My miracle baby…

So–we are home. And happy to be home! The appointment to the urologist was NOT fun–and I’ll spare the details other than I have never heard my sweet baby cry like that–and as I leaned over the table with my cheek to his, I couldn’t tell the difference between his tears and mine. Another adoption friend of mine encouraged me today (thank you Tiffani!) by telling me that it was through all of their hard stuff that she felt she and her boys TRULY bonded–and the more things we go through like this…I COMPLETELY AGREE.

AND THEN…the doctor looked at us and said his kidneys are PERFECT.

The doctor at Scottish Rite a few weeks ago said he saw reflux as we did the cath, xray, then also–but today–NOTHING. I hummed this song all the way home…

And today–we got a break. Ahh–the Lord’s grace!!! We also had an ultrasound to see if there was in scar tissue. NONE. Everything looks great. We were able to see his belly is retaining air (Karen Halbert…you called it!) and whatever he is eating his body is not processing it smoothly (could be lactose intolerant…so we may be switching some things up)…but I’m praising the Lord that our problems seem to just be–well, “normal” baby problems!!! Now we have a double ear infection to get rid of–and antiobiotics aren’t working…but we have a doc visit on Tuesday…might visit the chiro just to see what he thinks while we are at it…and we might have to go the tubes right. BUT these problems are SO SMALL…and we are thankful!!! Now we can focus on getting rid of that and our workouts!!! Praise be and glory be to God!

Another praise–Frank has turned a corner…and it’s rather consistent! He is LOVING his baby brother and so secure in his place in our family. SO THANKFUL. It took 6-7 good weeks to get there…but there is a new joy in his heart!

I will say–right now…today…we are very tired. I told a friend who asked how I was doing the other day, “Things are GREAT…as long as I am okay with not taking a shower, eating or going to the bathroom—everything is under control and things are running beautifully. NOW…if I want to do one of the above 3 things–I have to brace myself.” We are choosing to laugh A LOT. I am finding new ways to fix my unshowered hair…I laugh every time I put all 4 kids 5 and under in the Target cart…and I smile the entire way through Publix as Isaac and Frank do this head bang thing as they turn the cart’s car’s wheels. I don’t talk on the phone to friends–at all. (I can email them after everyone is in bed and if they love me…they understand.) I don’t watch tv–at all. (I have plenty of reality entertainment here–and at times it is very dramatic and others it is total TLC). My blog is my outlet. (I love my readers…but I’d write if I had 0.) AND THERE IS JOY IN MY HEART. (and that is good enough for me!)

I feel like I am learning daily what it means to follow Christ–and goodness, I sure am messing up a lot—BUT there is so much peace and joy in the craziness of following Him. Just last night, Richard was in Houston so I was in charge of feeding and bathing all 4 of my babies by myself and after the night before staying up ALL night–I was just at my wit’s end. I was doing so great and keeping from coming unraveled—and then I got desperate. You know when you start talking to God OUTLOUD, “Please God. I really need help right now. Can you Holy Spirit come down and help me?” Wouldn’t you have been impressed if you could have seen me then?! BUT…I’m so thankful that I can’t do it–and I have to rely on His strength…and that EACH day is a NEW day. (And I’m also thankful that my husband came home from Houston at 11am today and took the rest of the day OFF work to be with us!)

As my crew is off at dinner with daddy and I sit here listening to my sleeping baby breathe…I am reminded of His goodness even when we aren’t so good. I really wish I could be more like Him. I find myself in these tired days being more on edge and even snappy–and that is just not me. It may not always even “come out” but I feel it in my heart–and I need more of Him right now than ever. One of my high school friends (Pandi) reminded me a few weeks ago in an email to pray over protection of my time with the Lord more than ever right now. That is something I really need and want to do–and I need to make this a priority over everything. When Rich is out of town–it is absolutely crazy from sun up to sundown…and actually even crazy in between. One thing that has really helped me this week was having a song in my heart and singing hymns to my little ones…or at least humming them. I’ve been listening to this (Disc 2 is my favorite) and I want to encourage you as my friend encouraged me–to pray for protection over your time with Him and to “refind” it if it’s been lost for a bit. Find accountability…and even a women’s Bible study (wish many of you lived near ME and you could come join mine! Love my ladies!!!)

This post I think is all over the place–so I’ll stop now as I’m calling it a night at 6:30pm beside my little man who has had quite the day! I am again, more in love with him than I was this morning–and I’m so thankful for God’s continued mercies in his life and ours. My how the Lord loves His children!!! Thank you for loving him, loving us and praying for us. May you each have a wonderful, safe and blessed weekend!!!