Monday, October 13, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
DUDE...
So, I hear Bella say to Brock -- "DUDE, get some pants on" -- as he's wandering around the house showing off his naked little self, proud as can be. I smiled to myself as I realized that she is getting so comfortable with English that she's using our slang to communicate! I marvel at her progress.
Her progress is really something to celebrate, considering the battles waging in her little body. She was diagnosed with something last Friday that will take monthly shots to control the problem. These shots will last for the next 5 or so years. That, and her brain was scanned via MRI testing at Children's Hospital yesterday. We're still awaiting the results (which will hopefully reveal the "why" of this diagnosis), but I have to tell you that as I was waiting for her to wake up from the anesthesia, I was gazing at her little quiet body, teary with the truth of her alternative. God knew what He was doing when He sent us over there to get her. I know she needed a family, but she needed good health care as well. He knew it, and He plucked her out of a situation that would've left her with lifelong problems, as well as a much shorter life span. I was hit upside the head with God's grace in that hospital room yesterday morning, and I won't forget it. I cannot believe how much I love Bella -- it surprises me. She is MY girl.
Booker is tearing it up on the football field, and we're enjoying being his biggest fans. He is now using deodorant, complaining about collared shirts and how "dressy and ridiculous" they look, about to blow past his Nanna in height, and working on his handwriting abilities. Smile. I can't wait until he can TYPE everything! It saved my schoolwork, too. If he could go straight in to the NFL tomorrow, I think he'd do it!
Brooklyn is still facilitating her "art club" outside after school, and loves to do anything that's school-related. I cannot relate. Smile. Man, that girl is SUCH a student. She is constantly writing things and drawing illustrations. WHATEVER, smart girl. Hee-hee. I'm taking her to Juarez to build a house for a family there with a team from our church. Am REALLY looking forward to some one-on-one time with her.
Brock is pooping and peeing like a champ on the big potty. Phew. Glad that's over. He whines with the best of them, though, and we're working on having whine-free days. Smile. I act like I can't hear him when his voice changes octaves, and I'm sure he'll need therapy for that someday -- "My mom ignored me". Seems to work, though. Smile.
Bode is still trying to get over giardia, bless his heart, but you'd never know it. The kid's got such a sunny disposition, and will hug just about anyone I consort with around here. Thankfully, he doesn't dive in to the arms of strangers, but he WILL march in to houses on our cul-de-sac unannounced and make himself at home. I swear, I turn my back for 2 minutes, and the kid is GONE!!! It's scary!
Brock and Bode are slowly but surely destroying our house, one thrown thing at a time. We may just bulldoze this place when we're ready to move -- it's seriously falling apart room by room (hope my realtor doesn't read this)!!!! And it's not because I don't have rules, all you naysayers -- it's just because they're BOYS!!!! It is CRAZY living with this many males!!! Booker actually ate -- drum roll, please -- SEVEN tacos for dinner the other night. SEVEN. What's he going to eat when he's 15 -- like a BOX of tacos??!!
Brant? Brant who?? Smile. We see each other, but not as much as we'd like. This is such a busy season. The few quiet moments we get together, we treasure. And then we hope those moments will "last" us until the next time, probably 126 days from now, when we'll get another one!
I write all of this nonsense with tongue-in-cheek. I love these kids and that husband of mine. I wouldn't have my life any other way. It is HARD work, circus-like at times, but the most satisfying life I can imagine. I am surrounded by love, and that's sheer, oh-so-messy bliss. Karen
Her progress is really something to celebrate, considering the battles waging in her little body. She was diagnosed with something last Friday that will take monthly shots to control the problem. These shots will last for the next 5 or so years. That, and her brain was scanned via MRI testing at Children's Hospital yesterday. We're still awaiting the results (which will hopefully reveal the "why" of this diagnosis), but I have to tell you that as I was waiting for her to wake up from the anesthesia, I was gazing at her little quiet body, teary with the truth of her alternative. God knew what He was doing when He sent us over there to get her. I know she needed a family, but she needed good health care as well. He knew it, and He plucked her out of a situation that would've left her with lifelong problems, as well as a much shorter life span. I was hit upside the head with God's grace in that hospital room yesterday morning, and I won't forget it. I cannot believe how much I love Bella -- it surprises me. She is MY girl.
