Summer Break Week 7

I think this was the worst week of summer break. What could be worse than May’s surprise miscarriage? My mom fell and thought she broke her foot. She waited a whole week to go to the hospital (because she’s stubborn, on a retired income, and was sure it was just a sprain) but after not being able to put any weight on it all week she went. And was there basically the whole weekend laid up with her foot and other, more serious complications! I don’t want to go into any more details of my mom’s life without her permission (and I’m certainly not about to ask her for permission when she’s in the middle of a crisis) but please remember her in your prayers this week. I trust God and I think she’s going to be fine but I just got used to having her around more now that she’s retired and I know we all will miss her so much since she most likely won’t be able to visit with a hurt foot and health issues and with our extra babysitting kid in tow, I won’t be making it out to her either. Change is hard and my kids are already asking when she is going to be coming over next! But she needs rest and clearly God thought so too since he allowed this to happen. His ways are good even when we don’t understand it!

I had another family member texting me throughout this whole stressful process of mom-breaking-her-foot about how much a loser I was for not dropping off food or helping out. Granted this family member did not know I had a full time babysitting job this summer or had recently had a miscarriage. I’m also sure my mom would not want a toddler and a stranger in her house while she’s hurt. I did make her soup and I froze it to bring it to her soon.

I did not respond.

Everyone reacts differently to stress and trauma and it can bring out the worst in people. Remember that next time you are going through a hard time and let your every word be one of peace, mercy and kindness.

Reuben is still doing PEMF and I am so thrilled about how he is progressing. He hasn’t been sick and June was the first month in a long time he didn’t catch something! I know it’s summer but my poor Reuben catches the slightest cold and is sick for a week usually twice a month. So this is such a blessing. We have two more months of PEMF and I am hopeful to keep seeing improvements in his nose breathing and immunity.

We had our regular piano lessons this week and also I had a cleaning day on Wednesday and I washed all the sheets! We did not make it out to any parks, I had one scheduled and no one wanted to go so I just skipped it.

Here is what I cooked for dinners, all alpha gal free

• fish, veggies and rice

• basil pesto pasta salad

• nacho dip with corn chips and chicken

• chicken fried rice

• chickpea salads

• chicken chili

Charlotte is easily becoming a fixture into our day and both the kids love doing different things with her and they all play together wonderfully! This week they all ran outside and played in the rain (no thunder so it was safe) and they have some running/chasing game they play and it is wholesome to see them all the best of friends. We also love nature drawing and reading together and puzzles.

One day this week Charlotte’s dad, Jake, asked if I could watch her best friend Phoenix for the day and I said yes. It was fun to see Charlotte around someone she clearly knew and loved and we all had a great time swimming and eating ramen and being silly.

I hope everyone is making wonderful summer memories.

I also finished crocheting my water bottle cover. I’m in a fiber art slump and I haven’t started on any new projects since I finished my last sweater so it was nice to have something to make...I really don’t know what to make next. Perhaps I should start working on the kids fall hats.

If you look at everything we did it was a great week but mostly I was worried about my mom and just trying to keep things normal.

Bonus picture of my salad it was amazing.

We ended the week with a great weekend of painting, getting henna at the farmer’s market (Esther did it too!) and swimming.

I am hoping next week does not hold any mystery illnesses, broken bones, surprise pregnancies or other catastrophes for any member of my close or extended family. Goodness, this summer is giving me a run for my bible in a way I probably needed in the mountains as well as the valleys...because God is my strength and I can’t get through any of this without him.

Today in church I was also sad to hear that Beth Bell’s husband is in the hospital with a brain aneurism. Please pray for him too. Yes, I should know his name, but I don’t and I will remedy that soon. I have seen the sweet Bell couple in my church, they are perhaps in their 50s or 60s--but I have exchanged maybe two or three words with the wife and none with the husband.

They are lovely people though and sadly the prognosis does not look good. Everyone was glum about it. We prayed for them and got updates through the elders who were with them in the hospital on Saturday.

No one is promised tomorrow. Remember that before you crab at your kids tomorrow! Remember that when you are angry about your husband’s socks.

No one is promised tomorrow.