopted child learn his new norm…but y'all, at the end of two weeks of that (not leaving the house) and no time alone, rising early to Henry's screams, going to bed late, to Henry's cries, trying to love my other four well. And not a moment away. Or alone. Except when I slept…I had a little meltdown. The adrenaline wore off and I was done. Dead. Empty. Had no strength. And so I had a really hard cry and The Engineer sent me away for the afternoon the next day. And I sat in my car and ate a bag of caramel popcorn. </div>
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The doctor appointments began. There were so many. And our sweet little boy had several procedures done in his first (and only, so far) surgery. Tucking him into his crib the night before surgery was so bittersweet. Because I knew he'd be so changed post surgery. Which I totally wanted. Knew should happen and was best for him. Without a doubt. But it was still bittersweet. </div>
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Surgery was a phenomenal success. I cannot believe how dramatically altered his lip is! What a sweet blessing!!! </div>
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He had a LOT of breathing issues post surgery. And it was amazing to see the ways the Lord provided for us. I am talking - several trips to the ER and a night in the PICCU - and every. single. time. we had multiple physicians call and pave the way ahead of us. Our pediatrician was amazing. En route to the ER we actually drove past one of Henry's surgeons, who was out running, who stopped and evaluated Henry and even called to collaborate with another of Henry's surgeons and also called ahead and prepped the ER. It was so amazing how sweetly the Lord tended our EVERY need. Again and again. My MIL kept our children. Dear friends joined us at each ER visit and brought food, etc. It was just amazing. Period. The Body of Christ loves well. </div>
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Eventually all the breathing drama tapered off…we still aren't certain of the exact cause. And as life calmed, we fell into a routine. Our new normal.</div>
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August 20th marked Wren's first birthday. A sweet friend asked what kind of cake I planned to make and I laughed and told her, "the kind you buy at the grocery store." She made Wren a strawberry cake. And it meant so much to me. Just another example of being so well loved. So often it's those little details - I mean, there was just no way I was cranking out a cake. I was too overwhelmed just keeping my people together. And part of my heart was sad. I've always (I think) made my kids' first birthday cake. That cake was a sweet gift.</div>
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And then, melt my heart, Henry stood up in his highchair and reached over to Wren's and they shared her first piece of cake. Which was doubly sweet because he didn't have cake on his first birthday. Oh! these babies!</div>
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Having two little ones is a lot of fun. A whole lot of fun. And it's also totally daunting and overwhelming. At least it is to me. Henry and Wren are best friends and worst enemies, but mostly best friends. </div>
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There's a LOT of tag teaming. OH, the trouble those two get into! I've lost count of how many times we've found them playing in the potty! It's awful. I am constantly asking everyone, "Did you close the bathroom door!?"</div>
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By the time we were back to school, I officially knew I absolutely could not add homeschooling to my plate and not completely lose my mind. The Engineer graciously agreed to hire someone to come in one day a week and care for the younger ones so I could steal away with the older two to hit the books hard. I'm so thankful for this provision. It is such a gift!</div>
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History aside, the BULK of teaching in our other subjects is done in one <i>very</i> long day. The rest of the week is spent on history and completing assignments related to that heavy day of teaching. This has worked so well for our family. While Sister and Little Man work independently, I am able to spend one on one time with Little Bit as she learns to read and write.</div>
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Several months ago I broke down and did something I said I'd NEVER do. I bought one of those huge snap together baby gate octagons…plus a few extensions. We call it the "baby jail" and it was the best use of accumulated gift cards I think I've ever enjoyed. It's so big and takes up so much space, you can't open our front door all the way. And that's okay. This is a season and sanity is a precious thing! And oh, the difference this has made with school!!!</div>
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Between help one day a week and the baby jail, life was feeling better. Henry still hadn't made it a Sunday in the nursery without us being called in…and so about a month ago I had a melt down. </div>
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It was Sunday morning and because Sister was willing to go in the nursery during church for us, The Engineer and I got to attend worship together - this hadn't happened in about seven months…Sister eventually snuck out of the nursery so she could go to Sunday School…and then I got the call. "He won't stop crying. Won't let anyone hold him. We need you to come." And the tears started to bubble up. </div>
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I slipped out of the classroom and bit down on my lip, determined not to lose control of my emotions. And as I crossed the street, en route for the nursery, I just couldn't turn it off. And the tears came and came. Floods of them came. And I couldn't stop them for the life of me. It was so embarrassing. A friend intercepted and took my place with Henry. I hid in the church library - so I could purge the rest of the tears. It was that awful hickey-snot crying where your eyes are swollen and the snot just runs down your face and there aren't enough tissues…</div>
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And I got a text. From another dear friend. "My husband said you left Sunday School upset. What's going on?….Where are you?….Stay right there. I'm coming."</div>
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And she came. And put her arm around me. And cried with me. And loved me in all my snotty, swollen eyed, crying ugly. And a handful of precious friends took our place in the nursery and helped with Henry and allowed us to worship together for the rest of December. And guess what happened? By the last Sunday, Henry fussed a tiny bit and played the rest of the time. </div>
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And now he and Wren are on lockdown. He's got his next surgery in February and we are doing all we can to keep him well. But oh, the love of friends…laying down their lives for ours and in so doing, feeding hungry, weary souls. What blessings! </div>
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This has kind of been the year of being stripped. So many things I've always held dear are being pried out of my fists. I've felt claustrophobic - perhaps? I hadn't realized how much I thrive on being creative - on making things, doing things…and this has been a season where, for the most part, the doing of things is done by The Engineer while I tend babies. I really, really miss working together.</div>
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I've seen a horrible side of my heart. It's like the layers are being peeled back and what this season of life is revealing is not pretty. Deep down, I am a lover of myself above all others. This has become increasingly evident. </div>
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I am a perfectionist and with five children and loooong work days for The Engineer and living in an old house (We are all sharing the same shower and have plastic taped to the ceiling of our bedroom - from where a leak/flood was - several months ago. Whatev!) and homeschooling - keeping things "perfect" is waaay beyond my control, despite my best efforts. There have been times I've been so unreasonably out of sorts, I have wished someone would wear me out and send me to bed. Without dinner.</div>
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And yet, truly, when I reflect, I wouldn't change it for the world. I wouldn't send my big kids off to school. I wouldn't put the babies in daycare. And I wouldn't go back to work. Even though some days that sounds so, so, so good. </div>
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Maybe we're all a little bit like that? Imagining the grass <i>must</i> be greener on the other side. Not content with what He has given and called us to. I just don't think ten years down the road I am going to wish I'd gotten more done or had a cleaner house…I don't think we are going to regret these choices. Even though it feels they cost dearly in the moment.</div>
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I keep telling myself this is a season. And it is. The day we took these pictures I kept chasing the babies down as they neared the curb. Neither could safely step down. And now Henry runs right over that curb without missing a beat. Time passes and we change. And grow. </div>
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And goodness I hope I change and grow and learn these lessons well. I don't want to become a bitter old woman. </div>
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And so our days have settled into a routine. Both babes sleep through the night. Henry occasionally wakes. By the grace of God, I am learning that He sees and knows what happens in the darkness, in the wee morning hours when the house is sleeping. I don't have to stomp and make sure The Engineer knows what I am doing. (I have done this sighing and stomping thing. Many times.) </div>
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It's been precious to see the older three rise to the occasion. They care and love for the babies so well. (Usually!)</div>
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It's been fun to see the dynamics between each of the children and it's sweet to see their relationships growing.</div>
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As far as the home front goes, we are slowly making progress on this ol' house. One little bit at a time.</div>
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The Engineer was off for a few weeks during Christmas (YAY!!!!!) and spent almost the entire time working on a tree house for the children. I can't wait for it to be finished. It's already the scene for many adventures.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWNoW3hduDxryQ49Kzujc4mlx7UcCiOcirtVN2mElGHwMP4HQEnFhVkEhp5ZR799Njstn1tVsEGQP9nmIniteNJorbjNPefJ6C2OmGmUz24IAeE0dV3JlVk91muXJ9wcm9ukOU-F95tY/s1600/DSC_9057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKWNoW3hduDxryQ49Kzujc4mlx7UcCiOcirtVN2mElGHwMP4HQEnFhVkEhp5ZR799Njstn1tVsEGQP9nmIniteNJorbjNPefJ6C2OmGmUz24IAeE0dV3JlVk91muXJ9wcm9ukOU-F95tY/s1600/DSC_9057.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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I hope 2015 is off to a wonderful start for you and yours! I can't wait to see how life unfolds this year. Happy Saturday, y'all!</div>
Wanting What I Havehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711989381690050970noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627823383430900025.post-3129443040457716862014-05-19T10:22:00.001-05:002014-05-19T10:22:01.729-05:00Woop, Woop! USA, Here We Come!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEjgjUZ7smrF_V9eRx3N_zgM2X2UEMLbBWBX1SOjc-c4wrH6qwCMRRy2uT4wKXoan98yPriTuVYudZV_gudW4TPWg2ZSjPOzZdkA_EKO2aCTO3Zn3Takl8hn2LJgCRISZWaG_adqyq2k/s640/blogger-image-332679359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEjgjUZ7smrF_V9eRx3N_zgM2X2UEMLbBWBX1SOjc-c4wrH6qwCMRRy2uT4wKXoan98yPriTuVYudZV_gudW4TPWg2ZSjPOzZdkA_EKO2aCTO3Zn3Takl8hn2LJgCRISZWaG_adqyq2k/s640/blogger-image-332679359.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thank y'all so much for all your prayers for us!!! Sweet Heng passed the medical exam-I cried when they told me! We waited a few minutes for his medical report and ran down the street to the Consulate where we took our oath and applied for his visa. We should have it in hand, Lord willing, at 4:10 tomorrow afternoon. Our flight leaves Wednesday morning at 9am! We have 25 hours of travel from take off in Guangzhou to our final landing spot in the US. Whew. I'm tired just thinking about it all-and my arms are just aching to hold my little girls!!! We're trying to enjoy our last 36 hours here...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We met another adopting couple on our ride up the elevator tonight...they're from Australia, and ended up inviting them to dinner...in our hotel room. They agreed and came right on. The mama, their little girl (who they adopted), our three and I hung out in the room while the daddies got take out. <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Our room was trashed and they came on in regardless. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The kids want to spend our last full day hanging at the hotel pool with our new mates. (Hahaha.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Little Heng continues to amaze us! Today he tried ice cream again-and cried and cried with each taste and after the tears, cried and cried for more. What a picture of myself! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Before I run, I just want to say<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">...we are so thankful we got to bring Sister and Little Man! I can't imagine this trip without them. I think the little girls would've been tired and miserable and worn out. The older two are at great ages for this type travel. They've hung in there so well and amazed us with their maturity. (I mean, it's not like the hotel staff had to tell one of our children to stop jumping over the velvet ropes in the front of the hotel counter. Yikes.) But seriously, it's been such a treat and privilege having them here. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Heng is in his crib, asleep on his side, under the blue blanket a precious friend made him. His little arm is hanging through the bars and I can hear him breathing. It's a sweet sound and my heart is at peace. So thankful for God's provision and care for His flock! We've seen His hand of tender care in so many ways-big and small. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It's late. Night, y'all!</span></div><br></div>Wanting What I Havehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711989381690050970noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627823383430900025.post-78357031810288553462014-05-18T10:44:00.002-05:002014-05-18T10:44:20.382-05:00Big Day Tomorrow!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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Hey y'all! I've spent the last three days wrestling with the internet, trying to get pictures to load! Phew.</div>
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While I can't go into all the details here and now, I want you to know that this past week has had the potential to be absolutely unnerving in about a million ways and it has been anything but. </div>
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God has kept us in His perfect peace and has been so gracious to us. He is carrying us through this crazy season. We have a final medical exam tomorrow morning and would SO APPRECIATE your prayers! We anticipate Heng will pass just fine, however, the doctors are looking for any sign that his rash (which they've finally agreed is chickenpox - though the absence of fever and itching still puzzles all of us) hasn't completely scabbed over.</div>
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Assuming they are pleased with what they see, they will hand us Heng's medical report and we will run it right down the street and over a block to the Consulate where we will apply for his visa.</div>
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The visa should be ready by Tuesday late afternoon and we hope to board a plane for the States Wednesday morning!!!</div>
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Please, please, please pray he passes just fine. Please pray the doctors are pleased with what they see. Pray that his rash continues to clear. If they don't pass him, you might hear me crying half way across the world! (The pic above was taken with our dear, dear guide who we love so much! She has been phenomenal and couldn't have done anything more to help us. She's a total rockstar!!!-Like our clothes drying in the background!? Haha.)</div>
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My arms are physically aching to hold our little girls and I can scarcely let myself dwell on the sweetness of our homecoming! When I think of it for too long, my heart starts racing and I get all kinds of teary. It will be so sweet. </div>
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So many of you have let us know you are praying for us - thank you so much! It is such an honor to be part of the Body of Christ and to be so well loved and cared for. Thank y'all!!! We hope and pray that through the insanity this adventure has been, Christ has been made much of. </div>
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It is incredibly sweet to find ourselves totally dependent on His mercy in this strange and foreign land. So often, it's easy to "fix" things. And we are comfortable, in our own little bubble…but being at the mercy of a group of physicians who we can't understand and having to depend on our guide to translate - it's just made the absolute certainty of God's sovereignty - of Him holding us in the palm of His hand and directing the doctors' hearts - so, so dear and comforting. </div>
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We were thrilled to discover a Muay Thai event being held in our very own hotel lobby…and we were sure to make it to the first round! I feel kind of bad admitting I was a little disappointed to realize the entire thing was choreographed.</div>
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Of course, we didn't let on to the children. It may be the quietest and stillest Little Man has been the entire trip. He was rather enthralled.</div>
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Today we had a very, very sweet experience. We took a taxi to another hotel and attended Guangzhou International Christian Fellowship for worship. I think it was a tiny taste of heaven, in terms of all the people from so many different tribes and tongues, all worshipping together. There was standing room only. It was sweet to spend Sunday morning worshipping with other believers.</div>
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Saturday we spent the afternoon, well, it was supposed to be the afternoon-it was almost the night, on Shamian Island. </div>
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Sister and Little Man and I had made the trek earlier last week, while The Engineer stayed behind, quarantined with Heng. Now that we've stayed in China past our expected leave date, we have nothing scheduled and took the opportunity to spend some unhurried time in such a beautiful spot.</div>
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We did a little shopping and exploring...</div>
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We stopped at a really neat Starbucks - probably my favorite one, ever!</div>
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It was quite a happening' spot. We sat outside on the upstairs porch.</div>
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And we learned something super fun and exciting! Our newest addition likes coffee. He's going to fit in with this family just fine! (BIG smile!)</div>
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So…in the near two weeks we've had him, he's gone from barely crawling and when he did crawl (at first) it wasn't "right." He would sort of drag one leg and then push off his foot…to crawling correctly and everywhere…to pulling up…and a few times he's taken a solid step to us without any assistance. </div>
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He'd also only ever had rice cereal, formula, and rice congee…and now that we know his rash was chickenpox and not a food allergy, the gates are wide open! This little guy is trying all sorts of new things! We caught him with a box of blueberry flavored poky sticks (icing covered tiny little breadstick sort of things). He was digging in, loving it! Which was a big surprise because he hated sweet things early on. </div>
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He's also learning how to drink from a cup, whereas he's only every had a bottle… and all of this is big because of his cleft lip and palate! It's just amazing what being part of a family does for a child. I can't get over the changes we are seeing in him each day. </div>
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And I can't wait to see him with out little girls!!! What a crazy and happy (oh, I hope!) house we will have! (And messy!)</div>
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So we had a great afternoon on the island and had two stops to make before we planned to head home. At our first stop, the item we wanted wasn't in stock and so the shop keeper's husband ran to get them from - well, I'm not sure where, but he was gone for a while. During his absence a nasty storm rolled in - like a pitch black dark, scary kind of thunder (I screamed several times!) and lightning storm. We actually had a great time just hanging out with her while we waited for him to return…</div>
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And then we made our final stop and, in the POURING rain, made our way to a hotel. We'd been told the best chance of getting a taxi was to wait at a hotel on the island. So we waited. Finally we decided we should go to the hotel where our taxi had originally dropped us, it seemed busier…only, we were turned around and with the weather what it was - I mean, the rain was coming down in sheets…we were all soaked…we couldn't find the hotel. </div>
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Finally, finally we found it. And we waited. Nothing. No taxis. Evidently taxis don't run in the rain in Guangzhou. One of the bellmen at the hotel called a friend and tried to line up a ride for us. Nothing.</div>
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Taxis came and dropped people, but no one would take us back to our hotel. (It's about a thirty minute drive.) We were all praying. And we were hungry. We hadn't planned to stay nearly that long and had only enough to pay the taxi fee…so we kept waiting. And praying. And my children didn't even complain about being hungry! </div>
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And God sent us sweet Jenny of Jenny's, the store where we'd done some of our shopping. When I told her we'd been waiting, at that point, over an hour and a half, she immediately offered to help us. She and her husband tried to call a cab to no avail. She translated with the bellmen for us. She asked them to call our hotel to see if there were any taxis heading this way…she flagged down taxis and asked them for us…she took us to a busier intersection. She <b>insisted</b> on helping us. Finally, she suggested we take the subway. This was a little overwhelming. As The Engineer said, "It can take us really far really fast. In the wrong direction!?" </div>
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Jenny helped us figure out where to change lines, where to get off, as well as how to purchase tokens…and just like that, we were off. In China, taking the subway - like we had a clue what we were doing! It actually wasn't bad at all and we'd definitely do it again. </div>
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We were the main attraction on the subway. Ha! These crazy, wet Americans with a baby in tow…we were quite a scene. </div>
