Season's Blessings

There is just so much to say, but I will start with what's on my mind right now. At the beginning of the week, Charlie got sick with a stomach virus. Boy was I worried that the rest of us would get it. I sprayed with Lysol (not the same room he was in.... I waited until he went to bed to spray the living room) and used Chlorox wipes on just about everything I could possibly use them on, including the TV remote and the phone, and I have continually prayed that none of the rest of us would get it. By Tuesday evening, I was feeling quesy and just knew that I was coming down with it. I kept praying and spraying and also decided to eat more yogurt just in case those active yeast cultures would help. Charlie had had some coughing prior to this week but it was manageable but by Wednesday night, he had a significant asthma flare. I think the forceful vomiting from Monday combined with sinus drainage just put him over the edge. So, I didn't feel great but found the strength to remain vigilant with Charlie giving him frequent nebulizer treatments. I also started him on steroids. He wasn't coughing too badly Thursday morning so I sent him on to school (they will give him treatments there) and I went to work. I still felt quesy off and on and this whole time, while I didn't feel like eating, I was able to. I also have kept on praying and spraying and eating yogurt. So, now it's Friday and I woke up hungry! Amazing (but dangerous because I love to eat!). I am very thankful that my prayers have been answered!

Charlie is still coughing but better and is in school today. He has a true performer's spirit. Yesterday when I arrived at daycare to pick him up, he was sound asleep on the couch (he had just fallen asleep). When I woke him up, he said, "Mom, I'm so tired." I told him that we could stay home that night (he would have to miss the production) and he said that's what he wanted to do. By the time we had gotten home and he was more awake, he said, "Mom, I want to go." I gave him his nebulizer treatments, he ate dinner, and was ready and excited about leaving. On the way home, he said, "Mom, I want to be in another show" and he explained that he likes the stage (without using those words but I knew what he meant). My grandfather would have been so thrilled -- he was a minstrel show performer and Charlie is named after him.

So, back to blessings....
The other kids have remained healthy except for some minor cold symptoms. Kyle has been complaining that his "mouth" hurts but I think it is really his throat. I gave him some benadryl last night (thinking maybe his throat hurt from allergy) and he woke up feeling great this morning. I asked him if anything hurt (didn't want to suggest to him that his throat hurts) and he said, "no." He was playful and happy and looking forward to show and tell at daycare. I'm thankful for good health!

These 4 kids of mine...while they challenge me in ways I never thought they would, they are a rainbow of blessings. Their sweetness and goodness amazes me sometimes. I just wish they would consistently show their goodness to others, though! :) I'm thankful for adoption!

My marvelous friends, who know that the slightest change in my routine can upset the apple cart, have been willing to help when I need it...and my family, who will pick up a child (or children) or drop one off when we've had schedule conflicts these past 2 weeks. I am thankful for friends and family!

My neighbors who know that I sometimes need things at the last minute and who don't mind if I call. My neighbor brought honey to me on Monday night so that I could see if it would sooth Charlie's throat (before I knew he had a GI virus). Her daughter had been sick and she ended up sick the next day. Another neighbor offered a patient listening ear this morning when I expressed my frustration over the constant challenge of getting Marcie to cooperate in the mornings and the evenings. All have said to call if I need them and, what's really great, is that I know that I can! I am thankful for good neighbors with a community spirit!

My church ... West End Assembly of God has been my church home since 1980. I couldn't attend regularly from 1991-1993 when I lived in Radford, and then again from late 2003 until mid-2006 because Marcie would not (really, NOT) calm down enough to stay in the nursery. Literally, every Sunday, I would get called out of church to go and get her because she cried so hard, unconsolably. Anyway, by the summer of 2006, Charlie was begging to go to church and one day, he said, "Mom, you have to take us to church so that we can learn about Jesus." I explained that we could go back to church when Marcie could stay in her class. She assured me that she could, and back we went in September, 2006...regularly! Marcie wasn't easy to get into the class, but once in and engaged, she was fine! Those first few Sundays back, I just kept looking at all of the faces I had known for years, especially those in the choir, and realized just how much I loved and missed them. I truly felt like I was home. So, when I hear the song, "Home for the Holidays," I do think about my family home but I also picture my church home. I don't think I had truly realized just how much a part of me that church was until I couldn't attend regularly. Even during that time, though, people would help when they knew I had a need. They've helped, and are helping, with various things, including food when I was sick in 2005, yard work on a couple of occasions when Charlie was hospitalized, gifts, listening ears, inspiration... you name it! So, I am thankful for this marvelous creation of God's -- His church! (For those of you who may be worried, during my time away, I was a regular viewer of Grove Ave. Baptist Church's Sunday morning service on TV, so, yes, I am thankful for that church, too. I felt like I got to know them a little bit by watching the service and I would even see a few other friends in their choir and congregation).

Okay, too much thankfulness is making me mushy, and my lunch time is nearly up, so back to work! I will try to get some pictures posted later (I have some picture CDs). Have a great day!

My Little Performers

Charlie and Marcie each have performance opportunities this year. Marcie was in a Christmas parade last night and will be in another one in 2 weeks. She is dancing with other girls from her dance studio. There's a beautiful float, also, that the younger kids ride on. Marcie looked so cute in her red costume and Santa hat and just had a ball. She knows the dance well and did the entire route without complaining of being tired. She is one of the youngest girls performing. When I picked her up she said that they kept messing up because they couldn't hear the music well, so she was certain that their group didn't win. She said there was another dance group similar to theirs and "they probably winned because they could hear their music." I don't know how she knows that but maybe she's right.

After I dropped Marcie off for the parade, I took Charlie to church because he is in the Christmas production there. He is in 2 scenes and is doing so well. When he came out for his 2nd scene, his wig wasn't staying on right and he walked out adjusting it. I really expected him to get frustrated, and either walk off stage or start crying. Well, he did neither. He sang just like he was supposed to giving the wig a little nudge if it started sliding again. He looked absolutely adorable and was so professional. I'm so proud of him! (and Marcie, too!).

Charlie's Wish

Last Saturday, we went to Short Pump and stopped by the Short Pump Town Center which is an outdoor mall. The kids went into the courtyard area and were immediately awed by the very large Christmas tree and a beautiful fountain. I had to warn them that it was not warm enough for them to get in the water but they were really drawn to it. Nobody got wet, but Charlie wanted to throw in a quarter he had. As he did, I said, "make a wish," and he held up his hands and emphatically said, "I wish for a nice baby.....named Hershel." Keeping my composure, I said, "so, is Hershel a girl or a boy?" He replied, "a girl." Good thing Charlie hasn't asked Santa for a baby sister! On the way home, I was daydreaming about what it would be like to have a girl named Hershel. I could just hear myself calling her inside after playing outside: "Her! Her!" I just had to start laughing. Fortunately, the kids were watching a video and didn't know I was laughing because it would have been too hard to explain.

Charlie has also been talking about things he wants for Christmas. A few weeks ago, he asked me if he could put a gold ring and earrings for me on his Christmas list. I told you he was a sweet boy!