Booker is tearing it up on the football field, and we're enjoying being his biggest fans. He is now using deodorant, complaining about collared shirts and how "dressy and ridiculous" they look, about to blow past his Nanna in height, and working on his handwriting abilities. Smile. I can't wait until he can TYPE everything! It saved my schoolwork, too. If he could go straight in to the NFL tomorrow, I think he'd do it!
Brooklyn is still facilitating her "art club" outside after school, and loves to do anything that's school-related. I cannot relate. Smile. Man, that girl is SUCH a student. She is constantly writing things and drawing illustrations. WHATEVER, smart girl. Hee-hee. I'm taking her to Juarez to build a house for a family there with a team from our church. Am REALLY looking forward to some one-on-one time with her.
Brock is pooping and peeing like a champ on the big potty. Phew. Glad that's over. He whines with the best of them, though, and we're working on having whine-free days. Smile. I act like I can't hear him when his voice changes octaves, and I'm sure he'll need therapy for that someday -- "My mom ignored me". Seems to work, though. Smile.
Bode is still trying to get over giardia, bless his heart, but you'd never know it. The kid's got such a sunny disposition, and will hug just about anyone I consort with around here. Thankfully, he doesn't dive in to the arms of strangers, but he WILL march in to houses on our cul-de-sac unannounced and make himself at home. I swear, I turn my back for 2 minutes, and the kid is GONE!!! It's scary!
Brock and Bode are slowly but surely destroying our house, one thrown thing at a time. We may just bulldoze this place when we're ready to move -- it's seriously falling apart room by room (hope my realtor doesn't read this)!!!! And it's not because I don't have rules, all you naysayers -- it's just because they're BOYS!!!! It is CRAZY living with this many males!!! Booker actually ate -- drum roll, please -- SEVEN tacos for dinner the other night. SEVEN. What's he going to eat when he's 15 -- like a BOX of tacos??!!
Brant? Brant who?? Smile. We see each other, but not as much as we'd like. This is such a busy season. The few quiet moments we get together, we treasure. And then we hope those moments will "last" us until the next time, probably 126 days from now, when we'll get another one!
I write all of this nonsense with tongue-in-cheek. I love these kids and that husband of mine. I wouldn't have my life any other way. It is HARD work, circus-like at times, but the most satisfying life I can imagine. I am surrounded by love, and that's sheer, oh-so-messy bliss. Karen
Friday, September 5, 2008
Life is rolling along...
Ah... a minute to myself to sit down and write! My life now operates at a dizzying speed, so these rare quiet moments are something I really treasure. Again, just celebrating that marvelous intersection of what I dreamed my life would be and what it IS presently... it is that perspective that helps me through the often exhausting days of parenting and investing in five children... this is no small task! Smile.
Brant and I laugh a lot about the tornado of life in which we find ourselves. I was walking with a friend today, and we were talking about what a FULL season of life parenting brings, and how it demands grace in your marriage. Brant and I are constantly trying to sling each other some rope as we smile across the room at each other (or frown, depending on how wiped out we are!) -- five kids and piles of laundry and dirty dishes and forts made out of nearly all the furniture/blankets in the house seem to be intimacy killers, not intimacy enhancers! But the foundation is strong, and we're not bolting just because this season is hard. This is OUR dream, not mine. I am so glad we have 13 years of togetherness and teamwork under our marriage belt. I want to walk this road with no one but HIM.