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We didn't eat dinner until 10:30 last night. Poor little Heng never uttered a complaint and he went a long time without food. We had a bottle, but I was worried it was bad, so we didn't give it to him. He was so content just being held. The picture above was us right before we exited the subway station…right at the entrance to our hotel! </div>
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Once again, God was so gracious! He continues to remind us that we cannot escape His presence. Even on the other side of the world, in a country where few know Him, He is here. Even when all our plans fail, He is still caring for us, making a way, and reminding us His plans are better.</div>
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Thank y'all again for your prayers and encouragement. Please, please pray for us tomorrow morning!</div>
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Much love and happy Sunday, y'all! </div>
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Wanting What I Havehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711989381690050970noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627823383430900025.post-26431303682572646332014-05-13T10:22:00.002-05:002014-05-13T10:22:35.776-05:008 Days In and A Prayer Request<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hey, y'all! Sigh. It's been a long day. But before I dive into that, let me recap our last few days...</div>
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We spent Sunday at the Pearl and Jade Market…this was incredible.<br />
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And, as if The Engineer ever doubted, it's now absolutely confirmed that I do have THE <b><i>MOST</i></b> expensive taste. Period.<br />
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We visited two stores and in both, I was drawn to the most expensive piece in the place…I just have that gift. (hahaha)<br />
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While those pieces stayed in the case, we did get to purchase pearls to put away for each of our children and that was a special treat. I snapped this pic with the idea that when Little Man gets married gives his bride the pearls we purchased (much like The Engineer did for me), I can bring out this sweet pic of him at the young age of seven, holding that little pouch of pearls.<br />
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Sister was touched! Love that girl!<br />
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While we shopped, despite the language barrier, Little Man made friends…and picked up a new skill - Bey Blades on steroids…"Top Plate" is all the rage in China and these kids were incredible!<br />
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After the Pearl and Jade Market, we spent time at the Chen Family Temple. The level of design and attention to detail…the carvings, etc. were AMAZING. This temple was built without any nails.<br />
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Our guide told us the temple was built in 1880…which was super interesting because a lot of the homes near ours (in the States) were being built at that same time. Crazy to think about!<br />
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The temple was for all of the Chen family…evidently the Chens are like the Smiths are in the States. There are a LOT of them!<br />
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I can totally see these on the wall in the boys' room...<br />
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This guy was painting with his hand…and it was AMAZING!!! (I tried it back at the hotel - my skills are, um, NOT so amazing.)<br />
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Every day, but one, has been rainy, HUMID, and HOT. Sunday was no exception…you just sweat. A lot.<br />
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There were SO MANY bonsai trees…and several yews cut and shaped as bonsais. (Seeing those kind of made me rethink what we did with the yews we had at our old house.)<br />
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The Engineer was so kind and gave up touring the temple to hold and feed this sweet baby boy.<br />
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Love this boy. Love this man.<br />
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The library...<br />
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A sitting room…(I'm LOVING the architecture in this room! That window!)<br />
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This is the backside of an apartment building that backs up to the gorgeous gardens at the Chen Family Temple. Lucky tenants! What a way to make life beautiful!<br />
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A small shot of the gardens - this doesn't do it justice!<br />
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The beautiful ceiling in one of the many rooms...<br />
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This shot is for you, Amy M! The original garden stool. (smile)<br />
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Ornate carvings on a door...<br />
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Love this wood carving...<br />
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And the dragon!<br />
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We spent Sunday afternoon back at the hotel…and by Sunday night, the tension of the last week had caught up with us. Not to air dirty laundry, let's just say The Engineer and I did some, ahem, "talking"…and I shed a few tears…and we are much better for it. Five sinners in close quarters in a foreign land - it's bound to happen eventually.<br />
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We spent Monday at the zoo…this is familiar scene…mama monkey is eating lunch while nursing baby monkey. (hahaha)<br />
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The kids made lots of noise and finally got this tiger to lift his head. (Such kind, thoughtful children. Hahaha.)<br />
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Heng didn't really care about being at the zoo. And he's not an ergo fan. (Which I suppose is great since his baby sister LOVES the ergo!) His lack of ergo riding means my arms should be lookin' pretty ripped! (wink, wink)<br />
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While we finish the zoo pics, let me fill you in on the excitement of the last few days.<br />
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Long story short, we thought Heng had a few bug bites…until they turned into a full on rash...<br />
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We've gone through numerous attempts at a diagnosis, including lots of texting and FaceTime with our pediatrician (who has been WONDERFUL!).<br />
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The rash looks like and is acting like chicken pox, only Heng has NO other symptoms congruent with chicken pox.<br />
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No fever, no loss of appetite, and no itching. The rash doesn't seem to bother him at all.<br />
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Today we made a return trip to the International Medical Clinic and saw four physicians - this was quite an experience.<br />
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Our guide had called ahead and they ushered us right in. She told me to strip Heng down…and the doctors poured into the room - all speaking rapidly in Chinese. Our guide and another guide from our agency were there, talking, too. The doctors were rubbing their fingers over the rash, pointing, talking more, pushing, scraping, taking his temperature…our guide and another from our agency were talking - finally all but one doctor left and our guide broke the news. Y'all - that could've been the MOST NERVE wracking experience.<br />
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An unidentified rash. A foreign land. Doctors who don't speak English. And my baby girls are half the world away. And God kept my heart at peace. He kept reminding me, "I will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is stayed on me." And He did.<br />
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The doctors at the clinic were split 50/50. Half think it's chicken pox. The other half think it's just a rash. But, if it's chicken pox, we can't travel until Heng's no longer contagious.<br />
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So they sent us to Children's Hospital. I fought tears and struggled to remember this was no surprise to the Lord. And that despite being in a foreign land, we were not alone.<br />
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Let me tell you, Children's Hospital in China is VERY different than any Children's Hospital in America. The building exterior was beautiful and very well designed. But the inside - it made me sad. Only a few overhead lights were turned on, it was pretty dark.<br />
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There were so many sick children. The crowd was overwhelming.<br />
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Our guide had us stay in one area while she registered Heng…and then she ushered us into another section of the hospital. There were SO MANY MORE sick babies…vomit pans…children with "cooling patches" fixed to their foreheads. The needs were so great. And the lines so, so long.<br />
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And it was hot. Oh, it was so hot. It only took a few minutes before our clothes were saturated with perspiration.<br />
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We wove through rooms and finally got in our designated line and began what would've been a VERY LONG wait, but our guide made a bold move. When the exam room door opened for the next family, she ran in WITH them and told the physician what was going on - and that all we needed was a diagnosis - chicken pox or not…and the doctor agreed to look at him right then.<br />
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And the 50/50 split continued…she was 60/40 it's chicken pox. And so…we wait.<br />
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Our agency has called the consulate and alerted them to our case. Our appointment has been cancelled…which means, unless the rash is totally gone tomorrow, Heng won't get his visa until next Monday or Tuesday.<br />
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We'll be back at the clinic tomorrow afternoon and likely again Thursday afternoon...<br />
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We've emailed our travel agent to inquire about costs involved in transferring plane tickets.<br />
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The odds are that The Engineer and Little Man will head home as originally scheduled. Sister may or may not go with them. And for sure, Heng and I will be here until his rash clears and he's deemed no longer contagious.<br />
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God is keeping my heart at peace. The Engineer emailed work and they've given him permission to do whatever is best for the family. And so we wait to learn of the expenses involved. Please, please pray that Delta will be merciful. Pray that Heng's rash clears and is identified. Pray for our little girls, back home. I miss them SO VERY MUCH. I can't imagine five more days apart.<br />
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Last night I read Spurgeon's, "Morning and Evening" and was struck by God's perfectly sovereign timing…<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;">"'Fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation: I will go down with thee into Egypt; and I will also surely bring thee up again.'</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;">Genesis 46:3,4</span> </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jacob must have shuddered at the thought of leaving the land of his father's sojourning, and dwelling among heathen strangers. It was a new scene, and likely to be a trying one: who shall venture among couriers of a foreign monarch without anxiety? Yet the way was evidently appointed for him, and therefore he resolved to go. This is frequently the position of believers now—they are called to perils and temptations altogether untried: at such seasons let them imitate Jacob's example by offering sacrifices of prayer unto God, and seeking his direction; let them not take a step until they have waited upon the Lord for his blessing: then they will have Jacob's companion to be their friend and helper. How blessed to feel assured that the Lord is with us in all our ways, and condescends to go down into our humiliations and banishments with us! Even beyond the ocean our Father's love beams like the sun in its strength. We cannot hesitate to go where Jehovah promises his presence; even the valley of deathshade grows bright with the radiance of this assurance. Marching onwards with faith in their God, believers shall have Jacob's promise. They shall be brought up again, whether it be from the troubles of life or the chambers of death. Jacob's seed came out of Egypt in due time, and so shall all the faithful pass unscathed through the tribulation of life, and the terror of death. Let us exercise Jacob's confidence. 'Fear not,' is the Lord's command and his divine encouragement to those who at his bidding are launching upon new seas; the divine presence and preservation forbid so much as one unbelieving fear. Without our God we should fear to move; but when he bids us to, it would be dangerous to tarry. Reader, go forward, and fear not." - Charles Spurgeon</span></span></blockquote>
How applicable and comforting!<br />
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We rest in God's sovereignty. I cannot help but recall the week following baby girl's birth when I was bedridden and how I was so frustrated and begrudging the time until Mama pointed out God had ordained that time and it was a gift. And it WAS a gift. I held our new baby 24/7 and now I am so thankful for that time. I hear Mama's words again as I look at the possibility of being confined to a hotel room for the next five days, quite possibly just me and Heng. I cringe at the thought. I'm not brave. I don't want to do this alone. And it's when I think those thoughts, that the Holy Spirit faithfully reminds me that I am not alone. That even in this, in a foreign land where a foreign language is spoken, He is with me and His grace is sufficient.<br />
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Please, pray that we rest in His sovereignty. Pray that we keep our eyes on the Lord and that He continues to keep us in His perfect peace. Pray that Heng's rash clears and if that's not the Lord's will, please pray we can stay here, together. Please pray for our little girls and please thank God for family willing to keep them and to support us - without ever even batting an eye.<br />
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To God be the glory!<br />
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Happy Tuesday, y'all.Wanting What I Havehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711989381690050970noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627823383430900025.post-55883307211710065432014-05-11T01:58:00.000-05:002014-05-11T01:58:06.427-05:00Six Days In...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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Y'all…there just aren't words. Heng is such a precious gift. I'm astounded with the ways the Father is showing us His strong, determined, inescapable love for us as we extend love to our precious son. As each day passes, our bond to one another deepens and grows stronger. I closed the bathroom door a few nights ago and he burst into tears. Each night, he falls asleep in the safety of our arms. </div>
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Thursday was rich. In every way. We left early in the morning for Heng's orphanage. While we weren't sure what to anticipate, we were sure this was something important for him and for us and it was something we definitely wanted to do. </div>
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It was a three hour trek and I was amazed and I think, surprised by how beautiful the city is. It's one of a handful chosen by the Chinese government and named a "Garden City." (Above you see a canal that feeds the South China Sea!)</div>
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I'm not sure what I'd imagined it would look like…</div>
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But this wasn't it. It was so developed. So beautiful. </div>
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The drive was long and Heng slept for a good portion of it.</div>
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And upon arrival…I'll never forget…they were waiting for us - the two ladies who handle all the paperwork for the orphanage. And they called out his Chinese nickname and he grinned…ear to ear. His eyes lit up! </div>
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They invited us in and we passed out a few gifts and made our way to see the rooms where Heng spent the first fourteen months of his life. It was nothing like what I'd expected. As we crossed an open air area, one of his nannies saw him and shouted his name and again, he lit up. She ran to us and took him in her arms and he was <i>delighted</i>. She joined us and carried him as we made our way to his room…and then all his nannies came running and shouting his name and they were passing him back and forth and going on and on about him. There were two social workers there - they were so excited to get to see him again and took him from one of the nannies. He was all smiles. The social workers took pictures of themselves with him…and while all of this was going on…I was trying to keep my eyes on Heng, and at the same time, look around the room. </div>
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My heart broke. And I had to fight tears. So. Many. Babies. And so many were sick babies in that area - children who are so severely disabled, they've been deemed "un-adoptable." That image is seared in my heart. I hurt for them. And I mourn over our sin and its devastating consequences. We were told the majority of the really disabled babies will live out their days in that orphanage (it's actually a "social welfare institute because they care for all ages…birth to the elderly).</div>
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As the pictures wound down, they placed Heng in his crib and he LIT up! He stood there for a bit holding on, grinning ear to ear and then collapsed in a corner of the bed. I pulled him out and we made our way to the next room…and the nanny he was closest to took him from me and placed him in a walker and fed him lunch.</div>
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Y'all - they loved our baby. They loved him <b>well</b>. God has been so gracious. So many have prayed for this little boy…I am so thankful for those women. And I am so thankful he is no longer an orphan and now has the full rights of sonship.</div>
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It was sweet to see him enjoy being with his nannies…and then to see him reach for me. They cheered when he did that. In tears, I asked our translator to thank them - for caring for him and for loving him well. It was a sweet day. It was a hard day. </div>
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As we left the orphanage, a little girl, probably about six or seven, was walking in. She stopped and stared at us. It broke my heart. I wondered what she was thinking. Is she still clinging to hope?</div>
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Friday held a trip to the police station to apply for Heng's passport and yesterday we had his medical exam. He passed like a champ and passed out in my arms close to the end of everything. </div>
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Going for the medical exam is kind of crazy. There were families there from ALL OVER adopting. It was unreal. And I couldn't stop the tears. There was a cute couple, adopting a four year old little boy. Their biological son is nine months younger. Both of them work with special needs kids. Their adopted son had braces on his legs. The tears spilled as I watched them hold their son's hands as they walked him from exam room to exam room…and then his tears when he had blood drawn and his daddy picked him up and cradled his son and the boy buried his head in the safety of his daddy's neck. </div>
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There was another adorable couple adopting a little girl who wore the cutest polka dot tights…she cried and like so many, found refuge in her daddy's arms. </div>
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I stood, with Heng sleeping on me, along a back wall and just watched. I watched child after child melt down, reduced to tears, finding refuge in their daddy's arms, burying their heads against their daddy's necks. And I thought of my heavenly Father…and the confidence we now have, as sons, with full access to the Father. </div>
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The big kids made it through the medical exam like champs, too. And we took them swimming as soon as we got back to the hotel!</div>
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The water is, um, FREEZING! </div>
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I am blown away by how grown-up and mature this girl is becoming. She's laid it down again and again for her new little brother! There's another couple we've become good friends with over the course of this trip. They've adopted a little girl with whom Sister has fallen in love. She's made their little girl all kinds of surprises…pretty much, Sister just amazes me. </div>
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Little Man has done super well, too. He's shown himself mature in ways that have surprised us. I was concerned how he'd hold up in another country…on another time zone…on the other side of the world and with strange food. He's handled it so well. Today he and The Engineer feasted on sushi and duck…I'd say he's adjusted to international travel just fine. (wink, wink)</div>
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It's also been precious to see him loving on Heng. There's quite an age gap…and there's so much love. </div>
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This is totally NOT the story I'd <i>ever</i> have written for our family. It's <b>so much better</b> than anything I could've imagined. </div>
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I know we're still in the honeymoon stage in many regards. And goodness, we are down two children right now. And The Engineer is with me 24/7, so I'm not even managing three on my own. I'm not cooking or cleaning. I am washing clothes by hand in the bathtub…but, I know. It's not reality.</div>
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When people ask me how in the world we are going to "do it?" When they look at us like we have a third eye...I have an answer. It's the same thing I tell myself every time I start freaking out when I think about reality…about an eight and fourteen month old…"God's grace is sufficient. His mercies are new every morning. When He calls, He equips. There will probably be a lot of tears (on my part). And in about two years we'll surface and take a good, deep breath." Lord willing.</div>
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I miss my little girls so much! It will be so sweet to be reunited! Five more days! That seems so short…like the time has flown.</div>
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Today is Mother's Day. Even in China. And I wonder about Heng's mama. I wonder if she sees all the Mother's Day fanfare and if her arms ache? I think about her a lot. </div>
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I wish I could see her, tell her - somehow - how thankful we are for her beautiful son. To thank her for giving him life.</div>
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I wonder if she bears the physical reminders of pregnancy. Does she look down at the stretch marks that cross her belly and wonder about her son. I wish, so badly, that I could assure her he is loved and cared for. </div>
