mini break

I have no idea how one third of January is over.  We came home from our Christmas vaca sick... and this cold/cough/flu/sinus infection has felt like death.  This morning I was up at 3:00 am crying.  Simon was up too saying, "no one can get me better."  I felt so frustrated and so tired after not sleeping for what seems like weeks.  But today has been good and I am positive things are going to turn around soon.

Yesterday was a crazy day.  I had a full schedule and sick kids really put a wrench in my plans.  The day before I scrubbed the entire house because I knew how busy the rest of my week was.  Yesterday morning I woke up, dressed myself and the kids, fed them a hearty breakfast and packed up to head to a quick dentist appointment and then the library to return overdue books (and pick up a few on our homeschooling curriculum for this week.)  Aaron was leaving for work at the same time and felt bad for me.  Truth is, I would have sent them to friends houses but they were all sick and I couldn't do that to our friends--- so Aaron offered to stay home while I ran to the dentist and then meet me at the library with all the kids when it opened.  Sweet guy.  They were all out on the curb and I wished I would have pulled out my phone and taken a picture of them waving to me.  As I drove away, Aaron said something sarcastic like, "So this is what it's like everyday, staying home and hanging out with the kids."  I was upset with myself for leaving the house so clean and loading the breakfast dishes (this is SO not typical of my normal routine.)

My dentist is awesome and quickly put a crown on my back tooth (the same crown that was done when I was preggo with Ro, but I was having some issues with it.)  I was in and out of there in 30 or so minutes.  I had to stop by the bank to get something notarized for my husband (this he knew and told me to call him when I was done.)  I called and had the best 20 second phone conversation of my life.  Aaron answered, stressed out, telling me he was on the other line with a student loan company.  I could hear the baby crying and the only thing I could understand from Daddy was, "ugh.  Unclogging a toilet.  The kids are screaming.  I gotta go."  I hung up the phone grinning ear to ear.  So glad the kids put on a show when I didn't even ask them to! Those sweetie pies!!   (Zack clogged the toilet, btw.)

Aaron and the kids arrived at the library first, but in an attempt to put on Simon's shoes (always a fight) they left all the books in the garage-- the main reason for meeting there in the first place. Oh well. Aaron looked worn out and paid me all sorts of compliments when I arrived, about what a killer of a job I am doing at home, etc.  He also said, "I totally understand why you never get dressed or put the kids in cute clothes.  The minute you do, you get nastified."  Roma's cute outfit that I put her in after breakfast was coated with all kinds of food, boogers and gunk.  But she was still cute and I was so happy to see them.  Simon was complaining of a stomach ache (going on two weeks now) and had his shirt off before we got out the doors of the library.  I was able to snatch a picture or two on the walk out to the car.  Aaron also forgot the stroller and that is a big no-no when adventuring out with our crazy kids.  He'd know if he had a little more experience.

Aaron left for work and I stopped by the pharmacy for some meds.  The boys were quietly laughing in the back and Ro was looking out the window and singing.  My husband was so kind to me and is always there when I need him.  Even though it's been a crazy couple of weeks/months, I felt so grateful for my life.  And the thought "You don't deserve this" actually went through my mind several times.  Don't get me wrong, I know I contribute to our family and do my fair share of work, but also know that I am very, very blessed.  I am holding onto these blessings of mine very tightly and pray that we can all get through this winter appreciating one another even more than last year.  Grateful for these people in my life that make it so rich and fulfilling.  It is definitely worth all the work (and toilet unclogging.)