Sick Snag

After months of a relatively healthy Nessa Bessa, we hit a snag.  She has been out of school for a week now with a cough and a fever that has just decided to linger.  It has been frustrating to think she's getting better only to watch her wilt and wither, fever inflicted. . .again.  Her diet has been a steady stream of applesauce, chicken broth, and popsicles.  Because, let's face it she eats what she wants when she's sick and I'm okay with that.  I'm happy she takes down anything at all! She just looks so sad and so sickly!  We've ruled out pneumonia and have started a new antibiotic regiment so I hope she's on the mend.  She will stay home with me this week too, and truth be told, I don't mind a bit.

One day sooner than later, if she's anything like my Lene Bean I will have to practically beg her to stay home with a fever because she doesn't want to miss a day.  True story.  about two weeks ago, Anjalene was the sick one.  She stayed in bed Sunday and Monday (President's Day)  with the same cough and fever.  Rather than  rest and not push herself, as I wanted. . .she went back to school so she can keep up with her studies.
Junior high life, I tell ya!

We spent a lot of time in the doctor's office.  Two appointments and an x-ray to rule out pneumonia.  We like to keep ourselves busy as we wait drawing fun things and Janessa is into documenting it.  So there's that.

We've kept caught up on school work and read a ton of books.  Mercy Watson books, as well as Piggie and Elephant are our current favorites.  A sweet girl from her class, dropped off a library book for her to read, and her teacher gave her some love and stopped by with a gift today: love letters! She has received text messages from dear friends and the teacher's aide.  It feels so good to be loved and to see her light up because she genuinely loves school!

There has been plenty of down time.  So much so we might have finished a whole season of Fuller House. Not completely age appropriate, I know.  But most of it goes right over her head or she was asleep through.  And it was my favorite for so many years  a long, long time ago!

Did I mention Ernie is sick too?  Not that he has allowed it to slow him down either.  He worked every day last week, the weekend, and finally took a half day today to go see a doctor.  I guess I never had to worry about letting my crew down when I was sick and in education.  There were subs who could follow your plan so you didn't lose a whole day of teaching time.  His job is different.  If someone isn't there, it makes the job more difficult for the entire crew; hence, he doesn't miss much.

So, here we are at the start of March and my new normal hasn't really started yet.  But it's okay, the luxury of my job now is that I just go with the flow and pray I don't succumb to sickness!

The Days are Long

This week was a long one.  In between a flurry of at home projects and Open Houses I've been battling a cold or allergies.  Something has me not at a hundred percent, but life goes on and there has been so much living of it to do!

She planned a birthday party for Jacob and Bella.  Such a good mama.

Breakfast at the airport:  Just the two of us

Lene was our tour guide at the Living Museum.  Wow, some parents outdid themselves! 

Being silly with my baby.

A labor of love right here.  Research report writing with Bubba was a testing of patience for sure.

His Gold Rush Project

Aqueduct.  I should have taken it from the front so you could tell.

 Monday we celebrated Aunt Lupe's life.  Janessa and Lene went with me.  I thought it was sweet that Anjalene wanted to be there for her cousin Sandra, who in reality, she hasn't spent much time with.  Janessa, my sidekick goes where I go. . .until Kindergarten starts next year!  She and Cadence during church kept me busy.

Watching Aunt Lupe's life in pictures and video.

Cousins

Cousins

Aunt Lupe would have enjoyed these two hams dancing to the mariachis after the funeral; in fact, I daresay she would have been dancing with them!

The next two weeks will be busy.  I'm ready for them, sort of.  My writing class is finished and I have some organizing to do before Summer is upon us.  First things first, I need to get well.  Resting up while E and three of the kids are out at the desert for the day. I miss them already and am looking forward to a night snuggling with my Lene Bean watching a movie on the DVR that we have put off all week.  The simple things make me happy, always.  For now, Bubba gets to watch Anne of Green Gables with me.  Lucky boy.  Lucky me!

Week and Weekend Refreshment

This season of Lent is finding me still.  In my desire to refresh and restore, I'm not having too much to say. The in and out rhythms of our days are not as full as before, but work still beckons to be done, meals to be made, dances to dance, and stories to tell.  All of which have taken place among our four walls lately. . .and at our marriage ministry and my MOMS group at church.  God is slowly, painstakingly slow. . .working out the details in the lives we love.We're just trying to obey and keep our circle close and draw near in prayer. Lord knows, we all could use more of that.

 I've found a lot of little ways to sneak in one on one time with the kiddos lately.  Yard work and an estate sale with this guy, followed by reading outside on the couch.  I love that we had this Saturday afternoon together!

 Adventuring around a local city on a minimum day meant the discovery of a local memorial and a train museum!  The docent was so knowledgeable and it was so interesting!  I am glad we stopped!

Sam's club runs with a churro and soda from time to time, never hurt anyone.  I love how Bubba asked if we could take an "us-sie" as opposed to a selfie (I assume).

During bible study, they needed some extra help in child care, so I showed up.  I loved watching my girl sing her little heart out, "I've got that JOY, JOY, JOY, JOY down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart! Where?  Down in my heart!"  I loved being a part of her study and she was happy I was there too!

 Volleyball season is over so we celebrated at Shakey's.  I love that Lene has found a sport she enjoys.  I love that it's not super competitive and that she is learning more each year.  I also love that it's one hour of practice each week, and one 45 minute game.  That leaves more time for the family stuff that fills me so!