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Mother's Day is all around us. A sweet celebration for many, and for many others, a raw and open wound.</div>
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Happy Mother's Day. To my mama and The Engineer's mama. Happy Mother's Day to all you mamas with little ones and big ones and in between ones. </div>
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And to my sweet friends whose arms ache for a(nother) babe - I'm praying the Lord comforts you in a special way today. May He gently sustain you with His grace.</div>
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From Gunagzhou, China, Happy Sunday, y'all!</div>
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Wanting What I Havehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711989381690050970noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627823383430900025.post-75754889598905925912014-05-07T01:25:00.000-05:002014-05-07T05:53:50.736-05:00Beauty from Ashes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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Oh y'all. These have been some of the sweetest moments of my life. Definitely on par with the birth of each of our children, the day The Engineer and I said, "I do," and the day I came face to face with the inescapable love of Christ.</div>
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Monday, May 5, 2014…I woke early and spent time in the Word and journaling…the children crawled into bed with us and we prayed for our sweet boy. Breakfast…back to the room to blog and finalize our list of questions for the orphanage (when does he eat, how often, etc.)…the gathering of gifts, etc. Finally 2pm came and we made our way to the hotel lobby. I stood in that vast space - it's gorgeous! I breathed deep, trying to stop the tears that threatened to spill over. I looked around and the lobby was filled with people from ALL OVER THE WORLD and I wondered if that wasn't a tiny taste of the makeup of heaven. People from every tribe and tongue. Other families gathered. You could spot them coming…each had arms laden with gift bags and a look of nervous excitement and anticipation. </div>
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Our guide arrived. The drive to the Civil Affairs office was twenty minutes...in the rain. We rode the elevator to the eighth floor and waited…our guide reported our little guy hadn't yet arrived. A few minutes later the children shouted, "Mama! It's him!!!" And there he was, in a carrier worn by the orphanage worker. He was grinning, dressed in orange. They disappeared into a curtained room so she could dress him in traditional Chinese clothing. Minutes later, our names were called and we were ushered in front of the curtained door…and he was brought to us. </div>
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I thought my heart would burst. I took him in my arms and we all touched him and called him by his new name, and the name his nannies called him, "Dong Dong." He never cried, but looked overwhelmed…we completed the paperwork, asked our questions, and the orphanage worker gave us gifts…a little back pack for our son filled with two outfits and two pairs of socks and two bibs, a can of formula and rice cereal, the bottle he used in the orphanage, and a replica of a well known statue from the city in which he spent his first 14 months of life. The girl was so kind and cried as she told him, "Bye" and we carried him away. What an encouragement to my heart. </div>
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He is quite a trooper, definitely a "fighter" as our surgeon stateside referred to him. (The children misunderstood this and thought he possessed special Kung Fu powers…being from China and all. Ha ha ha!) The poor little guy (henceforth referred to by his Chinese name, "Heng," if you can imagine a cross-pronunciation between "hung" and "hong,") has a double ear infection. One ear was oozing infection and he has pulled and picked at and rubbed both…he's also cutting a tooth…the boy is in pain. I'm wondering if he's been in chronic pain?</div>
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Until this afternoon, he only cried when we did ear drops and the first day or so, he would freak out if he thought we were taking his food away. The first day we had him, he ate so much food I thought he'd pop. Because of his cleft, he's still taking a bottle mixed with rice cereal and is eating congee - it's like watered down grits with bits of meat and veggies…the boy ate a HUGE bowl and drank an entire bottle! </div>
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He loved his bath. I loved his bath! Sister donned her suit and joined Heng, as well as Little Man. The three of them had a blast playing in the tub. The stacking cups we'd brought were a hit! He loved them! And then he had that fresh baby smell! </div>
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We gave him half a bottle more and around 8pm, he fell contentedly asleep in The Engineer's arms. We transferred him to his crib and didn't hear a peep until 8am.</div>
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I'm learning how to feed him - it's a mess! But we are figuring each other out and it's getting better with each feeding. I think he's trusting us more each day. </div>
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The day he became ours, as we waited for our turn, we watched other families open their arms to these orphans and give them a home, a family, and I could not stop the tears. One family will forever stand out to me. They already had a Chinese daughter, probably around 10 years old…and they were adopting a little boy who was around 7. That little boy's face was BEAMING. He kept throwing his arms up and spinning in circles and shouting things in Chinese and then running to his new family and throwing his arms around them and shouting more in Chinese followed by, "Mama, Papa!!!!" Y'all - he got it. He was an orphan. They chose him - over all the other little boys - they chose him! He was so excited! He was so happy! He'd been adopted and given the full rights of sonship - what a BEAUTIFUL picture!!! THAT is the Gospel! </div>
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Thank y'all for rejoicing with us. This is a sweet time for our family. We miss the little girls something fierce! I can't wait to hold them and kiss them! I can't wait to ALL be together! And we are thankful to be here. Thankful for the ways God broke us…thankful that He is sovereign and good and knows what we need. I thought we'd have completed our family by now…biologically…and we'd have had our children boom, boom, boom - close together…and His plans weren't ours. He is the giver and taker and our precious Heng is fearfully and wonderfully made. He is beautifully knit together in his mother's womb. He is created with great intention and love and we pray God is glorified in and through his life. </div>
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My heart swells with thanks as I think back on the years we spent praying, pleading with God for more children. He'd placed that desire in us, and though the desire never waned, He didn't provide like we expected. The years of heart ache and disappointment. The seasons of empty arms…celebrating as friends welcomed babies, all while my heart bled with pain and hope deferred. The hope we held for nearly 18 weeks…the loss that left me breathless. All of it - our ashes. Our pain. And all of it - every mite - He used. It was all part of His beautiful plan. He weaves our lives together like a beautiful tapestry…and the back side is ugly and knotted and it's often all we see. And here I sit, in Guangzhou, China, with my 14 month old baby boy asleep one room over, and with an 8 month old baby girl waiting for me at home…and I scarce can believe how full our arms are! How full our quiver is. He makes beautiful things out of us…out of our pain…out of our disappointment. And His timing, however frustrating it may seem, is perfect. We stand amazed. In awe. And thankful. Thankful for the pain. </div>
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I have loved watching the older two love him and welcome him. They haven't missed a beat. There's never been a question or doubt or hesitation…Heng was placed in our arms and Sister and Little Man surrounded him. I'm so thankful they're here. I know his transition has been easier because they've been here…to giggle with him and to play with him, to sing to him…to play with one another…to splash in the tub...their presence has been a huge blessing!!!</div>
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As I cradle him in my arms, I sing, "Jesus Loves Me" and I whisper to him that he is wonderfully and fearfully made in the image of God. I tell him that God has a wonderful plan for his life. I tell him he is loved. Again and again and again…in English and then in Chinese. And I pray he will never recall a day he didn't know the love of God.</div>
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Enjoy the video below…pictures and footage of our first day together. (Sorry - it's not working on mobile devices…)</div>
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Wanting What I Havehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711989381690050970noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627823383430900025.post-15093942311687750682014-05-05T00:09:00.000-05:002014-05-05T00:09:53.361-05:00Oh. My Heart!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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We're liven' it up and I'm writin' it down! We left home Wednesday afternoon…a few hours later than we'd hoped. Getting six people ready to be away for 16 days is no small feat. Especially when four of them are headed half way across the world…and are bringing someone home with them! (Woop Woop!!)</div>
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We got the little girls settled with the grands…parting is such sweet sorrow. It felt so good to hold my babies one last night. Baby girl woke around 2am and I nursed her for the last time and then crawled into bed beside Little Bit for a few last snuggles. The Engineer and the older two and I, along with all the grands were up at 3:30am. My sweet in-laws sent us off with prayers, hugs and kisses, and coffee. Mama delivered us to the airport and sent us off with banana bread and a giant target bag of last minute items we ran out of time to purchase…and I forgot all my jewelry (save my wedding rings!). My MIL shared her small hoops with me and Mama and my baby sister put together a bag full of fun pieces. All to say - we had a grand send-off and so much help and couldn't have done it without everyone! Thank y'all so much!</div>
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Little Man had his first flight. He wouldn't admit it, but I'm pretty sure he was a little freaked. Apart from ear aches upon landing (after every flight so far), he's done awesome! </div>
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Sister and I sat together for the 13 hour flight to Beijing. We made a sweet new friend who grew up in China and was returning to visit her grandparents. The three of us talked or slept almost the entire flight. I loved getting my new friend's perspective on so many things Chinese! And not to be TMI - but what a blessing to sit beside a sweet girl my age who has lots of friends with babies and who didn't blink an eye when I whipped out my nursing cover and pumped…sheesh. Potential for incredible awkwardness!!!</div>
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We flew from Detroit over Canada and the North Pole, over Russia, and finally to Beijing!</div>
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Little Man slept like a champ during a good bit of the flight. He even snuggled up next to the Chinese dude beside him, who kindly and graciously didn't move our Little Man. (And it broke my heart to learn that same dude was praying to his gods, who cannot hear him, as our flight encountered turbulence…)</div>
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We made it to Beijing Friday afternoon around three and met our adorable guide at the airport. It's pretty crazy being in a country where very few speak English! We were so thankful to be in such great hands. Heidi took us to purchase water and straight on to our hotel. Our room was dirty upon arrival (we walked into it, bed unmade, etc.) and the hotel staff was so mortified, they upgraded us to an executive suite. Um, I could get used to that. I wish I'd taken a picture of the bathroom - amazing. It was a sweet gift from the Lord. Although, I have to say, the first room had beds for four, and with the upgrade, we were given beds for three. When I asked about having another roll-away moved in for a fourth bed, we were told one of the children was supposed to sleep with us. In America, that's not exactly an upgrade. Hahaha. That's ok. Little Man started out on the floor and both nights made his way into our bed. </div>
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On our first night, Heidi purchased dinner for us from a local spot…so delicious!!! Dumplings and fried rice and Kung Pao Chicken. Amazing! </div>
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While The Engineer exchanged dollars for yuans, Little Man taught Heidi his favorite hand trick. (Grandma and Grandpa - we thought y'all would get a kick out of that! He also kept a little Chinese girl enthralled during one of our flights with this trick!) And the guard at the bank - yikes! He carried this scary metal rod/pole about two feet long with spikes all over it…kept me a bit on edge.</div>
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Saturday we took a two hour van ride to the Great Wall. Oh. My. Amazing. Words fail me. </div>
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We rode cable cars to the top...</div>
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See the Great Wall along the ridge!?</div>
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Check out the watch tower in the distance (center).</div>
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The Engineer and Little Man rode up together...</div>
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Me and my favorite man...</div>
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We learned that portions of the Great Wall have fallen into massive disrepair…years ago locals took bricks and stone and used them to build their own homes…</div>
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It's hard to see in this photo, but there are watch towers dotting the ridges...</div>
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Love these two!!!</div>
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There were apricot trees all around the Great Wall. Heidi picked several handfuls and shared with us. They were still green and super sour, but a yummy treat.</div>
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In China, the "peace sign" means "success." (Heidi asked us to pose like so…)</div>
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Little Man and I rode down together. He made me so nervous in that cable car…"Hey Mom, what would happen if I jumped right here? Do you think I could survive if I landed right there?" Etc. And…it had started raining and the wind was whipping through and the cable cars were swinging…it was an intense ride down the mountain. I had a few, "I'm thankful God's sovereign and I know where I'm going" thoughts.</div>
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Saturday night we walked twenty blocks to Tiananmen Square. The wind was blowing so hard you practically had to brace yourself with every step…and then we were offered a scooter ride…and we got taken…the rest of the way, but also with the price. The guy said one thing before we climbed on and charged another…it was kind of a heart sinking, scary moment. The Engineer handled it well and didn't pay the "new" price. Still, it was an expensive memory - and a lot of fun. Oops. Lessons learned. (smile)</div>
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What a treat to curl up in plush robes and slippers after all that walking and wind and rain!</div>
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Breakfast here is quite amazing. We're mastering our chop stick skills!</div>
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Sunday morning Heidi dropped as at the airport and we were off…for Guangzhou!!!</div>
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Mom…this one's for you. Your fav! Only, served at room temp. (hmmm)</div>
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Sister has already read both books mama sent…Little Man is persevering, making his way through.</div>
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Here we are right before take-off. The flight from Beijing to Guangzhou was quite turbulent. Again, one of those, "I'm thankful God's sovereign and I'm in the palm of His hands!" kind of reality moments.</div>
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And now we are at the Garden Hotel. And it's AMAZING. Gorgeous. I can't wait to explore the grounds with our boy!!! Breakfast was delicious. We met another family adopting through a different agency. They were in process to adopt #2 when they learned they were expecting…so fun!!!</div>
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This was the view during breakfast…there are Koi fish everywhere.</div>
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And my heart. Oh. My heart. It's racing as I type. In an hour and a half we leave to pick up our boy. I cannot even imagine. I've found I've guarded my heart as with each pregnancy after Sister's birth…trying so hard to hold the hope of this little boy with an open hand…not wanting my heart to be broken again…and to know, he's on a bus right now. En route. His life, our lives, about to be changed forever. The lessons we are learning…adoption is beautiful and messy. Everyone thinks we are crazy. I say the Gospel makes people do crazy things. And I wouldn't change the story He is weaving, even with the bumps and bruises and pain, there's so much beauty.</div>
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I woke super early this morning and enjoyed some quiet moments of reading and journaling…and then drifted back to sleep. Later, both children snuggled up with us in bed and we had a sweet time of prayer for our boy and our family and the little girls…I can't believe we are here. At this moment. After all this time. After all the preparing. </div>
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The Lord has been so sweet and kind to us. He has faithfully provided above and beyond our wildest hopes and expectations. He is faithful and good. When He calls, He equips. It's been an adventure getting here, but an hour and a half from now, that's when the real adventure begins! We can't wait. Please pray for our sweet boy's transition and bonding with us. Pray God grants us insight and gives us wisdom. Pray we love our little one well. And above all, may God be glorified and made much of. </div>
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Happy "Gotcha Day," y'all!!!</div>
Wanting What I Havehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711989381690050970noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627823383430900025.post-77110427214675599112014-04-21T15:32:00.000-05:002014-04-25T23:55:06.996-05:00Mm..Hi.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yikes. I am stunned to realize I haven't been here in four months. The days are long and the years are short, right!?</div>
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I feel like we are running a marathon at a sprinter's pace. We've rushed to complete (or at least get a good start) on about a million house projects. And there are a million more. This is, after all, the "I love stress house." (So named by The Engineer.)<br>
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We had a wonderful and quiet Christmas. The grands were here for Christmas day and mama joined us shortly thereafter.<br>
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Christmas afternoon my MIL and I began emptying the girls' bedroom into their bathroom…and then we moved downstairs to the living room and began taking down the tree and packing Christmas into tubs, which were promptly hauled back up to the attic. And then we emptied the rest of upstairs. What wouldn't fit in bathrooms, we squeezed into the living room and entrance hall.<br>
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December 26th found our living room in a very pregnant state…we even fit the guest bed <i>and</i> crib in there! (And we <i>EVEN</i> had guests sleep in the guest bed IN the living room!)<br>
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My MIL had begun the wallpaper stripping the week after our littlest (I've got to figure out a blog name for her…) arrived. A few days postpartum, I was helping strip wallpaper. Because it was everywhere. Our babysitter helped strip wallpaper. Our dear friends helped strip wallpaper. It was even on the ceiling!!! My nails are still splitting/peeling from the damage months of stripping wallpaper caused.<br>
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And then we repaired plaster…and caulked…and primed…and painted.<br>
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And then we stripped the floors. And repaired the floors. And made a hasty stain decision. (Don't <b>EVER, EVER, EVER</b> rush the stain decision!) And speculated in vain hope that a coat of poly would make things better. So…the next morning the floors looked like someone coated them with cherry coke plus red food coloring. I cried. The Engineer was gracious and told me not to "worry your pretty little head about it." We decided to strip 'em again and do it right. And that, my friends, is love. We did have a few, ahem, <i>discussions.</i><br>
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Our poor children went to sleep for weeks to the hum of a floor sander and then to hand sanders as we stripped the edges and corners…and the rustle of plastic as we passed back and forth through the "dust barrier." OH. MY. It was quite an ordeal. What doesn't kill you (your marriage!) makes you stronger, right!? Ha! Roughly six weeks after we began…<i>six weeks</i> of three children sleeping in the living room…we finished. And it was worth every minute! The floors are beautiful!!! (I can't wait to do the downstairs!!! And we WON'T make a hasty stain decision <b>EVER</b> again!) (And we hadn't pulled an "all-nighter" since the night before our old house went on the market. Whew!)</div>
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Side note: We'd mentioned needing to dissect a cow's heart to some friends… who happen to be adventurous chefs…who at the last minute invited us for a little pre-tartare dissection. (We left well before tartare was prepared, but we did take home a little sliver, which I prepared per instruction and the children each tasted during dinner!)<br>
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The dissection was incredibly interesting. Learning about the way God creates our physical hearts…and a cow's heart…amaze me.<br>
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So back to the floors…we finally have quarter round down in about half the upstairs. The rest is just stacked in the guest room, only it's so long it spans the width of the room. I felt bad for recent guests as they tripped over the stack multiple times. We lack any form of window covering in the guest room. The boys' room still retains the original urine yellow mini blinds…which constantly gawk at me. But alas, paying cash is a beautiful thing. It's all on the list. And we will get to it, Lord willing, eventually.<br>
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We're also working on storage cabinets in the garage…and our bathroom is still at the half-way point. The guest bath is in rough shape! We had a four year old guest ask to use the bathroom. She stood in the doorway and said, "I'll just hold it." Ha ha ha. OH my. And we have lots of trim half painted. All in good time. The progress, however slow it feels, is encouraging! I've posted lots of pics of our progress via instagram (wantingwhatihave).<br>
