In my recent posts I've mentioned that I've been overwhelmed lately and life has been crazy here in my neck of the woods. That has everything to do with 3-year-old Dude and 2-year-old Bubba moving in with this old grandma a few weeks ago.
Their mama went back to work when school started, which meant I went back to watching the boys two days a week. Just a few weeks into the school year, my 29-year-old son-in-law got the call he had been waiting for - a heart and kidney were available and he would be getting a transplant later that day! I was already watching the boys, so rather than getting some much-anticipated relief when Momma came home I instead received the news that I would be keeping the boys for the near future.
Their mama went back to work when school started, which meant I went back to watching the boys two days a week. Just a few weeks into the school year, my 29-year-old son-in-law got the call he had been waiting for - a heart and kidney were available and he would be getting a transplant later that day! I was already watching the boys, so rather than getting some much-anticipated relief when Momma came home I instead received the news that I would be keeping the boys for the near future.
I thought I was ready.
I wasn't.
The first thing the boys did was to share their sickness with me. Runny noses for them morphed into a debilitating illness for me while, of course, they were as active as ever. My house looked like a cyclone hit, and most of our time was spent watching videos. (Many times the same one over and over and over.)
This world is full of uncertainty, isn't it? We make our plans, we think we know how things will go and how we'll act or react, but everything can change in an instant.
I didn't know my grandsons wouldn't be going home that day.
My son-in-law didn't know that day would bring a new lease on life.
The donor didn't know that day would be his last.
But God knew.
He determined the times set for [men], and the exact places where they should live. ~ Acts 17:26
Nothing is a surprise to God. Either He planned it, or He allows it. Thankfully, I've learned a few things as I've experienced unexpected changes in my life.
1. Let go of what was and live in the season you are in.
If I tried to do everything I originally planned on doing in addition to caring for two toddlers, I would be one frustrated mess. Just about everything on my agenda has been shelved, which is why you haven't heard from me for two weeks. (I actually started this post on our weekend away; it's just taken me this long to finish it.) I know this season with the boys will be short, and I want to enjoy every minute of it. Plus, between missing their parents and having their lives upended, Dude and Bubba need all the attention and patience I can muster, and that wouldn't be much if I tried to do it all. Which leads me to the second point:
2. Accept the help God sends.
I don't know what I would have done without the support from the body of believers. Not only has my daughter received an outpouring of support, but it has overflowed to me as well. That first week, when I was so sick, several people brought meals and lent us kids DVD's. My single son came over on his day off to watch the boys (and changed his first-ever messy diaper in the process) while I got some much needed sleep, and the other set of grandparents have been great about taking over on occasion to give us a break. My girlfriend's daughter even came over to play with the boys for a few hours so I could catch up on a few things around the house.
1. Let go of what was and live in the season you are in.
If I tried to do everything I originally planned on doing in addition to caring for two toddlers, I would be one frustrated mess. Just about everything on my agenda has been shelved, which is why you haven't heard from me for two weeks. (I actually started this post on our weekend away; it's just taken me this long to finish it.) I know this season with the boys will be short, and I want to enjoy every minute of it. Plus, between missing their parents and having their lives upended, Dude and Bubba need all the attention and patience I can muster, and that wouldn't be much if I tried to do it all. Which leads me to the second point:
2. Accept the help God sends.
I don't know what I would have done without the support from the body of believers. Not only has my daughter received an outpouring of support, but it has overflowed to me as well. That first week, when I was so sick, several people brought meals and lent us kids DVD's. My single son came over on his day off to watch the boys (and changed his first-ever messy diaper in the process) while I got some much needed sleep, and the other set of grandparents have been great about taking over on occasion to give us a break. My girlfriend's daughter even came over to play with the boys for a few hours so I could catch up on a few things around the house.
3. Embrace it!
I haven't been writing, but I've had lots of adventures with Dude and Bubba these past few weeks. Here's just a sampling:
I haven't been writing, but I've had lots of adventures with Dude and Bubba these past few weeks. Here's just a sampling:
They were stinkin' cute and the talk of my niece's wedding.
We made cupcakes for Mama's birthday. First they snuck a bite off the top, then licked off all the frosting rather than spreading it.
Bubba modeled the "Halloween hair."
We have a fabulous kid's room at the local library that we've taken advantage of in addition to going to story time every week. They make great crafts and I don't have to clean up the mess!
The boys have been missing home so I try to get there once a week and let Dude nap in his dump truck bed. They said they were missing Tucker, their neighbor's dog, so last week we visited him too.
It may be a while before I get to the computer again, but God's giving me plenty to write about as He teaches me through these little ones.
I've been known to link up with: Monday's
Reflections, Inspire Me Monday, Living Proverbs 31, The
Beauty in His Grip, Make
Your Home Sing Monday, Playdates
With God, Unite, M,M and M,
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Whole-Hearted Home,
Soli
Deo Gloria, Tell Me a Story,
Titus
2sdays, Growing Homemakers,
Women Helping Women,
Wise Woman,
Tell
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Wednesday, Wordless Wednesday, Wednesdays Prayer Girls,
Three Word
Wednesday, Whimsical Wednesday,
Messy Marriage,
A
Little R&R, Wholehearted
Wednesdays, From House to Home,
The Girls Link Up,
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Wednesday, God's
Girl, Think
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The
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Kats Losin’ it, Thrive at Home, Cozy Book Hop, Inspire Me
Please, Thrifty
Things Friday, Spiritual Sunday,
Faith
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#Fellowship Fridays,
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The
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on Edge, Frugal Friday, Think Pink
Sunday, Sunday
Stillness
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precious days indeed!! God bless you as you help out with your adorable grandchildren!! and EMBRACE this season.......
The boys are handsome. I agree live in your season, not the past or the future, but now. You seemingly are doing a marvelous job at doing that.
Oh, we are on the same page today, Lisa. I’m sure this has been a major adjustment for you and them, but they are blessed to have you!! Praying your son-in-law recovers perfectly. And those boys? Oh how I’d love to have them on the farm in those outfits for a session! :D Thanks for linking-up today…these are great Woman2Woman words. XOXO
It looks like you are doing a great job with those adorable boys!! Said a prayer for your son-in-law. I remember what the process was like when my grandmother had her lung transplant.
I love your tip about not trying to do it all. This is such a hard one to remember in the moment but it is a game changer!