Babies, Brownies and Blessings

As evidenced by my slightly melodramatic post earlier in the week, it's been a challenging path for me lately. The last few months BigBoy #1 has been gradually regressing into a separation anxiety state. It started in December with a sudden decision that he didn't like sleep-overs, even at Papa and Nannie's. New Years he didn't want to stay at G'pa Lee and G'ma Kerri's or his cousins' house. January began a trend of not walking into school alone. February reached a climax with a kicking, screaming, crying, hanging-on-for-dear-life 60 lb 6 year old this week at school drop off. Uffda. We have spent the week probing events and thoughts and feelings, desperate to find an answer to this newfound anxiety (both his and ours). Maybe it was that time I left him in the van too long while I did a return... Could it be from the fire drills and 911 practice calls...? I wonder if someone is bullying him at school... Is it getting too hard having Bri w...

I admit defeat. Today is a day that has me beat. Sleepless night begets teary waking hours. And me crying out to His Holy Powers. One child wakes crabby and febrile Another does not want to go to school, even for a little while. The hand of my man provides strength and support. The day has passed and it took much effort. I wave the flag of white tonight And pray tomorrow's morning will be bright. *Even in the midst of the blessing that is parenthood the trials can overcome, if even for a few hours. I know you all have many sorrows, some so huge that things like a child with separation issues and another with pneumonia would be just a blip on the radar. It is with a tired, heavy heart that I am thankful for problems so small. God brings us through it all, may His hand be ever comforting and strengthening as He has promised.*

2012 is going full-steam ahead! It's amazing how quickly the days are zipping by and here we are in the middle of the month already. The beginning of the year was riddled with sickness but we are grateful to report health...finally! BigBoy #1 just finished his 14 days of antibiotics for pneumonia and that is one fight I'm thrilled to be relieved of. BabyGirl figured out how to take her pajamas off and I discovered her buck-naked in bed the other morning. I'm still thanking God that she hadn't pooped because that would've been nasty! The new year has brought with it the realization that there is a limit to the amount of orange chicken a 6 year old should eat in one sitting. I'll spare you the details but it wasn't fun to clean that up at 2am! BigBoy #2 has discovered that it's fun to say that some words are not words in an effort to argue his case with me. BigBoy #1 is reading! He's catching onto sight words and loves to read his little...

My sweet and ever-challenging BigBoy #2 has added a few more witty conversations to his collection... Caleb, stop arguing with me or I'll have the cop come and talk to you. "And give me a ticket?" Yep. "I'll just tell him to give you a ticket because you were going too fast." No, buddy, this is about you. "Well I'm going to tell him it's about you." C:Mom, can we go swimming today? T:Maybe. C:Stop saying maybe! T:Why? C:Because I don't like maybe and it's not a word! At bedtime I gave Caleb a kiss and he promptly wiped it off. In explanation he said "I like to wipe off your kisses, do you know why, Mom? Nope. "So I can make room for more!"

Whew, 2012 came crashing in with the sickies for our family! Christmas was spent mostly at home with a feverish, coughing BigBoy #2 and a resulting diagnosis of pneumonia. A full course of antibiotics later (and steroids) his pneumonia was worse. 2 injections and a different oral antibiotic later we have our loud, smiley boy back! On the heels of that comes BigBoy #1 who seldom gets sick and even more seldom does he get horribly sick. Pneumonia settled in his lungs as well and we spent New Years Day in Urgent Care getting Xrays and antibiotics. Disgusting antibiotics, too, unfortunately. And so we fight twice a day to get the meds down and keep them down. Finally we have a little system that sort of works and only takes 15 minutes. Chocolate syrup before and after the medicine helps coat the taste buds so the meds don't taste quite as nasty. Anyways... 2011 was a good year for us. Bri got an extra week of vacation (for a total of 3 weeks FINALLY!!!! ) BabyGirl...

Merry Christmas! I am not celebrating the day as I imagined as we have one child under the weather. I find myself plucked from the noisy festivities and instead experiencing the quiet of a sleepy afternoon. No matter how one plans, there is not escaping the facts of life. While I would rather be surrounded by those I love, I'm finding some joy in my quiet afternoon with Christ. Sometimes we need to be taken out of the busyness to experience the true meaning of life, and this Christmas season. Jesus Christ. He came to THIS earth, as a baby, for ME. Because no matter how hard I try, I can never be good enough to earn my salvation. The junk in my life, however hidden, trivial, or unnamed, separates me from my God. However blatant, ugly and unforgivable. I deserve none of what was given. I have received all that was offered. Jesus Christ, son of God, given because He loves me. And he loves you too. He's particularily fond of you, as William P. Young wrote in The Shac...

I think I like surprises. And gifts. I say "think" because I never quite realized it until recently. Surprises and gifts add some pressure and expectation to those who love me so I've been reluctant to classify myself as one of "those" people. Luckily I don't require big gifts, though, so maybe it's ok after all. Bri and I have been married 11 years now. Most "real" dating ended long before kids as we settled into marital bliss. While that sounds facetious, it is not. I wouldn't trade the comfort of our love for anything. Now that our children are a bit older, however, I've been itching for some romance. And so has my man, apparently. Wednesday I was surprised with the most perfect and wonderful Christmas gift: tickets to see Les Miserables for that night! Not only had Bri found tickets on Craigslist, purchased and wrapped them, he arranged for his folks to have the kids overnight, took the night off work and made sure...