Police Mans

David's friend/boss came by this afternoon in his hot Shellby Mustang and took all the boys for a ride.  Hudson was telling me about it later on this evening:

"I've never gone that fast, mom.  Mr. Chris's car goes really fast.  But we didn't get a ticket, because police mans just know that mustangs go fast."  Yes, they do!

Life's still a little crazy here.  We still don't know what's wrong with David and he's still having pretty regular health issues that effect us all.  We've done lots of research and from all the things we've read we think it must be some "malfunction" of the nervous system.  His doctor still wants to pin it on panic attacks alone.  But, I've watched it happen now several times and there's something else going on.  Anyway, I've eaten too much chocolate over the last few weeks and lost two pounds :)  Stress is a crazy animal.

So glad I have a heavenly Father to talk to through all this.

Cookies

We made chocolate chip cookies yesterday because we needed "a better snack than graham crackers" according to Hudson.  Results are in ... they were messy :)

Sister even got to try one.  I forgot to take the after picture of her.  Let's just say I had to completely change her clothes and stick her in the sink for a rinse down.

Daddy's going to the doctor this morning.  For the last two weeks he's been either gone or sick.  Hopefully we'll get some answers soon and he can rejoin the land of the cookie monsters.  I've been keeping them busy and they haven't really noticed anything wrong.  Hudson asked me yesterday why we were doing so many fun things.  Because that's what we do in the summer :)

On that note, the only way to continue in strength through this for me has been to abide in Christ and to dwell on the TRUTH of His Word.

The Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; 

The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 

The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; 

The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;  

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; 

The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.  

More to be desired are they than gold...sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Psalm 19:7-10

I watched my kids downing their cookies, enjoying every crumb, begging for more.  I gave them one more and said, "Do you know what God's Word says."

Hudson said, "What mom?  Is this some wisdom?"  We call our Bible time at the table a "wisdom search."  It's a term my family used when I was young.

"Yes, Hudson, this is wisdom.  God's Word says, 'taste and see that the Lord is good.'"

"You can't eat God!"  I knew that was coming.

"No.  But see how you're eating all your cookies and they taste so good and you want more and more?  When you read God's Word and pray to him and spend time with him, that's like a taste.  And when you see how good it is to do that, you want more and more and more."  Then we all took turns talking to God for a few seconds (they're little - attention spans are super short :) ).  I love taking advantage of the quiet teachable moments.

A Bright Spot (or two or three) ;)

Alayna crawls around blowing through this straw making "music."  The boys call her the "baby elephant" when she does this.  Yeah - a whole new game!

In her room, sitting quietly looking at her books.  I've never had a child do this!  

This is a far-away shot, but she looks like such a big girl - 11 months!

Eating yogurt and smiling so big.

Hanging out while I cut the boys' hair.  This is the bright spot in my day - never fail.  And since she's always underfoot, my days are usually pretty bright :)  She's learning to say animal noises, holds up one finger (because she's almost 1), she can snap ( I know - crazy).  However, she also bites, refuses to drink out of a cup or bottle and throws a mean fit.  Love my girl.

Best friends and fresh hair cuts.  When they're playing Batman, they both want to be Batman.  Robin is not as cool.  So they've been pretending to be the Batman Brothers.  I love it.

My big boy

My little man.  David was getting Pierce out of the van the other day.  He grabbed him up and said, "You know I love you so much?!"  Pierce said, "Yes, but I have to obey."  My funny boy.

The Storm

A storm came through that blew my metal lawn furniture to the fence.  A good analogy for my life right now.  Things that are supposed to be intact and secure and stay put, have been blown to the fence.  Let me back track.

I took David to the emergency room Monday night with heart attack symptoms.  He's something of a hypochondriac that I rarely take to seriously (I don't get good-wife points for that).  But the pale sweaty face and hand on his chest made me a little nervous.  After a gamut of tests at Bailey Hospital with an abnormality in his stress test, he was transferred to Hilcrest for an angiogram that came back clear.   Over a three day period I shuttled my children around from my parents house to a friend's house and tried to keep things somewhat normal and fun, all the while waiting to see what was wrong with my husband.  The verdict came back:  You're stressed and you need to exercise.  However, since being home his blood pressure has remained elevated, he's had a constant migraine (those don't sit well with small children) and nausea.  I thought a man with a cold was a handful - this is a whole new ball game.  I'm having to work really hard on the compassion/patience part of this.  Fatigue is not my friend.

In other news, Alayna is not interested in weaning anytime soon and she will probably make a great ball player someday.  She's developing quite the arm throwing every sippy cup and bottle that comes her way.  I've never had a child like this.  Don't get me wrong, I'm  all about nursing.  I would just love to go out for more that 3 hours at a time.  I think that's reasonable :)

I taught my aerobics class last night on the BOSU.  I had people walk out!  That's never happened to me before.  I LOVE the BOSU - I must be one of the few.  It was hard - my muscles were burning.  But that's a GOOD thing.  If that doesn't happen I feel cheated out of a good workout.  

Last thought for this post - can you continue to live life in peace and joy despite your circumstances?  For example, with a truly sick husband that needs extra care, three small children that depend fully upon you, all responsibilities on your shoulders because the other adult in the house really can't handle it right now, and growing fatigue - with all that, can you maintain peace and joy and hope?  The answer is yes.  I realize my situation is minuscule compared to many.  My stress over the last four days has been another's life story.  I am in no way an expert on going through trials.  But, as I go through this one, when the lawn furniture is at the fence, my house still stands strong.  

Lord, I am so glad that You are in control, that You have orchestrated this day and it is beautiful in Your sight.  My heart is at peace because You are good, because Your purposes are good, and because when all is said and done Your glory will prevail and Your name will be praised.

There are many ways to get through a day.  One way is to moan and groan, stumbling along with shuffling feet.  This will get you to the end of the day, eventually, but there is a better way.  Lean on the ONE whose strength never fails, Who never falters with fatigue, Whose way is easy and Whose burden is light.  HE LOVES US!  Oh how He loves us.  Purpose in the midst of the storm to "Give thanks in all things, for this is the will of God."