The Path

There is such a fine line between chaos and control. One minute its a controlled chaos and the next moment things seem to fall apart. Trying to do breathing treatments twice a day with a wiggly 3 year old boy. He actually does pretty well with it as long as he can snuggle close and twirl my hair. Thursday morning brought a call from the school nurse that Camille was sick. Strep throat. Thank goodness Gram is here to help while I take to doctor. Get home & A starts running a temp that afternoon. Can't get thru to Pedi Place. I'm placed on hold about 10 minutes. I call all the urgent care, rapid med, acute care places & none take the foster care insurance. I call the nurse's line for the foster care insurance and after 20 minutes am no better off. I alter between disbelief and anger that I can't find some one to look at her. I so easily called and made Camille her appointment and now I can't get A an appointment. I can take her to Camille's doc but it will cost around $100. Ridiculous. No sleep Thursday night. Camille sleeps with me and snores like a rumbling truck. A wakes up at 1:30 needing water. Tylenol for both of them. 4 am and Z is up. He loads up on so much water/juice(refuses to drink straight water so I'm sneaking it in). He has to use the pottie. I've got the baby gate at his door so that he doesn't sneak up and get Madeline's make-up. Poor guy can't even go pottie without being lifted over. I end up changing his sheets & clothes because his pull-up has overflooded. 6:30 comes way too early. Only KK & Lucas to go to school so the morning goes smoothly. A's fever is worse. I call 3 different doctor's offices in 3 different towns nearby and no one can see her until Monday. Now I'm even more frustrated. So, off to the er we go again. Arrive and 1 minute later we are whisked away like royalty. Strep throat, duh.
Mid afternoon I call for some antibiotics for myself. Not sure whats going on with me other than exhaustion and 6 kids. Thank goodness for a great doctor and a great Gram helping us out.
My heart is filling with love for little Z. I have so many flashbacks of Lucas. He wants a drink so he opens the dishwasher, stands on it and tries to get a sippie. He is in the bathroom turning on the tub so he can wash the barbie's hair. Brushes his teeth but can't reach the sink so he spits in the tub and turns on the water to get a drink. Grabs Camille's slipper and runs, which infuriates Cruella and she races after him. He is laughing as she lunges for him. Luckily for both of them, Buddy intervenes. He is coaxed onto Buddy's lap to do his breathing treatment, I soon join them and he holds my hand. His crying is so much better. He definitely prefers to cry when he wants something or to get his way, but I think he is trainable.
KK has made so many friends at school. We play on the playground after school and several new friends come by to say hi. She is so proud of herself for getting smiley faces on her chart every day this week. Of course this makes me wonder what she normally gets. What the heck is normal? Still unfathomable as to how all this can be happening. I am blessed with daily requests as to how friends and neighbors can help us. I am putting them on next week's list when Gram goes home. I couldn't do this without a support system.
As I have 2 sick with strep and Z with his breathing issues, I sometimes question the path we have chosen. Then I have this sweet little boy wrap his arms around me and I remember. I fill my prayers seeking wisdom in how to make the most positive impact I can for these children who will be in my home such a short time. I pray for the family they will be joining. I feel a nudging in the back of my mind and can't help but wonder what it would be like to watch them grow up. I am thankful in knowing that God has blessed this path that we are on and that He will guide us in our road ahead. Please join me in praying for these sweet children.