Life as We Know It

If any of you have seen the movie Life as We Know It with Katherine Hegel and Josh Duhamel, then I'm sure that you laughed as these two single, independent people took on the task of raising a baby. I thought the movie was hilarious- and now I find myself living it!
Josh and I have been in the process of getting approved to do foster care, ultimately with the hope of adopting at some point, and last Friday we got our first placement- a 2 1/2 year old girl (Genny) and a 7 month old boy (Christian). Let's just say that if someone were to film our lives in the last week, some parts of it wouldn't be to far off from Life as We know It!
Our induction into parenthood has been a whirlwind to say the least, but we have survived the first week, temper tantrums, ER visits and all. I've realized that as much as you think you are ready for kids, nothing can really ever prepare you for what life will be like.
We knew going into it that the kids would be a little shell shocked from all the changes the first few days, we just didn't realize how shell shocked we would be. Despite the anticipation and excitement about taking these little ones into our home, the reality is that last Friday, two little strangers came into our home. This last week has been a week of all of us getting to know each other and it has not been without its trials. On Wednesday night we had to put our dog down; later that night the baby got sick, and Thursday night I was in the ER with him while Josh was at home having his own struggles with bedtime. Then last night Josh came down with the stomach flu.
Despite all of these things, there have been glimmers of light in the midst of it. Moments that make me realize God's daily sustaining grace in the midst of hard times. And Oh, how I need His grace! Little things like watching Josh play tickle monster with Genny, reading bedtimes stories together on our bed, blowing bubbles together, hugs and kisses, and snuggling.
Here are a few pictures from our week (sorry, no kid pics for confidentiality reasons). A visual look at all the little changes in our life.






But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.