Jessi cut her top 2 year molars. And it was a nightmare.
Then hubby got the flu.
Then I starting feeling sick.
Can you say pregnancy scare of the century???
(I was puking, exhausted, showing lots of signs. Thankfully it ended up being stress and a stomach bug of some sort. Mama is NOT quite ready for number 3.)
Then Jessi ran a fever for 3 days.
Now Zoey is coughing like crazy.
Sigh.
These last couple of weeks have been some of the hardest in a while. When it rains it pours, eh?
You know those days where you just feel defeated? I’ve felt that way for about two weeks. Completely defeated. The house looks like toys r us exploded and forgot to do the dishes. Zoey isn’t sleeping well, and the sleep deprivation is wearing me thin. I’m impatient and exhausted. My emotions are all over the place.
Yesterday was our anniversary. Our leap day anniversary. We’ve been so excited and looking forward to it! When we got married, we said we would do something BIG every four years to celebrate. We had been thinking we would leave the kids for a few days and go on a cruise or just get out of town. Well, that didn’t happen. We ate lunch at Rib Crib (using a gift card) and went home.
Honestly, it was really hard on me. Since hubby started a new job and we’ve had to make some major cutbacks, that means cutting back on everything. No anniversary cruise, night away or even dinner out. No gifts or fun new gadgets. I made a homemade card and Brook did the same (except he cheated and bought me a bag of much needed chocolate–bonus points for hubs!).
I can’t make it to Blissdom, Blogher or Allume or any of the conferences I would love to attend this year. We are missing one of my childhood best friends wedding. It’s just hard to learn to live on very little. Sacrifices we haven’t have to learn to make until now. Don’t even talk to me about that pretty new camera I’ve had my eye on for a while.
I’m learning to put down the oreos at Target that sound SO yummy. Learning to live on what we NEED and not on what we WANT. But sometimes I just WANT a big sweet tea or a yummy drink from starbucks. Last night in the car on the way to the doctor Jessi said “Mommy, you want get hot tea?” Yes, honey. Mommy really wants to go get “hot tea” (aka: Chai Tea Latte) from the ‘bucks.
Thanking God today for healthy kids (and that coughs and runny noses are as bad as it’s gotten) an amazing husband, and for having all our needs provided. We are richly blessed, even when I’m incredibly stubborn and selfish.
“Oh, the utter extravagance of His work in those who trust Him – ENDLESS ENERGY AND BOUNDLESS STRENGTH” Eph. 1:19
CODE IT & LOAD IT!
CODE IT & LOAD IT!
Sorry you have all been ill recently and I’m sorry to hear you’ve been finding it all so hard lately. Things build up and build up when you’ve got little ones and I think sometimes we don’t give ourselves enough credit for how much that affects our moods and so having to turn down even small treats like Oreos and Tea can become major deals!
Remembering how blessed you are can really help boost your mood, but I have found that you have to also give yourself a break and remember that however blessed you are, there are still things that really cut deep (like missing someone’s wedding!) so feeling sad about that doesn’t make you any less grateful for what you do have.
Sending you hugs.
Amanda recently posted..So much to blog about, so little time!
Thanks so much for the encouragement! I have to remind myself over and over how richly blessed I am when times are hard like this!
Her question was just adorable.
I understand the feelings of well…disappointment. I am the queen of making grand plans for just about everything. You are both strong in your faith and such a wonderful example of what a God centered marriage looks like. Thank you for being such a great example to those you need it the most.
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Thanks so much for your kind words
I’m all about making big plans and beat myself up when it doesn’t happen, but in all reality I’m happy as can be with my precious family. How incredibly blessed I am!
Know that God is right in the trenches with you — wherever you go — and He has a wonderful plan to strengthen and prosper your beautiful family!
Psalm 16:8 – “I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.”
laurie @ the corner slice blog recently posted..sleep deprivation & other spirit quenchers
Thank you so much for that!! I needed it so bad!
