Thankfully, this is not my car, nor anyone I know, but it kind of depicts our life the last couple of weeks. Since Mary Jo's visit to the ER on the first of February we just can't stay well. Thankfully, we haven't had any more fevers of 106, just ear infections, GI bugs, and lice. Yes, I said it. L-I-C-E. It is amazing to me how such a tiny little pest can make you feel so violated, so defeated, as a mother. And just writing about it is making my head itch a little, and most likely you wont be able to read this sentence without scratching your head, too. Sorry about that, don't worry, you don't have it. What makes it even more fun to deal with is that your kids have no embarrassment about it, no idea that it's not really cool to talk about it socially. I quietly asked the pharmacist at Walmart the other day where they sold the lice removal kits and Sadie popped up in the buggy and proudly said "I have lice!" I don't think I can wash any more sheets or vacuum any more. My house is really quite clean because of all this nonsense. Hopefully clean and nit-free, as our heads are. Somebody told me recently that lice don't like dirty heads, so my new preventative measures are going to be less baths. For the kids, not me.
I don't like to be negative but I am so tired of this winter weather. I actually took this picture on the way to work this week, the kids had yet another snow day and the roads were incredibly slick. The night before Mary Jo had some weird, choking episode that I had traumatized Steven over, so he was still a little shaken up and worried more than usual about me driving in. Thank the Lord she was alright, and I wasn't the in the car that slipped off the road. I read a very sad story about a family that lost two children a couple weeks ago in a terrible accident and my heart has been so heavy for them. They have a strong faith and an amazing testimony through their grief, but I always struggle with anxieties when I hear things like this. I want to hold my babies and never let go. But we have to let go, the Lord didn't design us to have these children and keep them in our arms forever. Thankfully, they don't grow up overnight. They crawl then start to pull up, gain independence, and little by little we watch them become their own little people. However long I have these little ones around me is a blessing, and I just need to rest in the peace and joy the Lord gives, no matter the situation. As wise friend once said something to the effect of "the peace that transcends understanding is not meant for imagined fears." In other words, the Lord will grant us what we need when we need it, not before.
We had another winter storm last night, a pretty good ice storm, hopefully on the eve of the Spring! We lost power, leading to a pretty sleepless night. By 6am we had 3 kids in the bed and everyone was asleep but me. I've gotten used to the noisemakers in the house, the trees snapping and cracking outside and the dark quiet house were not a good replacement for them. It was kind of a sweet morning though, albeit cold. We had dry cheerios and donut holes for breakfast, I wish I had my camera while David looked sadly at the refrigerator duct taped shut (he didn't understand why we couldn't have milk - Steven didn't trust any of us not to open it). Supposedly it's going to be in the 60s tomorrow and sunny, I can't wait. The Lord's mercies are new every morning. Whether you're on a slippery slope or in a time of blessing, have lice in your house or a fairly healthy crew, I hope you are trusting in Him for your needs - He can and will meet every one.
