The Making of M.O.M.

I know, I know. Thanksgiving is over. So this thanksgiving post is a little late, huh? Well, not exactly.

Recently we had the privilege of hosting 3 amazing children in our home for 3 glorious nights. The Daraja Children's Choir of Africa came to our church and host homes were needed to house the children and chaperons. Last year we were out of town, this year we were all in.

Yes, we added 3 more children and 1 more adult around our dining table. Yes we added those same numbers to our cooking requirements. Yes, we had the time of our lives.

The day that they left, I was actually more than thankful for the abundance of dishes in my sink. I was thankful that we ate our cereal out of plastic bowls with plastic spoons because every single bowl and spoon in our house was sitting dirty in my sink.

And more than ever I'm thankful for my 5 little children and how they love on other people. I do believe that Lucas fell in love for the very first time.

He warmed up to Monica and never cooled off. I think he kissed her 4,397 times over the course of two days. It was so precious. I'm pretty sure he'll be talking about Monica for the next few years.

Elizabeth adored Betty to pieces. Elizabeth literally cried the morning they left and she stated boldly, "Mom, let's just go to Africa. We will have our new friends there and we already know Chris and Lindy. So let's just go to Africa and meet everyone else."

Sweetie, if I can have a thousand more pictures like this one, we so will go.

Monica and Betty are certainly some special girls. They loved on our children in a way that I cannot understand, especially given the circumstances they've come from. But it was sweet Eunice that really stole my heart.

Eunice is mostly quiet and reserved. Don't get me wrong, she was silly and she and Elizabeth had an awesome tickle party their last night here. But something about this usually soft spoken, quiet girl just stole the breath right out of me. I'm sure it was her smile and the way it made the whole room beam with joy.

Joy.

Just sheer joy on the face of this little girl. You couldn't help but smile along with her.

We miss these girls so much and they have been the topic of several conversations every day since they left. And, I'm sure they will continue to be the topic of conversations in our home for a very, very, very long time.

L to R: Lucas, Courtney (the chaperon), Ashlee, Monica, Eunice, Aaron, Baby Girl, Betty and Elizabeth

At the Zoo.

How much would I love to send this photo out as our family photo this year? About a bazillion much, that's how much.

Helllllllloooooooo Friday! Welcome back. I knew I should have written this post last night when the world's biggest wiggle worm was making a playpen of my uterus. Next time I'll know not to eat 4 or 11 Reese Cups an hour before bed. Baby + Sugar = No sleep for Momma. As I laid on my side, I think the Baby was using the bed for leverage to push himself off and bang into my ribs.

Fun.

I thought several times about dragging myself out of bed and writing this post so it would be all sparkly and ready for your eyes this morning, but that would have required effort and, quite frankly, I enjoy laying in the bed way too much.

So, here is this week's Das Not Funny! Friday for you. I sure hope it is all you ever dreamed it would be or at least half of that.

Before Thanksgiving, my step-dad and I took the kids to eat at a restaurant in town. It just so happens that our amazingly, remarkable, college aged babysitter works at said restaurant. When I told the kids that we were going to Miss Amanda's work to have dinner it sparked 72 kinds of squeals and hand clapping. But, Elizabeth's comments took the cake.

"Mom? Why are we going to there? I thought you made money when you worked?"

"You do honey, " I responded, "and Miss Amanda works there and makes money there."

"She works at the restaurant? For money? I thought that she worked in a box office and didn't do anything all day just like Daddy does."

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Earlier this week, during nap...

Lucas (standing outside his door, whispering): "Mom! Come here!"

Me (whispering in an agitated tone): "Yes Buddy?"

Lucas (whispering, still): "Turn dat wite on!"

Me (turning on the hall light and growing increasingly frustrated): "What do you need Bud?"

Lucas (pulling down his pants and continuing to whisper): "Wook at my peenus Mom! It's...."(insert decsriptive language about his body that I should probably not share with the internet).

Me (almost speechless at his very precise description): "Lucas, pull your pants up and go lay down and go to sleep."

Lucas (still whispering): "I was sweepin' Momma."

Me (stifling giggles): "Based on what you just told me, I don't think your eyes were closed in there. Now go!"

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Lucas was playing in his room one afternoon quite peacefully. I see Ashlee walk over to the doorway of his room and I hear the following conversation.

"Woocus say, 'Ashwee you wanna come pway wif me?'" Ashlee asserts.

"Ashwee, you wanna come pway wit me?" Lucas says obediently.

"No kanks," Ashlee responds, "I'm weal we busy wif my toys."

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Yesterday, we were leaving Community Bible Study and I asked all 3 big kids if anyone needed to go potty. Naturally the answer was a choral "No!"

I knew better.

Not 5 minutes down the road Elizabeth states that she needs to pee "right at this moment."

"I'm sorry honey. Can you hold it until we get home? I can't stop and take you all in to the bathroom."

"Nooooooooooo! I'm gonna pee now!" she wails.

I pull over and find an alternate solution. Not the side of the road or a Quick Mart. A size 4 Luvs diaper securely placed on the bottom of my 5.5 year old. Relief for us both came quickly, as did the giggles that she was using a diaper.

Well, that's it. If you'd like to play along, simply write your own Das Not Funny! Friday post, then enter your info in MckLinky. Super easy. Y'all have a great weekend. I'm praying our Christmas tree makes an appearance this weekend but I'm not holding my breath. Instead, I'm going to go find that bag of Reese Cups and see if I can't polish them off before tonight. I think setting attainable goals for yourself is so important.