The Birthday Wish

The house was starting to come alive; I had roused the children and told them it was time to get up and around.  As is the routine, I then went into the kitchen to start on breakfast.  I had decided with the early hour that this morning’s meal would be easy to fix.

I spread the creamy peanut butter on one of the rice cakes and thought about the day.  The music lessons, the phone calls that needed to be made, the house that needed to be cleaned, the school work that needed to be taught and the supper that needed to get into the crock pot soon in order to be ready to feed my family several hours from then.  So many things.  My list was long – the day was early and I was already starting to feel a little behind.  Too many things for the amount of hours in that day.

They called my name and pulled me out of my mental list making.  I turned to see the two youngest standing in the doorway of the kitchen.  They were dressed for the day – a pink dress for her (with frills and a headband pushing back her yet uncombed hair from her face).  He had on the nicest jeans he owned, a button down shirt that normally was saved for church services or nice dinners out.  They were holding hands – him and her.  Two children who would have never met had it not been for God, His grace and His gift to our home.  Both of them – a gift from God to me.  Everyday they each call me Mom – because of His grace and His gift to me.

Her hand grasped his tighter and she looked up him to help her “start”; and her eyes danced with excitement as they started to sing.  A song  I have heard sung to me 41 other times before this day.  He sang out loud and clear and she did too; occasionally looking at him for moral support and for the assurance that she was singing it right.  She was.  He was.  Together than sang their wish to me; and I stopped buttering the rice cake, put my mental “to do’ list aside in my mind; and listened as they sang. 

Life stopped; and I knew that if I lived for another 42 years – I would remember this birthday on that day too.  I would remember my early morning birthday greeting, the excitement in their eyes and voices as they sang.  I would remember that I not only knew I was loved by my two precious gifts from God – I would remember that I could *feel* their love for me as they sang.  I asked God to help me never forget the scene I was watching at the moment.

The song finished and they ran to me for a good morning hug.  They hugged tight – squeezing as hard as their little arms could.  Trying with all their might, to hug me tight enough to convey *just* how much they loved me.  I let myself take in the hug and their love.   I quietly whispered a “thank you” to God for giving them to me.  How thankful I am that He heard my prayer for another baby and kept them safe till He brought each them to me.  For letting me find out that you can love someone who has not grown inside of you for nine months as deeply and as much as you love the others who did.  I took in their hug, their song, the look in the faces and the light in their eyes that morning and felt immersed in their love – and His love. 

Thanks God, for all the gifts you have given me.  For these precious little ones that I get to watch grow up and hear them call me “Mom” every single day.  For the three older kids who I get to laugh with and talk about their futures as I watch you open up your plan for their lives.  Thanks for the husband that has loved me, cared for me for more than half of my life.  Thanks – for the life that you have given me. 

I asked the Zak at the end of the hug,  “Why are you wearing your nice clothes?”

He smiled at me, (with a Zak smile that took over his entire face), “A man has to look nice and smell nice for a lady’s birthday.”  He quickly stuck his wrist up to my nose and asked me if he smelt handsome.  I told him he did.  

It was a wonderful start to a birthday day – and the rest of the day continued in suite.  I am so thankful for all of them.  

Thanks God, for my family!

I trust you are able to enjoy your week; basking in the gift of love and family.  Thanks for stopping by, I am so glad you did!
~Martie

Bench Seating, our Weekend, and an Update

We had a good weekend.

It seems to me that the weekend starts on Friday; because we have a different schedule for school on Fridays and are able to be a bit more laid back.  We started Friday out with James' trumpet lessons.  The Littles had fun sitting on a bench outside the music department.  The bench was hidden under a awning of leaves.  We talked about how that particular plant climbs up the wood and grows around the trellis.  The thought it was so much fun to sit in there while we waited.  :)

We enjoyed having friends over from church on Friday evening for dinner.  Enjoyed a wonderful night of food and fellowship.  There is something about being with other Christians and enjoying being together outside of the church building.  I wonder how much more important this type of fellowship will be if we as Americans ever come under times of persecution.  (Which I believe could be right around the corner.)

On Saturday, Rob built another bookshelf in our bedroom.  We had an old piano that we had come upon; and Rob used the wood from the piano for parts of the book shelf.  I loved the idea; and I am loving having all of his books out and around us now.  It makes it feel like we are more and more settled here.

The top shelf you can see here is from the lid of the old piano.  I love his creativity! 

I had been praying for a shower curtain that matched the walls that we have in our bathroom.  I had up the one we had in Kaukauna; but it was not a match at all for the decor.  I was able to find one this weekend; and it was for the amount of money I had left over from last weeks grocery money.  I was thrilled.  God is good - even with those little things that do not matter one ounce to the real nit and grit of life; but I am thankful that He cares and provides those things too!  