My days start around 6:30ish and end about 11:30 or 12:00 at night. I have NO trouble sleeping these days, and caffeine is my friend. Smile. The "work" part of five kids seems like the easy part, if you can imagine that. It is the constant near-panic I have in my heart each day that I'm not giving EACH child exactly what they need that makes life seem so difficult. I am so ultra-sensitive to the emotional investment that each child deserves from his/her parents that I tend to be pretty "failure" oriented when the day doesn't go as I planned and I feel like I left one of them with a deficit of some kind. God is quick to remind me in those moments, though, that it is HIM ALONE that will fill those spots in their hearts that I cannot possibly fill every minute of every day. It is HIM ALONE. This is not an "out" for my responsibilities as their mother... but a deep consolation from the God who gave me these kids that I will NEVER be everything for them. So that's where I'm at... and, I'm eating a gluten-free diet presently to see if I can combat some of the lingering intestinal issues. Smile. I'd eat cardboard if they told me it'd keep me out of surgery!!!!
Booker is enjoying watching all the political speeches on TV with us and is asking such good questions. I went to the DNC after Brant got ONE ticket from work... and I loved being a part of history. I LOVED it. I don't agree with all the politics of either party, but can appreciate some of both. Booker and I have had some great conversations, and watching him really process the information is fascinating to me. He ain't no baby anymore. He's so tall and "buff" (this cracks me up) and is tearing it up on the tackle football field. His first game is tomorrow.
Brooklyn started an Art and Writing Club on our front lawn after school, complete with signage and advertising that blesses her father's heart. Smile. She is quite serious about it, and all the neighborhood girls seem to enjoy it. School comes naturally for her, and I marvel at her passion for it. Somehow I missed that genetic link. Hee hee. I can envision her in some type of nurturing profession some day -- a teacher or a health care professional, perhaps. She's always taking care of any one who will let her, and "give them some space" reminders from her parents only frustrate her. Smile. I am taking her to Juarez, Mexico in October to build a home for people who need it. Really excited to have some one-on-one time with her.
Bella, Bella, Bella. She's given us quite a scare with some health issues lately, and we're still awaiting some results from extensive testing. Think she'll be okay, though, and it just has us THANKING GOD that she's in our family and can receive the help she may need in this great country in which we live. She is meticulous about her home work and is currently watching "Muzzy:ESL" as I type. She is mad as a hornet that she can't balance the tagalong for the bike and is still stuck in the trailer. Smile. She has such fierce determination and that will serve her well, I know. That smile she has is seriously contagious, and she flashes it after she prays at meals or before school -- she is SO proud of her English! Kindergarten still seems to be the right fit for her, and she would swim every day if she could.
Brock is POTTY-TRAINED!!! What a chore that was! He is very proud of his accomplishments and tells EVERYONE, and I mean EVERYONE, that he now poops in the big potty. Not a shy bone in his body, that one. He of course picked out a toy rifle to celebrate, and has subsequently been shooting everything in sight, much to my chagrin. But they tell me this is normal for boys!!!!
Bode is such a simple little boy, and I mean that in the very best way. He is so refreshing to all of us. Full of smiles and hugs and kisses for all. He's quite the wanderer, though, and I've found him in our new neighbor's living room, making himself at home! English is coming quickly for him, and he no longer has an Ethiopian accent. This makes me profoundly sad.
There, I did it. I accomplished something on my to-do list!!! Off to gloat for a bit... I did it!!!! See, it's the simple things that light my fire! Smile. Karen
Brant and I laugh a lot about the tornado of life in which we find ourselves. I was walking with a friend today, and we were talking about what a FULL season of life parenting brings, and how it demands grace in your marriage. Brant and I are constantly trying to sling each other some rope as we smile across the room at each other (or frown, depending on how wiped out we are!) -- five kids and piles of laundry and dirty dishes and forts made out of nearly all the furniture/blankets in the house seem to be intimacy killers, not intimacy enhancers! But the foundation is strong, and we're not bolting just because this season is hard. This is OUR dream, not mine. I am so glad we have 13 years of togetherness and teamwork under our marriage belt. I want to walk this road with no one but HIM.
