Commit to Mitt

It's no secret that my husband and I are die hard republicans.  Honestly, some of our closest friends are democrats.  Nonetheless, we are trying to teach our children about the importance of voting and politics starting at a young age. 

We have had many discussions on an age appropriate level about why we are voting for Mitt Romney.  We have explained to our girls that we agree more with his "rules."  Ben and I even braved a Romney- Ryan rally in the sweltering Jacksonville heat to give our daughters the experience of a political rally. 

My little ladies now notice peoples bumper stickers on cars, yard signs and they recognize both candidates on t.v. in political advertisements.

We even had one of the ministers at our church tell us they saw us at the Romney rally and compliment us on taking our children. I was beginning to get the big head about what fantastic parents we are.

I have explained the election is just around the corner and that very soon we will learn who the winner is. 

During lunch yesterday, I overhear Caroline tell Aubrey she is voting for Mitt Romney and Caroline proceeds to ask Aubrey who she is voting for.  Aubrey stands up looks straight at me with her hands on her hips and replies indignantly, "Obama."

Wow.

My fourth child, Aubrey, I will describe as independent, strong willed and persistent.  No brainwashing going on in this family!

Obummer.

Details

After adopting Anna and Brynn I felt so complete.  However,  I told a close friend that one thing I regretted is that I would never know what my biological children would look like.  She stared at me blankly and replied, "They would look exactly like Anna and Brynn.  They look just like you and Ben."

A couple days later Ben and I walked into Cracker Barrel with my twins and the waitress greeted us saying, "Boy you can't deny those girls are your children, could they look anymore like you?"  I laughed politely.  God was trying to show me something...very tangibly.

He is in the details. 

My mother my sisters and I barely have a baby toe nail on our pinky toe at all.  We always make fun of our pinky toes.  Would you believe that Brynn barely has a baby toe nail either!?  It's like God said, "See Shannon trust me.  Believe that I am in every detail. No matter how small or how seemingly insignificant."  God has illustrated this in my life in very practical ways.

People always tell me that Aubrey and Caroline look exactly like their big sisters.  I grin and think,
"Why yes they do."  What a miracle that Anna and Brynn were brought into the world thousands of miles away by people we will never know.  However, they look just like my biological children.  A miracle.

And honestly, even if they didn't look like us it wouldn't matter but I think it's neat.

I know one of the greatest blessings of my life thus far, is how God has knitted my family together. So unconventionally.  I stare in amazement almost daily at how everything has turned out.  I have to smile when I think about having four daughters.

I am grateful when I see my daughters interact and know that they are sisters for life.  That God ordained their sisterhood before they were even conceived.

So although you may be facing other trials other than infertility or adoption, trust and know that God is in the details.  Don't forget, the details include timing.  That's a tough one huh?!  God is never early, never late, always on time.  Honestly, God has not once been on the same time frame as me!  I think I am going to stop praying for patience... 

Be still and know that I am God.   Psalm 46:10

H-O-T M-E-S-S

I've been a hot mess lately.  Truly a  H-O-T  M-E-S-S.  I am stressed out, tired,  grumpy, moody, disappointed.  Are you hooked to read more or shall I continue?  Yes, welcome to my pity party--dress is casual.

Yesterday I had two glasses of wine and took a Tylenol PM and went to bed at 8pm.

I usually pride myself on being able to pull myself up by my boot straps and thank God for my blessings and get on with my life.  Not lately.  And maybe that's why I haven't blogged.  Because I have not been able to practice what I preach.  I know better.  My head has the knowledge but my attitude and heart just aren't following along.

It annoys me that my kids don't really care about school and they don't really care about getting a good grade on a test.. I care.  I have come to the conclusion that I care too much and I have to stop. They are not responsible.  Anna and Brynn wouldn't even have their heads on straight if they weren't attached to their bodies.  When does it click that they need to be responsible for themselves and their school work?

Aubrey fights me on absolutely everything I ask her to do in a day. She is mentally and physically exhausting and I think I  may take her back to Baptist South Hospital and tell them I want a redo.  Just kidding-- kind of....  please don't turn me into child protective services.  Aubrey dumped a bag of Cheez Its on the floor in my kitchen yesterday.  I very nicely asked her to come and pick them up.  She promptly replied, "No." (of course she did) and proceeded to stomp on them so they were smashed all over the floor.  I literally felt my face turning red. But honestly, more than mad I felt defeated.  I have raised my children all similarly.  Why has this one seemed to turn out so differently?  My sweet neighbor Kara tried to reassure me that all kids have different personalities and that she just may be different than my other 3.  Maybe.  But she is killing me.  I have gray hair  Stop it.  Seriously.

The incessant amounts of paper and treasures and shoes and crayons that are constantly strewn all over my floor are annoying me to no end.  I even started fuming when I vacuumed the other day because I thought to myself, "There has to be more to life than this.."  I am over feeling like I am in the movie Groundhog Day.  Same thing over and over...different day. Cook, clean, laundry, childcare.  Cook, clean, laundry, childcare.

My children always have 5 reasons why they can't do what I ask of them and even when they finally grant my request they do it with an attitude and not joyfully. I am over it.

I know people have real problems in life like sick kids and lost jobs and failed marriages.  I want to shake myself but I can't.  So I apologize.  Just having a bad couple of weeks.

If you clicked on my blog to be encouraged forgive me.  Be encouraged that there are other mothers just like you,  doing the same stuff and having the same feelings.  Feelings that most mothers won't admit to because it makes them feel guilty and they feel people will think they are a bad parent.

I am being real.

One of my closest friends sent me this verse yesterday.  A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out.  Isaiah 42:3

People today I am on my knees clinging to God's word!

On a happier note.  Sarah's wedding was beautiful and sentimental and everything wonderful I hoped it would be. My baby sis was the most gorgeous bride. And my munchkins did their duties with no problems.

My sister Stacy gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Caleb Tyler, who I am totally in love with.  I am even more thankful this week, that I can spoil him and hand him back to his very capable parents.  This girl is old and tired.

Finally, tomorrow I am going with my favorite girls to the Zac Brown Band concert.  Hopefully, my cowboy boots, little black dress, some friendship and great music will help get me out of my funk.

Pity party is over.  Thanks for coming and be careful on your way home.

Found this little note from Brynn.  Mama said it was my little gift from above.  I concur.