Lazy Day at Home

My kids humble me.  While waiting for dinner they begged for a carrot to chew after learning they were part of dinner and available.  Alex being Alex insisted on two. Hence the pictures.  Note the dog nose in the lower part of Alex's pictures.  His dog Boomer goes everywhere with him. 

It was sunny today so after a lazy day at home, I set up the Barbee and started fixing grilling delicacies.  Actaully, I got up early and worked most of the day on some work thing but the kids (and my mom) had a lazy day. The veggies were done first with the other delacies eventually being cooked.

The kids just ate everything in sight. Then there was jockeying for bath-time while I was baking cookies and Alex's favorite, bread-pudding. 

All the while I talked about what vegetables and outside herbs I could plant (maybe) this year.  I continue to want the three chickens our city allows.  My university did a study and a three chicken paradigm is optimal in a city situation. 



I grew up in the country (mostly Montana)  so I still struggle with matching my memories of what a childhood should have and what I do today for my kids.  I must be doing something right though - my kids demanded carrots to tide them over until dinner.  There were other options available.  And they both already had chocolate in their secret places of goodies so I was happy they insisted on chomping carrots.  I think I must be doing okay on giving my kids the awesome childhood I enjoyed.  I hope so.  My life as a kid was a wonderful place to be.  Even with my sisters.    I always knew I was loved and played so much.  And I was happy.  So very happy.  That is what I want to give my kids.  So even when Alex (and sometimes Daria)  exhibit the institutional and/or survival behavior they learned in thier "before life" - I just let it ride.  I refuse to let it seep into our family life.  It is slow but Alex has begun to believe.  His eyes when he interacts with me right now are so full of hurt expectation, I generally just want to fall to my knees and beg him to stop being so hurt.  I do not.  I would not speed up the healing process.  For him or me.  Daria does not yet believe. 

You can see it in her face of course in this picture.  Not only does she think I will tear that carrot from her hand but she has no expection I will remain in her life for her.  My daughter does not yet believe that her mother will let her eat.

I think this is a common view for children left without adequate family protection.  As I always say, time and love.  Time and love.

Back to tonight.  My mom particularly enjoyed the salmon I grilled for her.  Life is happy for our family.  We have sun.  We have each other.  My children, born with a facial anomolies, survived their "before time."  They are so amazing.  That carrot they insisted upon today was something they were not allowed before.  The people taking care of them in "the before time" would allow no solids for them.  My daughter still misses soups.  I generally do not like them and do not make them much.  I try more now simply because they bring her such joy.

That is what families do.  We love each other.  And we are there for each other. 

After all the scrambles for teeth brushing, baths, etc., I made chocolate chip cookies and a three fruit bread pudding (which Alex especially likes). 

All the kids sleep.  All the dogs sleep.  My mom sleeps.  Peace reigns. 

Life is good. 

Daria goes in next week for testing given her failure to grow.   She asked that Alex be there.  He has agreed. 

Alex will go into further reconstructive surgery in June.  He is not sure what he wants to get through that yet.  I am not sure what I will need either.  But we will endure - happily.   

We are a happy family.  God has blessed us all.