2 Month anniversary

(remember this may take a second to start up!)

It occurred to me the other day...we have THREE kids...count 'em...THREE!...I've been thinking "Did we hear God correctly when he called us to do this?" - I'm not sure whether he said "Adopt a child or three!" or "Opt to go wild and see!".

I don't think there is a moment that I don't have dried applesauce, milk or yes...mucus somewhere on my being (I feel pretty good when I can at least identify the substance that is sticking to my pant leg or shirt...it's the UNIDENTIFIED stuff that I worry about).

I have read "Go! Dog! Go!" so many times that if the girl dog asks the guy dog if he likes her hat ONE more time I'm gonna go ballistic! Look...get over it he DOESN'T like your taste in hats!

And finally, I have lost all meaning of the term "sleeping in". These kids are not human...I swear...it's like clockwork or robotic - seriously...they get up at the SAME time EVERY DAY! No matter whether they go to bed late or early - 6:30 EVERY morning Anji starts calling for us - "MAMI! BENGA!" ("Mommy Come here!"). Without fail.

By all of this I mean to say that reality has set in. We celebrated our 2 month anniversary as a family last week and I'll tell you what - I couldn't imagine our lives without Carol, Jhon-Fredy and Anji. I laugh at all the 'stuff' that I used to be consumed by but now it really doesn't seem to matter. Since the last time I wrote we have all been sick together, watched a few more Steeler games together, enrolled Carol in school (she starts tomorrow), installed a swingset in the backyard (thanks Wall-to-Wall!), gone to the zoo and visited with Grandma and Grandpa Krebs (who came all the way from Savannah to visit). And since then - no I haven't gotten as much done as I wanted, spent as much time online as I used to or have been able to get to the gym...yet (I swear I'm gonna get there!)...

But I have spent time with my son and daughters (yes it is VERY cool to be able to refer to them as my "son" and "daughters")...I have been able to see how proud they get to show me the new thing they learned in English or are able to do something on the swingset they were too afraid to do just 24 hours earlier. I seriously have sat there watching them...just watching them (too creepy?)...just because they are my children. And no...I'm not "getting stuff done" or "logging more running miles" but, man, I never knew how much happiness I could feel on a Saturday morning when I wake up to a two year old's face smiling right into mine saying "buonas díaz Papi!"

So, it's been quite the experience since we got back. We've done all sorts of 'firsts'...first time to the zoo...first time swimming in a big pool...meeting both sets of grandparents for the first time...and the first visit to the doctor for the kids physicals. Boy, was that an experience.

The appointment itself lasted for about three hours...so we had to keep the kids busy in the examination room - pulling out all the plugs to entertain them. They did REALLY well...until the immunizations. You have never seen fear until you look at a 4 year boys face while they prep the needles for his 3 shots. I gotta say he made me proud. He held it all in up until they stuck the first one in...then he let us know just how much he disapproved. Carol and Anji had similar reactions. All three did the best they could but as I held them to help out they all gave me the same look...the look that says "Why are you letting this happen to me?! You're supposed to be the one who protects me!". Made me think a little bit...

I started to think about some of the conversations I've had with folks over the last 3 years since deciding to follow Jesus. Just as there are 'routine' answers to any questions Christ followers are asked there are also 'routine' questions. One of them is "why does God let bad things happen to good people?"

Now, usually I try my hardest to not give a stock answer. I do get really nervous because I always want to be able to say the "right" thing or give the "right" answer...but I try to just convey what my personal experience has been in having a relationship with God. And, the more I experience this relationship the more I begin to understand what Jesus meant when He said that God is "Our Father" and we are his children.

As a "son" in the family of God I try everyday to let Him guide me in everything I do (it's not always easy though). And as a "son" in the family of God I can remember so many times in my life when I've asked Him "Why are you letting this happen to me?! You're supposed to be the one who protects me!"

So I got to thinking the other day when I was holding onto Carol and she was struggling not to have a shot - crying and screaming. I thought, I'm her father and I'm only doing this for her own good. That to her it may seem to hurt for the moment but in the end...in the long run...there is a benefit to the pain. A benefit that in her 6 year mind she cannot see or understand. But it will show itself...sooner or later...And I think that's what God does with us...he sometimes allows short term (or in some cases - long-term) pain in order to put in place a greater benefit that in our short-sighted humanity we cannot see.

OK so maybe that's a little heavy and trust me I don't always look into things so deep - but its just that since the kids have come into our lives I see God in so many things. In the way they laugh and cry and talk..well pretty much in everything they do. And it's an incredible feeling (sometimes overwhelming) to have so much love in your heart for 3 little people like our kids.

Anyway...just thought I'd share...talk to you soon,
Scott