I have been overwhelmed. I have been exhausted. I have been frusterated. I have cried a lot. And this just describes yesterday. In the middle of December we were blessed to recieve two new members of our family. K and Tracker, whose pictures will not be a part of this blog until they bare the last name Grimm. K is 3 and Tracker is 1, and they are just the sweetest little girls you've ever come across, they fit in perfectly with the rest of the Grimm girls. Going from 3 to 5 girls ages 5 and under was just a little overwhelming in itself. But the events that have followed have pushed me to the edge, and thrown me on my knees before God.
The first week we had K and Tracker we found out that they brought a few hundred "friends" into our home with them. Unfortunately, we didn't realize these "friends" were with them until they had been in our home for a few days. We had to irradicate these "friends" which cost us quite a bit of time, energy and money...but through it I was overwhelmed.
After we got that issue handled, we realized that Tracker and Jelly Rolls are both teething, and that is why neither of them are sleeping terribly well. Then I was hit with a series of unfortunate but not serious medical issues. And through this I was overwhelmed.
The unfortunate occurance of this household are not what is overwhelming me. It's the love that has been poured into our lives. I want to just take a few minutes to personally thank those who have poured into our lives when we needed it the most. *When I initially wrote this post, I named out each individual, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that would just embarrassed most of the people that helped us.*
One couple we know have offered prayer, medical advice, childcare, meals and a listening ear when I have needed to vent. I am overwhelmed.
A gal from our church and her crew- OFFERED to watch all 5 girls so that Tom and I could go out on a date, and get the last of our Christmas shopping done. She also offered to come pick "friends" out of the girls hair, when I thought NO ONE would want to even be around us. I am overwhelmed.
A girlfriend -Watched 3 of the Grimm girls while the other 2 sat in "friend" ridding shampoo for 9 hours. She changed her plans to help. I am overwhelmed.
My mother in law-has committed to taking Goob to school 5 days a week, so I don't have to load up the rest of the troops that early in the morning. I am overwhelmed.
My own mother- who has listened to me laugh like a lunatic through all this, and continued to encourage and pray for our family. I am overwhelmed.
I am overwhelmed by the countless people and far too many to list but none the less just as important who have texted or emailed me or posted on facebook, telling me they are praying for our family or just leaving a note of encouragement. The Christmas gifts that poured into our home for the new arrivals. The calls from our church family just to check on us, and ask us if they can help in any way. I am overwhelmed.
I can't thank each and every one of you enough. I am speechless by the love that has been given to us, and we pray that it is given back to you tenfold.
When I have wanted to throw in the towel and scream ENOUGH! I can't take another second, I remember the team of people that are behind us. Tom and I know now it truely takes a village to raise a child (or 5) and we are so thankful for our "village." We love you all.