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This baby girl is such a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful gift. The children frequently ask, "Mama, how did we EVER live without her?!"<br>
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She is simply the most loved, kissed baby ever! And she will soon, very soon, have a new brother joining her.<br>
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Meet our precious baby boy. He was one on valentine's day!!! Words fail me. I never dreamed - not in a million years - we'd be here.<br>
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He and baby girl are only six months apart and will be in the same grade! (Though she would be the baby of the grade, so we will see…) Just…well, the circumstances surrounding all of this…trying for so long, feeling that pull at our hearts but seeing all doors close, the peace and contentment God gave us right where we were…and then bam! Pregnant! And all seemed well…12 weeks of ultrasounds weekly…the prediction of a routine, normal pregnancy…only to eventually be slapped with the reality of loss.<br>
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The pull, the desire, it remained. The Engineer was ready to begin the process of adoption, but only if I was. Finally, after nearly a year of trying and trying and praying and praying, my heart was there. Ready. And we began. And you already know the story.<br>
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We started the process, only to learn God was knitting a precious little one together in my womb. And we knew - there really wasn't any discussion, simply affirmation from one to the other, that we were still called to adopt. That we still wanted to adopt. And so we proceeded.<br>
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We were matched in the fall and just last week, we got the call we've been waiting for! "Travel Approval." We leave for China in a few weeks. And we are scrambling. Running hard, on adrenaline and excitement.<br>
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We are taking the older two and I think my heart might break in half when we say goodbye to the younger two. I'll be nursing baby girl right up until I step foot on that plane. (Any tips on flying and pumping, etc. welcomed!!!) I'm hoping she will miss me as much as I miss her and upon our homecoming, we can fall right back into rhythm. We'll see. I'm thankful God is sovereign and the timing of everything is no surprise to Him and I can rest in that.<br>
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I don't know how we will manage when we get home. An eight month old and a fourteen month old?! But I am confident that when He calls, He equips. He is faithful and good. He doesn't change like shifting sand. His grace is sufficient and His mercies are new every morning. I'm leaning hard on these truths and preaching the Gospel to myself. He is sovereign and that is a beautiful, wonderful encouragement.<br>
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My heart is aching for our boy right now - oh, yes, to hold him, but even more than that, his world is about to be rocked. He's about to be thrust into the arms of a family who doesn't look or smell or talk like anyone or anything he is familiar with. His world is about to be shattered. We're praying God is preparing his heart…and ours. </div>
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We made an impromptu decision to leave town a few weeks ago. We hadn't been away non work-related in two years.<br>
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It was a nice change of both pace and scenery. We worked ahead in school and packed up what we hadn't completed and barely did any of it. We studied things more along the lines of mud fighting (physics), map making (cartography), bleaching animal bones in peroxide (chemistry/biology), hiking (PE), drawing (art), and a lot of reading.<br>
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The Engineer and I worked feverishly to complete adoption training and I had a little freelance job to wrap up. I'm not sure why, but relaxing was really hard during this time away. The kids did great, but The Engineer and I struggled to just relax.<br>
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I felt disconnected…like I wasn't all "there." I hear that's not unusual in the latter stages of adoption. There is still that lingering sense that someone is missing. And he is. So anyway…we did have fun and it was nice to be away just us.<br>
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We celebrated twelve years of marriage in January and our thirty-third birthdays in March, during our time away. These are sweet years.<br>
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The older three are playing soccer this spring. Little Man scored 3/4 goals at his last game. Sister is loving the game and the friendships even more. And Little Bit, well, I think I've heard other parents refer to playing soccer at her age (4) as "herd ball." That about sums it up.<br>
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We are still homeschooling and it looks like we'll continue on that path next year. We'll see what the summer holds and how we adjust as a family of seven. For now, I can't imagine our days any other way. (I NEVER thought I'd say that.)<br>
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Baby girl has two teeth and seems to be working on more.<br>
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I bought a stack of boy fabric last week and am working on making shorts and pajama pants for our newest little guy. The sewing bug has bitten again - it's been a while! And it's so fun!<br>
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Currently there's a crib and bedding and a mattress sitting in our entry hall…it's crazy how the Lord provides. My sister helped me get in touch with a sweet local girl who was wanting to give her crib, etc. to an adoptive or foster care family…and she gave it to us!!! We are so thankful! (Thanks, MC!)<br>
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So we'll have two cribs set up - one in the boys' room and one in the girls' room. Crazy!!!<br>
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I love this picture! She was SO excited about giving her bro his birthday gifts.<br>
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The Engineer made an awesome bow for Little Man.<br>
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Look at the delight on his face!<br>
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Oh the arrows he's already lost…mostly because he's convinced he'll successfully take out a bird. He's not quite there, yet.<br>
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This was his first shot! Not bad at all!!!</div>
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Love this boy, love our family. It's wild and crazy. It hit me recently, that we really only have a very short window of time together. Every day they are growing and getting bigger. One day, not too far off, they will be all grown up, Lord willing. And just like they grew up and started feeding themselves, and just like they grew up and started bathing themselves, and just like they grew up and started buckling themselves, Lord willing, they're going to grow up and fly the nest. Oh, I want to be faithful!<br>
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I hope you're doing well. I'm not sure when I'll be back…these people in my home need me constantly. And it's just a season. A very, very fleeting season. And I want to drink deeply. I miss this space. This time. But it is what it is and our days are rich and full. As Sister said, "It's a beautiful mess." (With a little screaming and some fits, etc. thrown in!)<br>
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Hopefully I'll get to blog a little from China. We'd so appreciate your prayers - my heart will be stretched, half in China and half with my babies here. And please pray for our little guy, our "China brother." Pray God prepares his heart for the shock that is to come and pray God gives us wisdom and strength. Many, many thanks! Happy Monday, y'all!Wanting What I Havehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711989381690050970noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627823383430900025.post-23584601122485629792013-12-20T16:11:00.001-06:002013-12-20T18:41:31.309-06:00Well, Hello!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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Hi. How are you? (smile)</div>
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We've had a little bit going on around here…you know…having a baby and stuff. And the ol' blog has obviously taken a backseat. But hey - we're finished with school until January and the children and I have spent the day in pajamas. We ate cookies for breakfast and are having a laid back kind of day in the very best of ways. There are legos EVERYWHERE. And ponies.</div>
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My precious baby girl is napping and wonder of wonders…I have a few minutes. And I want to spend them here. And my thoughts are so random and so streams of consciousness...</div>
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The first few days home from the hospital were pure bliss…and then I had a little complication fall into my lap (ha ha) that knocked me flat on my back for several days. And I did something I'd never, ever done before. I held our new baby nearly every second. She slept on my chest. I breathed her in. And she brought healing to a place in my heart I didn't know needed healing.</div>
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I was frustrated by the prospect of not being able to be up on my feet, caring for house and home (and was SO THANKFUL for my MIL!!). I complained to my mama and she kind of made me mad when she told me this complication was a gift from God and to enjoy the <i>gift</i> of being forced off my feet for a period of time. I didn't see it then. But I do now. I wouldn't trade those days of holding baby girl 24/7 for anything.</div>
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And those late night and early morning feedings…this go 'round, they were sweet. Priceless. Just…preciousness. I have treasured this season of motherhood like no other. I cannot believe it's taken me four births and a whole lotta heartache to come to a place of enjoying this phase and having a thankful heart.</div>
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Don't get me wrong…I totally have my days of tears and "I can't do this!" and "What have we done? We are crazy! I need to put the children in school - NOW!" And God is merciful and His grace, sufficient.</div>
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Four is keeping me on my knees. Daily I feel my temper about to spill over and I have to preach the Gospel…I cannot be patient. I cannot be gentle. I cannot answer this question for the umpteenth time without losing it. But Christ in me can be patient. And gentle. And can answer tenderly. </div>
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And of course there are a lot of days (multiple times a day) when I do just lose it. And it's so ugly. And sometimes my heart's so hard it takes a while for the Holy Spirit to break through. </div>
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I hope and pray that in these days of crazy…amidst my failures and shortness…that somehow God is glorified and my children see Jesus.</div>
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November was a sweet month…we made a trip home to say goodbye to my precious grandmother. (My dad's mom.) She'd been sick with dementia and then alzheimers for a number of years. It was precious to get to see her one last time. She wasn't aware of our presence, but it was good to hold her hand and lean in close and to whisper to her that I was holding her eleventh great-grandchild, who is also, in part, her namesake. And it was amazing to grieve with hope. </div>
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I spent Monday nights with my grandparents during my freshman and sophomore years of high school…I will <i>always</i> treasure that time with them. That's when my grandmother and I had some deep conversations and that is when my love for her was cemented. And so it was an honor and joy to hold our baby girl close to Bongoo and to whisper those things in her ear…and again, to grieve with hope. </div>
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My children blessed me incredibly during that time. They, too, held her hand and talked to her and were very comfortable. We spent a few minutes praying for her and they asked if when she died, would she see our babies in heaven. And that about undid me.</div>
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I've been humbled and amazed by how much our children adore our new baby. Like…they just LOVE her.</div>
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I've never, in all his six years, heard Little Man speak with such gentleness and affection.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AP0tt7r6AxUMQU7hKL_Ij5HWoeGuxDtp_Q7mxUMqIcXlf1bOjVUzrGCNzRvBmmAt0ppeMTrQCoGJWVISkilay3gN6PwKGMxZxWCArecKVS-ZztSjZWgruX8wey6IZGEfP4z79OaEo7o/s1600/_DSC4685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AP0tt7r6AxUMQU7hKL_Ij5HWoeGuxDtp_Q7mxUMqIcXlf1bOjVUzrGCNzRvBmmAt0ppeMTrQCoGJWVISkilay3gN6PwKGMxZxWCArecKVS-ZztSjZWgruX8wey6IZGEfP4z79OaEo7o/s640/_DSC4685.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
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Little Bit loves her…well…roughly. Thank goodness babies are resilient!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4QMWPpR9FbV1efyaz0P7tPYERbVWdh6iCdamG96D1eOVnVywrV-uJgyafRhTG9PuSKGw3vsxFMUyPMRsOA9Rg9JF2oS2_TWwo_HJ1DoQPObzKD9Zu9ktz59P1YTIfGc1GA_Ol5mNKZw/s1600/_DSC4691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4QMWPpR9FbV1efyaz0P7tPYERbVWdh6iCdamG96D1eOVnVywrV-uJgyafRhTG9PuSKGw3vsxFMUyPMRsOA9Rg9JF2oS2_TWwo_HJ1DoQPObzKD9Zu9ktz59P1YTIfGc1GA_Ol5mNKZw/s640/_DSC4691.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
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The pictures above and below are pretty accurate representations of what happens when the youngest two hang together. The thing is, Little Bit really loves her new sister…she's just rough. Really. Rough. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVKKePznsfy83G4YLy_cxom9KG264ieERTa0C1nkZFYRGn-gpd8vriYWP56S-iiA1cbgGklfQ5ByAwCZk_0W40655Hq8LLla9p1sDXPRpOgff-Xq4kX8unXarJaLgO3ptC_cU7kmNjVE/s1600/_DSC4692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVKKePznsfy83G4YLy_cxom9KG264ieERTa0C1nkZFYRGn-gpd8vriYWP56S-iiA1cbgGklfQ5ByAwCZk_0W40655Hq8LLla9p1sDXPRpOgff-Xq4kX8unXarJaLgO3ptC_cU7kmNjVE/s640/_DSC4692.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
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With number four, I am doing everything I said I'd <i>never</i> do…she sleeps in a cradle <i>in</i> our bedroom! I haven't left her in the nursery during church or Sunday school...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRw4MsQFQ12gdA_qv_9hreMdjWP7p02emXrGn5J4Av-79cqVylhCQATHLhLyqqVAJdzNU4cU3JYKqJwHn0sizh45nGVHHelDexvCiX8k3vTZDBK5cVo380T9PvXAEmUFK57XO0Y5JjL4/s1600/_DSC4702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRw4MsQFQ12gdA_qv_9hreMdjWP7p02emXrGn5J4Av-79cqVylhCQATHLhLyqqVAJdzNU4cU3JYKqJwHn0sizh45nGVHHelDexvCiX8k3vTZDBK5cVo380T9PvXAEmUFK57XO0Y5JjL4/s640/_DSC4702.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
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I haven't wanted to move her up to her crib…because I feel pretty sure this will be the last season of having a baby and getting to spend this kind of snuggle time with a baby…at least until my girls have babies, Lord willing. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fUEW8zlmEgr-U6an-UlxOejdtXWTxjZdIpuWKxLV-MlXZbrgQCpUgFgw07bjf3CzqfRYHmy1-nFvTTfaCzQ3svW0o7WPXb_Nw4ity5wQjwdkTYWfJ59sV33xpa6BhdkQIF4UJEeCqjU/s1600/_DSC4716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_fUEW8zlmEgr-U6an-UlxOejdtXWTxjZdIpuWKxLV-MlXZbrgQCpUgFgw07bjf3CzqfRYHmy1-nFvTTfaCzQ3svW0o7WPXb_Nw4ity5wQjwdkTYWfJ59sV33xpa6BhdkQIF4UJEeCqjU/s640/_DSC4716.jpg" width="426"></a></div>
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And there was this little issue, about moving her up, that made me a tad nervous. We have, ahem, had, this pet spider…named Charlotte. She lived in the window in our guest room. Every night she would creep out from the opening where the rope and pulley are fastened. She kept a tiny web in the corner of the window and well, over the course of the last year and a half, we'd become quite fond of her. We think she was a southern house spider. So anyway…something about putting my helpless baby to bed in a room with a big ol' black spider - regardless of how fond we'd become of her and how non-threatening she's supposed to be, was unnerving. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBL8AfIc5egoX3vN88Id3wa5M0G9CiT0y5GJsIBjOlYC1lSg-7mdGDw-B3c62FIHjKs8MSmyF7Y8PEaAJjiGmS7_aBXlXWJenhVNlVfq-nxk6vMlTjmy0p2yq2QEEKPHFeWxyK4dMVj3o/s1600/_DSC4720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBL8AfIc5egoX3vN88Id3wa5M0G9CiT0y5GJsIBjOlYC1lSg-7mdGDw-B3c62FIHjKs8MSmyF7Y8PEaAJjiGmS7_aBXlXWJenhVNlVfq-nxk6vMlTjmy0p2yq2QEEKPHFeWxyK4dMVj3o/s640/_DSC4720.jpg" width="426"></a></div>
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So we poisoned the spider. And I'm a little bit sad. I keep peeking in to see if just maybe she's been hiding. Alas, I haven't seen her and her web hasn't returned. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXGKFXTAmXKQuKRRy1z1DR8NSrwU-FaXoyeezIAHxjvwMgZ2ukP5OopMZmLSA1V6sJ5Fuat8g076q7DhK81yGMlC3EKQa3Kz-Ql3ctCMbwbEeFxYZ3ssISQVBIHNOZLkfNHf1u15fsLs/s1600/_DSC4769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXGKFXTAmXKQuKRRy1z1DR8NSrwU-FaXoyeezIAHxjvwMgZ2ukP5OopMZmLSA1V6sJ5Fuat8g076q7DhK81yGMlC3EKQa3Kz-Ql3ctCMbwbEeFxYZ3ssISQVBIHNOZLkfNHf1u15fsLs/s640/_DSC4769.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
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And my MIL started peeling wallpaper…and what do you know!? Three months later and we have two rooms and one ceiling stripped of wallpaper, almost all the plaster repaired, and a good bit of the two rooms painted. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxShmXKzVOLEt1Oa-ERpiMy4WAJSVROHyuIUgO_I3iPP3Xm6uQHPWm_kKCttJwcJCzaVkKfPaPvRDH0RWYpxAxZx9KiIBE0QPxo_uBBNlu4LKDW7ARAv43iVqvl_SEp6ceuzSrzOStlo/s1600/_DSC4735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxShmXKzVOLEt1Oa-ERpiMy4WAJSVROHyuIUgO_I3iPP3Xm6uQHPWm_kKCttJwcJCzaVkKfPaPvRDH0RWYpxAxZx9KiIBE0QPxo_uBBNlu4LKDW7ARAv43iVqvl_SEp6ceuzSrzOStlo/s640/_DSC4735.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
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One can barely navigate the hall upstairs. It's a total wreck and is currently housing a bed and lots of furniture! There are bits of wallpaper clinging to the steps. It's a mess. And the beat goes on.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXq0CjQFPWxB5IpbP9GEthklm902Pzy4tTC5zvSyiER7ZMPMz9dd-t_Az1pWgkGd7kMQYFh-dHCYJ8YOUndkXL9fR838hQQsl8B0znkIlGd-wJ2eCvySpJ4x0j1ifLwdDXmdFZn8z-5Jw/s1600/_DSC4740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXq0CjQFPWxB5IpbP9GEthklm902Pzy4tTC5zvSyiER7ZMPMz9dd-t_Az1pWgkGd7kMQYFh-dHCYJ8YOUndkXL9fR838hQQsl8B0znkIlGd-wJ2eCvySpJ4x0j1ifLwdDXmdFZn8z-5Jw/s640/_DSC4740.jpg" width="426"></a></div>
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Ok…now let's talk about Amazon Prime. Um. Hello. Do you know about this? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcEyA_Iz4Xzli-JuuWl7QG7nfO3SLMDH7u7Iq9-hP5O9i7e1IYiQfhZWqmTyR90FeAOS37QyRA2yEkt1Y002AkIf1dmvRd-nhmbrXuingziDG7NPLyQrdk4V93m4DtwJmdWVsOjzDWFQ/s1600/_DSC4753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRcEyA_Iz4Xzli-JuuWl7QG7nfO3SLMDH7u7Iq9-hP5O9i7e1IYiQfhZWqmTyR90FeAOS37QyRA2yEkt1Y002AkIf1dmvRd-nhmbrXuingziDG7NPLyQrdk4V93m4DtwJmdWVsOjzDWFQ/s640/_DSC4753.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
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Let's rewind about six or so months. I was grossly nauseated and pregnant. I dropped Sister at art and took the younger two with me to Lowes. All I needed was a filter for our fridge water dispenser. There were three employees in the appliance section…all helping one customer. I stood at the rack of filters, puzzled, trying to decipher their code while one child danced and cried about needing to potty. I couldn't figure out which filter I needed. We beelined for the bathroom…too late. The clock was ticking. I could't get any help. Art lessons were almost over. Still, I couldn't figure out which filter I needed. Finally two employees tried to help. They weren't sure either. I was done and called The Engineer - because he knows everything and can figure out whatever he doesn't know because he's a total genius. So while the Lowes employees kept looking, The Engineer figured it out and called me back with the right info. In the meantime, I arranged for someone else to pick up Sister from art. Finally I found the correct filter, sped to the front to pay, and rushed out the door to grab Sister…late. And I sweat when I'm under pressure like that. I was sweating. Put out. Annoyed. And the car smelled like urine. I was NOT a happy camper.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04_PXEddr-gJUl7rihQ6X9yx_qVBITWFIxALgQlszyHi4qUBRb1iY26jlbQbpAjk9sOSH_Z7gN7wW2vvf6z7Uwt_FfYtWksDS0otS0Et02GKL9sppTrEX2fcWetXRh3T72OJQ9h2_nF4/s1600/_DSC4776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04_PXEddr-gJUl7rihQ6X9yx_qVBITWFIxALgQlszyHi4qUBRb1iY26jlbQbpAjk9sOSH_Z7gN7wW2vvf6z7Uwt_FfYtWksDS0otS0Et02GKL9sppTrEX2fcWetXRh3T72OJQ9h2_nF4/s640/_DSC4776.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
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So when I learned water filters and a million other things, can be ordered on Amazon and for $70/year every prime item ships "free" and is at my door in two days…I was sold. It takes two days to pack up four kids anyway. And so we joined. I'm never leaving the house again. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37Ltkk1XuTg8-m65-utzxKiR6pb1XiKZnGKHddnr_WYTzN7tzcBf-JJyNOShS8m7d6hNEh19rgYLGBV6WEspGVM8Q0QoEG92r2aXFEFDIh1n0E9E6SzmSXFGtYzjEik39F3wa6jDDXWg/s1600/_DSC4815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37Ltkk1XuTg8-m65-utzxKiR6pb1XiKZnGKHddnr_WYTzN7tzcBf-JJyNOShS8m7d6hNEh19rgYLGBV6WEspGVM8Q0QoEG92r2aXFEFDIh1n0E9E6SzmSXFGtYzjEik39F3wa6jDDXWg/s640/_DSC4815.jpg" width="426"></a></div>
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Now let's talk about hair loss. Because (insert sarcasm) I know it's important to share things like this on the www. This is the fifth pregnancy after which I have had significant hair loss. Each time it's gotten worse. I have lost pretty much all the long hair on one section of my head and have only short, one inch strands in its place. I'm now parting my hair on the opposite side. This is taking a LOT of getting used to. And my hair…it hurts. Seriously. The dermatologist says the follicles are swollen and the discomfort will go away eventually. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70_g0lxaL6DmpJv5DDvxKZ9V9_1dX7avCQsUOCaamZNLbwB1OMCcpG53_PlJEg8Qf6CxvB1h-11-SrY2zEPjGHuZ5m9mNH4XcgbCVhUkR8G4wvfD0WqwUn1le-uWwSW7M2jzL6mV5oXQ/s1600/_DSC4845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70_g0lxaL6DmpJv5DDvxKZ9V9_1dX7avCQsUOCaamZNLbwB1OMCcpG53_PlJEg8Qf6CxvB1h-11-SrY2zEPjGHuZ5m9mNH4XcgbCVhUkR8G4wvfD0WqwUn1le-uWwSW7M2jzL6mV5oXQ/s640/_DSC4845.jpg" width="426"></a></div>
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I really, really miss my hair. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6tOxzYghqVuvvzdALEDTILFORBtACtcmQ6tVoYt_C5AlOt5uHQDhsazsATDkX7usJDN_7xGxUlYYjSoEv1_F9XJr1oCfAwyCAzqx2JaLo9NuubxowK3FGvzcgc2vPrx3zwB73HJ44Qk/s1600/_DSC4859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6tOxzYghqVuvvzdALEDTILFORBtACtcmQ6tVoYt_C5AlOt5uHQDhsazsATDkX7usJDN_7xGxUlYYjSoEv1_F9XJr1oCfAwyCAzqx2JaLo9NuubxowK3FGvzcgc2vPrx3zwB73HJ44Qk/s640/_DSC4859.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
