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My Overthinking

Philly Area mom, Life forever changed by adoption

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Archives for May 2012

Day 4: Mr. China

5.21.12

My heart was aching for Sunday morning. 
It feels like my mission trip on the homefront has been more about running around and way too much sugar than serving with a servant’s heart for His glory. And so, my soul was ready for worship this morning, for refreshment and a reminder–and for a few moments to myself as every child went to his or her perspective Sunday School. 
A song, one of my favorites, moved me, broke me. 

Where you go, I’ll go.
Where you stay, I’ll stay.
When you move, I’ll move.
I will follow you.
Who you love, I’ll love.
How you serve, I’ll serve.
If this life I lose, I will follow you.
I will follow you.

And, that’s what we’re doing–wanting to do, trying to do, even during hard days.

Where He goes, he’ll go.

Where He stays, I’ll stay.

I got a few minutes late last night on Skype with Mark. I could barely hear him as he tried talking to me in the middle of a crowded apartment and lots going on. After he gave me the details of what they were doing and how things were and what things were like, I asked him how he was really doing. He smiled and said, “It’s uncomfortable.”

Yeah, it is. The work in conversation to understand each other. Being upfront and “on” all the time. The energy required.

But, Mark’s loving and serving and following. And, as uncomfortable as that is, I know–and he knows–it’s right where he should be.

In honor of Ashlyn’s Chinese dance performance this afternoon

which the other children were so excited to be a part of

(I did make them look up during her actual song, promise)
and in honor of our very own Mr. China,

we did dinner in style.

Bet Daddy’s Chinese food today didn’t end with these bad boys though.

My special Cookies and Cream milkshakes which Drew assured me were the best milkshakes I had ever made. 

More running around. And, more sugar. But, purpose remembered.

Day 4 done.

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Posted by Kelly the Overthinker
Filed Under: Kelly

Day 3: Life’s a Parade

5.20.12

I’ve said more than once–okay, a lot more than once–that if I don’t do it, it won’t get done. You know, the endless parade of dishes, crumbs under the kitchen table, dirty socks thrown in the corner with the shoes that may lead some to believe I have 7 children or 4 children with more than 2 feet each, beds that need to be made, stacks of mail on the dining room table. 
It wasn’t really true. 
I’m realizing now that my husband does a whole lot more around here than I recognized. Because on Day 3 of him gone, I can say emphatically that if I don’t do it, it really won’t get done. And, a lot isn’t. 
But, that’s okay for now. Because all of my children are sound asleep in their beds right now, beds that may not get made tomorrow. And, I’m in bed early myself, content from a full day of being together including hanging out on the sidelines of the longest parade ever (we’re convinced that the Dogwood parade breaks world records for the longest parade per capita). We didn’t even make it to the end–and I was okay with that.
I hope no one’s house ever catches on fire during the Dogwood Parade. Just forget it.

Oh, I wish I could always be able to go to sleep with a messy kitchen and sleep easy as I will tonight. 
Day 3’s lesson learned. Check. 

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Posted by Kelly the Overthinker
Filed Under: Kelly, Traditions

Day 2: Need coffee

5.19.12

Who’s crazy idea was it to take 4 kids to the Dogwood Festival without their father?

Oh, wait, that was me.

They went hog wild.

And, I was starting to go a wee bit crazy with a 3 year old running (no walking, only running) from ride to ride and three older kids each with their own plan of attack to get on those rides–different rides.

But, oh, the night looked different when reinforcements showed up and saved me from having to ride the dragon mini roller coaster again and having to force the children to actually stay together. Abbey and Ben are saints to me for sitting on a burlap sack and heading down the fun slide too many times to keep track of as well as going on a ton of dizzying deathtraps and walking Lydia through the Monkey Maze, the funhouse maze of mirrors, that has been my nemesis for years.

Clearly, I’m not the only one thinking the reinforcements are saints. As we parted ways at 9:45pm (whose crazy idea was this again?), Lydia yelled out the door, “Ben, I LOVE YOU!” 
All fun and games until this morning when the choice to stay out that late was not looking as good.
I lived life on the edge and actually drank my cup of coffee 2/3 decaf and 1/3 regular. Don’t judge me. I needed it after all that stress the night before. 
Once the older kids were off to school with dark circles under their eyes, Lydia and I got a dose of social caffeine via a little play date with some other adoptive moms and their kids. 

And, social caffeine is way better than the liquid kind.
Right now, as I type, Mark is going on an official tour of the university where he’s teaching. At least, that’s what the itinerary says. With no wireless where he is and a very busy schedule, I’m not expecting to hear much if at all from him. 
Praying his tour and his first experience on campus is caffeine enough for him. 

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Posted by Kelly the Overthinker
Filed Under: Kelly, Mark

Day 1: Game on

5.17.12

6 hours ago, Mark walked out the door with his backpack and his 49 1/2 lb. suitcase and set out for China.

And, I didn’t cry.

That’s a good thing.

I’m actually feeling quite confident right now, I must say, since I managed to go back to sleep for a bit then get up at 6:15 and get everybody ready for school and there on time.

But, it’s Day 1. And, I’ve got 12.

So, there could be some crying yet and some I-can’t-do-this-anymore talk comin’.

Gotta remember that I’m on the missions field here too–doesn’t always feel like that, but I am. And, I’m a part of what’s going on across the world too (and not just because of the fundraising and supply shopping and making gifts to take and all that). I’m sending him. With my blessing. And with a whole lot of excitement because I know great things are going to be happening over the next couple weeks. And, I’m so glad he gets to be a part of that.

And, at least we have this in our front yard for a few more days to take our minds off of missing him.

This might help me take my mind off things after the kids are in bed tonight.

If you want to be a part of lifting this team up, contact me and I’ll gladly send you a calendar to help you do that. 

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Posted by Kelly the Overthinker
Filed Under: Kelly, kids stuff, Mark

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