May the Force be with you…

I don’t feel I have adequately portrayed Luke’s love of all things Star Wars on the blog.  I’m talking certifiably C-R-A-Z-Y about it all.  He prefers to be called Luke Elliot  Skywalker  Thompson now.  (Guess that’s better than Bob) 

When his brothers are being nice to him, they are named “Jedi.”  When they are annoying him, it’s either Darth Vader or Darth Maul.  If he sees an inanimate object he thinks looks “good” it is also a Jedi, and Imperial Force names are given to bad things.  It’s everyday all throughout the day.  If he were my first-born I’d be concerned.  Right now, as long as he’s not hurting anyone, I’m sticking with the “it’s just a phase” theory. 

Today after another full day of doing this and that… running here and there, we were all ready for bed.  Our routine is that I brush Luke’s teeth first to rid them of all the filth and slime, and then he attempts to brush his teeth to get some practice.  I was watching him brush and noticed that he kept sticking his toothbrush into the sink.  While he was poking around in there he was making his signature “lightsaber fighting noises.”  He was also making his signature “lightsaber fighting face” which involves squinting of the eyes, crinkling of the nose, and curling of the lips.  It scares me.

“Luke, stop putting your toothbrush into the sink.  That’s gross!”

“Well, Mama!!!  Mama, there’s a bubble in there with a force field.  It has to have a force field around it because my lightsaber toothbrush can’t pop it.” 

I dismissed his comment and carried him to bed.  When I came back into the bathroom after getting him all tucked in, I noticed that I had dropped one of my disposable contacts into the sink.  It was turned upside down and looked exactly like a bubble.

A bubble with a force field.

Round and Foxy

The other day, my sweet little Luke looked over at me and said, “Mama, you’re round.” 

I begin to choke on the chocolate chip cookie I had in my mouth.  When I finally regained my composure, I asked him to repeat himself.  (I’m a sucker for punishment).  Sure enough, I had heard him correctly.

“Mama, you’re round. (long, long pause) Round and foxy.”

By this time my head was swimming.  “Round and foxy???”

“Yep, just like Manny says on Ice Age 3.”

Okay, we have watched that movie one time.  Once!!!  That’s the line he takes away from it???  I really wasn’t sure whether to be offended after being compared to a female wooly mammoth, or if he meant it as an enduring term of love and affection.  I’m going with the latter, even though my rational mind tells me I’m perfectly pathetic for believing that. 

That, along with a good inch and a half of dark brown and gray root growth, was enough to plunge my self-confidence to new depths.  I was in dire need of a cut/color so that’s where I headed this afternoon.  It never ceases to amaze me how much sheer joy I receive sitting in that chair for at least an hour without having any other duty.  Thanks Mom and Dad for the birthday money…now my new boots have a decent head of hair to go along with them!   And to all the rest of you wonderful friends and family…thanks so much for the sweet cards, lunch, the flowers, and the steady infusion of caffeine (aka Stbx cards!!!) you sent my way to celebrate my birthday.  I am humbled by your kindness and the gift God has given me in such faithful friends. 

In completely other unrelated news, Philip has started basketball and is in full frenzied play.  That kid has more hustle than Van McCoy and the Soul City Symphony.  (Just so you know…I had to look that up because, although I am old – I’m not quite THAT old!)  It is completely exhausting and exhilarating watching Philip play.  He has inherited some of his Granddad’s super-athletic basketball moves, all the while reminding me of his Papa dribbling down the court with his tongue peeking out of the corner of his mouth.   

