Quick hello!

This week has been a rough one for me. Notwithstanding the spiritual experiences this week, I've also been pushed beyond my ability level quite a bit.

All three of my children have been sick this week and I mean sick! Fevers, coughing, yucky noses, sore throats, crankiness, over sensitivity, and huge discipline issues. It's been pretty tough on this mom.

I am okay for a little while or even a longer while with one kid, but a full week and a half with three miserable children? Wow, my weaknesses were very evident. I have a horrible time being indoors for more than three days. No matter the weather or the time, I always make sure I get out of the house. Not happening this week. The kids were so sick I couldn't even feel good about putting them in the van. No swing set to send the kids to when I need a little break; no preschool for Evelynn, no play dates, no fun activities, no church for two weeks in a row! It's been a really long experience for me.

I can't say I have been handling each day with that "enduring grace" we studied, but I've been trying awfully hard. When I can feel my patience evaporating I try really hard to breathe or leave the room for a few minutes instead of taking it out on sick little ones. They can't help it, they don't want to be sick anymore than I do. So we have watched a ton of cartoons (which I hate doing) and eaten what I could get them to eat (which involves lots of kid-friendly food), and they've slept a lot, but not always at the same time. It's been one of my tougher challenges.

I usually have Chris to help me out with these kinds of experiences, but that's been the hardest part. I can't get a break! I'm the only one who can parent, and care give, and do the things they need me to do. So it's me all the time. That's been hard. It's also pretty hard to find a babysitter for sick kids so I can go out and breathe. I did find a fantastic RS Pres to help me out, but I have dr. appts and meetings I can't miss, so I have a hard time asking for a free time sitting. No one wants to get sick themselves or take it home to their kids. So I've been praying a lot, and choosing to be happy when I don't feel I have anything happy left.

That's the way it goes sometimes. Now, I don't want anyone to take away from this a "poor Tamy" feeling. We all have our challenges. I don't feel that way, though it's a good day, so no one else should either. I will manage the way I always have and so will my beautiful children. We pray, we read our scriptures and like the "enduring" article taught, "we just endure to the end of today." Sometimes that's all we can do.

Plus, they can't stay sick forever and it looks like some one's fever might be gone for good - cross your fingers! I have, however, gotten their sick, so prayers and good thoughts are always welcome!

Hope you all have a great week and maybe next week's blog will be one of great rejoicing since we'll all hopefully be well and have picked up Daddy at the airport!