Almost December

We are home and back to normal after a great Thanksgiving. We came home yesterday afternoon, which was a good thing since it's been snowing all morning here. We don't have any accumulating, but it's sticking to everything but the ground. I guess the ground has a little as well, so it's been a nice snowy morning.

The girls had a fantastic time visiting with family! Their true personalities came out this time around. Boo & Doodle even had some fun with Uncle Jim - a big deal since they've always clammed up around him before. Boo even went so far as to sit on his lap. I took a picture! :) We had the typical Thanksgiving lunch and were able to get out and go for a walk afterwards. Papa took the girls to the creek while some of the rest of us walked half a mile on the road and hiked half a mile through the forest. It was fun and something I hadn't done for a LONG time. We spent the rest of the afternoon playing games and had an all-around good time. We didn't go shopping Friday - surprise, surprise! To be honest, I don't even like to go shopping on the weekends during this time of the year, let alone on the Friday after Thanksgiving. I did a little online shopping yesterday, though, and finished up 4 people. It made me feel like I had accomplished a little something! :)

We're hoping and praying for a good, healthy week. I predict that they're sick by the end of the week, but maybe I'm just a little pessimistic! On the plus side, they already have a doctor's visit scheduled for Friday to check their ears again. We're going to spend this afternoon baking peanut butter cookies and putting new lights on the fireplace garland. It's a good day to stay in and bake while listening to Christmas music and admiring the Christmas lights. It's definitely my kind of day!:)

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Just a few quick thoughts before I finish packing up the car. There are so many things for which I'm thankful not just during this time of the year, but every day. Most of them (surprise, surprise) are not actually things, but people. I'm more thankful for my family than I could ever express. I'm thankful that I was blessed with such a loving husband and amazing daughters. I'm also thankful to have been blessed with an amazing outside-the-house family. The relationships I have with all of my family and friends are so much more important than any one thing. Yes, I'm thankful I have a home. But the knowledge that even if I didn't have a home I would have someone who would not hesitate to take me in is much more valuable. I'm even thankful for the difficult situations I've experienced because through them I learned valuable lessons.

Short but sweet, this one is! I'm excited about spending some time with my family, so I'm going to get things packed up. The girls are equally excited...they were up before 6:00 this morning! That's true love! :) Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! We intend to do just that!

Separate But Equal

I was asked the other day if I plan to get the girls the same gifts for Christmas. My answer was a definite "No", but it made me think. There have certainly been times when they have received the same clothes. There have been times they have even received the same toy gifts. I never did that with the thought that I must get them the same thing to be fair, but because I thought they would all like it. I don't want them to grow up without their own identities. I want to make sure I (and others as well) always think of them as individuals. The last two years I have made each of them her own birthday cake. I do that for the same reason. Yes, it's a headache to do so. Yes, we have a LOT of leftover cake (but it tastes just as good later!). But is it worth it to know that each girl was able to choose the flavor, theme, and colors on her own cake? Absolutely. It wasn't their choice to be born together. I want to make sure that I take the time to ask what each little angel wants for Christmas. Even if they respond with the typical "I don't know," all it takes is a little time in the toy aisle at Wal-Mart to get a few great ideas! There are things that they need (shoes, boots, clothes, etc.) that they will ALL receive, but there are individual things that each sweetie wants. So I guess in our house, we are going to make sure everything is indeed separate but equal. I don't want them to grow up thinking that everything has to be done on a "fair" basis because it doesn't work that way. Not everybody needs new shoes at the same time. Not everybody wants the same gift at Christmas. I think we're instilling that in them, though. Those doctor visits when Boo had to have bloodwork, she got a little something special at Target. I heard the other two tell Dad that she got that "because she had to have bloodwork, and that's not fun." That was nice to hear from them. Doodle and Hanny both know (and have already had the experience) that if either of them has one of those not-so-fun doctor visits, she will get a special treat as well. It's an important lesson to learn. We get things at different times and for different reasons. We don't have to get the same thing in order to be loved equally.

It's a pretty good lesson for a parent to learn as well. Okay, so I have to say the light bulb above my head just lit up. I'm a child of God, and I need to remember this lesson as well. I get what I need when I need it, not necessarily when "everybody" else does. Sometimes when I've had a crummy week I get that extra ray of sunshine. Sometimes I need a lesson in patience. Sometimes someone else needs it. No, it's not always "fair," but it doesn't mean I'm not equally loved. In fact, it's because I am equally loved that I am required to learn important lessons.

Super Sunday

Health Report: We're on the mend. Boo still has a nasty cough, but it doesn't seem to get her down at this point. Hanny still complains once in awhile about her ear hurting, but that seems to be improving too. Doodle doesn't complain - that's nothing new. Hopefully they're on the road to recovery. I feel ten times better today than I did yesterday. It must just be the Sunday effect!

We (that is to say I) have spent a good portion of the day cleaning and doing laundry. Meme & Papa came for awhile around noon for a visit. Papa had been to an auction recently and bought 4 good-sized boxes of books for the girls. He brought one box of books up today and the girls went wild! It was like Christmas around here, and still is, to be honest. They're all currently reading new books. It's like observing wild animals in their natural habitat, though. I have to crouch down and pretend like I'm not looking at or listening to them. If they get any sense that I might have an ear turned their direction, they immediately stop reading aloud and begin their escape toward a safer, more private place. Right now I'm pretending to be intent upon writing this blog. It's the only way I get to listen to them!

