Sickness Invades

Two weeks ago, a major alien invaded our home - it was a virus.

It took Andy out first - getting extremely sick in the car on our way home from Blake's soccer game on Saturday.

Noah was next - he got sick at Ellie's birthday party Sunday night.

By Monday, Jake also had a temperature.

I took all three of them to the doctor on Monday.  They thought Noah and Andy had strep because their throats were so red.  Andy had some blisters in his mouth.  But their strep tests came back negative.  Jake had an ear infection and an upper respiratory infection.  Then he got sick in the car on the way home.

On Tuesday, Noah and Andy seemed fine - fever free since Monday afternoon.  But Jake developed a rash all over his body.  At first I thought it was a reaction to the antibiotics he was on for his ear infection.  I called the doctor's office and they said not to give him any more meds until they saw him the next day.

We went back to the doctor on Wednesday.  They determined he had some type of virus like Hand/Foot/Mouth.  He was miserable and IT WAS HIS BIRTHDAY!!!!  Look how pitiful he looks in this picture:

Poor little guy was so sick.  Finally by Sunday, he was a little better and we were able to do a birthday dinner with Greg's parents.  He had a chocolate cake and opened some presents.  I will do a separate post on that!

I have had a cough for over two weeks.  I hate taking medicine - even cold medicines.  I try to just suffer through whatever.  But finally after a week, I broke down and started taking Nyquil Nightime Cough medicine.  It knocked me out enough that I wasn't up half the night coughing.  I felt a little better.

Then yesterday, I started having sharp, stabbing pains in my chest/right side if I coughed or took a deep breath.  I finally talked to my doctor.  I am now on a z-pack and a strong cough medicine.  We are hoping this kicks it and I don't get any worse.  If that happens, they have said I will need chest x-rays.  I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS!!!!!

Pray that all this junk leaves our home ASAP!

Let's Draw Together

Andy loves to help with Jake.  He always asks to give him his bottle or a "treat".  Most of the time, he is ok with Jake playing beside him.  When Lego creations get knocked over, he gets a little riled!

Jake LOVES the Magna Doodle.  He doesn't really know how to draw yet, but loves to sit with the pen and pretend.  He especially loves to do this when Andy is drawing. 

Seeing pictures of Andy and Jake together like this remind me so much of Blake and Noah when they were little.  I have countless photos of them side by side playing, just like this photo!
e playing, just like this photo!

Fall Soccer

This past Saturday, we began our annual fall soccer games.  This is the fifth year Blake has played in the fall.  We could not have asked for a more perfect day to play.  It had rained quite a bit the night before and cooled things off considerably.

We traveled to Lincoln County to play a team there.  It took us about an hour and twenty minutes to get there.

There were only eight players there due to some illness, so we only had one sub and Blake had to play a lot of the game.

The team did well and ended up winning 3-2.  Blake played defender and wing and had a good game.

Blake got to serve as a captain for Saturday's game.

I wish I could have gotten a few "action" shots during the game, but I was busy keeping Noah, Andy and Jake happy.  Andy was running laps around the adjacent field and Noah was timing him with my phone.  Jake was pretty content in his stroller for the first half of the game, but wanted out the second half.  They certainly keep me busy - especially when Greg is coaching and not on the sidelines with us!

We have at least 7 or 8 more games to go, so I know I'll get some pictures at some point this season!

Fulfillment

There is so much associated with the word fulfillment.

FULL

NOT empty

content

pleasure

  As a mom who typically "stays home" with my children, it can be down right difficult to find "fulfillment" some days.  If I allow myself to look to many of the tasks I complete on a daily basis for fulfillment, I would simply NEVER feel content.  

   There is always dirty laundry ready to go into that clean and empty basket.

   There is always a dirty dish SOMEWHERE.

   There is always a face that needs to be washed, hands that need to be scrubbed, nails that need to be trimmed and feet that need to be soaked.
  There is always a book left out, toys scattered about and clutter.

SO - how do I find true fulfillment?  How do I measure "success" throughout my day?  Truthfully, some days it is difficult!  But here are some tried and true measures that I have found to work for me.

1) Ruminate on this verse - "Do everything heartily as if for the Lord and not for men" -Colossians 3:23
2)  Accept that it will NEVER all be done
3) Bring your kids in along side of you to share some of the burden.  Even toddlers can be helpful and taught to pick up toys, put dirty clothes in a basket and straighten a bed.
4) Realize your limits - SERIOUSLY still working on this one, but it is so true!
5)  Remember the teaching of Jesus about Mary and Martha?  It is more important to spend time at the feet of Jesus, learning and being with him, than it is to have an immaculate home.  It is also more important to have happy, health kids and spend time with them!
6) Know that every single thing you do is an opportunity to teach your children a lesson.  Folding laundry - pray over each person who will wear that clothing.  Cooking a meal - find ways to be thankful for the food you have.  Raking leaves - make a pile and jump in it!  Teach yourself and your kids how to savor moments and ways that you can practically serve and honor God in every day tasks.

Are there days you struggle with this fulfillment concept?  How have you found ways to feel value in what you do?