On writing lengthy posts…

It’s stressful around here.

I keep trying to write some glorious posts and nothing comes to me, because everything that's too large and overwhelming and consuming comes to mind – and frankly, all of that is too hard to write about.  Too time-consuming.  Too big to get my writing around.

I could write lengthy posts to tell you that:

• Quint is struggling and so am I.  We cannot find a groove in our new schedule.  And when and if we do, find that groove, it will be summer break.  And it will all be for naught. Cruel, I tell you.
• For that matter, when I say struggling – I mean SERIOUSLY.  We cannot find harmony.  He is testing, pushing, testing some more, pushing some more, and making me far too frustrated.  I feel hopeless some days.  I’m not afraid to tell you.  I’m not sure I’m seeing much light at the end of my tunnel right now.
• Keira will be two in a little over a month.  People, she was 7 months old when we came home last year.  How is it possible? 
• We have been sick.  The kids and I.  And I’m not sure if it’s pre-school cooties, or just germology or just bad juju.  Either way – I’m so tired of it!  So tired of ear infections, runny noses, coughing, hacking, wheezing.  And so tired in general.  Not to mention poor little Quint had the Croup twice in a month.  I didn’t even know that was possible until it happened to us.  Now his ears are draining green puss as of tonight.  Done, I tell you.
• Last week I got an unexpected blow to my faith that I was just not prepared for.  I should have been – but I wasn’t.  The good news (no, the great news!) is that amazing and faith-deepening things came out of it – and I would love, LOVE to write about it-  but I just don’t have the energy (see bullet point directly above). 
• AB is in production and this show is taking a huge toll.  On him.  On us.  On life.  We have two weeks more of this and then it’s over.  I’m not entirely sure we’ll all come out ok.  I mean, that is to say - "we" will be ok - of course!  But for his career.  Just changing how things might look - because we cannot continue in this way - the toll it takes is far too difficult to keep up.  (Isn't that right, honey?) And isn’t that just sad?
• I’m weary of holidays.  How did that happen?  I’m just ready for a break.  We move from November to April so fast and so many holidays live in there.  I’m ready to just STOP for a bit.  Mother’s Day in May.  Father’s Day in June.  July 4th.  I mean, they just keep on comin’.  Sigh…
• I am so behind.  I would invite you over just so you could see what I mean – except that would be a terrible hazard for you.  To come over.  To have to step over the mess that is my house.  Hazard.  Embarrassing.
• And also?  The weather in Texas?  Sucks.  It’s humid.  It’s hot.  And it’s hailing golf ball sized pieces of ice.  And it’s hot.  I can’t make this up people.  Don’t ask me how ice and humidity and heat are sharing space.  It’s lousy.  On the upside, my grass is getting very green.  On the downside – we aren’t exactly enjoying lovely days and flips flops.  Cabin fever in April is miserable with two little ones.

So I could write about all that in detail – or I could give you the Cliff Notes (you just read them) and ask your pardon for my lack of posting. 

I need some inspiration that is not related to stress. 

Come on blue skies…(figuratively and literally!)

Easter

"I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: 'I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God.' 

That is the one thing we must not say. 

A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic -- on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg -- or else he would be the Devil of Hell. 

You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. 

You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. 

But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. 

He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to." 

– C.S. Lewis - Mere Christianity

 

Photo Courtesy Brokenman

He is Risen Indeed!

So very grateful today for my Savior, Jesus Christ.  Do you know Him? -cb

Brotherly Love

I love my boy.  I really, really do.

Having said that…(ahem)

Age 3 has been riddled with hard moments – and I’m never sure if this is a “three” thing or a “boy” thing

Or a combination of both.

Pushing limits.  Tantrums. 

The beginning of fibbing

The whining.

The irrational crying.

Don’t get me wrong – it’s been great too. 

The hugs, the kisses, building our relationship

getting to know him in new and fun ways

sharing more and understanding more.

But we’ve certainly had our fill of some really tough days. 

I find myself hanging on as best I can and longing for age 4 with steadfast anticipation! 

Apparently, so is Keira….

{no Keira’s were harmed during the capturing of this photo}

Gratitude

The first week of Quint’s new beginning is under our belts and I am so filled with gratitude for the outpouring of love I received after my last post.  What a tremendous flow of support and encouragement – love and “been there/done that” boosts of confidence.  We have truly been blessed by it.  Thank you to those of you who took the time to send an e-mail or note to me.  I was so touched and read and re-read every word.

  

I am so anxious to see the good things that will come from Quint’s new school experience.  Already – yes, after just a few days – we were able to recite the days of the week with each other.  This is HUGE here.  And no, he didn’t have them memorized – but a large part of Quint’s struggle is even in repeating what you say.  He was able to repeat them back to me with little to no struggle.  We were blown away!  I knew they were working on it at school – but Hello!  That’s what I call short-order speech therapy!

 

I am so encouraged, friends.  This has been the longest trial for us.  We have all been so heavy in our hearts carrying the burden of this unknown and I have renewed hope that we are going to see such a change in our boy.  We are literally praising God for the opportunity Quint has to attend this school. 

 

I know he was unsure the first day.  And the second day he was still a little scared.  But by the third day, he cheered when he saw the bus coming up the street to our house.  That’s my baby!  Before he got on the bus I reminded him to be obedient for his teachers, and to be a friend to someone who didn’t have anyone to play with.  He smiled and said “me will!”

 

It’s been a challenge to say good-by to naptime.  He’s only 3, after all.  But his bus staff is great!  He’s in a five-point harness and falls asleep every day on the way home from school.  It leaves him a little bit groggy and serious when he gets home – but I’m just glad he’s getting 30 minutes in!

All in all – it was a great week for Quint.  We are truly encouraged!  I know as soon as we get the "new schedule” down – it will be Summer and time to go La Cabin!  What a great reward for all of his hard work!

Love to all for lifting us up this week ~ we’re gonna be great, one day at a time…