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Mama turned SIXTY in October! We surprised her with the best ever weekend get-away at a friend's lake house. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6r1d3EgaQMFGKyHxHuFgDG7SqKxlnypucKHp-TZKqrFylxonSTaCoByhfIyfYtZ09_xGgAApsLUcs-w6fk5-15G4JNL5bAk8x5jzrM0Pf0UbELcYyX13eR4safI4woCCXM5YLUOocjI/s1600/_DSC4937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6r1d3EgaQMFGKyHxHuFgDG7SqKxlnypucKHp-TZKqrFylxonSTaCoByhfIyfYtZ09_xGgAApsLUcs-w6fk5-15G4JNL5bAk8x5jzrM0Pf0UbELcYyX13eR4safI4woCCXM5YLUOocjI/s640/_DSC4937.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
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My sweet Aunt made the fourteen hour trek to join us in celebrating Mama!</div>
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We returned to their old stomping grounds…saw the house they grew up in - their last name was STILL on the mailbox! It's been a mere fifty years! Not even kidding.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5hk6I05b8XJlWlGmAZxNnCmKPni7xlZq69TOtLcXbp_e3fQmXkOoYUry7PO-D4abZiyE9n74Uf8I0cHINNVQpoPYZZVdm9W-Uus7bjFBvtBjW8P6__Ip47ZZXG-iJ4An7JVKXNQsETs/s1600/_DSC4950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5hk6I05b8XJlWlGmAZxNnCmKPni7xlZq69TOtLcXbp_e3fQmXkOoYUry7PO-D4abZiyE9n74Uf8I0cHINNVQpoPYZZVdm9W-Uus7bjFBvtBjW8P6__Ip47ZZXG-iJ4An7JVKXNQsETs/s640/_DSC4950.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
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And then we escaped to the lake and lazed about and stayed up way too late and ate super well. I brought our newest and my baby sister brought her baby…it was a precious weekend celebrating Mama! (Love you, Mom!!!)</div>
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This little one rolled over a few nights ago!!! Say what!!!??? Stop it! This is happening too fast.</div>
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Let's touch on school. I've given up starting any earlier than nine. And so nine it is. Baby is four months old today. I seriously feel like I am just now getting my groove back. </div>
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Yesterday morning, after The Engineer left, I sat on the floor and did some painting. Alone. In the quiet. It was dark outside. The children were all asleep. I listened to James White (check him out!) preach. And it was completely rejuvenating. </div>
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During Thanksgiving week we spent time with those who'd not yet met our newest.</div>
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This included time with The Engineer's grands…our newest is also, in part, his paternal grandmother's namesake.</div>
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We are so blessed in that our children know both sets of his grandparents. </div>
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Our time there was fun and quiet and relaxing.</div>
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And then we spent time with his maternal grandparents…and for whatever reason (I guess the distraction of four children during a much shorter visit?) I didn't pull out my big camera and don't have pictures of our time with them to share. (sad!)</div>
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Thanksgiving day was spent at Mama's…Little Man took out a turkey leg.</div>
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And bam, it's Christmas time! I'm not sure when I'll be back on the ol' blog...</div>
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If not before Christmas, Merry Christmas to you and yours!!! xoxo</div>
Wanting What I Havehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711989381690050970noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627823383430900025.post-13866385043993554832013-09-30T08:28:00.002-05:002013-09-30T14:29:05.003-05:00Twelve Words<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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Once again, The Engineer is rocking my world. He has a gentleness about him that unravels me. And He is wise.</div>
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I'd told the children for the umpteenth time to, "clean up." Specifically, I told one child to put their shoes away. Said child's shoes ended up in the general direction of "put away," but they were certainly not "put away."</div>
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The Engineer and I walked in the room and I sighed audibly and began complaining. First about the shoes and then the general messes these kids make and "why won't they just obey and clean up?" I was quickly running down the "woe is me" path. Rather than join or affirm my martyr syndrome, he lovingly looked at me and said, "We have children. There are going to be shoes on the floor."</div>
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Of course, there was an obedience issue to be dealt with, but those two sentences, those twelve words, have hugely challenged me. He is right. We have children and they live here and there will be shoes on the floor. And books on the sofa. And piles of dirty clothes. Cabinet doors will be left open. Water dripping. Toilets unflushed. Concoctions will be made. Balls will get stuck in bushes and footballs will land on the roof. Furniture and blankets will become makeshift tents and dolls will be left out...how else do you play, "orphanage?" Diapers will stink and dishes will be dirtied. Wet towels will be left on the floor. All faster than I can keep up. And they are young. And this is where they learn and begin to shape their life habits. And my attitude has a tremendous impact on the direction and temperament of these little people in our home. They are still children. "When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child." </div>
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Why oh why oh why do I often expect them to act differently? These years are but a season. Sister is at the nine year mark. That's half of eighteen. It is flying by! These years in our home are a time to train and direct in establishing habits of both heart and body. And so I am taking a deep breath and reminding myself that training takes time and no habit is made overnight. It is good and right to walk with them and encourage them as we teach them. It's sowing and reaping. We always reap <u>later</u> <i>and</i> <u>greater</u>.</div>
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And so I am asking God to change my heart and attitude in this regard. I don't want to sow seeds of frustration and discontentment. Again, The Engineer humbles me in the most precious of ways. I am so thankful for that man. </div>
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And because of Christ's work on the cross and because He is faithful to finish that which He began, I have hope. Change in my hard heart <i>is</i> possible. {smile}</div>
Wanting What I Havehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711989381690050970noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627823383430900025.post-66472217386134384912013-09-25T06:55:00.001-05:002013-09-25T07:18:43.136-05:00Awesome. I am awesome.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznvnYKsyNraMC6qZruqlzzychvj9bbR0x_Hz7TzMA27doVMlRQO1VD5OduWP2GqJWiJOS6Xhjdse8w-S8Eyx144b1ps9Yr1snz8ltdIMC9jj6GMJSAJ5BEEreCIT6oSVNp11QkLqxWag/s640/blogger-image-272706372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznvnYKsyNraMC6qZruqlzzychvj9bbR0x_Hz7TzMA27doVMlRQO1VD5OduWP2GqJWiJOS6Xhjdse8w-S8Eyx144b1ps9Yr1snz8ltdIMC9jj6GMJSAJ5BEEreCIT6oSVNp11QkLqxWag/s640/blogger-image-272706372.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am an awesome wife (wink, wink). This morning, upon walking into the bathroom, I saw what you see above. This hand towel is what my 6'1" husband dried off with this morning. Because there wasn't a single bath towel in the bathroom closet. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Did he call for me to bring him a towel? No. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Did he say ANYTHING to me about it? No. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This man is patient and his love humbles me. </div>Wanting What I Havehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711989381690050970noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627823383430900025.post-49999771621809337002013-09-09T08:14:00.001-05:002013-09-09T08:14:12.640-05:00Labor...Sort Of<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtg_6_ZENYXtISJQDomGs57HKv6Wg5ZbEbFkkCnYWrC2O8tRQh6iajYPz4QuNhVIZiosSQr1QEUCudrpUXqlIdgyZLW_EDhSwiAAwc8EQ17KaZDLn3v3xu-ypLFnchNZVvDaXHdi40uX8/s640/blogger-image-520391514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtg_6_ZENYXtISJQDomGs57HKv6Wg5ZbEbFkkCnYWrC2O8tRQh6iajYPz4QuNhVIZiosSQr1QEUCudrpUXqlIdgyZLW_EDhSwiAAwc8EQ17KaZDLn3v3xu-ypLFnchNZVvDaXHdi40uX8/s640/blogger-image-520391514.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div>So...guess what we did this morning?? <div><br></div><div>We left WAY before dawn and made the trek to the USCIS office to be fingerprinted...</div><div><br></div><div>And then we stopped by FedEx and overnighted our Dossier (a HUGE packet of paperwork we've labored over for quite sometime). </div><div><br></div><div>We are that much closer to bringing our son home!!! And that puts a lump in my throat. And makes me choke up while standing at the Fedex counter. </div><div><br></div><div>Little China Brother-we are coming!!! We can't wait to find out who you are! And we love you already. </div><div><br></div><div>xoxo-</div><div>mama and daddy</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Wanting What I Havehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711989381690050970noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627823383430900025.post-38931813107062236242013-09-03T22:21:00.002-05:002013-09-03T22:22:27.288-05:00Happy Birthday, Baby!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Y'all, we have a baby!</span></b> Who has been here two weeks. And we are smitten with our littlest!</div>
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Tuesday morning, August 20, I woke around 5am with contractions. Hard, painful contractions. The Engineer's alarm went off. He rose to shower and I said nothing...just bit my lip and counted through each contraction. About the time he was stepping out of the shower, I told him to stay home. I was pretty sure it was the real thing. </div>
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He looked a little skeptical and asked me if I'd been timing them and I got a little snippy and suggested he go on to work and I'd just call him when the baby arrived. (Lovely. I know.) Around 7:30 my contractions tapered out. And I just <i>knew</i> I'd been wrong. It was false labor! Had to be. And here I'd told him to stay home from work. <i>And</i> I'd been a jerk about it.</div>
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He suggested we "get things moving." So I raked the driveway and a chunk of the backyard. And then headed inside to sit for a bit. Which quickly turned into me lying down. In the bedroom. With the door closed. </div>
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The children watched TV. We'd had a false alarm two Sundays before. They weren't holding their breath. </div>
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At 10am The Engineer decided we should go on and send the kids to a friend's house. I was still worried it was false labor. He wasn't. Our sweet friend arrived at 11. She stepped back to the bedroom to visit for a few minutes. By then, The Engineer had insisted I get dressed and make sure my things were ready to go. I was lying across the foot of our bed when my friend arrived. We talked for about ten minutes. I didn't have a contraction while she was here. Again, I was <i>sure</i> it was false labor...and was growing more mortified by the minute...The Engineer had stayed home. He'd called family and alerted them. The in-laws were on the way. My friend (who home schools) was sacrificing her entire day to keep our kids. Eek What if it wasn't the real thing!? </div>
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She took the children. Three more contractions...The Engineer said it was time to go. I rose and began making my way to the car...still afraid it was false labor. (My contractions weren't regular - they were crazy...eight minutes, then two minutes, then five minutes, etc.) </div>
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I saw the breakfast mess and declared I would NOT leave such a mess to come home to. And I began to clean. The Engineer was <strike>freaking out a little</strike> keeping things in perspective...promising he would clean it up later...would I just "<i><b>GET IN THE CAR?! "</b></i></div>
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Two more contractions and I was dying. I got in the car. I made him pull over at the foot of our driveway...another contraction. And it hurt bad.</div>
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We pulled into the parking garage of the hospital. He found a spot near the entrance. It would be tight. He suggested I get out prior to pulling in...I got out. Contraction. Right beside a Mercedes. I was afraid to lean on it, for fear I'd set off an alarm. I put my hands on my thighs, bit my lip, and counted.</div>
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The car wouldn't fit. I got back in. We had to park elsewhere...we'd almost made it to the hospital entrance. Contraction. Good night they hurt.</div>
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We made it through the entrance and to the elevators. I could hear the doors opening as another contraction hit me. It was all I could do to remain standing while I leaned hard into The Engineer.</div>
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We made it to the L&D floor. The nurses sent me to Triage to be checked. Bam. Another contraction. I felt like I might fall over. I was still afraid it was false labor.</div>
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The nurse checked me. I was between 5-6 cm. It was the real deal. She stepped out and then popped her head back in, "You gonna want an epidural?" </div>
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Fear gripped my heart. Dare I? My back hurt so bad during most of this pregnancy and I always bruise badly for several weeks from the epidural...and so towards the end of my pregnancy I'd decided I wanted to try and power through and have baby au natural...as in...without any pain meds. </div>
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My OB had suggested I have a game plan for dealing with the pain. We read about the Bradley Method, thanks to a sweet friend's suggestion. That same <a href="http://buildingwiththreads.blogspot.com/">dear friend</a> told me if I went in planning to bite my lip, I'd bite right through it. She was tremendously supportive and helped me navigate planning/prepping for this new territory.</div>
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And so I answered, "no." And I was kind of scared. Afraid I wouldn't make it. Couldn't make it.<br />
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And so they wheeled me to L&D and called my doctor. I was lying on my side, gripping The Engineer's hand through each contraction. The nurse was precious and very supportive and even waited between contractions to mess with things like the belly monitor, etc.</div>
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My doctor popped in, checked me...this time I was between 6-7cm. She broke my water and told me to prep for super strong contractions. The nurse said, "oh they'll really pick up and get intense now." Y'all, I could not fathom anything stronger than what I was already feeling. And...when they broke my water, they discovered meconium...and explained that we shouldn't panic if baby didn't cry right off the bat...that they'd be handing baby off to the peds staff. My doctor stepped out. </div>
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And my heart sank. I prayed. I reminded myself that God is sovereign. Over <i>every</i> detail. Even when it's not what we want. There was peace in my heart, but sadness as I pondered the reality that His ways aren't ours. Not my will, but His be done. And I wondered if it was a good thing I'd guarded my heart. If the worst happened, maybe it wouldn't hurt <i>quite</i> as bad.</div>
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I had one more contraction on my back and <i>had</i> to roll to my side. I <i>promise</i> they were worse on my back. I had another contraction and panic set in. I needed to push. STAT.</div>
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I yelled to the nurse. Another contraction. She needed me to roll over. I couldn't. It hurt too bad. Finally, I rolled. She took one look and The Engineer says she panicked...it was SO time to push. She was flying all over that room, calling for the doctor, grabbing things, etc. The peds/nursery staff came running in. Oh, it was exciting. My doctor came running in. She was rushing so and fumbling with her drape...telling me to "hang on."</div>
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Another contraction seized my body and she gave me the "go-ahead"...and it felt <i>so good</i> to push. I was gripping both sides of the bed. Freaking out a little bit. I mean, this wasn't my first rodeo, but I kinda never <i>felt</i> anything much with the others.</div>
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And then there was that awkward pause...where the contraction has passed and you're sitting there in stirrups and everyone is just hanging out. Waiting. And I'm thinking, "childbirth is <i>so</i> glamorous!" And then my thoughts shifted to my baby...I wanted baby out...away from the meconium.</div>
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Contraction. More pushing. The Engineer held my head up for me. Another break.</div>
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One more contraction and oh my - it hurt <i>so</i> bad. I just wanted baby <b>OUT</b>! Like - I would do anything, just get that baby OUT!! I've never felt anything like it. The ring of fire (which wasn't as bad as I'd imagined), the urge to push, etc. It was crazy. God made our bodies crazy intricate. Amazing.</div>
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I pushed hard. And got a <i>little</i> vocal. Baby's head was out. One more push and baby was <i>completely</i> out. I fell back in the bed, <i>exhausted</i>, my eyes closed. I was gasping for air. Relishing the empty feeling following birth. Not to mention how weird it felt to actually <i>feel</i> what had happened. Baby screamed. My heart breathed a sigh of relief.</div>
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And my doctor said, <i><span style="font-size: large;">"It's a GIRL!!!!!"</span></i> Y'all, I was so exhausted - just trying to breathe again - I smiled, but couldn't even open my eyes to see her. She quickly handed her over to peds. The Engineer didn't get to cut the cord. He stayed right by my side, holding my hand.</div>
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I'd finally caught my breath and looked over at baby. They were wrapping her up. She was just fine. Perfect, in fact. My heart beat with gratitude and thanksgiving. Baby girl was healthy and we'd done it. I birthed a baby without meds. And The Engineer had coached me through. And let me dig my nails into his hands. He'd held my head and encouraged me. We did it. </div>
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They placed her on my chest and neither The Engineer nor I could stop the smiles. We stared and unwrapped our precious bundle. We called her by her name. I fed her. We traced her fingers and nose. It was magical. There is nothing more attractive than seeing my man with that wedding band on his finger holding our new baby.</div>
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And then they whisked her away for her bath, etc. The Engineer got to be a part of all of that. I stayed in bed and begged for a snack and advil. Only - things had happened so fast (about an hour and a half from arrival to baby in arms), none of the paper work or info had been entered into the computer. So no advil. I did get a coke. (smile)</div>
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And then the strangest thing happened. The nurse returned and I got up, out of that bed, and walked myself to the bathroom. Like - without assistance. And hello, no catheter this time!</div>
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They moved us to our room. I went in a wheelchair and upon arrival, got up out of that wheelchair and walked to the bed. The nurse gave me the low down and told me to call her the first time I got up out of bed. Hold up - no need to call. I was ready. And I got up out of that bed by myself. I was steady on my feet. I felt FANTASTIC!!</div>
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So here's the thing...natural childbirth is <i>incredibly</i> painful. My ectopic pregnancy is the only thing that could possibly compete with the pain level. But, when you forgo the epidural, when it's over, it's over. I liken it to a Dave Ramsey vacation. Pay cash and when the trip is over, it's over. It doesn't follow you home to be paid for later. If I knew then what I know now about the recovery, I would've gone natural every single time. And I am all for modern medicine! It's just, this experience was awesome. Amazing. And the recovery - oh my - SO MUCH better! The Engineer couldn't get over how quickly I was "myself" again.</div>
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The other thing about this experience is that things happened quickly and we missed out on taking any pics pre-delivery. We didn't even get a shot with my ob. And we certainly didn't get "it's a girl" on video...which makes me a tad bit sad, but it is what it is and the memories are precious.</div>
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Later that evening the grands arrived in town and gathered our older three and brought them to the hospital. My in-laws waited in the hall while we told the children. (We sent a mass text letting friends know baby was here, but withheld her gender so the children could find out first.) </div>
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They were SO STINKIN' EXCITED! And it was so sweet to see the Lord give <i>all three </i>of them the desires of their hearts - and how precious that He would unite them on that front. The girls wanted a baby sister sooooo badly! And Little Man wanted a China brother soooooooo badly. They were thrilled. So thrilled, in fact, the grands heard their excitement and figured out we'd had a girl before they even set foot in the room.</div>
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And ha - Little Man was right! Maybe he does have a future in sonography!?</div>
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Because he'd been right (and because they were all bickering over who got to go first), The Engineer elected Little Man would hold her first. He was smitten. It was so sweet to see. The girls each took a turn and then the grands. We had a sweet, sweet visit and love spilled over.</div>
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A dear friend came right after that, with two HUGE slices of delicious chocolate dessert! It was amazing. Just what a new mama needed. We had a sweet visit and turned in for the night.</div>
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Baby girl (who is named for The Engineer's and my paternal grandmothers) had a full day on day two...girls from small group stopped in and there was all the busyness of the hospital and doctors buzzing in and out and a birth certificate to file, etc. By the end of 48 hours I was ready to head home. Sort of. I do enjoy the hospital stay. </div>
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Head home we did. All SIX of us loaded up, snapped a few pics, and hit the road. It was a sweet homecoming. Sister wanted so badly to carry her new baby sis into the house. We let her. It was precious. They had decked out the house and Sister made the most precious poster that's ever been for her new sister. The table was set and there were pink balloons on the mailbox. The children had picked out a little gift for me in celebration of baby girl. </div>
