A hint of what our summer is looking like

There's been a lot of this:

Some of this:

A heap of this:

And a good bit of this:

Our boys are on the swim team this summer and we've been at the pool every day. Tonight, they participated in their second meet. I AM SO PROUD! Dean and Grant have both improved so much in the past few weeks, and Dean shows real promise in this sport- he's a natural! Both of them pound the water like their life depends on it, and have gathered some lovely ribbons.

So, I said that this was their second meet tonight, right? Well, it was only the first meet that I was able to actually attend. Why wasn't I at the last one? Oh, that's because I was doing this:

... in the Vanderbilt Children's ER. Yes, we were just there last month.

Lael suffered from a power hug. No joke. She and Dean were squeezing the love out of one another when he lost his footing and she caught their fall- with her head. She cried and didn't feel good, but she hadn't lost consciousness. We did ice (though she didn't really feel like keeping it on), and prayed hard and fast. This was all before we had to leave for the first swim meet. In the end, we still went because it just didn't seem like there was much that could be done. She felt uncomfortable and was whiny, but apart from that, I had no reason to believe it was serious.

Until she threw up.

About an hour after the accident, she "spilled the graham crackers" all over me in the parking lot of the pool where the meet was to be held. It was at a neighborhood pool, and I have two friends that live near the pool and were present. One hooked me up with a bath, while the other, along with our family, took care of the boys. Eric was on his way from work to attend the meet and showed up not too long into the bath. He was there. God provides for me in this area and it never ceases to amaze me. The Lord knows what I can and can not handle on my own. For each and every major accident with the kids, Eric has been with me. I would be a basket case, otherwise. Blood and guts don't bother me, but my own children are a different story- panic doesn't even begin to describe it! So, we spoke with the nurse on the phone and just as she was telling us to monitor her, Lael threw up again to which the nurse responded, "Go now to Vanderbilt ER- do not come here- I will call ahead and let them know you're coming!". Into the car, then.

It was a long night. A CT was ordered (and the result was normal). Vomiting continued for some time (even after anti-nausea drugs), but then she turned a corner and was FINE. Completely fine. Praise God!

Things I know now:

- you can hit your head and vomit once, but if you hit your head and vomit twice, doctors take it VERY seriously and you'll need to go to the ER

- kids should ALWAYS wear helmets because- heck!- even *hugs* are apparently dangerous!

Big all around

I don't suppose anyone has noticed that I haven't been posting many blogs lately... but I haven't.  There's a lot going on, and a lot to say- but it seems that I can't do it justice so I don't try.  God is so gracious, and loving, and lavishing.  I'm just enjoying what He's sending our way- new friends, new revelations, answers to prayer, new journeys, new challenges, new ways of thinking, and a fresh new expectancy for what is to come.

After hoping and praying for such a thing for YEARS, we have family en route right now to live in our town (2 days of driving from Texas with a moving truck and a UHaul-pulling SUV- pray for them!)!  Eric's older sister and her family will be here tomorrow settling into their new life and we are so thrilled to be part of each other's lives.

I feel full with a sense of community.

Our pastor has been speaking about stewarding life's resources lately.  One of the resources is relationships.  And- wow!- our small group (we call them Life Groups)  that we are part of is just the kind of community that we desired to be part of.  I'm thankful for these real, honest people and the way that we are being knit together.  Saying "good stuff" doesn't touch it.

Then, there is our adoption.  I don't know anything new regarding our family's case- we probably still have months of wait ahead still.  BUT, I do know that I began to get discouraged the other week.  Impatient.  Even a tad jealous.  Lots of babies lately-  those of neighbors, and friends- and even the pregnant women at church started to make me a bit envious (even though I know that being pregnant three times was enough for me!).  I felt really bad about it because, through this whole long wait I have always rejoiced with those who had things to celebrate.  I've been happy for others and not jealous.  So, I prayed for forgiveness for my bad attitude and for a renewed outlook... for less pout ( "why not me?") and more joy.  The very next day, I got the awesome news in an e-mail that my waiting buddies Kevin and Sarah finally got their referral and were able to see a picture of Miss Hannah Claire.  And the joy flooded back!  I AM SO HAPPY FOR THEM!  Good news goes a long way.  Our day will come, and I'm willing to wait for it.  And, along the way, my heart is swelling over adoption and the nations... again, too much to really put into words right now... but bigger things are yet to come and it is good!  It is good!

Sprinkle in some summer activities like POOL TIME, and parks, and popsicles, and late dinners, and very dirty bath water, and painting and maybe... just maybe... that's why I haven't said much.  Slowly I will get my voice again... there is a lot to share... a lot "brewing" (I find myself using this word to describe things often right now).

But, to end on a light note... I'll distract, yet again, with a picture:

There's been a lot of this lately