Tumble and Twist

It wasn't but a half hour into the school day--the first day after Easter break--when my phone rang and I saw the middle school's ID number pop up. I always have to take a deep breath before answering that number because it almost always brings bad news from the other end. Sure enough it was the voice of Emma's gym teacher calling me to say that Emma took a tumble while running and I needed to come get her because she could not bear weight on her foot and she heard a crack.

After I hurriedly finished getting dressed, I went to the school and retrieved Emma. It was a long hop to the car since I could not carry her nor did she want two 8th grade boys carrying her to the car. The gym teacher insisted that we would need to get it checked out at the ER since the accident took place on school property. Ugh, poor Emma...poor us!

When we got home Jonathan and I had to strategize how best to work an undetermined amount of time at the ER into our day. Jonathan was having a bad day himself physically after coming off an intense Easter weekend of ministry on top of returning gut pain and no energy. Therefore, for the first time in Kleis family history I attended a child in the Italian ER all by myself. Jonathan drove us and carried Emma into the hospital and then went back home to wait for our call when we were done. We didn't know how long it would take and someone needed to be home to let the boys in when they got home from school.

Chillin' while waiting to get x-ray done

I brought a sack of food, water, reading material and a back up charger for what could be a long day. We arrived at 10am and thankfully things moved along really quickly. An orthopedic assessment, x-rays, return to the orthopedic doctor and check-out were all amazingly accomplished in just 2 hours! Alleluia!

Casting...and she had her good pair of jeans on that we had to cut!

The good and bad news of it all was that Emma did not break any bones, but did sprained her ankle tendon pretty bad. So bad that they put her in a cast for one week. Not the ideal way to extend one's vacation. She attempted to return to school after two days of rest, but could only endure 2-3 hours a day since she was required to keep her foot elevated. It was a very long and miserable week for her laid up on the couch, but she was a trooper.

Sleeping, studying and permanent resting place for a week

On Wednesday, she got her cast removed. The ankle is still very tender and painful to bear weight. She was advised to use crutches for 5 more days and not do any sports for another two weeks. We are praying it heals well and quickly for her.

11 + 1 = 12

Our youngest, Luca turned twelve years old the end of March.  I can still remember the emotion like it was yesterday of discovering our surprise gift would enter the world just nine months after arriving in Italy. I was overwhelmed and excited at the same time, but trusted that God would give us exactly what our family needed and the grace to mother three children three years and under.

Luca, life has not been dull since your entrance into the world!

We all can say that our family is much richer because of you and the special gifts that God has blessed you with. You are uniquely and wonderfully created by your loving heavenly Father who knew exactly what he was doing. You are no mistake! 

You might often ask, "why did God create me this way?" And we will respond without hesitation every time with it is because God loves you and knew the world needed YOU, there will only ever be ONE you who loves the way you do, who is gifted the way you are, and who can shine God's glory in the unique way that you do. God loves you SO much, more than Mamma and Dada, and that is a fact demonstrated by his sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for you. 

Luca, God has began a good work in your life and HE will be faithful to complete it. 

I know that this last year has been particularly challenging and frustrating for you as you began middle school and were launched into a whole new level of intensity with homework and studying. We have been slugging through it together in tears (lots of them from us both!), frustration and yet with a sense of determination. We are figuring this out together. I am so very proud of you and I know that the challenges are merely challenges--they are not defects or faults--God is making something beautiful out of it in your life. Just keep looking to Jesus! He is your answer and hope for everything!

We love your tenderness especially towards those who are younger, weak or different. You are a friend to everyone and your kindness is evident and a blessing to all who know you.

You are becoming a little musician, doing things your own way--of course! We love seeing your creative and ingenious ways of problem solving. We love your laughter, smile and craziness too.

It was our joy to celebrate your first 12 years of life! And it was a bonus that Easter break started on your birthday--maybe one of the best gifts, right?

We love you Luca, always and forever, no matter what!!