They're Mine

There's lots of hustle and bustle going on around here as we get my husband ready to travel next Tuesday which is so much earlier than we originally planned! And then the hustle and bustle will start in its second wave as the rest of us prepare to leave in August! 

I've been shopping for our 4 sweeties, realizing they may come to us with no spare clothing, etc. I've been agonizing over each purchase wondering if they'll like what I pick, if it'll fit (since I've been told "sorry but we can't give you sizes!") and on and on... We've bought a few toys and things for them to do. Again, I have specialized in agonizing if I am buying the "right things". 

I've had endless conversations with my husband about him doing the girls' hair and about what their daily schedule could look like, and possible fears they may have...

Then this one conversation when I bought them "swimmy arm floats" in case they go to a pool...

"Now you can use these at a pool because it is small and you are right there with them. But if you go to the beach, don't use them! You'll have 4 kids at once at the beach and I am thinking they can't swim. What if one of them floated off while you are paying attention to the others? Actually you really shouldn't go to the beach unless you have lots of help with you"...and on and on it went.

My husband finally says, "You know these are not my first kids and I haven't lost one yet, right?" 

And it occurs to me...in my heart...they are as mine as mine could be...as mine as my other three kids...I long for them...I am starting to "dote over them"...because they...are...mine...