My, how the kids have grown!

As you can see, the children have grown so much and so fast. It seems like just yesterday they were all sitting at the kitchen table showing off our kitchen wall that was freshly painted yellow(and it probably took me quite some time to get this picture taken). Now Katie, Drew and Nick are posing for Christmas pictures outside without any fuss or ado... just a simple and quick click of the button.
This past decade, the kids had their share of bumps and bruises, though. Along with Andrew's boken nose, he has broken his arm. At the age of four, Nicholas broke the growth plate in his foot running barefoot outside and tripping. Then last year, as some of you might remember, poor Nick broke his finger at a bounce house place. He had to be put to sleep to have his finger reset. Katie fractured hew wrist also.
But in spite of all the sicknesses and hardships raising kids can bring, I must say these have been some of the best years of our lives. We try to show love in all we do, and hopefully that will be enough to carry us through.

Blaming Myself

I don't think you can tell, but Andrew's cast goes all the way up his arm to almost his armpit. Poor thing is so uncomfortable, he woke me up at 4:30 A.M. because his arm itched and hurt. Plus it was hot. And to think summer is here, and we are going to Disney World in two weeks- I feel so sorry for him.

The thing that makes me saddest is that last night before he went to bed, Andrew said, "You know, this would never have happened if I hadn't gone outside to play with Nicholas."

To which my reply was, "Yes- that's true." I knew what he was going to say next because I had felt the same thing.

"And," he said, "I didn't even want to go outside, but you made me."

I tearfully answered, "True- do you blame me for your broken arm?"

Andrew timidly said, "Kinda."

I gave my middle child a big hug, and said, "Thank you for being honest- for telling me how you feel," then I paused, hoping God would give me an intuitive thought. I was too upset to hear Him. So, I continued to hug him and said I was sorry, I blamed myself, too.

"It's okay," he said, as he hugged me back.

I went outside his room and cried to Pete, who told me not to blame myself...Andrew could have tripped and fallen anywhere, at anytime- the whole thing is in God's hand anyway. He was swinging with Nick, went over backwards, I had no control over that.

I just wished I could go back to that day one week ago, keep my mouth shut, and let Andrew be.

Through the Rain

Through the Rain

Broken bones, baseball games,
dance recital practices, oh my!
Homework,reports and carnivals, too.
The end of school this year
has me feeling overwhelmed
like I belong in a zoo!
Where is the peace and serenity
I had just last weekend
when I left the ACTS retreat?
A song in my head, I happily sang,
love of God pouring from my heart.
Oh, how I relish that feeling so sweet.
They said life’s challenges would still await,
for reality can often bite you in the ass.
Just remember the times of peace I had;
the silent reflection, prayer and sharing,
fun times of laughing and acting silly, too,
and with God close by, things aren’t so bad.
Now I take on all life’s battles
with a renewed vim and vigor.
I will walk through the pain,
because faith will carry me through.
With God to lighten the load,
I can walk calmly through the rain.

Things Happen in 3s, Darn It!

Do you believe the old saying that things happen in 3s? I certainly do, and I'll tell you why. Andrew broke his left radius last night almost completely through. That means all 3 of my children have been in casts since November. Nicholas was first, with a broken finger that required surgery. Then came Katie, with a tear in her wrist growth plate. After that, we jokingly made the comment, "Well, Andrew, I guess you're next." Never jokingly make a comment like that- it just might come true.

Andrew's accident happened in our backyard. He was swinging with Nicholas and flipped over backwards, landing funny on his arm. We knew it was serious when he went into shock and started shaking. So, reluctantly, Pete took him to the ER. I say reluctantly because we knew the drill- wait, wait, wait while in pain, only to have to turn around and go through the same thing at the bone doctor the next day. Sure enough, this is what happened, but what can you do? They waited from 6:30-12:10 to get everything done, and this amounted to: 5 min. in x-ray, 5 min. with the nurse, 5 min. with the doctor (who told us the wrong bone) and 10 min. with the tech. who wrapped Andrew's arm. Sigh. Andrew said most people were in there for stubbed toes and colds, but he, a 7-year-old in pain with a broken radius (almost completely snapped in two), had to wait. I hate the ER!

Now, I am at another mountain I must climb, just few days after leaving my retreat feeling refreshed and high on God's spirit. I know I will need to pray more vigilantly right now and am asking you to do the same for us. Thanks.