This weekend found us among friends who get us.  Friends who it's completely okay to be ourselves with, no apologies for our beliefs or our desire to shield our kids from the really hard stuff that there will be plenty of time for later on. . .friends who are just a JOY to be around.  And we get them.  The beauty of the mountains surrounded us and deep breaths of gratitude, solitude, and harmony were mine for the gulping Having all the kids together for the day meant a lot to us.  It's that reminder that we need to keep presenting opportunities for our kids to be together to build within them the desire to like their siblings as friends.  That is so much easier said than done, but certain moments like last night, around the ice skating rink when Little and Kendra stood with Janessa to watch the big kids, they all flocked together and I just had to capture the moment.  It was genuine happiness in their being together and it shows on all their faces. . .except Anthony, because it looks like he blinked BUT I know that kid worked his tail off to be able to go this weekend. There were some assignment issues he needed to get verification from three teachers about.  And he did.  He wanted to be where we were. . .and it was a great weekend together!

Even Coco joined in on the fun!

Recalling Our Week

We went to the fair during a heat wave.  It was miserably hot and I was miserably sick.  No fun for me but the kids enjoyed themselves...and grandma kept them cool with her sprayer.

After our unit on apples, we just had to stop and pick a few.

Later that day, grandma saved the day and took the kids back to the fair so our Mr. Classroom Representative could ride on the school float.  He had quite the time participating in his first parade.  I'm thankful for friends who forward me pictures...

Being a sickie called for my first pumpkin spiced latte from Starbucks.  Ernie tends to take good care of me when I'm under the weather.  I am blessed.

I just love our snuggle time.  She talks and tells me so much.  She touches my face and tells me how much she loves me and I cherish that she still crawls into my lap and lets me baby her.

This little guy celebrated his second birthday.  Hard to handle that he's the baby of the whole family. . .the baby that runs and plays with the big kids like he is one of them because he is. . .kind of to some extent:(

Cross Country was cancelled due to the heat so we played around a bit instead.

A volleyball skills class started this week. Lene's friend Layla is in it with her.  I think it will help get her ready for the season.  I'm thrilled she has a sport that she wants to play.  One more year until she can take drama at her school...her first love.

Just a little reminder of God's promises.  As if I needed it. . .but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I was playing with  my new phone during Janessa's dentist appointment.  This is a cool little feature I discovered.

Just another beautiful view of our glorious sky.  I love when I'm not too busy to notice these gifts--the ones right in front of me or above me.

 I'd love to say we were off to a date night BUT it was JJ's birthday party. . .family time is the next best thing.

Our Sunday consisted of church and cleaning and laundry and lounging.  All good ways to spend with the people I love.

I got in a fight with dirt while planting.  Just keeping it real.

Week at a Glance

Last week was short and long all at the same time.  It felt like part of my heart was living outside of my body and I had no idea how it really was doing.  Lene was at Science Camp and as happy as I was that she made it there, a part of me missed her terribly while she was away.  Wednesday night got a little worse as Nessa's nina told us of her plans to leave the country for work. . .again.  I might have cried for that and for missing my girl.  Bottom line:  I cried that night.  Just before bedtime I checked my email and was blessed by these words written by a friend:

Hi Janene,

Didn't want to text you since it's late. My friend is a teacher at _____ unified and she posted something on Facebook about being in big bear for a science camp.  I messaged her that your daughter is there and she knows her. She said they are all having so much fun and your daughter is a sweetheart:) I wanted to let you know I put another set of eyes on your baby girl:)

Jen

I tear up just reading that again because it was such the biggest blessing on that particular night.  God is SO good, I can't get over His timing and peace! It felt so good to have her home safe and sound and hear her recount stories from her time on the mountain. 

While she was away, Bubba and I may have spent some special time together playing checkers and sharing a shaved ice.  It was pretty cool to have a date with my son.  The stories he tells and the kindness from this kid just pours out of him. 

I really need to learn how to take better pictures on my iphone, especially since that's the only camera I seem to carry anymore!  Maybe it's time to pull out the big one--with the holidays rapidly approaching I may just want to capture quality photos and enjoy the moments a little more!

Sunday, ended this guy's Fall football season and the tournament did not disappoint.  It totally felt like a repeat of last year, sitting on the edge of our seats, a tied game in overtime and the first team to score wins!  This year the team pulled it off and walked away as CHAMPIONS!  The stress of it was too much for my pounding head, but it's funny--I think Bubba would have been fine either way.  He's kind of like his dad that way.  He gets over the losses pretty quickly. . .but still what a great way to end a great season.  They went into the tournament in first place too.

 And this little girl's nina is off to traipse the world again.  Opportunity knocked and she has a dream to pursue so she is on the road again. 

She wanted to say good-bye and celebrate an early birthday with her god-daughter so we all ate cake.  Then we said our good-byes and wished her well on her journey.  She has come and gone so much in the past four years that we are all a little used to it.  Her career is a demanding one. An adventurous one.  A lonely one.  But God has placed a dream on her heart that she has to pursue and I'm confident when the show is over, He will show her.  It's just not now. 

A long week.  An emotionally challenging week.  A week in which I relied on prayer and gratitude immensely.  That is the life I want to live--gulping gratitude and praying my way through.