Journal entry by Barbara Bradley — Aug 30, 2015

In some ways it feels just like yesterday but the time has flown and it’s hard to believe Katie had surgery just over two months ago. We head up to Duke Tuesday for a post-op MRI and follow-up with her surgeon. We will find out her physical stats but we already know she has really grown exponentially in all areas of development. Not to mention, physical grown too! I don’t know her heights and weight right not but she has really grown this summer. (guess we will find out this week) Amazing what a little food will do. Now I just need to keep her girlish figure. 

She has definitely been keeping me on my toes this summer. They are all blessings in their own way but some new tasks are not as tolerable as others. Her curiosity is here to stay. Some skills are a sign of independence and wonderful to see. She loves to wash her hands. That’s good, right? But when I find her playing at the sink with the faucet on full force and giggling as water is streaming down her forearms to the floor, I am not feeling joyful in that moment. When I find her applying carmex to her entire face and the coffee table, I appreciate her desire to do it herself but I am not feeling joyful in that moment.

Now that she is taller Katie is able to see and reach things on the kitchen bar and counter-tops that weren’t accessible to her before. In the time it took me to shower she managed to find the kitchen scissors, open her diastat rescue medicine, pull a knife out of the block, turn the fireplace on, and stick a bead up her nose. Really??!! Come on! It’s like have a very tall toddler that’s on the move looking for trouble. She is adorable but can not be trusted. I am not feeling joyful in that moment.

We made a visit to the Grandparents a few weeks ago to retrieve Nathan. He spent a week at the new house getting the lay of the land. He wasn’t sure it could be more fun than Texas but he had a great week. Katie spent her time there eating her weight in red grapes and finding what trouble she could get into at their house. She found her way to the grape bowl in the kitchen and stole grapes from the counter-top while walking back and forth to the sink. It’s amazing how quiet she can be when she is misbehaving. She used a spoon to poke at the dirty dishes and splash. She thought she was hidden by the kitchen bar because she is just shy in height but we were just sitting in the living room on the other side. We caught her when she giggled. That Scrub Daddy was too irresistible. He was still smiling as she squeezed his face and made him foam at the mouth. Poor Scrub Daddy.

There are some redeeming qualities to her blossoming personality. In addition to trying to sing every song on the radio, she loves to pretend to talk on the phone. She has a toy smart phone and I have caught her holding it up saying “cheese” and pretending to take a selfie. She will hold it to her ear and say, “oh, hi grandma…yay….ok…..so…..love you, bye bye!”. She then goes through her list of everyone she knows and has the same conversation.

Her love and light are still ever-present. She is a social experiment in hugging these days. The passing of the peace on Sunday mornings is the best part of her week. Last Sunday Billy looked over at me and asked where she went. She had made her way all the way to the other side of the worship center. She can’t contain her love. She often points at someone during the service and says to me “that one”. Off she goes. You are getting a hug whether you want one or not. Sometimes it’s as if she knows who needs a hug. If you think that is uncomfortable imagine how I feel being with her in public. She not only wants to hug everyone but then she says, “Mommy’s turn!”. Elevators are the most interesting. It’s like walking an energetic puppy – they see a stranger and can’t help but jump on their legs and lick them. Thank God she doesn’t do that. I find myself giving a warning after she hugs them. “I’m gonna hug you now.” She is a little angel. That would be her superpower. Some days it can be awkward but most days I know that is her calling. We got dinner last weekend and there was an elderly man by himself waiting for his take out when we stood in line to place our order. No sooner did I begin placing my order and off she goes to hug the man. I feel certain he needed that hug. That one….She has it right. We should all be so full of love. The world would be a different place if someone like my Katie was in charge. That one….

One week of school is down in the books. I think it will be a great ….I know we are all in different stages with some starting kindergarten and others dropping babies off at college.

Backpacks are hung by their hooks with care
Nathan's uniforms make easy choosing of what to wear.
So far lunches are packed the night before.
But give me another week and I'll just throw lunchables out the minivan door.
Pencils and crayons are sharpened and new.
Katie's laces are tied an extra time or two.
My boy was so nervous - oh how will it be?!
Will I make new friends? Who will sit with me?
Staff has not seen Katie since her last surgery.
Will she still be herself - so sweet and carefree?
It will be a year of beginnings for all.
Full of changes and learning or just letting go.
Just let them spread their wings and watch how they grow.
Don't worry moms - it's okay to shed a few tears.
Then come sit on my porch and let's drink a beer.