My days start around 6:30ish and end about 11:30 or 12:00 at night. I have NO trouble sleeping these days, and caffeine is my friend. Smile. The "work" part of five kids seems like the easy part, if you can imagine that. It is the constant near-panic I have in my heart each day that I'm not giving EACH child exactly what they need that makes life seem so difficult. I am so ultra-sensitive to the emotional investment that each child deserves from his/her parents that I tend to be pretty "failure" oriented when the day doesn't go as I planned and I feel like I left one of them with a deficit of some kind. God is quick to remind me in those moments, though, that it is HIM ALONE that will fill those spots in their hearts that I cannot possibly fill every minute of every day. It is HIM ALONE. This is not an "out" for my responsibilities as their mother... but a deep consolation from the God who gave me these kids that I will NEVER be everything for them. So that's where I'm at... and, I'm eating a gluten-free diet presently to see if I can combat some of the lingering intestinal issues. Smile. I'd eat cardboard if they told me it'd keep me out of surgery!!!!
Booker is enjoying watching all the political speeches on TV with us and is asking such good questions. I went to the DNC after Brant got ONE ticket from work... and I loved being a part of history. I LOVED it. I don't agree with all the politics of either party, but can appreciate some of both. Booker and I have had some great conversations, and watching him really process the information is fascinating to me. He ain't no baby anymore. He's so tall and "buff" (this cracks me up) and is tearing it up on the tackle football field. His first game is tomorrow.
Brooklyn started an Art and Writing Club on our front lawn after school, complete with signage and advertising that blesses her father's heart. Smile. She is quite serious about it, and all the neighborhood girls seem to enjoy it. School comes naturally for her, and I marvel at her passion for it. Somehow I missed that genetic link. Hee hee. I can envision her in some type of nurturing profession some day -- a teacher or a health care professional, perhaps. She's always taking care of any one who will let her, and "give them some space" reminders from her parents only frustrate her. Smile. I am taking her to Juarez, Mexico in October to build a home for people who need it. Really excited to have some one-on-one time with her.
Bella, Bella, Bella. She's given us quite a scare with some health issues lately, and we're still awaiting some results from extensive testing. Think she'll be okay, though, and it just has us THANKING GOD that she's in our family and can receive the help she may need in this great country in which we live. She is meticulous about her home work and is currently watching "Muzzy:ESL" as I type. She is mad as a hornet that she can't balance the tagalong for the bike and is still stuck in the trailer. Smile. She has such fierce determination and that will serve her well, I know. That smile she has is seriously contagious, and she flashes it after she prays at meals or before school -- she is SO proud of her English! Kindergarten still seems to be the right fit for her, and she would swim every day if she could.
Brock is POTTY-TRAINED!!! What a chore that was! He is very proud of his accomplishments and tells EVERYONE, and I mean EVERYONE, that he now poops in the big potty. Not a shy bone in his body, that one. He of course picked out a toy rifle to celebrate, and has subsequently been shooting everything in sight, much to my chagrin. But they tell me this is normal for boys!!!!
Bode is such a simple little boy, and I mean that in the very best way. He is so refreshing to all of us. Full of smiles and hugs and kisses for all. He's quite the wanderer, though, and I've found him in our new neighbor's living room, making himself at home! English is coming quickly for him, and he no longer has an Ethiopian accent. This makes me profoundly sad.
There, I did it. I accomplished something on my to-do list!!! Off to gloat for a bit... I did it!!!! See, it's the simple things that light my fire! Smile. Karen
Monday, September 1, 2008
Summer is coming to a close...
Hey all. My friend snapped this shot of Booker on their sailboat this weekend -- I'm going to blackmail him with it someday! Smile. When I showed it to him, he said "Mom, I wasn't TRYING to look all cool" -- as only a 10-year-old can describe an inferred cool factor, yes?! The girls had fun decorating t-shirts for their American Doll girls and for themselves, compliments of the North Carolina Bookers. What fun. We had a great ride out on the trail today, and the the older 3 are going to the pool with their daddy before we enjoy a BBQ with our cul-de-sac later this evening. It has been a really good weekend.
Will update on the kiddos' progress when I get a spare minute -- I'm warning you, though, that minute may never show its face! Smile. Karen
Saturday, August 30, 2008
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