Trial Parenting

We are blessed to have friends who have children.  Not just children.  Children they are willing to loan to us so we can practice parenting.  They get a night off while we watch them, so it's win-win really.  We started easy, watching beautiful Addie one evening, only thirty minutes of which she was awake.  It was a good introduction.  Hubs got to bottle feed a baby and hear that cry, right before she fell asleep and we watched TV for the rest of the night.  Just like parenting.

Note the sarcasm.

Last weekend, we took it up a notch.  Or should I say three.  We watched three kids ages two, four, and six.  Yeah, a few notches.  It was so much fun and we only lost them once. Just kidding.  We did learn some valuable lessons, though.  Like family roles:  Jess = cuddler of all small ones.  E = the fun one.  I could have guessed it.


Exhibit A

Exhibit B

True, he isn't always funny.  He can be sweet and endearing to the kiddos.  Take note of the final night of Kids Club...

Since we're only a day away from Father's Day, I will say I look forward to seeing Eric as a dad.  And, yes, I think the practice with other people's kids is good. I'm glad he can make them laugh, even if I officially become the serious parent as a side effect.

Because the truth is...he makes me laugh, too.

Sick Days: Then vs. Now

Yesterday, unfortunately, I had to take a sick day. I was definitely under the weather and needed a day to rest. Which got me to thinking--I used to love sick days when I was a kid. Even if I was super sick, I just loved being at home, watching tv shows I was probably too old to watch, and enjoy some time away from school. Don't get me wrong--I loved school, but the occasional day of resting and feeling better--well, I loved that too.

Then: stayed home any time I could
Now: Avoid sick days at all costs--have to have a major issue to stay home

Then: Mom stayed home and took care of me and I loved it
Now: No one stays home with me and I love it (although hubs does take care of me)

Then: watched the Disney Channel for shows

Now: Watch Scrubs or anything else Netflix will play while I lounge, unable to move

Then: Lipton Noodle Soup, nothing else would do
Now: Hubs made some delicious homemade soup, nothing else will do

Then: got bored, watched TV I didn't like (because I had 3 channels)
Now: get bored (yeah right), get on Facebook

Then: hated that my body forced me to sleep
Now: can't get enough sleep and love each and every minute I get on sick days

So, yeah, hate being sick. Love me some extra sleep. Glad I feel better but I definitely used up the rest.

Any favorite sick day rituals?

Stand/Still

Adoption has a lot of ups and downs.  And sometimes, you just stand still.

We are currently waiting on a document.  One that has to go in our home study.  One that we have no control over and are just simply waiting for someone else to finish and give to us.  We are at a standstill.

And yet, God KNEW from the very beginning of this process, when he called us to add to our family in this way, that this document would take the exact amount of time it is taking.  Instead of calling it a standstill, I've felt God calling me to stand still.

Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God."


1 Cor 15:58 "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

1 Cor  16:13 "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong."

I am not always patient. And by always I mean, rarely am I patient.  I knew God would use this process to grow me in ways I was lacking. He's already showing me he plans to grow me, stretch me, and make me uncomfortable but more like him each day in this process.

So, together, we stand still.  And we stand firm.  We rest, knowing God has  a plan and whether this adoption takes 10 months (not looking likely) or 10 years (we truly hope not) HE is with us, calling us to stand firm in him.  So we will stand still and look to Him.

If You're Wondering What I've Been So Busy Doing...

The life of a Kids Club church intern is not glamorous.  Well, unless you think washing rocks in your bathtub is glamorous.  It is pretty darn rewarding, though.  I've been busting hiney trying to get things ready for around 500 kids and 400 adults to eat, play, and learn about our eternal home in heaven.  I've been thinking of the blog but just haven't gotten to posting. Since Kids Club is next week, expect more of the same.  To give you a taste of what I've been doing in my absence, I give you...

My Life in iPhone pictures (insert trumpet blast here)

Why not put a bunch of rocks in your bathtub to clean them? All in a Saturday's work.

Pretty awesome that hubs agreed to help.  Check out that awesome bath water. Hop in, kids! Just kidding.

Clean and ready to be painted! What's that you say? Painted?

Yes, painted!  Spray painting rocks for a fun preschool game.

Rocks are painted and ready to go!

We did some light shopping for Kids Club last weekend.  Just a few odds and ends.

Then we tried to put it in the car.  Um...maybe we didn't think this through?

I love being a Kids Club intern!

 I'll try to visit the blog in the next week but I'll be holding down two full time jobs, so no guarantees.  I can't wait to see these kids and to share Jesus with them!

Here's to Kids Club!