We have a laid back, somewhat ill household today... The little guys have varying degrees of colds, and the parents aren't feeling like themselves but are without a definitive diagnosis. Back in the pre-kid days, sick days meant lying on the couch, dozing off to sub par television. Nowadays though, sick days mean pushing through regardless of how one feels. So, I have had to continue realigning my thoughts to being in the moment today, relying on the strength of Jesus, and enjoying breaths of joy.
- When Eli was feeling his worst this morning and Daddy was still at work, Mommy was trying to feed a STARVING Ish while checking on Eli and also helping Toby to get his food cooled off enough to eat. At one point, this involved Mommy's right hand shoveling food into eager Ish's open mouth while trying with the left hand to stab some kernels of corn with Toby's fork. Toby started chanting, "Go, Mommy, Go! Go, Mommy, Go!"
- Ish has been having difficulty learning how to pick up small items (the pincer grasp) due to not having pointer fingers and having his thumbs in a not-completely-opposing position. His occupational therapist has been working with him on this, but today we saw significant progress, thanks to one of Eli's bday presents - LEGOS! Yep, this little guy is desperate to pick up pieces of Legos. Normally, Legos will be an Eli's-room-only activity, aka without little brothers, but today, Eli wanted to play with them while lying on the couch, and when you're sick, concessions are made... All three brothers were into the construction process today, and Ish (who thankfully didn't think to eat any of these little pieces) had a lot of practice with tweezer dexterity.
- Eli's least favorite thing about being sick is missing out on fun and life in general. It took some convincing this morning before he realized it would be ok to stay in his pajamas and watch TV. After all, there were new Lego kits to be assembled and imaginary surgeries to schedule! But we even were able to snuggle for a nap on the couch together, and as he ate his won ton soup tonight (his favorite feel-better food), he looked over to me and said, "I love you, Mommy. Even when we're sick."
Despite beautiful weather that we weren't able to enjoy, despite missing church, despite "peeling yucky" (Toby's pronuciation), it was still a good day. Now the boys are all in bed and will hopefully get great fever-less sleep, and the parents are going to go doze on the couch to a video.
My sickness breath of joys include being able to sleep all day without responsibilities and having people do my laundry for me...today's breath of joy was being able to go back to work! :)
ReplyDeleteCarol
My sickness breaths of JOY include being able to call into school and request a substitute and allow myself the complete freedom of resting and recuperating without guilt that I am causing inconvenience to staff and somehow letting my students down which is my perception that I allow to become all askew in my mind!
ReplyDeleteThese past few days of being sick have found me embracing many "breaths of joy!" Intimate time with Abba, uninterrupted restful sleep, and in the awake moments a chance to gel my thoughts for a S.S. class I am truly loving to teach and pulling ideas together for an early morning praise and worship service.
It is a beautiful thing to see that you are able to be intentional and strive to live in the moments with your children Steph even on the "sick days" which prove to hold many unique JOYS.... Thanks for sharing them with all of us.
Remember that God didn't make you an "octopus" line with the boys! It works for me! It was so nice to catch some time to chat with you on Tuesday and have a up-to-date "snapshot of life" so that I may pray effectively for each of you.....
You are a blessing to all.