2 Weeks Home...the abnormal norm...

If you had asked me 2 weeks ago what life would be like today, I would have laughed if you gave me the words ‘normal’.  Today, our life just seems normal.  I know it’s not. Andy’s still off, meals are still delivered, kids are in summer mode (i.e. little responsibility) and we’re day by day.  But still, life today seems normal.  I even turned to Kaylee Ann as we pulled out of the driveway this morning and asked her to look back down the driveway.
I said, “What does it feel like to you to look down there at those boys with Daddy?”
She replied, “Normal”. 
I said, “ME TOO!”.  I can’t even remember what it was like not having them and think how RIGHT it feels to have our family here. 
I say to her, “you know that’s the grace of God, don’t you?”. 
She says, “All I know is the minute I saw their pictures I knew they were OURS”. 
Yes sweet KA...they are ours. 

But that “OURS” is loaded.  It’s A LOT DIFFERENT around here.  It’s big change for all of us.  I have hesitated to mention this here til now, but the adjustment has been more for US than the boys.  I was not prep’d for that!!! We had focused all our energy around what we do, how things would be different, praying for the boys,etc.  Graciously, God answered those prayers in detail!! They have hardly had a BLIP!! (in comparison to what we were prep’g for).  But the rest of us...major malfunction!!! I don’t mean we’re frozen, but I do mean we’re surprised! In the last week I’ve come to realize that this too is God’s mercy.  You see, we were so focused on the boys.  When the boys were ‘ok’, it was time and good to say ‘what about us’?  I realize now that God has seen fit to blow our family security and what we knew as ‘home’ apart.  I think it was pretty good frankly.  God has to put the pieces back together the way HE sees fit with all 7 of us.  We thought it would be 5+2...it’s not...it’s God + 7.  There’s a big difference.  I don’t know still what that’s going to settle into, but the new norm and the new status quo is not there.  The only norm is we’re 7 and we’re learning.  Individually and as a family.

Andy and I can’t figure out where our days are going, but are ok with that. I’d like to have more time with him, but evidently, that’s not what his time off is about (so far!).  So, again I’m clinging.  I found myself wanting to cling to the familiar ways of order, figure it all out and get everyone on board.   Quickly I’ve been reminded each day that this time is unique.  Unique for each of us.  I’m floundering too.  It’s ok.  The Lord is quick to take floundering souls and smother them with HIMSELF.  So for now, that’s all we can cling to.  Not because it’s ‘awful’, but because it’s a ‘normal’ that we don’t know. 

The word I keep using lately is GLAD.  I find myself just glad.  I’m not ecstatic (although I think it would be nice and I should be) and I’m not confused (like I was when I first came home).  I’m glad.  I’m glad because I feel like we’re smack dab right where God wants us.  I’d like to think He and I see eye to eye on getting this new norm show on the road, but really...why would we?  He’s not a normal type of guy.  He’s GOD and He’s not about the norm.  So that’s where I stand in our ‘normal’...it’s about waiting again for our family to adjust but more importantly about waiting each day for our God to do the abnormal in the midst of the norm...AND HE IS!!

KID/FAMILY REPORT:
Justin: He’s rock star status in the boys’ eyes (and he knows it).  I love how he rough houses, picks them up, teaches them insider phrases (ok...some have had to be edited) and little quirks they copy him on.  He’s proud and engages and I’m glad. 

Kaylee Ann: week 1 was a total confusion for her. I’ll leave it at that.  Now, she’s in her ‘mode’.  I don’t have to ask her to do anything ...she’ll see it.  What I’m glad about though is she’s not playing ‘mom’.  She’s living big sis and has an eye for their hearts.  Just a treat to watch. 


Aliza: Well...no surprise that our ‘baby’ for 9 years has had the biggest ‘hit’.  As we’ve prayed, talked and learned I’m amazed at how grown up she is with them.  I know she wants to be a great big sis.  She’s learning.  They weren’t responding to her last week but this week, they ask for her!! Now she sees that their wanting her attention on everything (vs someone elses) isn’t as great as she thought!  Still, she’s rising to the occasion and WANTS to get up with us and ride her bike and read,play,etc.  I find her often just wanting to be near them in whatever else she’s doing.  She likes their company. 

Andy: WOW!! I can’t imagine what it’s like to take off work and be immersed in family life for 6 weeks!! No surprise that he’s rolling with it.  We’re so different when it comes to ‘play and work’ but thankfully we (he) are learning!  He’s so wonderful how he’s willing to go with the flow and doesn’t expect more than where we are.  I’m grateful for him being home, not only for the help, but to point each other to fun and quirks we’re learning.  I don’t know how the boys will understand that Daddy’s work once this respite is over?! hmm....

ME: I ramble enough here...suffice to say I was fighting some virus and now feeling better so all seems grand;)  I’m amazed daily how much JOY we are having as a family in what the Lord is unfolding before us.  I’m grateful for the snippets of conversations and people as but also blessed by how content the boys are.  It humbles us all.

(my view from the front seat...)

Jeremiah: They are a duo!! Jeremiah though is the younger and is starting to use more English words!! It’s exciting and surprising.  Jeremiah is the tougher eye contact to catch and the quicker to w/draw his hugs,etc.  On the flip side, he’s the quickest to just enjoy and play and not be ruffled. 

(1st piece of pizza!!...how do you hold this?)

Jacob: Definitely the ‘dominate’ and boss.  I’ll say Jacob has become much more tendered in these couple of weeks.  He was trying I think so hard.  Now I still think he’s a pleaser, but having the chance just to ‘be’ seems to really fit him.  He does NOT like it if his brother is upset and does not like ‘no’.  Thankfully, he’s learning and coming around much quicker when disappointed. 

(breakfast the morning after goggle discovery...note we like boiled eggs straight up like momma!)

FUNNY: The boys moved out of cribs straight to their beds when they came home.  They’ll lay in there for an hour singing, chanting, and talking before falling asleep.  They’ll call us, but HAVE YET TO TRY TO GET OUT OF THEIR BEDS!! I’m just grateful for now. I’m most grateful they have each other and also had JESUS with them....it’s OBVIOUS!!

2 weeks may still be honeymoon but just like in marriage...it’s grand and a great starting point for the life ahead.  THANKS FOR PRAYING FOR US!!! Sometimes I’ll get an email or someone will say exactly what we need and that’s what they’re praying.  In awe that God would be moving others for US!

Stay connected to Jesus...it’s where the abnormal norm is found;)