The Den of Sick

The boys are sick.

They have been for what seems like forever. Caleb started it all on Sunday and each morning since then a new boy, including Mike, wakes up with the same fever and aches. This is all coming on top of them having a different fever virus two weeks ago. Needless to say I am growing exhausted of my children being unhealthy.

When a family is sick, one often has sympathy for the suffering, but over the past 3 weeks I have come to realize that sympathy need also be extended to the caregiver. God has spared me of having the virus, thankfully, but I find myself becoming incredibly overwhelmed with trying to take care of everyone.

I'm run down from lack of sleep.

I'm tired of hearing, "Mom... I need a tissue....I need a drink....I need, I need, I need!"

I'm weak with seeing my children and husband so limp and lifeless.

Yesterday I was in "the depths of despair, " (Anne of Green Gables) and I stood crying and thinking- "I can't do this anymore!"

But today is a new day. Today I know that God will give me the grace. He has to. I've been praying, praying, praying. Not for anything specific, but just praying. And I am comforted in the knowledge that in time this too will pass. I am comforted because through my praying God has given me peace. My goal, my hope is to get through this being the best mother/wife/nurse that I can.

Instead of a burden, I'm looking at this as an opportunity. I can be Jesus to my family right now in a very real way. I can lay down my life for them by getting them a tissue, a drink, a blanket, or whatever they need. So I will continue to pray- "Lord, keep the grace coming."

picture perfect

Gideon is going around the house looking at all of our pictures and identifying whomever is in them. For the ones that are out of his reach, he will pull a chair or scoot an ottoman over so that he can not only see the photo, but hold it as well. I hear him say things like, "That's my daddy... and some other guy." and "Is that my mommy racing? Yes it is" and "There is Caleb, and me, and my baby." (more tomorrow on why he refers to Jonah as "my baby.")

sense of self

I took Gideon over to Grammy & Papa's (my Mom & Dad) house yesterday while I had my car serviced. As soon as we got there he was super excited. He was kicking his legs in his car seat and squealing. Then once I got him unbuckled he lunged out and ran up the driveway to my Dad who came out to meet us.

We proceeded into the house and began searching for Grammy. He kept calling her, "Grammy, Grammy where are you?" To which she playfully replied, "Who is that?"

Gideon simply stated, "It's me!"

But the way in which he said it translated more like this: "I am Gideon. Love me. Adore me. Think I am cute. Think I am funny. I am here. You may begin the worship."

sisters that run together...

My sister Mary and I are training for a 1/2 marathon. We are following a training schedule and today we had to run 12 miles. Even though it was tough- we did it! Not only did we run the distance we were scheduled to run, but we ran it fast- our personal best!

I have such a wonderful sense of accomplishment. I mean I just ran 12 miles! How cool is that? But what makes the achievement even more sweet was that I was able to share it with my sister. We have been running together on & off for about a 9 months and it has really strengthened our relationship. I'm so grateful that I get to share this with her. Love you Mary!

commitment issues

It appears that I have gotten very bad at being a consistent blogger. When we moved I was so distracted trying to get our life settled that the blog took a backseat. Well, we are finally settled. The boys are back in school, every box has been unpacked, and pictures are hung on the walls. I no longer have any excuses! So here we go again.

1 bdrm/ 2 bath

The big boys go to a Catholic school, and every Friday they go to mass. Gideon and I try to go to church on that day too. The boys love to see us, and Gideon is also learning how to behave during church.

A little background information: As soon as the big boys started back to school, Gideon went to potty training boot camp. He is doing great! He's really starting to grasp the whole idea of using the toilet instead of wetting/soiling himself.

Well, today these two elements crashed into each other: potty training & church! During a pretty significant party of the mass Gideon declared that he, "have to go poop!" He was very emphatic about it so I quickly rushed him out of the santuary and into the bathroom.

As we were readying him for the toilet he said to me, "God has potty's at his house? God has 2 potty's!"

out of the mouths of babes

As Jonah and I walk into the kitchen we see that a chair has been knocked over and is laying sideways on the ground. Jonah, surveying the situation, asks, "Who taught that chair a lesson?"