Stormy, Rainy Friday

It is absolutely storming outside and I was unable to sleep. I have to drive 100 miles each way through Atlanta traffic to go get Jose for his first homestay in seven months.

I'd so much rather drop in on Dee, or call Daniel's girlfriend's mother to finally get to meet her, or check in on a very wayward adult child in Atlanta rather than barrel through, one eye on my watch, the other on the highways, worrying about how Jose will act this weekend, blaring country gospel on my CD player in the truck.

This is the rain we've been praying for, provoking all my kids each time we see a drop to grill me, "Is the drought over now?" Like it won't take another two years to replenish the fact that we're nearly two feet shy of necessary rainfall. I explain it over and over. I can hear my sugar snap snow peas growing outside.

Paloma was rageful and a witch all evening, her moods are cyclical here even at 11, so severe and not related to a monthly cycle yet other than it's apparently oncoming and I'm standing on the tracks.

Amanda used the term 'one dimensional journal' to describe blogging in an email and she's so correct. Even my other kids who don't live at home have to call me for details or try and figure between the lines when I'm careful about what all I say. If we laid it all out here, I'm afraid it'd be too negative for adoption...the reality is harsh yet the highs are so tremendous from having gotten through everything.

Eight kids are going on a retreat this weekend, Discipleship Now, from tonight through Sunday morning. Jose begged to go and our youth pastor is willing for him to try as they will be nearby and I can run get him if he has trouble holding himself together. Javy and Fabian will be there with him. This should be an interesting time