Power of Prayer

Tonight the twins will attend a function with their mother, and I will drop them off.  Since it's been a long time since I've spoken with or had any contact with her (her choice, not mine), I'm starting to get a little nervous. Yesterday after court, I told John that sitting there hearing what the parents have done/not done made me think about my own final judgment.  Will my good works and faith plead my case before Our Lord?  The thought was very sobering.  I just emailed a coworker to ask her to pray for me regarding tonight.  The way she prays is very personal, and the way she words things really puts things in perspective for me.  This is what she emailed back to me:

"Lord, Jenny and I come before You and ask that You would remove fear that would only cause Jenny to be distracted from what you have prepared for her to experience when meeting with the kids' mom.  I ask that you would place Your peace that comes from Your heart of grace and mercy that You demonstrated for all of us on the cross.  May Jenny see S with eyes of love, mercy and grace.  There is a reason why You placed the vision of judgment on my sister's mind.  Help her to use that vision as a way she to interact with one that is facing impending judgment of her motherhood.  In Jesus' name we pray, AMEN. "

This is weird, but...

ever since I 'came down with' giardia this spring, I've only wanted iced drinks.  Since I have an addiction to coffee, iced coffee has been my drug of choice.  And since a grande iced coffee from the 'Bucks is $2.55 + tip, I  really should be making my own.

This recipe looks wonderful, and so do the photos.  Recently, I bought one of those 16 oz plastic Starbucks cups with the green straw.  I can pretend that a barista made my iced coffee, but it will come from the Kitchen of Jenny, who will not get a tip.  Just a good iced coffee.

My Daughter's Eyes

She's not my legal daughter. I have no real claim to her other than what the state has given me. But I don't think I could love her any more had I carried her for 9 months.  Many days, she drives me crazy.  Some days she seems to need holy water sprinkled on her, but every day she says something funny and I can't stop holding her and kissing her. 

Thumbelina calls me 'Mom' now, a change from the "Mommy" of the last year.  Since G-Force came, she's been imitating his baby talk and answering us with "uh! uh!" Then she'll launch into a regular conversation about her favorite topics: lawnmowers, planes and keeping her undies dry.  This girl is such a joy to us and her spunk and spirited ways are part of her charm and a challenge for us to channel and help her develop. 

There is a chance that we will be able to adopt her and her twin brother, but until things are set, I won't get my hopes up.  Losing them is something I can't wrap my mind around right now, so I won't.

Whenever I hear this song, I think of her and can't help but get watery eyes.  No matter what happens with the case, she'll always be our girl.

Time with Emily

Last weekend, my dear friend Emily, came to visit. She and I were roommates for 2 years in college along with two other friends, and Em was a bridesmaid in our wedding. She is one of the smartest, loveliest people I know, and having her to myself for a weekend meant the world to me. The kids loved her as well, and Em read many books to them and played with them. Cherub brought book after book out of his room, and she read every book deposited on her lap. She held G-Force at Mass for me and he happily slept on her shoulder.

The beautiful, sunny and 70s weather gave Emily a break from the triple digit temps of Kansas City, and her presence gave me a boost of joy and good conversation. Dang, she’s a thinker, and I’ve not kept up my brain. She made me want to get more learnin’ and read more!

Thumbelina, Em and I took the ferry to Seattle and enjoyed lunch and a trip to Pike Place Market. That evening, John made salmon on the grill and the three of us ate outside and enjoyed the sunlight til about 9:30pm when we lit candles and talked while sipping Riesling.

Sunday night, John and I took her to our favorite local restaurant on the water. Funny how I’d been daydreaming for months about taking her there, and it was so much fun to share the time with her.

Good friends truly are treasures, and I am so happy to know beautiful Emily.

Summer?

Summer has made its presence known here a couple of days at a time, mostly few and far between.  While the rest of the country is sweltering in 3 digit temps and humidity, we are tucked away in an early spring-like summer with glimpses of 79 degree weather here and there.  As much as I’ve complained about missing out on summer, I would prefer this to melting.  The twins and G-Force enjoyed an evening in Mere Mere and Pere Pere’s back yard eating white strawberries fresh from the garden and the wading pool. 

The Puget Sound area is enjoying a week of mostly sunny days in the 70s.  Not bad at all.