What a week it has been! Maybe I just need to recount it chronologically, so I don't forget anything. Last weekend was rough, to say the least. It was so rough that we once again find ourselves on the receiving end of formal counsel - kind of humiliating to someone who likes to give the appearance of always "having it together." But I honestly do not, I really don't. I think God is going to use this time for His glory in the end, but I'm anticipating a rather painful time of soul-evisceration as I attempt to work through some issues with a counselor in the next few months. Self-denial and cover-up is ever so much more comfortable!
Monday I went to the dr. I've been sick off and on since late April - mostly "on." It seems like I catch every single bug that comes along. I've had 3 head colds since Thanksgiving alone (more than likely, it's the same cold that just subsides for a short time before rearing it's ugly, snotty head once again). Plus, I'm back to losing weight again. I thought that had leveled off, but I noticed a couple of weeks ago that my pants were getting saggy again. I stepped on the scale and I was down an even 20 lbs. since I got the scale in March. Not good. I had actually addressed this with the naturopath/allergist/chiropractor Ben and I saw earlier this month. He told me that it was because I "wanted to be sick" and that he had fixed that and it wouldn't be happening anymore. Yes, well, telling me I "want" to be sick is NOT helpful at all and the very next week I was sick again after seeing him - so much for "fixing" me! So, I saw my regular dr. on Monday. He told me that I've actually lost closer to 25-30 lbs since I had my pre-adoption physical in the fall of '11. He doesn't know if that is coincidental or related to my seemingly suppressed immune system. He ran blood work and it all came back normal, which is very frustrating to me. "What? You were hoping he'd say you have cancer?" Paul sarcastically asked when I told him. I see the dr. again in a few weeks - what he thinks he's going to do for me, I have no idea. It's kind of discouraging. Not to mention that I have even more clothes to take in, now, and I'm back to shifting around uncomfortably when I lay down or sit for too long (no padding). I know, I know - half the world would love to have this problem and I think I would probably be more discouraged if I was struggling with being overweight, too. At least being thin is socially acceptable(thankful this isn't the period of Rubenesque beauties)! But it is still alarming to me to be losing weight so rapidly and not having a reason to wherewith to credit it. Mostly, though, I'd just like to quit getting sick! But, enough about my poor body. As I get into my older years, I do NOT want to be someone who feels the need to share every ache and pain with my audience.
The next day, I attended a Christmas party for my mom's group. I came away completely overwhelmed by the generosity of others. Many, many people had donated gifts for our group. I guess they feel sorry for us poor mothers of special needs kiddos! I was given a space heater (that Paul quickly set up in our cold bathroom), a gift certificate to a fancy Jordan Creek steak house, a book, a certificate for an hour-long massage, a gift card to a local pizza joint, a kids' cd, a decorative plate, some candle holders, lotion, soap, a flame-less candle, and tickets to Des Moines symphony. I'm still reeling about the sheer amount of gifts I was given! I'm going to have a lot of thank-you notes to write, that's for sure! It's always such a blessing just to spend an evening with this group of ladies, but to get treated like this on top of that - wow!
Wednesday, Ben's choir performed out at Merle Hay Mall. That's the group above. I dragged 4 kiddos with me. Ben did such a good job, even though he had to stand and sing for an hour. It was a little harder keeping the 3 Littles occupied while I tried to listen to Ben. Afterwards, I had to manage lunch at the food court for the kids, plus Ben. He had a different aide with him who isn't terribly familiar with his needs, so I kind of had to take over. And David - well, money still presents a problem for him, so I had to go order his food once I had Ben and the Littles all settled and eating. By the time I ate, my food was stone cold, which is not all that unusual for me. Maybe that's why I'm losing weight! I had to do a little bit of mall shopping afterwards and then I got to drive to the McDonald's by the airport and meet up with Matt, Kirsti, and the kids who had just flown in from Arizona for Christmas. That was neat and fun and the highlight of my day!
That evening the snow started and didn't stop until the next day after we had gotten more than 7 inches. It was a very wet, heavy snow. After the last two winters we've had it was so much fun! It was near blizzard conditions the next day because of the wind. Paul didn't go to work, Sam and Lizzie were so anxious to play outside, the boys didn't have school - just a really nice, "snowed-in" kind of day! And now it is assured that we will be having a white Christmas. I'm not even sure when we last had one of those! School was canceled again on Friday, which surprised me. I was a little concerned because I knew Ben had done some shopping for Sam as part of his life skills class - I figured we'd have to buy a replacement gift for him. But Ben's teacher emailed me and asked if we could meet at the school (even volunteered to drive to my house, but I wasn't about to let her do that) so she could get that to me.
Paul ended up being called into work on Thurs. evening. He worked past midnight. Then, his "on call" week started at 8am Friday. He got home at 2 Sat. morning, got less than 4 hours of sleep, and got home last night (Sat) around 10:30. He said he had gotten two more calls on the way home, but told the home owners he couldn't come until morning. He needed to sleep! He was out the door by 6:30 this morning and it's after 9 now and I'm not sure when I'll see him.