I made Rachael Ray's Turkey & Stuffing Meatloaf for supper tonight with some mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce. It was a taste of Thanksgiving! While I thought it was great, and 3/4 of the other family members agreed, Doodle was not thrilled with it. It all had to do with the celery in it. I diced it, so it was barely visible. She's usually not so picky, but this whole "little bit crunchy celery" thing really bugged her. Oh well... I can't please everybody every time! I would totally recommend the recipe, though. It was very tasty and also very healthy. I'm always looking for those things. It didn't hurt that it used celery, onion, and apples in it either. Anything that can sneak in (although I didn't sneak quite successfully this time) vegetables is helpful. I'll just be sneakier next time. I've got a mighty strong little chopper that could pulverize those little crunchy celery bits. I'm pretty sure I'll use that next time! Live and learn...

Flashback

We had the photographer from the Herald come by this morning to take the picture for the Thanksgiving feature they're doing on the girls/us. We get to meet with the Editor tomorrow (she's doing the story since she did the one six years ago), so we'll be anxious to see how it comes out. Good news - the girls slept later today than they've slept in over a week. That's not to say they slept late, but they did make it to almost 7:00.

Now for the flashback. I've been listening to KLOVE lately and have come to love the Christian music they play. I heard a song this morning that I had heard parts of before and had even read all the lyrics before, but I'd never actually heard the whole song. The title of it is "He's My Son" and Mark Schultz sings it. If you've never heard this song, you're missing out. Get out the kleenexes. Here are the lyrics:

I'm down on my knees again tonight

I'm hoping this prayer will turn out right.

See there is a boy that needs Your help

I've done all that I can do myself.

His mother is tired

I'm sure You can understand.

Each night as he sleeps

She goes in to hold his hand .

And she tries not to cry

As the tears fill her eyes .

CHORUS: Can You hear me?

Am I getting through tonight?

Can You see him?

Can You make him feel all right?

If You can hear me

Let me take his place somehow.

See, he's not just anyone

He's my son.

Sometimes late at night I watch him sleep.

I dream of the boy he'd like to be.

I try to be strong and see him through

But God who he needs right now is You.

Let him grow old

Live life without this fear.
What would I be Living without him here?

He's so tired and he's scared.

Let him know that You're there.

It's a good thing I was alone in the car when I heard the whole thing because I was a bawling mess by the time it was over. I know the pain in this song. It brought back memories of sitting at Addie's (primarily, because she was so sick for so long) isolette with tears welling up and begging God to give me her pain. I can identify with holding the child's hand and praying that God will let her rest without fear or pain. I prayed the chorus myself many times, long before I ever heard the song. Good grief, I can't even read the lyrics now without crying. Maybe I'd better just stop here!

Looking back, though, those painful memories have made me more compassionate and more understanding. I have so many things for which I am thankful. I am very thankful that while we've had sick kiddos for the last week, they have only an illness that will pass and pass quickly. I am so thankful that they are normal healthy kids now with no lingering effects from such a rocky beginning. Six years ago that was my prayer. I just wanted them to be healthy and happy. Those prayers were answered.

Friday's Thoughts

First and foremost, we took the girls to the doctor this afternoon and found out that everybody has and/or is developing ear infections. I'm so glad Gary convinced me that we should take all three angels. He's definitely getting credit for this one. They never complained about their ears. They never do. I've even made it a point to ask if their ears hurt and always get a negative response. Whatever the explanation, we have all three on antibiotics. Hopefully that will keep them healthy for a few days.

It's made me think, though, about how strong these kiddos are. They have endured so many adverse situations and have come through them only being stronger. Maybe it really is true that God only gives us what we can handle, because only He knows our true strength. There have been many days when I have wondered how I can handle even one more day of sickness or stress or anxiety or whatever. Looking back, each and every experience has made me stronger in one way or another. When I work out and put my muscles through more than they're used to doing, they become stronger. It's no different emotionally. The more I withstand, the more I realize the strength I have. That's not to say it's mine alone, though. I think one of the biggest signs of true strength is knowing when to ask for help. Sometimes pride rears its ugly head and tries to convince me that I can handle anything and everything. I should know by now that I only truly make it through things well when I pray for help. There have definitely been prayers this week. There have also been prayers for other moms who are going through the same thing. I'm trying to become someone who truly prays continuously. Sometimes they're prayers of thankfulness. Sometimes they're prayers begging for strength. They're always answered, one way or another.

***Cough, Cough***

We're still home. We're still sick. If the little angels could just get rid of these coughs everything would be just great. Thankfully they are sleeping through the night. They even slept until 6:10 this morning! It's progress. I picked up their homework yesterday while Meme was here, so we'll work on that today. I think they're just a little tired of being stuck in the house. I think they're tired of looking only at Dad, each other, and me. The feeling's mutual.

Today is Papa's birthday, so the girls are looking forward to him calling so they can sing to him. Last we knew, he and Meme are going to come visit Sunday, so Hanny wants to make him a yellow cake with pour-over frosting. Last night she told him what her plans were and he said he was going to eat all of it. Her response? You won't even believe she came up with it on her own. She replied, "If you eat all that, you'll look like Mangino!" Yep. All on her own. Her dad is SO proud! :) They'll be so disappointed to know that "Baldy" is no longer going to be coaching K-State football, though.

We're going to do some laundry, clean the vaporizers, do homework and try not to drive each other crazy today. The first three shouldn't be a problem, but that last one might be a struggle. Too much togetherness makes for some grumpy girls. Grumpy girls makes for a grumpy mama! :) Oh well...