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Little Bit seemed a tad disinterested at first. Since then, she's pretty much fallen in love. We should've had three babies...one for each of the older siblings. They have struggled to share baby girl. It's both incredibly annoying and absolutely precious. We finally settled on giving them each ten minutes of alone time with her each day. This has gone a LONG way. </div>
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Sister is a pro with baby girl and such a blessing to me! Little Man loves to "settle her" and <i>insists</i> he has the magic touch. And Little Bit is queen of waking baby girl at inopportune times as well as helping me change Baby Girl's diaper, which usually means a lot of interest in the mess that is <i>in</i> the diaper, rather than actually helping me change it {wink, wink}. But gather supplies she does!!</div>
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Little Bit has had a rough go of giving up the "baby" throne. She insists she's still "the baby!" Fine by me. For now. We'll hit our stride eventually and I'm okay with taking some time to get there.</div>
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Today, on baby girl"s two week birthday, we have our first day sans the fam. I teared up when my mil left and again when mama left. It was such a blessing to have help for so long, and yet it's such a blessing to be just "us" again, and to begin discovering what the new normal is. </div>
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The Engineer left for work early this morning. The children and I got moving a little later. Our social worker was scheduled to arrive at ten to update our home study. I'd cleaned upstairs last night, laid out the kids' clothes, and had downstairs fairly picked up. (She needed to see baby girl as well as the nursery - which is another story all together.) Two out of three had meltdowns over the clothes they'd agreed to wear. One decided to sling a urine soaked pull-up around and around and threw it in the hall where it exploded. Said child took a broom and began trying to sweep the sticky gel mess into a pile. That was totally <i>not</i> effective. And the broom was nasty with gel bits. I lost my temper and yelled. I mean - it's just a social worker coming by to verify that we are doing well with this fourth child so she can update our homestudy so we can adopt a fifth child. Ha.</div>
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And there is nail polish all over the girls' toilet and bathroom floor and in their sink. I've just confiscated every bottle of nail polish owned by Little Bit. I've already had to apologize to the children for how ugly I've acted and spoken. Little Man jumped on the guest room bed and did flips, etc. WHILE the social worker was in there checking out the nursery (which is also the guest room) despite knowing he was disobeying plus my repeatedly telling him to stop. Sister is quite emotional. Little Bit has ponies all over the living room floor where the girls played while I visited with our social worker. And as I type this, Little Man has just dropped his lego box at the top of the stairs. It broke open and legos have showered down the steps - which makes a terrifyingly terrific sound...so there are 4.1 million legos EVERYWHERE. Baby girl has thrush...and so do I. Ouch! My goodness - it's painful. It's a little bit crazy over here, y'all. I'm a little overwhelmed today. Mostly by attitudes. But I suppose (and hope) a good bit of that is detox - from two weeks of fun times with the grands and the excitement of having a baby.</div>
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And this is just a season. And it will pass quickly.</div>
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For my benefit, and to keep things in perspective...We have a beautiful, healthy, precious baby girl and three other healthy children. Our adoption is rocking along. God is providing for us, above and beyond. It's crazy. And I may have shed a few tears, but it sure is good. And we'll figure it out soon enough. And we are thankful, so thankful. I am still in awe that God has given us this little one. That He knit her together in my womb. That she is fearfully and wonderfully made - with great intention and purpose! And still, I am in awe that she lived. That we made it. That God's perfectly sovereign plan was to sustain this precious little girl and to entrust her to us. I pray we will honor Him in the way we live the Gospel before her and I pray that He is already whispering to her, softening her heart, calling her to Himself.</div>
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Precious baby girl, flesh of my flesh, you are a wonderful, good and perfect gift from God. You are amazing and we are in awe of the gift of you. You are so loved, so celebrated, so rejoiced over! We love you, sweet girl!</div>
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8.20.13</div>
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7 lb 12 oz</div>
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Happy Birthday, baby girl!!</div>
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Wanting What I Havehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711989381690050970noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627823383430900025.post-74987689811873873002013-08-15T12:40:00.000-05:002013-08-15T12:40:11.109-05:00Hi. It's Me.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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Hello, hello. We are all still here and I am actually writing a "for real" blog post! (A veerrrrry long for real blog post.) Woop woop! I suppose that's what happens when you think you're in labor due to seven - YES, SEVEN hours of contractions (this past Sunday)...kind of motivates you to finish off all those little last minute things...like painting the last coat on the closet trim and ironing the last of baby's gowns, etc. And when those things are off the check list, well, hello blog!</div>
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That was us this past Sunday. By eleven o'clock that night The Engineer was in a nice button down, my bags were completely packed and I'd put on some fresh makeup. The car was vacuumed, the carseat installed. We were ready to load up and go...and my contractions began to slow down and eventually puttered out completely. I think the children were more disappointed than we were. </div>
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Earlier in the summer, the children "camped out" on the floor in Little Man's room...we got them all down and settled for the night, waited a little while and then yelled, "ICE CREAM RUN!!!" And boy did they pep up...came flying down the stairs in pajamas, threw on their shoes, and off we went. It was a fun night!</div>
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This summer has been crazy! So much fun. So busy. Lots going on. Lots of people visiting. Lots of projects begun and almost...almost completed. </div>
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The girls both celebrated birthdays. For Sister's ninth we made the trip back "home" to our old digs...we stayed with our dear friends with whom we used to be neighbors. </div>
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We spent a good chunk of Saturday at the pool with friends. </div>
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It was so sweet to see so many precious old friends! Oh we miss them!</div>
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Little Man still isn't afraid of the diving board...(despite jumping backwards off this very board and biting clear THROUGH that patch between his bottom lip and chin two years ago)</div>
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The children cracked me up...they all intentionally saved their money to buy ice cream at the pool. Some things just need to be savored. And this was a BIG deal!</div>
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Happy Birthday sweet Sister!!! You are a treasure! A precious gift from God. It is such an honor to get to be your mama. We love you so much and are so proud of you! </div>
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While we were there, we got to walk through our old house. I cannot explain the world of good that did me!!! We love the couple who purchased it and it was such a treat that they let us come back in and walk through and ask questions and check out all they'd done. It's like everything we had planned to eventually tackle, they've either tackled, or have on their "to do" list. They put down hardwoods upstairs...with the bead board we'd installed and everything painted a fresh white - y'all, it looked AMAZING!!! It did my heart good to see how much they love the house and to see their sweet little family settled down there.</div>
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Sunday morning a friend picked me up early for breakfast...while waiting, I snuck next door and sat on the porch swing and let my mind drift back...all the babies we brought home there! The memories of laying all that brick...of the fourth of July we spent crouching down bricking that porch and those steps...of my amazement at The Engineer and his skills as he worked that herringbone pattern on the front porch...strapping Little Man to my back while I tilled the front beds and planted boxwood. I wandered over to the sidewalk we'd poured and traced our handprints. It was just a really sweet visit. And I can finally say that I've let her go. I am so happy and thankful for the journey...the family the Lord brought to that house...our time there, etc. He is so gracious and so good to us.</div>
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Four days after Sister turned nine, Little Bit turned four. Y'all...it was quite the par-tay! She wanted a "Hello Kitty Dress Up Birthday Brunch" with a puppy dog cake. Ha ha. Mama and my MIL helped dress the dining room for the occasion.</div>
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Unfortunately the puppy dog's face - which was made up of 100% icing, pretty much slid off the dog. I mean, the dog was looking pretty rough. (No pun intended.) Mama suggested adding eyes...because the dog's had melted off - or something. So I got out a jar of gum balls and was just about to place some dark colored eyes on when Little Bit came in and insisted the dog have pink gum ball eyes. I mean - the dog looked slightly possessed, but Little Bit thought it was awesome! And that's what mattered!</div>
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Her expressions kill me!!!</div>
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We ALL dressed up for the party. The Engineer was Clark Kent. Little Man may not have dressed up...I'm struggling to remember now. The girls were "princesses." Little Bit has all these precious pastel dresses...the day of the party, girlfriend came down in a red, cream, and gold dress - complete with holes from years of love. Sigh. She was happy. And wanted her hair in "pink tails." Again - she was happy and it was her big day and we were celebrating her and that is what's important.</div>
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Happy Birthday Little Bit! You are a treasure and we love you dearly. We are so proud of you and I am so thankful God made me your mama!!!</div>
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The week between the girls' birthdays, our sweet little neighbor from back home stayed with us. His mama and daddy made the drive to pick him up the day of the party. It was so fun to see them again!!! (I'm so hoping she doesn't kill me for posting that pic!) (wink, wink) </div>
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Little Bit worked hard and saved her money and bought her own skates!! I cannot believe we've not had an ER trip yet. She's a little more convinced of her abilities than reality would confirm. She's also made a menu and is in training to work at Sonic...on roller skates. </div>
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The fourth of July was awesome! We went to the annual neighborhood picnic and parade. Sister got to help hand out balloons. Mama was here that week! It rained EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. We even did yard work in the POURING rain. I'm not complaining. Summertime pregnancy is hot. That rain felt wonderful!</div>
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LOVE this girl! </div>
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Little Man managed to make several trips back to the house...he needed his bike, scooter, <i>and</i> rip rider. Because, you know, it's not enough to have one mode of transportation when the streets are blocked off and you can ride like a maniac. Truly, I couldn't watch him. He makes my heart race. He rides <i>fast</i>!</div>
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He and The Engineer seem to be thick as thieves. I can't tell you how excited Little Man gets every day during math when we go over the calendar...and he figures out how many more days until Daddy will be home for the weekend! Because that typically means some type of project! Here they are making a duct tape case for Little Man's Bible. Awesomeness.</div>
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OH this kid. He had a legitimately loose front tooth. There was a lot of drama leading up to the actual extraction...</div>
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Shortly after losing it, he and Sister collided and he hit his other front tooth hard on her head...and began working it. And pulled it. And then I caught him working the teeth on either side of the now gaping hole. And I put an end to that. A few days later, he lost another loose tooth. That would be three in a week. </div>
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Sister had a friend spend the night and they got breakfast in bed...so the younger two piled in our bed for the same. Nothing like cartoons on the ipad and breakfast in bed.</div>
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The hair...the makeup...the dress...the baby...Little Bit is a "mama" and has taken to bathing EVERY SINGLE "baby" she can lay hands on. I'm so on the fence...the mess drives me insane. Water everywhere! And yet she's four and this will pass quickly. So for now...there seems to be a constant pile of "babies drying."</div>
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Crazy man. Need I say more!?</div>
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More baby bathing. This time mermaids...in Daddy's workshop bucket...that Little Bit somehow ended up stripped down and inside of...with the mermaids. </div>
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Another weekend project...this time they built a cross without nails. The Engineer taught Little Man how to use a chisel...</div>
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Love these guys! And I'm so thankful for a husband who loves our kiddos so well.</div>
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No - they were NOT getting married. I've been told sometimes girls wear veils when they are on really fancy dates. Btw, that's the dress I wore to our rehearsal dinner. Ooo-la-la!</div>
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Now, this same day, and while in their fancy clothes, the children decided it would be advantageous to locate the spot where they'd buried "Sammy the mole." I pleaded with them to let Sammy RIP, but they prevailed. They just wanted "to see what he looks like now."</div>
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So Little Man began digging. I told him he could dig one hole and if that wasn't the right spot, too bad. Y'all, the boy dug and dug. He was convinced Sammy must be just a little bit further down. We are talking about three feet. He was down to his shoes and pants and had sweat just pouring down his face and chest. Finally he admitted he must've had the wrong location. I told him to fill the hole back in...a tad later he called me to see the now filled hole...and sticking out of it was about a foot and a half of handle from a yard tool. </div>
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I told him to dig out said tool...which ended up being a hoe. And the boy dug. And dug. And dug. He wiggled that handle. He pulled on it. He dug some more. Nothing. He couldn't get it out. The Engineer was due home in another fifteen or so minutes. I assumed he would help Little Man...only he refused and told Little Man, "you buried it, you dig it out" and went on to cut and edge and blow the yard. And just as he was finishing, Little Man employed the post hole digger...the poor kid, his pants were sagging well below his crack from the weight of sweat and dirt...he finally got that hoe out. </div>
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He says he will "NEVER bury another tool again."</div>
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Sister has been reading <i>Charlotte's Web</i> to her sibs...unbeknownst to me...until I stumbled on this. She's so cool.</div>
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Little Man bought a gyroscope. He hasn't quite mastered spinning it on top of his head...</div>
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But he's got the forehead down.</div>
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This past weekend The Engineer surprised the children with <a href="http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/chisels-carving/11-piece-wood-carving-set-60655.html">wood carving kits</a>. This is something Sister has been asking for for quite some time. He started the kids off carving on wax. </div>
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Little Bit was given tiny screw drivers and a bar of soap. This kept them busy for quite some time. Sister definitely was the most "into it."</div>
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And when all was said and done, there were tiny bits of wax and soap EVERYWHERE...and once stepped on, that wax didn't just "sweep up." I struggled with my attitude and pulled the classic martyr card. Ugh. I hate that I do that. I have a really hard time in the clean up department.</div>
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Yesterday we learned a little color theory during school...so MUCH fun!!! And I remembered why I love prang watercolors so much more than crayola...the pigments are waaaay richer!!</div>
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So...baby is due August 25th. However, my OB is fairly certain I won't make that date. When I told her about all my contractions this past Sunday, she told me, had I gone in, they probably would've broken my water and we'd have a baby now. Hmmm...</div>
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I've been so reserved...or guarded in my emotions towards this little one. It's reminded me a lot of my pregnancy with Little Man. After two losses back to back, the night before I gave birth to him, I was convinced he'd be stillborn or that something awful was going to happen. And now, after our last loss...I've been more on the reserved side...holding back a bit. Okay, a lot. But I remember vividly when they placed Little Man on my chest and my reservations melted and love filled up and spilled over. It happened <i>immediately</i>. I know it will happen again. I just feel somewhat guarded right now. Not wanting to get too excited. I don't want to feel pain like that again. The sting of losses past and the knowing that He gives and takes away are sobering. I think that's part of why it took me so long to get moving on baby stuff...like getting a carseat and getting the newborn clothes down out of the attic, etc. </div>
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I know God is good. I know He is sovereign. I also know His ways are <i>not</i> our ways. Loss hurts and I don't want to go there again...yet I want His will. And if that means tasting loss again, then let us drink deeply and embrace His call on our lives. So it's been a struggle...holding this little one with an open hand. I think that's part of why we still haven't settled on a name. My children still ask me (as in yesterday!), "Mama, what will we do if this baby dies?" And we talk about God's faithfulness and His mercies and that He is sovereign and Romans 8:28 is really true. And that no matter what, we can trust and rest in His goodness and faithfulness. Even when the pain is deep.</div>
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All to say...it's taken a while, but I think my heart is <i>finally</i> in that place of being ready to birth this little one and to enter this next chapter...to embrace whatever He has in store for us.</div>
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So y'all...I kind of can't wait!!! (And at 4cm and 80% effaced...I'm thinking (hoping) baby can't wait either!!!)</div>
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PS I knocked my 50mm lens off the top of the fridge - I had it there to protect it from little hands. Ha ha ha. I <i>would be </i>the one to knock it off. And now every shot is slightly blurry. Boo. I'm so sad to have to send it off for repairs right now!!</div>
