Foot in His Mouth

Well, Solomon has his first loose tooth. The day it falls out I'll probably cry. He's just getting really big. His Daddy deemed that it was time to sign him up for Shao Lin Kempo. We weren't sure if Kai was ready, but try putting Solomon in and telling Malachi to sit and watch...I dare you. Anyhow, picture the typical class. Kids wearing their cute little uniforms, the Sensie issuing instructions:

Instructor: "Now, everybody sit down, this is called a Butterfly Stretch: put the bottoms of your feet together, like this, and bend down like you're smelling your feet. Yes! That's right! Good thing we all have clean feet, huh? Raise your hand is you have clean feet!"

Every kid raises their hand. But one.

Instructor: "Don't you wash you feet, Solomon?"

Solomon: "Yes, when I take a bath I do, but my Mom didn't give me a bath today."

Nice. Thanks, Solly.

Same is Good (for now)

Uh, so. As you may have noticed, the prior post was taken down. We did decide to take a foster placement of two great boys with the ultimate goal of also integrating their 3 sisters. 5 in all.

The boys are wonderful and sweet. But we have decided that we won't be able to be a permanent resource for this sib group. Micah and I have always wanted a big family and still believe that this will happen for us. But it has to happen when all members of the household are secure and healthy enough to proceed or our foundation won't be healthy.

Levi has only been with us for 4 months. I tend to forget because it seems like he's been with us forever. But he hasn't. He had a tumultuous life before he graced our home. A life wrought with constant change, little consistency and safety issues. He was doing so great we tend to forget. We tend to forget that he needs us to continue to provide that constantly same environment until he's strong enough for change. Until he's healed. We're officially putting our search for a larger family on hold. For right now he needs us the same. So the same we will be. Until he's ready.

Committee

Well, the Dream Team has new parents. Unfortunately it's not us. We have another loss. Our caseworker says we're going to move on and pick up the pieces. But I fear that soon there may not be any pieces left to pick up.

And I haven't blogged about this as it's too depressing to even think about, but a paternal great-uncle has popped up and is pursuing custody of our Levi. It's possible we'll lose him as well.

Ever have one of those days that feels too big to digest, to muddle through?

Tomorrow!

Tomorrow's the big day for the Dream Team. They get new parents!

I have to admit, we're all really hoping that we get chosen. I don't know how we size up next the the other 2 families. Maybe they make more money. Maybe they have a bigger house. Maybe they're childless. Maybe they're bi-racial (the Dream Team is bi-racial).

We do have strong points, though: We've done foster care off and on since 2001. We've done respite care for medically fragile infants. We currently have a bi-racial foster son who we love and who is doing beautifully in our home. Micah is home 4 days per week. Nana is just across the way and always ready to lend an extra set of hands. And we've been waiting for nearly a year.

I'm hoping we look good on paper. Because potential families don't get to go to this meeting, their caseworker represents them and brings a photo album to show snippets of home life. It's a real shame I don't take many photos :) Luckily we have a really good worker who professes to enjoy the tangled and chaotic Committee process. I think she'll do an awesome job representing us tomorrow. She's certainly seen us through thick and thin this past year!

***

So, please add to your prayer list:

A set of great parents for the Dream Team,

and please also pray for my friend who just had surgery today. 6 complicated pregnancies and equally complicated deliveries eventually caught up with her. Time for some damage control. We're praying she mends well and quickly.

And that she REMEMBERS NOT TO LIFT ANYTHING. Lori.

Just 3 more days, just 3 more days, just 3 more days...

"Ugh. Just 3 more days. 3 more days until I can sleep through the night. 3 more days of purgatory. 3 more days of wondering, wishing. 3 more days..."

***

I'm trying to fight valiantly against worry but it feels as if worry is winning. I've been in this place before and I'm really trying to do better this time around, to keep an attitude of faith and joy. To choose joy. To cast off my anxiety to God, who can handle such burdens without my help. I know He's got this. I just have to keep knowing. Every minute.

Phil 4:6 -

"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."

Amen.

Maybe We'll Take a Sick Day, After All:

You know you're in a homeschooling house when you hear a child from the kitchen desk, "OoooOOOh, my TUMMY!"

And a Mommy hurrying from down the hall, "Not on the math book!! It was expensive!! Grab your bowl! THE BOWL!!!"

Yeah, it seems that our yuck is still circulating, so that's discouraging. On the more encouraging side, we only have 7 more days until Committee. I'm to the place where I just want it over. The case has (you guessed it, ONCE AGAIN) taken a strange and painful turn which I may go into later after Committee's done. We'll see.

Seriously. This could only happen to us.

Again.

I will leave you on a high note, as spring is in full swing and everything is beginning to bloom, here are some new projects my various sweeties are involved in:

My niece is walking folks. She honest to goodness started at 10 months. I saw it with my own eyes. I've heard people say, "Oh! My little Suzie started walking at 10 months!" To which I always responded with rolled eyes after the proud, but obviously exaggerating mother turned her back. I mean, c'mon. 10 months?

Well, I am officially issuing apologies to most of those women. But not the ones who say they had little Suzie potty trained at 14 months. You women are obviously delusional on several levels.

Micah is building the breakfast nook and I can tell it will be just lovely. He's making it large and sturdy enough to withstand several wee ones abusing it on a regular basis.

My handsome Levi is doing quite a nice job on those pedals and his language has exploded into actual. distinguishable. words. It's awesome.

Well, I'm off to fix dinner, but I'll continue to keep you "posted"...

Disturbing.

So, I found these rugs on a site called Blame it on the Voices. Creepy. Really, really creepy.

Never fear, they are completely fake and no dogs were harmed, but the craftsmanship is gut-wrenchingly superb. Are folks actually buying these? I don't know what disturbs me more; the name of the website or it's merchandise.

Easter

Bree's Mommy helps her get her basket from the Nana-Bunny.
Kai finds his...
Solomon was the last to find his. Ah, the thrill of the hunt!
Levi likes his eggs!

Thought I'd bless the boys' viewing public with some fun Easter pics. You don't want to see poor Solomon today. 2 words: stomach flu.

We thought we had it contained with Malachi, but forgot the The Virus Infantry's First Mandate : "We shall only move to infect child #2 once child #1 is nearly well and the groggy parent/guardian is excitedly expecting a much needed full night's sleep."

Actually he seems to be doing considerably better than he was this morning. Which means, of course, that Levi should begin vomiting within the next several hours. Leaves me wondering as we sit in wait of possibly adding 3 to the numbers - how do big families manage with stomach bugs? Hmmm. Invest in lots of buckets? Fantastic.