Under the Weather & Lent

The last several days can only be described in our house as "Under the Weather" 

and that might be putting it nicely!  

Just when I thought winter was on it's way out and how lucky we were to 

sneak through with not more than a mild cold...

 Sunday brought a host of rain, snow and ice which continued into Monday morning.  The winter storm was coupled with Nikki coming down with a very high fever, needing her inhaler for the maximum dosage, me trying to still get her brother to school for the day Monday in the storm (they had school) and yes, Nikki to the doctor in this...

*No I did not have enough forethought to bring my camera with only 3 hours of sleep

 so these photos were all taken with my blackberry*

My usual 30 minute drive to our doctor's office turned into a 55 minute 

ice laden, downed power lines drive

I think children only get sick on weekends, overnight and during snow storms -

why don't doctors believe us?

But we made it safely to the appointment and good thing, 

she has viral bronchitis and croup - yes that lovely "seal sounding" cough caused by 

parainfluenza virus (a strand of the flu virus).  

The flu shot this fall was not for this strand and 

out of 28 kids in the 1st through 4th grades, 17 are out sick with it!

So we've been laying a little low this week, I hope you understand :-)

  

By Tuesday at least the sun was shining on my drive to drop Cole off at school!

*You guessed it - I didn't remember my camera Tuesday morning either*

Today, 4 days after all this began, she's still unwell, still feverish 

and still coughing, now her ears are infected and we're starting meds for that.

And what do mothers get for all our round the clock care of our sick children, you ask? 

 Love and time with them, yes, you're right... 

But, naturally, we get to share the virus too!

Yes, I came down with the fever, chills and cough last night 

just in time for the beginning of Lent...

I was so upset that I couldn't do all the things I usually do for Ash Wednesday

-No Hot Cross Buns today for breakfast, no scripture reading this morning -

I physically couldn't do it.

And in that moment of utter frustration that I was sick on Ash Wednesday of all days, 

 I started laughing (which made me cough more) and I thought, hey,

 fasting today won't be difficult, 

and my husband said "Go back to bed, I'll feed the chickens,

make breakfast for Cole, pack his lunch and take him to school today." 

And just like that I knew today would be okay, despite not feeling well.

As a "type-A" mom, I often have trouble letting someone else "take over" for me.  Do you feel the same way?  It's not easy for so many of us, but I believe that these little bumps in the road are just God's way of telling us it's time to check out for a few days, focus on ourselves, family, home, hearth, prayer and to remember that soon this will be behind us and  we'll be a little stronger!

So today on this sun filled, Ash Wednesday, 

I'm thankful for being forced to slow down, for a loving, willing husband that jumps in and saves the day 
and for the chance to remember what today is all about.

I'm stepping away for a few days until we're all recovered, but I'll be back soon, renewed, refreshed 
and ready to join you for the season of Lent, 
Sugaring Season (which is already underway at our homestead) &

 for Spring - it's just around the corner (I hope :-) 

-Erin