I am sitting on my couch...baby napping, preschooler in "Quiet Time" (mommy's new phrase for naptime). It has been quite some time since I've been able to just sit and enjoy the quiet. God knows I've needed it!
Hmm. I think I may take a nap. :)
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
The downpour is far from over
I wish I could elaborate more without letting the cat out of the bag.
Baby Hayden has been placed with my other brother and sister-in-law, the same couple who have Shaun's first biological (and born drug-affected) child. This is wonderful on so many levels. First, they have experience raising a drug-affected child and know first hand the trials and tribulations ahead for little Hayden. Their youngest is 10 and IN LOVE with babies, so they have more time, energy, and resources to give Hayden EXACTLY what he needs. Hayden is not a bad baby; I just did not have enough arms and Bryce was starting to act out because when you juggle two babies, there's very little time left for the lonely preschooler. I have a lot of respect for those of you with twins. I have no idea how you do it. :)
With one big life hurdle down in Casa Monahan, you'd think we'd be able to breathe a sigh of relief. Unfortunately, we just got some news that we are less than thrilled about. Once firmer decisions are made on the part of the ones involved, I will elaborate more.
Until then, stay tuned. :)
Baby Hayden has been placed with my other brother and sister-in-law, the same couple who have Shaun's first biological (and born drug-affected) child. This is wonderful on so many levels. First, they have experience raising a drug-affected child and know first hand the trials and tribulations ahead for little Hayden. Their youngest is 10 and IN LOVE with babies, so they have more time, energy, and resources to give Hayden EXACTLY what he needs. Hayden is not a bad baby; I just did not have enough arms and Bryce was starting to act out because when you juggle two babies, there's very little time left for the lonely preschooler. I have a lot of respect for those of you with twins. I have no idea how you do it. :)
With one big life hurdle down in Casa Monahan, you'd think we'd be able to breathe a sigh of relief. Unfortunately, we just got some news that we are less than thrilled about. Once firmer decisions are made on the part of the ones involved, I will elaborate more.
Until then, stay tuned. :)
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Thoughts on Lent 2010
This Lenten season has been quite interesting here at Casa Monahan. My primary goal was for myself and the kids to make each and every midweek service, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and of course Easter service. We made two midweek services before adding Mr. Hayden to our fold (at which point it became impossible to continue on). And though I went to Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services, the rest of the family stayed home. We all have terrible colds and I want to make sure the kids are as rested as possible for Sunday, because WE ARE GOING TO CHURCH!!!
Abbie will be wearing an adorable green calico print dress. Bryce will be wearing his first dress shirt and (clip on) tie. He is very excited to dress like his daddy. I will attempt to remember to post pics on here for all to see.
Our church, Family of Grace Lutheran Church in Auburn, WA hosted a 24 hour prayer vigil yesterday. I signed in to come in from 11PM to midnight for quiet reflection and prayer. Boy, have I needed it lately. And though I was (and still am) battling this cold and have lost my voice, I still felt renewed as I left FOG. Between the hour of prayer and the Good Friday service itself, I was definitely emotionally drained. Our church has a life-sized cross that comes out only on Good Friday and Easter. It was propped up on the altar, and it was so easy to picture Jesus laying there, crown of thorns, nails, pierced in his side, bleeding and dying for my sins. For me! It is such a huge idea that I have a very hard time wrapping my head around it. Who would I be willing to do that for? Sacrifice myself for the sake of my kids or Brett? No question. For my brothers, sister, moms? More than likely. Friends? Probably, though there would be lots of thought involved. A stranger I've never met? No.
So, then I thought, "well, Jesus did this for me, and did it thousands of years ago, WELL before I or my ancestors were even twinkles in our parents' eyes...he didn't know me..." and then it hit me: But he DID know me. He was part man, but He was also part GOD. And God is my Father. And my Father knows me! And my Father created me and wanted me to have a way back to Him someday. Jesus is that way for me.
He is risen. He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!!!
Abbie will be wearing an adorable green calico print dress. Bryce will be wearing his first dress shirt and (clip on) tie. He is very excited to dress like his daddy. I will attempt to remember to post pics on here for all to see.
Our church, Family of Grace Lutheran Church in Auburn, WA hosted a 24 hour prayer vigil yesterday. I signed in to come in from 11PM to midnight for quiet reflection and prayer. Boy, have I needed it lately. And though I was (and still am) battling this cold and have lost my voice, I still felt renewed as I left FOG. Between the hour of prayer and the Good Friday service itself, I was definitely emotionally drained. Our church has a life-sized cross that comes out only on Good Friday and Easter. It was propped up on the altar, and it was so easy to picture Jesus laying there, crown of thorns, nails, pierced in his side, bleeding and dying for my sins. For me! It is such a huge idea that I have a very hard time wrapping my head around it. Who would I be willing to do that for? Sacrifice myself for the sake of my kids or Brett? No question. For my brothers, sister, moms? More than likely. Friends? Probably, though there would be lots of thought involved. A stranger I've never met? No.
So, then I thought, "well, Jesus did this for me, and did it thousands of years ago, WELL before I or my ancestors were even twinkles in our parents' eyes...he didn't know me..." and then it hit me: But he DID know me. He was part man, but He was also part GOD. And God is my Father. And my Father knows me! And my Father created me and wanted me to have a way back to Him someday. Jesus is that way for me.
He is risen. He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!!!
Monday, March 15, 2010
If it's not one thing...
...I am now a "mother" of three. "Mother" is in quotes because technically I am a mother to two and an auntie to one. My 3 month old nephew is currently staying with us and with his other auntie and uncle until his mom and dad are able to go through rehab and prove to the State of Washington that they can be responsible parents.