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Wanting What I Havehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711989381690050970noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627823383430900025.post-10343600570385784012013-08-03T15:01:00.001-05:002013-08-03T15:01:24.866-05:00Gettin' Ready for Baby<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhYkF9N8eyFf0ye0eIYGNmanZBBQ41JJK1DgGuYFPKU10KCDIj91jYdNSfTww8VIIIyqMzA9b0RfsUniIhMVS6bCTitqmjlwX4Ihc3u6pY0OnIrl4L4OBur3jgw9sVl3wUQjBt6qR0bY/s640/blogger-image--476606608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhYkF9N8eyFf0ye0eIYGNmanZBBQ41JJK1DgGuYFPKU10KCDIj91jYdNSfTww8VIIIyqMzA9b0RfsUniIhMVS6bCTitqmjlwX4Ihc3u6pY0OnIrl4L4OBur3jgw9sVl3wUQjBt6qR0bY/s640/blogger-image--476606608.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32OUH-1w22zwuupNxK8wMpLCgtR8N8LVQpql4p9WrzszOdlc5sKZm3DAEXKVu1ccqYCXRLniWQ-pC7DteYs5ax-Ab4OFl-GdtRadJ9cSiiCRiyXczeOGZxWPXmXde2t_HHCVyqNqxlnA/s640/blogger-image-145759558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32OUH-1w22zwuupNxK8wMpLCgtR8N8LVQpql4p9WrzszOdlc5sKZm3DAEXKVu1ccqYCXRLniWQ-pC7DteYs5ax-Ab4OFl-GdtRadJ9cSiiCRiyXczeOGZxWPXmXde2t_HHCVyqNqxlnA/s640/blogger-image-145759558.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHPEvM1h48uk9EWK1GzNuikqSxWgy3wLDkjSG76ey7t8Fulxhum850zfbnP7ruza3Ym8IPgUlaCHIDac48VM1OfPamd5cNE0uTAfQAKhelGR3NKReo46wUjg9vNJEXDxmW5imYc9USpo/s640/blogger-image--802994590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHPEvM1h48uk9EWK1GzNuikqSxWgy3wLDkjSG76ey7t8Fulxhum850zfbnP7ruza3Ym8IPgUlaCHIDac48VM1OfPamd5cNE0uTAfQAKhelGR3NKReo46wUjg9vNJEXDxmW5imYc9USpo/s640/blogger-image--802994590.jpg"></a></div><br></div>The countdown is ON. T-minus three weeks. Woop woop. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So I'm just now painting baby's closet. The Engineer repaired the flaking plaster last week. I can't tell you how much better and cleaner it looks!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Today I ordered a day gown to smock for baby to wear home from the hospital. I've waited progressively longer with each baby in this regard. I figure I'll have time in the hospital. Cough cough. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Friends threw a lovely shower and we are well stocked with diapers and wipes. Hooray!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This morning I combined coupons, returns, and gift cards to purchase a new baby carrier-we wore out our bjorn with the other three and this new one (because it carries to 45lb) will be helpful for our little China baby, too! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Last night friends joined us for dinner and brought along their fifteen month old. Sister was in heaven. She toted that baby all over the place and played and played. I can't wait to see her with our little one! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I've been nesting the last few weeks (The Engineer would say that's an understatement)...I made a master check list and am slowly but surely crossing items off. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We have completed 25 days of homeschool. I'm hoping to get in another 5 so we can take a full six weeks if need be. The children are so excited. They feel like they've been in school forever-I do too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am learning to laugh with the best of them as people roll their eyes and look at me like we're crazy when they hear that this isn't our first, but fourth. And inevitably one of the children pipes up and exclaims, "and we are adopting!" Or they will ask if the children hope the baby will be a boy or girl and Little man replies, "I just want a china brother." And wow. The conversations and comments. They aren't all bad. Some are downright funny. The man at Costco asked if we had considered finding another hobby. I laughed hard and told him that after our youngest was born-as in, she had just been placed on my chest-I'm still in the stirrups, and The Engineer exclaimed, "Let's do it again!!!" I love that man. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We still don't have names picked. Names are tricky. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I miss this space. Being here. Writing about life. And yet, we are so busy living life right now that I struggle to find the time to eek out more than a phone post. That's alright. Tis but a season. A sweet, albeit very busy season. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Happy weekend y'all!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Wanting What I Havehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711989381690050970noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627823383430900025.post-78445815366257829252013-07-26T18:13:00.001-05:002013-07-26T18:13:20.083-05:00Well, You Are!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZAv1pCY91AAEwbge2ADaSFHQXIENPsb9M8KmiIp9h416wOME6f-dHk2Y43v74vM6q7ELJEKXmYmVTnj2u7gkDp_S-PSy5Odt7RDWPaPLeWX-m1S82cbIe9ClPHAbieHnMcbVMXUKuQI/s640/blogger-image--502016347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZAv1pCY91AAEwbge2ADaSFHQXIENPsb9M8KmiIp9h416wOME6f-dHk2Y43v74vM6q7ELJEKXmYmVTnj2u7gkDp_S-PSy5Odt7RDWPaPLeWX-m1S82cbIe9ClPHAbieHnMcbVMXUKuQI/s640/blogger-image--502016347.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On our Chick-Fil-A date...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Little Bit: "Hey mom, you are a better mom than that one." (Referring to the grandmother with her granddaughter-who was cute as can be!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Me: "Little Bit! You shouldn't say that. You might hurt her feelings." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Little Bit: "Well you are. But you are both good moms."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I mean...it did make me smile. Okay, I smiled BIG. It <i>was</i> a little boost. </div>Wanting What I Havehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711989381690050970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627823383430900025.post-52028020170346865772013-07-19T23:41:00.001-05:002013-07-19T23:44:37.005-05:00Almost As Good<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeK_u_X92nN1_QA7HjET71m6tbwm2P5ObKxLZYv9dsZRKcsys0EyUJqKVxQhJSxlpGSQilFdicixc51-1YNulQxlT8YD2GnsU8VDMP5AT6UM2idW0FDKtM98ADxrAPMSlU-Jhal_dlXQ/s640/blogger-image--1691168373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeK_u_X92nN1_QA7HjET71m6tbwm2P5ObKxLZYv9dsZRKcsys0EyUJqKVxQhJSxlpGSQilFdicixc51-1YNulQxlT8YD2GnsU8VDMP5AT6UM2idW0FDKtM98ADxrAPMSlU-Jhal_dlXQ/s640/blogger-image--1691168373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7V21M-dldk0nDI28H4qle-KM3LeSTzKYmopI0MSDFY0QpPAT5Z8JSbJwn5F49g4nvn4D9OgM0Fv3jehbDHIml5F4OOa-qviyk_xagLTqEwQ3kUmJelKmlTuQIaA5LeBD_2SIPxN524SU/s640/blogger-image--718825152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7V21M-dldk0nDI28H4qle-KM3LeSTzKYmopI0MSDFY0QpPAT5Z8JSbJwn5F49g4nvn4D9OgM0Fv3jehbDHIml5F4OOa-qviyk_xagLTqEwQ3kUmJelKmlTuQIaA5LeBD_2SIPxN524SU/s640/blogger-image--718825152.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Me: "When you complete your math lesson school will be over...except you need to read for a bit."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sister: "Oh mama! I <i>always</i> read. I <i>loooove</i> to read. It's <i>almost</i> as good as bacon."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Now <b>that</b> is saying something. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">PS Pertaining to the above photo...try as we might, we just couldn't find the right spot for our favorite swing. The thought of donating or selling it just made me sad. And then I mentioned it to a friend...who happened to have the perfect spot. Can I tell you how happy it makes me to know they are enjoying it!?!? And it's no longer sitting in my garage...waiting to be enjoyed!? Yay!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYio3z9FJGRMvPefl2CNlWZMndBEySD-0uVqW6grFYzmJ8BchhYIfdWKUugpkXBNor_fiAQTZR6nXpPXTs08Vos52NOPIfa7UjmVvkK5Rt-aps57sEF0CWS5_iNss7T7C4Cujo5IJXtvs/s640/blogger-image--1073033159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYio3z9FJGRMvPefl2CNlWZMndBEySD-0uVqW6grFYzmJ8BchhYIfdWKUugpkXBNor_fiAQTZR6nXpPXTs08Vos52NOPIfa7UjmVvkK5Rt-aps57sEF0CWS5_iNss7T7C4Cujo5IJXtvs/s640/blogger-image--1073033159.jpg"></a></div><br></div>PSS Catch a glimpse of baby! Little Man, despite my directions NOT to watch until</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">the screen was turned toward us, watched my <i>entire</i> ultrasound. We walked out to the waiting room and he announced, "It's a girl. I saw and it's <i>definitely</i> a girl." Time will tell (5wks) whether or not this boy has a future in radiology/sonography.</div>Wanting What I Havehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711989381690050970noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627823383430900025.post-64830854894367493772013-07-15T14:06:00.001-05:002013-07-15T14:14:50.594-05:00Is It Like...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZXUcbk9_afsHeSGUUKAwi6pO0YG6GFYgj3nvzGxWb5iKOwXO-XGD3vfZJ6qcmig-1CQ5K2yZHJ4dtJMB6ellBiM1oRbpjoVbnZA0ifvinnDf2sHZsde0f5gnn0FFR7tL4ZuHOacslao/s640/blogger-image-1062019442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZXUcbk9_afsHeSGUUKAwi6pO0YG6GFYgj3nvzGxWb5iKOwXO-XGD3vfZJ6qcmig-1CQ5K2yZHJ4dtJMB6ellBiM1oRbpjoVbnZA0ifvinnDf2sHZsde0f5gnn0FFR7tL4ZuHOacslao/s640/blogger-image-1062019442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8kcPLWQ_hf1086mMyQtIU-IpUjB1Lh6jlq7uurWilc3pqP2nEU7izNvuZtDV_r1C7-cFl9c4ijp6DP3oPa9P-EBW8VQPfKcV0-Y54-6wo8wYsbLdIo6yvXgt1IRUuXwl7c0nSI6YMda0/s640/blogger-image--544803891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8kcPLWQ_hf1086mMyQtIU-IpUjB1Lh6jlq7uurWilc3pqP2nEU7izNvuZtDV_r1C7-cFl9c4ijp6DP3oPa9P-EBW8VQPfKcV0-Y54-6wo8wYsbLdIo6yvXgt1IRUuXwl7c0nSI6YMda0/s640/blogger-image--544803891.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Little Man: "So Mom, when you bend over while you're pregnant, does it feel like your pockets are just loaded down with toys and your belt is too tight with all your stuff on it?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Me: "Well, sort of...I guess."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Little Man: "Oh yeah! I know <i>exactly </i>how you feel."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Wanting What I Havehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711989381690050970noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627823383430900025.post-16629936700336257432013-06-19T14:29:00.001-05:002013-06-19T15:11:28.303-05:00Oh Dear...<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5MWjcpO32rTrGPVlEUcmfUif0gpAWa9X_1ul5FxPR9TeXfvNOdU-apv9oDASPZlgMgfJjlMCj0uvTYStFByo6vOUfkiaHKPNUcwKGLCkNWay8oMEMnpTGsh6W-JVig1FzMtI7Hy7sZng/s640/blogger-image-2138266751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5MWjcpO32rTrGPVlEUcmfUif0gpAWa9X_1ul5FxPR9TeXfvNOdU-apv9oDASPZlgMgfJjlMCj0uvTYStFByo6vOUfkiaHKPNUcwKGLCkNWay8oMEMnpTGsh6W-JVig1FzMtI7Hy7sZng/s640/blogger-image-2138266751.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div>Sister has been taking art classes this summer. Today she came home and gave us the <i>scoop</i>. <div><br></div><div>"Mama! I don't know if my teacher just can't feel it or what, but she is NOT afraid to poot. And Mom. They are worse than mine!"</div><div><br></div><div>(Published with Sister's permission.)</div>Wanting What I Havehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711989381690050970noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627823383430900025.post-81993204612935221092013-06-17T07:49:00.001-05:002013-06-17T07:50:17.188-05:00Oh Yeah...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsGntAjUx8yHut44wF6gnp8rXCygKT39mEWlmmV6MoFkWJ2AnzZ0jliFCBKC_u75QVRXd310vtL8r3UuQ5GZ4pzf2vxetRqPbipnoS5yegOtaY2PCpf2VYsdvqLD2BEIB4z78u76ht4c/s640/blogger-image-25735737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsGntAjUx8yHut44wF6gnp8rXCygKT39mEWlmmV6MoFkWJ2AnzZ0jliFCBKC_u75QVRXd310vtL8r3UuQ5GZ4pzf2vxetRqPbipnoS5yegOtaY2PCpf2VYsdvqLD2BEIB4z78u76ht4c/s640/blogger-image-25735737.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Little Bit: "Why won't dis open?" (Referring to the now dry-wall where a sliding door had been.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Me: "It doesn't open anymore. We took</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">out the sliding door and put in a wall."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Little Bit: "Why???"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Me: "So mommy and daddy can have some privacy and y'all can't bust in on us anymore."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Little Bit: "Oh yeah...well we can still bust in on y'all through your bedroom door."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD82FTxoy5vWnCpodF2sJrpj_TTxkFVD_lPu7OxqEkYnjf3bQi4TMA-NfnXR0VlomodTzg3Z0q-G_LkDKcpyaDp2BRg__yZ3XZWOOGGu537LHY7HWHY2oO4wMFbCDYd-YBbNAYvmwCsGs/s640/blogger-image--340743023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD82FTxoy5vWnCpodF2sJrpj_TTxkFVD_lPu7OxqEkYnjf3bQi4TMA-NfnXR0VlomodTzg3Z0q-G_LkDKcpyaDp2BRg__yZ3XZWOOGGu537LHY7HWHY2oO4wMFbCDYd-YBbNAYvmwCsGs/s640/blogger-image--340743023.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div>Wanting What I Havehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711989381690050970noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627823383430900025.post-54004403036241756982013-06-08T20:58:00.001-05:002013-06-08T21:20:44.080-05:00The Perfect Night<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_3h1CIUjHiyJ0Fl1sHM0NISEPtQaJevLU9f-1GpBQFPC2nwR5yXgLXIr6uzb8euWYWnusMcqZAWaOgejq_tJn0D8ci8kOoGk3apybgJG5wRozG-kyesli9cg8ag3ac3_3gdzLvAzssQ/s640/blogger-image--569329287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_3h1CIUjHiyJ0Fl1sHM0NISEPtQaJevLU9f-1GpBQFPC2nwR5yXgLXIr6uzb8euWYWnusMcqZAWaOgejq_tJn0D8ci8kOoGk3apybgJG5wRozG-kyesli9cg8ag3ac3_3gdzLvAzssQ/s640/blogger-image--569329287.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We've stripped, sanded, and are now priming 14 bi-fold doors and two regular size doors. 80 years of paint. 24 man hours times two. Adios peach bathroom</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">paint. Hello quiet night, crickets chirping, cold beverages and paintbrushes in hand. Alone time with the hubs. It's sweet. </div>Wanting What I Havehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711989381690050970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627823383430900025.post-38899704829708680212013-06-04T09:01:00.001-05:002013-06-04T09:01:06.290-05:00Yo...What UP!?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Aren't you excited to see the inside of our silverware drawer?! Our kitchen has four drawers. One extremely narrow. Two that are pretty narrow. And then the work horse of all drawers. The mother of all our drawers, if you will.<br />
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I had her jam packed...after rearranging kitchen drawers forty-eight times...and had finally figured out the best configuration. Only, there was so much more potential inside that drawer. Potential that just couldn't be realized with plastic, shallow silverware dividers.<br />
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I shared my ideas with The Engineer...who promptly brought in his measuring tape, graph paper, and pencil and we set to work...both of us spewing ideas, him sketching...<br />
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The next time I saw the drawer it looked like this. Get this, it's all easily removed. Like, comes out in one piece. I was floored. The man is amazing. AMAZING. The grooves...he hand sanded each one. It's perfect.<br />
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And then he painted and installed it...and now I've filled it and we are SO enjoying it! I love the contrasting colors. It feels like the space in that drawer is doubled. Everything has a home. It's awesome. The compartments are taller than the plastic dividers were, so more can be stacked in each compartment. I'm lovin' it. He's good, y'all.<br />
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While he worked on that, I took this baby out (on loan from friends) and pressure washed the house and sidewalk and driveway. Pressure washing is messy business. I decided I'd sport my running shorts and an old pink tank top. The Engineer okayed my clothing choice - which I'd NEVER wear in public. Our house is set back a decent bit from the street. I really thought I'd be fine...you know, far enough away that anyone passing by wouldn't really notice my, um, choice of clothing. In particular that top that was fitting a wee bit snug across my belly.<br />
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I was wrong.<br />
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I had two different neighbors (both men) drive up our driveway to visit. One came back a <i>second</i> time. I was slightly mortified. Lesson learned.<br />
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Anyway, the house and sidewalk, etc. look fantastic! I'm pleased with the results. And I had a blast knocking that stuff off the house. What instant progress...that's not quickly undone! (smile!)<br />
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Hands down this is my fav piece of art Sister produced this year. I'm in love. The bottom corner says, "I speak chic." That's so her. Every time I lay eyes on this fine work, I smile. BIG. (It's a self-portrait.)<br />
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And this...this was sort of one of those out of body experiences that occur every once in a while. This would be Little Man and his kindergarten class walking into their kindergarten graduation to "Pomp and Circumstance."<br />
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I mean...I feel like I'm about to offend a bunch of people. What's up with kindergarten graduation?<br />
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I kind of cringed during the whole thing...there were a handful of women weeping. Hicky-snot crying. Little Man nearly burst into tears when they sang their closing song...it was about leaving kindergarten and moving on...He was adorable. Precious. This was a really big deal to him.<br />
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I mean...I don't know. I was just happy kindergarten was over because it meant I'd have my baby back at home with me. No tears here. I'm thinking a program would be more than sufficient. The cap and gown seemed a bit much to me. Thoughts?<br />
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In closing, one of the ministers of the church affiliated with this particular school went on and on about how fortunate we are as parents to have had that school lay a foundation for our child's life...and now we could go forth and build upon the foundation they had laid. He went on to encourage us to <b><i>begin</i></b> getting involved in our child's life...to <b><i>begin</i></b> training him in the way he should go...it was offensive. I have friends who adore this program. I don't mean to step on toes. This just isn't our thing. We've been working since before this boy was born to build a foundation...with Christ as the cornerstone. We've prayed for this child long before conception. We've been involved. We are involved. Very involved. We've been training. We are training. And by the grace of God, He will redeem our mistakes and shortcomings and utter failures. We pray that his sins will find him out, that God will hold him close and that when he grows old, he will not depart from truth.<br />
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But - all that said, it meant The Engineer took the day off and we got to hang as a family and that was super fun! Celebrating Little Man and his year in kindergarten was special! We made a big deal of him...and he glowed.<br />
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The in-laws came in town for the weekend - again, super fun!<br />
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Sister, sweet Sister. You are getting so big! You are so thoughtful. So precious. My heart swells with love for you. You're a little bookworm, too.<br />
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And my Little Man. You are a dear. A fearless, wild and crazy little man.<br />
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It is such a sweet journey seeing the Lord work in their hearts and lives...every now and then I get a tiny glimpse of the fruit of our labors, of God's faithfulness...in their choices and actions. Oh, don't get me wrong, we <i>totally</i> <b>don't</b> have it together, I just mean I see fruit in their lives...little, tiny glimpses...just enough to encourage me... and it is good. (No worries, nothing like a throw-down, head turning, screaming tantrum in Target {by a three year old} to keep me humble!)<br />
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They love their grandfather.<br />
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LOVE this pic!<br />
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And this one, too.<br />
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Switching gears...Mother's Day 2013...HOME RUN!!! BEST EVER!!! The Engineer and the children gave me hydrangeas. One of my most favorite flowers EVER!!! My grandmother had two huge hydrangeas planted against the back of the boat house at the lake...I remember summer after summer of taking in the beauty of those blooms. And now every time I look out my kitchen window or the back door I smile. And every time I pull in...I grin. They are beautiful and they scream "LOVE" to me.<br />
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We have four days of school under our belts...so far I LOOOOVE having them all home. It's still pretty early, huh!? Sister loves the companionship. Little Man is flying through math. I'm wondering if we need to move up a level? Ahhh...the beauty of homeschooling. Little Bit is working the Sing, Spell, Read, & Write for 4-P...her words every morning, "dis is boring." Oh well.<br />
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I'm reading <i>Managers of Their Homes.</i>..recommended by a sweet new friend. The book is challenging me. I've never and I mean <b>never</b> scheduled every thirty minutes of my day. I'm not sure I can survive doing life like that. But, the authors are quick to pour in grace...the schedule is there to help you, to serve you...not to make you a slave. So anyway, I'm going to implement a schedule for us (maybe not every thirty minutes)...we need one. I don't think I can teach two children and not have some type of schedule in place...we'll figure it out. (smile)<br />
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That's one convincing black eye, eh? The children had me for a <i>split</i> second. That's a lot of eye shadow...<br />
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We've taken down every door in our bathroom...that would be 14 bi-fold doors...and have nearly stripped and sanded every one of them. (And yes, we were in a very well ventilated space and I wore gloves, glasses, <i>and</i> a mask!) That peach paint is going. Soon. The Engineer and I both dread sanding down all the trim and walls. Peach latex right on top of "institutional green"(The Engineer's name for it) oil based paint...so it's already peeling pretty bad. Nice.<br />
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It's been fun working on these projects together. You get to do a lot of talking when you strip 14 bi-fold doors. (And - oh gross! The roach eggs on the back of some of them. Eek!!! Gross me out!-They're all old...remember, I love some <a href="http://www.demonwp.com/"><span style="color: #45818e;">Demon WP</span></a>!) So anyway, it's been hard work, but a lot of fun. I'm so thankful for The Engineer.<br />
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Oh...we have our homestudy in hand and have begun putting together our dossier! Woop woop! Basically, we are in an intense "paper work" stage. Lots to gather. Lots to have certified. And somehow we missed that we needed our passports as part of our dossier...so we have a bit of a hold up there. I was frustrated at first, and then was reminded that it is all in the Lord's timing. He has already orchestrated the precious one He has for our family. I am trying really hard to drink deeply of these last few weeks of just the five of us...and yet I can barely wait for it to be the six of us and a little while after that, the seven of us!!! Yay!<br />
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Changing gears entirely. My heart is so heavy for our dear friends who are walking through profound loss. Watching them...reading their words as they flesh out their faith...standing firm on the truths in scripture...clinging to Jesus...preaching the Gospel to themselves and everyone they are in contact with...it is amazing. In the midst of deep, deep loss and heartbreak, their eyes are fixed on Jesus. They make me want to love Him more. If you are so inclined, read her <a href="http://flowersinhisgarden.blogspot.com/2013/06/with-lord-final-update.html"><span style="color: #45818e;">most recent blog post</span></a>, and be spurred on to love Jesus more. And please, pray for them. And if you don't know the Lord, I pray that this family's story might be used to draw you to Him. He is radiating from their lives, from their brokenness and pain like a BRIGHT ray of sunshine. It is only because of Christ that we have hope. To God be the glory.Wanting What I Havehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711989381690050970noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627823383430900025.post-35381421719007553842013-05-10T22:34:00.000-05:002013-05-10T22:34:09.661-05:00Bring It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The countdown is ON! Five more days of school!! Woop woop!!! We pick Little Man up after school and the children pile out of the car and grab their bikes and scooters and spend a chunk of the afternoon going ninety to nothing! And it makes me smile...to look out the kitchen window and see them flying around, chasing one another, making up games. Childhood. It's sweet. Summer...we are ready! Come on!!!<br />
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The Engineer and Little Man met a few other daddies and their sons for breakfast a few weekends ago...Steak and Shake was the restaurant of choice. That night Little Man treated us all to dinner at <i>his</i> diner. He went by the name, "Ed." Hee hee. I'm sure that had nothing to do with the fact that someone he greatly admires goes by the name Ed.<br />
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We dined in style. He was hilarious. He'd stick his head behind the door and holler back to the "kitchen," "I need a number sixteen burger!" (We don't know what a number sixteen burger is, that was just his recommendation.)<br />
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Dinner was followed with dancing.<br />
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Dips and twirls...it was super fun!<br />
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Our nearly eleven year old iron died a few days ago. Is that a sign? Not to iron ever again? Bummer. I didn't think so.<br />
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I bought the exact same iron because it was that rad. Get one <a href="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=13623767">here</a>. And use a 20% off coupon. You can thank me later. It's <i>that</i> good.<br />
