Offering a Symphony of Thanksgiving: May 2013

I have been a mother for over nine years now. And although there are lots of things I now understand about motherhood, there are a few that still remain a mystery. One of which is the bathroom issue. And I know enough to know that this isn't solely in my household. Which is good to know really, it makes us all feel better to know that it's not just our own kids who are certifiably crazy. It's true, in case you didn't know it; A mother going into a bathroom is somehow the most important person in the world at the moment. It's unexplainable, irrational, and frankly gross. Seriously, why when I am literally crapping are my children so drawn to me?! What do they think I am doing in there that they are missing out on? Eating cake? (I wish) Today I had 4 out of 5 of my children hanging around the bathroom door while I am in there. At times little fingers go underneath the door, can't they smell what's seeping out? Why do they want in?! Are they afraid there is some escape route (again I wish) where I will leave from and never return?! Maybe it's that if they need anything they feel helpless because I am not visibly there. Like what if they get hungry in the five minutes that I am in there and starve to death before I come out and give them some pretzels? And when I did emerge I found one of my children out in our living room on the floor crying because he needed help with his math and I wasn't there to help him. I mean sobbing. Cause apparently when a mom goes in the bathroom somehow time gets lost for her children and 5 minutes seems like 50. And if they ask questions or need something and I tell them, "I am in the bathroom now, you need to be patient." They let out this annoyed sigh. Isn't it my right to go to the bathroom, isn't it part of being a human being? Isn't this one of the inalienable rights our founding fathers talked about?! I am thankful for great women of the past who fought for our freedoms. Yet I feel one was greatly overlooked and I might start a petition for a new amendment: A Woman's Right to Poop. Who is with me?

----And by the way somehow Fathers in the bathroom do not have the same appeal, no one hounds him. Gender Inequality at it's worst...

Wow, really this is the first time I have written since we came back?! Weird... guess it's been a little crazy around here! Being in Uganda for a month with my three boys, coming back to tax season in full swing, just now taking a breath I guess. The above picture was taken when we visited his orphanage for the last time to say goodbye. Things have been really good around here when I stop and reflect. Although, the day to day, moment by moment can sometimes seem overwhelming. It has been a HUGE transition for all of us. I think I didn't realize how much different it is bringing an older child into your family as opposed to a baby. When we brought our daughter home from Ethiopia she was coming in as the baby, somewhat of a natural progression. But Jude is now the second oldest so everyone feels the shifting around a bit. Next week we will have been home 2 months and I already see so many things getting better and running smoother in our day. The things that are frustrating are so mundane that it seems silly to even write them but it's just constant, everyone seems to be sensitive and emotional and one of them is having a meltdown at any given moment. And I at times just want to hide (in fact I have) in my closet once, I'm not proud. : ) And it didn't take my three year old long to find me, dang hide and seek pro... It's just that it's intense all the time. But when they are all in bed and I can reflect I am utterly amazed, truly, at how well they all are doing. Jude especially is such an amazing, brilliant boy and he shows such good signs that he is bonding well to Brett and I and all his siblings. I have not known a stronger 8 yr old. He tells us when we are old he will take care of us. We can come live in his house, but we are not allowed in his room. lol Another time he was talking about something in his past that was negative and he said, " You know Mom, it is ok because all past is good" He understands so much at a young age how God can work out all things for good for those that love Him. He gives me hugs and kisses all day long and hangs on me constantly. He is 70 lbs but I guess we have a lot of catching up to do! He absolutely adores Brett and I love seeing them interact. The three boys have a lot of fun together, you know wrestling, farting, talking about poop... What is with boys?! They do fight a lot as well, but not as much as they were a couple weeks ago so there is hope.
Through it all I am constantly amazed at God's goodness and feel so blessed that I am allowed to be all of my children's mother. I know even though it is so hard, these five little souls are the ones God has chosen to be my sons and daughters and I want to love them like He does.

Here are some random pics, some taken in Uganda some back here in the good ol' U S of A.

At a cultural dance in Kampala, Uganda

A house in the countryside, isn't Uganda beautiful?!

Riding quads down near the Nile, with my friend Sheila and her two daughters. She was there bringing her daughter home as well. This picture cracks me up for so many reasons, part of which is the dust all over us and the oddly fitting jumpsuits. Also for the survival mode Sheila and I were in at the time, God is so good to provide friends just when we need them.