Oh Boy Am I Grateful

It seems as though this summer I have been given many opportunities to be grateful for the wonderful life I have been blessed with. This week was not an exception, especially in a more physical, tangible, possession kind of way. As many may or may not know, we have taken the opportunity to allow three girls from Tawau, Malaysa come live with us for a year.

While my parents were on their mission is Malaysa, they met, baptized, and/or activated these young ladies. During Brandon and I's visit to Tawau, we were able to see first hand, how and where these girls lived and what challenges they face every day. When it was proposed that these girls be given an opportunity to come to America to study, there was no question in my mind, where they would stay.

As the months turned to weeks and weeks turned to days, it seemed that the preparations turned to anxiety, and anxiety turned to stress. Money and funds that seemed endless, soon began to dwindle and finally began to run out. Only to discover that these girls, ages 18, 19 and 20, came to America with only one small suitcase, the 24" that we usually use as carryon, is all that each of them came with.

Upon their arrival and their attempt to unpack, only to discover that they had shoes, pants, bras and shirts stolen. They get what little they have stolen. And bless their little hearts, after the shock, they said, "Well I guess someone else needed them things more than me."

And here, I have been stressed that I don't have matching comforters for them.

Emergency Room

Yesterday, I had the exhausting pleasure of spending the entire afternoon in the Emergency Room of St. Marks Hospital. We are finishing our basement in preparation of 3 Malaysian girls coming to live with us. More on that later. Among the many 2x4s being carried in, Little Saydee Jo got one dropped on her toes by Savanna Rae trying to be a big helper. Saydee's little toe, was almost completely cut off.

We went to the Instacare where we took her when she broke her arm, and they practically turned us away. They indicated that were not equipped to treat children in her age group, because they would not be able to sedate her. So I chose to take her to St. Marks.

After nearly 2 hours in the waiting room, we were escorted to a room, where we waited for another 2 hours to see the doctor. As Saydee, lay in the bed and being such a trooper. I realized how extremely lucky we have been. We have not had to do the ER thing until now. After, xrays were taken, it was time for the Lidocane.

I could tell that the doctor and nurse were bracing themselves for the worse. But my little Saydee was so brave. She did not kick, scream and barely cried, only during the second shot. To distract her, we sang her favorite songs. I could tell she was scared and did not know what was happening but she looked at me the entire time with the "I trust you mom but I am scared" look.

The doctor even commented that as an ER doctor, he sees, adults come in that say they are at a 10+ pain level, and here lyes a 2 year old, in obvious real pain, and barely makes a whimper. That's my Saydee Jo. But then, he and the nurse made a comment that surprised me. He said that Saydee's calmness is attributed to me. My attitude in not being completely upset about the wait time but also the williness to see to her needs, by singing songs, regardless of who is in the room. The nurse said, that she can always tell immediately how home life is, and based on Saydee's reaction and the way she looked at me during the entire procedure, that Saydee lives in a very loving environment.

Allowed me to reflect on truly what is important. Here, I was thinking what a terrible mother I was. Not only because my girls were in the middle of a construction zone where this could have happened, but also because we woke up early and started working. No baths were given to my girls, their hair was not combed and Saydee was still in her pajamas. I show up at the ER, only to notice how dirty Saydee's feet were, her shirt had stains from breakfast and her hair reflected the nights sleep. What a horrible mother I must be.

Only to realize that despite the dirty feet, Saydee knew she was loved, I knew what would help her relax, and we sang her favorite songs, which are "Monkeys jumping on the Bed", "Monkeys teasing Mr. Alligator" and "The Wheels on the Bus". Saydee knew that everyone was there to help her. What a great experience for me, in the midst of what could have been terrible.

She ended up having to get 4 stitches in her little toe. Two through the toe nail to bring it back to the correct position, another from one side to the other and the last one reattaching the top of the toe. She had to get holes drilled through her toe nail, to allow drainage. Even though her toe was numb, it was quite an ordeal.

Thank God, for unanswered Prayers.

Yay, we just got back from Lake Powell with the kiddies. These trips with the girls are just so much fun. Seeing them innocently play, swim and live is incredible. Allows me to realize what is the most important and that my role as their mother is the most important role above all that I have in this life. It is easy to get caught up in the mayhem of life, worrying about what others think about me, worrying about what my body looks like, worrying about my past mistakes, worrying about who my true friends are, worrying about what's for dinner and even worrying about the never ending laundry.

While in Lake Powell, we made our traditional ice cream stop at Halls Crossing, and ran into the past. The first thing that I thought was, "Wow, she looks good", and then immediately, I saw it. I saw what could have been. I saw a life without Brandon, a life without my girls. That could have been Brandon's life, a life with a cowboy hat and no ribbons and bows, a life with diet coke and no fruit punch, and a life with 3 little dogs, instead of 3 little beautiful girls. Even though there is absolutely nothing wrong with that life, our life would be missing the laughter, the squeals, the dancing, the princesses, disneyland, the smiles, potty training, the dirty hands, running noses, sunscreen, the tears, bandaids, the hugs, tiny hands, wet kisses, all five of us in bed watching cartoons, and we would be missing the make everything worth it with those three little words..."me wuv you".

I am truly blessed to have been given this honor to be Samantha Kay, Savanna Rae and Saydee Jo's mother. It is humbling to know that God entrusted 3 of his most beautiful daughters to me to teach them, to love them and to honor them. Kenny Chesney said it best...The mistake we thought we made, covers the refridgerator.