Super

Today, I had a "Mr. Mom" kind of day.

We all know the scene well, but let's make a few adjustments, shall we?

Let's replace the TV repairman with a dishwasher repairman; the exterminator with a physical therapist; a torn woobie with a shifted cast; a chili-eating infant with an exhausted 1-year-old totally deprived of a nap and a 4-year-old stranded at preschool in her Halloween costume (although I'm pretty sure she was more than content with some extra "Grandma time" and jelly beans...). And instead of an exploding washing machine, let's take an unexpected trip to Children's Memorial with said 1- and 4-year-olds.

Go ahead and throw in a few meltdowns and some good 'ole Chicago traffic for good measure.

By the way, it's 12pm.

And scratch the "Mr." part because he? Well, he's in Texas for the week.

So I guess my little math equation just leaves us with a "Mom" kind of day, which really makes more sense because -- haven't we ALL been here? Maybe your washing machine really did blow up (or ate your cell phone), or you found your infant eating a tube of toothpaste (we won't tell), or -- the absolute last straw -- you ran out of Pumpkin Spice creamer (because, then, you might as well be out of coffee).

But it's what we Moms (or Mr. Moms) do, right? We juggle and put out fires and pick up and drop off and get 15 snacks and wipe noses, butts, and tears all day long -- all the while we haven't eaten or gone to the bathroom or, heck, even showered for longer than we care to admit.

Yet it's these days -- the crazy, sitcom-worthy days -- that we can take a step back and say, "I did it."  Super Mommy powers activated, extra limbs found, and somehow a decent meal still found it's way on the table. And as exhausting and somehow unsatisfying the world tries to convince us it all is, it's these days that I realize that I not only did it "all," but that I did it without freaking out and, more importantly, that it was totally worth it.

They are worth it.

Too often I beat myself up for what I didn't get done, what I should have done, or what I could have done better. But, today, I am waving my Super Mom flag because once in awhile, we need to do that for ourselves.

We need to do that so that we realize that this is rewarding. That these days are shaping us. That somewhere in the middle of the chaos, we are growing, getting stronger, and becoming someone He intended all along.

And even if it doesn't feel like it -- especially on days like these when no one else seems to notice -- we are worth it. We are making a difference. We are significant.

He certainly thought so, and so should you.

You are worth it. 
   
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."
Proverbs 31:30-31

(P.S. How were you "super" today? Go ahead and tell, it feels good!)

Pink Lemonade (or something like that...)

So I know I'm a day late linking up with Small Style at  Mama Loves Papa, but I promised hot pink casts, so here they are in all their neon glory!

Seriously, you would never know that she even had them on. Girl is making her way across the room and getting into all sorts of trouble. And we are loving every minute.

The other day Brooklyn was getting some blood work done and while we were in the waiting room, a kind woman asked about her casts. I briefly explained why Brooklyn had surgery, and she says to me with tears in her eyes, "Doesn't it just break your heart?"

I knew she was referring to seeing Brooklyn in her casts, and you know what? It doesn't. She is just so happy and is clearly handling it all just fine, so why would I waste my time being sad about it when I could spend that time enjoying my baby. Seeing her strength gives me strength. If anything, I am in awe of how awesome she is, which not only makes me proud, it gives me joy. Not the superficial "high on life" kind of joy, but real joy. Joy that brings peace, acceptance.

It is well, my friends. It is well.

Making it Work:

Dress- Old Navy (Kendall hand-me-down)

Jacket- Levi's (Emma hand-me-down)

Four

Happy 4th birthday to my beautiful, lovable little Kendall.

I'm not sure if I love your giggle, your hugs, or your big heart more,

but I am so very thankful that I get to spend my days enjoying them all.

Making it Work, Splint Style

 

It's Thursday, which means Small Style at Mama Loves Papa. As you can see, bulky beige splints don't quite make the best accessories, but we worked around them. I have some cute gray striped tights that would have been great with this outfit, but such is life. You take what you are given, and you work with it.



Because we had to be careful not to shift the splints, the last few weeks have been mostly onesies and dresses. But I have been waiting to use these sweater shorts since Brooklyn was 6 months old, and they were a great "pants" solution. The shorts are actually bloomers that went under a sweater dress a family member gave Brooklyn last Christmas. For some reason, they were way too big for her at the time, but I knew I would find a good use for them. We will for sure be wearing these a lot these next few months, whether with splints, casts, or tights.



By the way, our resident rock star is doing great these days. She got her full casts on Tuesday -- can you say hot pink?! -- and the whole thing never even phased her. I got a quick peek at her "new" feet, and although they were definitely a little...well, sore to say the least, they also looked amazing. Like real feet -- long and flat and ready for some serious standing. God is so good, people.

And now that we have hot pink casts, who needs tights anyway? Trust me, girl is working them. We'll be sure to show them off next week. Until then, have a great weekend!

Making it Work:

Shirt:     Carter's (1st bday gift)

Shorts:   No clue (and I'm way too lazy to track down the bin with the sweater dress)

Splints:  Children's Memorial Hospital ;-)

Hello, Sunshine

Well, we are back this week linking up to Small Style at  Mama Loves Papa. Sorry we missed last week, but you know, we had some extra snuggling to do after the whirlwind of surgery. We did have a little excitement Friday and ended up back at the hospital with a high temp, but we were home before midnight and back in our own beds, which is always a blessing to this mama.

The temp is now gone, and our rock star is on the mend. She is already trying to figure out how to scoot around on those bandaged legs! Obviously these photos were taken pre-surgery, but trust me, we are finding ways to rock those casts. Stay tuned!



I have to admit that there is always this "down time" for me after we go through surgery or one of our Spina Bifida "reality checks." The adrenaline (and the prayers!) get me through it all at the time, but it's the "after shock" that tends to be hard on me emotionally. Life does indeed go on, but my heart needs a few days to get back into the swing of things.

Although part of me feels weak for not jumping back in full force with thanksgiving, the other part of me is starting to realize that a little "down time" is probably healthy. It gives me time to feel, to reflect. I mean, one minute I'm sending my baby off in a stranger's arms to be operated on for almost 5 hours, and the next day I'm getting Emma off the bus and searching for misplaced library books. It's all a bit much for any one person to process.

But as I seek Him to guide me through this journey, He -- as always -- is enlightening my perspective and easing the burden. The clouds are now parting, and and I am starting to see the rays of sunshine. And although I'd love to think that someday this might all become second nature to me, somehow I don't really think that will be the case. My trust in Him might grow as we get farther in this journey, but I have a feeling my human nature will always take me back to Him, asking for His help, His encouragement.

And, really, isn't that the point?

Making it Work... 

Shirt:   Carters (1st b-day gift)

Pants:  Baby Gap (niece hand-me-down)

Shoes: Star Child from Urban Baby Runway (Emma hand-me-down)