Luke joined Anna this past week at her gym for a trial gymnastics class.  I wasn’t sure how he’d do, but I don’t think he was the one I should have been worried about.  He listened well and fit right in with the other 3 and 4 years old who have been in the class for several months.  Unfortunately, Anna E. couldn’t concentrate on her class with little brother within 100 yards of her.  She kept yelling his name, waving, and giving “across the room” hugs and kisses to him.  One time she even ran over and almost tackled him in her excitement.  He was waiting in line for his turn to do an obstacle course, and despite the fact he was finding it very hard to keep his balance with his sister hanging all over him, he never took his hands from behind his back.  He just looked at me with eyes that were screaming, “HELP!!!”  I had to laugh.  He is quite the rule follower and I find that very interesting.  The other night at a basketball practice, Anna kept running between the two teams from one side of the court to another.  That drives me crazy, and I kept getting on to her about making sure she didn’t get in the players’ way.  Luke eventually decided that he would like to join Anna on the other side (she was practicing dribbling in a little alcove).  I told him to follow the black line across the court so he didn’t get in the middle of the practices going on around him.  He painstakingly put one foot in front of the other and walked toe to heel on that black line…even going around the semi-circle at center court.  Another mom looked at me and said, “Wow.  He’s quite the rule follower isn’t he?”  About that time Anna E. came flying across the court; arms waving, legs flying.  I looked at the mom and said, “Yes, but his sister is quite the free spirit.”  It guess it takes all kinds.   

Of course, Luke comes by his rule following ways naturally.  His mom and oldest brother being quite the rule followers themselves.  When Anna gave him some stamps today, he asked me what he should do with them.  “I don’t know, Luke.  Put them on your face if you want…just don’t put them on any windows.”  A few minutes later he came back in the kitchen and said, “Like this, Mama?”

Yes, baby.  Just like that.

Ending on a Better Note

I spent most of the day wanting a do-over.  “Please God, let’s just rewind and start again.  With new circumstances.  Including life without diabetes.  And alarm clocks.  This isn’t fun.” 

It started early this morning (2 am) with Philip’s numbers spiking.  We didn’t know if he needed a new injection site, or if he was starting to get sick.  Despite doses of insulin at 2 and 4, he was still high this morning, so we decided to change everything out.  Every once in a while Philip doesn’t do well with the change.  Like the first time we had to do it by ourselves….this past Tuesday…and this morning.  It took forever.  Both of us in tears.  A faulty needle.  Start over.  Shaking.  Missed the bus.  Finally got it in.  Still wiping tears.  Not a great way to start the day.  I went up to the school at 9 and he was still high.  I thought he must be getting sick.  We checked his temp – it was 99.  I started to panic.  H1N1 has hit our area really hard and the cases have been much more severe than expected.  And that’s just in “normal” kids.  Philip assured the school nurse (and me) that he felt fine and was just hot because the heater was running.  Thankfully, his numbers (both temp and blood sugar) dropped as the day went on.  Regardless, the whole ordeal spurred me on to spend all afternoon searching high and low for someone, somewhere to give my son the H1N1 vaccine.  Our county received their shipment of the vaccine this week and sent out all its supply to “Pediatric and Obgyn clinics in the area.”  Funny thing is, our pediatrician didn’t get any.  I even called our prior pediatrician to see if they got any.  No such luck.  I called the county and state health departments to see how they decided to pass out the supply.  The way I understand what the CDC has been saying is those who are “high risk” get the vaccine first.  Philip qualifies.  Times two.  I finally got the name of two clinics that received the vaccine in our county and when I called and explained the situation Philip was in, they basically told me “too bad.”  Only their patients could receive the shot.  Regardless of risk.  I began to call surrounding counties looking for the vaccine (by this time I felt so desperate you would have thought I was some kind of junkie looking for a fix).  The health departments agreed that my son definitely needed the shot  like yesterday, but were unwilling to oblige us as we did not reside in the correct county.  My frustration level hit an all time high, and I finally had to walk away and cry myself into a little ball on the couch.  Wayland told me not to put more hope and trust in the vaccine than I was putting in Jesus.  I needed to hear that. 

