My week last week was supposed to be a staycation clean-a-thon, right? Instead it became a week-long series of trials that can really test ones strength. The weekend before my break my kids and I got a slight head cold and I complained, but I had no idea how slight that was in comparison to the events yet to come.

If you follow me on social media, you know what I’m talking about. At first, I was elated to kick off the week by cleaning our home from one end to the other, top to bottom – a winter spring cleaning. My kids were on board and were the most awesome helpers and we were knocking our project out of the park.

FUN TIMES

It was about the second day that my husband’s car died on the way home from work and I went to jump-start his car. The headache that event can be is nothing in comparison to following him home knowing it would soon die again, only to have your break line bust while driving. Yep, peddle to the floor and stressful as can be.

His car did die again, and we had to pull off and I kept thinking to myself, “What else could go wrong?” Little did I know…

My husband had to take time off to make a break line for our truck and while I am thankful we are able to do such things, I was annoyed I was without my vehicle again. However, I was feeling proud of myself the other days because I got to hang my front door decor…

…and get some handmade gifts done. Please tell me you know who this is!

MORE FUN

The next day was more cleaning and I was able to give myself a long-awaited treat. I finally hung the twin crystal chandelier to the one in our bedroom in our kitchen. I have had in the basement for two years and was going to wait until our kitchen remodel was done to hang it, but I thought, meh…let’s hang it now!

So I did with much frustration as it took me waaaay too long to hang because our home was wired by a two-year old. I lost most of my day fiddling with it and was at least happy to have my treasure hanging in its rightful spot. The rest of the remodel coming soon!

I was even able to get that curbside settee finished and in my shop, so I was feeling pretty good that project off my to-do list. Upholstery work in my words is like wrestling a cat. You get all scratched up and ache all over, but I will say the fruits of your labor are rewarding.

NOT SO FUN

That night, I went to bed exhausted and snuggling my toddler, only to be wakened by a onslaught of vomit. Ah yes, remember those fun days as a parent? My little one not only started the night off with a bang, but EVERY TEN MINUTES the rest of the night. No sleepy for me.

Vacation over and wore out mama begins. I had to carry her the entire next day as she was in recovery mode and needed loving. Then the second night came. It was my turn. Wickedly sick and asking God, “Why, when I’ve worked so hard to take time for my kids and myself to just be?”

I can’t move a lick the next day and my husband had to stay home from work and nurse me. Then he got nailed. Both of us deemed useless while our kids took over the lead…that is until they got the nasty bug too.

You haven’t experienced life until you have 6 kids dropping like flies while you are useless to help. I was pretty depressed, and then I realized, “Thank you, God, that I don’t have cancer or some other ill fate where this is the norm.” I truly felt awful, but not near as awful as some. I mean, I have all my family (aside from my two babes in heaven), and we’re only sick for a time. My house if filled with noise, mess, and those that I love most.

We are still not completely whole again, but are looking forward to some restful days over this holiday weekend. Time to chat and reminisce of the Christmas’s gone by.

GET ‘ER DONE

Though we were thrown off track, I help my little complete their handmade gifts to each other. That is until this evil fur creature did a rotten thing. Do you see that offender peeking in?

While mustering up all my strength to help my kids work on their gifts, I heard a chewing sound. Having heard that before and knowing it was our cat, Lily, I was repulsed to find her chewing through my serger cords completely, almost through my sewing machine cords, and an extension cord. I was livid and so sick of things going wrong.

Oh, and did I mentioned one of my clients received their small piece of furniture broken? A total loss and our first ever in all our years of shipping. Bound to happen at some point, but why now?

Then I checked my email. We had a prayer request for a little girl named Emma who was 5 years old who had cancer and chemotherapy wasn’t working, so they decided to perform surgery. They didn’t think she would survive. I broke into tears because how could I be so concerned about something so pointless? I have my kids, I have my health, and I have my Savior.

ONE WORD

After asking my fans to sum up their year in one word, I use the word, “Exhausted”. I truly feel that I have worked myself to the bone and miss my kids, my normal life. I aim to change that in the year to come. When I asked my kids, they replied, “Fun”. That stopped me in my tracks. Here I thought was not doing enough for them. However, they saw all the good in the year…the fun events the milestones…boy, it is touching.

My point in all of this is that, yes, we get caught up in the woes of our world. Or, we can see fit to say, “It’s a blessing to have woes.” Christmas for me is the hope that soon our Lord and Savior will return and wipe out those cares the seem so important. We will have PEACE at last.

My heartfelt Christmas wish is that you have a fantastic time of family and friends. Relish those sweet memories you’re making, and focus on the important things in life. Where will we be when He returns, when Jesus comes to call us home? Are we ready? Or are we too caught up in the here and now?

I will continue to snuggle my babes as we heal and make the most of this holiday season. However, this lady is going to work harder at making life simpler and living it to the full. I am focusing on important matters.

Merry Christmas EVERYONE!!

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MEWE | PINTEREST | GAB