A few days later I got a phone call with an Abilene area code and about had a heart attack. Turns out it was our new case manager wanting to set up a meeting to meet us and the boys and see our home. We set it up for later that week and my heart rate slowed back down. Later that week I went to my women's Bible study. They were asking about the latest and I shared my funny story about the panic attack phone call. And then phone rang again with an Abilene number and again I had another heart attack. False alarm... again. Our case manager needed to change the time for our meeting. Sheesh! I had a hard time concentrating that morning at Bible study!
On Thursday, almost two weeks after we had been verified, Parker and I were on our way to run errands after dropping Luke off at school. I prayed as I was driving, "Lord, I'm not good at this patiently waiting thing. It's really stressing me out worrying about the phone ringing. I'm giving this to you. You know how much I like to plan and be in control so please pry it out of my hands if you have to. It's Yours." My boys were also getting ready for their annual Mitchell boys camp out later that week. And to, you know, help the Lord out... I reminded him that the boys would be gone a whole weekend and it would be a great time to get a baby. I could have one on one time figuring out schedules, baby could have time to adjust, and we'd have a slow merge into crazy town. Of course I added a "but whatever You think Lord..." to the end.
My boys left Friday after lunch and I began to move things over to my neighbors garage for their garage sale. (God's hand moment: I was going to have a garage sale while the boys were gone, then didn't feel comfortable doing it by myself without Jonathan here. Found out my neighbors were already having one that same weekend and they let me add some stuff.)
Probably 2 hours after they left I got a phone call. And I thought, "This is it!" A case manager told me they had a sibling group that needed to be moved. Keep in mind our paperwork said "one child, 0-1 yrs" Neither of these kiddos fit into that age range. I called Jonathan to see what we should do. He said, "Let's do it!" And after having a small panic attack I made the call and it was settled. I had not one but two little ones coming. So what was the first thing I did? I called my mom totally freaking out. She couldn't even understand what I was saying because I was crying so much. And then she asked the thing that great moms ask, "Do you need me to come?" And not wanting to scream "Yes! Are you not in the car already?!?" I said, "Well I don't want you to have to cancel any plans...." She answered, "If you need me to come I'll come." And then I wrapped my head around it again and said, "Yea... I'm kinda freaking out. If you can come that would be great." She made some phone calls, threw clothes in a bag and was on her way. (God's hand moment: my dad was flying in to Dallas that afternoon and it worked out where she picked him up and they both came out to help!)
After I got off the phone with my mom I started to run around cleaning my house. It was a tornado because I was going to clean while my boys were gone...with no children to get in my way. Ha! I told a few friends what was happening and they immediately went into action. One called to see if I wanted a drink from Chickfila then when she found out I had forgotten to eat lunch she brought me food. She also took the rest of the bottles to wash at her house so I could keep cleaning. One cried and freaked out with me then had a conversation with the Lord about our crazy town that I had not been able to get to yet. She prayed for these kids coming into my home, she prayed for my boys away on a trip and through the Lord speaking to her...she reminded me that the Lord was in control and He would provide for our new family of six. One made diaper and wipe bags for them because I was about to have 3 in diapers. She also bought some girl clothes because I don't have any of that. We are so truly blessed by the friendships the Lord has given us. To have an incredible support group like this makes it a little easier to wrap our head around 4 kids under 4!
The Lord is funny. He knew that I would have been a little too confident in my own flesh with just one child fitting perfectly into our little specifications we set. As crazy as this time with four kids has been I am truly grateful that He has blessed us with this burden. A constant reminder to throw myself down at the foot of the cross and say "I can't Lord... but I know You can." Everywhere I look I see His hand all in it!
The boys came home from their weekend away and have slowly adjusted. It didn't take long before they were playing and fighting like siblings! They have really done so well with this change and haven't complained once.
I am constantly doing laundry and dishes. And hardly have time to sit down! But I am going to take advantage of the time I have with these kids. And I'm going to love them, nurture them and point them to the cross. We would appreciate your prayers as we continue to adjust. The car situation is definitely a little tricky. We call all fit in our Explorer, but that leaves no room for a stroller. We did just go on Luke's field trip and Jonathan took off of work to help me with four kids at a farm! He's been an incredible help and support!!
Praying! Great story. Thanks for sharing!
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