One of those...

Days.

You know, I don't like complaining much. I'm a big fan of the expression, "suck it up sister!". Life is what you make of it right?

This week, I'm tired though. I'm a little tired and a little grouchy. Too little sleep and a bunch of extra busy shifts at work have left me a little...crabby.

So, today...

• Isabel dumped half a bottle (seriously, HALF) of Hidden Valley Ranch on her teeny tiny salad. Hidden Valley Ranch is barfy (IMHO) anyway. Half a bottle of it in a teeny tiny bowl and all over your table is extra barfy.
• Milo whacked Isabel with the "caster rester" (also known as their toy cash register). She followed that up with a complete and total meltdown.
• Isabel is, somehow, covered in itchy mosquito bites even though we've not been outside in the morning/evening at all this week.
• People feel some sort of compelling need to tell me every adoption horror story they've ever heard. Ever. You know, ones about how their brother's plumber's priest's sister was going to adopt a baby from Ecuador but the birthmom changed her mind when they got there and then she had three eyes anyways and tried to extort money from them so instead they just didn't adopt and got a dog instead. Maybe I should get a dog? Is that what you're trying to tell me?
• Also, people feel another sort of compelling need to tell me every story about every person they've ever known who has been waiting to adopt and then got pregnant. Now, don't get me wrong. I know that this happens. I know people to whom this has happened. I'm just pretty darn close to 100% certain that this is NOT going to happen to ME. And I'm doing my best to be okay with that. It's a little disruptive though when people are constantly telling you these stories. I'm not sure how I'm supposed to take it?
• We FINALLY (everybody cheer with me now!) found a new babysitter. She is sweet, kind, loving, and adored by the children. However, today when I was orienting her, she had a whopping seizure. It involved a 9-1-1 call and everything. The poor thing was sooo shaken. (For the record, so was I. Resuscitating big people is not really my area of expertise!) So, she's out of commission until she figures out what caused her to seize today.
• My cute twin nieces are having their FIRST birthday on Thursday and we won't be able to go to Utah for the shindig and celebration. :( Stuff like this makes me so sad that we don't all live in the same state at least.
• We are currently in need of a new fridge, a new computer, and the check engine light is on in our Subaru AGAIN. (Isn't that how it always goes? If one thing breaks around here, 2 or 3 more soon follow.)

Here's the thing. Today, I get to take a nap with my kids. Tomorrow my cute kids get to start preschool and we (Spencer and I) both get to go with them. This morning, we got to go to the park and play with Sage and Porter. Today, I got to talk to one of my bestest friends ever, Shikay, and she made me laugh so hard my face hurt. Thursday, I get to have breakfast with 7 of the greatest nurses and friends a girl could ever know. Tonight, I get to go to a job that I absolutely LOVE with all of my being. Sunday, we had the previously mentioned fabulous dinner with fabulous friends. Today, I read this post by my sister-in-law that reminded me how difficult our first year was and how thankful I am for every moment I have with my kids and how important it is that I enjoy them.

I feel like, the older I get, the more clearly I know this: when God gives us challenges, He also gives us tools. When He knows we will struggle, He does his best to provide us with arms to hug us, friends to make us laugh, family to love us unconditionally, and--if we're listening--the reassurance that this will all pass. That, if we stay the course, we will be blessed and we will come out stronger for having done so.