Today just topped off a week that was already crazy.  Nate had a game on Tuesday night - a GREAT game if I do say so myself.  (They are now one game away from an undefeated season – really cool).  He was tackling like a madman, his snaps looked just right…I mean, what else could we ask for?  Not another broken bone, that’s what.  When he wouldn’t make eye contact with me after the game, I knew something was wrong.  When the trainer started looking for me, I thought I was going to toss my cookies.  Remember the last broken bone?  Yep.  Same exact place.  Swollen.  Bruised.  Needed x-rays.  (Of course when Wayland was in Michigan, and the clinic was full of flu infested people so I had to keep my three little ones in the car for two hours as I scuttled between Nate in the waiting room and them bundled up in the suburban watching Ice Age 2: The Meltdown) (I’m aware that was a really bad run on sentence.  Sorry).  The PA that read the x-rays told me she was pretty certain there was not a break, but she would send them to the radiologist to read and we would receive the report the next day.  As of today, still no report.  It is starting to look better, and I couldn’t keep him away from practice this afternoon.  He’s determined to play in that last game on Monday regardless. 

All that being said, tonight really ended on a good note.  We were blessed twice in one day with unexpected drop-offs of good will.  Anna Elizabeth received two big bags of beautiful clothes on the doorstep from a very generous family, and Luke was showered with a plethora of cool costumes from some great friends.  Despite the fact that he acted completely UNinterested when they dropped them off (he was playing Star Wars on the computer, what do you expect?), once I pried him away from the keyboard, he found a treasure of fun.  He went from “Mr. Incredible” to “NASA astronaut” to “Peyton Manning” so fast my head was spinning.  When the boys pulled out his  Cowboys  football gear to remind him it was better than the Colts gear our friends had brought over, he picked up the blue and white horseshoe helmet and told them, “This one is awesomer!”  Visible shudders were present, and I think someone may have shed a tear.  I told them he can’t help it…he was born a Hoosier, you know. 

While Wayland and Nathanael headed off to North Beach, the rest of us loaded up to run some errands.  Luke decided to put on the “Luke Skywalker suit” (which is really a bright orange NASA Astronaut costume), then he grabbed his lightsaber and informed me he was ready to go.  There’s no way I would have allowed Nathanael or Philip to run errands like that when they were little, but by now I just make sure feet and bottoms are covered, and we’re good to go.  Several people stopped and stared.  You could almost read their minds – “Is it already Halloween?  Did I miss it?  Where’s the candy???”  A couple of them bent down and asked, “Are you an astronaut?”  Luke would just stare at them like they were speaking Russian, then he’d pull out his lightsaber.  He even did the sound effects to make it more menacing.  They’d slowly back away, chuckling nervously.  A couple of people looked to me for an explanation.  I knew better.  After a day week like mine, they’d probably get more than they bargained for.

Ready to Shop!!!

He's about to use the force...watch out!

Wow.  That red eye is super freaky.  Picturing me backing away slowly…and chuckling nervously.

Truly Scrumptious (You’re going to be singing it all day long…)

Last week a friend took me to brunch and I had the best breakfast I’ve ever had in a restaurant.  A perfectly cooked omelet, complete with monterey jack cheese, ham, onions, and red and green peppers.  Simply scrumptious!  It was paired with a delicious cup of fresh fruit and the best cinnamon toast I’ve put into my mouth since I left my home and my mama’s good cooking.  I’m usually a little paranoid about eating in front of other women (I can eat, y’all), but the tantalizing taste outweighed my vanity, and I ’bout scraped my plate clean.  I had eaten my cinnamon toast all around the edges and left the buttery, sweet, cinnamony middle to savor with my refill of hot, near perfect coffee.  Being distracted for a moment by little Luker, our waitress pounced on the opportunity to snatch my plate away.  I did something that is really embarrassing.  I instinctively grabbed for it!  I know, it’s bad…I couldn’t help it.  She asked if I was done, and I chuckled nonchalantly telling her, “yes I’m all done” with my lips, but banging my fists on the table crying “outrage!!!” on the inside.   I admitted what I had done to my friend and she told me, “Girl, you should’ve taken it back…you’re going crave that for days and look for all sorts of things to fill it.”  She was right.  I finally broke down and tried to make my own cinnamon toast this weekend.  It smelled like the home of my childhood and I had high hopes that I was about to taste a masterpiece.  In the end I burned it!  Dad gum it! 

