The world as I knew it nine weeks ago, has completely changed. Nine weeks ago the life that Stephanie and I were living was much simpler that it is today. After all, it was just the two of us. She was able to do what she wanted and I was able to do the same.
Then God showed up and answered a prayer that we had been praying for almost a decade…
On May 25th our family grew by two. The two boys that we had done respite care several times, including Mother’s Day, would now call our home, theirs, and our lives will never be the same again.
Since then, a lot of adjustments and anew routine for them, and us, has had to be made. Now, the mornings start off with me getting ready for work, then its time for them to brush teeth, get dressed, eat Fruit Loops and watch tv just before we take them to daycare.
On my way home, I pick the guys up and for the next hour, its just the dudes hanging out until Steph gets home and we all eat dinner, together.
A lot of sacrifices have also been made. Nine weeks ago, I was the Associate Pastor at Gracepointe Church. Since then I have had to step away from Gracepointe to focus on what is best for my family and the adjustments that we are making. Before the boys came, Stephanie was able to focus on her passion to write. She has had to sacrifice her time as well to focus on our family. Instead of spending time at night reading or watching tv, now there are baths to take, teeth to brush and stories to be read just before prayers together as a family.
At the same time, we put our house on the market in the hopes that we would move to West Georgia but after looking in those areas, we haven’t found an area as nice and as convenient as the one we have now so instead of buying a new home and remodeling it, we are staying put and remodeling our home in Dallas. So on top of everything going on and the adjustments that we are making, we have turned our house up side down as well.
We have also had to learn how to be parents. How to know when to discipline and when to look the other way. How to make sure there are plenty of cereal and chocolate milk in the house and when to stop by the grocery store on the way home. Fortunately, both of us have amazing parents to learn from their examples that we probably took for granted growing up, but now are priceless to both of us.
We still have a lot to learn and make mistakes every day. We are still trying to find the balance between taking care of and providing for our family, spending time with each other and also having our own time. I haven’t been able to play guitar, work on the computer or do some of the things that I love to do, (like keep this story updated) as much as I was able to do before, but getting those hugs throughout the day, and hearing an 8 & 9 year old say “I love you” makes it all worth it.
Sure it’s a different world now, but I wouldn’t change it for anything….
Dear God,
I never thought I would appreciate those times in my life when my parents told me “no” or gave me a gift unexpected. I never thought I would have the opportunity to think back on what Mom & Dad taught me and use it in my own family. Thank you for the life you have given me, the family you have given me and the lessons in life that You have shown me. Help me each day to be a better child of God, husband, dad, son and brother to those special to me.
Keith
KWHITE75 