Kids are amazing

I fully believe that you can't be the best person you can be, until you have been a parent. Not only because of the experiences you face refining you, but also because of the amazing examples your children are to you.
I want to share a bit of the fun and amazing things the kids have done during this hard time.

Enoch has really stepped up to the plate as the oldest. They all came to visit me last week and Joel tearfully sat with me on my bed. Enoch came up and very gently told Joel that Mom would not die, that she would be alright. As terrible as it is to know that some of the children have had to worry that I might die, it's wonderful to hear of their faith and of their consideration for each other.
As they were preparing to be shipped off to cousins in Washington for this week Enoch asked Bart if Joel could take the family picture with him. Enoch had told Joel that one time when he had to be apart from us for awhile he had the family picture with him and it helped him feel comfort that we would be together again. Bart gave him permission and Joel took down the picture off the wall and packed it with their things. I think that is the neatest ever.
Enoch has decided to start a greeting card company. They made cards for me and as Enoch was showing off his he was informed that some people do that for a living. So he has added that to his list of careers.
Eli has been his sweet self. He is so assured that everything will be okay. He was so excited to see his cousins. Sometime's it is a comfort that they don't alway need Mom.
Joel was excited to go to cousins but sad because this weekend will be his birthday and he was upset that we wouldn't be a family on his birthday. After some talking he has decided it will be okay to have a family party even if it has to be after his birthday. In fact, I think he now has plans to have a party with his cousins, one with us, and one even at a family reunion that isn't until August!
The kids suggested names for the baby before we decided on Ben. Enoch suggested Oliver. A name of a baby of one of our dear friends. At least he's old enough to actually be suggesting real names instead of nonsense words, or food names and such! Eli suggested Troy Bolton. Yes, my mom and sister had been having a High School Musical marathon with the kids. Naomi suggested Princess, and I'm not sure what Joel suggested. However, we have chosen the first name and are know thinking of middle names. Joel suggests Franklin because then he could be name after Benjamin Franklin.
Naomi has amazed me. She is such a Momma's girl lately I thought this would be particularly hard on her. However, she has hardly batted an eye. She's had lot of fun with Grandma and is very excited to go visit her cousins where the odds are 4 girls and 1 boy. She's excited not to be the only girl! It has been a comfort to have her visit me with smiles and fun and not seem worried about what's going on.
She also helped Grandma pick out some clothes to bring to me. She picked a "beautiful' maternity shirt that is a nicer black and white blouse, she added some capris that are different shades of blue in a flower pattern. Grandma taking mercy on me, quickly added some grey yoga pants that work a "little" better with my "beautiful"shirt.
Being away from Nathan has been the hardest. He is still one of my "babies.' He has also been sick. He went off to Washington with a fever, cough, no appetite, and miserable. I have been worried about him. He is only 20 months and has no idea why his life is upside down. He has clung to my sister incessantly. Please pray that he will get well. I hate the idea that he is 6 hours away, confused, and really sick. I pray that soon he will be well and can enjoy the cute dog and his fun cousins and only have to deal with confusion rather than everything else.
It's been an amazing to me to have to literally put my children in the hands of the Lord and ask him to watch over them and all who have them in their care. It's also been amazing to me to see my kids move faithfully forward. I love being a mother. Although this pregnancy has me pretty close to convinced to adopt from here on out :), it also has me convinced that my children and my husband are treasures beyond price and well worth everything.