Im so sorry, friend. Praying that things get better for you. Also, have you ever thought about learning NFP? Natural family planning? It’s basically just learning when you’re fertile and abstaining during that time. It might be a good thing for now, because I’m assuming you’re not looking to have another baby this close to Zoey! Just a little tidbit of info that might help with one aspect of life
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Yes, I have heard of that! I’m actually on birth control for now but I was really afraid it didn’t work
We are hoping to start trying in 6mo or so, but for now I’m thinking being more careful would be smart!
You have had so much going on with sick kids and a sick hubby. I think you’re holding up remarkably well all considering! I don’t think I could have such a happy attitude. I’m sure all the cutbacks will pay off down the road, but I know it’s hard in the midst of it. Things will certainly be easier soon, probably when the baby starts sleeping better!
Meagan recently posted..Simplifying – My Notebook
Thanks my dear! Yeah, it’s amazing how having your sleep messed with makes everything so hard! I hope that once she is sleeping better, that I’ll have more energy and everything will seem easier!
I would say more, but I have my two-year-old climbing on me while I’m feeding my four-month-old. I know you have to sacrifice greatly now and it really hurts, but in the long run, God will use this time to strengthen you and build perseverance! Lean on Him for strength like never before! I’ll be praying for you!
Thanks for your encouragement!! Right back at you my dear, I know it’s not easy for you either
Friend – I feel you. I’ve been living there now for 2 1/2 years and I feel like I am just going to scream some days. The moment I think we have just enough to get by, the husband needs new glasses and his truck needs new catalytic converters (I don’t know exactly what they do, but I know they are expensive!). We haven’t been to the dentist since before we were married and it feels like things just won’t stop crashing around us! We are currently in a really, really, really tough position and I don’t know when the other foot will drop. We’ve never been further away than Arkansas and we had grand plans to take a real vacation for our 5th anniversary– and we couldn’t. On top of it all — what’s going on in our lives really puts on hold adding to our family and it’s breaking my heart.
It’s hard to miss out on those things you really want to do, and when your family is sick or not sleeping or whatever it is — it feels like the straw that broke the camel’s back!
Through all this though, I have clung to Philippians 4. The whole chapter. Remember that, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength…And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
You are doing a great job – and this is just a season, friend. He will use these things to bring Him glory. You are an amazing mama and soon you will all be healthy and Zoey will be sleeping through the night! I promise! Hang in there!
April @ Red-Dirt-Mama recently posted..11 Things
I didn’t mean to sound like I’m complaining on your blog! Oops!! I just meant to let you know that I am with you – and that first part makes me sound like a whiner. That’s totally not my intention! I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone!
April @ Red-Dirt-Mama recently posted..11 Things
Just wanted to pop over and give you a big giant virtual hug!! We’ve been in that position of sacrificing things as simply as oreos. It’s frustrating and it’s trying. When we lived in Florida, Josh was gone 14 hours a day working, Noah had colic and acid ref flux, and we (quite literally) lived off of Hamburger Helper and Roman noodles. It was heartbreaking and I spent a lot of time crying and wondering if we’d ever come through the rut that we were in. We have and I look back on those times and smile because even though we didn’t have a lot of “stuff” or wiggle room in our budget, we had some really fun times just being together and enjoying the simple things. Keep your chin up. You WILL get through this! XOXO
Courtney Kirkland recently posted..Feature Friday: Baby Sister
Oh girl, I feel ya. Seriously! We are on one budget now and although we are still able to go buy “some” things that are wants – it’s always in the back of our mind whether or not we really NEED it. For our anniversary and valentines, we did what you two did, except we stayed home and watched a rented movie on iTunes.
It’s the love that really matters, and what we need to hold on to!
xoxo
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Kara-Kae
Just wanted to tell you that I think your sweet little family is adorable. I’m not sure if you remember me from Highest Praise back in the day – I’m actually friends with Blair Stone which is how I stumbled across your blog through Facebook or something. Your girls are precious and I know it is so hard to sacrifice – I’m sure you are doing a fabulous job! Keep on keepin on girl!