I think it’s a perfect example of what I tend to do in my relationship with God.  If I don’t allow the all-consuming holy spirit of God to fill me daily, I try and try to fill that craving with something else.  I look for approval and fulfillment in other relationships; I try to busy myself with daily tasks to deafen the sweet, simple whispers of His spirit.  Or, when I have true fulfillment within my grasp, I sometimes allow it to be whisked away by fear, worry or doubt. 

The same friend that took me to lunch recently shared one of her heart’s desires, and I’ve taken it as one of mine as well.  She said she doesn’t want to be the same person three years from now, or one year from now, or even tomorrow for that matter.  God, change us.  Mold us.  Make us more and more into a reflection of the image of Your perfect Son.  Help us to feast on Your satisfying word and drink of Your living water, so we never thirst again.

We Are Family

When we moved to Indiana almost five years ago, I had no idea what God had in store for us.  He was, as He tends to be, full of surprises.  A few months in, we found ourselves dealing with faulty plumbing, extended family crises, and the exciting yet terrifying news of another little bambino on the way.  God so graciously placed us in a church that is big on “connecting people with God” and “connecting people with people.”  The people He has connected us with have been more than Christian brothers and sisters, more than friends…they have been family.  From planning surprise baby showers to being on stand by when I went into labor – we were lavished with love and support from our first small group right from the get go.  God has now extended this circle and again knit our hearts with others who continue to be the epitome of spiritual family.  I am overwhelmed by their willingness to allow God to use them to share His love, His wisdom, and His faithfulness with our family.  We are truly, truly blessed. 

I had to say all of that so you would understand the tiny little praise I am going to share with you now.  Yesterday, I allowed a fear to become a stronghold in my mind, and for a while there, wondered if I might go certifiably loony!  This seemingly little worry, took me tight in its grip and threatened to wreak havoc in my heart and physical body.  I wish I could tell you I went straight to the word of God and begin to dig for His truths that could set me free, but that would be a lie.  I did, however, go straight to the computer and reply to an email from our small group asking for prayer requests.  (I sent out an extra one to a friend in Texas who should  be in our small group.  The distance just keeps her from making the meetings regularly ).   I could just say a good nights sleep did the trick; allowing me to awake this morning with a fresh outlook and lightened heart, but that would be selling God way short (and would also be a lie since I did not get a good nights sleep).  Even so, I met the dawn with an amazing sense of peace and reassurance.  I read over words of encouragement and wisdom from my friends, listened to songs to build my faith and turn my heart toward worship, and smiled when I was reminded that I had been prayed for.  All of this from one silly little fear.  A fear God is so much bigger than; so much more capable of handling than me.  God is working on me about surrendering.  Surrendering control.  Trusting Him.  In all things.  It’s not always easy, but I know in the end it’s going to be good.

You Were Wrong

For all of you saying, “She never blogs anymore” - you were wrong.  Look at me go.

I really don’t know where to start.  Things have been like things tend to be in our big, busy family.  Run, run, run.  Go, go, go.  Someone gets sick.  It spreads.  On and on.  Philip is adjusting well to the pump.  Wayland and I are coming along.  Two weeks ago I was worried that we might not have done the right thing.  Not now.  I feel sure that this is all in Philip’s best interest.  Big congratulations are in order for Philip, by the way.  He tried out and made the All Star team, and it looks like he will be playing QB a bit longer this Fall.  His house league team ended the regular season 5-2.  The playoffs start Saturday and Wayland has been pouring over his playbook the past few days.  Our goal is to get to the Rose Bowl.  We’ll keep you updated. 

