Dude.

It's about time for a really good funny one, don't 'cha think?

Problem is...I'm not laughing.  Today was awful.  I'm tempted to list off all the things that have made this last week and a half...heck...month so very difficult but I fear it would pull any and everyone considering adopting an older child away from doing so.

And the bottom line is that we are making head-way.  Which brings me to my issue.  Head lice.

Dude.

I pride myself on being one with body functions.  I have no problems admitting to perfect strangers that my tummy is not well yet my "turtles only swim in their home pond" if ya know what I mean?  And if you don't...well...I could go into great detail but I won't because I am discovering that MANY people are squeamish when it comes to poop.

{Boogers...now that's another story and if you've never listened to the lady on Google-definitions say it and define them with your children...well...you're just missing out!}

But head lice.  Can I just pause to say:  DUDE?!?!

Ugh.  So, my precious 13 year old informs me 4 weeks after living with us that she has lice.  Apparently the former foster Mom had treated several others but never her.  We would hope that our children would tell us that they had lice IMMEDIATELY, but I am thinking that she honestly may have been so worried about what we would think??  Who knows...all I know is that a few weeks ago at the end of the most INOPPORTUNE week, I was faced with one of my bigger fears:  microscopic bugs that flipping lay eggs like glue and multiply like gang busters???  Hello!!!!!  I immediately began washing everything in sight.  Even the one set of curtains in the house got washed.  I, the granola, even used chemicals...on almost everyone.  I was so tired that I passed the research baton to my dear OA (yes, you hear blame in my tone).  I was not told that after treating everyone twice and washing and spraying everything to INCLUDE the kitchen sink that I should check again within 10 days.  Because apparently if you miss one nit, the dadgum thing comes back to haunt you worse than any boy groaning "red rum, red rum" and Jack Nicholson's crazy face...really.

So last week was one of the single busiest weeks of my life.  And I'm a busy chic.  And just when I thought I could kick my feet up and rest...a tummy bug blows in and...yep...my youngest informs me that HER head has been itching...like for a WEEK!?!?

Surely nit...not.  UGH.  Insert the biggest DUDE ever.

Not a happy camper.  Homey isn't playing this time.  I have done my research and short of shaving the girls' heads...which I'm still considering...I have purchased every possible chemical on the market.  I'm a nit-picking-fool.  And I shudder every single time.

I am pretty sure that I was the epitome of exhaustion today.  I know that I was not fun-Mom.  And yet, tomorrow morning the sun is going to rise (ugh).  My children are going to greet me as if I were the most amazing Mama in the whole world. And His Mercies are new every single morning...whether I feel worthy or not.  So tomorrow I will find my do-over.  And I'll still have 222 loads of laundry to do and 2,222 nits to pick out, but I am praying that tomorrow I can choose joy and pause in the insanity and blast some silly music and dance around the house with my children (we will, of course, be spraying arousal cans full of chemicals...just in case).

And in the craziest of places...once again...I see His face.  And thank Him profusely for the gift of laughter because today we had none...and it was heinous.  I kid you nit. 

Defender of the defenseless

My daughter is missing her top two front teeth.  Every parent out there can most likely relate to the absolute heart-stopping-adorableness this adds to one's child---every child.  She also has the kind of wavy bobbed hair that causes strangers to stop and tell her how cute it is.  She's intensely shy, so she never quite handles herself the same way with each compliment (I admire her humility).  She'd rather eat a worm than have people stop and stare at her.  The problem is that she possesses the kind of beauty that makes you pause-breathe it in.  There's something about her.  I have always struggled to define her...even she often cannot figure out what she wants or what she likes...much like her Mama...indecision...because every single angle has to be considered, mulled, weighed.  No choice is just a "simple choice".  It drives her Daddy insane.  He knows exactly what he wants at all times.  He never seems to question himself and is gifted with this remarkable ability to see all, do all, and decide all...AT ONE TIME.  It's truly an amazing thing to behold.

There's a steep looking rock wall of sorts by our house.  We pass it every time we go onto the interstate.  It snuggles up to this incredible hill that my old car struggles to chug up.  One day Mermaid said:  Someday, I am going to climb that hill.  It's probably gonna be hard, but I won't stop till I reach the top.

A smile rushed across my face.  I have the exact same feelings about the hill it befriends and my running.  And it was hard.  It was then that I realized that Mermaid's "word" per se is "DETERMINED".  A determined infant, and a determined toddler, and a determined preschooler are VERY difficult to raise.  A determined 7 year old?  Oh my.  It's heart-stopping.  Much like her toothless grin, adorable hair, breathless beauty.  She is also determined to rid the world of all social and moral injustice.  Today I told her that I was going to change her name to Merci, the defender of the defenseless.  Oh how fitting it would be. 

It terrifies me a little...her intensity-beauty-determination-protectiveness...all wrapped up in a giggling little girl with two top missing teeth.  Her Mama's indecisiveness and her Daddy's focused ability to get what he sets out to accomplish.  I marvel at the way God uses her already.  I celebrate the life He has blessed me with in my youngest...desperate to no longer be the youngest...and somehow managing by His Grace to pull that one off.

I am blessed to be the apple of her eye.  I pray that I never lose my status in her heart.  I ask God to defy all stereotypes of Mothers and Daughters.  In my life, I have never met one as unique as she.  She is, by far, one of my Hero and I's best accomplishments thus far...not to exclude her brother...whom I will save for tomorrow's post...and I am a better person because of them.

can i have some celery, PLEASE??

that's what my SON said this morning!!?? he loves celery!! the changes in this house this summer have been incredible!

miraculous...blessed.

we eat 3 meals at the table (i think that in and of itself is a huge reason he-we all is-are doing better).

i am cooking all kinds of things for the whole family, and we have established that he must take 6 bites of whatever i present each meal in order to earn his BIG TOY at the end of the summer.

there is no battle. the rules are clear. it's his choice to earn a happy face or not. the happy faces add up!! (NOTE: those with kiddos who have serious sensory issues...this has been a solid year of desensitizing!! this is NOT a first step!! the first step is to remove all pressure!)

mermaid has been HAPPY in the mornings!!

oh, did i mention that i have slept through the night for over a week...OVER A WEEK...for the first time in six years!!?? God is slapping me with good stuff...and i am loving it!

my mini-boot-camp-home-school started this week. i am watching 2 kiddos (exact age and gender of my kiddos!!) for a friend who just got a job. it's working out nicely, and it will be good to make some side money!! but it is keeping me very busy!! will try to post some summer pics tomorrow!

OH...and i have had great success with my menu for the week...i will try to post that, also!