Fallen Away

I feel like I've fallen away - away from life in general - a distinct separation from me and my life. Life seems a little disconnected. I'm thinking it's because of L2 entering our life three weeks ago and the adjustment to a new baby, especially one with some health issues. I cannot believe it has been three weeks. The doctors are happy with her progress - a gain of 2 pounds and a quarter inch, clearer skin, increased activity, and healing wounds. Glen says her stomach is getting smaller, not as hard and bloated. In all reality, sometimes the only thing I can focus on is her throwing up and itching - usually not at the same time. The smell of formula can turn my stomach; my arms ache from holding a baby who is hard and rigid due to lack of human touch. Yet, there she is, our little L2 with a sweet smile, two dimples, and bright dark brown eyes. She follows my voice and must always know where I am. Watching the changes in her can have me do nothing but praise the Lord. Even in my formula stained t-shirt and tired body, God has given us a blessing; a precious little one to care for. So here I am, late at night, wishing I was in bed, writing on the blog, and listening to the little one coo and hiccup as she sits in the walker, I praise God for all these special times.

Everyday Life

Everyday life has a way of interfering with things I want to do. I always want to accomplish so much. Yesterday afternoon after a great day of homeschooling, housework, and play, my head decided to start a sinus infection. Therefore, today was spent mostly in pajamas, laying on the sofas, watching TV and the kids play (Glen is also fighting an illness and L had a fever - M, the three year old son, was in charge again today). I actually called Glen home from work because I couldn't get out of bed - my shoulders and neck were not allowing me to move. However, we were blessed by our homeschool group. They had made arrangements for a meal to be delivered. It was a wonderful casserole of pasta, chicken, broccoli, and other ingredients. It was hot and ready to eat. What great taste it had! Then, a lady from our church came over to sit and hold L2 and help me out while Glen was at Bible Study. My head feels like a 20 pound bowling ball hit it full force from a 20 story window. I'm ending this post cause my head wants to lie down again. I guess I pushed it too hard checking email and Facebook......

Thankful Thursday - Brata

I am amazed at God every day! I learned a new word yesterday - Brata. It is a Creole word and means an unexpected gift for no reason at all. This week, God sent a brata into my life! On Monday little L2 arrived in our home. For privacy issues we are calling this special little girl L2 on the blog and Facebook and we will not be posting her picture - she is still a foster child.

Yes, her name does start with an L and even sounds a little like our first daughter, L (who will continue to be called L here). She is not related to the other two children and comes from a different ethnic background. The kids have enveloped her into our family very well, including three-year-old M who on Wednesday night told a woman at church as he pointed at the baby, "Don't touch - mine!"

I never dreamed that a second baby would be held in my arms. All those years we struggled and argued and fought with God over our infertility and here 18 married years later, and now we have 3 children! We do not know how long L2 will be in our home. Our prayer and the desire of the social worker is that we are her forever family. May God be glorified in our lives!

What brata has God given you lately? Visit Laurie at Women Taking a Stand for more Thankful Thursday.

The Other Night

The other night, the kids and I were going out to dinner with some friends. The grown-ups were talking about a future deployment of one of the husbands - how long he'll be gone, where he's going, etc. Then from the very back of the vehicle comes a little voice (my little three year old) piping up with "What he doin'? Goin' on a field trip?" Things that make you laugh...

Prayer for Family

Why am I always amazed at how God answers prayer? For the last 22 years I have lived away from family - except for the six months we lived with my sister. We always traveled and our visits have become few and far between since moving to the West Coast. However, God has answered this prayer. No, we are not moving. My youngest niece and her family are moving here. Their military housing is about a 10 mile drive. It will be great to have some family close. Thank you, Lord, for your blessing!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, dear sister! I love you!

Thankful Thursday - Quiet

Having two kids at home and their noise all the time can sometimes drive me crazy. One of the things I treasure the most is the quiet of the morning before everyone wakes up. I love snuggling in bed on a cold morning listening to the birds chirp outside my window. I love the quiet of the night when everyone's asleep. It offers me time to reflect, think, and unwind. Some of the most special times I've had with the Lord were when M was a baby and I would rock him back to sleep. Many of those special hours were spent singing to the Lord and praying. I often miss those quiet times.

Join Laurie at Women Taking a Stand for more Thankful Thursday.

Adoption Day

Yesterday was the second anniversary of the finalization of L's adoption. In our family, we celebrate this event with just the parents and the child. We took her out to lunch at one of her favorite restaurants and then I took her to the mall to hang out. It was a great time just the three of us. Here's Glen and L at On the Border. She ordered endless enchiladas. It was quite the special time.