Nathanael, who is pretty much solely known as Nate  now, is also having a great season.  His team is 4-0 and he continues to melt my heart each time I watch him as team captain on the 50 yard line with helmet in hand.  He is such a cutie! (He is also playing GREAT – I just decided to focus on the one time he is on the field and not encountering opportunities to walk away black and blue).   Last night at his game, there were a few girls sitting near us who kept giggling as different players ran on and off the field.  I kept hearing, “There’s Nate!” followed by a squeal and a laugh.  I never  acted like that I’m sure, but if I did – I’m sorry to any mom who had to endure it.  It seems to make Wayland’s chest puff up and mine deflate. 

Anna E. stole the show last night at the football game.  Sporting her precious hot pink fleece ruffle car coat with matching hat (thanks Granny and Granddad), she made sure every spectator got at least one good look at her.  She has made that big transition into putting much more thought into the fashion end of her wardrobe.  Some dear friends of ours in Albuquerque generously save and send Anna things they outgrow, and when we switched over her closet the other day, Anna actually wanted to try on every single piece of clothing.  Over and over she kept saying, “I just look so cute in this.”  Poor girl; doesn’t have a bit of confidence. 

For our friends and family down south reading this blog, you did read that previous paragraph correctly.  Anna E. was wearing a coat.  And hat.  It’s cold here, y’all.  Plum cold.  (I think just typing the words “down south” made my vernacular change…Yee-haw!)  It was perfect football weather, and made me love Fall in Indiana even more.  Luke came home and put on his fleece snowman pj’s and immediately told me he needed some new slippers because his toes were “vewy, vewy, cold!!!”  I worried a bit about having him out in the cold after him being sick last week, but it didn’t seem to faze him a bit.  He ran around playing Star Wars and pretend lightsaber fighting onlooking fans.  He thinks he is Luke Skywalker and I know he has a crush on Princess Leia.  I don’t have the heart to tell him she’s old enough to be his grandma.  Every day at 2:40 Luke runs to the window to see if the bus is here.  As much as he loves going to the library, Bible study, and Costco with me, I just don’t play “car family” as well as Anna Elizabeth.  Really, “car family” is an enigma to me.  He is probably the only three year old boy who separates the boy cars from the girls.  Today I had to be the grandma car.  Quite the ego booster. 

Well, between all the interruptions and a lunch break, it has taken me far too long to type this post.  (I’m better at 1:00am when the house is quiet).  We’re off to gymnastics.  Guess what Anna E. is wearing? 

Football Update and Deep Dark Secrets Revealed

I know many of you are wondering how Philip is doing.  In many ways, things have gone smoother than I thought they would.  In some ways, however, it has been much more difficult than I could have imagined.  I’m actually blogging today to find some release from the stress and hurt of it all, so I’m not going to say much.  For those of you praying for Philip (and us), please keep it up.  I know each day is going to get easier.

First off, Wayland and Philip were invited to watch the season opener of the Indianapolis Colts as they take on their opponents, the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium.  I know they are going to have a blast, and although it really should be me going to this game (since I truly am a Colts fan), I am not harboring ill will toward my two guys, and will be looking for them on TV in a few short hours.  I gave them strict orders to not root against the Colts (which Wayland sometimes does) for fear that they will burn all our bridges with Colts season ticket holders and I will never see them play in person.  I also forbade Philip from wearing Dallas Cowboys gear to the game.  I just didn’t think it seemed particularly gracious to his hosts. 

Speaking of football, Nathanael played on Thursday night and his team came away with another win.  They played their cross-town middle school rivals (which really means some of his best buds) – a team Nathanael’s middle school has not beaten in seven years.  It was a great game, full of hard tackles followed by sincere back slaps or “knuckles” between the guys on the field.   The parents were playfully jesting with one another about the opposing teams, but cheered for each boy’s individual achievement – regardless of the colors they were wearing.  It was a blast!   He plays again on Tuesday and we are looking forward to it!

