On Rain . . . And Rainbows

We received some much needed rain this week in south Texas, and some of us celebrated by going OUT to play . . .

Grinner gets busy catching some drips in the watering can.

Flit takes a short break . . .

and then goes back for more!

I have been wanting to take a little time to reflect on all of the "rainbows" that graced us during the week of Teddi's surgery. It was a bit of a stormy time, but it was not without blessings . . .

I began to share about this once before but only got as far as the "we call her Teddi" story, on pre-op day. . . . this was the story about how God reassured me that all was well, and put my worried heart at rest. There would be more rainbows on that same day . . .

~ We arrived home from the pre-op appointment to find that the mailman had delivered a wonderful box of fun from Aunt Me-Me (Amy). The biggest hit would turn out to be the Color Wonder princess markers and book--our main source of entertainment during the hospital stay! (Also a fun tent, yes, I said tent, and a sweet princess dress. . . both saved for post surgery morale boosters once we got home!)

~ That same day, we would also find a package on our front step. To: Teddi ~ From: Sadie Rose (and her mama and daddy). Todd, Sally and Sadie Rose . . . brand new friends we had met during our evening walks, just the week before. They brought a "rainbow" gift to Teddi, with promises to pray for her in the coming week. Bright pink tissue wrapped up the sweetest little book (Sadie's pick), the package was topped with the cutest little plush duck, tied on with a yellow satin ribbon. Such care. I love our Air Force family.

The hospital stay, despite a tough time for Teddi, would also bring rainbows. . .

~ Wise doctors who did what they were well trained to do, and helped fix-up our girl.

~A caring ICU nurse named Ann Marie, who took Teddi under her wing and made sure she was kept comfortable with her pain meds.

~ A sweet nurse on the Peds ward who bought Teddi a ziploc bag of stickers on the second morning. The stickers were from her own supply at home, because she said the ones the hospital had "weren't good enough". She had promised Teddi stickers the day before if Teddi would give her one good "ahhhhhhh" so that she could check on her mouth, Teddi obliged.

~ The Haines family, who made a 40 minute drive on a school night (after sports practices) with their four kiddos, to come see us at the hospital. The Haines' are our neighbors (and Air Force family), and new parents to Claire who came home from China just two months behind Teddi! Claire came bearing gifts of Play-Doh and a darling ladybug necklace for Teddi. Their visit meant so much to us. Thanks guys!

~Lest I forget Taylor, Brady and Grinner who made the drive both days to come visit their little sister, bringing her a bear and a balloon . . . and grins. Taylor and Brady also rearranged their schedules for four days in order to care for Brogan. A huge blessing to us, and one for which we probably did not give enough thanks. They also kept the house up. There's nothing like a beaming sixteen year old boy, who is proud to welcome his tired mama through the door of a very clean house. . . A clean house that got that way because he cared enough to make it happen. The part where he told me he had a "brand new respect for me" (after taking care of his brother AND cleaning house) was icing on the cake! Taye had to be at school two of the days, so Brady really did get a feel for running a household . . . and he was whooped!

~ Another rainbow greeted us within a couple of hours of being home. A delicious home cooked meal brought by another neighbor whom we are just getting to know. (Did I mention I love our Air Force family?) Lori, is a busy mom to five, and one of those five is Maggie, from China! There is nothing like a great, hot, ready to eat meal when one has just spent several days eating hospital food. What a blessing! Maggie, who just turned four, also blessed Teddi with a doodle pad and a box of new crayons. Mmmm, the smell of new crayons can make anyone feel better, can't it?

~ During Teddi's first week of recovery I actually talked to two of my blogger friends by phone. What a sweet time. First to Kim (Max's mama, and soon to be Vivi Jo's mama), who called to encourage me. Thank you Kim! And then to my new friend Victoria, who introduced herself by email as a one of my blog readers. Victoria's daughter, Willow (age two) came home from China just two weeks ahead of Teddi, and had her palate surgery the day after Teddi. Like our Teddi, Willow is the youngest of five children . . . three big, two little, just like us. Victoria and I had many notes to compare. . . and that we did, for over an hour! Victoria loves the Lord, as does Kim, and both of these friends were shining rainbows in my week as they ministered to my tired heart!

~ I know there were other things I planned to share . . . Oh, yes, the Moon Sand. Can Moon Sand count as a rainbow, or does it fall into the "storm" category? Grandma and Papa sent Teddi a BIG ol' set of Moon Sand. Have you ever tried to clean Moon Sand up? Luckily I had . . . it wasn't pretty. . . BUT, the good news is, I'm wise on Moon Sand now. When the new Moon Sand came we played with it O-U-T-S-I-D-E, on the front porch . . . that helped keep it in the rainbow category! Grandma and Papa, thank you, Teddi loved it!

~ So there you have it, the rainbows from our little storm. Surgery was kind of tough, recovery is ongoing, but better every day. Sleep is getting better, slow but sure. In it all, the blessings have been many.

~ The very best rainbow is our precious girl with her closed and healing palate . . . not to mention the sweetest smile in the world. Our tough little bird, who happily eats up her "all soft, all the time" food without complaint. Who is making new sounds, and talks on . . . and on . . . and on! Who brings joy, with a giggle. The very giggles we waited oh so long to hear.

We love you sweet brave girl.

Thank you Lord for rainbows. Help us to always remember to look UP when we are in a storm . . . we don't want to miss them.

Blessings from my blessed nest ~

Tina