December 2 – “SBBP”

We couldn’t go right into the hospital yesterday morning.  Christi had some issues with nausea through the night so they were working with her on that.  That meant everyone had a chance to tackle some more schoolwork.  It also made for another long morning of waiting for some big brothers.  We had more than a few conversations about Mommy and Baby Sister.  The call-up of the SBBP (Society of Big Brother Protectors) came up again.  Something about AnnaGrace needing them as she grew up and got bigger and bigger.  Not what Brother Luke wanted to hear.  Nope.  He announced, in no uncertain terms, “I don’t like AnnaGrace big.  I like her little.”

Word finally came from Daddy that Mom was feeling better and wanted to see her boys.  So we all jumped into preparation mode.  I was assigned to help Luke get dressed, and the boy really wanted to make a good impression.  I asked him where we might find some clean clothes, so he took me to his dresser.  He reached into the top drawer and pulled out an item.  He inspected it carefully.  Finally he held it out to me and asked, “Are dese hospital underwear?”  I assured him his choice was perfect.  Next came a clean shirt.  We struggled between two of those until finally I got, “Is dis shirt hospital shirt?”  Absolutely, Luke.  Good choice.  Nani located some pants somewhere else in the house, and we were all set. 

We got to the hospital in time for hugs all around.  And then came the announcement … “Daddy wants to take you boys out to lunch.  Where do you want to go?”  wow.  What an open-ended, risky proposition.  Would they say Chuck-E-Cheese?  McDonald’s?  it could be anywhere.  However, after a brief flirtation with Chick-fil-A, the resounding choice was … the hospital cafeteria.  And why not?  They have chicken strips.  And I kind of like their burgers.  And they have pizza.  They make the pizza in an old-style oven with real fire and the lady has to move it around and around with one of those really long stick things.  Shaking his head, Josh agreed to go with their choice and we headed down to make our selections.  I went with the cheeseburger.  Nani had a hamburger.  Mimi got something that looked like sushi and took it with her back over to where Christi was.  Josh and the boys couldn’t pass up the pizza.  Especially when the lady said she would fix them a cheese pizza just for them if they could wait 12 minutes.   So lunch wasn’t exactly filled with video games and super-sized rats and loud music.  But we did see a few hospital service dogs.  “They are bigger than Friedericke,” Luke noticed.  And we were close to AnnaGrace.  And they had straws that made really good spitwad shooters, but I’m sure Zak and Caleb never even thought of using them for such sordid purposes. 

After checking back in on Mommy we headed to the house for rest time.  Luke took a good nap.  Word has it that DadDad took one, too, but that report has never been confirmed.  We were all refreshed and ready when Daddy called and asked if we could stop at Chick-Fil-A and pick up some supper for everyone.  Oh, and Mommy was feeling back to her old self, too.  She wanted the boys to wear their Little Sister Bodyguard t-shirts.  Photo op time.  And I would have to say that the subsequent picnic and photo session was a lot of fun.  Caleb sang to AnnaGrace the whole time, and she actually responded to it.  We only have a few hundred photos so far, though.  Not nearly enough.  I finally had another chance to do a little cuddling of my own with the sweet little one. 

Today is homeschool co-op day for the boys.  We are taking Zak and Caleb over to where they will spend most of the day.  Josh will be arriving shortly to take Luke to his class in a different location.  The girls are scheduled to come home this afternoon, so here comes another big transition.  So far … all’s well.

Ephesians 4:14-16 says, “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.  Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.  From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

Father, thank you for the progress AnnaGrace and Christi have made so far.  I know they are looking forward to coming home.  Let them know that you are here, too.  Amen.