A Day to Document . . . Tuesday . . .2/22/22 . . .Just Because!

Today was a bit out of the ordinary in that it was the day that our 3 oldest guys (Ted, Tim and Joe) left for what's becoming an annual trek to the sunshine state clear across the country from us.   This year, Taylor also joined them! So it is sure to be the best trip to Florida yet! 

I've been preparing for this week without the guys . . .but remembered a few things that I really needed to be fully prepared for the week.  One of those things . . . some safety gates to keep our little mobile grandbabies contained in our living room.  I really needed Papa's help in getting them set-up, before I have the blessing of their cuteness here tomorrow.  

Also, Brielle and I have a special yellow labrador that we purchased from Valerie 3 years ago with the intent of breeding her.  And guess what???  Her first litter of puppies are due THIS week!  So I had a couple things to pick up to prepare for assisting Rosie in her delivery of what looks like MANY babies! 

And then there is a week's supply of food . . as it won't be super easy to get out and shop with the four youngins in tow.   Caroline will be here most of the time, so I do have back-up when/if needed, thankfully!

So I woke up early and headed to Wally World . . .getting there about 7am.  Rushed around and found most everything, and then also hopped over to a thrift store that I had a store credit I needed to use.  I found a good comforter that could be used in the whelping box.  

Rushed home, unpacked and had the blessing of Lydia and Marilyn drop in for a surprise visit with dropping off a canopy they borrowed last weekend.  Had fun visiting with them for a bit.  

Then, chatted with Valerie over FB messenger and was blessed to receive some much needed encouragement regarding our ministry of adoption.  On a long side-note, there are many days that I'm truly so weary and somedays I honestly wish I could run away.  Yesterday was one of those days. Valerie was here babysitting the kids so that Ted and I could look at homes with Caroline.  (Tim and Joe usually watch the kids, but yesterday was their out-town homeschool sports day, so they were away all afternoon.)  We came home to hear from Valerie that Peter had found a lighter and was attempting to burn various things in the bathroom (Wood door frame, wood vanity, hand towel, wads of toilet paper, etc).  She smelled the smoke, but had also been cooking/baking in the kitchen, so kept thinking that it was something related to her food prep on/in the stove.   Peter denied and lied having anything to do with it.  But he was the only culprit. So we also had that heartbreaking behavior to process.  I've been quite grieved over this incident on many levels and in many ways.  There's a long back story/history that leads to such behaviors, but suffice is to say Peter and Charlotte are still very much affected by their traumatic years in the foster system.  And we feel so inadequate to know how to help them at times, and days like this make us feel like quite the failures.  It can be exhausting, disheartening and overwhelming.  And truly a ministry that you can't quit.  You can't give up.  You can't walk away.  You can't go on furlough.  It requires much of us.  And there are no rewards or recognition for all our hard work, long hours and labors of love. But God is pleased, and sees and knows what we need . . .so he sent me sweet Valerie today to encourage my downcast soul. :-) 

After these things, I had Papa help me figure out the baby gates . . that involved a quick trip to the hardware store for some bungee cords.  

Decided to make a fire in our wood stove since tonight is forecasted to be a record-breaking 17 degrees!

Got the kids lunch and did a few chores and then needed to run over to the cabin rental that I clean for to do an after-check-out-inspection and bring the laundry home.  

About that time, Taylor showed up and the guys gathered their things and were off to the airport. 

After writing my friend, the rental cabin owner, about the findings of my after-check-out inspection, it was time to prepare dinner for the kiddos.  

And start the rental cabin laundry in preparation for the cleaning of it by the end of the week.

Now it is 7:00pm and I'll begin the end-of-the-day chores and helping the kids get ready for bed.  And prepare the house for our early morning receipt of two very special little blessings.  River and Naomi will Grandma-sit here tomorrow and grandma can hardly wait! :-)  

Hummingbirds today . . . flocking before the extra cold temps tonight.  It is a regular phenomenon this winter . . .they seem to know when the cold/snow is coming and feel the need to stock up on their feedings?  The increased amount of birds and feeding activity has been a very accurate prediction of cold weather coming!