Shaping Up!

Since I seem to require a journey, of sorts, I'm embarking on a new one.  Well, it's not actually new, it's just revived.  And maybe it's not that I think I require a journey, but that God thinks I require a journey.  I'm just taking off on a new one before He throws another undesirable journey my way!  There have been other adventures that have had to take precedence over this one, but I think I'm finally in a place where this journey can come near the top of my list of priorities.  Curious yet?  I'm back on the get-healthy wagon.  I haven't taken care of myself in the last ?? months.  I have been consumed by things bigger than myself, so I had to take the back seat.  I wouldn't change that.  My job as a mother is to demonstrate love, and that's precisely what I have done.  Now I have to give myself that same love and care, because that's important too.  I have teamed up with two fantastic friends, and we are on a mission.  We all have different goals, but we're cheering each other on and holding each other accountable.  I need that.  I need to have someone who is willing to cheer for me when I accomplish something and kick me in the pants when I need it.  I think they can handle the job! :)  So I'm excited about getting back to it with my friends.  We might not see each other often, but we're going to share our ups and downs in the coming months.  I can't wait!

Summer!

I think it's definitely summer in Kansas.  I had hoped to have a cool summer, but I don't think that's going to happen.  Hope finally got rid of the heat rash on her back yesterday, so I'm trying to keep her cool enough so she doesn't develop another one in the near future.  The girls have been going out as soon as they get dressed in the morning to take care of Gilbert (the bunny).  This works out pretty well since he's not a big fan of the heat either.  The girls are also doing some summer homework-type activities for me.  It keeps them in the learning mood and also keeps them busy.  Addie's already got a plan to get a book about the Eiffel Tower when we go to the library tomorrow. 

Our latest news is that we'll be adding another critter to the family next month.  We will be the proud family of a yellow lab puppy that was born on May 31.  Hope wants to name it Minnie.  Her sisters want to name it Molly.  We'll see what happens...  It should be fun! 

Long Time, No Blog!

Wow!  To say a lot has happened since my last post wouldn't even begin to describe it!  But all of that has been covered on Hope's CaringBridge site.  Suffice it to say, it has been a L-O-N-G spring.  Romans 5:3-4 says, "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."  I feel like we have all been the recipients of a healthy dose of hope.  I, personally, feel like I've made the journey through suffering, perseverance, character and hope.  I don't know how many times I have asked myself how people survive difficult situations without faith.  I could not have survived without my faith, along with an amazing group of family and friends who held me up when I couldn't face any more. 

But now we're home.  Hope is healing beautifully and has adjusted to life (at least for 6 months) in a brace.  She is a strong, confident young lady.  This summer will be different for us.  There won't be any swimming trips, and our time outside will be severely limited to cool times of the day.  Hope develops heat rash on a nearly daily basis already, so the heat of summer will not be enjoyable for her.  We'll be going back to Iowa in July for a check-up, but that's hardly vacation! 

On the plus side, we'll be home this summer and able to spend some fun times together.  The girls continue to love reading, so there will be many library trips.  Hope has also developed into quite a helper in the kitchen, so I see some great recipes in our future.  We'll have to blog those on the cooking blog! :)  I am so blessed!

Little Things

I’ve heard so many people lately complain about the little things in life.  You know the stuff, laundry, ironing, ornery kids, etc.  I’m a little bothered by that right now, because I see things very differently.  That’s probably because we have faced so much adversity with our girls.  I feel blessed that I have a family who needs me to do laundry.  Even the arguing kids, as irritating as that can be, remind me how blessed I am to have all three little arguing pipsqueaks.  And really, when I can watch them get along beautifully and walk down the road holding hands, even if that’s not always how it is, what more could I possibly want?  I will never take any of that for granted.  And for that, I am eternally grateful. 

