Isn't it just like God...

I have an unexpectedly quiet morning and I have had the chance to really think about Christmas. I haven't done much shopping or baking. I did mail half of the cards - the other half are awaiting stamps - that I forgot to buy. We are making a toy kitchen for the boys - but it's only partially done. I don't know when it will all get pulled together - and I don't really mind. The boys are sick and Mark is flying to Haiti on Wednesday and Thursday. I suspect things will come together on Friday. But even if it doesn't, I'm not bothered by it.

Let me back up... We are down to one car because the other is getting repaired. I know Mark is going to be gone for two days and the cupboards are bare. So I went shopping at 5 am. As I was driving home, the moon was full and life was quiet and still.

The song "Mary and Joseph" by Dave Barnes came on the radio and I had the chance to really listen to the lyrics.

"... So in a barn she gave birth
To the king of kings the Lord of Earth
Just a little bitty thing sleeping on the hay...

But the story's too long to tell
He walked on water and lived through hell
Killed on a cross and rose from the grave
We got a king they got a son
Mary and Joseph were the only ones
There on that very first Christmas day..."

I started tearing up. I'm a mom of two boys. And the contrast between me and God got even bigger...

I toured hospitals and chose the "plush" birthing suite. Jesus - was born in a barn.
I brought them home to new sheets and bedding. Jesus - slept on straw.
I treated my children like they were royalty. Jesus - He is royalty.

I wasn't sure if I could be trusted with a newborn. But Mary and Joseph - trusted with the KING OF THE WORLD!!

And I realized, isn't it just like God to do things so counter to the way the world works? I mean really... a barn? A bed on the straw? For the one to whom every knee will bow?

I guess then it should be no surprise when I ask for a miracle and it shows up in the most unexpected way. I ask for God to fix my problem - and He does - but in the craziest way...

Merry Christmas and my prayer is that you truly think about Christmas - and not your "Christmas to-do list"

The dreaded Christmas letter

This year... I'm actually planning on sending cards. I bought the family picture card thingee and I have the paper for my letter.

BUT... what exactly do I write? I don't want to be one of those people that says everything was perfect last year. It was good - but there were some bumps in the road - a few smudges on the perfection.

Most people are on Facebook and see the day to day details of my life. They know we went on vacation. They know my kids are making progress.

I don't want to not include a letter... I have to do something!!

So I thought I would be all creative and make a top 10 list... I couldn't come up with a list or lists.

Then I thought I would write quotes and explain how they relate to the year. Lame.

So what should I write? What do you write?

Help...........................................................

IEP meeting

Today was Zach's IEP meeting. Every year special education kids have a personalized education plan with goals that teachers and therapists want the child to achieve. As the education world has become more regulated, the goals have gotten more quantitative and more is on the line for the child and school.

I used to dread IEP meetings. I had to sit with the group that works with my child and I have some pretty ugly feelings for a few of the team members. I love Zach's teacher, the school nurse, the aides and the physical therapist. I used to leave these meetings discouraged and I felt like many of the team members looked down on my family. I usually wanted to strangle the speech teacher and principal

Last night as I was falling asleep, the old dread began to creep up. Then I realized that this is a new school and a new crew. I honestly think the new crew was a little worried about this child - he looks pretty bad on paper - so maybe I had a little justified feeling.

I got to the meeting and the therapists are super nice, super encouraging, and kept saying how much they love Zach. Nobody pitied me. Nobody made me feel like a lousy parent. They were encouraging and made me feel like Zach has worth. (Of course I know he has worth... it's just nice to know that other people think so too.)

Zach's teacher especially loves him and appreciates the fact that I have a sense of humor. As I was leaving, she said, "Now, can you just teach the other parents to be like you?" Of course, this does not hide the fact that Zach is operating well below a kindergarten level... But at least he is in a place that takes this information and tries to help him - instead of giving up.

Random thoughts...

Let's see...

Ryan narrowly avoided stitches Sunday night when he dropped a plate on his big toe. We used steri strips and got the bleeding to stop. This might be the longest stretch since January that we have gone without stitches!! The craziest thing was... the plate didn't break or chip.

Zach informed Mark that he wants to be "Wii" when he grows up. He was Mario for halloween and has decided that he wants to be him forever. Then on Monday the firemen came to his school and he is back to being a fireman. We are going to Indianapolis to see my family for Christmas and my brother is a fireman (among other things). In years past, he has wanted to see Uncle Doug's firetrucks, but when we get there, he freaks out. So I asked Zach that since he wants to be a fireman maybe he should help Uncle Doug with his trucks. Zach said, "No, firetrucks are yucky." I'm not sure what a fireman will do without a truck, but this is Zach's world we are talking about...

Speaking of Zach's world, he will eat any food that has Buzz Lightyear on it. This opens up many options - like Macaroni and Cheese... Mr. Picky-Pants

I have Zach's IEP on Thursday. I am sooooooo happy that I switched schools. He is doing so great. His teacher sent some work home that he did and I literally teared up when I saw what he has been doing. I love his old teacher at the old school - but he is now where he needs to be!

I am in self-pity mode again and all boo-hooey about my kids not being "normal". So I mentioned this to Mark and he reminded me how good we have it! And today, as I look out and see my media center full of dreaded science fair projects, I realize that I will never have to do science fair with them - and that is another silver lining!

I lost 2.6 pounds last week! We won't talk about how I ate like a cow this past weekend and the fact that I gained 12 lbs since July. Yep, not talking about that. I am totally addicted to the kettle bell. Ok, I did it once, but I loved it. And I love the promise of long sinew-y muscles. I think that if I do the kettle bell a few times I will look like an amazing athlete. Or not.

I haven't started Christmas shopping and I won't until the week before Christmas. I do need to make 2 photobooks and Christmas cards. Ugh. Better get on it, right?

So nothing major going through my brain right now. No cohesive thoughts. It's Tuesday...