Philip’s team played yesterday morning at 8am.  (That means we had to be at the field at 7:15, which means we had to get up at a pretty indecent hour for a Saturday morning.  We might as well have been playing hockey, for Pete’s sake!)  If you remember, the Fighting Irish were 4-0, having given up only 12 points to their opponents during the season.  Yesterday, that changed.  We lost 20-14.  Philip scored one TD (a QB sneak) and had some great passes, but our defense (which also included Philip) really fell short.  Wayland feels like it might not be such a bad thing to go into playoffs in a few weeks with a loss under our belts.  With the game over so early, we still had our entire Saturday ahead of us, which was a nice consolation considering the circumstances.

 Little Miss invited a friend over for a play-date yesterday afternoon.  It was a little girl who was in her class last year, and goes to a different school this year.  They had fun catching up over tea-parties, house, horses, and playing outside in the backyard.  Last night, Anna came to me visibly upset – her face, a pale green hue.  She proceeded to tell me that she and her friend “had a secret and that I could never know or I would be really upset and she would get in lots of trouble.”  Immediately, my imagination went wild and my anxiety level shot up.  I tried to remain calm and reassure Anna that there wasn’t anything she could do that would make me stop loving her, or a situation where she wouldn’t receive forgiveness from her parents, or more importantly from God.  She cried and toiled for quite a while until she worked up the nerve to tell me her deepest, darkest secret. 

“Mama, _______ and I found something in the creek.  We picked it up, well really, she picked it up.  And it was a dead mouse.  And it had a hole in it’s tummy and we could see it’s bones.  And I think it’s toe was bleeding.  And it made me so sad, because I love animals.  And don’t worry, there weren’t flies on it or anything.  So _______ and I decided to bury it.  So we dug it a grave and we put rocks and a leaf on it.  And an “L.”  For love.  And I said those words that preachers say when people die.  And Mama, I’m so sorry.  Please don’t be mad at me.” 

To say I was a bit dumbfounded would be an understatement.  I don’t know if she thought I was going to be mad at her because just a week ago (the morning after the boys had their sleepover and left the door open to the kitchen from the garage) we saw a mouse run across the floor.  After squealing and hoisting myself atop of the kitchen counter, Wayland proceeded to be my knight in shining armour and rescue me from my arch nemesis.  He chased that little rodent across the kitchen, hitting it with a broom (and evidently injuring it).  It took refuge behind our washing machine, so Wayland brought out the big guns (literally) and finished it off with one of the boy’s BB guns.  Our guests (the boy’s three friends who had spent the night) got quite a show that morning.  Poor them.  It’s a wonder they are allowed to associate with us.  Anyway, I made Wayland set up traps and put out D-con all over and around the house. Every day since then I’ve been asking, “Did we catch any mice?  Oh, I hate mice!  Hate ‘em!”   I guess Anna Elizabeth thought I was going to be mad at her for giving my hated enemy a decent burial.  Regardless of how many questions I had racing through my mind like, “DID YOU TOUCH IT WITH YOUR BARE HANDS???”  (which I found out she did not) I simply told her I thought she was very sweet and thoughtful to be so caring to one of God’s creatures.

"L" is for Love

They also gathered walnuts for the squirrels and chipmunks. "They shouldn't have to work too hard, because winter is coming soon!"

And look who just lost another tooth! She's making that tooth fairy work pretty hard!

As for Luke, he does his best to keep up with all the craziness going on.  Sometimes, it’s just too much though. 

Sleeping Luker

Poor Baby!

