Some of All The Things

Y'all, it's been a bit of a busy last couple of months.  I mean, all months are busy, right?  But I feel like November and December came careening out of nowhere with all their Things To Be Dealt With.  Some of those things were wonderful and fun.  Others of those things, well, not so much.

Early in November, our friend Jennifer was stateside.  Jen's family serves in Costa Rica as missionaries and we miss them tons, so it was big fun to get to take off on a last minute trip to see her in Atlanta.  The goofiness knew no bounds, and the heartfelt conversation among friends was balm to all our hearts. 

While I was in Atlanta, I got a call from Joshua.  It was the kind of call that every mama fears getting, especially when she's away from home.

"We've been in a wreck."   

My hear stopped, y'all.  I excused myself from my friends and went to listen to my husband.

"Everyone is fine, though.  No injuries."

The van was totaled but everyone involved in the wreck was fine.  It was the best case scenario.

We drove four different vans (rentals and loaners) over the next two weeks, then bought this bad boy on Black Friday.

That would be our new 12 passenger Nissan NV.  We've been eye-balling them for a couple of years now, waiting for all the kinks to be worked out since their release in 2012.  We were also waiting on our van to die or for our kids rear-ends to outgrow the super narrow 3-seater bench in the back of it.  Our checkbook would have preferred we wait another year or so, but ultimately, a lot of things came together at once and this baby fell in our laps.

A week and a half later, we went to the hospital with Anna.  About the time we recovered from the barrage of information and lack of sleep that comes with any hospital stay, it was well and truly Christmas!

And just like that, a new year is looming with all it's possibilities. 

Our current plan for this weekend is for me to send my husband and kids off with big hugs and kisses as I focus on working through the first rendition of the 2nd semester schedule and plot out the next six weeks of school.  I have big plans to get more done, too, but realistically, the school prep will be MORE than enough.

I'm ready for things to even keel and for all the excitement to die down so we can find a routine again.  I'm ready for dance classes and co-op and bible study to resume.  I'm looking forward to the new year and thankful for the Lord's provision in this last one.

Dear My Brave Anna

Dear Anna,
You're amazing.  This past week has been a rough one for you, and you handled it like a champ.

On Monday, you were sent to the ER with extremely high blood sugar levels.  The folks in the ER took stock of what was going on with you and we were admitted to a room where you received finger pricks and insulin shots and I curled up next to you and slept with you all night.  Daddy was close by on the couch because neither one of us wanted to leave your side.  The needles scared you and made you cry and it all hurt our hearts so much.

 Tuesday was a parade of dieticians and diabetes trainers and sweet family and friends coming through your room to see you.  We also got to see Santa Claus!!

On Tuesday evening, I gave you your insulin shot.  You were so brave, sweet girl, and I was and am so thankful that this particular shot brought no tears to your sweet eyes. 

Your sisters and cousin Layla came to see you and were all so relieved to see how well you were doing.  The girls chose to stay with Daddy that night so they could spend the next day with you.  They were very concerned about you still.  I curled up with you again and we slept between the nurses coming in to check on you.

On Wednesday, you started doing your own finger pricks.  I'll admit to biting back tears while your eyes shimmered with pride.  Daddy learned to give you your injections and nurses started saying maybe we could go home.  Sure enough, because you were so brave and so willing to help us take care of you, they let us go home that afternoon.

Anna, it's hard for your Mommy and Daddy to know that our little girl will have to deal with this disease called diabetes the rest of her life.  But baby girl, this is the Lord's plan for you and He's had it in His hands all along.  He KNOWS the plans He has for you, Anna.  Plans not to harm you but plans for your future.

And Mommy and Daddy?  We're just thankful we get to be a part of your story, the one He created especially for you, Little One. 

Sweetly Six

Guess who had a birthday?

I can't be held responsible for what she's eating... I was sick in bed her entire actual birthday.  Thankfully, Prince Daddy came home and whisked away the little girl who sweetly agreed to postpone her birthday plans until Mommy could be counted on not to keel over when she stood up.

Which is how it was four days AFTER her birthday that we fit in all the celebrating.  It's also how she had to wait four days to get her big gift...

Check out that little bit of sparkle glinting off her earlobe!  Those are her much awaited for green earrings!

Sarah Grace and Elizabeth both had their ears pierced very young, but Anna's ears were never pierced and she's been talking about it for nearly a year.  I had put it off because Anna's my child and pain causes her great distress.  Finally, I could put her off no more.  But I opted to not tell her exactly the 'hows' of ear piercing.  She didn't get it until about half a minute before the first earring went in.

My girl handled it like a champ!  She let out a surprised whimper and steeled herself for the second ear.  Then she shed a few brave tears and hugged me tight.  The lady offered her a sucker and she happily chose a green one then ran over to show off her new glitter to her sisters.

We also ran into Santa Claus wandering around the shopping center and had the first picture ever with all our kids with Santa.  Anna chattered about his beautiful costume for a bit and then, being my girl, declared that we'd be visiting the Chocolate Crocodile before the day was out.

Our day ended with dinner at one of her favorite restaurants and then out to see Christmas lights before bedtime.  Just one of the perks to a December birthday!!

Happy birthday, sweet Anna!  We're so very thankful for you and love you big!!