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The Engineer has been wearing the same four "no iron" shirts for the last several months...two of which are "fishing" shirts. The guys at work have asked if he's <i>super</i> into fishing. He's not. He just looks <i>really</i> good in them <i>and</i> they save me ironing time. Suffice it to say...it's time to bite the bullet and iron.<br />
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I've been a mean mom lately. Just tired. Worn out. I get to the end of many days and feel like if one more person calls my name to complain or ask me for something I just might scream. And please, no whining before breakfast. I don't want to live like that. And I really want to blame it on the hormones from baby. But I mean, let's face it, I've got to take responsibility. A harsh answer is a harsh answer. Regardless.<br />
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And I've felt a bit overwhelmed. These feelings ebb and flow. You know the routine - clean up, they mess it up, wash it, they wear it, cook it - they eat it. Again and again and again. The cleaning up part is the hardest for me. So I've made a few changes. We're trying something new...because we all live here. And we all play here. And this is NOT a hotel. And we are family. So we are going to work together like a family. I'm trying to figure out the difference in serving my family and being their maid. When is it showing grace and when is it being a doormat? Does that make sense? We'll see how my new plan goes...yesterday it was met with tears by two out of three children. I'm not giving up.<br />
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One of the difficulties of having one child homeschooling and others private schooling is needing to be in two places at one time (at home teaching vs on a field trip/school activity, etc.). Typically Sister goes with me and it's not a big deal. She is helpful and seeks to be a blessing. But last week...she couldn't come with me. It was clearly a "no siblings" kind of event. Poor Sister. The only solution I could find was for her to accompany a sweet friend for... a pedicure. Now, when my friend offered to take her I felt quite divided - a pedicure?! For an eight year old?! I'm thirty-two and I've had one pedicure in my entire life. This is over the top!<br />
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You know what? I think it was just what Sister needed. A little TLC away from mama and with a "cool" young mama. Sister came back beaming and promptly hid away in her bathroom for a self imposed manicure. She gave me a play by play of EVERYTHING that happened. Glitter neon toes! How cool is that on an eight year old!?<br />
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I think it's finally really happening. I think.<br />
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We had a small dinner party here last weekend. It's the first time we've entertained in the brick house in such fashion. We broke out all the fine china. I polished silver and cleaned and prepped all week. The Engineer even stepped in and polished late one night!<br />
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I found this "live tile" (above) which made a PERFECT centerpiece! Throw in some moss and candles...wha-la! I was thrilled!<br />
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I neglected to take A SINGLE PICTURE of the set up with my big camera!!! Boo-hoo! But yay for the cellular!<br />
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The dinner party was in honor of a <a href="http://buildingwiththreads.blogspot.com/">precious friend</a>. It was her birthday. Too bad I didn't get a better shot of her hubs.<br />
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So that thing that I think is happening...we prepped for the party. We put drinks out on the screened porch. We gathered chairs around the fire pit. We set the dining room table. We scrubbed the little guest bath. We turned on the big lights in the tree on the back porch. We lit candles. The sun began to tuck herself in and dusk enveloped the brick house and she began glowing. Friends trickled in the back door...the flicker of candles, the reflections in glass and mirrors, the smiles on faces, the smell of good food. The guys gathering around a platter of cheese and crackers...my children running in for "one more bite" before they were whisked upstairs with a sitter. The iPod, playing softly. The ladies...following me into our tiny kitchen and jumping in to help serve plates. Dimming the dining room chandelier...good conversation. Laughter. It was a sweet night.<br />
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The Engineer and I washed dishes until close to 1am. We laughed and talked and I think we said a million times, "that was SO much fun!"<br />
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The next morning we finished putting everything away...and we said a million more times, "that was SO MUCH fun!"<br />
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And I think it's happening. I felt a little smitten with our house. She held our guests so well. Things flowed so smoothly. Our tiny kitchen served beautifully! It was precious to get to host a small group...to sit around the table until the candles had flickered and burned out...and then to move outside to the patio. I loved it. We loved it.<br />
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Dear Brick House, you were such a blessing to us last weekend. I'd never seen you glow like you did. I'm beginning to fall for you, hard. Like I fell for our old home. And that is saying a lot.<br />
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Saturday night we tucked the children into bed and broke out the last two creme brûlées and made iced coffee to accompany. It was a sweet reward.<br />
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I'm not sure what brought on this parade of dressing up...<br />
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I think she may have had a tiny, little something to do with it?<br />
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All I know is that some old woman showed up and the girls were calling <strike>him</strike> - I mean her, "Grandma."<br />
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Grandma was pretty spry. And hip. She was all about playing the part until The Engineer said he would not take, ahem, "Grandma" to soccer practice in a dress. Three seconds later I found all "Grandma's" clothes, inside out, on the hall floor.<br />
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Scary. Great blackmail material. Rehearsal dinner? Oh yeah.<br />
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Little Bit woke on the morning of her program quite early. She stood on the top step and cried. LOUD. I retrieved her and asked what was wrong? "I'm ner-bus!"She almost didn't go up there with her class. Once on stage, she yawned. And yawned. And yawned.<br />
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Little Man, on the other hand, was very pleased with himself and fully participated. I couldn't help but smile and giggle a bit watching both of them up there. The Engineer got to take the afternoon off and joined me and Sister in the crowd.<br />
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Post program, we headed downtown for lunch at our fav Mexican restaurant. The children found a shop selling glass marbles from a gum ball machine and loaded up. We hit a few antique stores in search of hand planes for The Engineer...at one such store, the clerk - an older lady - took me and the children back into the recesses of the store and showed us a very, very old elevator...operated by hand by pulling ropes. She let the children help her lower the elevator a good eighteen inches and they were THRILLED. I mean, it's a big deal to be taken behind the big double doors that clearly communicate <b>KEEP OUT</b>. It's a big deal to have another set of double doors opened to you while a little old lady clings tightly to your shirt for fear you might fall down the elevator shaft. And it's an even bigger deal to hang all your weight, along with your siblings and that little old lady's, on a giant rope. It was all a <i>really</i> big deal. And made for a <i>sweet</i> afternoon.<br />
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We have a big weekend ahead! We're borrowing a pressure washer first thing tomorrow morning...I cannot wait!!! I <i>LOVE</i> to pressure wash. (Seriously.) Woop woop! Bring it!<br />
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And before I leave you...as sister and I finished lunch this afternoon, I became keenly aware of a certain blurriness in one eye. I reached up to rub it and my hand came away with goop. I have pink eye. No doubt thanks to Little Man and Little Bit's generosity. I'll spare you the details...suffice it to say...the goop is prolific. And if you look down long enough...it pools in the center of your eye. I am amazed. And thankful for modern meds!!!<br />
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Ok...happy weekend, y'all!Wanting What I Havehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711989381690050970noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7627823383430900025.post-24447091102709804982013-04-24T15:36:00.001-05:002013-04-25T10:30:35.533-05:00A Mish Mash<div class="separator tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">{3-P Bike Parade!} </span></div>
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I think maybe, just maybe we are slowing down a bit. And it is so nice. I feel weights lifting from my shoulders. And at the same time, my head is spinning. (smile)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHgFm7j_nzndfd96tWHHz8p-ST2JHj5l8rIsvr9a3-J6M7COKs_7Qi0kbWb4r2c5mHO6DuF8aCe4zuYhUbMqfSrA5Tdq9o5uO0q032MoQYx_y9l3wXVOsJ-VRWs9lGPXiojbjzgOJFAU/s1600/_DSC3365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHgFm7j_nzndfd96tWHHz8p-ST2JHj5l8rIsvr9a3-J6M7COKs_7Qi0kbWb4r2c5mHO6DuF8aCe4zuYhUbMqfSrA5Tdq9o5uO0q032MoQYx_y9l3wXVOsJ-VRWs9lGPXiojbjzgOJFAU/s640/_DSC3365.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: center;">{Unbeknownst to me, Sister kindly gave her own helmet to Little Bit.}</span></div>
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Sister has worked so hard, so diligently this year. After arriving in our new local this time last year and being several months behind on schoolwork, we schooled well into the summer. I hated it. It was so hard. I really, really love summer. I really, really love knowing my children have no place to be and we can chill. And I love being able to tackle messy house projects in grunge clothes with no need to change for this or that activity...and I really do NOT like the pressure of being behind - especially on something like my children's education!</div>
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Point being...this chick has completed her math, language/grammar, and spelling curriculum. All as of last Thursday. We've spent this week reviewing and plodding along in our other subjects. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtvq3lmdte72C32Z8DScb1TnkFFHYoNuFcOLlJ_vK4tHxoUs8W54gR26R8pUZ6ISkFEfQzdT80bdQb5CJHFU1hlZiQB35a6ueFf7C6_Gk2j_5yPnkdkNyW6suPPO_ycNFE9zVB7Fy3io/s1600/_DSC3375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtvq3lmdte72C32Z8DScb1TnkFFHYoNuFcOLlJ_vK4tHxoUs8W54gR26R8pUZ6ISkFEfQzdT80bdQb5CJHFU1hlZiQB35a6ueFf7C6_Gk2j_5yPnkdkNyW6suPPO_ycNFE9zVB7Fy3io/s640/_DSC3375.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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The Engineer and I placed a big book order last weekend...curriculum for all three peeps. Can I tell you how stinkin' good it feels to be ahead of schedule this year??? With baby due at the end of August, I want to get a good six weeks under our belts before then. We're planning to take a week or two off after all three wrap up this school year in May and then we will be back at it. In the summer. Yuck. BUT - we are ahead this time. And that makes a tremendous difference!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPFIFxKOqD7FwWL4pz_UgLhiRVN3Lxk-6lgMPfLlltX1t5n_IAKQajSXUHuzyP9HtikWcsjFK5bxQSC2z95PETk8H-JH_yt3xco-VKYC3KKC1staUJAEBSa8uig-nEZ3-6NTEmIV9LPM/s1600/_DSC3376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPFIFxKOqD7FwWL4pz_UgLhiRVN3Lxk-6lgMPfLlltX1t5n_IAKQajSXUHuzyP9HtikWcsjFK5bxQSC2z95PETk8H-JH_yt3xco-VKYC3KKC1staUJAEBSa8uig-nEZ3-6NTEmIV9LPM/s640/_DSC3376.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sister woke me in the middle of the night a few weeks ago to tell me she had this dream that she was throwing up...and then felt this force in her throat...and then woke and had to rinse out her mouth. "But don't worry Mama. I didn't throw up." I reached out my hand to rub her arm...and felt cold wet chunks. We tiptoed up to her room and turned on the light. She assured me, motioning to her bed, (which was TOTALLY unmade because I'd tackled a MEGA washing session that day -stripping every bed down to the mattress...we'd lacked one more dry mattress pad and logically, I opted to leave it off Sister's bed - since she's the oldest). I pulled the lone quilt back...and there it was. </div>
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A big ol' pile of vomit. </div>
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I cringed. And headed for the cleaning supplies. I walked back in and began trying to tackle the mess...and then I started dry heaving. And couldn't stop. I had to wake The Engineer. I thought perhaps together we could get it all clean...only as soon as I stepped back into that room and the odor hit me, back to the heaves. He sent me to bed. I left him with orders to run the soiled linens on hot.</div>
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The next morning I ran them again - just to be sure. As I began moving the washing machine contents to the dryer, I pulled out Sister's beautiful, custom made bedskirt - I had no idea it had needed washing. I mean - it's the kind of bed skirt you spot clean...suffice it to say, now it's kind of like wearing pants that are too short. In a bad way.</div>
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I cried. And then acknowledged that it <i>is</i> just a thing. And I don't have enough fabric for a third bed skirt...and since, Lord willing, we will be putting a third little girl in that room...I've just saved myself the trouble of making a second bed skirt...since the first is now too short. Sigh...houses...stuff...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfksUTW_3OsrN1nF8VzS02fqKnDsjdKMgU1MH5D9K2XO5meKBtO256r_Cptws8-HV7nGIdCShzlPc3xX6vb8dZGiOcuBK0IkM8aU4Uxv8RREH-gWncLvMkGMWfTqvvvx1xN-eIASaTp9E/s1600/_DSC3381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfksUTW_3OsrN1nF8VzS02fqKnDsjdKMgU1MH5D9K2XO5meKBtO256r_Cptws8-HV7nGIdCShzlPc3xX6vb8dZGiOcuBK0IkM8aU4Uxv8RREH-gWncLvMkGMWfTqvvvx1xN-eIASaTp9E/s640/_DSC3381.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So The Engineer and I have been sketching and dreaming up ideas for the girls' room. Bunk beds? We'd need two sets?! I really want to go with three twins...and perhaps eventually tuck a few trundles below...for friends and cousins and the like. My initial layout plan would mean we'd have eight inches between each bed. Maybe that's not such a great idea. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFPOLxlCakjWuPzgXT9LyOU8Wqcs6xwn4qO2woft2J0m7oz_xoOpFlc5lyYKb8VzvRy4Hc_Cqsr97v4hxsa6ea0ogYtrGD4UVOk0z2E-3EXqtnorHM69akE_tQZ8QLE9iBLWOen7ttOI/s1600/_DSC3382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFPOLxlCakjWuPzgXT9LyOU8Wqcs6xwn4qO2woft2J0m7oz_xoOpFlc5lyYKb8VzvRy4Hc_Cqsr97v4hxsa6ea0ogYtrGD4UVOk0z2E-3EXqtnorHM69akE_tQZ8QLE9iBLWOen7ttOI/s640/_DSC3382.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Little Man sleeps in the bed his daddy slept in...which is the bed his daddy slept in. Grandfather to son to grandson. It's a twin. And there is only one. Between baby and adoption, we hope to put another little boy in that room. The bed matches the dresser - one was made to go with the other, I just don't recall which was made for which. And so, I asked The Engineer to build a second, identical bed. This bed is beautiful - there is nothing run of the mill about it. The Engineer informs me he needs two new tools and thinks he can do it. I know he can. I'll let ya know when that starts coming along!</div>
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So anyway, beds and room configurations have been crowding my thoughts. I still have to finish up a few things in the kitchen...namely paint and hardware. We have family coming in May - that should motivate! </div>
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I ate lunch recently with a sweet, new friend. I asked how long she'd been married and she told me, </div>
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I smiled and told her our seventh year of marriage was the hardest year of marriage yet. In terms of just marriage. It wasn't any one big even that happened. It was just...seven years. And "this is it" realities setting in. Early on, when things aren't all you dreamed they'd be, it was okay, you reasoned, because <i>one day, one day</i>...when <i>this</i> or <i>that</i> happened, you'd be there. But seven years hits and you realize he isn't changing and he realizes you aren't changing. I remember sitting on our back patio eating dinner outside with The Engineer. We'd hit the seven year mark and he was bubbling off statistics about couples who make it past year seven of marriage being more likely to make it long term, etc. I don't know why that's so ingrained in my memory.</div>
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I don't have anything enlightening to share...I just remember that being a hard year, but a good year. A year we came face to face with our own sin (as in, for maybe the first time ever in our marriage I turned my finger around and pointed it at myself - and he did the same!). As I recounted the conversation to The Engineer, he nodded his head in agreement. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7TpR6PmM8WoGZs1Dqql1YGmGPQLBBCcR4Igt_LoioTNUiIhIFXuX0-0-j70zKseObZw2dGefnCoYAwNT0KjNoRVSbhYWoiflN3BT7KS85xNz_LiIwcgA0tezTym5KPtHU4V69k6SOn4/s1600/_DSC3390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7TpR6PmM8WoGZs1Dqql1YGmGPQLBBCcR4Igt_LoioTNUiIhIFXuX0-0-j70zKseObZw2dGefnCoYAwNT0KjNoRVSbhYWoiflN3BT7KS85xNz_LiIwcgA0tezTym5KPtHU4V69k6SOn4/s640/_DSC3390.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've been re-arranging the house again. I moved my desk up to Little Man's room and in cleaning out the drawers, discovered three envelopes...one with each child's name...the contents? Cash they'd been saving that we'd long ago forgotten about. I added that to their growing savings and my girls were ready to go shopping. Little Man, on the other hand, is still saving! </div>
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So I took the girls to Target. We were there almost two hours. The first five minutes were hilarious. Little Bit declared herself to be "rich!" and grabbed what felt like one of everything from the dollar section and put it in the buggy, each time shouting, "I'm gonna buy dis! I'm gonna buy dis!" Cracked me up. She'd made her choices in about eight minutes. The rest of that near two hours was spent with Sister. Looking at everything. In the end...she bought a pack of gum. </div>
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This morning Little Bit said, "I love you more than beef jerky!" and then hugged me <b>tight</b>. </div>
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Soccer season has been in progress for a while now. The boys lost their first game last night, but Little Man played the best he's played yet. We were so proud!!!</div>
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His school teacher sent home a list of skills each child is to have "mastered" by the end of the year. Little Man is almost there! I know he'll have them all in time. Again...we are so proud. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHnr-2YovTSlKIkv0yzyybeS3xA3IJPhiVWQPs0fODo967yTKOUZSIuZ6WS96NsVh0L2mevL_2Pu17VQRx7rqi82bA8S764Xajv_eVlPWfF6E6I5O8TXKsNMDEc_-foLyKd-Bdg2nWQs/s1600/_DSC3400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHnr-2YovTSlKIkv0yzyybeS3xA3IJPhiVWQPs0fODo967yTKOUZSIuZ6WS96NsVh0L2mevL_2Pu17VQRx7rqi82bA8S764Xajv_eVlPWfF6E6I5O8TXKsNMDEc_-foLyKd-Bdg2nWQs/s640/_DSC3400.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Part of The Engineer's job is going through "License Class." He's been in class since shortly after our move. The final on the first section of class is this Friday. I cannot <b>wait</b> to have that <i>behind</i> him! </div>
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He goes into weird funks when he has something <i>so</i> pressing, weighing <i>so</i> heavily on his shoulders. He typically takes on a HUGE project and shortly before his actual test, will keep all sorts of late hours tackling said project, only to emerge for necessities. And then he takes the test...and has always done well (he had to go through a different License Class at his old job...start to finish was roughly two years). For this testing period, he's building a work bench. And it's beautiful. And very custom. He's put a lot of thought into it...made several to scale drawings...impressive. A few past "test projects" include installing a new stereo in my car (though the old one seemed perfectly fine to me), running wire for and installing a street lamp - okay, those are the only two specific ones I can recall. I just remember it was LATE at night and he was still outside going...funny how we all handle stress differently.</div>
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Our oldest began a book series...three days ago. Neither The Engineer nor I have read this particular series. She is on the third book. I am scrambling to keep up. And I think, wishing I'd read it <i>first</i> altogether. Because at this point, I wouldn't have ever given the green light to check it out at the library. There is lots to talk about...lots of theological issues...lots of going to scripture and asking what God's word says. </div>
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Post final, The Engineer is going to catch up and we are going to decide what to do. We've been emailing back and forth about it and his most recent email was very thought provoking...</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;">Our kids are confronted everyday with faulty morality, theology, logic, worldview, etc. I think that some of those Tinkerbell and Barbie movies wrap some bad ideas in sweet packages. </span></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;">I remember reading stuff with worldviews that were way off, but was highly entertaining and thought provoking at the same time. For example science fiction by Isaac Asimov is fascinating to me, but he was a full bore atheist and evolutionist. Star Wars is great, but is grounded in an eastern-good-balances-bad worldview. Almost every single science fiction story is rooted in the ideas of evolutionary biology.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;">All that to say, as imperfect as my parents are, one thing they did well was this: Although they allowed me to read those books, they did their best to live according to scripture. Although at times my head was filled with those "cool" ideas, I always knew they were "cool" ideas in make-believe stories because the reality of scripture and the gospel touched my life in multiple ways every day. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;">Regardless of what direction we go with this particular series, I believe the key is to live in front of our kids in submission to scripture and to do it openly and transparently. </span></div>
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I tend to throw the baby out with the bath water on some issues...eek. This parenting thing! It's hard! And this is just the tip of the iceberg, or so I'm told. </div>
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Happy Wednesday, y'all!</div>
Wanting What I Havehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05711989381690050970noreply@blogger.com7