Conversation with God

I realize it sounds bizarre, but it really just happened.  You know, sometimes God speaks loud enough (and my heart is open enough) to force me to hear him.  I was thinking (as I was gathering up the trash, but that's not really important), "I wish I could just relax."  I was considering how crummy I've felt for the last two weeks due primarily to the stress involved with the girls' current situation.  (Which, incidentally, you can follow at caringbridge.org/visit/hopevancleave).  No sooner had I thought that, than I heard, "Who says you can't?"  Talk about a kick in the pants.  It's true.  Who says I can't relax?  Who says I can't just set my eyes on the prize at the end and know that God will take care of us?  Who says I can't just give all my cares to God?  Who says my worrying will help anything?  Nobody.  Or maybe it's Satan trying to make things worse.  I don't know.  The big lesson here, though, is that I don't have to be tied up in knots all the time.  After all, Romans 8:28 says "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. "  All I need to do is face the task at hand in a Christ-like manner.  I'm feeling a little more peaceful already. 

Really?

Sometimes I just want to say to God, "Really?"  This is one of those times.  Today when we found out that Addison's x-rays had come back abnormal and indicative of the same basilar invagination that Hope has, I just wanted to question God.  I know better.  Really I do.  I know that all things work for the good of those who love him.  I know that there will be good that comes from this situation.  But right now, I'm not seeing it.  These precious angels have been so much in their short little lives, and now this?  Really?  Yes, I'm thankful that I have that stubborn streak that didn't allow me to give up finding answers.  Yes, I'm thankful that I asked if Addie was at risk due to the identical twin status.  I think I knew what the answer would be, even if it wasn't "typically" hereditary.  Ignorance was bliss for awhile.  Now reality sets in.  We are fortunate to have such amazing family & friends who I know would do anything to help.  Their love and support has already been phenomenal.  For that I am eternally grateful.  Now we have to face this head on, ask for help when we need it, and accept help when it's offered. 

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."  Romans 12:12  This is my constant prayer...

Thanksgiving

December 1?  Really?  When did this happen?  And how is it possible that I have not purchased more than a handful of gifts, and none of those are anything grand?  I think it's time to get my rear in gear.  So in order to avoid the ridiculous stress that this fact is going to bring, I'll just go back to Thanksgiving...

We had a great time.  Here's the spread:

We had all the typical Thanksgiving-y stuff:  turkey, ham, mashed potatoes/gravy, sweet potatoes, dressing, corn, green beans, rolls, garlic salad, etc.  The list could go on nearly forever.  And that doesn’t even include the pies.  Too bad I didn’t bother taking a picture of those.  They were really, really good.  I think I’m still attempting to work off the calories I ingested that day. 

Thursday afternoon brought a new Zoe the dog holiday experience as well.  Jonathan & I went to his house to gather up the Wii and came home to a possum in the yard.  While we were questioning whether or not it was alive, we sent Zoe to check it out.  She stood nose to nose with the stupid thing for the longest time…until it tipped over.  I’ve never seen a possum make the decision to play dead.  It was such a gentle descent.  At that point, we told Zoe to get it, and she did.  Vigorously.  She’d obviously been through the drill before, because she’d shake it, then look at us to see if she was supposed to continue or not.  Eventually we had to chase her off of it so the family hunter could “take care of” the possum.  It’s always an adventure. 

We had a warmer day on Saturday to spend some time at the creek.  There was a lot of playing for the kiddos and some wood-cutting for the men.  We had a nice fire and were exhausted by the time we got home.  It was a good kind of tired.  At this particular family fun time, Zoe dug out and devoured a nest of field mice.  It was disgusting, but kind of fun to watch.  All us girls had a great time. 

Gary, on the other hand, missed out on all this fun.  He had a “Wild Hogs” type getaway with some of his friends.  Thank goodness they didn’t come home on motorcycles and wearing black leather (although I’m still not sure that couldn’t happen next time).  He came home maybe more obnoxious than when he left.  I didn’t think that was possible. :)  I know he had a great time and is looking forward to the next trip.  I hope all the other boys did too! :)

And now I try to prepare for the endless things going on between now and Christmas.  The list begins in earnest next Thursday and continues daily for several days.  When am I ever going to start/finish my Christmas shopping???