Unexpected Blessings

Every Wednesday, Camille goes to gymnastics. She's actually a little young for this class (they're supposed to be 2 and she won't be 2 until November), but she holds her own. Actually, she does more than hold her own. She dang runs the joint. I've mentioned before that she's fearless, but it's especially true in gymnastics where jumping and running and flipping are not only required, but are offered in an environment that is covered in padding. She loves it.

After gymnastics, we always head to the grocery store. First of all, I only have 1 kid on Wednesdays. The other 2 are in school. Second of all, that kid has just run and jumped and flipped for 45 minutes and she's ready to sit and be still for a minute. As long as juice and a cookie (thank you Publix for free cookies for kids) accompany it. Can I get an Amen?

Every Wednesday, an assisted living facility nearby takes some if its residents to Publix. They come in a minibus, and in a matter of minutes the place is crawling with the sweetest elderly people you have ever seen. They buy their groceries, have them packed in a paper bag, the director writes their room number on the bag and places the bag in the back of the bus, and they get back on the bus and wait for everyone to finish. Now, you must know, that I have a HUGE soft spot when it comes to elderly people. I love them. There's nothing sweeter or wiser. And they all LOVE babies. And babies in leotards will melt anyone's heart.

Several of them have connected with Camille. She doesn't like strangers, but loves these people. She waves and says Hi and smiles and they eat her up. One precious man sits on the bench at the front of the store. He's a people watcher and doesn't want to sit on the bus. He always stands up when we walk by him because he wants to touch Camille's hand. And she lets him. They will say "There's that sweet baby that we saw last week!" I think she makes their day happier. I know they make her day happier. Mine too.

As we leave, we are sure to walk by the minibus and wave at the people in the windows. Then they head home and we do the same. And we can't wait to go back to Publix next Wednesday.

Who would've thought we could be so blessed in a grocery store? Just shows that God uses unusual places to touch your heart. Look for Him in the unusual places.

And....She's Gone.

Camille is fearless. FEARLESS. She slides down the stairs on her stomach. She jumps off of anything that will stand still. She climbs on everything. She swings from lights. She is now taking gymnastics, which is heaven on earth to her.

However, the one thing that terrifies her to her core is being away from me. It doesn't happen too often, but when it does, look out. She will go ballistic. She doesn't like people talking to her, looking at her, and DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT touching her. The drama is quite impressive. Or aggravating.

As a matter of fact, we haven't made it through a church service in about 6 months. After we take Mary Emma and Tait to their classes, we start heading toward Camille's class. Then the crying starts. Then the wailing. Then the screaming and clawing. And as I pry her off of me to go to the torture chamber that is otherwise known as the church nursery, I am covered in sweat, tears, and snot. As I try to straighten my clothes that have almost been ripped off my body, I walk toward the Worship Center and try to calm down and prepare my mind for worship. Not an easy task when your child is living her worst nightmare down the hall.

So we sit down, take a few deep breaths, and the service begins.

About 15 minutes later, whammo. Our security number flashes on the screen. You know, that number that means "Nursery teachers have had enough. Please come get your child."

And I failed to mention one little talent that Camille possesses.

She passes out. Cold. Unconscious. Flat on her back. She cries so hard that she literally passes out.

Oh, what a fun game that is!

Actually, she doesn't do it on purpose - she just can't catch her breath when she cries really hard and passes out.

Apparently, the nursery workers will put up with anything, except for unconscious children. Which means we get to take her to the nursery for 15 minutes, thus torturing her unmercifully, and then go get her and spend the rest of the service sitting in the lobby.

At least there's a Starbucks in the church. Because at that point, caffeine is a necessity.

Or a margarita. Which isn't typically offered at the average church.

Apparently, they've never tried to put Camille in the nursery, or it would be.

Happy Labor Day!

In honor of Labor Day, I decided to participate in a meme from Shannon. Because it's all about labor. You know LABOR - childbirth. A process that I have been through 3 times. So here goes.

How long were your labors?

Kid #1, 5 hours.
Kid #2, 6 hours
Kid #3, 7 hours.

Clearly, we love a good pattern.

How did you know you were in labor?

Kid #1, induced
Kid #2, started labor the weekend before, came again in the middle of the night - no mistaking true labor.
Kid #3, induced

Where did you deliver?

With all of them, at a hospital. Where the drugs are.

Drugs?

See above. Oh mercy, YES. Actually, my epidural for Kid #2 didn't take. My left thigh was numb, but nothing else. Nothing says easy labor like a numb left thigh.

C-section?

No, but Kid #2 almost was. Her heart rate kept crashing. Probably something to do with the extreme pain I was in (except for my numb left thigh). She rallied late in the 4th quarter and made a quick and PAINFUL entrance into this world.

Who delivered?

Docs. Doc #1 with Kid #1 almost missed it because he was in denial that I was moving along as fast as I was. Never, ever, underestimate me and my birthing skillz.

Doc #2 was a lady doc that I met in the ER that morning. It was Saturday and 4th of July weekend. My doc wasn't on call. New doc was great. A little awkward, though. Nothing like getting to know someone by flashing the old hoo ha within minutes of meeting them.

Doc #3 was fantastic - still my doc today. LOVE him.


If you want to participate in this meme, copy and paste these questions into your blog. Leave me a comment so I know to go read them!