The Simplest Way to Slow Down

A picture of our family at a dear friends wedding, all the children were part of the celebration!

As I begin to write I realize it has been over a month since I have posted anything.
Our life has been anything but simple. I have felt like I am being stretched and pulled in every direction, barely staying afloat. I absolutely hate living like this because as you know nothing seems to get done well, its just maintaining, getting what needs to be done that day done and then looking to the next pressing issue. Don't get me wrong, there has been a lot of fun things happening, but the pace at which I can do things just isn't what it used to be.

So here is the easiest way to instantly slow life down...have all but one person in your family of 7 get really really sick! Exactly one week ago Miss Mary came into our room sobbing, grabbing her head, and with a fever of 102 degrees. I tried not to think of all the things that this could be and instead worked on giving her motrin and tucked her into bed beside me. Eric was out of town, not scheduled to return until Friday evening. By the next afternoon Katherine too had a high fever and both were throwing up, and by evening I felt terrible. Eric caught a flight home(his ability to get home that evening was a total act of God and a whole other story in itself). So as it stands right now Thomas has been the only one fortunate enough not to get this horrible flu. I don't remember ever feeling so miserable!

Staying home for nearly a week has been a challenge, we've missed out on many "amazing outings", lots of music practicing, routine, socializing with friends, and getting anything accomplished! Somehow life has been put more into perspective and so much of what we have "missed" out on doesn't seem to really matter. Yes, it would have been really fun to have 2 great families over for vespers Friday evening and to take my kids on a wonderful field trip with friends, but completely stopping life also afforded lots of time to snuggle up together, to watch some really good movies like Sound of Music, stay in our pj's all day, and to eat lots of toast and applesauce. We also were able to experience the kindness of several friends through yummy meals of soup brought to our home, reminding us how important it is to reach out to those in need.

I was overwhelmed with love and appreciation for my husband who was such an amazing person through all of this. He didn't feel great during this time, yet he got up with the kids at night, administered lots of medicine, read to the kids, took the wellies on walks and bicycle rides, fed the kids meal after meal and cleaned up the kitchen over and over and even managed to get a few trees planted in the yard with the help of the ever faithful and helpful little Thomas!