I debated whether to publish this or not. The last thing I want is for people to think I hate my life! But, I'm committed to keeping it real. You can find beauty and love in a harsh environment. See?
I noticed that Ruby's right ear was red and swollen yesterday. I suspected an outer ear infection. This morning she woke me up crying and I saw that the redness had spilled out onto her face. Time to see the doctor.
But, Thomas had to be at church at 9am for his Thursday summer youth activity. And Theo had therapy at 10:30. And Zhen had therapy at 11:30. I didn't want to wait until after lunch for Ruby to get seen.
I had to make a decision, and quick.
I grabbed the little kids out of bed and...oh goodness. Poop. I quickly threw Zhen into the tub. Did you know that anti-bac hand soap is pretty decent shampoo? There was not time to get little kids dressed so I stuffed their clothes and shoes in a bag and we loaded up the van.
Thomas was on time, but I was stressing out about taking 7 children to the minor emergency office. I was fortunate to run into a friend who took four of them into her home and fed them some breakfast while I took Ruby, Zhen and Theo to the doc. Half a circus instead of the whole crazy one!
I dressed Zhen and Theo in the waiting room and put their shoes on while we waited in the exam room. Ruby received quick and efficient service today and we were out of there with a prescription in no time. On the way out to the van I happened to look down and noticed something on my shirt. Guess what?
I thought I was so careful picking Zhen up out of bed! The half dried out baby wipes in the van just couldn't cut the poop. Oh well, nothing to do but put one foot in front of the other. I had just enough time to pick up the other kids and head across town to therapy.
I treated the kids to McD's while Theo has his PT, and then let them play in the playroom while Zhen had his speech therapy. Poor Ruby. I had to keep her strapped into the stroller while the other kids played. I wouldn't risk her exposing any other potentially fragile kids to her brand of ear and skin germs.
I couldn't stomach dragging all the kids into the grocery store pharmacy that we use so I dropped all the kids off at home. (And I changed my shirt!) Big brother Chipper was home from weight training so he had the privilege of feeding them lunch while I took a time out at the grocery store to get Ruby's medicine! ha!
Did I mention that all morning long certain children kept reminding me that I promised to take them to the pool today? Oh yeah. I took them. For 30 minutes. It was the very best I could do with dad out of town and my only teenager in football camp every evening. There was more drama involving paperwork, signatures, and a whacked out printer/scanner that I'd like to punish severely.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1
7 comments:
I love reading your blog!! I appreciate your "keeping it real". I have been trying to convince my husband to adopt 3 children from foster care (1 with DS). He thinks that 7 children in the home would be too much. Thanks!! - Heather
Awww... Stephanie, you are such a good Mom!! Love ya girlie!!
You worship well! Even with all the poop you went through! :) It's a wonder how mom's survive, let alone write about it, haha! God is good! I'm glad your storm ended. I love that you wrote "all is well" and that the children were sleeping sweetly, husband came home, big brother helped with lunch, and a friend showed up to do some breakfast! Wow, God was there for you! Thank you,sweet friend for sharing! I understand how some days go. To share one part of yesterday - at the pool, haha, we went there too...I put my 2 little ones on the potty before showering them to go back home. To save time I began to shampoo their heads, not knowing the water in the showers weren't running, (haha) I managed to drain out 4 faucets with enough water dripping out to rinse one head and part of the other. To end up needing to buy a bottled water from the snack shack to finish the other. I thank God, he does have a sense of humor. I believe your story just makes me feel that much better knowing someone else is trying to love, even when it's hard! :) Hugs! I'm praying for your crazy life to not be so crazy today ;) Praying for little Ruby's ear to heal too, love you! <3
God Bless you, Stephanie! You are the face of Him and you are amazing. I know you don't hate your life, but everyone has those days. Maybe not to the magnitude that you do...Wow!
Heather, 7 is a piece of cake! A messy, disgusting piece of cake sometimes. LOL
Mel, thanks. Back at ya.
Anon, we don't often consider that caring for our children in a sacrificial way as worship, but it is. Anytime we are living for something besides ourselves.
Sharon, thanks. I just don't always write about the amazing and wonderful things that happen each day. Why is that?
Amen, wow, this was so good. Really ministered to me. The verse at the end was so powerful in light of the post.
<3
Beautiful photo and love your verse at the end!
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