Surprise!

"Better sit down, Mom," Kiel warned me last night when I finally got home. Uh-oh. Now what? In the past, that has preceded some statement like, "I just got married." I am relieved to learn it's not that. Actually, Mark has asked Kiel to come and get Ramseyes and baby sit for a couple of weeks. He and Faith have to get some things back under control, and they just need to be free of baby care for a bit.



O, boy. My mind immediately runs the gamut of ramifications of such an act. Of course, there is no question about whether or not we will help. But there are so many things to consider. Not the least of which is the impact on this poor little fellow who does not know any of us very well. Never mind. We will deal.



Being something of a mini crisis, Kiel heads out as soon as he lowers the boom and gets my OK. I go to bed praying and praying and praying. Lord, have mercy. I do not have the energy to deal with baby proofing my place at the end of a very long day, not to mention we are still in somewhat of a mess from our recent foray to NC.


Thank God I have more energy this morning. Still, it will take something of a miracle for me to be able to do all that needs to be done before I head off to work, not to mention staying upright until my shift ends at 9 pm. Kiel has to be back before 3:30 so he can get to work and how will this young man settle in with all the stuff happening?



God is gracious. I manage to set the house to rights and baby proof just in time to head out to work. Sometime around 4 Kiel's girlfriend appears in the library with a baby stroller and an very wiggly little boy. He is happy to be picked up and greeted and introduced around, but has no patience to be still for long. Andrea heads out to campus to let him run off the long drive.



Am I up to this? Lord only knows. Good thing Mark asked Kiel and not me even though I will definitely be impacted. I am pretty sure I can't keep up with this little bundle of energy! I think of the people I know who as grandparents ended up raising a child or two in their twilight years. I give them great respect. This is not an easy task, even for a few weeks.


Nevertheless, I will do what I can and enjoy him while he is here. Perhaps we will both grow a bit.