Day #7

Since the initial shock of Jee being gone has worn off, and Emilie is in camp, I have found a "new normal" as a single mom.  Granted, the kids still don't sleep well (or eat well) and we're recovering from a virus...  but things could be worse, I know, and I am thankful that I am surrounded by loving family and friends who have encouraged and prayed for me and kept my spirit afloat.

Before Jee left, God clearly spoke to me about a few things.  To paraphrase, He said, "Don't focus on what you don't have (i.e., Jee) but what you do have (the kids, family, friends, church) and focus on what you can do and what needs to be done every day.  Remember, I am your HELPER (referencing Hebrews 13:6) and you are NOT alone."  When He said this, I KNEW he meant, I am physically NEXT to you as a BEING helping you, even though you can't see me.  Not: I'm going to help you help yourself.  There is a difference.  Does this make sense?

Well fast forward to yesterday morning.  I was running late, exhausted, tired, and I could not find Eliz's glasses ANYWHERE.  I was so frustrated.  They had vanished.  We couldn't leave until I had them on her face and precious minutes were being wasted.  So in desperation I prayed, Lord help me find these *&#$%$^ glasses!!!  Not very spiritual I know.  To my surprise, an immediate word flashed across my mind: BASEMENT.  Huh?!  So I went downstairs and lo and behold, there they were sitting on top of a bookshelf.  I had completely forgotten we were in the basement the night before playing and watching TV.  I would have NEVER thought to look down there.  But God knew where they were, and He was my Helper in a time of need.  Such a small example, but so so timely and so perfect!!  Thanks, God.  You are amazing.  :)

And I might add, as a thought: contrary to popular belief, God does not help those who help themselves.  God helps those who ASK for help.  :)  So ask today!  He is always listening.

MOVIE!

It was a rough start to the day - we're all a little under the weather and my throat is still on fire - but Rebekah and I had planned to get babysitting for our 4 kids and watch a movie.  We saw the conclusion to Harry Potter in 3D.  It did not disappoint!  I loved how it brought everything full-circle with all 3 characters and the closure was great.  This was my first movie in the theatre, in like, 4 years or so?!?  The prices are just outrageous, though.  But it was so nice to get a break from the kids.. 

Day #4

Sunday service with just the girls.  I am really missing Jee!  But, God is good and I am thankful for this day.  His mercies are new every morning.  Great is His faithfulness!  May this day bring you glory, Lord.  Help me to be thankful in all things, in all circumstances.

Day #2 (is this getting old)?

Thank God for my friend Rebekah who came over today while I was dealing with a horrible GU pain (nope it wasn't a UTI after all but something else) and had to rush back to urgent care in the morning.  God really provided her and her wonderful kids!  The girls had a blast, played at Chuck-E-Cheese, then came over for another 5 hours.  The day flew by.  Praise God.  2 days down.  14 more days to go.  I will survive.  I will not lose my mind.  I will make it through this.  Lord willing!

Day #1

Dropped Jee off at Dulles this morning for his first missions trip ever.  He and 15 other people from our church are headed to a rural area in South Korea to teach English camps, do VBS, and open air evangelism.  Whoa - it's gonna be a life-changing experience for him, I'm sure!  He will be gone for 2 1/2 weeks - the longest we've ever been apart since we met 8 years ago.  I miss him like crazy and he's only been gone 8 hours.

But, here are some of the blessings from today:
-a near miss driving to the airport - we stopped centimeters from the stopped car in front of us!!
-all of jee's work related things got taken care of at the last minute, so his project is DONE and he has nothing hanging over his head when he is gone.  the final draft of his review got sent out to the Inspector General of the EPA today.  yeah!
-my UTI that was keeping me up last night miraculously disappeared after an hour nap this afternoon.  what?!  thank you Lord!  so i went to urgent care anyways, but the urine test was normal.
-emilie ate TWO plates of curry rice.  the girl never eats much and only occasionally eats curry.
-the rainbows that are all over the inside of our house now!  they are reflecting off something i'm sure (but i can't figure out what), and i've never seen them before at this hour of the day...
-peace.  His divine peace is covering us at home and i am thankful!!

Buckets 'o Fun

Can't get to the beach?

Then bring the beach home to us!

 We started out the morning with sand boxes to play in..

(So glad I didn't toss that bag of sand sitting in the garage!)

 to bury seashells and animal figurines...

And practice tracingout letters!

It was a fun way to start the day...

(particularly when we got ready to go out and I found the huzz had taken my car keys by accident to WORK with him...  um.....)

So we had to be creative. 

We walked across the street to Pandini's and had lunch there..

Then moseied over to 5 below where I found these:

 

 Yeah!  Buckets o fun...
These are so much easier to fill up with water than the big kiddie pool..

A nice way to cool off this HOT day....
I need one of these for me!  Haha...

One more from the lake...

We ended the morning seeing this beautiful guy.

I think it's an Eastern Black Swallowtail.

Gorgeous.

He is the Master Artist!

A gorgeous morning at the Lake

We were all feeling semi-human this morning and got up early, so we went down to the lake.

 Lilly pads and a little waterfall!

 Zinnias and Verbenas.

 It was just so, so beautiful...

 so peaceful...

and i daresay, so healing...for the kids, for me...

and two yorkies stopped by.  elizabeth loved petting them.  :-)

"He leads me besides quiet waters...

He restores my soul."  -Psalm 21

It was the perfect morning.
So grateful for moments and mornings like these!

Happy belated 4th!

So to make a long story short, Emilie had a high fever for 5 STRAIGHT days - 102-103. 

Her Pediatrican, whom we saw twice and talked to twice over the weekend, was concerned that if her fever didn't break, we'd have to take her to the hospital.

Thankfully, we didn't have to go - lots of prayers went up and I belive God healed her.

It was a bad virus, and they never knew what caused it.  (I'm certain we picked it up in California, at the house we stayed at their daughter had the same prolonged high fever).

Anyhow we spent a pretty low-key fourth eating crabs with my parents!!

They were so awesome and brought some over to our place.

Blech!  That's what Eliz says to the thought of eating crabs.  :-)

But everyone else enjoyed them!!! (minus emilie as well)

Thanks mom and dad! We love you so much!

Happy belated 4th!