I cannot believe how long it has been since I last blogged and how quickly the days seem to pass! We have had a busy month so far with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. At the beginning of March we went to Indy to see a Supercross dirtbike race, an annual Lewellen event. In fact that is where Ryan took me for my 22nd birthday. I know girls, how romantic?! And yes to you men out there, I really am that great a girl! Anyways, the boys had a blast and so did we.
The night before we went to Kokomo for the boys first indoor swimming pool experience. The first hotel we booked had just lit the pilot light to the 50,000 (?) gallon pool when we got there. They said it might still be a little chilly. Somewhat of an understatement! About 10 secs in the pool and the boys were shaking like leaves. Not the best way to introduce the kids to water, so we found another hotel and had a great time swimming. The really neat thing was that at the second hotel the pool was filled with African-American teenagers. I wasn't sure the boys would notice but when we got back to the room the boys mentioned that Papa and I were the only white people in the pool. Of course, in the middle of the winter we are so white we appear clear, so it was pretty obvious!
The boys and I have continued on a pretty good routine and the boys seem to really thrive on it. I was telling a co-worker the other day that I have become more of a slacker recently though. Mornings used to look like this:
7:30 a.m.- The boys come in our room, wake Mama up and I jump out of bed, breakfast on the table 10 minutes later.
About 3 weeks into their time home, mornings began looking like this:
7:30 a.m.- The boys come in the room, wake Mama up, Mama says " Why don't you both go play for a little" in her sweetest voice.
Now, mornings look like this:
7:30 a.m.- The boys come in the room, wake Mama up, Mama says " Why don't you both go play for a little, and please shut Mama's door." :)
Boy, are kids consistent!
My time home is soon coming to an end and I will miss it so much. Ryan was even planning a summer garden, etc the other day just so that I wouldn't have to go back. It has been such a blessing to be home with the kids but I know that I will also be blessed by once again joining the world of adults. The great thing about kids is they don't care if I brushed my teeth, if my pajamas stay on till lunch, or if I manage to apply make-up at some point during the day!
In the coming weeks we will be celebrating Easter. I have so enjoyed having the opportunity to tell the children about Jesus' death and resurrection. They just love any Bible story and really take them to heart. I don't believe they have truly ever celebrated Easter. I have also been very aware this year what America makes of this Holy celebration. Strolling the aisles at Wal-Mart I found one chocolate cross and that was the only thing that even came close to depicting the true meaning of Easter. I wish the world knew the sacrifice Christ has made on our behalf. As I tell the story to the boys it hits even closer to home. Could I sacrifice my child's life for the greater good, knowing that not everyone would be touched? Christ has done so much for me and I see it daily in the faces of my children. I challenge you, the reader, to question your Easter celebrations this year and to really focus on Christ's death and resurrection.
The day after Easter we will be leaving for a Spring Break trip with the youth group. I have never had the opportunity to go because of my work schedule, and I can't wait! It is such a time of renewal and just a time to get away from the world and hassles of daily life.
I have really been missing Miciah lately. She was such a precious girl and there are times I just can't believe she isn't here. Sometimes when I am in the van pulling away from the house I suddenly panic and think I have left her at home. If I hear a baby cry I think it is her. I know all these feelings are normal but that doesn't really make it any easier. Today at the grocery store a woman who knew about the baby said "At least she died while you were still in Africa. Maybe someday you can just adopt another girl." I know she meant well but this little girl was my daughter, not just "some girl". And even though our time together was short she had lived in my heart for a very long time. I have to believe God has a plan that is so much bigger than me that I can't see it. My faith has certainly been my strength and I am so thankful for it.
Until next time...
In Christ's Love,
Steph