Thought I’d Share

For all of you who have helped support JDRF in honor of Philip, I thought I’d share an exciting new development that they are working on.  All of the $1,600+  that was raised for “Philip’s Future” went toward the Artificial Pancreas Project that JDRF funds.   Here is a link to an interesting update on the project:

 http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=104576

This other link is totally random and simply made me smile so I thought I’d share it.  You may have already seen it (it’s had 11,000,000+ hits) but if not…I hope you enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0&feature=player_embedded

Back in the Saddle

Why is it that once you step away from something, it is so hard to get back on track?  The gym and blogging have been my neglected areas lately.  I did put on my Pilates DVD yesterday because I could feel my hips expanding as I walked back to the kitchen for one more handful of blueberry pomegranate trail mix crunch.  Ms. Windsor and her routine of torture did something, because today I feel like the muscles in my legs are wound up so tight I am sure they would snap if I attempted to stretch my legs out into a fully extended position.  That is why I am currently sitting here at the computer with the bag of blueberry pomegranate trail mix crunch right next to me, so there is no need to get up and walk anywhere that might lead me to think of the gym, or Pilates, or the likes. 

Since Pilates didn’t sound like any fun at all, I decided to make myself sit down at this computer and blog.  I really have wanted to, I’ve just needed about five or six more hours in my day to fit that in.  It’s one of those nights  mornings that I am waiting up ’til 2am to check Philip’s blood sugar, so I thought I’d fill my time catching everyone up on the completely insignificant happenings of our lives the past week or so. 

 First off, something not so insignificant.  Luke has been pooping on the potty for one week now.  No accidents.  Every time.  Hallelujah.  We have a ways to go on the tinkling.  (The boys hate that word – tinkling.  It’s what a bell does, they say).  Regardless, I am praising God that I haven’t changed one dirty diaper in over a week.  Do you know how many years it has been since this has happened to me?  Over six years, four months, and five days.  That’s a long time.  That’s why Wayland and I signed up to start working in the nursery at church.  I just can’t let it go.

Also, something seemingly insignificant, but not.  I can do laundry whenever I want.  I can shower two times a day if I feel like it, and I no longer have to spray my children down with a hose in the front yard to replace their bath time.  Such is life with city sewer services.  I am using thick, plush toilet paper and sometimes I just walk by a bathroom and flush the toilet for the fun of it.  It has honestly been life changing.  I mean that in the most non-dramatic way possible.  Really, it has revolutionized my life as a SAHM with four children.  I don’t care that it cost us more than 1/4 of what we paid for our first home.  This feeling of wasteful water use is pure bliss.  (Please don’t judge me.  I’ve been rationing water for the past 18 months, so I should be able to enjoy a week or two of being a tad irresponsible). 

Philip started his football training camp this past Monday.  It has made his numbers crazy, but what would we do if we didn’t have a new hurdle to overcome in dealing with diabetes?  We just met another family, who goes to our church, with a daughter a year older than Philip that was just diagnosed.  She is a gymnast and tennis player.  We took over some of Philip’s favorite snacks and shared the littletiny bit of wisdom we have acquired in the past seven months.  When I got in the car to leave, I cried.  They are two weeks in.  At two weeks in, you feel like you’ve been thrown enough information to last you a lifetime.  You feel like you can’t turn your back for a moment, or allow sleep to fully take you in it’s grasp.  You are tired of counting carbs, checking blood sugars, and adjusting insulin.  You’d like things to go back to normal.  At two weeks in, you are just beginning to realize that normal will never be the same.  

Philip is totally pumped about football season and the team his dad will be coaching for his 5th grade year.  NotreDame Fighting Irish.  (The draft was last night and Wayland walked away with a great group of boys – not just athletically, but character wise as well).  First team practice is Tuesday and the first scrimmage is one week from today.  Nathanael would be heartbroken since his football season hasn’t yet started, but he has been named the honorary “line” coach for Philip’s team.  He will relish this role like you couldn’t imagine. 

Speaking of Nathanael…and football…and coaching…you’d find it interesting to note that he appeared in full drag last night for the youth group’s annual talent show.  He and a group of friends did a little number to Journey’s, “Don’t Stop Believing.”  He was the small town girl.  What a scary girl he was.  They did win the contest, though.  Ended up just being bragging rights and high fives, but he walked away happy with the win.  That’s Nate for you.

