Pivot!

We bought the girls bunk beds with a trundle! So exciting! Our littlest broke her crib months ago and her mattress has been on the floor since then.  Not ideal. In fact, it's not allowed if we were still licensed to foster.

We finally resolved it by purchasing a bed.  My husband and I had fun--well, I did, anyway--moving the beds between two rooms to see if we could get all three into one space to open up the other room for play. The obvious solution? Bunks!

Off we went in search of the perfect space-saving sleepers. And we found one with a trundle, no less. Marvelous! Everyone was so excited!

But reality. Predictably unpredictable, the girls were triggered. It took about 24 hours for one to come talk with us. Another hasn't said anything, but she is acting oddly enough that even this dope-of-a-mom figured out she has things going on, too.

Well, poop. Time to pivot. 

I let the girls know that we will keep all the new beds separate and where their old beds were--no designated playroom or group sleeps--for now.  OH! They were all so sad. I worked to explain that Daddy and I wanted this as badly as they did. But the Bible teaches us that we make our plans, and the Lord directs our steps. It is so important to move forward with our plans in a way that we are interruptible and redirectable. 

This is the life. It is true for everyone, really. But it is pronounced when raising children exposed to trauma. We can and should plan. But, as a precious friend always says, we must hold those plans loosely. It would be foolhardy to press on with a plan God doesn't endorse. He knows so much more and loves so much better than we do. It's ridiculous to not lean on His understanding and welcome His will.

When we do stack the beds, it will be at the right time, and it is going to be a party!

We Got a Van

 I mentioned before that we got a van.

You want to meet her? Here she is!  Her name is Penelope Gabrielle Sage, thank you very much! Her official color is green-brown, according to the manufacturer. Who on earth would think that would be a pretty color?  Green-brown?  That is the color of poo. Why did no one speak up in that meeting?

Anyhow, I don't think she looks green-brown.  I can't actually say what color she is. The repairmen reported the color is tan, and I suppose that's a nice catchall name and as good as any.  It's just car-colored like my hair is hair-colored.  The ultimate non-descript.

I am thankful for this gal. Because of her, we get to GO! We've visited the Omaha Science Center, the local children's museum, and friends. It's so nice! Even being able to pick up groceries is a gift.

We have also enrolled the girls in dance and choir.  Our musical girls are gaining a lot of Good Things because of this.  So, welcome, Penelope Gabrielle Sage! Thank you for the adventures AWAY from home!

The Gift Conundrum

We use Amazon… liberally.  I use the subscribe and save, my oldest daughter uses the music stations to teach dance, three of us read using the Kindle app, and we take advantage of the rapid shipping. My husband and I used to do Christmas shopping on Amazon and would get a kid to open the package if we were expecting things from one another.  Suddenly the oldest two grew up and got jobs and money and started using Amazon, too!! It was not a problem until Christmas came around.

To fix the problem, we invented a tradition.  We simply wrapped EVERY Amazon box that arrived after December 1.  Yep, I do use the subscription service for toiletries and household items.  That means under our tree were paper towels, dishwasher detergent, and feminine hygiene products.  There were no names on these gifts, so we took turns opening gifts randomly on Christmas morning.  When a gift was unwrapped, the giver would claim and assign it to the intended recipient.  When a big brother opened his little sister’s first menstrual cup, he had another opportunity to become the best-husband-in-the-making.  We’ve done it for a few years, and it made for a morning of fun and giggles. We even had a few gift-wrapping parties with invited friends to add to the Christmas festivities.

Last year, my husband said he didn’t want to do it anymore.  He missed watching people open his gifts.  So we aren’t doing it.  We have no plan in place for the boxes that are coming to the house, and let me tell you, folks, it's pandemonium over here.  I’ve already opened the gift to me from my darling husband.  And there is a box sitting in the entryway right now with something from me to him, from him to the littles, and I think from him to me.  What are we gonna do now?