I would do anything in the world for this little guy, I truly would. He is a remarkably good baby, very adaptable and seems to be thriving despite the recent uproot. His mom and dad call and/or visit daily to check on him. I have seem some good things at our visits, and I'm hoping that they can beat their demons so that little Hayden can go back to them.
My kids are learning (Bryce especially) that I am one person who two arms and I just cannot do everything at once all the time. Bryce has been very patient with me, almost to a fault, because he will sit back and look for an opening to seek attention that rarely comes with two under the age of one. So, rather than seek negative attention (which he did nearly constantly at first), he tells me loudly, "mommy, it's MY turn!" and that is sufficient to remind me that I have another child that needs his mommy. Both babies have learned that I will leave them to fuss on the floor (as long as they're clean and fed), to tend to Bryce's needs, which I think makes Bryce happy. Not that he has some weird vendetta, but that mommy is putting him first for a while.
I can tell you that after the first week, when my sweet nephew left to go to his other auntie and uncle's house for a few days, I felt like I could do ANYTHING. Handling my kids alone seemed so dang easy I was pretty sure I could do it with one hand tied behind my back and my eyes closed. For safety's sake, though, I didn't do that. :)
I would do anything in the world for this little guy, I truly would. He is a remarkably good baby, very adaptable and seems to be thriving despite the recent uproot. His mom and dad call and/or visit daily to check on him. I have seem some good things at our visits, and I'm hoping that they can beat their demons so that little Hayden can go back to them.
My kids are learning (Bryce especially) that I am one person who two arms and I just cannot do everything at once all the time. Bryce has been very patient with me, almost to a fault, because he will sit back and look for an opening to seek attention that rarely comes with two under the age of one. So, rather than seek negative attention (which he did nearly constantly at first), he tells me loudly, "mommy, it's MY turn!" and that is sufficient to remind me that I have another child that needs his mommy. Both babies have learned that I will leave them to fuss on the floor (as long as they're clean and fed), to tend to Bryce's needs, which I think makes Bryce happy. Not that he has some weird vendetta, but that mommy is putting him first for a while.
I can tell you that after the first week, when my sweet nephew left to go to his other auntie and uncle's house for a few days, I felt like I could do ANYTHING. Handling my kids alone seemed so dang easy I was pretty sure I could do it with one hand tied behind my back and my eyes closed. For safety's sake, though, I didn't do that. :)
Friday, February 19, 2010
Milestones Abound
This has been a huge week here at Casa Monahan.
First, my beautiful bonus daughter, Shayann, turned 18. And with that, she packed up her things at 2AM on the morning of the big day and moved out of her mother's house, into the home of a 21 year old high school drop out guy...who still lives with his mom...and step dad...and 18 year old sister who has ALSO dropped out of high school. I HOPE we've managed to convince her that 4 months longer in school is worth sticking around for. After all, she has been going to school since the tender age of 5. What a time to drop out. But, you know, it'd be cool and all if these two sparkling examples of humans and Shayann got to go PAY for their GED's. I really shouldn't judge the kids...just their parents. I mean, what parent doesn't at least put up a FIGHT to keep their kid in school? You know, if you want to enable your own children and never allow them to suffer the consequences of bad decisions, that's fine by me. Just don't enable my child. I wonder if the mother who is allowing Shayann to live there knows that she has 4 parents who ARE NOT ON BOARD with this at all. She has a big fight waiting for her should I ever meet her, that's all I can say about that. Ridiculous.
So, she wants to be an adult and move out? Fantastic. Her mom asked for their house key back. Brett signed her car over to her and told her she had to go buy her own insurance. Missy doesn't have a job. I have no clue if she's been going to class...but alas, she is going to have to learn from her mistakes...I was just hoping that we would be able to convince her that this wasn't the mistake to make. You win some, you lose some. This was a big FAIL for us.
Another milestone is that as of Saturday the 20th, Miss Abbie will be a full 6 months old! I CAN NOT believe how quickly time has come and gone. She is almost sitting up on her own, cracks herself up all the time, and LOVES her big brother. Sometimes Bryce is the only one who can make her smile. Bryce is a huge helper, has even taken to feeding her oatmeal at dinner time when I'm trying to finish up dinner for all of us with teeth. He makes her giggle constantly. Abbie is eating well, loves all veggies so far (especially squash of all things) and is getting through fruits famously. Once she sprouts a tooth or two, we'll start her on pureed meats. Yargh.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Happy-Sad Day
New chapter, new blog template: What do you think?
This is my last day of work. Although, other than turn in all of my equipment, I did no work today. I've talked for months, and YEARS frankly, about how excited I am to be home with my babies. And that hasn't changed. However, it was so hard to say goodbye to my co-workers and friends. Some of them are coming to a little gathering at my house tomorrow...but others I may not see for a long time, if ever. I was truly blessed to work with the folks I worked with. There are some I will miss more than others. That's probably normal. But, it took everything I had to not cry as I left the claims office for the last time.
Though my former boss has said he is starting a pool to see how long it takes for me to bring the kids and come in to visit. He knows me so well. :)
This is my last day of work. Although, other than turn in all of my equipment, I did no work today. I've talked for months, and YEARS frankly, about how excited I am to be home with my babies. And that hasn't changed. However, it was so hard to say goodbye to my co-workers and friends. Some of them are coming to a little gathering at my house tomorrow...but others I may not see for a long time, if ever. I was truly blessed to work with the folks I worked with. There are some I will miss more than others. That's probably normal. But, it took everything I had to not cry as I left the claims office for the last time.
Though my former boss has said he is starting a pool to see how long it takes for me to bring the kids and come in to visit. He knows me so well. :)
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