Well, since we are back to schooling again this week, my time is short. However, I feel compelled to offer at least a partial-info update on the goings-on around here. Last week was so incredibly busy that my blog was quite neglected. I also did very little reading of others’ blogs, so I feel like a self-centered, non-relational blogger, which is not my intent. I will get up-to-date ASAP on y’all’s blogs.
In the meantime, we do have a new doggie. We got her on Saturday. I am holding out cautious optimism for her successful assimilation into our family. I don’t know if it’s because she was the runt… or because she still has 20 month-old puppy tendencies, or what… but she is much more high strung than our previous doggie. My mother’s heart is *NOT* pleased to see her nipping at my children. Staffordshire Bull Terriers are *NOT* supposed to be nippy at all. She also jumps. ~insert look of displeasure~ However, she was much better today and yesterday than she was on Saturday when we first got her… and she does respond to commands of “No!” or “Down!”… so there’s hope. But, I *REALLY, REALLY, REALLY* don’t like that she can’t be fully trusted not to be too “playful” with my 5yo son, and certainly my baby girl. Hayley, our dear, departed doggie, was so peaceful, and I *NEVER* doubted my children’s safety with her. Tally-ho, though… ugh. I’m just not sure. She’s a Jekyll-and-Hyde kind of dog so far: she’s either totally relaxed and peaceful, or she flips the switch into rowdy, jumpy, nippy, too-playful dog. We’ll see.
We also successfully hosted the annual worship team Christmas party.
It’s only taken me… 12 years now (the length of my marriage) to resolve that I will, from here on out, take others’ party invitations *very* seriously, taking to heart the efforts of the host, not blowing off invites. Not that I really blew them off before… but we’re just not super-social, party-oriented people, and don’t jump at the chance to attend parties, so most often, invites become low-priority. BUT… after only 11 of the 21 people who were supposed to come did come… well, that was a tad disappointing. I struggled in my thoughts and prayers with God on that one. My heart’s intent is to truly serve the people that we lead (”we” being 99.9% Martin’s leading), and if my serving them means releasing them in my heart to do things other than attend ‘my’ party, then, that’s what I need to do. ~sigh~
We did have a delightful time with the people who did come. And, I didn’t stress out *too* much. Something Martin said to me on Saturday morning has been rolling around in my head. He encouraged me, “Look: You’ve gotten 100 things done. That’s huge. Sure, you wanted to do 120 things. But instead of stressing about the 20 things you didn’t get done, take some delight in the 100 things you did accomplish.” I think that is the story of my life. I concentrate on all the things I did not accomplish, instead of the things I did. My husband is wise. So, if nothing else, this weekend served as yet another reason why God gave him to me. Half-empty plus half-full equals a full cup, right?
Also, (this is probably TMI for you non-parents) Wesley woke up this morning with serious diarrhea. He has celiac disease, and a symptom of that is d*. As I sat with him in the bathroom, I was so thankful that it’s been a long time — at least six months — since he had a serious bout of it. We were racking our brains as to where he could have gotten ahold of gluten, and couldn’t think of anything even risky that he ate. I got him cleaned up, and then he started puking. Well, he has thrown up from dietary issues before, but that kind of throws things for a loop, because it makes it more likely that it’s a flu-bug king of thing, than “simply” dietary. Germs are communicable, while his celiac symptoms are not… and when you have four kids, communicable illnesses become of great concern. So, he’s been in bed this morning, not counting the times he’s made trips to the bathroom. Poor dear. It’s times like these that I find myself worrying about his long-term health. He’s also been having troubles with asthma… Dear God, protect my child.
Well, not too surprisingly, I’ve turned out a wordier post than I had intended. Time is flying, my baby needs to be fed, and my older boys need some direction in their school work. Must run.
Blessings to all of you, as you’re “knee deep in holiday cheer” as my friend Beverly so amusingly put it!