We were discussing this today. It seems like he is always on call and super busy right around Christmas. I'm trying to have a thankful heart because I remember how tough last winter was financially. And the last couple of paychecks have been kind of short because up until this week, we've had a warm, dry start to our winter. Money troubles always make me pretty antsy and worried and depressed. But yet - it would be nice to be able to actually enjoy Christmas together. Tomorrow night my piece is going to be performed by Tammy at our Christmas Eve service. Will came home from church tonight and said they were "setting up" for it tonight but he wasn't allowed to tell me anything more. That really has me curious! And how I wish Paul could see that, too - a lot. I really, really want him to see my thoughts come to life on the stage! But I rather imagine he'll still be fixing furnaces then. We're not even sure when we'll do our family gift exchange because we're taking off bright and early for Council Bluffs on Tuesday. Sigh...but I just can't complain - too much, anyway. Paul has a job and he's getting desperately needed hours right now. When you have a half a dozen kids, you have to expect there to be some sacrifices along the way.
But still, it makes it easy for me to feel sorry for myself. I think I'm hopeless - I feel sorry for myself when work is scarce and money is tight. And I feel sorry for myself when Paul is working night and day because he's not around!
I felt the need to watch "Fireproof" again Friday night; Paul had watched it on his own a week ago. I learn something new every single time I watch that. This time it was about the importance of forgiveness - ouch, as that is a hard one for me! Of course, I bawled all the way through the movie, even though I practically have the thing memorized. I KNOW where the tear-jerker parts are, but I still cry every single time! And I am not one to re-watch movies; Fireproof is an exception because it is just so amazing.
I have had lots and lots of trouble with Miss Lizzie lately. I'm not sure what's going on in her little head, but it's translating to lots and lots of discipline issues. When Paul is not here, that means that I am the one dealing with them. It's hard - not unexpected, but hard, just the same. Defiance is a really, really hard thing for me to deal with. I find myself fighting anger (my own) more than I am used to dealing with.
I spent all day Saturday - yes, the Sat. before Christmas! - doing my normal bi-monthly shopping. It actually went pretty smoothly, even though Sam and Lizzie insisted on coming. They were both in an agreeable mood which made my day easier. I did have to wait in line a really, really long time at Walmart, but fortunately, my kindle is always in my purse these days! After we got done at Walmart I thought we were going to go home. It was then that Lizzie realized she had lost her mittens (that were attached by a string in her sleeves). Argh! I knew the high was only supposed to be in the teens today, so she had to have mittens. But I was not about to go traipsing all over Walmart looking for her mittens, esp. with two preschoolers and a loaded-down shopping cart. So off to Younkers we went...I balked at the notion of paying $15 for a pair of small mittens, so I dragged the tired kids through the mall to the Children's Place and Gymboree, which, of course, did not have the needed mittens. So I ended up paying $15 after all.
And then, today...today, today....I took the kids to church. Well, David stayed home since he spent all day yesterday throwing up. Fortunately, he seems to be doing better and nobody appears to have caught his germs. I had a few nice conversations with friends at church and then headed home. I fed the kids, had a horrible time with Lizzie who has recently decided that nap and bed times are her preferred battling grounds. I picked up the house, did some laundry and present wrapping - just kind of slummed it all afternoon in my sweats. And then this evening, the doorbell rings. We don't even have a front porch right now since Paul dismantled it to do the basement. All we have is a mound of dirt in front of the front door. We've been using the back door only since late summer. I opened the door and in traipses the entire youth group of the Pleasantville Church of Christ! I don't know these teenagers, but most knew Ben. In fact, quite a few of them are in choir with him. They got in my house and kept asking, "Where's Ben, where's Ben?" I found him and he was just thrilled to death to see his schoolmates. They brought us a laundry basket just full of Christmas stuff - a huge ham, pies, cookies, a wax warmer, a table cloth, a gingerbread house kid, sparkling grape juice (which made the kids giggle since we are teetotalers and the bottles look like wine!). I have no idea why the youth group chose to bless US, but I am grateful. It made my evening. I don't know if they think we are exceptionally poor or if it's because they feel sorry for Ben with his disabilities or maybe it was just because they like Ben, and thus us, by extension. No matter the instigation, it was nothing short of a huge blessing.
This has turned into a frightfully long post - definitely should have broken it up until several small ones, I think. I'll leave you with this on this Christmas Eve eve:
This week I was looking at Ellie in her high chair and commented quietly to no one in particular, "Boy, does she look like her mother!" Will looked at me quizzically and commented, "I thought YOU were her mother!" Ooh, touche, indeed! But I am - not of her flesh, but of the heart.
Merry Christmas to all!
Loved catching up with what's going on at your place! Happy New Year!
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