A few weeks ago I gave my niece a speech that when kids are around, adults grow eyes in the back of their heads and we can see everything. It took some convincing and I had to assure her when she became an adult she would also grow these "special" eyes. This was to let her know that she was better off just telling the truth, because we probably already knew and if we didn't, the truth would come out in the end. What had happened was...
I'm driving the car and Makenzie is sitting in her booster seat behind me. So my "special" eyes (rear view mirror) were blocked by the seat. We had just stopped at Rita's (she just so happened to get Swedish fish flavor, red in color), and I noticed she got very quiet. I thought it was because she was eating. Wrong. I looked in the mirror and tried to turn around, but I couldn't see what she was doing. She then pipes up and says... "Hey, Aunt Mandy I think you might need to see a doctor." I am completely confused right now as to what she is talking about and I asked her why? She says, "Well, ummm the eyes in the back of your head might need glasses, because I just spilled my Rita's and cleaned it up with my (white) sweater and your eyes didn't even notice it, I really think you might need glasses." She's holding up her little white sweater to show me, only now it's covered in stylish red splotches.
Instead of telling her that I don't really have "special" eyes... I told her I would have to make an appointment later this week, but I would probably get contacts instead of glasses. I thanked her for cleaning the mess and for letting me know about my eyes.
15 May 2011
08 May 2011
A different kind of mother's day
I have not written in quite some time. I know this. There is so much to catch up on and I will in the next few weeks but for now I will give you the short version. The month of March was an interesting one... Drew and I became "insta-parents" that is what my neighbors call it. My sister deployed with the military, and the rules say my six year old niece could not go with her. So, she lives with us.
I can't even describe the joy she brings us. The scary part is that she is in our care and trusting US to take care of her, to meet her needs, to help her when she misses her mommy. Our lives have completely changed from the selfish "WE" that drew and I had to the selfless Her. We went from a free schedule of doing what we wanted anytime, to days filled with swim team, gymnastics, math problems, and the color pink. Drew and I went from taking road trips on a drop of the hat and having long discussions about life, to singing kids songs and stopping every 40 minutes for the bathroom.
I understand that most of you reading are parents and think this may be no big deal, but we were given two weeks notice. Most people give their two weeks notice to quit a job, for us it was to start the next year of our lives. To bring my niece in and have her life intertwine with ours. We were not given the 9 months a family gets or sometimes years with adoption. And I know the moment we think things are starting to settle in, our year with her will probably be coming to a close. The last month and a half has been amazing, as I watch my husband with her I see he is going to be a great dad someday. Each night he reads her stories, prays with her daily and talks to her about her day. He treats ALL of her injuries with the "doctor" care they deserve, we seem to go through a ton of Disney Princess Band-aids (take out stock if you can, I think it will go up soon).
I now know the words Fear and Worry. I know that I can never ever be Makenzie's mom, or even come close but I do feel the things she and other mom's feel for their children. I forgot her vitamin for a few days and had a dream she had scurvy, I have to pray several times a day that God will lead us to take care of her and to put my worries in His hands. I am beyond amazed the way God is changing our family from 2 to 3 and a year from now I know we will be leaning on Him to change us back.
This was my first (insta) Mothers Day, and I hope it is not my last Mothers Day. I am sure I can't fill my sisters shoes, but I can give Makenzie all the love she can get from us while her Momma is away. Happy Mothers Day.
I can't even describe the joy she brings us. The scary part is that she is in our care and trusting US to take care of her, to meet her needs, to help her when she misses her mommy. Our lives have completely changed from the selfish "WE" that drew and I had to the selfless Her. We went from a free schedule of doing what we wanted anytime, to days filled with swim team, gymnastics, math problems, and the color pink. Drew and I went from taking road trips on a drop of the hat and having long discussions about life, to singing kids songs and stopping every 40 minutes for the bathroom.
I understand that most of you reading are parents and think this may be no big deal, but we were given two weeks notice. Most people give their two weeks notice to quit a job, for us it was to start the next year of our lives. To bring my niece in and have her life intertwine with ours. We were not given the 9 months a family gets or sometimes years with adoption. And I know the moment we think things are starting to settle in, our year with her will probably be coming to a close. The last month and a half has been amazing, as I watch my husband with her I see he is going to be a great dad someday. Each night he reads her stories, prays with her daily and talks to her about her day. He treats ALL of her injuries with the "doctor" care they deserve, we seem to go through a ton of Disney Princess Band-aids (take out stock if you can, I think it will go up soon).
I now know the words Fear and Worry. I know that I can never ever be Makenzie's mom, or even come close but I do feel the things she and other mom's feel for their children. I forgot her vitamin for a few days and had a dream she had scurvy, I have to pray several times a day that God will lead us to take care of her and to put my worries in His hands. I am beyond amazed the way God is changing our family from 2 to 3 and a year from now I know we will be leaning on Him to change us back.
This was my first (insta) Mothers Day, and I hope it is not my last Mothers Day. I am sure I can't fill my sisters shoes, but I can give Makenzie all the love she can get from us while her Momma is away. Happy Mothers Day.
