(I promise I won’t name each blog post a day of the week going forward)

Lydia’s ear tube surgery went well. She was pleasant despite me waking her up at the crack of dawn and not feeding her anything. The nurses and anesthesiologist were not happy because she has a runny nose and a little cough and threatened to cancel today’s procedure. But, ultimately, they decided it was okay to start and that they’d just have to stop if she started showing any respiratory distress. But, it also meant they would not give her the sedative they promised me they’d give her so that she’d be fine when they took her from me. I was not happy about that. But, God’s hand was on her because when the nurse reached out for her, she just went with her–stared at her intently and didn’t cry at all. I had to take some serious deep breaths but held back the tears. 15 minutes later, they told me she was in recovery, and I went back a few minutes later. Not even the deep breaths could keep a few tears away then, seeing her so teeny in a big bed still asleep with an oxygen mask on. But, she woke up soon just fine–a little bit confused but not crying. What a blessing. We were home quickly and she was in bed for most of the day which actually wasn’t so bad.

And, having her sleeping all day meant I had to stay home and have Mark do all the pick ups today of the other kids. Plus, it was pouring down rain all day. So, this birthday girl got to snuggle in under the covers and read and take a nap herself! Now, that’s the way to spend a birthday. Mark even did homework with Evan and packed the lunches for tomorrow. Does it get any better? Oh, yes, it does. Out to dinner with the fam to Molly Maguires where kids eat free on Mondays (Mark thanked me for having my birthday fall on a Monday this year). Then, home for a very pretty cake Mark bought today on his way back from one of the kid pick ups.

Lydia is mesmerized by the candles in this picture. Or, maybe she is just fantasizing about digging into the chocolate. She did give us her famous “mah mah mah mah?” (translation: “more more more more”) while we fed her some.

Alone time. Nice.

Perhaps the best gift in the basket was this one, personally chosen by Drew.

A little mini cat waving his arm. Those of you who have been to China know that these are pretty much everywhere. But, they are larger and actually waving at you. They are pretty odd…or maybe creepy. I am sure they symbolize good luck or something like that. 

And, here is Drew sulking when I told him that it was my birthday gift and that meant he could not keep the cat in his room on his nightstand. Apparently, he picked it out because he really liked it. Perhaps he was hoping I would not and then give it back.

His prayer tonight before bed went something like this:

“Thank you, God, for dying on the cross [that’s how they always start]. And, thank you for the little cat that waves his arm and comes alive at night. Amen.”

Perhaps I should rethink keeping it on my nightstand where it now sits.