And this is also Nate for you

We also have video that we will try to upload.  It’s quite a riot.   

Guess that covers everyone except my sweet baby girl.  She has been quite the girly girl this week.  Today we took a walk to the school with our babies in their strollers.  She is constantly changing her doll’s clothes, and taking them with her everywhere she goes.  We’ve played Barbie’s, Strawberry Shortcake, and My Little Ponies (just the two of us – NO BOYS ALLOWED).  We did a makeover the other night before Philip’s football practice.  I walked away with tons of glitter (she did the same thing to my sister when she was here a couple of weeks ago), purple eyeshadow, and pink and purple painted fingernails (I’ve only peeled off half of mine so far, so right now it is quite a sight).  She is so funny.  Last week all she wanted to do was climb trees and catch fireflies.  This week, she keeps calling herself “the little mommy.”  When I grow lighten up, I want to be just like her.

School starts in a little over two weeks.  I just can’t believe it.  We are going to have to make the most of the next few days before the chaos ensues.  Anna is already complaining that she will have homework everyday.  (Thank you Philip for being so excited to point that out!)  She’s never even had homework, and she is already acting like it’s the plague or something.  Granny will be here next week to help us close out our summer with a bang.  Everyone is excited to have more family back to visit.  The good news is, she’ll be able to bathe whenever she wants.  My poor sister and brother weren’t so lucky.  I’m not sure they’ll ever let me live that down.

All That I Can Say…

As you can see, Wayland was able to revive our computer.  Thank goodness. 

First off, update on Nathanael:  MRI came back.  Good news.  No ligament damage…just a “substantial bone contusion.”  Two more weeks in a splint and we should be all ready for football season.  Praising God that no surgery is in our future.

Second, looks like our insurance will approve an insulin pump for Philip.  Waiting to speak with our doctor on getting him all set up.

Third, we are finally hooked up to city sewer services.  Our faulty septic system is a thing of the past.  Almost two weeks of no laundry, minimal bathing, and infrequent flushing is enough to make a woman like me crazy.  It almost did.

Finally, these words from David Crowder’s song,  All That I Can Say  sum up all my feelings right now:

Lord I’m tired
So tired from walking
And Lord I’m so alone
And Lord the dark
Is creeping in
Creeping up
To swallow me
I think I’ll stop
Rest here a while

And didn’t You see me cry’n?
And didn’t You hear me call Your name?
Wasn’t it You I gave my heart to?
I wish You’d remember
Where you sat it down

Chorus:
And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give

Bridge:
I didn’t notice You were standing here
I didn’t know that
That was You holding me
I didn’t notice You were cry’n too
I didn’t know that
That was You washing my feet

I’m fighting some kind of funk right now.  I’m not sure why.  I’ve seen God’s faithfulness displayed through acts of amazing kindness from our outstanding neighbors this week.  They allowed me to bring over obscene amounts of laundry and went the extra mile to help me fold them. On top of that, they opened up their home so we could all shower and bathe on Wednesday.  If that wasn’t enough, we got two homemade sugar cream pies out of the deal.  Best cream pie I’ve ever tasted.  (Best neighbors in the world!)  We also got a rebate check from our escrow account at “just the right time.” (His hand of providence at work?!?) Put a dent in the plumbing bill if nothing else.  Still, in the midst of all the ways God is showing me He is right here “in the thick of it” with me, I feel like I can’t take another step.  Ever feel that way?  I hope I’m not the only one.  Tomorrow the weather is supposed to be cool (almost COLD!) and I think the six of us are heading over to do some hiking at a lake with some waterfalls about an hour west of here.  I think the change of pace might do me some good.  Thanks for your thoughts and prayers for our family this week…I guarantee you, they were definitely needed.