Someone asked me what my thoughts have been realizing we will go from having 5 children to 9 in the next seven months.
Well, I've had lots of thoughts. The thought of the work load actually doesn't phase me too much. I can handle more laundry and food preparation and dishes, etc. Our current 5 are very helpful and independent. I'll expect the same from the K, A and E after their transition to their new home, country, family, etc. I've never been one to baby my kids. If they can hold a cup, they can walk to the refrigerator and get their own ice and water.
The most daunting part right now in my mind about the girls coming from Ethiopia is the medical stuff - parasites, lice, scabies, ringworm. I don't know if they will have all or just some of the above but I'm not looking forward to any of that. And I don't want the kids here to get any of it!
I told my mom if people ask me to help, I'm going to take it. I'll be washing sheets daily for at least the first month and vacuuming twice a day. And propably wiping everything down like a woman with OCD on steroids!
I'll also be teaching them how to use a toilet and not the backyard. How to wash themselves, brush their teeth properly, wear underwear, use toilet paper, that sort of stuff.
And since you never know how they are going to transition, I'm preparing for the worst...rejection, fits, etc. Think about it...some crazy white family is taking them out of their culture, away from their people to a place they can't even imagine with strange food and an overabundance of everything. It has to be shocking to them.
I was also thinking one night in bed about how sad it is for them. They went to bed without a kiss from their mommy. And when they woke up in the morning, she wasn't there to greet them with a smile or a hug. So while it's great that they get the opportunity to live in this affluent country and have the best brothers and sisters in the world, who wouldn't trade all that for their mommy?
School next year is a blur! I have no idea how I will get it done. Again, if anyone knows a teenager who needs community service hours next year, surely that would count, right?! I will basically do kindergarten with the K, A & E. And then will have grades 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th & 6th.
My word for next year is "NO". Not to my kids but to outside activities and commitments...at least until July.
I am looking forward to the baby and all the hands that are eager to hold and pet him or her.
I will say I had a talk with God and respectfully told Him He got us into this. I'm going to need Him to HELP me through it! I CAN NOT DO IT MYSELF!
So there you go.
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4 comments:
You just made me laugh out loud! It will be so blessedly insane. (And don't worry about your OCD... When Pat got home from 2 weeks in Haiti last year I made him strip on the front step and throw away his clothes. Then he had to shower until the hot water ran out and slather himself in scabies cream. And I washed the sheets several times. And for good measure I used the scabies cream, too! For the record, I don't even think he had scabies, lol!)
lots of changes that all of us will handle. God is so great and He will know exactly what you need and who you need at just the right time. It will be amazing to see Him work.
Praying for you! Yes, you CAN do this in HIS strength!! I am excited to watch HIM work in and through you and your amazing family my friend!
So excited for all God is doing! Congratulations on Number 9!!!!
I never really thanked you for the day with your family. It was such a blessing to me! I haven't checked in on your blog since before we visited you.
Reading your blog make me almost desire #6. Though I have much self to give up before that should ever happen.
We are headed off to Ocala to serve at The Springs. If all goes through with the offer we made on a rental house we should be moving October 1st. Very excited for all God has for us there.
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