Chocolate Party

My little one finished reading The Chocolate Touch this past week.  We, of course, had to complete this fun unit with a few chocolate delicacies.  Now, I wish I could take credit for planning this book around Valentine’s Day, but sadly I can’t.  That was the least of my concerns.  In any case, it worked to my benefit as we scoured the half-off display at Walmart for choice chocolate to add to our party. 

The babies were gone on their visit with their bio mom, the big girls had work to finish at home, so my little man and little one headed out with me to party at the bookstore with some chocolate candy and Ghirardelli’s hot chocolate.  One can’t go wrong with that.  It was a great way to celebrate a sunny Friday afternoon in the middle of winter. 

Special Vaca

It doesn’t matter where.  I don’t know when.  I do know that now there is hope that someday, somewhere, I will escape with my sweetie to a place not home.    Don’t get me wrong.  I love my home.  I love my kids.  If you have followed me for any length of time, you know, though, that home and family are wonderfully busy and exhaustingly full. 

My heart has felt overwhelmed with life.  My sweetie, who would climb mountains for me if that would help, wanted to alleviate my stress level.  At his offer, my instant response was this:  put a line item in the budget for a vacation for just us.  Call me crazy, but just knowing, just seeing, just being able to anticipate, means a great deal. 

He just e-mailed me the budget complete with a SPECIAL VACA line item.  Yeah!  Oh, and he said that one of our dates in the near future is a trip to get our passports.  Double yeah!!  I may still be exhausted, and life is still crazy, but I am going to choose to enjoy today and look forward to tomorrow.    Ahhhhhh! 

Seasons

Peace and quiet in a family of nine means that it is the middle of the night, or everyone is sick.  That said, I dream of quiet afternoons with a book, seek stolen moments with a cup of coffee, and long for that far-off vacation in a far-away place with my sweetie and peaceful ocean waves (sans boogie boards, pails and shovels, and multiple beach bags loaded for the day.)

Seasons come and go as right as rain.  You can count on them.  I welcome this season and am blessed beyond measure.  Each day reminds me that God is gracious and patient, loving and merciful.  Seasonal rains, though, may turn into downpours.  Peaceful breezes quickly become gusts that can blow you off your feet.  Life calms eventually, but can turn things tipsy-turvy in the process. 

As fall breezes turn unsuspectingly to bitter winter temperatures and occasional life halting snow, spring sneaks in and can be seen in the buds on barren trees and green pushing itself through the cracked ground.  Life will change in a blink of an eye.  One day my babies are babbling and the next day they are arguing with me in middle school only to turn around to kiss me good-bye on their way to college. 

Being a more mature mom (think older mom), I have the blessing to see a glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel and know that it is not a locomotive heading my way, but rather a change in the season.  Yet, I can easily get stuck in the mud of winter turning to spring.  I wish for the warmer weather less encumbered with coats and hats and forget the blessing of snuggles and coziness of the winter chill.  I look forward to a quiet place to think and work.  I long for more energy to put my house in order.  However, this season is noisy with learning, loving, living kids.  Lots of them.  My energy is spent teaching, discipling, practically and purposely parenting those kids.  Too soon, I will have more than enough time and energy to redecorate, to plan dinner parties, and to do lunch with my friends. 

God is present in this season of my life.  He is working.  I know that.  It may feel like a long winter, but spring is coming.  Thank you, God, for life’s changes.  Thank you, God, for never changing.   

Family Bonding

What is better? Having the flu go through our family within 36 hours or have each of us take our turn over days? The jury is still in deliberation. That said, there is really no good answer.

I was reminded of a few things:

~My kids truly are the best

~I am thankful that I have a master bathroom

~I am thankful that there are three bathrooms in our home

~My husband goes far and above the call of duty

~TV is not a bad thing

~At least I did not have to cook

~Tomorrow is another day

New Twists and Gratitude

The voice on the other end of the phone began the conversation questioning whether there was a chair close by for me to use. That can never be good. Her next statement that our babies’ mother was four months pregnant . . .with twins . . . made my heart pound, my voice accelerate, and my mind ask, “Why.” I searched for a chair.

I know little of how the next few months will unfold. The trial date may be in jeopardy. We continue to hope, to pray, to fight, and to wait.

We practically cannot take in any more children. Seven is a lot. My heart would love to wrap my arms around those little ones to protect them, but I know that is impossible. I do know that those little ones are a gift from God no matter how you look at it. He is far greater than I to take care of them.

I thought yesterday that I have not written a gratitude post in a while. I think now is a good time. God, help me to readjust my thinking, calm my heart, and remember how awesome and powerful you have shown yourself already.

I am grateful . . .

• That God knows both the beginning and the end
• That hugs are free
• For a two year old who loves to sing “Jesus Loves Me”
• For safety over many hours of driving
• For free moments, frustrating moments, fun moments, and fearful moments for I know that God orchestrated them all before time
• For falling snow . . . and melting snow
• For prayer warriors all over the country
• For a good night’s sleep
• For teachable moments and life lessons learned every day
• For second chances
• For non-discriminating abundant love