On Saturday afternoon we had a family phone call with Rachel. Almost everybody in the family was able to talk to her while she was on the phone.  I talked for a little while and handed the phone to Abbey.  Then, I went about finishing my "to do" list.  It was quite some time later when I looked out my bedroom window to see Anna walking in the garden (pacing back and forth like Daddy does when he is on the phone) and talking to someone.  Then I realized, she was on the phone talking to Rachel.  She had been talking for sometime.  Rachel kept asking her to go and get Mom; to which she kept saying that she did not want to because then she would have to give Mom the phone back.  Rachel asked her where she was - and she told her in the garden - where Mom can't see her to tell her it is time to go.  Quite the little conniver.  We laughed so hard.  So Rachel got to talk to Anna on Sat - for a LONG time.  LOL  Sister memories were made.... and my Mommy's heart was blessed.

Anna - walking in the garden where I 'can't' see here.  :) 

Saturday evening Rob and I had a date night.  We had so much fun together.  We went to a nearby mountain, hiked up a bit to be next to the river running down the mountain and enjoyed a picnic together.  We just sat there and talked and talked and talked.  It was so much fun.  As the sun was setting; we made our way down the mountain and reached the car before nightfall.  Sometimes the best dates are the most simple ones.  If I were to rate this date - I would put it right up there with the top five dates we have ever had in our entire married life.  It was wonderful!

We had a wonderful day at church yesterday with an afternoon lunch and and afternoon service.  It always feels so different to be home on Sunday nights on the Sundays that we have an afternoon service.  I took a long nap and Rob read and read a new book he had purchased.  We found out that the tires on the van were in desperate need of replacement; so on Sunday we had to be creative and enlist the help of a few friends to get us all to church.  The van is now jacked up and the waiting for the new tires that will be coming home with Rob after he is done with work today.  :)

The medication issues with Zak are still causing quite a bit of problems.  We are having a lot of neurological tics going on.  It is so troubling to see him suffering with these tics; but the doctor assures me that it is harder for those of us watching him then it is for him.  We are trying to determine if it is his meds (which everyone seems to think that it is) or a flare up with his Tourette's.  School went pretty well; despite the tics this AM.  I had to keep reminding myself to be patient and not rush him through his work.  The repetitive movement of the tics causes him to drop more crayons, stutter more, move his feet wile he is working, and scratch at his arm.  It can get a bit unnerving to have all of that movement while you are trying to teach; but God gave grace and our day went pretty well this morning!

Thanks so much for stopping in.  I am so glad you did.

Blessings,
~Martie

A Hard Week

We have had quite and interesting week here and I have not posted quite as much as I would like; but that happens sometimes. 

We started the week off with my husband sick and down for the count.  I hate to see him sick.  Thankfully it was a cold that he was able to fight off pretty good.  After three days - and one of them in bed for the entire day - he was feeling almost back to normal.  Yeah! 

Unfortunately, Abbey must have caught what Dad had and ended up in bed with a high fever and overall feeling pretty miserable.  So, I was home with her on Wed night.  I hate to see my kids sick!  Today she is feeling some better; but not back to 100%.  Hopefully she has what Dad had and is able to pop back like he did.  If so, we are looking at a good weekend.  :)

I mailed a box to Rachel this week.  I don't know why; but putting stuff from our home into the box; made me miss her so much more.  Germany felt SO much further away.  It is funny because everyone said the same thing in a different way.  It was like part of us was getting boxed over and sent to her; and we were all wishing it could be us going to see her.  So, Rachel's absence has been felt deeply this week; and Germany seems very very very far away from North Carolina. 

Zak has had A LOT of issues this week (the main reason for my delayed posts).  It was bad on Tuesday and has gotten progressively worse yesterday and today.  Finally this afternoon I knew we needed to call the doctor.  He is stuttering badly today - to the point that it was very debilitating, pulling his hair out, biting his lip and crying uncontrollably.  I was thankful when the doctor's number came up on my phone! 

So, we have changed his medications back to what he had before; but the doctor is pretty concerned about what we are seeing.  Please pray that this medication adjustment works.  We are looking at seizure medication next; and that is a whole different ball park, or so the doctor was telling me.  God is good, all the time though, and I am thankful that He has given us this opportunity to learn about Zak and the issues in the brain.  So many put labels on things without understanding (myself included, before we had Zak).  I now am so much more aware of how complex brain trauma is to a child and to the entire family.  I would not have had that understanding had it not been for Zak. 

I think that is about all I am going to post for tonight.  I am wore out and just wanted to touch base here and ask for prayers.  So many have told me they are praying and it means A LOT!  Thanks so much. 

Thanks for stopping by, I am so glad you did.

Blessings,
~Martie