Keepin' It Real

I've been feeling like I'm due for an update on the ol' blog. Not an update that hides behind cute pictures of smiling kids, but a real, honest update on life these days. Think you can handle it? Here we go...

*Lauren is on day 4 of the flu. The fever, chills, puking, stuffy-nose, exhausted, can't-sleep kind of flu. Which means she is miserable and so is her mommy. (Ironically, she was supposed to get her flu shot on Saturday, and came down with the flu on Thursday night. So. Not. Fair.)

*The same night that Lauren came down with the flu, Jonathan came down with a cold. Which means nobody is sleeping well in this house.

*Jonathan is doing a lot these days: screaming, hitting, kicking, throwing tantrums, whining, and crying. A lot. What is he not doing? Talking. Still. So we have an appointment on Friday for a speech evaluation which will probably lead to speech therapy.

*Speaking of my son's wonderful behavior, Jonathan's 2nd birthday party was a disaster. A true disaster. (The 12 family members who were there are nodding their heads right now in agreement.) So if you're waiting for a post of cute birthday pictures and stories, don't hold your breath. It ain't comin'.

*Gary and I had a fight last night. (Yes, my husband, I'm announcing our argument on the internet. But really, anyone who would be surprised by that statement obviously has not been married for 10 years.) We had been stuck at home with sick kids for three straight days, and we both let our selfishness get the best of us.

*It is currently 94 degrees outside. In the middle of October. Where was this weather when it could have been useful, perhaps in July? Now it just means my fall chrysanthemums on the front porch have already died from heatstroke, and we're stuck going to school and work in the heat. (If Lauren ever gets better, that is.)

*The only thing I have to eat for lunch today is hot soup. Did I mention it's 94 degrees?

Before you feel too sorry for me, let me share this: My dear mother-in-law, who already knows about most of these challenges, prayed with me on the phone this morning. She asked God to give me moments of joy through out the day, and that I would be able to recognize those moments. God is answering that prayer. Even though the overall picture of life may feel grim right now, there are moments when I see God working through all of it. I was folding laundry in Lauren's room this morning, as she was laying on her bed, watching a DVD. She chose to watch one about Gigi, God's little princess, and I got to hear bible verses as I put away her clothes. It truly did bring me joy to know that Lauren, at 4 years of age, is already learning Truth and storing it away in her mind for the days when she will truly need it. And I get to be reminded of that Truth today, a day that I really need it. Thank you, Lord.

And now we will see if I am brave enough to click "Publish Post"...